Penn State-Erie Tekes Jump Into Lake Erie

[The1calledTKE]

Penn State-Erie Tekes Take the Plunge for Alzheimer's Research,
Raising Over $2000

(Erie, PA) – Last week, Fraters of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity's
Sigma-Delta chapter at Penn State-Erie jumped right into the
freezing waters of Lake Erie to raise money for the Fraternity's
national philanthropy, the Alzheimer's Association.

When the Grand Chapter of TKE called on all chapters to raise money
for the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, the Sigma-Delta
chapter of TKE decided to "jump right in" and help make a difference
in the lives of the 4 million Americans affected by Alzheimer's
disease.

Members raised the money over a six-week period, receiving donations
of sponsorship from fellow students, members of the Erie community
and local businesses. On a cold Sunday morning, TKE members kept
good to their word and jumped into the 30-degree waters of Lake Erie
with friends, families and the Erie community cheering them on.

Coordinated by the chapter president, Ryan Sunseri, Sigma-Delta
members wanted to take a different approach to their
philanthropy. "We wanted to do something that people would want to
see, something that people would talk about and say 'I can't believe
you guys are going to do that! That's crazy! I'll definitely
donate,'" Sunnseri said.

Their success has fueled the chapter to make this an annual event,
and they have already started to plan for next year – making it an
all-day community affair complete with a cook-out, festivities and
local media coverage.

Over the course of three years, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has
embarked on a mission to sponsor a research investigation under the
Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute. The Reagan Research
Institute is a portfolio of funded projects within the Alzheimer's
Association Grant Program that serves as a paradigm for one key
principle of the entire research effort—a commitment to innovate
basic science, by exploring the broadest possible spectrum of
approaches to developing Alzheimer's treatments.

In his 1994 open letter to America announcing his diagnosis of
Alzheimer's disease, President Reagan stated, "In opening our
hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this
condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the
individuals and families who are affected by it."

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has embraced this same mission by
raising awareness through community service and helping develop a
clearer understanding of this disease through research. A
partnership with the Alzheimer's Association is a fitting tribute to
our devoted Alumnus and fellow Frater, Ronald Reagan.

"The chapter took great pride in their contribution to the
Alzheimer's Association Ronald Reagan Research Initiative and was
proud to honor the former President of the United States and fellow
brother," said Guy Reschenthaler, Sigma-Delta chapter Grammateus
(secretary).