GAMMA CHAPTER : FOUNDED 1921

In the spring of 2013, the actives hosted a pasta dinner for "These Hands Don't Hurt", our national philanthropy supporting families affected by domestic violence.  The dinner raised $2,100 and the money is being donated to The Center for Women in Transition, a local shelter in Champaign.  The shelter provides a home and support for families who are victims of domestic violence.  We plan to continue doing the philanthropy each Spring and hopefully raising more each year.

Click here to learn more about The Center for Women in Transition.

On April 22nd, 1914 Alpha Kappa Lambda was formed at the University of California.  We celebrate the centennial of that date in 2014 and we will honor this great milestone.  We are planning a number of regional events to be held across the country starting in April, 2014, so that all our alumni and undergraduate members can celebrate our first 100 years. The centennial festivities will culminate in August, 2014, with our biennial Conclave.

The Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda is pleased to announce that the 2014 Conclave will be held in Carmel, Indiana at the Renaissance Indianapolis North . The dates of Conclave will be July 30th to August 4th.

Executive Director Jeremy Slivinski explained, "The property we have selected is less than 1 mile from the new National Headquarters.  It is our intention to use the new Headquarters to showcase our Fraternity and its history.  We also expect this location to be the most cost effective and accesible to our membership.  This year AKL experienced one of its largest Conclaves in recent history.  We believe by picking a location in which most of our chapters can drive to in less than 12 hours we should be able to meet or exceed what we did in Norfolk." 

In addition to Conclave the property we have selected has hosted the Clark - Thompson Presidents' Academy the previous two years and will be hosting our new leaders in January of 2013.  The hotel staff is familiar with our organization and excited to be working with us on such an important event.

The Fraternity intends to start its Centennial Celebration in April of 2014 by holding an event on or near the campus of the University of California.  Between April and August regional events will be held across the country in places such as Seattle, Kansas City, Chicago and Washington DC.  Other locations will be announced as the planning continues.  All of these events will be open to members and friends.

The Alpha Kappa Lambda Education Foundation is pleased to announce the purchase of a new National Headquarters to be leased to the Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda. By purchasing a new building, AKL will occupy a larger and more functional facility that will provide a permanent home for the Fraternity in time for its centennial in 2014.

“This is a high AKL moment in our history ending 38 years without a true national home of our own,” said William (Bill) Porter, president of the AKL Education Foundation.

“A wonderful new partnership between this Foundation and the National Executive Council has paid a great dividend in allowing successful pursuit over the past 18 months of this important project,” he added.

AKL National President Kevin Camden said, “From this new building, we can continue our efforts to grow Alpha Kappa Lambda and develop the next generation of AKLs that will enrich our Brotherhood.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, the new address for Alpha Kappa Lambda will be 354 Gradle Dr., Carmel, Ind., 46032. The city of Carmel, a northern suburb of Indianapolis, is consistently cited as one of the fastest growing communities in America and ranks #14 in Money magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live in America.”

Alpha Kappa Lambda was founded in 1914 at University of California, Berkeley as a men’s fraternity that fosters excellence in scholarship, leadership, individual growth and involvement in community service. Alpha Kappa Lambda has installed 80 chapters on campuses throughout the United States with a total membership exceeding 25,000. The Fraternity supports two national service projects; These Hands Don’t Hurt and Cystic Fibrosis. For more information about the new headquarters, please visit http://akl.celect.org/new-national-headquarters

The Alpha Kappa Lambda Education Foundation is pleased to announce that once again it will be hosting the Presidents' Academy for all chapter presidents in January. The date and location will be announced soon.

The program is funded completely by the AKL Education Foundation through a generous fund established by Mu chapter (Ohio State) and through private donations. Travel, lodging and meals are provided for the presidents that attend.

he Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda is pleased to announce a new four-year strategic plan that guides the Fraternity to its 100th anniversary in 2014.

This fall semester, alumni with various backgrounds will be asked to identify the ways in which they will help achieve the goals outlined in the plan. In addition, members of the National Executive Council and the AKL Education Foundation have begun working together on a number of exploratory groups to begin the process of thinking about how AKL might move forward with a list of three priorities for each of the Five Ideals that were identified in the planning process.

The strategic plan charts a new course for Alpha Kappa Lambda to provide greater agility in a rapidly changing environment, enable the Fraternity to make the best investments today to prepare for tomorrow, and help the members of AKL to better serve their communities, states, nation and world through our Five Ideals.

The plan is designed as a living document, and as such, other “big ideas” are anticipated in the months and years to come.

The strategic plan brochure is available for download at http://akl.celect.org/akl-strategic-plan

To learn how you may become involved with the strategic plan, please e-mail Jeremy Slivinski or call 317-585-4911.

Eta chapter (Washington State) alum Herb Satterlee has challenged all brothers and friends of AKL to make a donation to the AKL Education Foundation at www.igivetoakl.org. If we raise $10,000, Brother Satterlee will donate an additional $10,000 for a total of $20,000 to the Foundation!

Donations of any size are welcome…please give today at www.igivetoakl.org

The Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda and the Alpha Kappa Lambda Education Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Jamison Johnson Tucker (Gamma Epsilon, Mississippi State) as the newly created Assistant Executive Director of Alumni Programs. In this unprecedented collaboration between the Fraternity and the Foundation, Brother Tucker will be responsible for fundraising, communications and alumni training.

Tucker has an extensive background in public relations, consulting, program administration and project management in nonprofit and higher education administration. He has received numerous accolades from a variety of organizations for his service. These organizations include the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Johnson County (KS) Board of Commissioners, Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity, Beta Theta Pi International Fraternity as well as the Campus Activities Board and sorority/fraternity community at Washburn University (KS).

Tucker is a graduate of Purdue University (IN) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication/Public Relations and a Master’s degree in Management from Baker University (KS). He was a Chapter Consultant and Director of Membership Development for Alpha Kappa Lambda National Headquarters in 1994 and 1995. He served on the AKL Education Foundation Board of Directors from 2008 to 2010.

The Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda is pleased to announce the return of Matthew Mitchell (Gamma Delta – Montevallo) as Director of Chapter Services. Brother Mitchell returns to NHQ after spending the past two years earning a Masters degree in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of West Florida.

He previously worked for the Fraternity as Director of Chapter Services from July 2006 to December 2008.

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.

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

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.

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

’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.

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

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

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.