Alpha Tau Omega - University of Missouri

2 ALPHA TAU OMEGA J oining Alpha Tau Omega was a risky move, but one Phil Bender '84 is glad he made. He was interested in fraternity life but being a transfer made him a sophomore new member and he wasn't sure if he should make the leap. That changed when Greg Patton '83 reached out and invited Phil over to a recruitment event where he met Bob Charpentier '82 and Dick Cassidy '83 and was sold on ΑΤΩ. "I thought the people I met were terrific. They had the right personality, the right energy, and I decided on the spot to join," Phil said. An emotional connection is created between the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega and it didn't take long for Phil to recognize this. "Whether through the new member experience or the experiences after, I felt a real connection to the people and the direction that they were headed." He credits his Gamma Rho involvement for helping him grow socially, gain confidence, and prepare for his career path. As recruitment chairman, Phil was responsible for securing an entire member class. He recruited men toward common goals, which acted as a preorientation to his career. "I like to say I made a heck of a lot of money being a recruitment chairman and pledge trainer fundamentally; that's what I've done during my work life," Phil said. Phil began his career with the ΑΤΩ national fraternity. He traveled for ΑΤΩ and has also served on the national fraternity board and national foundation board for over 25 years. Phil built his career in the insurance and financial services industry for Northwestern Mutual and became one of its 75 managing partners in 2002. He retired from that position in 2018 and is now an executive coach and financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual. Phil feels his fraternity involvement set him up for his career success. The ΑΤΩs he encountered on the way made just as a much of an impact. Mark Mullinix '49 was his first boss and became a tremendous mentor. Through his experience and brotherhood on a national scale, Phil gained an opportunity he wouldn't trade for anything. What began as a risk has led to a lifetime of good fortune. As he reflects on his lifetime of memories with Gamma Rho and ΑΤΩ, Phil is proud of the progress the Chapter continues to make. With the inaugural newsletter and alumni relations program, Phil hopes all brothers will reconnect to the fraternity that brought them all together. "I think this is an opportunity for Taus to really get back involved, and I know this is something people have been wanting for some time," Phil said. "I am hopeful that this newsletter will provide a foundation to continue to foster ΑΤΩ for generations to come." If you would like to reach out to Phil, you may contact him at bendo24@yahoo.com. A Risk Worth Taking Phil Bender '84 Reflects on Lifetime Involvement with ΑΤΩ Left: Phil and his college sweetheart and future wife, Lisa, a Delta Gamma at Mizzou, at a Gamma Rho event. Right: Phil and Lisa, current day. Luke Anstrand Naperville, Ill. Thomas Barry St. Louis, Mo. Connor Blom St. Louis, Mo. Gabe Brodeur Northampton, Mass. Adam Connors Lee's Summit, Mo. Will Cramsey San Antonio, Texas Nick Davis Springfield, Ill. Braeden Denney* Parkville, Mo. (Father Matt Denney '87) Thomas Emms St. Louis, Mo. Thomas Erwin Lee's Summit, Mo. Gannon Ethington Rock Island, Ill. Troy Fields Santa Margarita, Calif. Henry Freeman* Mission, Kan. (Father Paul Freeman '89) Thomas Geders St. Louis, Mo. Chris George St. Louis, Mo. Joe Gilmore St. Louis, Mo. Atlin Hall St. Louis, Mo. Benjamin Hawking Overland Park, Kan. Zachary Hilboldt St. Louis, Mo. Connor Ismert Ellisville, Mo. Trey Klein Grover, Mo. Benjamin Lodes St. Louis, Mo. Ian Masukevich Chicago, Ill. Cater Monks St. Louis, Mo. Matthew Moriarty St. Louis, Mo. Marc Muller St. Charles, Ill. Dawson Owen Parkville, Mo. Sam Pedrotti Fairway, Kan. Zachary Prey Des Moines, Iowa John Quinn Manhattan, Ill. Riley Rader Kansas City, Mo. Will Russell* St. Louis, Mo. (Father Chris Russell '88) Andrew Schumann St. Louis, Mo. Daniel Stegall Kansas City, Mo. Richard Strifler St. Louis, Mo. Mitch Tarwater Kansas City, Mo. Ty Weatherly Lee's Summit, Mo. Dylan Zurweller St. Louis, Mo. *Legacy Welcome, New Members

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