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June 2009 DN Review
About this newsletter
Many years have passed since the last Delta Nu Review or Alumni Association mailer. There are many successes with Delta Nu actives and alumni that need to be broadcast and congratulated. Did you know that Delta Nu has been a repeat Top TKE chapter the past two years? This year, the chapter will go for the three-peat – do I smell dynasty? Delta Nu is continuing its tradition of excellence through a collaborative effort between the Board of Advisors, the active chapter, and the hundreds of alumni that continue to support efforts such as the Delta Nu Memorial Scramble, Active-Alumni Work Day, the resurrection of the chapter web site and the continuing donation of time and money to scholarships and to the future of the TKE-Delta Nu chapter at Northwest Missouri State University. The Delta Nu Review will return very soon, but possibly only in your email inbox or posted to the chapter Web site, www.nwtke.com. Stay tuned for more information in your mailbox, inbox and online.
In this issue
In this special edition newsletter, you will read about:
About the Delta Nu Memorial Scramble
The Delta Nu Memorial Scramble began in 1996 with 17 players. Over the next 13 years, the tournament has had over 180 different players and raised over $13,000 for the Delta Nu Alumni Association. This year, the 14th edition of the golf tournament, over 90 Tekes, alumni and active, from Delta Nu and a few from two other chapters, registered to play. In comparison, the 2008 tournament had 61 players and only one tournament, in 2004, reached over 70.
The Delta Nu Memorial Scramble has been played at the same location since its inception in 1996, Maryville’s Mozingo Lake Golf Course. The tournament is a four-man scramble, open to any Teke, active or alumni. Over the years, guests have included dignitaries from Northwest, from TKE International Staff and even the TKE Grand Council. Additionally, fraters from other chapters have joined us, including Fort Hays State, the Univ. of Northern Colorado and the Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha. Lunch/dinner, pin and door prizes, and free range balls are included with the entry fee.
When golfers purchase mulligans for their team to use, the proceeds from the sale of these Mulligans go towards Memorial Funds established for Delta Nu Fraters who have passed on to the TKE Chapter Eternal. The goal of the memorial funds is to eventually generate $500 in memorial donations to purchase a $500 brick in their honor for the Memorial Section of the brick wall dedicated to TKE Alumnus and longtime Board Chairman Dick Wiles. These contributions go directly toward retiring the TKE house mortgage while recognizing our passed fraters with their name and scroll # on the "Richard W. Wiles Teke for Life Alumni Donor Wall" in the chapter room at the house.
If you are interested in playing in or helping with the tournament, please contact Brent Steffens, 1384 (bsteffens@nicholsonkovac.com) or Michael Reiff, 1120 (mwreiff@charter.net) for more information.
Delta Nu Board of Advisors Report
Mark Witthar, 853, BOA Chairman
Two short years ago the chapter house mortgage was nearing three months in arrears, property taxes were unpaid, and insurance premiums were due - requiring a $25K tap of equity to cover our short-term debt. Within weeks, we had a pipe burst and ruin the wood floor in the chapter room. Try as we may, we could not get in a repeatable cycle where we could cover our expenses with our income. We just kept digging a deeper hole. The original plan was to pay off the house on a short-term note, which was a noble idea, but the chapter simply could not afford the mortgage payments, along with insurance, utilities and ongoing chapter expenses.
Short-Term Improvements
We established a core group of alumni that focused on getting the chapter on the right track financially. We now have a full house and for the first time in recent memory, the chapter has been able to cover their expenses with rent, parlor fees and dues for three consecutive semesters.
We have implemented a new plan that closes the house for the last two summers and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This move alone has saved a great deal of money in summer air conditioning bills, as well as wear and tear on the house that had become a pattern during the summer months.
Long-term vision
In January of 2009 we refinanced the house mortgage, combining the first and second notes, retaining a $10K 'emergency fund' of our own equity in the hands of the BOA. We must continue to run the chapter within our current cost structure and make additional principle payments whenever possible.
