The Beta Theta Pi - Winter 2019

WINTER 2019 THE BETA THETA PI MAGAZINE

BETA the beta theta pi magazine

Winter 2019 Convention Recap ........18 The Beta House ........30 Chapter Reports ........38

VOL. 146 | ISSUE NO. 1

CONSEQUENTIAL CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS DECISIONS

Beta’s Most Influential Actions Since 1839 Page 24

BETA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ACTIONS SINCE 1839 page 24

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The Beta House After a $4 million capital campaign, Alpha alumni modernized their chapter home of 100 years while maintaining its charm and allure.

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contents inside this issue

Features

08

Departments Archives

historical throwback

Newsworthy

06

The Inbox

10

Alumni News

12

Campus Life

34

Chapter Reports

38

Chapter Eternal

52

Bridge Builder

53

fraternity updates unfiltered feedback

lifelong brotherhood

student highlights your alma mater

in loving memory

donor spotlight

18

Convention Recap

It was a waterside reunion for the Fraternity, with some 650 attendees bringing the Beta Spirit to Norfolk, Virginia.

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Consequential Decisions

Substance-free housing captured recent headlines, but history indicates influential actions are nothing new for Beta Theta Pi. On the Cover The centennial Convention in 1939 marks but one in a legion of formal and informal settings where Beta decisions and history have been made.

The Beta Theta Pi Magazine The oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine, The Beta Theta Pi was founded on December 15, 1872, by Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869.

Publication Schedule Issue Winter Spring Summer

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Deadline October 15 January 15 April 15

Mail Date December 15 March 15 June 15

Who Gets the Beta Magazine?

How Does One Get Published?

Upon initiation, each Beta is guaranteed a lifetime subscription to The Beta Theta Pi. That commitment by the Fraternity remains, although for a variety of reasons some no longer wish to receive the hard-copy version. So, who automatically receives the Fraternity’s magazine? All undergraduates and parents, current and former Beta volunteers, donors to the Beta Foundation, and any alumnus who documents his preference to receive the hard copy with the Administrative Office in Oxford. One can easily do so at 800.800.BETA, beta@beta.org or my.beta.org.

Content submissions for the magazine are always encouraged and certainly welcomed. While space constraints naturally make it difficult for the editorial staff to include every idea presented, a fair evaluation process is exercised in order to publish the greatest variety of chapters, generations, geographical regions, events, unique member achievements and stories. High resolution pictures should be submitted to beta@beta.org.

Want Instant Access to a Past Issue?

Every issue of The Beta Theta Pi since its founding on December 15, 1872, can be accessed in Beta’s online, keyword-searchable digital archive: magazine.beta.org.

Send Photos, Stories and Address Updates to:

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Beta leaders urge undergraduates to prioritize their health and safety while showing equal care for brothers and guests.

CONTENTS

Foreword

editor’s note

Nothing is More Important

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The Beta Theta Pi, (USPS 052-000) official magazine of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, is owned by the Fraternity, edited and published under the direction and control of its Board of Trustees, published winter, spring and summer for a $30 one-time prepaid subscription. Standard non-profit class postage paid at Oxford, Ohio, and additional points of entry. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0397474. Copyright Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

Produced in the USA.

Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administrative Office Brennan Hall 5134 Bonham Road PO Box 6277 Oxford, Ohio 45056 800.800.BETA or beta@beta.org

11/26/18 1:56 PM

archives historical throwback

Send your old Beta photos to the Beta magazine! beta@beta.org

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Thanks to Jack Longstreth, Purdue ’51, the gem above was shared via email before mailing it to Oxford: “In my old age, I’m starting to purge – big time. In so doing, I found this old photograph dated 1895 that my father gave me many years ago. It’s a Thanksgiving picture of my father’s Beta chapter, Theta Delta, Ohio State, with the men and women being carried on a beautiful, old and large horse drawn wagon, with Beta flag in front.” The term “road-trip” seems to have taken on a whole new meaning . . .

11/20/18 10:33 PM

Three months ago, Beta’s editorial team traveled to Portland, Oregon, for a creative retreat to chart our communication strategy for the coming year.

Following an afternoon touring Nike’s headquarters, we wondered what in the world to select for this year’s feature articles in The Beta Theta Pi. With lists upon lists of cool topics and human interest ideas before us, we also recognized the Fraternity had just come off a milestone Convention that considered more legislative proposals than would normally be entertained in two or three Conventions. Feeling the weight of the times, it seemed almost impossible not to focus on the results of such historic proceedings.

foreword editor’s note Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 martin.cobb@beta.org

Creative Director

Sarah Shepherd sarah.shepherd@beta.org

Managing Editor | Graphic Designer Mike Roupas, Iowa ’10 mike.roupas@beta.org

Director of Media Relations | Senior Writer Justin Warren, SMU ’10 justin.warren@beta.org

Director of Digital Media | Photographer Mike Rodmaker, Cincinnati ’13 mike.rodmaker@beta.org

Photography

Tylere Presley, Central Michigan ’12 Nic Nelson, Elon ’17 RDI Architecture Immortal Images

Publication Printer

Royle Printing Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

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So, as we bantered if and how the Convention delegates’ action to sustain the Trustees’ substance-free housing policy was owed additional coverage, it occurred to us that the policy is really only feature-worthy if we broaden the scope and position it historically as part of an answer to one singular question: “What are Beta’s most consequential decisions since 1839?”

Ultimately, it’s about context. And how Betas today are measuring up against the Fraternity’s standard-bearers.

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Editor | Director of Communication

However, as we often reflect, the Fraternity’s communication staff has a duty not only to inform, inspire and entertain, but we also must make sure the history of the Fraternity is recorded properly. Beta’s first editor, Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869, helped establish that pattern more than 145 years ago, and we feel a real obligation to ensure it continues.

FOREWORD

Yet, if we’re being frank, our magazine team has a real bias against extensively covering legislative and administrative business of the Fraternity because, well, it’s pretty darn dry and, in our humble opinion, is just plain boring.

For sure, this issue’s six-page feature will appeal to students of Beta history.

It won’t be hard for any critical eye to see that some generations have been quite progressive, while others were particulary lethargic. Some decisions may seem “soft” at first glance, but be careful not to dismiss lighter sides of the organization that have significantly enriched its soul.

To be certain, Beta’s history continues to be written – in both words and actions. As young and old men alike in 2018 stood up to be counted, may they be looked back upon favorably and also upheld as giants of the day.

Sincerely and yours in ___kai___,

11/20/18 10:33 PM

newsworthy fraternity updates

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NEWSWORTHY

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THE BETA THETA PI

1 | Trustees Elected at 179th

3 | Convention Upholds Substance-Free Housing Policy

The 179th General Convention exercised its annual duty by electing three loyal Betas to the 12-man Board of Trustees, Beta’s governing body when the Convention is not in session: General Treasurer Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05, and Vice Presidents Mike Wortman, Nebraska ’70, and Ken Grispin, Rutgers ’70. They will each serve three-year terms.

In historic fashion, and by a vote of 91 to 49, delegates to Beta Theta Pi’s 179th General Convention upheld the Board of Trustees’ substance-free housing policy announced February 2, ensuring all Fraternity properties will be alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free by August 15, 2020. Read more at beta.org/sfh-policy.

2 | General Fraternity House Corporation Established

4 | Beta Drives Strategic Reforms

Nearly a decade in the making given inception of Beta’s Cornerstone Housing Program in 2010, this year marked creation of the new General Fraternity House Corporation that exists to strengthen Beta’s housing position across North America. Designed to protect, support and leverage Beta’s $175 million in physical assets for the expressed purpose of providing safe, academic and brotherhood-centered homes, founding directors appointed by the Board of Trustees include (l to r) former General Treasurer John Stebbins, Emory ’92 (president), retired Administrative Secretary Steve Becker, Florida ’69 (secretary) and attorney and District Chief Adam Collins, Wabash ’02 (treasurer).

Rooted in the Men of Principle initiative and focused on priorities of Brotherhood, Personal Growth and Home, the Fraternity’s strategic plan continues to make traction on a variety of fronts.

Most notably since it was announced this past February, 1) Beta’s expanded substance-free housing policy was codified into the Risk Management Policy, 2) an undergraduate-wide cultural assessment is underway given Beta’s new partnership with a national research firm, 3) a new member education program is being piloted by some 30 chapters and 4) a new online orientation platform is being tested by volunteer advisors.

New Bound Volume

Foundation Annual Report

Duly Appointed

Mizzou & Kentucky . . .

Serving as the Fraternity’s most comprehensive historical record, The Beta Theta Pi magazine’s newest bound volume (2015-17) is now available at BetaSpirit.com.

Complete your library today!

Visit beta.org/annualreport to read this year’s 60-page Annual Report, which recognizes more than 4,600 loyal Betas, parents and friends who supported the Beta Foundation in fiscal year 2018.

Trustees have announced new Foundation director terms: Treasurer Ken Bryan, MIT ’88, Secretary Amar Budarapu, Lawrence ’87, Peter Darrow, Miami (Fla.) ’09, Mike Downer, UCLA ’77, and Aaron Kozuki, Washington in St. Louis ’05.

Among just 11 of 384,000 fraternity collegiates and six of 6,200 chapters, the NIC named Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18, and Beta’s University of Kentucky chapter as 2018 Award of Distinction honorees, respectively.

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11/21/18 9:45 AM

greekheadlines betaevents JANUARY 2019 3-6 Winter Wooden Institute

Oxford, Ohio

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11-13 Presidents Academy and Leadership Summit

Cincinnati, Ohio 17 Naples Alumni Luncheon

Naples, Fla. davidcnordhoff@gmail.com

24 Portland Alumni Luncheon Portland, Ore. doug.houser@bullivant.com

FEBRUARY 2019

Keystone Conferences 8-10 Southeast – Jacksonville, Fla. Northwest – Seattle, Wash.

15-17 North Central – Itasca, Ill. South Central – Tulsa, Okla.

22-24 Northeast – Cherry Hill, N.J. Southwest – Irvine, Calif.

MARCH 2019 16 WPI Installation

Worcester, Mass. kbrandall@wpi.edu APRIL 2019 13 Elon Installation Elon, N.C. mstranzl@elon.edu 26-28 Board of Trustees Meeting Denver, Colo. jeff.rundle@beta.org AUGUST 2019 1-4 180th General Convention

Oxford, Ohio

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5 | 66 NIC Fraternities Ban Hard Alcohol By 2019 During their August 27 Annual Meeting, 66 inter/national fraternities of the North American Interfraternity Conference voted in near-unanimous fashion to eliminate hard alcohol from all chapter facilities and events by September 1, 2019. Represented by more than 6,100 chapters on 800 campuses, their actions have been characterized as one of the most sweeping cultural reform efforts in modern fraternity history. A part of the NIC’s focus on health and safety in the wake of a multitude of fraternity tragedies, read more at nicfraternity.org.

6 | “Tim’s Law” Official Tim’s Law, an anti-hazing statute, was signed into law October 19 by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, making incidents of hazing a felony if they result in serious injury or death, including up to seven years in prison and possible confiscation of fraternity houses where hazing has occurred.

7 | Pledging Reduced to 4 Weeks Following Miami University President Greg Crawford’s committee charge to evaluate the campus’ Greek community and make recommendations that “would lead to sustained cultural change,” the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life announced on November 8 that all chapters must initiate new members within four weeks of intake beginning winter 2019.

8 | Piazza Settlement On September 4, the Fraternity announced a settlement had been reached with the parents of Tim Piazza, Penn State ’19, following the hazing and alcohol-fueled events that led to his death on February 2, 2017.

Monetary terms remain confidential, but reform measures are summarized at beta.org/piazza-settlement.

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26 Florida State Installation Tallahassee, Fla. rod.kelley@gmail.com

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NEWSWORTHY

18-20 Board of Trustees, Foundation Board and GF House Corp Joint Meetings Houston, Texas jeff.rundle@beta.org

9 | 10-Year Suspensions at WVU Refusing to comply with West Virginia’s action to defer freshmen recruitment until the second semester, fraternity alumnus and University President Gordon Gee announced in September 10-year suspsensions of Sigma Chi, Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Sigma Kappa and Theta Chi.

11/21/18 9:45 AM

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT On October 11, amidst another troubling year for fraternities, General Secretary Wayne Kay and Executive Director Jeff Rundle penned a letter to some 18,000 Beta undergraduates, parents and volunteers urging undergraduates to prioritize the health and safety of themselves, their brothers and guests.

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11/26/18 2:02 PM

“Please do not assume that because you have not yet met tragedy, that tragedy couldn’t find you if you open the door for it.”

— Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73 To Our Undergraduate Beta Brothers and New Members: Fall is an important and busy time for Beta Theta Pi. No doubt, you and your chapter are already being pulled in 20 different directions, simultaneously needing to study for midterms, plan homecoming, organize a fall formal, win intramurals, and recruit and educate the next generation of Betas.

Of course, as the old saying goes: If everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.

So, which of these gets top billing?

As chairman of the Board of Trustees and executive director, and most importantly as brothers who care for all of you, we want to be clear: Absolutely nothing is more important than the health and safety of our members and guests.

This message seems particularly pertinent now as the Greek community continues to struggle with several heartbreaking events across North America involving young fraternity men: • Alpha Phi Alpha new member Tyler Hilliard of UC Riverside died during a fraternity pledge outing, and police are now investigating whether hazing played a role in his sudden death.

• Alcohol is believed to have been involved in the death of Dylan Fulton of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Minnesota, a dean’s list student with a 4.0 GPA, who was found unresponsive in his chapter house last month.

• University of Kentucky Alpha Tau Omega new member Jacob Heil was arrested after a fraternity tailgate when he was involved in a DUI incident that killed a four-year-old little boy.

• Evan Hansen, Wabash ’19, left his family and Beta brothers in shock when he took his own life on September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day. We sincerely hope that you consider Beta Theta Pi a safe environment where you can openly discuss incidents like these and issues you or your chapter might be struggling with. We are certainly open to talking with you about them, and your chapter advisors, regional/district chiefs and our Administrative Office staff are also here to help. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your brothers or a Friend of Beta, consider campus or professional resources: • Greek Hazing Hotline 1.888.NOT.HAZE (668.4293) • Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255 • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Helpline 1.800.662.HELP (4357) As you continue this term, remember the oath you took at the time of your induction – to bring honor to Beta Theta Pi in all your actions. Please do not assume that because you have not yet met tragedy, that tragedy couldn’t find you if you open the door for it.

The General Fraternity’s volunteer and staff corps remain diligent in support of our chapters, but no doubt the first and most important line of defense against a tragedy rests squarely with you and your brothers.

Planning safe events and providing proper education and orientation to our members and new members is critical, particularly during important and formative events like pledge induction, big brother events and initiation.

We urge your chapter to consult its advisors when planning these major milestones in one’s Beta experience. And if something does go wrong, know that seeking assistance for a brother or guest in need is certainly at the heart of your Beta obligations. Calling for help in any situation that concerns the health and safety of another human being is always the right thing to do.

A commitment to mutual aid and assistance has been a hallmark of Beta Theta Pi for some 179 years. We have the utmost faith, trust and confidence that you, as one of the Fraternity’s more than 10,000 undergraduate men of principle, will act throughout your college years to uphold this reputation and help ensure your brothers stay brothers for life – and all friends and guests are cared for accordingly.

Yours in ___kai___, S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73 General Secretary Jeff Rundle, Kansas State ’03 Executive Director

FEEDBACK “As a parent of a pledge at the University of Kentucky, I am very impressed by this email.

Sounds like my son made a great decision joining Beta Theta Pi.” – John Sabo, Beta Father

“Thank y’all for the note. My son is a pledge at OK State. Thank you for trying to stay vigilant and not tolerating hazing or a ‘boys will be boys’ mentality!”

– Mary Culver, Beta Mother

“This is how you lead young men.

Tragic when college students are involved in fatal accidents, but good leadership and guidance is exactly what they need.”

– Brad Serf, Beta Father

“Great advice that should be shared with the whole membership. In today’s world where a finger is pointed at someone every time, we need to be aware of the storm clouds gathering.”

– Tom McCasland, Oklahoma ’55

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11/20/18 10:39 PM

magazinereactions

THE INBOX

10 THE BETA THETA PI

the inbox unfiltered feedback

“So enjoyed the latest issue

“Regarding Summer 2018

of the Beta magazine. So many great articles and interesting stories on the Beta Eponyms! The last picture on the back cover is OUTSTANDING! Sean is a great leader. Only wish we had mentioned that Delta Mu had six Senators elected along with Sean.”

— Dean Stalcup, Texas Tech ’71, rdstalcup@aol.com

article, ‘The 5 Coolest Beta Eponyms of All Time - And 15 Others That Will Wow You,’ there was one notable omission from ‘Courts.’ The basketball court in Mizzou Arena is named Norm Stewart Court after Norman E. ‘Norm’ Stewart, Missouri ’95.” — Charles A. “Buddy” Leech III, Missouri ’64 kewpie60@gmail.com

“In a little Epsilon history

cover to cover, the summer issue of the magazine. I just could not absorb the content of it and then not communicate to you my reaction to it. On page seven, you now publicize Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Psi and Acacia as having banned ‘hard’ alcohol, effective immediately.

I grant you that they did not have the fortitude and thus, I surmise, exempted beer? But at least they moved forward.

Beta should be in the lead, not following those three and others who also may take similar action while we sit around for two more years waiting for those the Trustees are accommodating to ‘get with the program.’”

— Tuck Schulhof, DePauw ’58, Tuck@schulof.com

this week, we’re marking the anniversary of the birth of Ed Diddle, Centre 1919, (below) born on March 12, 1895, who coached basketball at Western Kentucky University from 1922 to 1964. Diddle was known for waving a red towel on the sidelines during games; his red towel is now part of WKU’s official athletic logo. Diddle won 759 games and, when he stepped down in 1964, was the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history. E.A. Diddle Arena, the basketball venue at WKU, is named for him.”

— John Stanton, Centre ’89, john.stanton@kentoncounty.org

“I received today and have read,

Inspired by the summer issue’s feature article, Beta’s editorial staff will continue to report on Beta Eponyms around the world in future issues as a dedicated department highlight.

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11/25/18 10:26 PM

strategic planfeedback “I remember back to my

“My son is a Beta from

the Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY, I came upon the gravesite of Thomas Boston Gordon, one of your founders.

If it wasn't for the attached bronze plaque it would have been nearly impossible to recognize it due to the extreme weathered condition of the stone monument. Good on you for placing the plaque! The Lexington Cemetery is a lovely, well-kept, garden-style cemetery dating from 1849. It is home to nearly 70,000 souls, including a number of prominent historical figures. Thomas Gordon is resting well.” — Walter Norris, lexky@hotmail.com

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“If Beta is really serious about holding pledges and actives to a higher standard, test randomly for illegal drugs twice a year and boot anyone who tests positive.”

— Mort Cook, Denison ’66, mort@mrcook.com

“Will Beta ever answer the question of why the thousands of dollars spent on risk management has been so profoundly ineffective? How long will we go on shooting blanks? The resources are there; why can’t we get a better result?

Is the leadership making any effort to get to the bottom of this? Let’s have an article in the Beta Magazine about why our efforts have produced such meager results.” — Ashmead Pipkin, North Carolina ’60, mapipkin@nc.rr.com

– Harold Markey Jr., South Dakota ’55

11 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

“While wandering around

the University of Denver, and recently graduated. I too am saddened by the tragedy that this wonderful organization has endured these past 18 months; however, it does not define the wonderful traditions, friendships, and experiences my son has enjoyed as a Beta. The decisions of a few will not destroy the integrity of so many. I know the young boys are embarrassed at so much attention on Betas, and hopefully as time passes they will embrace the fraternity they joined and are a lifetime member of. All the best to all Betas, from a Mom so proud of her son.” — Brook Yearley, mcyearley@aol.com, mother of Dorsey Yearley, Denver ’18

“Put housemothers back in the houses or face the demise of Beta. It’s just that simple.”

THE INBOX

fraternity experience at Cal Berkeley and there was hazing and ‘unusual incidents’ but we all thought it was just part of the process; and thank God there was no permanent damage. Great to see that my son, a Beta at University of Puget Sound, is having a different but equally profound experience. Keep up the good work.” — Robert Rothman, rrothmanj@aol.com, father of Matthew Rothman, Puget Sound ’20

“I remember some truly brilliant and grounded brothers in my time at the Alpha Chapter in the late 70s. I also remember some hardcore idiots who had influence over many. I felt the hazing was a problem then and served no purpose as a pledge/active/alumni. I felt the fraternity experience was a positive one for me. I do remember brilliant brothers of character, but I also remember the marginal at best brothers that can lead the charge to ruthless outcomes as what happened at PSU Beta.”

— Mark Brockway, Miami ’79, mbrockway@surepak.net

“Thank you for these words , but especially for what you will do to put these words into action in future days, weeks, months and years. I will strongly encourage my Beta sons to support the Fraternity’s leadership in these endeavors.”

— Terry Pfeifer, fifeman26@ gmail.com, father of Chapter President John Pfeifer, Nebraska ’19

11/25/18 10:26 PM

ALUMNI NEWS

12 THE BETA THETA PI

alumni news lifelong brotherhood Beta Spirit Set In Stone On September 7, 2012, 700 Betas and guests gathered for the dedication of a newly constructed chapter house at Mizzou. Replacing a facility built some 50 years prior and hailed as one of the finest fraternity houses in North America, it was out with the old and in with the new. But not for Chad Phillips ’96, who wanted to find a special way to carry his Beta experience – and former home – with him. As he constructed an outdoor fireplace at his home last spring, he set a focal point of the chimney in the shape of Beta’s familiar eight-sided Grecian shield. That piece, designed with the utmost love for his Fraternity and pride in his chapter, was created entirely from the bricks of the former Zeta Phi chapter house. (Pictured: Chad, wife Christine, daughter Madeline, 11, and son Jack, 8)

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11/25/18 10:42 PM

1 | Coaster King

ALUMNI NEWS

For Regional Chief Martin Lewison, Columbia ’88, it’s no coincidence that Turbulence – Adventureland’s plunging, spinning coaster – can be seen from the business school at Farmingdale State College where he is a professor. “Professor Roller Coaster,” as he was dubbed in a recent profile in The New York Times, is a rollercoaster enthusiast with over 1,800 different coasters in more than 33 countries under his belt.

Read the full article at beta.org/coasterking.

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2 | Chzech-ing In

3 | Oklahoma Legend

4 | Serving Abroad

5 | Reliving History

Trips with your Fraternity brothers aren’t always very glamorous in your 20s, but a lot can change in 40 years as seen from this Tau Chapter class of 1978 trip to the Czech Republic where brothers and their Sweethearts met U.S. Ambassador Steve King (front row, far right) at the

It was quite a night in the Sooner State as BancFirst Corp. Executive Chairman David Rainbolt, Oklahoma ’78, (second from left) was inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. And our Beta brother was in good company as you may recognize his fellow inductee seated just three chairs away – country music star and Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Carrie Underwood.

Beta’s core value of mutual assistance is on full display in the African country of Benin, where Conner Swan, Saint Louis ’17, is volunteering with the Peace Corps. There, he teaches English in a rural community while fundraising to replace his school’s tin shacks with proper classrooms. To learn more about Conner’s work, reach him at connerswan94@gmail.com.

Undergraduate brothers at Maine recently received a special visit from alumnus Robert Buchanan ’44. At 96 years old, Buchanan shared some amazing stories, including when he and his brothers listened to President Roosevelt’s famed 1941 “Day of Infamy” speech following the Pearl Harbor attack from the Beta Eta chapter room.

embassy in Prague.

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11/25/18 10:57 PM

1 | Oxford Cup No. 084 In September, General Fraternity President Bob Schnese, Wisconsin ’83, (left) awarded food scientist Philip Nelson, Purdue ’56, (right) the Oxford Cup, Beta’s highest honor for professional achievement. Nelson is known as the leader of modern food science, and his discoveries, widely used during emergency relief efforts following natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, earned him the World Food Prize – the Nobel Prize for food and agriculture.

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2 | “I Have Never Said No to My Fraternity”

4 | Reason’s Quiet Warrior

In August, long-time Beta volunteer Tom Cassady, Cincinnati ’76, received the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence’s Outstanding Volunteer Award – a top honor in the fraternity fundraising world.

Tom’s long and accomplished Beta resume includes stints as chapter president, district chief, Foundation Board director, General Secretary, insurance commissioner and Promises to Keep Campaign co-chairman. Collectively, these roles earned him the esteemed Francis W. Shepardson Award for lifelong service to the Fraternity in 2005. As Brother Cassady remarked when accepting the award: “I have never said no to my Fraternity.”

Ahead of the midterms, a documentary debuted chronicling the life of retired Senator Richard Lugar, Denison ’54, calling the Oxford Cup recipient “Reason’s Quiet Warrior.” The film even includes a nod to Beta and his chapter’s first serenade for his Beta Sweetheart, Char. You can view the documentary at beta.org/quietwarrior.

