Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Michigan State University

Michigan Gamma Chapter Loyal Brothers SAE Impacts the Life of Fred Kleisner '66 T he motto "what we are to be we are now becoming" hung over the fireplace in the chapter house during the '60s. It was this saying that attracted Fred Kleisner '66 to Michigan Gamma and has become a driving force behind all he does. "SAE seemed the best place to achieve a level of balance. The brothers knew the importance of balancing education and social achievement. I was in my formative years, so this seemed to be a good place to be." Throughout his successful career in the hospitality business, the balance between having fun and getting work done has been vital. "My first rule as CEO has always been 'have fun.'" His four-decade hotelier/corporate CEO/COO career includes leading management teams in nearly every hospitality sector, including the Waldorf Astoria and the Hilton Hawaii Village. Today he focuses on sitting on five public company boards of directors and serving as independent director of Caesar's Entertainment. Fred is still thankful for SAE's role in his career. Perhaps most importantly, SAE helped Fred develop a sense of "we." "These days, too many executives think the most important word is 'I'. SAE brought me to a point where I knew how to develop and motivate highly diverse teams of individuals to a common goal. The spirit of 'we' at the chapter house brought out my need to be a motivator." While he enjoyed chapter house events like ski weekends at This Old House, the indoor hayride, casino, beach-themed parties, and getting engaged on a double bowling date, today Fred enjoys different activities for fun. He is involved in wilderness skills and ethics through the National Outdoor Leadership School which has taken him from Patagonia to the Arctic Circle to Prince William Sound, and is an avid cyclist and triathlete. Fred has been a proud member of Michigan Gamma ever since his first days walking around Michigan State feeling happy to be a part of an organization that was considered the best on campus. "We have a marvelous group of young brothers at Michigan Gamma. For those who have found they are successful in life, there are many ways to give back. Much of my success comes from being accepted into SAE, and I have greatly enjoyed giving back to them." Fred and his wife of 48 years, Johnna, live on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and have two sons, two daughters, six grandsons, and one granddaughter. Contact Fred via e-mail at fredkleisner@mac.com. 342 North Harrison Ave. Celebrates 30 Years as Home for Michigan Gamma made in recording the amount of your gift, please contact our campaign coordinator at (785) 843-1661. Thomas L. Bode '71 Stephen R. Howard '71 J. Peter Scherer III '71 Mark A. Harris '78 Douglas W. Baar '85 Michael J. Cummings '86 John B. Grant, D.D.S. '88 Jamieson T. Dill '96 * Christopher J. Mundy '96 Adam M. Robbins '99 Scott C. McNab '06 Brooks C. Harrington Jr. '07 Donors (Up to $99) * William S. Springer '49 Richard A. Allen '50 David I. Ritenour '52 Richard J. Allen '55 Gerhard F. Osterbeck '56 James C. Scott '58 Donald W. Langeloh '59 William A. McLain '59 * Wilson Livingood '61 Jerry D. Roueche Jr. '61 * Frederick E. Sternkopf '61 Tom S. Ziems '61 * H. Allen Fernstrom '62 Richard L. Anderson '65 Franklin E. Maxwell '65 Robert O. Sherwood '66 John H. Claney '67 Gerald W. Blanchard '69 Lawrence A. Molnar '70 Ralph C. Wieleba '71 David M. Ryeson '86 Mark W. Pincheon '89 Ronald L. Poulos '93 Brian G. Schnicke '94 Benjamin A. Schock '99 *Spring 2014 donor T hirty years ago, Brother Bill Fiscus '50 and many other Michigan Gamma brothers successfully negotiated the purchase of 342 North Harrison Avenue from the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. In the fall of 1984, the last time the Tigers won the World Series, a displaced Michigan Gamma chapter finally had a home to call their own for the first time in over a decade since losing the house on Bogue Street. The alumni and chapter are pleased to announce that the Michigan Gamma Chapter is back in 342 North Harrison Avenue this fall. We encourage alumni to stop by and take a tour of the chapter house and meet the active chapter. Fraternally, Greg Somers '98 Michigan Gamma Alumni Association President gsomers@sae.net This summer some vital renovations took place at the Michigan Gamma chapter house.

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