Alumni News

  • Iliniwek Retreat Spring 2010

     

    Men of Gamma,

     

    On January 13 of 2007, forty Gamma alumni convened in Chicago to decide on the future of 401 E. Daniel and define the relevance of AKL’s Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois. Three years later we find ourselves with a new building at the corner of Fourth and Daniel. Please see the construction progress photos on the AKL website (www.AKLGamma.com). You will see that the building structure is now complete, and the tradesmen are installing electric, heating, AC, and plumbing. Drywall will be installed by the end of February.

     

    Your house will be fully ready for your inspection at our Grand Opening October 1-3 of this year. You are welcome to tour the building at any time before then; simply let us know when you want to do so.

     

    Just as important to the future of Gamma Chapter was the launch of the Gamma Leadership Training program for the active men on January 13, 2010 – three years to the date of our Chicago Summit! A team of Gamma alumni delivered six leadership training sessions aimed at building a shared vision among the Active Chapter on what it means to be “Men of Character; Making a Difference.”

     

    Imagine the benefits of a new leadership-training program developed on a solid foundation of experiences and educational content from the Aspen Institute, Booz Allen Hamilton’s Center for Performance Excellence, Motorola Institute, the University of Illinois, and the AKL National Education Programs, with training provided by world class leadership instructors and practitioners. Let me explain:

     

    From January 13-16 seven alumni faculty delivered day and night training, workshops, and planning sessions to the Gamma actives and pledges, resulting in a comprehensive business plan for the Gamma Chapter that will ready the men for life in the new house. The plan was built entirely by the student members and approved by the Corporation Board.

     

    An activation ceremony of the 2009 pledge class followed. Gamma’s student organization, programs, and active’s responsibilities to each other were re-engineered no differently than the transformations that have occurred among major global corporations.

     

    Hell Week, or I Week as you remember, is now replaced by a corporate style visioning, team building and planning exercise, while our traditions remain intact. Faculty alumni Professor Steve Hall, Alumni Association Executive Jack Peirce, AKL National President Emeritus Brent Holmes, Motorola Technical Leader Rick Van Egeren, Campus Recreation Director Dave Bagger, and Gamma Transition Leader John Evans joined me by investing a half day to full time over four days engaging the men. We also received off site support from alumni education and training advisors – ADP’s Corporate Leadership Trainer Chris Burley, and Evans Scholar Foundation Director Gary Holaway.

     

    We explored the aspirations of the alumni as a group, the personal aspirations of each active and pledge, and tailor made an experience and cultural program that will secure our ideals while building skills that prepare the men for life as they pursue their hopes and dreams. Award-winning actor and entertainer Will Smith provided a perfect backdrop for our discussions. Please see the You Tube clip ‘Will’s Wisdom’ to understand the ideas we explored last week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLN2k0b3g70.

     

    The clip is inspiring and set the stage for the faculty to relate the stories of dozens of Gamma Alumni now making an impact in our society. We are fortunate to not only be able to talk about our alumni, but deliver them in person to the men. For example, Los Angeles media and software industry CEO Jerry Salzman will follow our program launch with a visit to the men next week as our first guest lecturer. Jerry’s one-on-one and team discussions with the men will begin to build the Gamma member’s comfort with a senior executive as he shares his perspective as an industry leader and importantly, an AKL.

     

    I hope you can see that the role of our alumni in mentoring the men is now defined and ready for successful implementation. We are delivering the Gamma Vision adopted by our Corporation Board in 2007. The men are ready for your personal offers as mentors, leadership faculty, and experts in industry, politics, and faith. With your support, we can assure every alumni that Gamma will be known for its excellence on campus and be a place that truly changes a young man’s life.

     

    Please help us deliver on this vision and the continuity of our legacy; help us protect our dream.  Visit the new website (www.aklgamma.com), provide us with your profile information, and let us know how we can bring you and your class back home. Keep in mind our Grand Opening’s major reunion October 1-3.

     

    Fraternally,

     

    Chris Disher ’77

    New Gamma Campaign

    Cabinet Chairman

     

                  

     

    Jan 13-16, 2010 Planning, training and recruitment meetings at AKL, 606 Ohio.

    Sessions ran from 9 AM to 7 PM for 4 days

     

  • Construction Update

    Week of December 7, 2009

     

    Men of Alpha Kappa Lambda,

     

    Greetings men! I realize it has been a month and a half since the last news bulletin but believe me, there has been no shortage of progress. Since the last bulletin, we have finally received our building permit and have begun reconstruction in earnest. You will see by the photos throughout, we have not only started rising from the ground but the historic chapter house is also beginning to take shape. 