3 | Hats off to a Hall of Famer Former Ohio baseball head coach Joe Carbone, Ohio ’70, has been selected for induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Brother Carbone is the university’s winningest head baseball coach, winning 689 games in his 24 seasons as head coach of his alma mater.

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5 | Beta Humanitarian, Distinguished Alumnus A retired educator, Jon Steiner, Willamette ’63, is now a humanitarian, photographer and adventure traveler. It’s these hobbies that led him to life-changing encounters in developing countries like Kenya and Mali where he now runs the nonprofit Water and Education Care International. For his humanitarian efforts, Brother Steiner was recognized by Willamette University with the Distinguished Alumni Citation. Visit beta.org/steiner to see an interview with this accomplished Beta and learn more about his work.

11/25/18 10:43 PM

Wave On Wave

15 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

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ALUMNI NEWS

There’s a new tradition in college sports, and it’s called “The Wave.” No, not the one seen in stadiums across North America created by Beta Robb Weller, Washington ’72. This Wave started at the University of Iowa, and it’s another Beta brother who is in on the heartfelt gesture. Happening at the end of the first quarter of Hawkeyes football games, fans rise to their feet, turn from the field and wave to patients undergoing treatment and watching through the windows at the nearby Stead Family Children’s Hospital. On September 15, those patients and their families were treated to something special – a halftime performance of the hit single “Wave on Wave” from three-time Grammy nominee Pat Green, Texas Tech ’97.

11/25/18 10:43 PM

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1 | New League Kicks Off!

The new Alliance of American Football league kicks off in February with two Betas, Director of Player Operations David Cohen, West Virginia ’95, (left) and Head of Business Operations Tom Veit, South Florida ’93, (right) leading the eight-team league alongside pros like Bill Polian, Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward.

In early October, the league reached a milestone in player acquisition, signing over 500 players to contracts for the 2019 inaugural season. The first states to see action from the AAF will be Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

2 | Going Public

The bright lights of New York City welcomed Brother Bill Stilley, Virginia ’90, when he rang the Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell in September to begin the initial public offering of his company, Adial Pharmaceuticals. As president and CEO, Stilley leads this biopharmaceutical company in its development of treatments for addiction – specifically alcohol use disorder.

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3 | Breaking a Million

The Honest Stand’s vegan, cheese-style dips have been described as “better than cheese on all levels.” That reputation must be catching on as the company, co-founded in 2014 by young entrepreneur and CEO Jeremy Day, San Diego ’11, celebrated its first year achieving $1 million in sales. Ready to taste test a plant-based mac and cheese while supporting a Beta brother? Check out your local Whole Foods or natural grocer.

4 | The Sneaker Stock Market

Run by CEO Josh Luber, Emory ’99, StockX is a stock market for shoes. The nearly three-year-old start-up is an online marketplace for high-end sneakers, and it has already attracted millions from celebrity investors like Eminem and Mark Wahlberg.

Co-founded with Dan Gilbert, the billionaire behind Quicken Loans and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Luber’s company uses a live bid/ask marketplace that guarantees sneaker authenticity of some of the most coveted shoes, like Yeezys or Jordans.

11/25/18 10:43 PM

betamilestones Happy anniversary to the chapters below with milestone anniversaries in 2019, and congratulations to 1969 and 1994 Beta initiates who will celebrate their Fraternal 50s and Fraternal 25s in 2019!

5

8

10

7

9

11

After a year (or more) of exhaustive campaigning, the dust settled on election season 2018 with four Beta brothers of varied political stripes heading to either the governor’s mansion or the 116th U.S. Congress, where they will join the Fraternity’s two sitting senators, Michael Bennet, Wesleyan ’87, (D-Colo.) and Doug Jones, Alabama ’76, (D-Ala.).

Come 2019, Beta’s congressional count will include three representatives and two senators. Brother Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma State ’95, (pictured) will become Beta’s 54th governor overall, and the second to serve as governor of Oklahoma.

GOVERNOR | Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma State ’95 (R) SENATOR | Michael Bennet, Wesleyan ’87 (D-Colo.), Doug Jones, Alabama ’76 (D-Ala.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | Ami Bera, UC Irvine ’87 (D-Calif.), Roger Marshall, Kansas State ’84 (R-Kan.), David McKinley, Purdue ’69 (R-W. Va.)

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6 | Andrew Klein, Colgate ’04 was recently named director of marketing for Denver Beer Co.

7 | John Miller, NC State ’15 joins his alma mater’s African American Cultural Center as program coordinator.

8 | John Paradee, Virginia ’85 has been confirmed by the Delaware Senate to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees.

9 | Jeff Lorenger, Iowa ’87

has taken over as CEO of furniture manufacturer HNI Corporation after 20 years at the company.

10 | Randy McDaniel, Oklahoma ’90 is celebrating his election as Oklahoma’s next state treasurer.

11 | Fred Pierce, San Diego State ’84

Years 60 55 30 40 15 105 15 140 165 130 10 130 145 80 50 30 55 105 105 140 55 25 140 30 180 10 130 140 30 160 110 140 35 70 25 20 140 140 130 5 140 135 150 150 60

17 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

5 | Brothers-Elect

Founding Date 10/31/1959 11/19/1964 12/09/1989 09/05/1979 02/14/2004 09/26/1914 02/21/2004 10/09/1879 10/20/1854 08/13/1889 11/21/2009 02/28/1889 05/15/1874 10/06/1939 11/16/1969 04/01/1989 11/07/1964 09/19/1914 10/17/1914 04/08/1879 11/07/1964 02/19/1994 10/09/1879 03/18/1989 08/08/1839 05/02/2009 11/29/1889 06/05/1879 04/08/1989 06/01/1859 12/04/1909 10/09/1879 02/05/1984 12/02/1949 03/26/1994 02/20/1999 10/09/1879 10/09/1879 01/10/1889 12/05/2014 03/18/1879 02/23/1884 04/01/1869 04/01/1869 11/15/1959

ALUMNI NEWS

6

Chapter Arizona Auburn Bishop’s Case Western Reserve Central Florida Colorado College Connecticut Cornell Cumberland Dartmouth Dayton Denver Dickinson Duke Florida State George Mason GMI-EMI Idaho Kansas State Kenyon Kettering A/B Lynchburg Maine McGill Miami Miami (Fla.) Minnesota Mississippi Missouri-Kansas City Oglethorpe Oregon Rutgers San Diego State Sewanee South Florida Southern Illinois St. Lawrence Stevens Syracuse TCU UC Berkeley Vanderbilt VMI Washington in St. Louis Wichita State

Memorable Event Or Alumni Accomplishment?

Email specifics and high-resolution photos to beta@beta.org and it may be featured in an upcoming issue of The Beta Theta Pi!

was named among the “50 Influential Leaders in San Diego.”

11/21/18 2:20 PM

CONVENTION RECAP A WATERSIDE REUNION FOR BETA’S 179TH

By Mike Roupas, Iowa ’10 The Beta Spirit was alive and well in Norfolk, Virginia, August 2-5, 2018, with some 650 Betas, Sweethearts and friends reuniting for Beta Theta Pi’s 179th General Convention. The world’s largest naval base served as an important backdrop as attendees rallied around the Convention theme, “The Courage to Lead.”

In addition to time-honored traditions like the Marching Line, Convention Chorus and Model Initiation, here are eight highlights of this year’s Beta reunion . . .

DOWN TO BUSINESS

SUBSTANCE-FREE POLICY

This year’s delegates elected three new Trustees and considered 13 legislative proposals, including adopting a Good Samaritan Policy and position statement on sexual misconduct and assault.

See page 22 for a full list of legislative outcomes.

Passing with a vote of 91 to 49, Convention delegates upheld the Board of Trustees’ substancefree housing policy announced on February 2, ensuring all Fraternity properties will be alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free

by August 15, 2020.

THREE NEW CHAPTERS

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

After committee presentations and a floor vote, three chapters were granted their charter.

Congratulations and welcome to the recolonized Delta Lambda at Florida State, and two new chapters: Eta Tau at WPI and Eta Upsilon at Elon (pictured).

Many attendees were recognized with chapter and individual awards, including 13 Knox Award winners. Former General Fraternity President Doug Houser, Willamette ’57, received the 25th Shepardson Award for his dedicated service to Beta. See page 22 for the full list of winners.

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WIDESPREAD EDUCATION Some 250 Beta undergraduates attended one of four unique educational tracks in Leadership College, while more than 20 house corporations attended the Cornerstone Housing Summit to learn from industry leaders.

A PRINCIPLED PANEL During Thursday night’s State of the Fraternity session, Board Vice President Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05, posed a number of attendeesubmitted questions to Beta and fraternal industry leaders on the pressing business of the 179th General Convention.

THE HIGHEST HONOR Walter Pories, Wesleyan ’52, accepted the 83rd Oxford Cup. The renowned bariatric surgeon credits Beta for his success in the medical field, particularly his relationship with pledge brother Hal Buckingham ’52, who joined Pories in Norfolk.

CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP Convention concluded with a cocktail dessert reception on the deck of the USS Wisconsin.

Former General Secretary and retired captain of the famed battleship, Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60, hosted and offered insightful remarks during the reception.

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LEADERSHIP IS NOT EASY A 2018 NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction recipient, Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18, oversaw the transition to a substance-free chapter house during his time as chapter president, and assumed the mantle of courageous leadership by advocating for the change across the entire Greek community. Schimpf shared his story during a keynote address at Beta’s 179th . . .

I

was asked to give the undergraduate keynote address here today — the kind of opportunity a 22 year old trying to build his career should never pass up on. But I want to be clear, a few weeks ago I quickly came to the harsh realization that I had no idea what to say to you all. It was just a few short months ago that I was still experimenting on just how long one can go without washing their bed sheets. And I’m just two weeks into a career of selling Cheerios in corporate America. If my shirt is ironed every morning, I think I’m doing pretty well. What I’m trying to get to is that I am no different than anyone else sitting here today. No better than, no more qualified than. But rather, I might just have a little less hair than a 22 year old is supposed to have. And that is what I am here to talk to you about today.

From January 2017 until January 2018, I was the president of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Missouri — a short amount of time in which I learned a lot. A lot about what it means to be a Beta. A lot about what it means to be a fraternity man in 2018. A lot about what it means to lead 18-22-year-old men during the most confusing and challenging phase of their lives, and really what it boils down to is — a lot about what it means to lead with courage.

The world we live in is changing at a more rapid rate than ever before seen in history. The exponential growth in technological development seen over the last 20 years has drastically changed the way we communicate, how we look at one another, and how we express ourselves.

According to the great paragon of analytical rigor, Wikipedia.com, it took nearly 50 years for 25 percent of Americans to adopt electricity into their daily lives, but only 13 years for regular internet use to be adopted by over 75 percent of the U.S. population.

With this culture change seen in nearly every facet of our lives, everything around us has been upended. From the way Fortune 500 businesses see their products and their people, to the way that we interact with and accept one another, despite our differences.

There is no doubt that it has been a rough few years for fraternal organizations coast to coast. We have been slow to adapt. We have seen 17 different models of the iPhone released since 2007, yet many in our world want to party like it’s 1995.

To get us to where we need to be, to prove our value to society, it is going to take leaders that are bold. Leaders that are timely. Leaders that are ready to lead to get us to where we need to go. If I may, I’d like to share some things with you all that I learned during my time as chap-

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“We have been slow to adapt. We have seen 17 different models of the iPhone released since 2007, yet many in our world want to party like it’s 1995. ” — Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18

ter president at Missouri. While I understand not everyone in this room is a chapter president, we all have our place in leading Beta Theta Pi. What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

What happens on the golf course doesn’t stay on the golf course. What happens on your phone, on Snapchat, on your Instagram story, does not stay there. What happens in a fraternity house does not stay in a fraternity house.

I firmly believe this should be printed on a T-shirt that you wear to chapter every week.

I would suggest to you all that instead of rejecting these notions, instead of projecting the claim that ‘we’re different’ and ‘these changes don’t apply to us’ — all things I heard during my time as president — isn’t going to work today. Plea with your brothers that they are the face to our beloved name. No matter where they go, no matter who they are with, they are representing all of us. Be the one that gives them a relatable face to strive to be more like. You must have the courage to show others what it is like to be a fraternity man.

Your actions will be watched and duplicated more than you know.

Leading 18-22 year-old men is hard. You are leading them during a time when they are learning what freedom really is. Learning what power and influence are all about. You are going to be looked at for answers to questions you have never been asked. Looked at to give advice that you have never been given.

