our yearly event in memory of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. We passed out flags in different parts of campus to remember the tragedy and those who were lost. The value of service has been something that the Chapter has stressed this semester and we stand proud of how we have represented Beta Theta Pi. — Daniel Scott ’10, mackends@muohio.edu
Miami (Fla.) (Colony)
The recently chartered Eta Beta Chapter is pleased to have formed a partnership with the Autism Society of America. In November the Chapter organized the inaugural Beta Ball: Kick for a Cause, a one-day kickball tournament in support of autism research that was open to all campus fraternities, sororities and non-Greek freshmen. Plans are being developed for the spring semester, including the second annual Beta Blast, as well as other philanthropic work with the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Autism Society for America. — Jason Mills ’10, j.mills1@umiami.edu
Middle Tennessee State (ΕΘ)
Our brothers took the football field with a sour taste in their mouths after losing last season’s championship game. This year, the Chapter showed total dominance over the competition in the championship game and secured first place in the IFC league. This sets the Chapter up to be one of the top contenders for the All Sports Award. Epsilon Theta was able to gain in academics as well as athletics by raising the Chapter grade point average by .3 points. The Chapter is beginning to take great strides toward improving campus and IFC involvement. — Matthew Tragarz ’09, mdt2t@mtsu.edu
Minnesota (ΒΠ)
The Chapter began the semester on a good note, bringing five awards home from the General Convention. Recruitment was a great success, signing 19 outstanding pledges. Beta Pi is striving for the best, as we move forward in the future. Pledge Educator David Hopps implemented a new pledge education program. Recruitment Chairman Kevin Schultz is constructing an entirely new recruitment platform, with hopes to increase our recruitment success. These are just a couple of the changes happening at Minnesota, as our members look to the future and strive to continually improve upon the successes of those who came before us and for those that will come after. — Zachary Palen ’10, pale0054@umn.edu
MissouriKansas City (ΕΛ)
This semester, we set out to improve our commitment to the community. Our goal was to increase the amount of community service opportunities available to members rather than increasing fundraising. We felt it important to actually get out and work with community members. In this effort, the Chapter now organizes a monthly community service event which a majority of the Chapter attends. The Chapter worked at the Sherwood Center, a school for autistic children, as well as Harvester’s, a local food bank. Our philanthropy chairman has opened these events to sororities on campus as well as Alpha Phi Omega. Thus, monthly events provide opportunities for members to help the community as well as a chance to network and meet new people. The Chapter looks to branch out next semester and include other local organizations. — Alex Barrett ’09, AlexBarrett@umkc.edu
Nebraska (ΑΤ)
During the weekend of September 6, we held our inaugural Dads and Alumni weekend, combining our annual Dads Day and Alumni Golf Tournament into a weekendlong event. The weekend included a home Nebraska football game, followed by a reception at the Chapter house. Our house dad, Ervin Williams grilled out for the reception, with the help of our alumni chapter advisor, as well as our cook, Faith. The next day, the Chapter hosted a golf tournament at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course, which was attended by more than 30 dads and alumni. Alpha Tau’s inaugural Dads and Alumni weekend was a great success, with more than 200 dads, alumni and active members participating. We look forward to continuing and expanding this new tradition. — Tom Salistean ’09, secretary@beta.unl.edu
North Carolina (Η)
During the fall semester, the Eta Chapter initiated 10 young men, including five legacies. On November 7, we hosted our annual parents’ cocktail at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. On November 13, the Chapter hosted its annual philanthropy chili dinner with the Chi Omega Sorority. The event benefited the UNC Dance Marathon, an organization that raises money each year for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Each brother sold at least four tickets to the dinner, and the event was well attended. The Eta Chapter looks forward to a successful spring recruitment in 2009, hoping
to initiate at least four to five men in March. — Thomas Nading ’10, nading@email.unc.edu
North Dakota (ΓΚ)
“Relationships are the currency of life.” Gamma Kappa Vice President Michael Green, along with other members, have used this saying to motivate the Chapter to expand our relationships to others on campus, as well as within our chapter house. The Chapter has two major goals that are directly related to improving relationships: improved recruitment numbers and increased philanthropy support. We have taken great strides this year in improving both fraternity and sorority relations on campus. Brothers have hosted and attended several events which have allowed our members to interact with individuals from other Greek houses. Our Chapter has held many brotherhood events, with great turnouts. The overall increased number of relationships has lead to an improvement of the quality of life within the chapter house and for its members. — Dustin Patterson ’10, dustin. patterson@und.edu
Nova Southeastern (ΖΜ)
For the Zeta Mu Chapter, last semester was one of improvement and leadership. The brothers are anticipating the initiation of even well rounded pledges, some of whom will run in elections for executive board positions. The brothers co-hosted a large philanthropy called Reddy-to-Rock for the multiple sclerosis condition. Zeta Mu is hosting and co-hosting 10 alcohol awareness events in the near future. Some of the Zeta Mu brothers hold leadership positions on campus including two executive board positions on IFC, one executive board position in Greek Council and three brothers in Order of Omega. — Anthony Benza ’10, benza@nova.edu
Oklahoma (ΓΦ)
The men of the Gamma Phi Chapter are getting ready for their upcoming date party, Beta Barn Dance. The brothers have already begun constructing plans for the traditional Barn to be built on the front lawn outside of the Chapter house. This event, which has been an on-going Chapter tradition since the early 50s, will last for an entire week, each night consisting of various activities with invited guests from local sororities. To conclude the week, the men of Gamma Phi will host a two-night western-themed date party. This event has been nationally ranked as one of Winter 2009
25