Latest News

DRC Director's Report - August 2020

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase worldwide due to changes in dietary composition including the addition of sweetners to many food products and evolving patterns of eating behaviors. In particular, excessive consumption of sugars has been linked to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. 

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-derived hormone that signals to the brain to reduce sugar intake, but the mechanism for this effect was unknown. This new study by Ph.D. student Sharon Jensen-Cody and other colleagues in the laboratory of Matt Potthoff, Associate Professor in the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Center and Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience discovered that FGF21 signals to specific nerve cells called glutamatergic neurons in the brain to lower sugar intake and sweet-taste preference.

DRC Director's Report - July 2020

The greatest risks to long-term health in people with diabetes arise from diabetic complications, particularly cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms by which the metabolic changes associated with type 2 diabetes like insulin resistance increases the risk of heart failure are less understood. In a recent publication in JCI Insight, E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, and other members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center in collaboration with other institutions, have uncovered an important molecular link between diabetes and heart failure.

Reno Suite Upgrade Information

Brothers & Sisters, 

A limited number of suite upgrades are available at the Nugget Casino Resort in Reno for the 2020 F.O.E. Annual Meetings. If you would like to upgrade your room to a larger suite, please coordinate directly with the Nugget Casino Hotel to obtain more information or to reserve a suite.

• Upgrade to Casino Tower Hospitality Suite - +$100/day 
• Upgrade to Resort Tower Petite Suite - +$45/day
• Upgrade to Resort Tower Bar King - +65/day
• Upgrade to Resort Tower Hospitality Suite - +$125/day 
• Bed removal per room/suite - $75 

Anyone contacting the hotel about upgrading to a suite should mention the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Interested parties should contact the Nugget Casino Resort at 1-800-648-1177.

2020 Annual Meetings Headed to Nugget Casino Resort in Reno

Brothers & Sisters, 

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Fraternal Order of Eagles Annual Meetings will be held at the Nugget Casino Resort, July 18-23! Rooms are available starting today at the following rates: 

Sunday-Thursday - $65/night plus tax and $2 tourism charge
Friday & Saturday - $89/night plus tax and $2 tourism charge
$10 for each additional person in a triple/quad room 

Resort fees have been waived for all F.O.E. guests. Rooms include complimentary wi-fi internet and phone calls, two bottles water per day, a Keurig coffeemaker, in-room safe, and unlimited use of pool & fitness center. The hotel also provides shuttle service and complimentary self-parking. Check-in time is 3 p.m. with check-out set for 11 a.m. 

2020 Annual Meetings Moved To Reno

Brothers & Sisters,

Over the last 10 weeks, our lives have changed considerably. In the face of this global pandemic, we were forced to temporarily close our Aeries, cancel many of our annual State/Provincial Conventions and miss out on valuable time with our Eagle brothers and sisters.

After substantial discussions with state, county and city officials from Washington, it has been determined that we will be unable to hold the 2020 Fraternal Order of Eagles International Convention in Spokane this July.

DRC Director's Report - June 2020

FOEDRC members Al Klingelhutz, PhD, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Radiation Oncology and James Ankrum, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, have received funding as part of the Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP). As co-directors of 1 of the 5 projects, “Role of Airborne PCBs in Adipogenesis, Adipose Function, and Metabolic Syndrome”, they will focus on how the environmentally prevalent toxin PCB ) (polychlorinated biphenyls) accumulation in fat affects the development of obesity, fatty liver disease, and type II diabetes. The ISRP, headed by Keri Hornbuckle, PhD, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will receive a total of $11.4 million over a 5-year period to continue its research on polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and the impact they have on human health.

PGWP George Ziebol Passes Away

We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Past Grand Worthy President George Ziebol. George passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with heart disease. 

DRC Director's Report - May 2020

Diabetes is a disease of uncontrollable high blood glucose. Insulin, the hormone that reduces blood glucose, is secreted from beta cells embedded in the pancreas in structures called islets. Although overnutrition has been blamed for the inability of beta cells to secrete enough insulin in type 2 diabetes, it has remained unclear how overnutrition causes beta cells to fail. This is a critical question to solve in order to develop effective therapy to protect beta cells in conditions of overnutrition and to cure type 2 diabetes.

Grand Aerie Reopening Policy

Brothers & Sisters, 

In the last few days, we have received several questions regarding whether or not Aeries are permitted to open for business yet by the Grand Aerie. 

To clarify, any Aerie permitted by their State/Province to reopen for business, may do so, as long as they are following any necessary guidelines set by the State/Province regarding capacity, social distancing, indoor/outdoor seating, etc. 

Any Aeries still affected by shutdown orders MUST remain closed until those orders are lifted. Once those orders are lifted, you may resume business operations in the capacity allowed by your State/Province. 

Message from Grand Worthy President Ron Malz

Brothers & Sisters,

Over the last few weeks, the problems faced by the Fraternal Order of Eagles due to the coronavirus have been unprecedented. 

We entered March strongly on pace for our second consecutive year of Net Gain, then – suddenly – things came to a screeching halt. Our Aeries closed, we were unable to recruit and initiate new members and several of the annual events we all look forward to were unable to take place.