You are going to be woken up in the middle of the night and this is what I have to say to all of you: During the tough times, during the times when you don’t know the answer, it is OK to not be OK. It is OK to need help.

When you’re at the top, be it a fraternity, a

organization on campus or literally any other group of people, it is a very lonely place. We want to say to ourselves I’m not weak, I’m strong. I’m not ignorant, I’m smart. I can do this on my own. But to lead with courage, you have to remind yourself daily I can’t do this on my own, I am not self-sufficient. I need help. I am weak. Find people you can lean on. Find mentors. And to the advisors in the room, be that mentor without having to be asked. Find people to rant to. I talked with the president of Delta Tau Delta almost every day during my time as president because no one else really got it. Having the courage to lead means that you admit when you need help.

You are going to, at some point, feel like you have to do it all. For everyone. All the time.

Something I was told during my presidency that helped me more than anything is this: ‘You are not the Messiah. You are not God. Whatever higher power or being that you look to, you are not it.’ This was either a thought in my head or out of my mouth verbally at least once a week during my time as president, and quite honestly, I have found it to be a good habit to continue on to this day. You cannot control the lives of your members. We can’t ensure their health, we cannot give them the study habits we wish that they all had. We can’t decide who they bring over to the chapter house. We can’t decide what they put on their Snap story or post on Instagram. Boy, wouldn’t it be great to be sovereign over their choices, especially those that affect the rest of us? But guess what? You can’t. You cannot command them where to go. You are not the Messiah. You can’t do all that. You can’t make all that happen. You can’t solve other people’s problems. And that’s OK.

Having the courage to lead means having the faith that people will do the right thing, so long as that is what you encourage them to do.

Guys, leadership is not easy. I would in fact present the argument that leading people, and leading them effectively, is the greatest challenge that any of us will ever face. The greatest stories of leadership within our history come from the some of the most difficult times. Washington, Lincoln, Ghandi, Mandela — we all know those names, not because they did easy things during easy times, but rather that they accomplished near impossible feats when all the odds were against them.

All of us in the fraternity world certainly don’t have societal odds in our favor right now, but the things we need to accomplish are well within our reach. The question being asked of us today is, ‘Will Beta deal with the challenges before it?’ and if so, ‘How?’ The answer to the first, I can tell you, is yes. The answer to the second is up to all of you.

It’s time for Beta to be a leader. It is time for Beta to show our brothers from coast to coast that they can follow us to brighter days.

It is going to take hard work. It is going to take perseverance. It is going to take everyone making compromises and coming together for the greater good of us all. The tools and pieces that we need to do this are sitting in this room right here today. We’ve done it before and we can do it again. But the question that I will leave with today that we all need to ask ourselves, is: ‘Do you have the courage to lead?’ Because at the very core, if we have that, we are going to be OK. We will earn back our reputation as The Leadership Fraternity. ■

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179TH CONVENTION RECOGNITION INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

DR. EDWARD B. TAYLOR ADVISOR OF THE YEAR Barton L. Ramsey, III, Centre ’75 (Centre) Emily C. Mire, Friend of Beta (TCU) Kathryn Wojcik, Friend of Beta (Colgate) John W. Hughes, Auburn ’77 (Auburn) HOUSE CORPORATION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Joseph A. Chinnici Jr., Ohio State ’64 HOUSE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Lana Cameron, Friend of Beta (Missouri) FRATERNITY AND SORORITY ADVISOR OF THE YEAR Erin M. McHale, University of Iowa Billy Boulden, Iowa State University INTERFRATERNALISM RECOGNITION AWARD Lori Hart, Alpha Omicron Pi ROOKIE DISTRICT CHIEF OF THE YEAR Alex Klose, WPI ’16 DISTRICT CHIEF OF THE YEAR Matthew V. Zahn, George Washington ’15 REGIONAL CHIEF OF THE YEAR Bob Griffiths, Washington ’67 JERRY BLESCH GENERAL SECRETARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18 SHEPARDSON AWARD RECIPIENT Doug Houser, Willamette ’57 Former General Fraternity President OXFORD CUP RECIPIENT Walter Pories, Wesleyan ’52 Holocaust Survivor and Renowned Surgeon

CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS ADVISORY TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD Michigan CHARLES H. HARDIN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARDS Arizona State, Arkansas, Bethany, Butler, Cincinnati, Delaware, Elon, Florida State, Houston, John Carroll, Kettering A, Kettering B, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Stevens, Texas at Arlington, Wichita State, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, WPI EXCELLENCE IN RISK MANAGEMENT AWARD Arkansas, Cornell, Loyola Chicago, Ohio State, Puget Sound NORTH DAKOTA AWARD FOR CHAPTER PUBLICATIONS Auburn H.H. STEPHENSON JR. AWARD FOR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND RESEARCH Dayton JOHN HOLT DUNCAN SERVICE AWARDS Elon, Kansas, Northeastern, TCU OUTSTANDING RECRUITMENT AWARD Elon, TCU

OUTSTANDING NEW MEMBER EDUCATION AWARD Iowa, TCU OUTSTANDING CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT AWARD Delaware, Florida State, Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska OUTSTANDING ALUMNI RELATIONS AWARD Auburn, Florida State MOST IMPROVED CHAPTER AWARD Bethany NEW SONG COMPETITION AWARD Lawrence, Willamette SHELBY L. MOLTER SONG COMPETITION AWARD High Point, John Carroll WHITMAN CHORAL CUP Lawrence VIRGINIA TECH AWARD FOR SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT British Columbia, Columbia (Highest GPA | 3.73), Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Kettering B, NC State, Nebraska, Northeastern, Pittsburgh, TCU, Toronto (Most Improved GPA | 0.39 Improvement), San Diego SONS OF THE DRAGON CLUB AWARD Arkansas, Colorado Mines, Cornell, Denver, Idaho, Iowa, North Dakota, Pacific, Rochester, Rockhurst, Southern Illinois, Texas at Arlington, Westminster, Wisconsin-Oshkosh SISSON AWARD WINNERS Centre (11), Cincinnati (18), Denver (3), Georgia Tech (32), High Point (2), Idaho (19), Kansas State (28), Kentucky (7), Minnesota (19), Nebraska (21), Northeastern (4), San Diego (11), SMU (9), Texas A&M (14), TCU (5), Truman State (18), Wabash (13), Washington (13) KNOX AWARD WINNERS Centre (5), Denver (2), Georgia Tech (6), Kansas State (10), Kentucky (4), Minnesota (6), Nebraska (15), Northeastern (3), San Diego (9), SMU (6), TCU (5), Truman State (13), Washington (6)

BOARD APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS FRATERNITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05 — General Treasurer Ken Grispin, Rutgers ’70 — Vice President Mike Wortman, Nebraska ’70 — Vice President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ken Bryan, MIT ’88 — Foundation Treasurer Amar Budarapu, Lawrence ’87 — Foundation Secretary Peter Darrow, Miami (Fla.) ’09 Mike Downer, UCLA ’77 Aaron Kozuki, Washington in St. Louis ’05 GENERAL FRATERNITY HOUSE CORPORATION John Stebbins, Emory ’92 — GFHC President Steve Becker, Florida ’69 — GFHC Secretary Adam Collins, Wabash ’02 — GFHC Treasurer

BANQUET EMCEES CONVENTION KICKOFF Casey Gomes, Maryland ’02 RECOGNITION CEREMONY Justin Rutherford, Northwestern ’00 STATE OF THE FRATERNITY Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05 AWARDS LUNCHEON Aaron Kozuki, Washington in St. Louis ’05 CELEBRATION BANQUET Mike Wortman, Nebraska ’70

CONVENTION SPONSORS GOLD LEVEL Billhighway, CSL Management, Holmes Murphy SILVER LEVEL GEICO, Campus Cooks BRONZE LEVEL Clayton and Crume, UpperCrust

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOMES

Proposal to add a Good Samaritan Policy to the Risk Management Policy Presented by the Board of Trustees Passed (with edits) Proposal to eliminate the words “colony” and “colonize” from The Code Failed Proposal to add the Substance-Free Housing Policy to the Risk Management Policy Passed (91 yes, 49 no) Proposal for a Statement of Position on Sexual Misconduct and Assault Passed (with edits) Beta Theta Pi Constitutional Amendment regarding the Canadian Exchange Rate Failed Proposal to Change Ritual Practices (Removal of Hoods During Initiation) Failed Proposed Change for Membership Eligibility (Transgender Membership) Tabled to the 180th General Convention Proposed Self-Governance Rights Amendment Withdrawn Charters Granted Florida State (Delta Lambda) WPI (Eta Tau) Elon (Eta Upsilon) Chapter Statuses Auburn – Upgraded to probation Colgate – Returned to good standing Central Florida – Appeal denied

22 | CONVENTION RECAP | BETA.ORG

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2019 august 1-4

180th general convention beta theta pi » oxford, ohio

WALK the pioneering steps of Beta’s “eight earnest young men.”

LISTEN for the bells of the Beta Campanile that ring beautifully every quarter hour.

WITNESS the very space where Beta Theta Pi was founded under candlelight — and tour the grounds and museum that protect and preserve Beta’s prestigious legacy.

INHALE the charm of Miami University, uptown Oxford and Beta’s newly renovated Alpha chapter house.

MEET Beta undergraduates and scores of Beta Greats, devoted Silver Grays, Beta Sweethearts, and Oxford Cup and Shepardson Award honorees.

FILL your lungs (and heart) with the songs of a Great and Good Fraternity and, of course ...

CELEBRATE your membership in one of North America’s greatest college fraternities.

be there to ring in beta’s 180th p23_Convention ad_wtr19.indd 23

beta.org/convention

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CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS BETA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ACTIONS SINCE 1839

By L. Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96

It

“

was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” So wrote Charles Dickens in “A Tale of Two Cities,” the classic novel detailing dramatic events that led to the French Revolution. Such is also often said by just about every Beta who ever lived, as it’s man’s narcissistic nature to think the best and worst of the world – including events within Beta Theta Pi – happened on one’s own watch.

Given the Convention delegates’ recent decision to sustain the Board of Trustees’ substance-free housing policy for all chapters, historical context deserves evaluation to understand how it stacks up against the Beta record. Certainly, a legion of courageous actions in her prior 178 years have also helped shape a Great and Good Fraternity.

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RISKING IT ALL

Second Chapter Established at Cincinnati In the midst of Beta’s founding in 1839, Knox and Marshall wrote the constitution in a manner that rejected insular thinking and a focus solely on themselves within the grounds and walls of Miami University. At great personal risk, for which could lead to immediate expulsion if their fraternity membership was exposed, yet with passion to share what they believed was a valuable brotherhood focused on a man’s soul, his mind and contribution to mankind, they codified their convictions: “ . . . other branches of the association may be established at such places as may be thought suitable and prudent.”

Within just eight months, Founder Gordon would initiate Beta’s second chapter of men at the University of Cincinnati on April 8, 1840. Now in its 180th year, Beta boasts 139 active chapters and nearly 210,000 lifetime initiates.

Upon receipt of the 1895 Golden Anniversary Loving Cup presented to him and Isabelle on their 50th wedding anniversary, Knox reflected on the Fraternity and the breadth of Beta’s heart: “There is nothing small about Beta Theta Pi.”

1839

1840

THE FOUNDING

”It was the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839, and there were eight of them.”

1842

COMING TOGETHER First Convention; a Beta First

A HOUSE DIVIDED

Convention Changed from Triennial to Annual One of the most divisive periods in U.S. history, where homes were split and brother fought brother, the Civil War – in the midst of “Betrayal at Michigan” (below) – ironically forged a realization that coming together more frequently was critical to sustain the Fraternity so many Betas loved. Losing nearly half of all chapters to the war, leaders abandoned Beta’s once-every-three-year General Convention pattern in favor of an annual meeting.

THE SINGING FRATERNITY Within Eight Years of Founding, First Collection of Beta Songs Documented in Letter From Varnum D. Collins, Wabash 1850, to Edward H. Munger, Miami 1848; Beta’s Reputation for Uniting Together in Song Starts to Take Hold

Today, Beta is among only a few of the NIC’s nearly 70 inter/national fraternities to hold its Convention annually. The benefits of Beta’s unique approach to General Fraternity unity and loyalty are perhaps best reflected by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Horace H. Lurton, Cumberland 1867:

1847

1865

“When our chapter met after the Civil War, there were 12, and of that 12, 10 had worn the grey and two had worn the blue; but we met as brothers.

