Auburn University’s Alpha Tau Omega chapter recovering after million-dollar theft

The pecan trees in the front yard may appear dead with no leaves or nuts, but in time their health and strength will be abundantly clear to all.

The Alpha Tau Omega chapter at Auburn University has been struggling since its charter was pulled and a chapter secretary and treasurer stole nearly $1 million, but it’s recovering. Current leadership reports ATO is actually stronger than ever, like the trees.

Frank Lawing was sentenced two weeks ago to 63 months in federal prison without parole for not only embezzling money from ATO, but also nearly $100,000 from the Small Business Administration in Sept. 11 disaster relief funds. The 53-year-old was also a former AU professor and lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army.

“Our brotherhood hasn’t been affected by this,” said vice president Adam Nunnally. In fact, membership has grown from 25 brothers two years ago, when the chapter regained its charter, to nearly 80 now. “People know who ATO is here and we have a good reputation. We’re still doing what we are supposed to be doing.”

Chapter president Adam Jones said they have finally reestablished trust with alumni to get financial support, and are competing equally with other AU fraternities for new members each semester. ATO no longer has a nice house on fraternity row, but it leases a home on Thomas Street. It’s nothing more than a central meeting place since no one lives there, Jones said.

And unfortunately, thanks to Lawing, it will be “home” for quite some time. From his position, Lawing diverted nearly all the fraternity’s funds into his personal accounts over three years, leaving the local chapter financially strapped. What’s worse, according to Nunnally, was the betrayal of the ATO brotherhood.

“He took advantage of it (brotherhood) and he broke it,” Jones said.

As part of his sentence, Lawing is required to repay ATO, SBA and the IRS, but neither Jones nor Nunnally are counting on getting a penny. Instead, they are moving forward on their own, specifically with plans to build a new house.

“Having a nice house is nice, but it’s not essential to the brotherhood,” Nunnally said.

ATO reported its largest fall recruitment class since 2006, when it was rechartered, and the largest class among all Auburn fraternities participating in spring recruitment. Jones said the chapter finished the fall semester ranked third among AU’s fraternities, with the seniors having the highest cumulative GPA in their class.

“There’s hope for the future,” he said. “Wherever we go, we’ll be able to look back and see how far we’ve come.”

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