Alpha Tau Omega - Iowa State University

page 2 Tau Talk W hen Robert Sheets '11 came to Iowa State to tour the campus, he couldn't help noticing all the fraternity houses. "I had no idea what they were," Robert confessed. After investigating, he decided to go to some recruitment events. What he found there helped him transition into university life, helping him learn to network, to meet people, and to participate in events around campus. During his time in the chapter house, Robert served as scholarship chairman and philanthropy officer. One of the big events he planned as the philanthropy officer was Stick Fest, a buffet-style fundraiser where foods are served on kebab sticks. Serving in this position helped prepare him for life after college. "During the process I had to get in contact with a lot of leaders, both on campus and off campus. It forced me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to e-mail and talk to people about the event that I wouldn't have done otherwise," he shared. More than that, the fraternity's emphasis on academic excellence helped put Robert in the right place to succeed. "The friendly competition among the fraternity houses around GPA certainly encouraged me to do better. As one of the brothers who traditionally had a higher GPA, it was motivating to feel that people were counting on me to do well," he said. That environment was also coupled with the fraternity's dedicated scholarship program. Every semester that Robert was eligible, he received at least one scholarship, including receiving the Dale K. Weber '28 and Verlen Vaughn Weber Scholarship in Honor of Payton Leyden, and the Mike Kelly scholarship. Receiving that scholarship felt like a pat on the back to Robert, to know that the alumni were acknowledging his merit. "It encouraged me to keep striving academically," he said. Robert has earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biochemistry at Iowa State. He lives in Ames, Iowa, and works part time while he prepares his application to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology doctoral program in biological engineering. In his free time he goes to the gym, where he often runs into fellow Gamma Upsilon brothers, does rock wall climbing, and racquetball. You can connect with Robert at robleoshee@gmail.com. an environment for success How Gamma Upsilon's Emphasis on Academics Helped Robert Sheets '11 Adam Baker Ames, Iowa Rory Gallagher Orland Park, Ill. Nick Holtan Maple Grove, Minn. Stephen Lee Skokie, Ill. Jason Linden Mahtomedi, Minn. Alex Jahn Gurnee, Ill. Joseph Monfeli Cary, Ill. Christopher Pedersen DeKalb, Ill. Aaron Spencer Waukee, Iowa Mitchell Tessmer Waterloo, Iowa Welcome, spring 2017 new Members ChapTer OffiCers President Charles Scales '15 Park Ridge, Ill. Vice President Michael Wilson '16 St Louis, Mo. Treasurer John Rickert '15 Davenport, Iowa Chaplain Peter Gallos '14 Gurnee, Ill. Membership Educator Luke McDermott '16 Johnston, Iowa Secretary Joe Grasso '16 West Des Moines, Iowa Risk Management Chairman Mac Copeland '16 Libertyville, Ill. Philanthropy Chairman Kyle Clancy '16 Johnston, Iowa Scholarship Chairman Chris Diaguila '16 Lake Villa, Ill. Social Chairman/ Public Relations Officer Bryce Pahl '16 Algonquin, Ill. Alumni Relations Officer/ Historian Spencer Suckow '15 Elgin, Minn. Recruitment Chairmen Braden Classon '16 Stillwater, Minn. Riley Fabian '16 Brainerd, Minn. The newly elected top five for the Gamma Upsilon Chapter. From left to right: Luke McDermott '16, Peter Gallos '14, Charles Scales '15, Michael Wilson '16, and John Rickert '15.

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