We believe that reconstruction and reconciliation began right there.”

1850

“FRATERNITY WARS” AT MICHIGAN Amidst Four-Year Battle With Faculty, Beta Initiates a Professor and Becomes First Fraternity to Receive University Recognition

HOME SWEET HOME Hampden-Sydney Betas Become First Fraternity Chapter to Live Together in Wing of Campus Dormitory U.S. Supreme Court Justice Horace H. Lurton, Cumberland 1867

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1865

MARCHING ALONG First Beta Song Book Published by Western Reserve Chapter

BETRAYAL Following Desertion to a Rival Fraternity by All but Two Members, Beta Chapters Send Members to Ann Arbor to Enroll and Save Lambda Chapter at Michigan; One of the First Demonstrations of Beta-Wide Support of an Individual Chapter CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS | 25

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“SUNLIGHT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT”

Beta Publishes Open Constitution to Overcome University Suspicions

Wyllys C. Ransom, Michigan 1848

1872

One of the most influential Betas of the 19th century next to the Founders themselves, Maj. Wyllys C. Ransom, Michigan 1848, arose from the floor of the 1877 General Convention in Detroit and argued the Fraternity should “go public” and once and for all dispel fraternity suspicions by faculty and administrations across the land. Quite a radical notion of the day, by 1879 undergraduate and alumni delegates voted unanimously in favor of Ransom’s progressiveness, establishing Beta’s historic open constitution and what has become the Fraternity’s 140-year guiding star of transparency and openness with host institutions.

1879

THE HAND OF AGE GRIPS THE HAND OF YOUTH

First General Secretary and General Treasurer Elected In its first 30 years, Beta Theta Pi was a fledgling band of brothers with an incredibly loose and vulnerable culture. With no alumni of age to speak of, chapters ebbed and flowed with broad inconsistencies. But, with the election of Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869, and John I. Covington, Miami 1870, as the Fraternity’s first General Secretary and General Treasurer, respectively, the Convention raised its expectations and began putting in place alumni oversight that could provide thoughtful leadership for the larger organization.

NECESSARY EVOLUTION

BETA SPEARHEADS NIC Sets Stage for Interfraternal Movement

Convention Abandons 30-Year Presiding Chapter System of Undergraduate Governance; Favors New Alumni Board of Directors; Strengthens Role of General Secretary

On the heels of “The Father of the Interfraternity Movement” William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878/ Columbia 1881, publishing his 1879 “encyclopedia” of all fraternities and the campuses that host them, Beta Editor Willis O. Robb, Ohio Wesleyan 1879, penned an 1881 editorial calling for what would become the oldest interfraternity association in existence: the College Fraternity Editors Association.

The interfraternal seeds they both sowed took root as, by 1909, Robb and Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883, drove the founding of the North American Interfraternity Conference – the member association of today’s 66 inter/ national fraternities.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Baird Brokers Absorbtion of Alpha Sigma Chi Fraternity; Establishes Northeastern Wing

1902 1906 THE LOVING CUP

Final Song Written Simply to Fill New Song Book (by Horace G. Lozier, Chicago 1894); Becomes One of the Most Treasured Beta Songs of All Time

A GENERAL (NOT NATIONAL) FRATERNITY

First Chapter in Canada Chartered: Theta Zeta at Toronto

1909

1916

SHEPARDSON LAUNCHES TORONTO CHAPTER FUND Chapters Unite to Save Toronto Beta House During World War I

Election of general officers, a first for any fraternity, broke from undergraduate-only decision making and created a new precedent for alumni service beyond one’s own chapter. This measure established an international volunteer infrastructure that has since been replicated by virtually every fraternity and sorority across North America.

A CULTURE OF COMMUNICATION First Fraternity Magazine, The Beta Theta Pi

For years, chapters relied on handwritten letters to stay abreast of one another’s Beta activities and conduct official business between Conventions.

That proved challenging, but with the 1872 election of Beta’s first General Secretary, Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869, The Beta Theta Pi was authored and issued by him as editor on December 15, 1872. Becoming the Greek world’s oldest continuously published fraternity magazine, it has long been viewed as the greatest historical record of the Fraternity. Now perfect bound, full color and consistently 52-60 pages, the award-winning publication anchors the Fraternity’s communication platform, certainly living up to Walker’s notation under the 1872 masthead: “Alere Flammam,” or, “Fan the Flame.”

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THE KENYON AFFAIR

BAIRD FUND AND FOUNDERS’ FUND ESTABLISHED BY 80TH GENERAL CONVENTION

Beta Initiates First African American Member

Recognizing Funds Are Needed to Sustain Beta Magazine and Support Betas With Scholarships, First General Fraternity Fundraising Outreach Introduced; Initiates Magazine Endowment and Predecessor to Beta Theta Pi Foundation

1919

Bill Lowry, Kenyon ’56

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY AND OFFICE ESTABLISHED Fraternity Can No Longer Rely Solely on Volunteers; Prioritizes Professional Servicing of Undergraduate Chapters and Alumni

1941

1949

BETA CAMPANILE DEDICATED AS CENTENNIAL GIFT TO MIAMI UNIV. Becomes Iconic Symbol of Beta’s Loyalty to Its Host Institutions

Nearly a month before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education, 20 months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and nearly 10 years before Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, 50 Betas at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, “initiated a negro.”

Recognizing no traditionally Caucasian fraternity had initiated an African American before April 1954, the Beta Alpha Chapter’s move to initiate Bill Lowry, Kenyon ’56, set off a shockwave throughout the Fraternity. Locking arms around their Beta Temple to ensure he would be welcomed into the Fraternity without interruption, their loyalty symbolized words best articulated by Rev. Oliver A. Brown, Ohio Wesleyan 1866, “ . . . the conditions and requirements for membership in our order promise still more. These conditions were founded not on wealth, not on social rank, but upon an active brain and a good heart.”

As of Beta’s 2017-18 ethnicity report, 22 percent of new members identify as Asian/ Pacific, Hispanic/Latino, Multi-Racial, African American, Indian or Native American.

1950

1954

“WE BELIEVE THE MIND TO BE THE STANDARD OF THE MAN” Beta Establishes First Minimum GPA

Founded on a principle of “devotion to the cultivation of the intellect,” Beta’s academic performance has been legendary in the interfraternity world. By the time the Fraternity turned 110 years old, it had never fallen below the All-Men’s GPA (AMA) among the campuses to which it belonged.

The Fraternity’s conviction about academics was never seen more plainly than when, in the 1948-49 academic year, the NIC announced Beta had fallen below the AMA for the first time in recorded history. No sooner had the data been analyzed than the 1950 General Convention proposed and unanimously adopted a minimum 2.0 GPA for initiation, a first in the interfraternity world.

Beta’s adoption of an academic minimum for membership put in motion a multitude of GPA policy increases in succeeding decades for both individuals and chapters – now a 2.8 or the campus AMA for all chapters, whichever is greatest. Certified in 2017 with 10,026 undergraduates and nearly 140 chapters, Beta once again leads the NIC with a 3.242 GPA, its highest on record.

1971

BETA LEADERSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED Having Long Resisted Fundraising at the International Level, General Fraternity Finally Solicits $10 Annual Gifts From Alumni for Leadership Workshops and Expansion; Sets Stage for Modern Era Beta Foundation and Financial Support of Local Chapters by General Fraternity

During Founder John Reily Knox’s one-year anniversary address in 1840, he foreshadowed Beta’s deeply held commitment to intellectual development: “Next to cultivation of friendly feelings, the advancement of science and literature is the mainspring of our exertions.”

Founding Constitution and Minutes of Beta Theta Pi

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CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS | 27

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Beta Theta Pi Foundation and Administrative Office

“WE HAVE NO RANKS, NO DEGREES, NO OFFICIAL PRIVILEGES”

RAISING THE BAR Convention Proposal for 2.30 Minimum Chapter GPA Deemed Too Low; Overriden by Delegates and Raised to 2.50, a Beta First

NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE DEDICATED Becomes One of the Fraternity World’s Crown-Jewel Service Platforms for Alumni and Undergraduates

GPA STANDARD RAISED TO 2.50 FOR EACH MEMBER Marks Highest Fraternity Standard for Individual Students

Alpha Chapter at Miami Closed for Risk Management Violations; Marks Beginning of Nearly 100 Chapter Closures in Ensuing 20 Years for Conduct Unbecoming or Failing to Live Up to Beta’s Standards

“THE LEADERSHIP FRATERNITY” Five-Day Institute for Men of Principle Launched, First New Leadership Program in Nearly 30 Years, Which Sets Stage for Leadership College (2002), Presidents Academy (2005) and Keystone Leadership Conferences (2006); “Friend of Beta” Status Coined for Non-Beta Institute Faculty

1984 1994 1997 1998 1999 2002 1986 1996 CONSEQUENCES

Chapters Become Uninsurable at Local Level; Convention Pursues New General Fraternity Risk Management Policy and Insurance Program

*

Special thanks to Beta lore enthusiasts John H. Stebbins, Emory ’92, and Benjamin M. Swartz, Connecticut ’05, for serving as content sounding boards. Written references: “Son of the Stars” by L.E. (Erv) Johnson, Idaho ’53; “Faithful Home of the Three Stars”

by Peter J. Floriani, Lehigh ’77; “Beta Brotherhood” by L. Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ‘96

28 | CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS

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RENAISSANCE & REBIRTH

CHANGE IS AFOOT

Men of Principle Initiative Reverses Cultural Slide Following a precipitous cultural decline, by the mid-90s Beta’s undergraduate membership, academic reputation and quality of operations had succumbed to the general landscape of high-risk fraternity behaviors of the 1970s and 80s.

But a letter from Beta alumnus and St. Lawrence University Chairman of the Board E.B. Wilson, St. Lawrence ’53, sparked a strategic planning effort that would revolutionize Beta in the modern era.

Under the leadership of General Secretary Capt. Jerry M. Blesch, Centre ’60, and inspired by educators and leaders like Don “Dipper” DiPaolo, Michigan ’78, and General Treasurer John H. Stebbins, Emory ’92, and a legion of volunteers, staff and Friends of Beta, the Fraternity would dedicate resources of historic proportions to institute higher operating standards, develop new leadership programs, close dysfunctional chapters, enlist five-person advisory teams and drive to eliminate hazing and remove alcohol from chapters’ recruitment processes.

Standard Chapter Operating Expectations (SCOE) Adopted by Board of Trustees; Establishes Higher Standards and Baseline by Which All Chapters Are Measured

Hailed interfraternally and by higher education professionals as one of the most influential culture-change agents of any modern-day fraternity, T.S. Eliot’s words succinctly characterize the heart of the Men of Principle initiative: “We shall not cease from exploration And the end result of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.”

Legislation Hall of the 179th General Convention

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2018

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

SUBSTANCE-FREE HOUSING

Data Proves Common Sense Change Can Work First testing a substance-free housing policy in the fall of 1997 with the re-establishment of Northwestern’s Rho Chapter, by 2003 the Board of Trustees had evaluated enough data in the succeeding expansions also started under the practice to recognize life safety, academic and brotherhood benefits were significant and sustainable. Adopting a Fraternity-wide directive, all re/colonizations from 2004 and beyond would operate Beta housing substance-free.

As evidenced by all-time membership and GPA highs, record campus invitations for Beta expansion and a litany of interfraternal honors, the Fraternity’s historic reputation was restored with critical acclaim in the following 15 years.

Beta’s substance-free housing expansion policy is recognized as one of the driving forces in the success of the Men of Principle initiative.

2003

2006

Original Beta Tradition Restored Fraternity-Wide

LONG OVERDUE Cornerstone Housing Program Developed; Establishes First General Fraternity Program to Protect $175 Million in Housing Assets With Focus on Safety, Academics and Brotherhood

2010

GPA STANDARD RAISED TO 2.70 FOR ALL CHAPTERS

Met with thunderous applause and eventually a decisive vote of 91 to 49 in favor, the words of Chapter President Matt Stranzl, Elon ‘19, captured eloquently the world in which Beta now lives and the spirit by which undergraduate leaders must pursue important cultural change at the campus level: “Our chapter at Elon University is the only dry house on a wet campus, and wet would be an understatement to describe the other houses on our campus. They use their houses excessively for parties and alcohol-related events. Based on that context, I’d like to address some of the arguments made by those who are in opposition of [substance-free housing].

