Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega at the University of Florida
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/588612
University of Florida p. 3 www.ufato.com Q: If you could relive any day or experience you had in college what would it be? A: This would be a tie between LSU road trips in 1999 and 2001, Tennessee road trips in 2000 and 2002, the road trip to Ole Miss in 2002, all of those random afternoons on the couch in the pig pen and presidential, volcano, viking 2000 and 2001—(lucky wasn't so lucky), champagne and strawberries 1999, booking a last minute trip to Venezuela with Keith Edwards '99, trips to the keys, hunting in Louisiana, the summer of 2000 and 2001—the list goes on and on. Q: Do you keep in touch with any Alpha Tau Omega Brothers? A: It really is a cliché, but I remember hearing someone tell me during my freshmen year that the friendships created within the Chapter would be those that truly pass the test of time. I have witnessed this firsthand, covering the spectrum of experiences. I've chased marlin and sailfish to more places than I care to say with Keith Edwards '99 and Steven Will '01; I managed a trip though Europe for Oktoberfest with a group of 10 pledge Brothers a few years ago; I was honored to be a groomsman for Kevin Page '99 as well as Eric Croft '00 at their respective weddings. Beyond big trips and life events, I still talk daily to Taus, with many of them active in the commercial real estate industry. Q: When was the last time you visited the Chapter House? A: Last fall, I was at the house during a football weekend. We were getting close to finishing the second phase of the capital campaign, featuring a new foyer, living room, bathrooms, etc. I'm on the road a lot for work as I visit properties and clients across the southeast, and whenever I'm in the area I always like to at least go by the Tau Mansion. It had seen better days, but it always has a special place in my heart and mind. I can assure you the capital campaign was not just a good idea, but also a necessity! Q: Why do you feel it is important for all alumni to support the capital campaign? A: It is important to support the capital campaign because we need the support. Gone are the days of a few key alumni writing big checks and taking care of it for the rest of the Chapter. The fact is that every dollar counts. Many of the amazingly successful and wealthy alumni of our Chapter were mentioned, even boasted upon, over the years. Partners of law firms, presidents of banks, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and affluent businessmen are all part of our prestigious Chapter. Unfortunately, many of the wealthy were the most affected during the recent recession, so their ability to make six-figure donations has been directly impacted. Now, the only way to raise enough money to successfully finish the campaign is for our Brotherhood to come together for a common goal. It's simple math—skip a dinner out once a month and that's $600/ year. Make that commitment over three to five years and we've raised another $2,000- $3,000. Alpha Omega has by far the largest living alumni base in the nation, so if every Brother does his part, we would be able to finish the house, stop asking for money, and get back to simply bragging about the Tau Mansion and the active Brotherhood. Q: How do you feel this campaign will positively affect the future of the Chapter? A: Just as SEC football programs are forced to have state-of-the-art facilities in order to recruit and retain top-tier talent, our Chapter has to compete with other fraternity facilities as well as the various student-housing options. Simply put, the University of Florida has flourished over the past several decades, and everything associated with it Giving Back For What the Tau Mansion Gave Him Q&A with PAtrick Nutt '99 (Continued on page 5) Gregory K. Nelson '79 Matt Danahy '80 Jorge M. Cestero '84 Kirk N. Zeppi '85 Chris Morton '87 Mark D. Stokes '88 Robert L. Stewart '89 In memory of Lee B. Louis '90 Bob Schalow '90 Bob Matthews '91 Samuel Markham '91 Scott McClelland '92 Brian Natwick '93 Eric Johnson '98 Ryan Will '99 Steven Will '01 Brett B. Wilson '03 W. David Richards '04 Justin Splinter '05 Perry Korszen '06 Cody A. Vildostegui '08 Drew Haggard '09 Others (Up to $999) Amber "Snack Daddy" Foley Fred N. Roberts, Sr. Barbara B. Salt In memory of Jack B. Salt '51 Nicholas F. Smith In memory of Aaron Arnet '02 Laura South Charles H. Lasley M.D. '40 In memory of Professor Murray Lasley William E. Herron Jr. '41 William L. Heimer '42 Robert R. Logan '42 Robert L. Turner '46 In memory of John W. Schaut Stephen H. Grimes '48 Charles W. Abbott '48 Louie N. Adcock Jr. '49 In memory of Hughetta Armstrong, housemother W. Frank Evans Jr. '49 James C. Register Jr. '50 George A. Reich '53 Vince Fechtel '56 William G. Thomas Jr. '56 In memory of Gil Geshard Curtis Culver '56 William D. Tenney '56 In memory of Greg Tenney Michael W. Melvin '59 R.G. Williamson '60 Wilson D. Ayala '61 In memory of F. Graham Mckeel '64 John L. Wallace '63 Harold W. Goforth Jr. '65 In memory of Harold W. Goforth Sr. '40 George S. Grandy '66 Steven Krone '66 J. Fran Lasseter '66 Enrique L. Matta '67 James A. Barks '67 Edward F. Boze '68 William A. Hackney '69 In memory of Lawrence and Arthur Roe Michael J. Cassaras '69 Charles B. Lowe '70 David F. Cowan '71 Francis E. Pierce III '73 R. Griner Waters '73 David R. Garsh '74 In memory of Bob Garsh '74 Steven M. Strange '74 William G. Rush '75 Howrd E. Pickett '76 Charles H. Stone '76 David H. Hoppens '76 Matthew E. Morrall '77 R. Todd Dantzler '78 Dane M. Leslie '78 Russell L. Woodall '82 Colonel Stephen B. Lewallen '83 Richard W. George '87 Erik D. Olson '87 Daniel A. Slotkin '89 Blake Dowling '93 Jason Gonzalez '93 Brian J. Kovack '93 Alex S. Melvin '94 Michael Martirena '97 Bryan P. Johnson '98 Nick Smith '03 In memory of Aaron Arnet '02 Joseph J. McGurrin '04 Brian DiDea '09 Patrick Nunes '09 Donate now by visiting ufato.org Campaign Status At-a-Glance $4 Million Goal $2,826,161 Total Pledges from 277 Donors