Alpha Tau Omega - University of Florida

p. 5 www.ufato.org University of Florida T he reasons behind the Chapter's 2016 Excellence Award in Campus Involvement and Leadership Development are not hard to find on the University of Florida campus. Alpha Omegans are involved in a range of campus organizations and numerous leadership positions throughout the University. In University committees, appointed by the Student Body president, several Brothers work to support University students, organizations, and other campus activities. Brandon Krumins '12 serves on the University Traffic Court Selection committee and is responsible for the interview and selection of the justices for the upcoming term. Smith Meyers '13 serves on the Student Organization Officer Eligibility Appeals committee and is responsible for reviewing appeals and deciding eligibility for officers of student organizations. In the highly competitive Florida Leadership Academy, which is focused on the development of undergraduate students for leadership positions in society's most important education, corporate, not-for-profit, and government institutions, Alpha Omega is represented by eight brothers in Class XIII of the program, including: Andrew Miller '15, Carter Leslie '15, Connor Welsh '15, Jake Nolan '16, Marty Horan '15, Max Wilkinson '15, Michael Roney '15, and Stefan Kostas '15. In Doulos, an organization aimed at bringing together members of UF's Greek community on the common ground of their faith in Christ, Alpha Omega is providing leadership in many positions, including: President Andrew Vadyak '13, Secretary Alan Whitaker '13, staff member Chris Kessling '11, V.P. of Meetings Mitch McNall '12, V.P. of Socials Brandon Spierto '12, and general leadership member Smith Meyers '13. In the record-breaking UF Dance Marathon, a 26.2-hour charitable dance event, several brothers helped the initiative raise a record $2,015,370.17 this year, including: head delegate Mac Edwards '14, operations team captain Tommy Moffitt '12, dance participants Stefan Kostas '15, Rob Contento '15, and Alec Staab '15, and dance marathon staff Cody Warren '14, Alex Blanca '14, and Jack Stephens '14. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our campus and community involvement! Distinguished UF Punter Johnny Townsend Part of Alpha Omega Family F or the past few years, Alpha Omegans have had a close eye on Gator football when the team decides to punt the ball, and for good reason. Johnny Townsend, UF's redshirt junior punter, is part of the Alpha Omega family. Johnny's father, Clay Townsend '74, and brother, Clay Townsend '11, are Alpha Omegans. Tommy Townsend, a new member of the fraternity this fall, is also continuing the family's Alpha Omega legacy. Johnny was named by the Augusta Sports Council as the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week following the Gators' victory over Vanderbilt. At the time of the honor, Johnny had 24 career punts for 1,205 yards, with an average of 50.21 yards per punt, which ranked as the second-best average among all FBS punters. In his career at UF, he has placed nine punts inside the 20 and has 15 boots over 50 yards. This is the second recognition Johnny has received from the Augusta Sports Council, as he was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award last year. Johnny was also named one of 156 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation and is prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club. Join us in cheering on Johnny and the Gators as the team completes the 2016 season. SMITH MEYERS '13 ELECTED PRESIDENT OF UF STUDENT SENATE W hen Smith Meyers '13 recently won re-election to the District A seat he has represented in the UF Student Senate since 2014, the field was full of competition. In addition to the candidates on the ballot for the September 28 election, Smith faced competition from a cast of write-in candidates submitted by UF students, including Walt Disney, Donald Trump, Arnold Palmer, Bruce Springsteen, Tim Tebow, and 277 others. In the end, Smith secured one of 10 seats for District A with nearly 10% of the votes. For Smith, victory in the general election was just the beginning for his third term in the UF Student Senate. On October 4, upon a unanimous vote of the Student Senate, Smith was elected as the UF Student Senate President. Smith will serve in this important leadership role through February 2017. Previously, Smith served as Senate President Pro Tempore and as Chairman of the Senate's esteemed Budget and Appropriations Committee. As Senate President, Smith hopes to be a resource for student senators and the initiatives they are passionate about accomplishing for the student body. He is committed to facilitating positive change through collaboration within the legislative branch and between the other branches of UF Student Government. Smith is a former Worthy Master of Alpha Omega from Tampa, Florida. He is enrolled in his fourth year at UF, pursuing an economics degree with a minor in entrepreneurship. Chapter Involvement Continues to Climb on Campus Brothers Serve in Numerous Committees and Leadership Posts Former Worthy Master Continues Chapter's Legacy of Leadership on Campus

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