There is a significant need to establish funding for longer term capital improvements. Our "new" house is now 10 years old since opening in August of 1999. Now is the time to be more aggressive with our financial planning and saving as aging of the house will soon call for new water heaters, roofs, repairs and improvements. Due to the cyclical nature of the fraternity, we must find additional funding sources outside the active chapter.
Given the size and strength of our alumni we must create an ongoing fund through an active alumni association, rather than constantly going back to alumni for donations when short of funds. Clearly, we must establish a modest annual payment for alumni to be part of the association. Through this type of action, we can establish a significant fund that can be used for capital improvements and reduction of principal on the mortgage.
One example would be to collect $50 annually from alumni and get 500 alumni to contribute. This would create a fund of $25,000 per year that could be used for alumni events and capital improvements on the house. At this level of giving, we could literally move mountains, retiring the note in under ten years AND establishing scholarship funds for the children of Delta Nu Tekes that attend NWMSU.
Mortgage Balance
Our current mortgage balance is $321,000, the property has an estimated value of $550,000 and monthly payments are $3,125.
With proper planning we can develop a long-term plan that accomplishes the following goals:
- The active chapter covers all ongoing house expenses
- The alumni contribute to capital improvements
- An active alumni association continues to fund several events annually as well as scholarships and other worthy causes
On behalf of the Board of Advisors, thank you for your continued support of Delta Nu and I look forward to your ongoing support of Delta Nu. I love the fraternity!
Y.I.T.B., Mark Witthar, 853
Active Chapter Update
Todd Sexton, 1518, Chapter Prytanis
Fraters of Delta Nu,
I would like to begin by saying it has been a great honor to serve the Delta Nu chapter as Prytanis and I was privileged to have been able to meet so many alumni during the golf tournament weekend. Secondly, I would like to thank you for the support you give to our chapter and for your continued involvement in what happens with Delta Nu. I hope someday that I am able to give the service that you give to this chapter.
Delta Nu has some new exciting things some of you may not know about. Some things may have changed a lot since our last update, so let me get you caught up! Last fall Delta Nu received another Top TEKE award and its second in a row (note: the 2008 award was Delta Nu’s 7th since 1954 – 1964, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1993, 2007 and 2008) and we will be applying for one this next year. Also last fall we teamed up with Alpha Sigma Alpha to place 2nd in Highly Competitive Homecoming Float. This spring, Jordan Stephens was crowned Zeus during Greek Week, making it Delta Nu’s third consecutive year winning Zeus. Our philanthropies in the fall - “Rock Out for Alzheimer’s” and “Trick or Treating for Cans” have been great successes in giving back to the community as much as possible. This spring’s “Camping for Cans” was also successful in bringing in hundreds of pounds of canned goods. Last, but certainly not least, we earned the best GPA out of any fraternity on campus this spring – and for the academic year, we received third overall.
This upcoming year, we will be participating in every aspect of Homecoming and competing for Overall Homecoming Supremacy – something that has not been done at Delta Nu in quite a few years! We hope to have 60 men returning in the fall, and recruitment numbers have been increasing on the campus so we also hope to have a strong fall class. In addition we are allowing members to pay dues and other expenses to the chapter online through a service called GreekBill. We also hope to have a few renovations and repairs made to the house. Though we have many things to accomplish, I feel that Delta Nu will have a very productive and successful upcoming year.
I encourage both the actives and alumni to use the resources we have at our fingertips to stay updated and informed. Kyle Andrew, our Histor, has been working on compiling active-to-alumni email lists to strengthen ties between actives and alumni. Another great resource that we have been provided with is the updated Web site (www.nwtke.com). I encourage everyone to log on and utilize it as much as possible. I hope to see as many of you as possible this fall for homecoming and throughout this next year! Thank you to all that helped in setting up the golf tournament this year, and those that continue to help Delta Nu throughout the years.
