WYAL alum Dick Brown passes

Wyoming Alpha alumnus F. Richard “Dick” Brown died Thursday, Sept. 1 in Scottsdale, Ariz. A complete obituary can be found by clicking here.

WYAL alum Lantz (’63) thought dead

It is with deep regret that we report that Wyoming Alpha alumnus Dr. Keith W. Lantz (’63) is thought to be dead after falling into the Little Laramie River in early June. Click HERE to see a complete story from the Laramie Daily Boomerang.

Mullen chosen as Leadership School ambassador

Wyoming Alpha junior Nathan Mullen has been chosen as one of 16 ambassadors for Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s 76th John O. Moseley Leadership School in August. Ambassadors’ responsibilities include helping the staff and faculty, participating in a personal-development curriculum, making connections with other students and serving as role models for students while they are at Leadership School and for when they return home.

WYAL elects new officers

Wyoming Alpha held its elections for the 2011-12 school year Sunday afternoon and brothers Danny Hellrung and Tyler Kirby were elected Eminent Archon and Eminent Deputy Archon, respectively. Both men will start their junior years at UW next fall.

Other men elected into eminent positions include: Steven Schoeber (treasurer), Nick Turner (recorder), Adam Boyd (chaplain), Teige Corcoran (correspondent), Brandon Krempels (chronicler), Jim Meyer (warden), Joe Greger (herald).

Others chosen for non-eminent offices were: Corcoran and Hunter Hebestreet (pledge educators), Clayton Dexter (scholarship), Jim Meyer (risk management), Taylor Miller (house manager), Andrew Wilson (social chair), Shadoe Konicek (athletics), Hunter Hebestreet (recruitment), Justin Solaas (philanthropy/fundraising), Nick Diller (brotherhood), Nick Vaughn (alumni), Jake Uhlinger (house steward).

Two WYAL brothers get ASUW seats

Wyoming Alpha brothers Andrew Wilson and Brandon Krempels were elected to the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming this week. Wilson, a junior, was elected in the College of Business, while Krempels, a sophomore, was tabbed for the College of Engineering.

Freshman Teige Corcoran missed his bid for the College of Arts & Sciences by a mere eight votes.

Rick Massmann (’73) passes

Wyoming Alpha received word Sunday that alumnus Rick Massmann (’73) passed away in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday. In addition to being a passionate and loyal member of Wyoming Alpha, Massmann spent a handful of years as the chapter advisor of the Florida Upsilon chapter at the University of Florida.

An obituary and details about his services weren’t available Tuesday afternoon. More information will be posted when it’s available.

WYAL to honor Keeney

Wyoming Alpha plans to honor alumnus and past chapter advisor Colin Keeney for his innumerable contributions to the chapter and its resurrection on April 9 in Laramie.

The creation of the Colin Keeney Medal Achievement Award was the brainchild of a handful of alumni from the 1970s. In the future, the award will be presented as warranted.

The event had been kept a relative secret until recently because, knowing Keeney, he would have insisted it wasn’t necessary to honor him for his efforts. He was recently informed of the honor and begrudgingly accepted.

Thus far, more than 100 people have RSVPd for the event, which will be start at the chapter house at 1 p.m. before moving to the Hilton Garden Inn for the banquet. The weekend also includes a sold-out dinner at the Vee Bar Guest Ranch on Friday night, which is owned by WYAL alums James G. (’59) and Kelly (’82) Cole.

“Cappie” Capellen passes

Wyoming Alpha alumnus Warren H. Capellen, 91, more commonly known as “Cappie,” passed away Feb. 10. Cappie is one of just two men to letter in four sports at the University of Wyoming. Cappie lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. A full obituary can be found by clicking here.

WYAL alumnus Jimmy Reese passes

Wyoming Alpha alumnus James W. Reese, 87, one of two surviving members of the University of Wyoming’s 1943 national championship basketball team died Tuesday in Denver. Reese was a forward on the national title team.

Reese served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II after his UW career. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joy, along with his son James D., and daughters Gay Van Haveren and Joni McCall, seven gradnsons and four great grandchildren.

Phi Delta Theta alumnus Kenny Sailors of Laramie is the lone surviving member of the 1943 national title team. The group was inducted into the UW athletics hall of fame as part of its inaugural class in 1993.

Wyoming Alpha alumni Milo Komenich and Earl Ray played center and guard, respectively for the 1943 national championship squad.

WYAL chapter house improvements

The Wyoming Alpha chapter recently made more than $33,000 in improvements to its house at 1621 E. Fraternity Row. The improvements were funded by the WYAL Housing Corporation and donations from several generous alumni.

“The improvements look terrific and were long overdue,” Eminent Archon Nick Vaughn said. “We can not stress enough how much we appreciate all the alumni that made this possible.”

“The new look to the house really has boosted morale with the brothers and has them motivated for this next year.”

There’s even money left in the budget to purchase some new furniture for the main floor. The chapter advisors currently are exploring affordable options that will withstand the wear and tear of a fraternity house.

Pictures of the renovations can be seen by clicking here.