2012

“MAN WITHOUT INTELLECT WOULD BE LITTLE BETTER THAN THE BRUTE”

CONVENTION ADDS SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO CODE AS CRITERIA FOR WHICH MEMBERSHIP CANNOT BE DENIED FOUNDATION RAISES $20.1 MILLION IN FIRST CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMING

In the wake of a string of high-profile student deaths at the hands of substance abuse and hazing in fraternity houses – including Beta’s own tragic death of new member Tim Piazza, Penn State ‘19 – months of vetting by the rank and file followed the Board of Trustees’ announcement expanding its substance-free housing policy to all chapters – a longstanding practice of most fraternities until the early 1970s. Debate culminated on the floor of the 179th General Convention, whereby delegates strengthened the policy’s implementation by also codifying it into the Fraternity’s Risk Management Policy.

Chapter GPA Standard Raised by Convention Delegates to 2.80 or Campus All-Men’s Average, Whichever is Greatest; Highest in the Fraternity World

First, regarding the claim that [substance-free housing] will affect your social relevance on campus. I would question what you are prioritizing as a leader.

Having a dry house has given us a significant advantage in recruiting; it has given us respect from school officials and the rest of campus that other organizations lack. Additionally, it has turned our chapter house into a place centered around meaningful relationships rather than those that are centered around alcoholic consumption. I will take that as a president over social relevance any day of the week.

Second, regarding the point that this is taking away your self-governance, I argue that this is the result of our failure to self-govern. If we were capable of self-governing effectively regarding wet houses, we would not be having this conversation.

Third, regarding the point that this is the actions of the few affecting the whole, I don’t disagree with that belief. However, sometimes the actions of the few have such drastic consequences on the masses that we need to protect the masses.

The masses will not survive if the few continue to act in the same way.

Finally, regarding the point that this won’t work, and people don’t have to abide by it, there is no choice. With the way that the perception of Greek Life is trending, it is almost inevitable that all fraternity houses will be dry at some point in the next 10-20 years. We may as well get ahead of the curve and learn how to function in our reality rather than being left behind.

I yield my time.”

R

arely has any generation within Beta Theta Pi escaped responsibility to respond to some critical need for the good of the order. Thus, as history seeks to serve, it pays for Betas now and long into the future to remember the duty owed to men who, long before, sacrificed personal indulgences so those who follow may actually have a Beta Theta Pi to enjoy. As that great old biblical passage suggests, “To whom much is given, of him much is expected.” May Betas never shrink from their record of leading on matters of consequence.  CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS | 29

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the beta house a look inside miami

by Justin Warren, SMU ’10 100 YEARS AT 200 EAST HIGH STREET THE BETA HOUSE

30

The soul of Beta Theta Pi is in Oxford, Ohio, but it’s not found at the Administrative Office.

The Fraternity’s soul is rooted in Alpha, and by extension a house at 200 East High Street that the chapter has called home since 1918.

THE BETA THETA PI

In that time, not only has the facility been a home away from home for most of the chapter’s 2,820 members, but it has become a mandatory pit stop for Betas of all ages making a pilgrimage to the Fraternity’s birthplace. It is a structure symbolic of the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839, when eight earnest young men laid the groundwork for an organization that has since grown to some 210,000 members across two countries. Yet after 100 years, two chapter closures and near-constant foot traffic, this Beta landmark looked worse for the wear.

Then in 2014, Alpha alumni made a decision: If Betas at Miami were to maintain their reputations as men of integrity, intellect and high moral character, they deserved a home of matching quality.

The Forever Alpha Campaign was born.

With a $4 million goal, success wouldn’t come easy, but their determination was fueled by the words of our first founder: “What a few men who are united in common purpose and effort are determined to do, can be done.”

— John Reily Knox, 1839, “of ever honored memory”

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THE BETA HOUSE

31 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

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“Through this project, we learned that bridge building is no easy task. It took thousands of hours and millions of hard-earned dollars, but seeing the chapter and alumni embrace the renewed vision for our chapter gives us great hope for our future.”

– Phil Fernandez ’06

A Chapter Refocused

A Home Reimagined

As the home’s fixtures fatigued, the Forever Alpha Steering Committee – co-chaired

by Bill Haywood ’74, and Phil Fernandez ’06 – emphasized the safety and comfort of the undergraduate collegians as the project’s top priority. But instilling confidence in chapter members and their parents meant more than new toilets and electrical. Their renovation centered on three core objectives: building up a brotherhood, support for academics and matching the competition.

Every aspect of the plan focused on establishing the facility as a campus hub for Betas and new members.

Wanting the men to be able to gather over meals meant needing to return to a chapter-wide meal program, expand the capacity of the dining room and fully upgrade the kitchen.

Making it a place where Betas wanted to work and play required adding an addi-

1 THE BETA HOUSE

32 THE BETA THETA PI

2

3

4

A LOOK INSIDE THE MIAMI BETA HOUSE 1 | Once two distinct structures, the properties at 200 and 208 East High Street – the latter the first Administrative Office – were connected in a way so as to retain the outdoor courtyard.

2 | Anchored by a large, hand-painted Great Seal, the redesigned chapter room now doubles as a classroom. It’s one of many

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spaces that prioritizes academics, with ample space for private and group study needs found throughout the home.

3 | The dining room has been expanded to comfortably fit all members. For the first time in 15 years, the chapter is instituting a meal program and has hired a house director – the already famous Mrs. B – to foster a culture of

togetherness within the brotherhood. A 24hour coffee and snack bar is also available.

4 | Bedrooms received floor-to-ceiling updates, including new furniture and carpet.

The home can now sleep 51 men, most sharing double rooms. Resident bathrooms feature private shower stalls.

11/21/18 1:17 PM

tional living room, building a dual-purpose chapter room and classroom, and partially converting the basement to a lounge complete with five TVs and a poker table.

A desire to create a better sense of togetherness resulted in the two chapter properties, 200 and 208 East High Street, being physically connected – a move that altered the home’s footprint, but also expanded occupant capacity to 51 men and eliminated a barrier that previously separated residents.

guests came together to celebrate the home’s grand re-opening.

A Brotherhood Renewed The challenge before the Forever Alpha Steering Committee was clear: Create a contemporary living space with the modern ammenities expected from today’s college students while maintaining the charm of this Beta treasure. After years of planning and hard work, did they pull it off?

By event’s end, the Campaign was nearly 96 percent of the way to its $4 million goal, the alumni in attendance showed renewed pride in this place they once called home, and the undergraduate men felt supported and enouraged in their charge to carry forward the legacy of both their historic chapter and their home.

They found out in October 2018, when nearly 300 alumni, undergraduates and

5

6 THE BETA HOUSE

33 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

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5 | A new formal living room with a feature fireplace and a grand piano perfect for song practice serves as a gathering place for the many Betas visiting the house each year.

7 | A new basement TV and recreation room allows brothers and guests to watch one of five televisions, lounge in leather chairs or play a hand at a custom, Beta-branded poker table.

6 | The Alpha Chapter Museum, chronicling 179 years of history and achievements, was relocated to a prime position inside the home’s main entry. To further celebrate the chapter’s heritage, the Alpha Chapter Hall of Fame was also relocated.

More Higlights | The house addressed life-safety issues by including a sprinkler system and fire-rated doors, and became ADA compliant with the installation of an elevator and wheelchair lift. In addition to a new roof and updated heating, air conditioning,

plumbing and electrical systems, basic site improvements to the parking lot, property lighting and landscaping were performed.

To learn more about the Forever Alpha Campaign and see additional photos from the house renovations and dedication weekend, visit foreveralpha.org.

THE BETA HOUSE | WINTER 2019 | 39

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11/21/18 1:17 PM

campus life student highlights Beta Brings Home Two More NIC Awards of Distinction Each year, the North-American Interfraternity Conference evaluates individuals and groups from all 66 member fraternities, recognizing a select few with the highest honor in the fraternity world: Awards of Distinction. The Fraternity is thrilled to announce that two awards came home to Beta Theta Pi in 2018:

Chapter Award of Distinction | University of Kentucky (Epsilon Omicron Chapter) The largest chapter on campus with nearly 140 members (above), UK Betas consistently top IFC academic rankings (3.45 spring 2018 GPA) and are widely regarded across campus for member involvement and headlining philanthropy efforts. Among more than 6,000 fraternity chapters across the continent, they’re one of only six chapters to claim a 2018 NIC Chapter Award of Distinction.

Undergraduate Award of Distinction | Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18

Relive Jack’s Convention keynote speech on page 20.

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According to one nominator, Schimpf is a man of integrity. “He steadfastly chooses accountability over popularity, and has earned a high degree of moral authority as a result.” During his time as chapter president, Schimpf showcased bold leadership when he helped successfully transition his historic chapter house to a substance-free facility, and challenged norms in his community by serving on committees about conduct processes and university policy. Now he joins an exclusive club of only 11 fraternity men – of the nearly 400,000 on campus this past year – to receive the 2018 NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction.

11/21/18 9:37 AM

1 | Anchorman Michigan State performed swimmingly at Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash event with a first place finish and the tapping of Nick Herbst ’19, as DG Anchor Man.

1

2 | Pitch Perfect Iowa State, appropriately dressed in delicate shades of pink and blue, wasted no time sweeping sorority women off their feet with the sweet sounds of a Beta serenade.

2

3

3 | Dinner Discussion

35

4

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

4 | Interfraternal Good

CAMPUS LIFE

If your chapter wants strong campus relationships, start at the top! That’s John Carroll’s strategy, inviting JCU President Johnson to discuss chapter operations over dinner.

With help from their interfraternal partners at Phi Delta Theta, British Columbia Betas raised a staggering $10,313 at their Drop the Puck for Mental Health philanthropy event.

5 | Happy Campers Ten Florida brothers served as counselors and administrators for Camp Kesem last summer – a camp for children with a parent suffering from cancer.

5

6

6 | Bacteria by Beta This is no ordinary Beta dragon. Ivin Yu, Puget Sound ’19, captured this Beta first in the microbiology lab by plating bioluminescent bacteria.

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7

CAMPUS LIFE

36 THE BETA THETA PI

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10

7 | The Royal Family

9 | Beta Betrothed

11 | Mr. Ole Miss

At the time of writing, David Rivero, Texas Tech ’20, is just one of four Betas who have been crowned 2018 homecoming king. He takes the throne along with Bryant Parker, UC Irvine ’17, David Weaver, Pittsburgh ’19, and Grant Wood, Purdue ’19.

John Saunders, Oklahoma State ’21, brought his Beta brothers along for one of the biggest moments of his life. In fact, he made his proposal to long-time girlfriend Kaylea a chapter effort, getting down on one knee while his fellow Gamma Lambdas serenaded her with “Beta Sweetheart.”

Mississippi Chapter President Chauncey Mullins ’19, is riding high after winning campus-wide election to serve as Mr. Ole Miss.

A top student ambassador widely seen as the face of the university, candidates are partially elected on their campus improvement platform, with Mullins committing to enhancing the campus experience and increasing inclusivity for transfer students.

8 | Greek Origins New Jersey’s Austin Calvano ’20, (left) and Ian Salzman ’19, (right) traveled to Greece to spread the word about Beta high atop the Acropolis of Athens. The trip takes “going Greek” to a whole new level.

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10 | On the Job Each summer, Betas build their resumes with internships and jobs at North America’s most prestigious (and downright coolest) institutions. Quint Heaton, Georgia Tech ’20, had an outof-this-world experience at NASA.

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13 CAMPUS LIFE

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12 | Adapting to Change

14 | Opening of the Doors

Changing traditions is hard, but Auburn saw great success this fall moving tailgates away from the chapter house in accordance with the new substance-free housing policy. It’s a departure from business as usual, but the Beta Spirit remains strong in Auburn.

The Fraternity undertook four expansion projects this fall, including recolonizing Beta’s historic chapter at Colorado (pictured) and starting new colonies on three additional campuses: Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers; James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia; and marking the 46th state to ever have a Beta chapter, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

13 | Giving HeART Through a silent auction of paintings and donations to their annual Giving HeART philanthropy event, TCU Betas raised $22,000 for Cook Children’s Hospital. An amazing cause promoted by some amazing men where many of the art pieces are painted by patients themselves.

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COLORADO | BETA TAU

JAMES MADISON | NEW COLONY

Refounding Fathers: 30 GPA: 3.54 # of Advisors: 11

Founding Fathers: 38 GPA: 3.26 # of Advisors: 8

FLORIDA GULF COAST | NEW COLONY

NEW MEXICO | NEW COLONY

Founding Fathers: 45 GPA: 3.5 # of Advisors: 8

Founding Fathers: 16 GPA: 3.37 # of Advisors: 8

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

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11/21/18 1:06 AM

Alabama

| Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Est. 1965 David Lewis ’19 dhlewis@crimson.ua.edu

ΔΘ

This fall, we are excited to say that we have a great, 52-man pledge class. We have had a total philanthropic footprint of more than $10,000 raised this fall, and plan to keep increasing that number. Our members have traveled to quite a few of the away football games and have continued to watch the Tide roll on to an excellent season. Roll Tide!