Yours in the Bond,
Todd Sexton, 1518, Prytanis
Upcoming Alumni and Chapter Events Calendar
TKE Conclave – August 6 – 9, New Orleans
TKE Tent at the Fall Classic Football Game at Arrowhead Stadium – September 19, 2009
Fall Rush - (Look for Smoker and Bid Day dates to be announced at nwtke.com) Alumni participation at these events is welcomed and encouraged
Homecoming – October 23rd and 24th; http://www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/homecoming.htm; events at TKE House TBA
TKE Founder’s Day – January 10th
Bowling – Kansas City – usually the last Sunday in January
Spring Red Carnation Ball – TBA
7th Annual Active-Alumni Work Day – Spring 2010
15th Annual Delta Nu Memorial Scramble (golf tournament) – Maryville; targeting May/June 2010
Osceola, IA and Kansas City alumni gatherings – 2010 dates TBA
About the NEW Web site – www.nwtke.com
In the spring of 2008, Delta Nu’s chapter Web site, www.nwtke.com, got a facelift. A small team of alumni and actives worked together to discuss and decide the design and work-flow for the site. The result of their efforts is a sharp, functional, and professional-looking Web site.
Special thanks to Joel Gordon, the Histor at the time, for kick-starting the project and to Nathan Welch, the creator of the original Web site, for coming on board to handle the current development and enhancement of the site. Nathan volunteers his spare time to work on the site and hosts the site at no charge to the chapter or Alumni Association. Others that worked on the site to create content and guide design efforts were Pete Greve, Brad Shelton and Michael Reiff.
The Web site has a secure side to keep non-Tekes from seeing information that needs to be kept private. All Delta Nu Tekes are encouraged to register. A valid scroll number is required for login. Name and scroll information will be used to confirm the person requesting access.
Current Features
Added features on the secure side.
Future Plans
TKE Tent at the 2009 Fall Classic Football Game
Get your pledge brothers together and reunite at this year’s Northwest-Pittsburg St. Fall Classic at Arrowhead! The Delta Nu Alumni Association has set up a 200+ capacity tent for before and after the game complete with food and beverages. Proceeds from the event will benefit TKE Scholarship funds. Tickets for the tent must be pre-ordered through Anthony Dorrel. Please view the flyer for all the contact information.
For more information, please contact Tony Dorrel at Anthony.Dorrel@fedex.com or 816-309-9317
or Dan Canchola at DCanchola@kc.rr.com.
Delta Nu ScholarshipsThrough Northwest Missouri State University and Tau Kappa Epsilon, there are many donation opportunities for Fraters to ‘give back’, both to the college experience and the TKE experience. In all cases, these donations are tax-deductible and the donations can do directly to Delta Nu, to a Delta Nu undergraduate member or to a future Northwest student.
Scholarships through the Northwest FoundationAny donation of at least $50/individual or $85/couple automatically includes membership in the Northwest Alumni Association for one year.Tau Kappa Epsilon Memorial ScholarshipWhat it is – TKE Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Delta Nu in 1989 through the Northwest Foundation and is still the only scholarship fund from a Northwest fraternity. This scholarship is a $300 award.
The scholarship is awarded through interest generated by contributions to the fund. As more contributions to the fund come in, the fund earns more interest and increasing the amount that can be given in scholarship funding. To be eligible, the applicant must live in the TKE House, must be a sophomore or older and be paid in full with TKE.
Current status: The TKE Memorial Scholarship is NOT currently active, but the Board of Advisors is working on that with the Northwest Foundation. Since its inception, only two or three scholarships have been granted. Currently, there is barely enough money to award a scholarship. The fund was put in a holding pattern about 4 years ago as the NW Foundations investments were not earning enough to award a $300 scholarship without dipping into the nest egg.
Peter J. Greve TKE Alumni ScholarshipWhat it is: The Peter J. Greve TKE Alumni Scholarship was established by a group of Delta Nu alumni with the goal of promoting Northwest Missouri State, TKE and the achievement of a college education. This is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to an incoming freshman/graduating high school senior. To be eligible, applicants must have maintained a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from ninth grade through the first semester of their senior year. The applicant must be an accepted entering freshman by Northwest Missouri State University and nominated by a TKE alumnus. No specific major is required.
