Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Illinois

illinois beta chapter Thank You, Loyal Brothers Bonds that Last a Lifetime Spotlight on Dale Drake '73 W hen Dale Drake '73 gets together with his SAE brothers, it's the same stories that are told and retold. "Forty-one years later, they are still so funny," he says. Carrying their bricks all around the chapter house, borrowing flowers from the cemetery for the annual Paddy Murphy dance, and playing cards well into the night with brothers like John Sylwestrak '72, Mike Hardin '72, and Russ Nelson '74. These memories top the list as Dale reflects on those undergraduate years. Dale was social chairman and chronicler for the chapter and ultimately earned his degree in biology. When he graduated, dental school was next at Loyola in Chicago. There he met his wife, Elaine, during her new student week. Elaine was a University of Illinois graduate as well as a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Dale and Elaine had many mutual friends while at U of I, but never knew each other as undergraduates. The two have had their own dental practice together since they graduated from Loyola and have raised four children: Christa, Lindsay, and twin boys, Adam and Andrew. They also have four grandchildren. Throughout the years since U of I, Dale has maintained his connection to SAE. For 10 years, he served as president of the House Corporation during a challenging period. "At that time the chapter was having some real financial problems. I thought I might be able to help. I got along with a lot of the current chapter members and I had the time in those years help sort out their problems. I enjoyed that time very much but I could never have done it without the help of Kim Larson '81, Doug Fink '76, and Jeff Price '76." It was during that time that Illinois Beta won a national award for most improved chapter. "The alumni brothers who subsequently took over did a wonderful job after our involvement concluded." Dale has maintained the friendships he originally cultivated as a young man. He competes in two golf tournaments every year with John Sylwestrak in Illinois and a tournament with Russ Nelson in California. Dale's own brothers are also brothers in SAE, sharing a special bond through the fraternity. Doug '68 is an orthopedic surgeon in Edina, Minnesota, Daryl '75 is an architect in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Dan '76 is an attorney in Rochester, New York. "My very best friends are my fraternity brothers. I have good friends from high school and dental school, but my best friends are from my time as an undergraduate. I think that there is something special about living together and relying on each other. Spending those hours over lunch, dinner and every evening together at the chapter house were memorable. The time we spent together over those four years made a huge impact on all of us. Make the most of your fraternity life. Spend the time to develop really close friends and those friendships will last a lifetime." Dale and Elaine split their time between their homes in Belvidere, Chicago, and Scottsdale, Arizona. He can be reached at drdaledrake@aol.com. He would love to hear from any of you, but especially from the brothers that were in the SAE house while he was there. Alumni invited to Reconnect with illinois BetA T hank you to those alumni who visited Illinois Beta and supported the Illini in the Homecoming game against Michigan State in October. We look forward to seeing you next year on October 25, 2014, when the Illini take on the University of Minnesota. Founder's Day activities took place this year on Saturday, March 8. This was Illinois Beta's first annual Alumni and Member Education Awards. We recognized active members and their contributions to the house, as well as the continued backing of alumni support, assistance, and donations. We look forward to next year and hope to have more alumni attend and participate in Founder's Day, as you are an integral part of our beloved organization. Next year's Founder's Day will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Please make plans to join us. As we continue to grow as a chapter and take on new roles at the University of Illinois, we would like to revive our alumni base. Without your commitment and support we are limited philanthropically; unable to maintain member presence at leadership conferences and schools; fail to preserve, conserve, and maintain the chapter house; and most importantly we, as members, lose the insight of brothers who came before us. We all joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon to be part of an organization of True Gentlemen, a unit of brothers regardless of age. I ask you as alumni to reflect upon your recent visits and contributions to the beloved order of Illinois Beta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon and unite with us once again. Fraternally, Michael Colucci '15 Alumni and Member Education Chairman Phoenix Club ($1,000 and above) Nicholas N. Rau '96 Phi Alpha Club ($500 to $999) Randall L. Jones '79 Jeffrey S. Poulter, M.D. '81 Michael H. Charpentier '89 Purple & Gold Club ($250 to $499) * Thomas G. Freeman Jr. '59 * James A. Dyer '63 * Thomas A. Jepsen '76 Violet Club ($100 to $249) * Dr. H. Richard Kelly '50 * John H. Heindel '56 * Donald R. Warner '58 * James D. James '59 * Michael R. Thomas '65 * Donald F. Pierson '67 * Gregory K. McClintock '72 * Roger W. Wenthe '77 * Thomas M. Donlan '79 * Douglas A. Gerrard '84 * David S. Erickson '86 * Marc J. Poskin '87 * John E. Enderle '89 * Chris A. Fronk '93 Donors (Up to $99) * Richard C. Hoskins Jr. '68 * James C. Kenny Jr. '13 *Fall 2013 donor T hank you to our loyal alumni who responded to the chapter's fall 2013 appeal by contributing $4,525 with 23 gifts. Your support makes a difference in the future of Illinois Beta Chapter as Sigma Alpha Epsilon re-establishes itself at the University of Illinois. Contributors are listed below in graduation order and in their giving level. If an error has been made in recording the amount of your gift, please contact our campaign coordinator at (785) 843-1661. Thank you for your support!

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