Rose-Hulman ATO's Carmine's Convoy Raises $105,000 for Rook's Resources
Monday, April 27, 2026
Rose-Hulman's Alpha Tau Omega fratnerity raised $105K and wailed over 66 miles during Carmine's Convoy to support Rook's Resources and NICU families.
From receiving an acceptance letter to earning a diploma, college years are filled with moments of proud exuberance. For Rose-Hulman's Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity chapter, some of those proudest moments contained more blisters and bruises than caps and gowns. During the chapter's second-annual Carmine's Convoy, fraternity brothers walked the 66 miles along U.S. 40 between Rose-Hulman and Riley Hospital for Children, raising more than $105,000 for Rook's Resources.
The brothers took giant steps for those too little to take their own, exceeding both their goal of $100,000 and their 2025 total of $42,000 raised for the nonprofit. Rook's Resources provides care kits and nourishing meals to families with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
"This event means a lot to our chapter. It gives us an amazing opportunity to give back to our community and take a break from Rose and everything else to be part of something bigger than ourselves," said Nathan Hodson, a junior mechanical engineering major who serves as ATO's philanthropy chair.
For ATO, the cause is deeply meaningful. Rook's Resources was founded by Rose-Hulman and ATO alumnus Thomas Reives and his wife, Shecara, after their twin sons, Rook and Carmine, were born prematurely. After Rook's heartbreaking passing at nine days old, Thomas and Shecara built a publishing company in his honor, creating children's books to help families navigate the complex and frightening emotions of a NICU stay, which have been included in some of their care kits. Rook's Resources has worked with Riley Hospital for Children, Eskenazi Health, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“Given everything our family has been through, this recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” said Thomas Reives, a 2008 mechanical engineering alumnus who earned a master’s in engineering management in 2010. “To be honored by my fraternity brothers and my alma mater—communities that helped shape who I am—means more than I can adequately express. I’m incredibly thankful to the Rose Hulman and Alpha Tau Omega communities for the support, compassion, and love they’ve shown our family.”
The funds raised from Carmine's Convoy 2026 will enable them to expand to Union Health in Terre Haute as well. Carmine's Convoy honors the strength of Rook's brother Carmine, who spent 165 days in the NICU before coming home to his family.
“For us, it’s about further cementing the ties to the Gamma Gamma chapter and welcoming Union Health into the fold. That connection makes the impact feel deeply personal and enduring,” said Thomas Reives. “It reflects who I am and traces the footprint of my own journey—where I came from, who helped shape me, and where our story continues. I think many people long to give back to the communities that molded them, and this work allows us to do exactly that in a very tangible, meaningful way.”
Carmine's Convoy was the culmination of several months of fundraising efforts, led by a committee of ATO brothers and alumni, including Hodson. In addition to seeking corporate sponsorships, the chapter connected with alumni via direct outreach and a silent auction during homecoming's Tent City. They coordinated campus events, including Dunk-A-Tau, Tac-O Tuesday, and a car demolition with the help of Rose-Hulman's three sorority chapters. Each ATO brother is also expected to individually raise at least $100 for the cause.
"This was kind of a crazy opportunity to grow as a person and a leader," Hodson said. "I've held leadership positions before, but always in a technical role. This opportunity has allowed me to really improve my communication skills."
For Hodson, Carmine's Convoy offered a unique opportunity to combine his passions for the betterment of others.
"Growing, up, I've always had a strong passion for healthcare, and it's the industry I've wanted to go into for a long time," said Hodson. "I've also had a very strong passion for community service and the belief of giving back and leaving the world a better place. This event has been an amazing opportunity to combine my passions and grow as a person and leader."
As the brothers walked, with vehicles protecting them from both the front and the back, the brothers motivated one another and leaned on each other for support — in some cases literally, guiding each other across the finish line.
"Seeing the check read six figures truthfully left me speechless," said Logan Faulkenberg, a senior pursuing a bachelor's in biomedical engineering and a master's in engineering management through the Rose Squared program. Faulkenberg serves as ATO social services chair and founded the Carmine's Convoy event last year.
"A walk was an important way to honor Rook and Carmine because it raises awareness both physically and financially to help children and families in similar situations," said Faulkenberg. "I don't know if I will ever be able to find the words to describe the experience of walking the full 66 miles two years in a row, but what I can say is that I'm incredibly grateful, and I can't wait to see where this goes in years to come."
