THE ZETA CLASS
OF OMEGA ALPHA
INITIATED JANUARY 28, 1998
PAUL LACKEY
#52 BROTHER ECLIPSE
My name is Paul Lackey, and I am a sophomore here at Johnson & Wales University majoring in Hotel-Restaurant Management. I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, but was raised in Glen Rose, Texas. I have an older sister and an older brother who both reside in Texas as well. The reason I came to school so far away was to experience what it was like on the East Coast and to challenge myself to be on my own this far away from home.
Currently, I am involved in FHA/HERO, and work at the Feinstein Community Service Center. There I have the opportunity to volunteer my help at many places in the Providence area. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing racquetball, listening to music, and roller-blading.
I chose to rush Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity for a number of reasons. I wanted to be a part of a family that I could count on and vice versa for the rest of my life. I also wanted to be a part of something that would make me a stronger person. The reason for choosing Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity was due to the diversity of the brotherhood, and the way I was treated by the brotherhood before and during rush and pledging. You can really tell that the brotherhood cares for everyone else and anyone associated with them.
GABE GOODHOPE
#53 BROTHER MUMBLES
My name is Gabe Goodhope and I am currently a sophomore at JWU majoring in Finance & Investments. I come all the way from Washington state in a little town called Davenport outside of Spokane. I have one older brother, Ken, who is 26.
My life living in a small town was probably much different than someone from a big city. Where I lived everybody knew everybody’s name, and your business seemed to be thiers. High school had to be the best times of my life so far. While in high school I was in varsity cross-country, wrestling, and track & field. Playing sports became a big part of my life and I miss that. Also I was involved in the associated student body and pep band. Some of my hobbies include water-skiing, hiking, playing football, drinking beer, and just having a good time.
Recently I chose to rush Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity. The reasons are simple for me, unity and diversity. The times I was with the brothers during rush I got to see people who were all different in races, beliefs, and appearances. The important thing was that they were all united creating a brotherhood. I hope that I can someday be a part of that and contribute my knowledge and experiences and also become a stronger person myself by doing so.
NICK M. GECSY
#54 BROTHER LOKI
My name is Nick M. Gecsy. I was born in a catholic hospital in Garfield Hts, Ohio. On April 24, 1979 at 6:35p.m.. Right now I live in Twinsburg Ohio, its a city in Cleveland.
In my family there is my mom Diane, she works for a big time computer company. I have a little sister named Danielle that is a freshmen in high school. My dad died when I was in 7th grade. I also have a dog named "Galasious" who is a rotwiller.
When I was in high school I was very active in sports. I played basketball for 3 years, played football for 2 years, swim team for 2 years also. But my favorite sport is baseball I have played that for my hole life. My freshmen year I played JV baseball and was moved up the next year to play varsity. I played varsity for 3 years I started as a catcher my junior and senior year. I was captain of the team my senior year. I was even voted to play in the division All Star Game my senior year as the starter catcher.
In my free time I like to just sit around and chill with my friends. I really enjoy Martial Arts. I am a green belt in Tai Kwan Do, I am currently involved in Uechi Ryu. Its a form of Karate. And I like to talk to beautiful women as much as I possibly can.
Right now I am a student at Johnson & Wales University, I am a Culinary Arts Major. And I am loving it so far. I don’t want to leave.
The reason I'm joining Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity is to get involved with a good fraternity. I always wanted to join a fraternity. I like the fact that its like a family because I never had a brother before. Its good to be back on a team cause I miss it from sports. The guys that are on my team are a good group of men. I think I’ll get a lot out of this fraternity. The one thing I think I’m going to enjoy is learning about the fraternity and its history, it sounds interesting. I’m glad to be a part of such a good organization and a good group of people.
SCOTT MAC DAVITT
#55 BROTHER GOLIATH
My name is Scott Mac Davitt, I am a junior here at Johnson & Wales University majoring in Business Administration / Management. I was born in Queens, NY, but I have spent most my life in Middletown, NY. I have a brother, his name is Sean and he is about two years younger than myself.
At Johnson & Wales University I am highly active in many activities. Currently, I am the Student Government Association Treasurer, the University Involvement Board Secretary / Treasurer, the Phi Beta Lambda Historian and Rotaract Vice-President. Along with all these roles I work full time at Dunkin’ Donuts in downtown Providence. Other than that I like to listen to music, and I like to work out in the weight room if the time is available.
The reason I rushed a fraternity was because I wanted to be a part of something that will give me everlasting friendships and the opportunity to meet a wealth of people. The reason I chose Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity is because TEP has done more for the university than any other fraternity in the three years I’ve been here. I hope that by joining I gain the chance to work with many other people in order to reach our common goal.
ROGER LEATHERS
#56 BROTHER ICEMAN
My name is Roger Leathers and I am a junior here at Johnson & Wales. I was born in Warwick, Rhode Island where I was raised and still live in Hope Valley. I have two sisters, and one older step brother.