American

your alma mater

Arkansas

Bethany

HM

Ψ

| Washington, D.C. | Est. 2017 Borja Herraiz ’19 bh6441a@student.american.edu

| Fayetteville, Ark. | Est. 2016 Zachary Spero ’20 zvspero@email.uark.edu

After facing much adversity the past couple semesters, we are finally gaining morale, motivation and momentum. Our brotherhood has been working to improve our reputation within our community. This October, we executed a successful philanthropic event with the athletics department and Sigma Kappa sorority to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Eta Mu is thriving with the addition of a large pledge class, making our chapter size about 150 strong. The chapter is organizing a football tournament for all IFC chapters benefiting our philanthropy, the B + Foundation, which raises funds to fight pediatric cancer. Eta Mu is looking forward to welcoming our alumni back to the hill for our annual alumni event and tailgate. Go Hogs!

HΠ

CHAPTER REPORTS

38

chapter reports

THE BETA THETA PI

Arizona

| Tucson, Ariz. | Est. 1959 Edward Rodriguez ’19 eddierod03@gmail.com ΔΒ

Recruitment has been phenomenal. Delta Beta held one of the highest retention rates on campus and received 38 new members from a total of 40 bids given. We also participated in multiple philanthropies, including street cleanups and fundraisers for excellent causes. We look forward to hosting our own events later this semester and next spring to continue giving back to the community.

Auburn

| Auburn, Ala. | Est. 1964 Bennett Smith ’19 bennettrsmith96@gmail.com ΔΖ

Delta Zeta has increased to more than 120 members, gained new advisors and is back in good standing with the General Fraternity for the first time in recent years (after going through a complete culture change). We have been working in detail with our house corporation board on a financial plan, and are looking forward to starting renovations on the house this winter.

| Bethany, W.Va. | Est. 1860 Evan Byrne ’19 ebyrne@bethanywv.edu

After winning the Most Improved Chapter Award at Convention, our chapter is motivated and committed to continue making strides forward. Now looking more internally, we have a refocus on our Kai Committee and efforts to modernize and better organize our chapter operations. We are also ecstatic to be a founding chapter for the revamped new member program for all of Beta!

British Columbia

ΓΟ | Vancouver, B.C. | Est. 1936 Erik Lamoureux ’19 erikslamoureux@gmail.com

This fall, Gamma Omicron hosted our first Winter Classic hockey game against Phi Delta Theta. All the money raised went to support the Canadian Mental Health Association, and even our university’s president pledged support. We have been successful in other sports, too, and we are well on our way to winning the Sports Trophy for the seventh consecutive year.

Arizona State

Baylor

Butler

ΔT

ΔΨ

AΨ

| Tempe, Ariz. | Est. 1977 Hayden Kalianov ’19 hkalianov@gmail.com

The Delta Tau Colony has had a busy fall semester. The men moved into their new house at the Greek Leadership Village on August 8 — a great way to celebrate Founders’ Day. The colony is proud to report strong growth and perseverance within the Greek community at ASU.

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| Waco, Texas | Est. 1980 Eric Lundgren ’18 ericjlundgren@outlook.com

The Beta brothers of the Delta Psi Chapter at Baylor University were very excited about Homecoming week this semester.

We showed off our “Seven Wonders of the World” (with a Baylor twist) themed homecoming float and were excited to see our alumni at the float reveal, the Baylor football game, and the Taurus alumni event.

| Indianapolis, Ind. | Est. 1878 Nick Kuster ’20 nkuster@bulter.edu

At Butler University over the fall semester, we raised around $1,400 for Relay for Life.

We had our first-ever formal outside of Indianapolis in Cincinnati during the weekend of November 4. Elections for our executive positions took place in November, and they will officially take office at the start of the 2019 spring semester. We achieved a 3.41 GPA during the spring 2018 semester.

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Cal Poly

Central Michigan

Cincinnati

ΕΓ

ΒΝ

| Mount Pleasant, Mich. | Est. 1985 Ryan Marasco ’19 r.marasco14@gmail.com

The Epsilon Delta Chapter has been hard at work with house improvements, and we will soon be getting letters on our house. Before the school year started, we had a brotherhood retreat at a 50-acre ranch near Santa Barbara. We look forward to continuing to grow our brotherhood and help our new pledge class evolve into men of principle.

The 2018-19 school year started out great for the Epsilon Gamma Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Central Michigan University.

Boasting a 26-man pledges class, Betas at Central Michigan have never been stronger.

With successful philanthropic events, an inaugural Dad’s Weekend and a successful Three Fires, the start of the school year was a busy but productive one!

| Ottawa, Ont. | Est. 1991 Warren Lister ’19 warren_lister@live.ca ΕΥ

This past semester the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter added three philanthropy events to our annual calendar, providing our help with the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, the Canadian Army and National Service Dogs, and mental health services.With the addition of our new members this term, our chapter size increased as we continue to strive for excellence year after year.

Beta Nu brought in a strong 29-man pledge class with a 3.65 average high school GPA. This fall, we held our third annual Clifton Cup with FC Cincinnati, MLS’s newest soccer team, and Ohio Valley Voices. We hosted the spring 1988 pledge class’ 30-year anniversary, which brought brothers from all around the country back home, some for the first time since graduation.

Centre

Clemson

Ε

ΔΝ

| Danville, Ky. | Est. 1848 Cyrus Dutton ’19 cyrus.dutton@centre.edu

We are continuing to grow with 47 members, the most since our recolonization.

Along with our growth in numbers, we have maintained our academic excellence with a 3.27 chapter GPA – first of all IFC groups on campus. Lastly, Epsilon has shown its leadership by obtaining four executive positions on student government and governing two political organizations.

| Clemson, S.C. | Est. 1970 Mitchell Saunders ’20 mssaund@clemson.edu

The Delta Nu Chapter closed out a strong semester with The Gathering, our annual fall alumni dinner. We also made academic strides by implementing a successful mentoring program for new members. We are looking forward to transitioning into a strong spring semester and continuing to be a model chapter on campus.

Case Western Reserve

Chapman

Colgate

ΛΚ-Β

HΘ

ΒΘ

| Cleveland, Ohio | Est. 1979 Patrick Finlay ’19 pif@case.edu

This past semester, we debuted our new philanthropy event where we raised money for the Against Malaria Foundation by dyeing our hair for donations. Additionally, we were excited to make the trip to Oxford to initiate our pledges at the Hall of Chapters for the first time in over a year.

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| Orange, Calif. | Est. 2015 Henry Butler ’18 butle154@mail.chapman.edu

With an outstanding recruitment, a huge push for supporting external philanthropies and a strong emphasis in nurturing our brotherhood, Eta Theta continues to be the fun-loving, enthusiastic gentlemen on campus. The upcoming leadership of this chapter is full of hardworking and passionate young men who will continue to improve themselves, Chapman and Beta Theta Pi.

39 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

Carleton

| Cincinnati, Ohio | Est. 1840 Brady Dean ’19 deanbm@mail.uc.edu

CHAPTER REPORTS

| San Luis Obispo, Calif. | Est. 1986 Blake Pederson ’20 bpederson1898@gmail.com

ΕΔ

| Hamilton, N.Y. | Est. 1880 John McMahon ’19 jmcmahon@colgate.edu

In October, the Beta Theta Chapter was lucky enough to host more than 200 people to our chapter house for a 3K run to benefit the organization Help Restore Hope. We are proud to partner with local organizations like The Network and Colgate-affiliated groups like Haven to raise donations and awareness for a cause that we all care about.

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Colorado

| Boulder, Colo. | Est. 1900 Byrant Fiesta, bryant.fiesta@beta.org Colony Development Coordinator ΒΤ

As the third social fraternity to affiliate with CU Boulder, we have enjoyed an interfraternal broomball game with Sigma Chi’s Founding Fathers and a Thanksgiving potluck with our neighboring Alpha Zeta brothers. Next semester, we will focus our philanthropic efforts to benefit The Blue Bench, a Denver-based non-profit organization that supports and advocates for survivors of sexual assault.

CHAPTER REPORTS

40

Cornell

Denison

ΒΔ

AH

| Ithaca, N.Y. | Est. 1879 David Navadeh ’19 dn237@cornell.edu

Last October, we initiated the largest fall pledge class of any fraternity with seven new members. We continued our tradition of dinner at The Glenwood Pines, where most brothers undertake the challenge of eating four huge hamburgers within one hour. Jeff Frey ’89, and our house corporation host the dinner, allowing newly initiated brothers to immediately connect with alumni.

Colorado Mines

Creighton

ΒΦ

HI

| Golden, Colo. | Est. 1908 Patrick Patten ’19 patrickpatten@mymail.mines.edu

Over the past semester, our chapter has achieved highly in many areas. We brought in a pledge class of 37 members this fall, maintained a GPA above the all-men’s average and continued our support of The Second Wind Fund, a youth suicide prevention group here in Colorado. We look forward to continued growth and improvement over the coming year!

| Omaha, Neb. | Est. 2015 Matthew Sacco ’19 MatthewSacco@crieghton.edu

This past semester, we once again hosted our annual .1K, which is always a huge success within the Creighton community. Proceeds from that were donated to a local chemotherapy clinic to help provide snacks and games for the patients. We also had one of our best fall recruitments to date, accepting seven new pledges into the chapter.

| Granville, Ohio | Est. 1868 Tyler Hayes ’19 hayes_t6@denison.edu

Alpha Eta had a successful 150th anniversary weekend in early September with more than 60 alumni in attendance, and the chapter was also happy to welcome four new members this fall. The overall chapter GPA is 3.158, above both the all-men’s average and the all-fraternity average. We are continuing to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, raising more than $1,500 during the past year.

Denver

AZ | Denver, Colo. | Est. 1889 Tom Dattilo ’19 tom.v.dattilo@gmail.com

We extended 31 bids to impressive young men during fall recruitment and all were accepted. As a participant in the General Fraternity’s Son of the Stars pilot program, we held a brotherhood retreat in the Rocky Mountain National Park. With the highest GPA on campus for nine straight quarters and our repeat intramurals championship, we continue to make Beta proud!

THE BETA THETA PI

Columbia

Dayton

DePauw

ΑΑ

HΔ

Δ

| New York, N.Y. | Est. 1881 Shaun Wang ’19 sw3048@columbia.edu

Big shout out to Cam, Casey, Peter, Cody and Martin for being here and working along with us throughout the year. With the new policy change, many new and existing issues have arisen. These men are always available to help us fix these issues and become closer to men of principle.

Connecticut

| Storrs, Conn. | Est. 2004 Ryan Padden ’19 Ryan.Padden@uconn.edu ΖΧ

We ended the year with the highest GPA for both semesters and recruited 14 new members. We continued our philanthropic efforts by supporting North Star, an organization that raises service dogs for autistic children.

We have begun fundraising for the annual 18-hour HuskyTHON, where last year UConn raised more than $1,000,000 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 40

| Dayton, Ohio | Est. 2009 Dominic Lamick ’20 lamickd1@udayton.edu

The Eta Delta Chapter has established new relationships with various other sororities and fraternities on campus. In addition to our newfound relationships, we have had a very successful fall recruitment season resulting in the largest fall pledge class in recent years. Eta Delta has also been involved with plenty of community service opportunities in the Dayton area.

Delaware

Colony | Newark, Del. Justin Burgess ’19 jburg@udel.edu

The Delaware colony has held the highest IFC GPA for the past two semesters. We have recruited 16 new members for the fall term and are continuing to grow. Since the colony raised $10,000 for UDance, Delaware’s 12-hour dance marathon for children with cancer, we were gifted with our B+ hero, Gavin, who will be the reason why we dance each year!

| Greencastle, Ind. | Est. 1845 Adam Karadsheh ’19 adamkaradsheh_2019@depauw.edu

The Delta Chapter has continued to have a strong presence on DePauw’s campus.

Almost every member of our chapter is involved with at least one other organization. During our fall rush, we added four new members, making our chapter count 80 strong. We also successfully had a philanthropy event raising money for the local animal shelter.

Drexel

| Philadelphia, Pa. | Est. 2017 Dylan Rocco dr675@drexel.edu

HO

We have recently completed our annual retreat, successfully strengthening the ties of brotherhood in the chapter. We continue to focus on building membership with quality men as we prepare for our second recruitment cycle of the school year.

