Save the Dates:
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
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)
Michael Dean Memorial Service
Video of Mike Dean’s Memorial Service
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Alpha Alumni Scholarship Awards Banquet
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.
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
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
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