Page 4 - Gamma Mu News - Winter 2011-12

Alumni Spotlight, continued from page 1 A Tribute to
Q: Did you know by your satisfying to help other bankers/
senior year would work in banks succeed by passing on Steve Berry ’85 :
finance? my knowledge. I enjoy this A True Friend
I did. My roommate, Chris aspect of the profession. I also
Spinner, convinced me that enjoy traveling and living in new By David Von Nircshol ’85
banking was the right career locations. I’ve been in western an organization run by the
choice. He was planning to be a South Dakota for two years Inter-Fraternity Council and
banker and that sounded good to where I live on a cattle ranch. Panhellenic Council, for his work
me. I enjoyed my finance classes What I don’t like is finding new with our chapter.
and was especially impressed clients when an engagement is Steve was initiated into the
when a local banker, Ed Scharlau completed. rother Steven Richard Gamma Mu Chapter of the Sigma
from Busey Bank came to talk to Q: You have literally BBerry died suddenly of a Nu Fraternity on September
one of my senior finance classes. helped multiple banks stay in heart attack on September 2, 11, 1982, (Gamma Mu Chapter
That sealed the decision. By business during the economic 2011. He had been at our chapter Number 1343). He was Co-
the way, Chris chose a different crisis. How do you unwind house the Saturday before he Chairman of the Alumni Advisory
career! from the stress? died at our Pursuit of Excellence Board of the Sigma Nu Fraternity
Q: Will you give some I love to go camping and Scholarship reception. at the University of Illinois.
advice to our Active chapter take photos. There’s no cell He believed that workshops By profession, he was an
members about choosing the service in the mountains and it is and principles adopted by the aeronautical engineer, having
right career path? very peaceful. I still use a large Sigma Nu National in its LEAD graduated from the College
It may sound trite but, do format film camera and in winter program should be diligently of Engineering in 1985. In his
something you really enjoy. I enjoy developing and printing pursued by the undergraduate personal life, he was a devoted
You’ll spend many years working the photos. Other than that, I chapter because he was husband of 25 years to his wife,
and doing something you don’t get a lot of opportunities to send convinced by his professional Peggy, a Sigma Kappa (pictured
enjoy will only make you checks to my two daughters that experiences that these methods above).
miserable. I’ve never regretted are in college. result in positive change within He said “Whenever a guy
my career choice. Talk to people Q: Are you still in touch an organization and, thereby, walks through the door of this
that are in your chosen field. with any of your brothers at produce a high performing and house to rush our fraternity just
I interviewed several Gamma Mu? vibrant organization. remember,
bankers about what it was like to Not as much as I once was. Just this year he was awarded you just might be meeting your
be a banker and what advice they When I moved from Illinois it Alumni Advisor of the Year best friend for life.”
would give as I get started. That was harder to keep in touch. I by the Illini Greek Initiative,
was so helpful. People in the hope that changes. There were
profession will typically be glad a lot of good guys in our house Success!, continued from page 1
to talk to students considering the then. Von Nirschl we successfully the debt load on the house. The
same career they chose. Q: What financial nugget secured an extension until the net result of the reduced debt
It’s an honor to be asked your of wisdom can you share with end of next summer. Jerry service will free additional cash
opinion about a career. Don’t your fellow Alumni? Lindley’90, is in the process of flow each year to allow for better
hesitate to talk to people. There’s no such thing as obtaining bids from contractors ongoing maintenance planning.
Q: What happened during paying too much in consulting for the work. All of this progress comes
your career that made you fees…Otherwise, as a veteran The campaign also allowed down to YOU! Every Sigma
interested in consulting? of two serious recessions, it has the house corporation to Nu has a vital role to play in
I loved being a banker. I again been made clear that cash is purchase new individual room supporting the resurgence of
had many great opportunities/ still king. Credit has its place but furniture. This allowed more Gamma Mu. No one brother
experiences that most bankers as a means of advancing yourself undergraduate members to or group of brothers can do
have not had. ASo, at some not as a way of living. move into the house. Looking all of this alone. As we come
point I decided it would be more toward next summer, the list of up on the end of the year, we
improvements to the house is far are coming to the end of the
Chapter Eternal longer than we can accomplish active solicitation phase of the
with the current campaign campaign.
balance. From renovating the We need your help NOW.
Lewis Barenfanger ’31 (G M 0373) bathrooms to tuck pointing Join with your fellow brothers
Almon Manson ’39 (G M 0486) work on the exterior to stop to consider making your own
Thomas Martin ’52 (G M 0718) water infiltration. Once that’s pledge, payable over five years.
Joseph Voska ’52 (G M 0724) complete we can begin plaster Whether you can consider $100,
William Gratian ’54 (G M 0776) repair in the dining room. Make $500, $1,000 a year or more,
William Bauhs ’65 (G M 1007) no mistake - your help is still please know that your dedication
Donald Rundblom ’74 (G M 1207) To walk in the needed! to, and support of, Gamma Mu
Mark Wilhite ’81 (G M 1295) way of honor As part of the overall is greatly appreciated and vital
Steven Berry ’85 (G M 1343) campaign, the house corporation to the future success of our
is also successfully reducing fraternity.

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