    The majority of the action has occurred in three key areas; the foundation of the new addition, the interior framing of the new suites in the chapter house, and utility work. Right now you can stand in our future multi-purpose basement and start to envision future gatherings where Alumni and Actives join together and celebrate our common bonds. You can walk the framed corridors of our historic house and envision the great common space that has been created to bring our members closer in friendship. You can stand in the area of our future Alumni Terrace and realize our house will be the envy of all other fraternities on campus.

     

    With those words I will show you the progress through photos but remind you that our work as Alumni is not complete. We are still short of our fundraising goals and we are looking for your help. We have various options for your involvement including tax free donations to the foundation, simple gifts of any value, pledges spread out over months or years, or the purchase of notes to support our immediate needs.

     

    Our bank financing is in place, our contractor is hard at work and now we need you to help at whatever level possible! Please think about being a part of our campaign and give back to the house that has hopefully given you memories and bonds for life.

     

     

     

             
    2nd Floor Suite   Entrance to 2nd Floor Suite  

    Health & Fitness Center

    		   3rd Floor Stair Landing  

    Common Study

    Space

    3rd Floor Suite
                     

    All the Best,

     

    T.J. Blakeman, Construction Chair

    Pledge Class of 1999

    (217) 414-0630 or tblakeman14@hotmail.com

                                            

  • Rain, Rain Go Away: Construction Update for the week of October 19, 2009

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 10/19/09 05:26:00 PM

    By T.J. Blakeman


    Men of Gamma,

    Rain, Rain go away! This year's quick change to fall has not been easy on us at Gamma. Due to the unseasonably cool temperatures in early October and above average rainfall our work schedule has suffered some minor setbacks. You will see in this weeks update that a majority of the work has involved excavation and foundation work, which of course requires a relatively dry period. However, now that we have received a string of good autumn days, work is back underway and the footings are in!


     

    There is not a lot happening inside since we are still awaiting approval of our building permit and unfortunately, it may take another few weeks to realize those details. However, we will continue to move forward.


     

    While we wait out these delays and weather, I would like to ask for your help researching a little of our history. We are undertaking a project to compile a list of our past presidents. We need your help in completing such a large task. We currently have all of the recent presidents 1997-2009 but we need help with the rest. If you know of a name that we can add to our list, please email the name, year, and hometown to me at tblakeman14@hotmail.com or post the name on our Facebook page wall.


     

    We will compiling a whole host of historical documents to put on display and to properly store in the new house. Some of the more interesting pieces we have collected are the financial report from 1929 showing all of the construction cost, old pledge books, photographs, initial plans for the 1969 addition, original plans to the house and addition, newspaper articles from our dedication, and a 1930 Illio showing our first year with the new house. We will take anything you have, including photocopies. Please let me know if you can help rebuild our history.


     

    All the Best,

    T.J. Blakeman, Onsite Owner Representative
    Pledge Class of 1999 (217) 414-0630 or tblakeman14@hotmail.com

    View all of the construction photos (updated weekly) at www.aklgamma.com.


    Gamma Day and Construction Update for the Week of October 5, 2009

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 10/05/09 05:39:00 PM

    By: T.J. Blakeman ('99)

     

    Men of Gamma,

    I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has traveled back home to Gamma this year to witness first hand the amazing changes that are taking place. This past weekend was Gamma Day at AKL and our official ground breaking ceremony. We had around 100 alumni and their family members back home this weekend and it was a delight to see everyone’s reactions on the many tours of the project. When we combine this weekend, with the last home game and special tours, we have to be thrilled at the dedication of our members to remember this old home.

    Our project continues to run on schedule with demolition of the addition complete. Excavation work has begun on the foundation for the new addition, as well as craw space throughout the original house. Our building permit application and plans have been finalized and are currently under review. Once those plans are approved away we go! If you are planning to visit us during the remaining home football schedule, you will likely see the foundation complete, Addition under construction and build-out beginning inside.

    As things start to cool down, the goal will be to complete the addition structure and seal the house for interior work this winter. Once again, I hope that you are able to join us for a football game or a tour this fall. Also bear in mind that our Capital Campaign is still underway as we close the final 10% gap we will need to complete the project. This would be a great time to reconnect with your pledge class and think about a class contribution. All the Best,

    T.J. Blakeman, Onsite Owner Representative
    Pledge Class of 1999 (217) 414-0630 or tblakeman14@hotmail.com


    Alpha Kappa Lambda's Gamma Chapter Sets to Break New Ground

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 10/01/09 08:56:00 AM

    CHAMPAIGN, IL–October 1, 2009 Just as they did some eighty years ago, actives and alumni from the Gamma Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity, the oldest surviving chapter in the country, will return home to 401 E. Daniel Street in Champaign, this Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 12:30PM, for a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of reconstruction on their chapter house. In addition to the physical improvements of the house, the chapter is ushering in a new age of fraternity by launching new academic, career, and leadership programs on campus.