Delta Nu TKE alumni will serve as evaluators and will review student transcripts, supporting information, and recommendation letters in their deliberations. As monies allow, several scholarships can be awarded. Applications are due annually on April 1st.
TKE alumni are encouraged to forward this application to another TKE alumnus, a teacher, a guidance counselor, or a friend who may know someone who plans to attend NWMSU in the fall of 2009.
Current status: The TKE Alumni Scholarship is ACTIVE with $1,000 annual awards.
How to donate to scholarships through the Northwest FoundationSend check or money order payable to: Northwest Foundation, Inc.; indicate the scholarship fund in check memo; mail to: Northwest Foundation, Inc., 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Online gifts: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/; select GIVE TO NORTHWEST, ONLINE GIVING, complete the donor information, then select SCHOLARSHIP and fill in the amount of donation. Scroll over NON-DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS at the bottom, and then select either Tau Kappa Epsilon Memorial Scholarship or TKE Alumni Scholarship.
Is your donation tax deductible? Yes, the Northwest Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so gifts to these scholarship funds are tax deductible as allowable by law.
Scholarships through the TKE Educational Foundation
For a list of what the TKE Educational Foundation supports, visit: http://www.tke.org/about/tef/what_we_support.html
Delta-Nu Chapter Scholarship
What it is: This is a scholarship that can be awarded in the next academic year once the balance in the account reaches $5,000. At that point, it will be up to the Board of Advisors and Executive Board to determine the award and criteria. Additionally, once this fund reaches $5,000, the funds will be there in perpetuity, like an endowment. This account is primarily funded by Delta-Nu alumni through direct donations or through Life Loyal Teke enrollments.
Current Status: as of May 31st 2008, this account held $2,188.26
Delta-Nu Special Projects
What it is: The Special Projects fund can be used for special purposes, such as educational-related or leadership-based programs, such as Conclave or a Regional Leadership Conference, or even for housing improvements. This account is primarily funded by Delta-Nu alumni through direct donations or through Life Loyal Teke enrollments.
Current Status as of May 31st 2008, this account held $789.90
How to donate to scholarships through the TKE Educational FoundationHow to Donate: Donations can be made by sending checks or credit cards to the TKE Educational Foundation with a note that says "Delta-Nu Chapter Scholarship" or "Delta-Nu Special Projects". Donations can also be made by visiting www.tke.org and clicking on the "Donate" link at the top.
Is your donation tax deductible? Yes, donations made through the TEF is tax deductible, and TKE follows up with the donor by sending a tax statement at the beginning of the year outlining what donations can be counted.
Donating to TKE through the Life Loyal Teke programWhen you become a Life Loyal Teke, your membership donation goes towards these two funds. If you join after you’ve been out of school for 5 years, your donation is $495 (or $49/month for 12 months). From this $495, $200 goes right back to the chapter ($100 to the scholarship account and $100 to the special projects account), $100 goes into a communications reserve account (to ensure the member receives lifetime communication after becoming a Life Loyal Teke (THE TEKE magazine, etc...), and $195 goes to pay for the membership processing.
If you join as a collegiate member, or graduated less than 5 years ago, the total is $395, the distribution of the donation is the same, except the donation portion becomes $100 instead of $200 ($50 to the scholarship account and $50 to the special projects account).
In Memoriam
Since the 2008 Delta Nu Memorial Scramble August 1st last year, Delta Nu lost two Fraters that were active participants in the Delta Nu Scramble, as well as in the continued advancement of the chapter. Lee King, scroll 296, had played in 10 of the 13 events and Pete Greve, 580, had played in four, but every year from 2004 to 2008. This years’ tournament is dedicated to their memory. We also honor Arthur Buckingham, scroll 10, a founding father of Delta Nu.
