Fraters Endure Rain Raising Money for Alzheimer's

POMONA, Calif. - Early Sunday morning, rain and all, Fraters from Rho-Delta Chapter (Cal Poly - Pomona) sponsored the campus's first Reagan's Run for Alzheimer's disease.

The event was named for the late President Ronald Reagan, who died of Alzheimer's and was a member of Iota Chapter at Eureka College.

"I was very excited and nervous. I got a lot of phone calls at six in the morning, and when I got calls it usually meant there were problems, but we were able pull it all together," said Frater Cameron Aziz, the event's coordinator and philanthropy chairman.

The chapter raised $2,700, with 142 participants at the event.

"It took a lot of dedication. Cameron deserves the credit [for successfully] putting it together. He had a lot of work to do," said Frater Miguel Canto, a first-year communication student.

The run/walk was designed to raise money for Alzheimer's research. All the proceeds will be donated equally to the Alzheimer's Association's California Southland Chapter and to the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Alzheimer's Research Institute.

"We are extremely grateful for having students getting involved like this for a worthy cause," said Sergio Calderon, regional director of the Alzheimer's Association. "There are so many affected by Alzheimer's and pleading for help, and this money will help advance our research."

TKE helped the association in October for its Memory Walk in Ontario, Calif. Calderon admired the hard-working students at both events and hopes to build strong ties with Cal Poly students to fundraise for Alzheimer's research.

"It is about time we did something like this. It's been awhile for us to do something this big," said Frater Joseph Adam, a fifth-year computer science and computer engineering student. "We have the whole Greek community to support us. It is a great success. There are tons of people; too many to count."

The course was about two miles long. Participants started at the Rose Garden and ended at the Bronco Student Center.

"Although it's early and raining, it's for a great cause. We all get to help raise money and hang out. Like all other events it's great to meet new people," said Elysha Navarro, a third-year international business and marketing student. "We are walking in groups, bound to have great time with each other and meet people."

Michael Hurley, a first-year liberal arts student, and Scott Chadez, a first-year landscape architecture student, were the first to finish the race.

"We are on track team, and this was for fun to show support to Cal Poly that we don't just support athletics," said Chadez.

Crystal So, a first-year graphic design student, was one of the first women to finish the race.

"It was a fast course and wet, but I am glad I was running for a great cause," said So. "It was challenge if you tried to keep up with the track boys."

Frater Aziz said the rain was a setback because it made the event very mellow. Aziz wanted music playing at the finish line, but had to cancel the DJ he had hired due to the rain.

Despite the rain, many students still enjoyed themselves.

"It was fantastic. I can't describe how well the fraternity is doing. I am really amazed [at] how far they have gone," said Frater Arion Gnotta, a computer science alumnus. "They did a great job, and it was nice to come back to campus and see the new developments."

Many students hope it will become an annual event.

"It was very inspirational and successful. I love TKE, and they did a great job," said Robyn Fowler, a second-year pre-med student.

Reagan's Run was just one event in Teke week, during which the fraternity promotes its philanthropic efforts and brotherhood for seven days.

Adapted from The Cal Poly Post Online Edition. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.