Their chapter flag streaming broadly overhead, the ATO brothers were greeted by a chorus of cheers from a small crowd gathered outside the hospital, and after a few concluding remarks, enjoyed a celebratory dinner honoring their efforts and the Reives' family impact.
"Getting to the end of the walk was really surreal," said Hodson. "The entire community and all my brothers coming together for this amazing cause and walking up…I'll never forget that feeling."
The brothers took giant steps for those too little to take their own, exceeding both their goal of $100,000 and their 2025 total of $42,000 raised for the nonprofit. Rook's Resources provides care kits and nourishing meals to families with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
"This event means a lot to our chapter. It gives us an amazing opportunity to give back to our community and take a break from Rose and everything else to be part of something bigger than ourselves," said Nathan Hodson, a junior mechanical engineering major who serves as ATO's philanthropy chair.
For ATO, the cause is deeply meaningful. Rook's Resources was founded by Rose-Hulman and ATO alumnus Thomas Reives and his wife, Shecara, after their twin sons, Rook and Carmine, were born prematurely. After Rook's heartbreaking passing at nine days old, Thomas and Shecara built a publishing company in his honor, creating children's books to help families navigate the complex and frightening emotions of a NICU stay, which have been included in some of their care kits. Rook's Resources has worked with Riley Hospital for Children, Eskenazi Health, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“Given everything our family has been through, this recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” said Thomas Reives, a 2008 mechanical engineering alumnus who earned a master’s in engineering management in 2010. “To be honored by my fraternity brothers and my alma mater—communities that helped shape who I am—means more than I can adequately express. I’m incredibly thankful to the Rose Hulman and Alpha Tau Omega communities for the support, compassion, and love they’ve shown our family.”
The funds raised from Carmine's Convoy 2026 will enable them to expand to Union Health in Terre Haute as well. Carmine's Convoy honors the strength of Rook's brother Carmine, who spent 165 days in the NICU before coming home to his family.
“For us, it’s about further cementing the ties to the Gamma Gamma chapter and welcoming Union Health into the fold. That connection makes the impact feel deeply personal and enduring,” said Thomas Reives. “It reflects who I am and traces the footprint of my own journey—where I came from, who helped shape me, and where our story continues. I think many people long to give back to the communities that molded them, and this work allows us to do exactly that in a very tangible, meaningful way.”
Carmine's Convoy was the culmination of several months of fundraising efforts, led by a committee of ATO brothers and alumni, including Hodson. In addition to seeking corporate sponsorships, the chapter connected with alumni via direct outreach and a silent auction during homecoming's Tent City. They coordinated campus events, including Dunk-A-Tau, Tac-O Tuesday, and a car demolition with the help of Rose-Hulman's three sorority chapters. Each ATO brother is also expected to individually raise at least $100 for the cause.
"This was kind of a crazy opportunity to grow as a person and a leader," Hodson said. "I've held leadership positions before, but always in a technical role. This opportunity has allowed me to really improve my communication skills."
For Hodson, Carmine's Convoy offered a unique opportunity to combine his passions for the betterment of others.
"Growing, up, I've always had a strong passion for healthcare, and it's the industry I've wanted to go into for a long time," said Hodson. "I've also had a very strong passion for community service and the belief of giving back and leaving the world a better place. This event has been an amazing opportunity to combine my passions and grow as a person and leader."
As the brothers walked, with vehicles protecting them from both the front and the back, the brothers motivated one another and leaned on each other for support — in some cases literally, guiding each other across the finish line.
"Seeing the check read six figures truthfully left me speechless," said Logan Faulkenberg, a senior pursuing a bachelor's in biomedical engineering and a master's in engineering management through the Rose Squared program. Faulkenberg serves as ATO social services chair and founded the Carmine's Convoy event last year.
"A walk was an important way to honor Rook and Carmine because it raises awareness both physically and financially to help children and families in similar situations," said Faulkenberg. "I don't know if I will ever be able to find the words to describe the experience of walking the full 66 miles two years in a row, but what I can say is that I'm incredibly grateful, and I can't wait to see where this goes in years to come."
Their chapter flag streaming broadly overhead, the ATO brothers were greeted by a chorus of cheers from a small crowd gathered outside the hospital, and after a few concluding remarks, enjoyed a celebratory dinner honoring their efforts and the Reives' family impact.
"Getting to the end of the walk was really surreal," said Hodson. "The entire community and all my brothers coming together for this amazing cause and walking up…I'll never forget that feeling."