Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Michigan State University

S I G M A A L P H A E P S I L O N | M I C H I G A N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y Realizing the Bill Fiscus Vision John has very fond memories of MSU, especially his time at the Michigan Gamma chapter house. Giving back allows other young men to experience great times and lasting friendships formed during their college years. A Lifetime of Loyalty Dining Room Named in Honor of John Welker '63 W hen John Welker '63 joined the Michigan Gamma Chapter, he found a brotherhood that epitomized lifetime loyalty. His wife, Sue Welker, notes the profound impact the chapter had on John during his formative years. These experiences prompted John to contribute to the A New Chapter in Michigan Gamma's Legacy, Realizing the Bill Fiscus Vision campaign. "John has very fond memories of MSU, especially his time at the Michigan Gamma chapter house. Giving back allows other young men to experience great times and lasting friendships formed during their college years." After immigrating to the United States in 1952 with his parents, 12-year-old John sought to make the American Dream his reality. He worked hard and dreamed big so that he could find success worthy of supporting a number of causes. "I would say that John probably had his first experience with being philanthropic while living at the ΣΑΕ chapter house, and has been quietly philanthropic ever since." According to longtime friend, Bob "Buck" Leich '61, John has special memories of living in the chapter house and is proud to be part of the Michigan Gamma legacy. To honor John, the chapter has elected to the name the dining room in his honor, which he considers a great privilege. "We hope this will serve as encouragement to undergraduate members to study hard, graduate with pride, and do their best in all they do to give back." Once John graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in engineering, he began his career with Modern Engineering and Ford of Canada. While working with these companies, John met Chuck Fletcher, who was the sales manager at Numatics Inc., a medium- sized pneumatic valve company. John joined Numatics Inc. in their sales division and gradually worked his way up in the company. From sales manager for southeast Michigan to assistant to the president, his drive served as inspiration to those around him. "The color of the Numatics valves were a medium green color, which was very recognizable on machines and automation." said John's son, Jeffrey Welker, who, as of December 2018, will celebrate his 25-year anniversary at Numatics. "One of the things John would say is that he bled green, and that did not go unnoticed by Bill Carls, the founder and president of the company." Bill not only respected John's drive and aspirations to own his own company, but his ability to propel the company forward with new ideas. After achieving a promotion to vice president and then president of the company, John began the Numatics Actuator division, FLR division, Numation, and continued expanding the Numatics' vision. "In 1990, one of John's biggest accomplishments and dreams came true. He became the owner of his own company and dedicated his life to Numatics." After John sold the company to Emerson Electric in 2005, he remained for three years to gradually transition the company until he retired in 2008. In 2008, John's entrepreneurial spirit continued when he bought Roura Iron Works, now known as Roura Material Handling, from the Roura family. Roura manufactures self-dumping hoppers, among other products, in Clinton Township, Michigan, and Holly Springs, Mississippi. John's son-in-law, Mike Genter, ran the day-to-day operations and in late 2016, John proudly sold Roura Material Handling to Mike. He was also instrumental in starting Clarkston State Bank and Huron Valley State Bank, where he served on the board of directors for many years. Throughout his illustrious career, John remained true to his philanthropic nature from his days with Michigan Gamma. He joined the board of directors for The Rainbow Connection, which is a nonprofit that makes achieving dreams possible for Michigan children with life-threatening illnesses. John's experiences serve as a valuable reminder that the values instilled and cultivated from Michigan Gamma remain a constant throughout life. "I would hope that the dining room named in John's honor will impress upon the undergraduate members that even after all these years, Michigan Gamma is a lifetime loyalty," Sue said. John and his wife, Sue, reside in White Lake, Mich. In addition to his son Jeffrey, John has two daughters, Shelley and Jennifer. John and Sue can be reached at suzydj@aol.com. Campaign Board Bill A. Mitchell '60 Buck A. Leich '61 Bud Tollette '62 Bob Baldori '65 Fred J. Kleisner '66 Mark A. McManus Sr. '66 Dick L. Black '67 Ron D. Reame '67 Michael R. Kamish '86 Glenn C. Stevens '87 Chris E. Lane '95 Brooks C. Harrington Jr. '07 T. R. Hollis '15

• Cover