Alpha Tau Omega - University of Nebraska-Linocln

3 Alpha Tau Omega www.atonebraska.org Your Continued Commitments Needed to Make a Difference in Gamma Theta's Future W ith the completion of the chapter house renovations, we moved 39 new members and 22 upperclassmen into the new Gamma Theta chapter house at the beginning of the fall semester. With capacity at 75, we are excited to bring potential mid-year signees, as well as another sizable pledge class next year. Committed to Excellence During the past two years, the fine leaders of Gamma Theta remained committed to bringing the chapter back to the university through their hard work and dedication to excellence. They remained active through their academic, social, and philanthropic involvement while living off campus and continued to strengthen their brotherly bond. This commitment allowed for a successful recruitment that welcomed an outstanding pledge class. With a delay in the campaign, the House Corporation had to incur debt to ensure that the project was completed correctly and on time. A construction loan of $1.9 million was granted by Union Bank to the help with the completion of the chapter house. Unfortunately, campaign funds received throughout the last three years have been exhausted in order to fund the project beyond the loan amount and to service interest payments. That loan will soon convert from interest only to monthly principal and interest payments for the chapter. The current loan will burden the chapter with monthly payments of $12,400 per month beginning in January 2018. Current interest payments alone are more than $7,000, and the chapter's current revenue and expenses leave the house in red each month. Focused on Solid Financial Foundation Beginning in 2018, the House Corporation and campaign leadership will embark on a renewed campaign to raise the remaining funds to service the debt in the interim and pay off the loan in a timely manner. In the meantime, we hope to see increased pledges so Gamma Theta Chapter's debt may be eliminated. Gamma Theta Needs Your Support Brothers, this is the time for all good men to step up and support our chapter as we make a final push for donations toward our capital campaign. With campaign participation at 15%, we would love to see an additional 5% increase by the spring semester to bring us closer to our campaign goal. For those who have outstanding pledges, we ask you that you please consider accelerating your pledge payments. We also invite those who have not pledged to recognize this need and support us in our efforts to make Gamma Theta even more prosperous. Gamma Theta Chapter thanks all donors for their continued support and dedication to excellence. Love and Respect, Matt Olson '02 (402) 429-8318 mattolson4@hotmail.com P A Y I N G I T F O R W A R D Lance Carlson '88 Shares Motivation to Support Gamma Theta C amaraderie has always been important to Lance Carlson '88, who decided to join Gamma Theta because of the everlasting bonds and quality of relationships between brothers. "ATW reinforced many positive character traits that I learned growing up," Lance stated. "We stayed heavily involved on campus, which contributed to my drive to stay involved within my community after graduating." During his time as an undergraduate, Lance served as rush chairman and expressed his gratitude to his mentors and preceding rush chairmen, Kurtis Krentz '86 and Tim Trysla '85, for entrusting him with such an influential role early on in his academic career. Lance credits both undergraduate members and alumni for the positive impact that they had on his life. After graduating with his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1991, he began his professional career at Life Investors Insurance Company of America, then returned to North Platte, Neb., and worked with his father, Randy, at Carlson & Associates. Lance later formed Carlson Financial Group Inc., where he serves as president and financial advisor, leading a team of representatives to help individuals and business owners grow and protect their assets. Lance believes that Gamma Theta impacted his professional career by allowing him to advance his social and leadership skills. "The chapter helped me build relationships and the ability to connect with people from various walks of life," Lance said. As an alumnus, Lance has been a key contributor to the Building on a Tradition of Excellence campaign. He encourages alumni to reconnect with their brothers and to get involved in the campaign efforts in any way they can. "I feel we all have a responsibility to give back to Gamma Theta and support the capital campaign," Lance stated. "I am an ATW for life and becoming inactive or apathetic was never an option." He is thankful for the opportunities and relationships that he built, and he hopes that his contribution to the campaign will help undergraduate members continue to do the same. "I will never be able to repay as much as I have been enriched through the ATW experience." Lance lives in North Platte with his wife, Vikki, who was a Delta Gamma at UNL, and their two sons, Jack and Drew. Lance enjoys spending his free time at his sons' activities, watching Husker sports and Royals baseball, playing golf, and spending time with his brother, Brent Carlson '90. If you would like to reconnect with Lance, you can reach him at lcarlson87@gmail.com. Lance Carlson '88 with his wife, Vikki, and their sons, Jack and Drew. Visit www. ATOnebraska.org to make a donation online by clicking on "Donate Now."

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