Page 1 - Eta Survey - Fall 2017

ETA SURVEY

Winner of the
Donald C. Wolfe Award for Eta Chapter of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity | University of Illinois | www.kdrillinois.org | Fall 2017
Outstanding Chapter
Newsletter
Alumni Spotlight: Guy H. Allen ’81

A Letter from the
Alumni President Editor’s Note: For this edition of the newsletter, we’re
shining the spotlight on Brother Guy Allen ’81. From the
hometown of Delavan, Illinois, Guy grew up at his family’s
Brothers: farm and developed an early interest in grain and livestock.
nlike the past several As an active member, he served the chapter as ponitfex and
Ufall newsletters, I’m junior tribune. After graduating with a degree in Agricultural
not here to share that Economics, Guy pursued a career in grain and feed. His work
things are all positive has led him to international business and a dual-citizenship
unfortunately. between the US and Australia. Currently working in risk
Greek houses in management and commodities with Advance Trading Inc.,
Champaign are confronting a challenge. Guy has overseen a restructure and expansion of the company
The county has re-assessed properties operations based out of Australia. Guy and his wife, Jun He,
share two children: Mary Lurena (3 ½ years old) and William
around the campus, which resulted in Henry (16 months old). For fun, he enjoys farming, exploring
many fraternities and sororities seeing history and family genealogy, ballroom and country/western
significant increases to their property dancing, and cruising on his Harley.
taxes, us included. We are in the middle
of the pack, having seen our taxes double What led you to you join the
this year. Several fraternities had increases fraternity back in school? commodity trade, because it is an international
more than this, with one house having an business/market/trade with a long history of
increase that exceeded 300 percent! This is I grew up in a small rural Illinois town well over 2,000 years that is based in the grass-
driven mostly by all the new development and a high school of 200 students, 54 in my roots production of agriculture to supply the
going on in Campustown. graduating class. At the time when preparing basic human needs of food and fiber.
Our board is actively working with to enter university, the University of Illinois What was your first trip to Australia
fellow house corporations on campus seemed like a very large and diverse institution. like?
through an organized group called I wanted to live in organized housing with a
the Greek Alumni Corporation Board group of people who had common interests and I was first offered the opportunity to
Association (GACBA) that meets in backgrounds. Going though spring rush, I found come to Australia in 1992 by Louis Dreyfus
Chicago. In addition to having retained a a group of people at ΚΔΡ with whom I had Commodities (LDC). I had been working in
firm to appeal our taxes, we are pursuing much in common and felt very comfortable. Kansas City at the time and basically accepted
avenues at both the local and state levels to the opportunity when it was discussed on a
address this issue. What are your favorites memories Friday afternoon immediately, on the spot.
In the near term, though, the from your time as an active Eta I had never been to Australia before, so it
unfortunate result for us is that our break- member? was setting out on a new life adventure.
even occupancy level in the house went up I enjoyed the diversity of people within ΚΔΡ Similarly in 2007, LDC again sought
by about two men. That’s significant and and appreciated the structured social activities: me out and offered me an opportunity to
obviously impacts our financial situation. attending university varsity sporting events work in Beijing, China. Another significant
As we move toward refinancing the (particularly football, ice hockey, volleyball, opportunity for a life-changing experience.
mortgage next year, things like this affect and wrestling), intramural sports, and social
us more than we would like. dances (disco was big When did you
On a very back then, along with the decide to purchase
positive note, I “Urban Cowboy” craze). land there and to
am pleased to share The weekly running become a citizen?
some well-deserved of the chapter GC Award After being in Australia
compliments to was also a frequent for nearly 15 years and
our undergraduate and memorable event looking long and hard, I
(probably wouldn’t allow finally purchased a small
Alumni President
(continued on page 3) such an event these days). farm in 2007, Mittagong
Station. It is a property
How has working with a long history on the
We are proud to share with grain Riverina of southern New
that the Eta Survey captivated your
took home the Donald South Wales.
C. Wolfe award for interest? In 2008, I became
best newsletter again! I enjoy the Guy Allen
Congrats all! (continued on page 4)