About Frater Lee King, 296
Frater Lee King, Scroll 296, entered the Chapter Eternal very suddenly on the afternoon of Saturday, August 9th, 2008. Lee was killed in a fatal car accident near Red Oak, IA. The funeral service was August 13th in Papillion, NE. He was buried in Blockton, IA. Lee was very active as an alumnus, participating in the efforts to plan and raise money for the new house, as well as helping to plan the Open House and 50th anniversary celebrations. He also initiated the Whale program, working to solicit large donations for Delta Nu. And if you remember the walk from 222 W. Cooper to 555 W. 9th Street for the 50th Anniversary, we wouldn’t have had the organized chants without him.
KING, Leroy Carl, age 64, Omaha. Born October 3, 1943, in Blockton, IA and died August 9, 2008 during a traffic accident near Red Oak, IA. He was preceded in death by his father Eldon L. King of Blockton, IA, and his wife Dorothy Ann (Ray) King of Omaha, NE. He is survived by his mother, Imojean King of Clearfield, IA, daughter Chris (King) Magnus, (John), grandchildren Carly, Michelle, and Johnny Magnus of Muskego, WI; his son Brant King (Caroline), and granddaughters Ashlyn and Savanna of Hillsboro, WI; sister Sharon Byers of Saint Charles, MO, sister Alice Miller, Huntley, IL with niece Kelly Newsom, and nephew Greg Miller of Chicago, IL, brother William King and sister in law Betty of Omaha, NE , Brother in law Jim Ray of Mo and Mary(Ray) Adams,(Ray) and many special friends, neighbors and loved ones. As a young person, Lee joined the Blockton Christian Church. After graduating from Bedford (IA) Community High School in 1962, he attended Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville, MO, where he met his future wife Dotty. He joined Tau Kappa Epsilon's Delta Nu chapter while in college. After retiring he enjoyed actively supporting the chapter. His working career spanned forty years starting by delivering newspapers that were brought in by passenger rail service. He also worked as a soda jerk, laborer, and salesman. He started working as a laborer on the Chicago Great Western Railroad, and held many positions on the Chicago Northwestern including periods in Des Moines, IA, Mankato, MN, Milwaukee, WI, and Chicago, IL. He retired as AVP of sales with the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, NE. Lee's life revolved around his family, work, and sporting events. He was active in all sports in high school and enjoyed playing softball after graduating. He continued to enjoy other sports as a spectator, and became an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He enjoyed golf, only wanting every shot to be a hole in one. As an active Tiburon resident he was an SID officer and committee member. Lee never forgot a face or name and his many friends will remember his strong political opinions and his great sense of humor.
About Frater Pete Greve, 580
On Saturday, March 21, 2009, Frater Pete Greve, scroll 580, lost his six-month battle with cancer and passed to the Chapter Eternal. Pete devoted his life to his family, numerous organizations, God and to TKE. He founded the TKE Alumni Scholarship that now bears his name, was on the TKE professional staff, was on the team to resurrect the current chapter Web site, and had been a regular at the annual Delta Nu golf tournament. Pete was well-regarded by his Fraters, over 30 of whom traveled to his home in Omaha March 14th for a work weekend where many projects were completed. The funeral service was held March 25th in Omaha. He was buried in Elk Horn, IA.
GREVE, Peter (Pete) Jay, Oct 26, 1951 – Mar 21, 2009 of Omaha, passed away peacefully with his family present at his bedside after battling cancer for 6 months.
Pete, son of Elaine Marie Leistad and Elliot Lee Greve was raised in Elk Horn, IA. He attended Elkhorn-Kimballton Public Schools, participating in football, wrestling and baseball. He graduated in May of 1970. He attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO from 1970-1974 where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, serving as president for 1 year. Pete was a member of the TKE professional staff in Indianapolis, IN from 1975-1980 where he travelled to over 300 college campuses throughout the US during those years. He earned his MBA degree from the University of Indiana in 1981. Pete partnered with his uncle Edward Leistad as a sales associate with Safeguard Business Systems from 1981 until his death. His distributorship covered territories in Iowa and Nebraska. He married Stacia Sitzmann-Shinkunas in Sioux City, IA in 1990.
