Alpha Tau Omega - University of Florida

p. 4 www.ufato.org the Alpha Omegan Jacksonville Alec Adamec Munir Adamo Chip Anderson Ron Boyce Nick Kostrubsky Justin Roy Cesar Sanchez Noah Wentzel Austin Wiedeman I n Beverly Hills, California, nearly 2,500 miles now separate alumnus Michael Lewis '82, from his college roots in Alpha Omega at the University of Florida, but in many ways, his days begin the same. Guided by a sense of passion and dreaming of new possibilities, Michael has channeled his "work hard, play hard" philosophy into creating and leading the world's largest 3D cinema platform, RealD, with over 32,000 screens in 72 countries. Under Michael's leadership, RealD has twice been named by Fast Company as one of "The World's Most Innovative Companies." As CEO and Co-Founder of RealD, Michael has pioneered digital 3D cinema and has been responsible for building the RealD company into a globally recognized leader in visual technology for cinema, consumer electronics and professional applications. "I founded RealD in 2003 with the intention of answering a question that had been on my mind for some time, 'Why can't modern movies be more realistic and life like?'" Michael recalled recently. "What started as a mission to connect the dots between film and technology has evolved into innovations that provide filmmakers the opportunity to visually envelop an audience in an unmatched visual experience." RealD's innovations and licensed stereoscopic (3D) technologies make visual displays more lifelike, immersive, and engaging. Whether a movie screen, TV, computer or other display, RealD technologies enhance the visual experience and guarantee the world's content is experienced in the most dynamic way possible. Since 2005, over 1.5 billion people have enjoyed more than 200 blockbuster movies in RealD 3D. While Michael travels the globe working to build and advance the RealD brand, he continues to count his experience at Alpha Omega as "great preparation for my professional life." At ATW, Michael "learned the importance of interpersonal skills and how to build relationships with other people. Being a part of a house with so many brothers, I learned the importance of working together to create a successful organization." Even today, Michael acknowledges that "I still rely on those skills…and use them in my personal and professional life." Michael joined Alpha Omega "based on reputation alone." As he recalls, "it was known as the best house on campus." After joining the chapter, Michael helped develop the fraternity's exceptional standing at UF through his leadership as pledge class president, Worthy Usher, Worthy Chaplain, and Worthy Master. Michael continues to keep in touch with fraternity brothers who were active during his years at the chapter, including an annual lobster trip to the Bahamas that they have enjoyed taking since college. When not working or traveling, Michael also enjoys mountain biking, snow skiing, golfing, surfing, and nearly anything outdoors. Reflecting on his memories of ATW, Michael believes that the old tradition of Hell Week would be "interesting to relive… as a mature adult versus an 18-year-old kid." For this edition of the Alpha Omegan, he also encouraged undergraduates and young alumni who are starting a career to "do something that you are passionate about." Michael says, "Figure out what excites you and go for it. Don't be afraid to take risks. Work hard, play hard and dream big. Find a mentor—someone you respect and can learn from. And when you have the opportunity, do the same for someone else. Always pay it forward." Hard work, passion, and big dreams took Michael Lewis from Gainesville to Beverly Hills and around the globe on a path that continues to earn industry accolades and other recognition. Michael has been named one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Digital Power 50" and been honored by the Producers Guild of America with the Vanguard Award. In May, Michael received the Thomas Alva Edison Innovation Award from the Edison Foundation. For all of us at Alpha Omega, he remains an exemplary model of true merit and the eternal and immutable principles which bind us together. Alpha Omega Chapter Tops National Fraternity Recruitment List for 2016 T he Alpha Omega Chapter earned national recognition during the fall semester for securing the most new member pledges of any ATW Chapter across the country. With 61 pledges committed at the conclusion of the University's fall 2016 recruitment cycle, Alpha Omega was the only Chapter nationally to extend bids and secure pledge commitments from more than 60 prospective new members. At the time of publication for this Alpha Omegan, 49 of these pledges remain part of the Chapter's fall 2016 new member program, a retention rate of more than 80% toward membership initiation. The fall 2016 pledge class includes gentlemen from more than 23 different hometowns representing over 20 declared academic degree programs at the University, including: MICHAEL LEWIS '82: The Man Behind the Movies Orlando Region (Orlando, Winter Park, Deland) Riley Bassett Chandler Carpenter Kevin Cavanaugh Burns Cullen Connor Fields Daniel Galvis Patrick McGinty Logan Rape Matthew Ryan Phillip Shure Nick Sproles Tommy Townsend Justin Weisman Tampa Region (Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Lakeland, Palm Harbor) Jamison Bene Peter DiNapoli Will Hershock Michael Marinskiy Quinn Morris Nick Perillo Tyler Powell Ben Rice Jensen Rice Jake Roberts Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Drew Davis Merrett Fay Other Florida Locations Wyatt Andrews (Daytona Beach) Robert Anhalt (Gainesville) Ryan Flajole (Melbourne) Stephen Keith (Bradenton) Karim Khaboullin (Anna Maria) Nick Namacher (Wellington) Michael Puskar (Vero Beach) Pete Staviski (Pensacola) Out-of-State Anthony Carpin (Long Island, N.Y.) Chris Cummings (Deerfield, N.H.) Seth Gunnelson (Milwaukee, Wis.) Matt Hausman (Briarcliff, N.Y.) Michael Murphy (Fairfax, Va.) Mike Novello (Philadelphia, Pa.) Kerry Thomas (Long Island, N.Y.)

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