Lycoming College Student Nathan Kaczmarek Helps With Lions Club Fundraiser

2013 Apr 2

Lycoming College members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity including Nathan Kaczmarek of Jefferson recently assisted the Williamsport Lions and St. Neumann Regional Academy LEO clubs with a spring pancake brunch March 17. More than 375 people were served at the event.

"The TKE motto is 'Better Men for a Better World,' and surely this new member class and fraternity leadership have lived up to this motto," said Frank Pellegrino, Lions Club president.

The TKE members assisting the Lions were Jack Abbate Jr., Adam Beacker, Alexander Branham, Zachary Campbell, Jeremy Chobot, James Dowling, Hieu Duong, Robert Hodes, Nathan Kaczmarek, Mark Munford, Michael Sampsell, William Thomas and Michael Tusay III. Brothers of these new members assisting with the event included Cody Giles, Josh Harsch, Tanner Wuerthner and Kyle Petchock.

"It was a record crowd and we had great participation from the Lycoming College student body," said Chobot, a freshman from Quakertown. "College students love pancakes. My fellow TKE brothers and I had the initiative to publicize the event on social media and throughout our campus and the outcome was awesome."

"All proceeds from this fundraiser support Lions charities and the Williamsport community," said Pellegrino. "We have an affordable hearing aid program for our local community, we support North Central Sight Services, Camp Victory in Millville, Lions Eye Bank, Beacon Lodge, scholarships for Williamsport Area High School Seniors and St. John Neumann Regional Academy seniors, Leader Dog Program and so much more."

Tau Kappa Epsilon is an all-male fraternity founded 1899 in Bloomington, Ill. With 291 active chapters and colonies throughout the United States and Canada, TKE is the largest national and international fraternity.

"Giving back and service to the community is nothing new for Lycoming College students, and from the first week that our freshmen students enter campus, they learn about the Williamsport community and opportunities to assist in building a better community for all," said Amy Dowling, Lycoming's director of alumni relations and past president of Williamsport Lions. "Then they execute, whether it is cleaning up Rider Park or Little League Field improvements or serving alongside the Lions, our students volunteer and give their time to assist at one of these opportunities. In addition, they learn that these opportunities give them a chance to network and to meet great people in the community."

The Williamsport Lions Club of 14-G, has more than 28 members and meets usually the first and third Tuesday of each month at Bonjiovi's in downtown Williamsport at 6:15 p.m. All meetings are open to those interested in membership or learning more about the mission of Lions. Lions Club International is the largest service organization in the world with more than 1.35 million members, 46,055 clubs in more than 207 countries and geographical areas.

The SJNRA LEO Club, sponsored by the Williamsport Lions Club, has more than 52 members of seventh through 12th grade students attending the academy at 901 Penn St., with Kathy Bahr advising the group.

Lycoming College is a four-year, residential liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. Its rigorous academic program, vibrant residential community and supportive faculty foster successful student outcomes. Lycoming offers 36 academic majors and is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1812 and located near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. For more information, visit www.lycoming.edu.