By Lauren Toole

Last Friday, March 22, the brothers of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) and sisters of Epsilon Delta Mu (EDM) co-hosted their fourth annual ALS Benefit at the Village Inn (VI). Packed to capacity and raising over $1,000, the event was held in honor of Tom Turgeon, drama professor emeritus, who passed away earlier in the year after suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ﾗ commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Nate Gray ’10, a DKE alum, conceived of the benefit in 2010 after his stepmother passed away due to ALS. In its inaugural year, Gray, along with friend and EDM alum Emily Rapp ’12, were able to raise over $2,000 for research and efforts for finding a cure for ALS. After Turgeon, whose son is a DKE alum, died in January, the DKEs and EDMs decided to host this year’s benefit in honor of Turgeon.

“It’s a disease that hits close to home with many DKE brothers,” said Peter Lind ’15, community service chair for DKE and co-organizer of the event.

Lind and Elena Schatell ’15, who is EDM’s community service chair and also helped to organize the event, began planning the benefit two months ago. The night featured a performance by student band A Sassy Nation, trivia, food and drink specials and a raffle.

Gray returned for the benefit and spoke about the disease and its impact on both his life and others’. Professor of Drama Jonathan Tazewell also spoke about the disease and his relationship with Turgeon.

“A lot of planning went into it, but it was all worth it,” Schatell said.

The final amount raised will not be determined until the money is collected from the VI. Professor of Anthropology David Suggs also donated an acoustic guitar, and the proceeds raised from selling the guitar will also go toward fundraising efforts. All proceeds will go toward the ALS Association.

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