     

    AKL chapter president Tom Seewald has a full plate during his senior year. In addition to his engineering studies, and leading the men in the house, Seewald has played a large role in the renovation and programming, an effort that will serve generations of AKLs to come. Seewald said, "We've reached a crossroads in the history of our chapter, as we are excited about entering a new phase of Gamma while celebrating the memories that so many have enjoyed. I think having so many people from so many different eras on hand really helps you to appreciate where the chapter has been and how it will continue to grow in the future."

     

    The renovated house will be designed to foster collaborative learning and teaming with modern suites, a fitness center, assembly rooms and a leadership classroom known as the Chief Illiniwek Room in honor of the Chief and the three AKL brothers who portrayed him.  Capital campaign chairman Chris Disher (’77) said, “The groundbreaking is symbolic because we are not only rebuilding the physical structure; we are redefining the nature of this social fraternity.  In addition to social programs, the new AKL will be a place that develops young men into leaders and readies them for success in their chosen vocation.  We will align our leadership development, career development, academic, health, wellness and community service programs with new University offerings. Our students, Alumni, and University faculty and staff will work together to test new programming and educational seminars at the fraternity that will enrich the University of Illinois experience.”

     

    The full reconstruction project, which was spurred by a new city ordinance requiring all Greek houses to install sprinkler systems, will cost just over 3 million dollars, making it one of the largest construction projects underway in the City of Champaign. The leader architect on the project is Ratio Architects of Champaign, and construction is being performed by Hibernian Development.

     

    The house is scheduled to be complete next June and Alpha Kappa Lambda will open its doors to 70 men when school resumes in August of 2010. To learn more about this project and construction plans, please visit . To schedule a tour of the house, or to inquire about recruitment, please contact 217-343-1594 or info@aklgamma.org.


    The Addition Comes Down: Construction Update for Week of September 21, 2009

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 09/21/09 03:02:00 PM

    By T.J. Blakeman


    Men of Gamma,

    Another week in the books and another series of remarkable photos. I have been assured that not every week will have such a drastically different view but these four weeks have been amazing. The biggest change of all has been the complete demolition of the 1969 Addition. It was a remarkable sight to see as each bit of concrete falling resulted in small tremors, reminding you just how sturdy our old house was. It is also amazing to see the original house sitting alone for the first time in forty years. It gives you an appreciation of the men who lived in only the house and how small things must have felt sleeping in their dorms.


     

    Now that the structure itself is down, attention turns to removing the debris and prepping the site for the foundation excavation. This work should begin in the next few weeks. Inside, work is turning to rounding out the demo with removing the thousands of nails that remain from the old wood lath under the plaster. Another interesting task has been the excavation of the crawl space under the chapter room (a place many of you have probably never been). This work will allow the duct work to be installed for the new heating and cooling system and will allow a vapor barrier to be installed to prevent moisture.


     

    Finally, we are in the closing days of our design work for the full construction permit. Our Architects, Contractor, HVAC rep, and I have been pouring over the plans to make sure that every space works. Our work should be complete by weeks end.

     

    A few final reminders. If you are planning to visit us on Gamma day and take part in our official ground breaking ceremony please contact Chris Disher (847) 226-3917 or Kristin Williamson (217) 343-1594 to let them know how many to expect. Also, a reminder to reach out to your pledge brothers and think about giving a class gift. We are still working hard on fundraising and we can always use your help. Finally, if you are in Champaign, please remember to give me a call and I would be happy to set up a tour.

     

    All the Best,

    T.J. Blakeman, Onsite Owner Representative
    Pledge Class of 1999 (217) 414-0630 or tblakeman14@hotmail.com

    It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 09/16/09 09:35:00 AM

    ’Tis the season! Not for carols and presents or stockings and snow, but for football of course. And there’s no better time to be an Illinois alum! Ready the coolers and inventory the tailgate gear…another Illini football season is here!

    Those Saturdays between Labor Day and Thanksgiving are our best opportunity to spend time with some of our best friends - including our AKL brothers. Take advantage of the chance to reconnect with your old friends this season using our web site. Please join us at our Game Day Hospitality Tent at the 401 E. Daniel 2-hours before and 2-hours following each home game. Drinks and snacks will be served.