I was drawn to Tau Epsilon Phi because I have always been interested in joining a fraternity. The other reason I chose Tau Epsilon Phi was because I wanted the reputation of a good fraternity. I like the diversity of its members and the morals of the fraternity.
I believe I can give the Fraternity a lot. I am a hard worker, loyal, and dedicated to what I set my mind to do. My only concern is letting down those who believe in me which can also be a motivation for me.
DONALD C. BIENVENUE
#57 BROTHER AENEAS
Hi. My name is Donald Camille Bienvenue but everyone calls me "DC". I am from Lenox, MA., and I am 24 years old. This is my third year here at Johnson & Wales University and this coming trimester I will be continuing on for my Bachelors in Culinary Arts. At the age of eighteen I was hired by the Hilton Corp. in College Station, TX., as the Executive Sous Chef for the property, and since then I have been an Executive Chef at two other establishments here in New England. Most recently I worked as an Executive Pastry Chef for Roseborough / Willnauer Inc. in western MA over the summer. It was a challenging position because I was never formally trained as a pastry chef, but I feel that by taking the position I have become more well-rounded and diverse professionally, as well as a better person. Even more recently I was voted Vice President of my chapter of the American Culinary Federation, and am starting to train in hopes of making a future U.S. Culinary Team and represent my country in the Culinary Olympics. In my spare time I enjoy backpacking and camping in addition to the theater, especially musicals, and following my favorite band Phish.
I was drawn to Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity by my affiliation with Robert Csonka (Brother Sniper) who, at the time, was my roommate. Throughout my freshman, and part of my sophomore years I began to meet other brothers in the fraternity and became very good friends with some. In the Spring of 1997 I decided to rush the organization and received a bid. It was with great joy that I became a member of the Delta class. It was with great personal regret however that before I could finish the process I had to drop out because of a severe allergic reaction to medication which caused my Epileptic condition. Over the following summer I thought about the disappointment I felt and the regret of letting my big brother down. So this fall I decided to finish the process I started so long ago. I am proud to be a member of the Zeta class and look forward to the journey that I am about to take.
In closing I want to say that I feel that I have a lot to offer to the fraternity. I am dedicated and I will give everything that I have to the organization. Just like other groups that I am a part of I hope to take a strong role in the leadership and advancement of the organization. Over the following years I hope to make the Omega Alpha Chapter of Tau Epsilon Phi an even greater organization than it already is, and hopefully I will be one of the ones who will lead the fraternity into the new Millennium.
DAVID L. MACKEY
#58 BROTHER MILES
David L. Mackey is the name. The "L" is for Lawrence, after my mother’s father. I was born on the 23rd day of the 12th month of the year 1976. I am the son of Gary and Sheila Mackey and have one brother, three years younger, named James William Mackey. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where I lived for 18 years before finally moving to Providence, Rhode Island to attend Johnson & Wales University.
Now a little about me!!! I am a junior here at JWU. I have already obtained my Associates of Science Degree in Applied Computer Science. I also have two Vocational Degrees; one in Computer Programming and one in Computer Management. I am happily married for two years to my lovely wife, Jessica C. Mackey. We have no children but do have a Fox Terrier/Jack Russell mix puppy named D O G. I am the president of Phi Beta Lambda, the collegiate version of the Future Business Leaders of America. I have been involved in this organization since my sophomore year in high school and am receiving a scholarship for my involvement.
Recently, I decided to rush Tau Epsilon Phi. I did this for a couple of different reasons. I look at fraternities in two different ways; one is the brotherhood aspect and the second is the business aspect. I had the opportunity to meet many of the brothers of Tau Epsilon Phi and realized that they are a very diverse group of guys. It was obvious to me that should I receive a bid and successfully complete the learning process, I would not have to worry about them trying to change the person that I am. The second aspect is the business aspect. I am a very business oriented type of person. Being in a fraternity provides great networking opportunities. I only hope that some day I may be given the opportunity to give back to Tau Epsilon Phi what I hope to receive from it.
JOHN GOMBEDA
#59 BROTHER BANDITT
My name is John Thomas Gombeda. I was born on September 24, 1979. I have two older sisters, Joanne (21) and Anne Marie (24). My mom's name is Antoinette and my father's name is Bernard. Family is very important to me. I am 50% Italian and 50% Slovak. The most important thing to me though is I like to be respected and I like to give respect. The only thing that gets me mad is when I am nice to someone and they try to take advantage of my kindness.
I was on my high school golf team for four years and was on varsity for two years. I was in a camera club last year and I won a couple ribbons. I was the youngest person to get one of their slides in TOPPS in Connecticut. I like to listen to all kinds of music but mostly to R&B.
I want to join Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity because I want to be a part of something. In school I played golf but that was only a once a week thing. But when I was on the team I made a couple good friends and I was hoping to do the same here. Also family is important to me and joining this fraternity would give me a bigger family. I always wanted a brother and now I can have many. I also joined this fraternity because the brothers at this one seem really cool and I think I can get along with them all.
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