Alpha Tau Omega - University of North Dakota

T H E D E L T A T H E D E L T A NEWS NEWS A PUB L IC A TIO N O F A L PHA TA U O MEG A F R A TER NITY UNIV ER S ITY O F NO R TH DA K O TA s F A L L 2022 T he Board of Trustees serves as a sounding board for the chapter, advising/mentoring individual officers and members. Since the chapter is a self-governing, independent entity, the Board of Trustees does not oversee or regulate the chapter or individual officers; it serves in an advisory role and has no authority over the chapter's budget. The BOT was officially formed in 1994 to increase involvement of alumni with the active chapter, moving away from a single chapter advisor spreading out time and commitment responsibilities among all BOT members. Members Board members are Chairman Kevin Riley '79; live-in resident Logan Anderson '18; recent graduate Al Grentz '17; Jordan Speare '13, a founding member of the new chapter; Bob Hylland '81; Paul Traynor 'YR, a law professor at UND; and Bruce Gjovig '74, CEO emeritus, UND Center for Innovation Foundation. Goals We plan at least one in-person meeting with the house executive board each semester and virtual meetings as needed. We have engaged with Seth Hanson, the chapter advisor from ATO National, and Chris Lucas, the director of member engagement from ATO National. They have been great to work with and very responsive. Please text or call Kevin Riley '79 at (701) 552- 1559 or email at kriley@robertgibb.com with any questions or concerns. DOWN TO BUSINESS Meet the Delta Nu Board of Trustees A s an 18-year-old fresh out of high school from Hawaii, new to a foreign land, Mark Rios '69 found himself enjoying the company of other incoming freshmen during Alpha's recruitment. "Being a newcomer to the mainland, ΑΤΩ was the most welcoming fraternity, and I knew it was genuine." Delta Nu had a great impact on Mark's integration, growth, and maturity as a young man in this brand-new atmosphere. "I probably wouldn't have completed my educational goals without the support, guidance, and example of many ΑΤΩs." It was during his college years at ΑΤΩ that Mark grew into a man—accepting responsibility for himself; leading by example; learning from missed opportunities; participating in an organization and team that's bigger than himself; showing pride yet exhibiting humbleness and kindness; and even regularly practicing etiquette. Brotherhood Runs Deep During his freshman year, Mark was extremely homesick for his family and the islands. As fall finals approached, the brothers planned to close the house to return to their hometowns for Christmas break—except for Mark. "Not a problem, for I had already made arrangements to stay in Grand Forks for the duration." However, a few days before finals concluded, Mark was approached by his brothers and presented with a round trip airline ticket from Los Angeles to Honolulu. "I stood speechless and confused with gratitude, not comprehending what this was all about." Unbeknownst to Mark, his brothers raised the money by donating blood at the campus's Rehab Center for $5 per pint. "How did this pure act of kindness occur from a group of young men who only met me a few months before? To this day, I am forever grateful and treasure that memory." Mark and many of his brothers remain good friends to this day. In fact, his big brother, Larry "Chunky" Matejcek '68, was Mark's best man at his wedding. More Than an Organization How ΑΤΩ Impacted Mark Rios '69 (Continued on page 2) Mark and his wife, Sandy.

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