    Here are a few useful links to get you ready for this season (and beyond)...

    Your guide to Champaign: For info on where to eat, stay and play when you come back to town. (Click here for all you need to know about this year’s team and expectations).

    To view a full schedule of games so you can plan your trip back to Champaign, click here.

    Class of '88 Reunion Checks Out the Site: Construction Update for September 14, 2009

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 09/14/09 05:17:00 PM

    By T.J. Blakeman


    Men of Gamma,

    Last week was another big week for our chapter house that was capped off with one of the best Alumni gatherings we have had since our initial campaign kick-off in 2007. We were thrilled to have the graduating class of 1988 back on campus to celebrate with us. The men were able to tour the house and enjoy our pregame tent on the front lawn. Their attendance made all of the difference and I hope you will think about organizing a reunion of your pledge class to join in this year of transformation.

    Turning to the construction project, the deconstruction of the house is nearly complete. Over the past week the final partitioned walls were removed and floors stripped. It is a remarkable scene to stand in the foyer and look up into the attic. The primary bulk of the deconstruction now remains in the addition. The remaining concrete frame will be the next and final portion to be removed. Once that work is complete the foundation work will begin. Those of you visiting us on October 3rd for Gamma Day will hopefully see the excavation work in progress.

    The week ahead will involve removal of all the windows, exterior woodwork and exterior plaster. This will allow the exterior to be complete before the first snow falls and by that time the entire house should be completely enclosed. I would like to take this opportunity to once again invite you back to Gamma. The chance to see the house in this condition is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know the men of 88’ had a great time standing in the house and remembering all that has happened during their time and I know you will have a great time as well.

    Finally, if you have been contemplating making a contribution to the project, there is no better time than today. We need every man who took something away from our fraternity to think about giving something back. We mush ensure that the future men of AKL have the same opportunities that we had. On behalf of the cabinet and Corporation Board, we thank you in advance for your time and contribution.

    All the Best,

    T.J. Blakeman, Onsite Owner Representative

    Pledge Class of 1999

    (217) 414-0630 or tblakeman14@hotmail.com


    Construction Is Now Under Way: Construction Update for the Week of August 23, 2009

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 08/23/09 03:46:00 PM

    By T.J. Blakeman


    Men of Gamma,

    This week marks a historic event for our fraternity. For the first time since its dedication on October 27, 1928, the Gamma Chapter at 401 East Daniel is starting anew. I am excited to bring you the first photos in what will be a weekly publication on the progress of our restoration. I want to first take this opportunity to introduce a few of the key players. I am T.J. Blakeman ‘99 and I will be your eyes and ears on the ground at Gamma during the course of the project. Our team is led by Chris Disher ‘77. Our general contractor is Hibernian Development of Chicago and they are led by their principal owners Peter Dinneen and Niall Brophy. We have contracted with Ratio Architects of Champaign and the primary architects overseeing the project are Bill Devine and Ed Scopel. Together our development team has been hard at work for over two years to bring you the house you are about to witness being built. Thank you for your continued involvement and enjoy this time.... it is a very good day to be a man of Alpha Kappa Lambda.

    Call with any questions (217) 414-0630

     

    T.J. Blakeman,

    Onsite Owner Representative
    Pledge Class of 1999




    Actives Gear Up for Move to 606 W. Ohio

    Submitted by Kristin Williamson on 05/20/09 09:47:00 AM

    By Tom Seewald, Active President

    The men of Gamma are wrapping up another eventful year.  Activities this past semester include numerous philanthropy and service events, including a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip by some of our members.  Active members also supported the “Hand Wall”, benefiting Alpha Kappa Lambda’s “These Hands Don’t Hurt” campaign, which raises support and awareness for women who are victims of domestic violence.  We also hosted our annual active/alumni golf outing in April.  Special thanks to Jim Tarabori ’70, who shared career advice with active members.

    In anticipation of the remodeling scheduled to start this fall, the men have found alternative group housing for the fall that will allow them to replicate the AKL experience as best as possible. The “temporary” home for Gamma will be at 606 W. Ohio St. in Urbana, just a few doors down from Delta Zeta and Beta Sigma Psi. In recent years, the house was used by Alpha Chi Sigma, and decades ago, was the home for the Theta Upsilon sorority. The house has space for approximately 25-30 men, and will allow the chapter to offer traditional meal service and study areas as well as traditional social and brotherhood events. The house offers proximity to the Pennsylvania and Florida Avenue Residence halls, which are typically underserved by the Greek system, and offers explosive recruitment opportunities in the fall.