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Alpha Scholarship Banquet – April 20, 2024 in Duluth

A special occasion each year when scholarship recipients selected for their special accomplishments are honored and awarded their scholarships in a formal ceremony and social event open to Alphas and significant others.

65th Alpha Reunion – October 3-6, 2024 in Duluth

This is probably the last 5 year reunion that can entail the full generation of Alphas from the Founders to the current members.  This is not to be missed.  Special events are planned for this great occasion.

More details of the special events, venues and hotel discounts will be forthcoming as plans get fully in place, but much discussion and preliminary planning was outlined at the Annual Meeting.  See the notes below.

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Alpha Annual Meeting Weekend Summary 2023


The Alpha Nu Omega Annual Meeting Weekend in Duluth (Sept 29-Oct 1) was held in Duluth. A summary of events:

  • A meet and greet was held Friday night at the Pickwick with alumni and actives attending
  • The annual meeting was held at UMD in the Labovitz Business School on Saturday morning with a Zoom connection conducted by president Jeff Gaylord
  • A tour of the Business School followed the meeting
  • Tailgating was held in the UMD athletic parking lot with actives grilling before the game
  • UMD vs. Winona State football game started at noon.  UMD won.
  • Dinner at the Black Woods Grille on Saturday evening

Here is a short video slideshow of the weekend events:

Alpha Annual Meeting Weekend Slideshow



Power Point Slideshow of the Meeting


Key Focus – Annual Meeting

  • We have met our “Funding the Future” scholarship fund goal of $250,000
    • Scott Schnuckle reported the success of achieving a fund total of $253,000
    • Thanks to the many who have put this over the top 
    • Our goal was to provide a fund to generate earnings to provide the equivalent of one year’s tuition and books
    • Rob Hofmann of the UMD Development Office unveiled an updated plaque of the large donors to the Alpha Scholarship Fund
    • See the full presentation:

Funding the Future Results Presentation

  • 65th Reunion 2024 – This will be the last chance for a full generation Alpha Reunion
    • This has to be the largest reunion since the 50th getting back members who we haven’t seen for a long time by personal interaction
    • Al Fahden is the creative force behind the event planning on a planning committee
    • Al has thrown out ideas to make this a fun and crazy event that will draw the masses
    • He is also looking for ideas in addition to what he will come up with
    • Here is his detailed presentation that you will want to see:

65th Reunion Planning

 
Special thanks for the weekend events go to president Jeff Gaylord for arranging events, conducting our meeting, and to the Alumni Board for input and support throughout the year..  Thanks also goes to the Scholarship Fundraising Committee (Jim Klang, John Erickson, Scott Schnuckle, Jason Golde, Jeff Gaylord) who have worked very hard for over two years to achieve the “Funding the Future” goal. We also need to thank Rob Hofmann from UMD’s Development Office who has worked with Alpha to achieve our success.  And finally, thanks to Scott Schnuckle and Al Fahden for their fine presentations.

It was also a pleasure to meet the current actives and their new pledges who provided assistance in several areas and participated in our events. This is a dynamic organization with quality members who will continue to add to Alpha’s legacy.

 

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Ben Churchill singing “God Bless America” at Twins Game

(Need to Unmute)

Contact photo

 

 

Michael Dean Memorial Service





On Saturday April 22 there was a fitting tribute to our brother Mike Dean that was well attended by Alphas and others.  For those of you who were unable to attend, here is a link to a live stream video of the service that was made by the fine people at Lakeview Covenant Church:

Video of Mike Dean’s Memorial Service

 

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Alpha Alumni Scholarship Awards Banquet 

Our annual Scholarship Banquet was held on Saturday night April 22 at the Fitger’s Boat Club with 50 people attending.  On behalf of the Alumni Scholarship Selection Committee, Chad Roberts and Jeff Gaylord presented Alpha scholarships totaling $12,000 to four members of the Active Chapter:



Marcus Young
John L. Banks Scholarship
$3500


Alex Nesenson
John L. Banks Scholarship
$2500

Alex Pederson
Daryl B. Knodt Scholarship
$2500



Jacob Schwaab
Warren F. Orrick Scholarship
$3500

Here is a video slideshow of the presentation of scholarships:


Scholarship Banquet Presentation Video

 

The Alpha Scholarship recipients have also prepared a video expressing their gratitude for being chosen for this honor:

Video Response from This Year’s Scholarship Recipients



  
  

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Blazer Coating Ceremony


Three new members — Dylan Elliot, Alex Nesenson and Thomas Erickson — were presented with Alpha blazers supplied by John Erickson in a ceremony conducted by alumni president Jeff Gaylord.  The ceremony at Clyde Iron Works was attended by both alumni and active brothers.  

 
The ceremony can be viewed in a video slideshow:

New Actives Coating Ceremony

 

Of course this was in conjunction with food and beverages with a group of Alumni and spouses arriving in Duluth.
 