While living in Sioux City for 16 years, Peter was a strong leader with interests in the Cosmopolitan Club, CMBC Men’s Ministry-Operation Timothy, Beginning Experience, Boy’s Club wrestling coach and active in Morningside Lutheran and First Lutheran Churches. Pete moved his family to Omaha in January, 1997 where he was a member of Millard Business Association, TGIF Tips Group, Millard South Music Boosters, St, Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard, Boys Scouts Troop 60, Papillion, YMCA baseball coach, numerous men’s bible studies and Brookside Church. He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 21 years and participated in the New Warriors Program.
Having been a lifetime St. Louis Cardinal’s fan with Stan “The Man” Musial as his favorite baseball player, Peter was very proud of the “Get Well” card he received personally signed from Stan Musial during his cancer battle. He loved college football with Northwest Missouri State Bearcats as his #1 team. Pete’s ultimate passions included following Christ, sharing the Lord’s word and being a TKE, establishing the NWMSU TKE Alumni Scholarship Program in 2007.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elliot L. Greve and stepfather, Eugene Hoffmann. He is survived by his wife, Stacia M. Greve; children: Joseph Greve and girlfriend, Mari Longoria of Sidney, NE, Michelle Greve of Sioux City, IA, Keaton Greve and Elliot Greve, both of Omaha; stepdaughter, April Shinkunas of Omaha; stepson, Alan Shinkunas and girlfriend Amy Rasmussen of Chicago, IL; family of adopted grandchild Jackson Otto and his parents, Jason and Tracy of Lincoln, NE; mother, Elaine M. Hoffmann of Avoca, IA; sisters: Janice Norgaard and husband Eldon, Gwen Carman and husband Bruce; brother, Lee Greve and wife Nancy; stepbrothers and spouses: Nick and Barb Hoffmann, Jim and Maureen Hoffmann, Bill and Jenny Hoffmann, John and Bobbi Hoffmann; stepsisters and spouses: Karen and Larry Oller, Denise and Mark Schieber, Sharon and Gary Witmer, Jeanne and Rusty Wintermote, Nancy and Keith Holtz; other relatives and many friends.
Update on the Peter J. Greve TKE Alumni Scholarship – Bruce Barlow, 533
Fraters,
I am happy to report to you the state of the Peter J. Greve TKE Alumni Scholarship is strong.
Thanks to the contributions by the Delta Nu alumni and memorials to Pete Greve, the fund was able to award a $1,000 scholarship to Kelly Critten from Gallatin, MO for the 2009-10 Northwest school year. The goal of the TKE Alumni Scholarship is to award at least one incoming freshman to NWMSU a $1,000 scholarship and possibly more than one scholarship each year, if the fund continues to grow. The 2008-09 scholarship winner, Lauren McCauley, has successfully completed her freshman year at Northwest and is very grateful to the TKE alumni for their help with her education.
Frater Pete Greve "580" established the scholarship to promote NWMSU and Tau Kappa Epsilon. The Delta Nu alumni can continue his efforts by encouraging students to attend Northwest and nominating a graduating senior that will be attending Northwest for the scholarship. Nothing will promote the scholarship more than the sharing of the scholarship program with your pledge brothers and other Delta Nu alumni. Of course, donations to the scholarship fund are always needed and appreciated to continue the effort. The scholarship is now set up to enable all donations to be 100% tax deductible. The Northwest Foundation, Inc. has agreed to process the donations to the scholarship as a "pass through" account. Every dollar contributed to the TKE Alumni Scholarship goes to the scholarship account to award future scholarships. Make any contribution checks payable to Northwest Foundation with the memo designation on the check to Peter J. Greve TKE Alumni Scholarship to ensure that the donation will be tax deductable for you and the dollars will go directly to the scholarship account balance. The mailing address is: Northwest Foundation, 800 University Dr., Maryville MO 64468
Northwest is pleased to help the Delta Nu alumni in their efforts to promote and support this scholarship and assisting with the completion of a degree in higher education. Your commitment to the future of Northwest Missouri State University and the TKE Alumni Scholarship is appreciated very much.






