Michigan Alumni Newsletter
Letter From the President
As a Michigan engineering student, I know fully well the difficulties of studying engineering at this esteemed university. The long hours, difficult coursework, and highly competitive environment are a drain on even the best student. It is difficult to find your niche and a group of people who make you feel like you are at home. At the beginning of my time at Michigan, after going through the enormous change that is going to college, I felt lost, without purpose or direction. I was unsure of my place on campus, where I would be able to fit in and feel comfortable, to grow and thrive as a student and as a person. I never thought that place would be the Michigan Chapter of Triangle Fraternity, but now I am speaking to you as president.
The purpose of pursuing a degree in engineering is to have a positive impact on the world, through the research, development, and creation of technology that can benefit all of society. This cannot be accomplished without holding ourselves to the highest standards of academic excellence. As a brother of Triangle, I am constantly driven and supported by my brothers to work harder, to push myself to do higher-quality work, and to strive to stay at the top of my classes. This drive goes both ways, as I find myself doing the same for my brothers, encouraging and supporting them in their academics the same way that they encourage and support me. This focus on academic excellence is one of the essential parts of Triangle Fraternity, and one of the key tenets that sets our organization apart.
As a fraternity, we seek to build better men, who leave a positive impact on the world. One of the most direct ways that this can be accomplished is through community
service and philanthropy. As president, I seek to provide the brotherhood with opportunities to serve their community whenever possible and to encourage participation in various community service events around Ann Arbor. We organize, put on, and participate in various philanthropic events such as our yearly haunted house, raising money to donate to charity. Through this, we seek to better ourselves as members of our community, another key tenet of Triangle.
Being a student, I recognize that my time at the University of Michigan is limited and that I will one day leave school, leave Triangle, and proceed into the professional world. At Triangle, we recognize the importance of preparing ourselves to enter into the workforce. So we organize events where older brothers are able to provide younger brothers with their experience and knowledge in preparing to enter the workforce, helping young men to draft resumes, practice interview skills, and connect with recruiters at various companies. Our national alumni network of over 25,000 men with positions at various levels in many companies across the world connect with current Triangle members and help them establish themselves in fulfilling careers. This combination of professional preparation and connection with alumni helps to ensure that each and every one of Triangle’s men is able to find not only a job but a career following graduation, one of the main goals of Triangle fraternity.
The most important aspect of any fraternity, Triangle included, is the brotherhood that is formed. This brotherhood was the main reason that I chose to join Triangle and is what I credit my success at Michigan to. I have never felt more welcomed and connected to a group than I do
here at Triangle, and the support of my brothers is something that I feel every day. The brotherhood has been by my side through every hardship I have faced, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. As president, I try to do everything that I can to be there for my brothers. Many of my closest friends are people I have met as a result of my involvement in Triangle, and I could not be happier with the group of friends that I have become a part of.
I am incredibly thankful for everything that I have been able to be a part of as a member of the Michigan Chapter of Triangle. Joining Triangle was the best decision I have made since coming to the University of Michigan, and one I reap the benefits of every single day.
Sincerely,
Emory Townley mich22 Chapter President etownley@umich.eduYou’re invited!
Please reach out to Emory for a visit. Stop by for a house tour, participate in any events, or meet the current brotherhood.
Hope to see you soon!
Become a Chapter Coach!
Volunteer as a chapter coach for the undergraduate chapter. Learn more by contacting Vicki Gerentes, Director of Alumni Engagement & Stewardship at vgerentes@triangle.org.
Alumni Board Update
Though the Michigan Chapter has reduced in size compared to five years ago, the enthusiasm and passion our active brothers have for the organization has grown. Based on talking with the Executive Board, new members, and old friends from when I was in the house, I can confidently say that the Chapter is on the right track to excel in the upcoming years. Through their service and philanthropy excellence,
Undergraduate Research
Lewin Shen mich23 and Christopher Beane mich23 are part of the Heliophysics Spacecraft Instrumentation MDP with Professor Justin Kasper. Christopher is the mechanical subteam leader.
Tahseen Younus mich21 is currently part of the undergraduate research program in statistics. Tahseen is working for Professor Jeffrey Regier on using neural networks to map dark matter.
Jeremy Shen mich22 is currently doing research in Professor Hovden’s lab. He is studying quantum states in 2D material systems. Jeremy is published with the group in Nature Communications.
Nate Montgomery mich19 is part of the ZOPF lab, which works on head and neck surgery medical devices, and the biomedical manufacturing and design lab, which works on medical devices for a wide range of applications.
professional development, academic efforts, and improved member experience, it is clear that they are actively building better men at Michigan. This newsletter highlights the most recent chapter updates and events—I hope you enjoy the read!
If you are looking to get involved in supporting the Michigan Chapter, our Alumni Board has a few open positions. If interested, please email me. We are also looking for volunteers to help with chapter
professional development, such as career talks, resume reviews, workshops, or anything else you believe would be beneficial to our members. Hope to see everyone soon and please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Ryan Skop mich17 Alumni Board President ryanskop@umich.edu
