Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Illinois

illinois beta chapter SAE's Focus on Leadership Important for Bill Johnson '55 S igma Alpha Epsilon p l a y e d a v i t a l role in reinforcing the leadership desire of Bill Johnson '55, preparing him to lead a diverse and interesting professional career. When narrowing down fraternities during recruitment, Bill listed Illinois Beta as his number one because of the "great group of guys who were smart, leadership oriented, responsible, and fun." During his time as an undergraduate, Bill gained a sense of pride because the chapter was one of the top five out of 56 Greek chapters on campus, and he knew he was surrounded by brothers who were smart. He served as recruitment chairman in 1952 and EA in 1954-55. After graduating with a marketing and advertising degree, Bill served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as first lieutenant and troop commander, stationed in New York City at the old Paramount movie studios. After his service, Bill accepted a job as assistant advertising manager of the kitchen division at Whirlpool Corporation, where he worked for three years before being asked to join Heath Company (Heathkit) in St. Joseph, Michigan, where he worked for eight years. He started their national dealer program and subsequently opened their first of over 100 company-owned stores. In 1967, Bill moved to Los Angeles where he was vice president of marketing for the Columbia Division of the Columbia Broadcasting System, a job where perks included meeting the Beatles in London. While California life was great, Bill and his wife, Patt, had the opportunity to move their family back to the Midwest. Bill returned to Michigan where he resumed what would become another 20-year career with Heath Company, five as executive vice president and 15 as president, retiring in 1993. Not content to be idle, he finished his business career with a four-year stint as CEO of Gast Manufacturing Company in Benton Harbor. Today, Bill is board chairman emeritus (30 years) of the Lakeland Regional Healthcare System among many other volunteer initiatives. SAE has always been a big part of Bill's life, especially when his three children, who all attended the University of Illinois, were young and would make many trips back to campus and the chapter house. Even though SAE is not actively present in Bill's life today, he still fondly thinks back often on that wonderful chapter in his life. He remembers the dean of men at the University of Illinois, Fred Turner '22, whose advice and mentorship were greatly appreciated, receiving the Fraternity's Leutweiller Award for Leadership, fun events like the SAE Paddy Murphy dance, and is still thankful for SAE's role in setting his moral compass. Bill has kept in touch with many of his brothers over the years and regularly attends reunions in Chicago and Florida. Bill and Patt, an Alpha Chi Omega at Illinois, live in St. Joseph, Michigan. They have three children who all attended the University of Illinois. Their son, Steve, is an ATW and their daughters, Kristin and Sally, are both Alpha Chi Omegas. Alumni news ChApter eternAl Raymond H. Mathisen '48 entered Chapter Eternal on January 19, 2014. His college education was interrupted by military service in WWII from 1943 to1946, and he married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth Bunny Easter, upon graduation. In 2012 Ray was appointed Chevalier and awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal by French President Sarkozy. Ray and family moved to Coral Gables in 1960, where he practiced in corporate securities and tax law until his retirement in 1992. He was a 50-year member of the Florida Bar, American Bar and Federal Bar. Ray was active in numerous organizations, including the Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables for 33 years where he was an elder and clerk of the session, a lifetime member of the Gideon Ministry, Rotary Club, president of the Miami Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a longtime member of the Miami Club and Riviera Country Club. Ray and his family moved to P.G.A. National community in 1993. He served on the transition committee, the board of governors and Eagleton Pointe board. Ray played tennis almost 50 years, enjoyed sailing and biking and traveled to over 110 countries. He is survived by his wife of 65 and a half years, Bunny; two daughters, Betsy (Tom), and Susan (Andy); a son, William; and one grandson and three granddaughters. Robert A. Mickelsen '69 entered Chapter Eternal on July 30, 2013. He was born in Racine, Wis., and raised in Wheaton, Ill., where he attended Wheaton Central High School. After college he moved to Chicago, was a high school English teacher before managing Durkin's Tavern, then married and moved back to Wheaton, where he raised his family in his childhood home and did fundraising for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Coach Mickelsen was a Wheaton Park District girls' softball coach, avid Cub's fan, and spent summers vacationing and fishing for Walleye in Minnesota with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Clara; his children: Robert, Patrick, and Rebecca; his sister, Linda; and many nephews and nieces. Alumni updAte Todd E. Drake '91 and his wife, Denelle, have one child, Emerson. He is a principal for Ballinger in Philadelphia, Pa., where the family resides. Todd enjoys keeping up with 211 Daniel and encourages keeping the information flowing. E-mail: todddrakehome@earthlink.net Fighting Illini Football Oct. 4 vs. Purdue Oct. 11 at Wisconsin Oct. 25 vs. Minnesota Nov. 1 at Ohio State Nov. 15 vs. Iowa Nov. 22 vs. Penn State Nov. 29 at Northwestern The 2014 Fighting Illini football schedule is out. Be sure to stop by 211 E. Daniel and see all the recent improvements!

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