 

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Active Chapter Status – Spring 2023

Active Chapter Roster – spring 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Officers for Fall 2023:

President – Thomas Erickson
Vice President – Marcus Young
Secretary – Alex Peterson
Treasurer – Jacob Schwaab
Pledgemaster – Dylan Elliot
Social Chair – Corey Reilly
Academic Chair – Alex Nesenson

Activities:

We have been busy with many socials and mixers with all sororities. We threw our first party of the semester last weekend which was a success. We are planning 3 service events for March and into April to include the Walkathon with a fellow sorority. We were able to secure an additional $300 from UMD SOG funding and have raised over $60 through our cookie fundraiser for Lifehouse Duluth, which provides comprehensive supportive services to meet the needs of our youth and young families ages 14 to 24 who are unstably housed and/or navigating various challenges in life. We are planning to do more cookie fundraising in March and April.

We have been sober cabbing nearly every weekend bringing in about $100 on average per night and we have secured a banquet location at Heartwood Resort for the weekend of April 7-9th for 35 people. We have handed out sweetheart bids to 3 sororities, with 2 more following after break. Lastly, our social media is thriving with Corey posting about members and our activities.

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Alpha Annual Meeting
Hall Of Fame Ceremony
Special Events

October 28-30, 2022
UMD / Duluth

The Alpha Nu Omega Annual Meeting Weekend in Duluth (October 28-30) has concluded with great success.  Starting Friday night October 28 with a meet and greet at the Sheraton Duluth Hotel and a UMD-Cornell hockey game, a full day of events on Saturday (Well attended annual meeting with Hall of Fame induction, football game, cocktails and dinner at the Kitchi Gammi Club), and a farewell breakfast on Sunday. We appreciate all those who attended the festivities.



Here is a short video slideshow of the weekend events:

Alpha Annual Meeting Weekend Slideshow


Special thanks for the weekend events go to president Jeff Gaylord for securing hotel accommodations, purchasing HOF award plaques and conducting our meeting and the Hall of Fame presentation, the Alumni Board (Jeff Gaylord – president, Jason Golde – treasurer, Jim Klang – Secretary, Jim Main, Gary Gilchrist, Les Nelson, Laird Goodman, Scott Schnuckle, John Erickson and Isaac Winter) for input and support and Huck Andresen for arranging cocktails and dinner at the Kitchi Gammi Club.  Thanks also goes to the Scholarship Fundraising Committee (Jim Klang, John Erickson, Scott Schnuckle, Jason Golde) who worked very hard all year to further the “Funding the Future” plan and secure contributions.  We also need to thank Rob Hofmann from UMD’s Development Office who unveiled an update to the Order of the Blue & White Forever plaque and made a short presentation on processes to support our Scholarship Fund initiative.  And, finally, thanks to the lovely significant others who joined us for the various social events.

It was a pleasure to meet the current actives and their new pledges who provided assistance in several areas and participated in our events. This is a dynamic organization with quality members who will continue to add to Alpha’s legacy.

And a special thanks goes to John Erickson who has continued to conduct a “Bring Back Blue Blazers” program in which he has personally purchased Alpha blazers for the Actives, HOF members and the Alumni of the “Order of the Blue & White Forever” who have donated $5000 or more to the Alpha Alumni Scholarship Fund.


The following is a recap of the our Annual Meeting with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Hall of Fame Induction

John Erickson and Jim Klang

Active Chapter Status Report (President Marcus Young)
  • The active chapter has 12 members plus 6 pledges (2nd most on campus)
  • Good financial shape
  • They doing a variety of social activities and service projects
    • Have a “house” where several members stay
    • Participate in sober cab
    • Sponsor a ball to raise charity money
  • The Greek Life organization is in transition with new leadership


Alumni Status Report (President Jeff Gaylord)
  • Trying to do events every 3-4 months
    • Spring scholarship banquet
    • Hockey games
    • Summer cabin (Jason Golde)
    • Golf
    • Fall meeting/Hall of Fame with Kitchi Gammi
 

A new Board of Directors was voted in for 3 year terms by a white ballot focusing on new younger members

VOTING BOARD MEMBERS

  • President – Jeff Gaylord
  • Secretary – Jim Klang
  • Treasurer – Jason Golde
  • Scott Schnuckle
  • Isaac Winter
  • Ben Staub
  • Jordan Herzog

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

  • John Erickson
  • Gary Gilchrist
  • Les Nelson
  • Dick Schwab
  • Augusto Kono

Treasurer’s Report (Jason Golde)


Jason giving Rob Hofmann of the UMD Development Office
$5000 for the Alpha Scholarship Fund
 

Scholarship Report (Scott Schnuckle)
  • The Alumni Association has awarded $10,000 in scholarships this year to three members
  • The fund under the University of Minnesota Foundation has lost some ground because of the market decrease but still has nearly $200,000 with our last donation
 


Rob Hoffman unveiling updated Order of the Blue & White Forever plaque
featuring those donating $5000 or more to the Alpha Alumni Scholarship
on display in the Kirby Student Center