Theta Chi - Drake University

Gamma Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at Drake University ~ Spring 2020 A dvisor. Mentor. Leader. Liaison. Financial contributor. Any of these roles are a great way for an alumnus to give back to Theta Chi. Todd Elverson '78, latest recipient of the George T. Kilavos Alumni Award, has done all these and more. The George T. Kilavos Award is presented to "those who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made meritorious contributions to the local, regional, or national general welfare of Theta Chi Fraternity." Todd served as chapter president during his undergraduate years, and his support for the chapter has not stopped in the last 45 years. Todd graduated from law school in 1981 and immediately put his legal and financial expertise to use for Gamma Tau. In addition to serving on the ΘX Building Corporation, Todd was a founding member and the first president of the Helping Hand Foundation, a corporation formed to support scholarship at both the Gamma Tau Chapter and Drake University. He also volunteered to lead the construction of the new chapter house at 1320 34th Street, spending countless hours meeting with contractors, coordinating decisions, and requesting improvements. He was always conscious of the tight budget and used shrewd judgment to drive the project forward. He has also held numerous roles since 2006, such as chapter advisor—a role in which he is greatly respected by undergraduates and alumni of all ages. He has acted as liaison to Drake University, representing the chapter at meetings and events and when conflicts arose. Todd has worked in chapter investigations and resolutions, getting to the bottom of conflicts whether they were inter-chapter, intra-chapter, or with the university or local community. "Todd has been engaged, involved, supportive, and completely dedicated to Gamma Tau over the last 45 years," Christopher Swan '86 wrote in his nomination of Todd for the Kilavos Award. "He has been a leader who would step up when asked and was proactive when he recognized a need. He was present at 3 a.m. when a car would hit the chapter house, or when an incident that might threaten the fraternity would take place. He is a master of remaining calm, cool, yet pointed and in fierce pursuit of the truth. Todd never asked for recognition or for personal accolades. He is simply the finest brother ever to be a member of the Gamma Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity." Todd received the award at a ceremony on February 20, 2020. He attended alongside his wife, Denise, and their three children: Molly, Charlie, and Peter. Al Kopec Jr. '79 and Jim Dornfield '75 presented him with the award. "While 95 percent of brothers graduate and leave Des Moines, Todd has made Des Moines his home," Al said during the ceremony. "And when most Des Moines brothers make themselves scarce after graduation, Todd never hesitated to lend a helping hand." "No higher praise can be said about a brother than he is a good friend," Jim added. "Todd is respected for his deeds and truthful in all his interactions. He has scores of friends across the decades, and everyone speaks of his character and honor that he has brought to every relationship." On behalf of all our brothers, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank Todd for his eternal devotion to the Gamma Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. THE EPITOME OF AN ASSISTING HAND Todd Elverson '78, Winner of the 2020 George T. Kilavos Award W e hope you and your families are healthy and prioritizing your health. Recent worldwide events have given way to many cancellations and rethinking our priorities as we are dealing with the spread of the COVID-19. We share your concerns about keeping our families safe and making certain that our senior family members have good support during this challenging time. As of the printing of this newsletter, the Theta Chi house remains open, but all classes are all online. The 10 members that remain at the house are practicing social distancing and appropriately limiting their activities. Many of our members have returned to their homes to wait out the crisis. We are using this period to repair parts of the house that have been damaged due to the mold or in the case of the bathroom that was never properly constructed for our level of use. Thank you for your continued support as we face an uncertain future. ΘX Building Corp. is doing everything in our power to preserve the house and the fraternity for future generations of Theta Chis. Theta Chi, Gamma Tau Chapter Addresses COVID-19

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