11/21/18 1:33 PM

Smart Money Sometimes it literally pays to prioritize academics! Congrats to brothers at Florida State, who took home $2,500 from their Interfraternity Council for holding the top GPA for three-straight semesters.

East Carolina

Elon

ΕΑ

HΥ

| Greenville, N.C. | Est. 1983 Robert Moller ’19 mollerr15@students.ecu.edu

| Richmond, Ky. | Est. 1971 Eric Koppang ’19 eric_koppang@mymail.eku.edu ΔΞ

With the fall semester coming to a close, the Delta Xi Chapter has a lot to look back on.

We serenaded our newest Beta Diamond, had a very successful homecoming weekend and initiated our fall pledge class. Thank you to our alumni, advisors and active chapter for so much hard work and dedication to this chapter. You all truly reflect Beta’s values, brotherhood and never-ending Beta Spirit.

Colony | Fort Myers, Fla. David Wong, david.wong@beta.org Colony Development Coordinator

The Florida Gulf Coast Colony is currently boasting 45 Founding Fathers with 100 percent retention and a 3.5 GPA. They are made up of two veterans, multiple presidents of other organizations, student government members and a couple Beta legacies. Beta’s future looks bright in Fort Myers!

41

Emory

Florida International

ΓΥ

ΗΓ

| Atlanta, Ga. | Est. 1948 Jackson Hill ’20 jackson.hill@emory.edu

After being refounded three semesters ago, the future of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter is continuing to look very bright. We are back in our historic house this semester, which we are very excited about, and we are expecting a great spring recruitment. We are looking forward to what’s to come.

| Miami, Fla. | Est. 2010 Jose Castellanos ’19 jcast451@fiu.edu

Despite vast changes in university Greek policy, recruitment numbers are at an all-time high.

Next semester will see the return of our Beta Breakdown, the campus’ largest Greek-sponsored philanthropy event.We were given the opportunity to pioneer Beta’s Pilot New Member program, which we successfully completed. We are excited to usher in Beta’s 180th with full attendance at both Keystone and Winter Wooden.

Eastern Washington

Florida

Florida State

ΕΩ

ΓΞ

ΔΛ

| Cheney, Wash. | Est. 1993 Reilly K. Responte ’20 rresponte@eagles.ewu.edu

The men of the Epsilon Omega Chapter were proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary on October 27 with our alumni. Additionally, we would like to congratulate our newly appointed advisors and chapter counselor as we begin to restructure the foundation of our chapter.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 41

| Gainesville, Fla. | Est. 1930 Chase Cleveland ’21 chase.cleveland@ufl.edu

The Gamma Xi Chapter has been steadily working this semester on promoting brotherhood involvement on campus and preparing for Beta Bring It On, our chapter’s philanthropy event. This is Beta Bring It On’s tenth anniversary and it is on track to be the largest of any in the past.

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

Eastern Kentucky

After two-and-a-half years of hard work, we were chartered as the Eta Upsilon Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the 179th General Convention! We held our firstever philanthropy event in which we raised money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our brothers are gearing up for another successful recruitment period during the spring semester.

Florida Gulf Coast

CHAPTER REPORTS

Epsilon Alpha took on a great 12-man fall class that participated in Beta’s pilot new member education program. The chapter has partaken in several community service ventures that include interfraternity efforts to clean up the streets and a haunted house for underprivileged children. We are also proud to have hosted our third annual Dragonfest alumni event at ECU. Go Pirates!

| Elon, N.C. | Est. 2018 Matthew Stranzl ’19 mstranzl@elon.edu

| Tallahassee, Fla. | Est. 1969 Jimmy Kropelin ’20 jjk16b@my.fsu.edu

The brotherhood is stronger than ever since finally receiving our charter in August.

We are looking forward to our Installation Banquet on January 26, 2019, with special guest General Secretary Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. On top of that event, we will also be hosting our Fraternal Fifties on the same night, making this a very special event for all alumni and undergraduates.

11/25/18 11:00 PM

Furman

| Greenville, S.C. | Est. 1998 James Bergman ’19 james.bergman@furman.edu ΖΛ

The Zeta Lambda Chapter had a strong fall recruitment season, taking one of the largest fall classes in its history. Zeta Lambda has also become even more involved in its local philanthropy, Habitat for Humanity, participating in bi-monthly builds. At homecoming, the chapter received the award for best float, which was designed and built entirely by brothers.

CHAPTER REPORTS

42

Georgia

| Athens, Ga. | Est. 1987 Tanner Goldsmith ’20 tannergoldsmith@aol.com ΕΕ

After successfully initiating 30 quality men, the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter is the largest and strongest that it has been in quite a while. We have had an exciting and productive fall semester, and we look forward to serving the community around the holidays by providing meals and gifts to those in need.

George Mason

Georgia Tech

EM

ΓΗ

| Fairfax, Va. | Est. 1989 Wesley Ward ’20 wward6@masonlive.gmu.edu

This term, Epsilon Mu worked to establish philanthropy events that benefited our cause as well as engaged our local community. We held our inaugural cornhole tournament that challenged our active members and alumni while having a great time! Additionally, our chapter president led an initiative to adopt a position statement on sexual assault for the entire Greek community at Mason.

THE BETA THETA PI

George Washington

| Washington, D.C. | Est. 1997 R. Bray McDonnell ’19 bmcdonnell@gwu.edu

ΖΝ

Zeta Nu has enjoyed a strong start to the 2018-19 school year, initiating six brothers in our fall class and running another well-attended Beta Lei philanthropy. The highlight of the semester was our Alumni and Parents’ Weekend events, which included a tour of the White House and the honorary initiation of Senator Richard Lugar as Zeta Nu Roll No. 430.

| Atlanta, Ga. | Est. 1917 Nick Sherrard ’19 nick.sherrard@gtbeta.org

After a great recruitment effort, Gamma Eta welcomed 28 pledges this fall. With the new pledge class, our chapter size is just below 90. We finished the spring semester with a 3.48 GPA and hope to have continued that upward trend throughout the fall. The chapter also partnered with Canine Companions, an organization that provides trained service dogs for free to applicants with disabilities.

Houston

ΔY | Houston, Texas | Est. 1977 Drew Crichton ’19 drew.g.crichton@gmail.com

Life is good in Houston! Between being the highest IFC GPA on campus three semesters in a row and living the life of a new colony on campus, it has been a crazy 12 months for all of the Refounding Fathers of the Delta Upsilon Colony. We are excited for our upcoming brotherhood retreat in the beautiful Texas Hill Country!

Idaho

ΓΓ | Moscow, Idaho | Est. 1914 Jacob Lockhart ’20 lock8089@vandals.uidaho.edu

This fall, we initiated five new men into our brotherhood. We also welcomed a pledge class of 21 men into our ranks. With a chapter size of 91 and a cumulative GPA of 3.35, we are setting the standard for fraternity men here at the University of Idaho. With new leadership recently elected, the Gamma Gamma Chapter is proud to continue our principled legacy on and off campus.

High Point

Indiana

HΞ

Π

| High Point, N.C. | Est. 2017 Michael Dreher ’19 mdreher@highpoint.edu

We welcomed 17 excellent men and piloted the Son of the Stars New Member Program.

The chapter attended its first brotherhood retreat in addition to our annual mountain weekend excursion. Finally, we launched our signature fundraising event, 1,000 Miles for Kids, in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We surpassed last year’s fundraising and are excited to continue the trend!

| Bloomington, Ind. | Est. 1845 Alex Fratila ’20 al3xfratila@gmail.com

The Pi Chapter welcomed its fall pledge class numbering 40, one of our largest in chapter history! With our chapter sporting a 3.28 GPA, we are the third highest in fraternities on our campus. The Pi Chapter is also involved in Indiana University’s Dance Marathon supporting Riley Children’s Hospital with multiple bothers having varying leadership roles throughout the event.

Beta Theta Thrift The men at Johns Hopkins received campus-wide support during their annual Beta Theta Thrift clothing drive.

By event’s end, the chapter raised more than $200 for the American Red Cross and collected hundreds of articles of clothing to be donated to charity.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 42

11/21/18 1:34 PM

Iowa

| Iowa City, Iowa | Est. 1866 Collin Abeln ’19 collin321@gmail.com ΑΒ

We recruited and initiated a great pledge class, restructured our recruitment strategy, refurnished our common spaces, raised more than ever before for the Rape Victim Advocacy Program in our annual 0.1k race, and continued to improve in all other areas such as brotherhood, academics and community service. We’re all looking forward to what the next executive board will accomplish.

Johns Hopkins

| Baltimore, Md. | Est. 1877 Nishanth Muthusamy ’20 nmuthusamy13@gmail.com ΑΧ

We had our annual Beta Beach Weekend, our brotherhood retreat, that really started off the year strong for us. We continued to participate in two of our main community service events, Club 1111 and President’s Day of Service. Our main philanthropy event, Beta Theta Thrift, was also pretty successful. Overall, the chapter experienced a much-needed successful semester.

Kenyon

ΒΑ | Gambier, Ohio | Est. 1879 Rob Meagher ’19 meagherr@kenyon.edu

The Beta Alpha Chapter hosted a very successful all-campus concert featuring Kenyon student bands. All donations went toward our effort in bringing after-school music programs back to the local elementary schools of Knox County, Ohio. Our chapter also had an awesome brotherhood event with our new members – paintballing was a success!

Iowa State

Kansas

Kettering A

ΤΣ

ΑΝ

ΔΗ

| Ames, Iowa | Est. 1905 Joshua Miller ’20 joshuacm@iastate.edu

Colony | Harrisonburg, Va. Sam Pavel, sam.pavel@beta.org Colony Development Coordinator

The James Madison colony has started off with enormous strides in service and volunteerism to our community. Our 36 members have each brought something unique to our organization, and we are excited to welcome our Alpha Class in January!

43

Kansas State

Kettering B

ΓΕ

ΔΗ

| Manhattan, Kan. | Est. 1914 Thomas Williams ’20 Thomaswilliams@ksu.edu

The fall semester was exciting for our chapter. We’ve been proud to watch brothers Dalton Schoen, Ross Elder, Dylan Wetzel, and Nick Ast on the Kansas State football team. Our “Beta Boo” Haunted House raised money for cancer research and we held our inaugural clothing drive.

John Carroll

Kentucky

ΗΕ

EO

| University Heights, Ohio | Est. 2010 Thomas Tritt ’19 ttritt19@jcu.edu

Our chapter is off to a great start this semester with the addition of 18 new pledges that we will be initiating in Oxford at the Hall of Chapters. We hosted our annual event where we raised $700 for Dream Days of Ohio, and we have been working on hosting more events to engage our already active alumni base with events at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other get togethers.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 43

This last term we had a lot of participation in philanthropy events. A large portion of the chapter volunteered to help set up and run a water station at Kettering University for the Flint Crim Festival of Races. We also raised the second largest amount of money on campus for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.

| Lexington, Ky. | Est. 1990 Brady Ekman ’19 brady.ekman@uky.edu

Forty members recently moved into our new chapter house on November 2 and are loving the brotherhood it fosters! On November 3 we welcomed Beta’s Board of Trustees to our new home, and this spring we look forward to hosting the largest Greek philanthropy on campus, Greek Sing, and raising money for Make-A-Wish. We continue to excel throughout campus and look forward to welcoming new members this spring.

| Flint, Mich. | Est. 1964 Ryan Reichenbach ’19 reic1035@kettering.edu

This fall, the Betas of Delta Eta B have been busy working through another successful recruitment season. We elected a new executive committee who will lead our chapter to new heights in 2019, and will be piloting Beta’s new pledge education program this upcoming spring!

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

James Madison

It’s been a good year! We were successful in winning grades again last semester, and had a successful philanthropy event with TomStrong. This semester, the freshmen are doing extremely well and have around a 3.7 GPA. We are expecting to win grades again and are looking forward to the 135th annual Turkey Pull, our winter formal. Rock Chalk!

| Flint, Mich. | Est. 1964 Brandon Day ’21 day9348@kettering.edu

CHAPTER REPORTS

Tau Sigma brought in an astonishing 30man pledge class this summer, and it was one of our most successful fall recruitments to date. Our new members bring our total chapter count to 76 men. Members are staying involved on campus with classes, intramural competitions and homecoming festivities. The Tau Sigma Chapter is excited to see what the rest of the semester holds!

| Lawrence, Kan. | Est. 1873 Conor Law ’20 claw97@gmail.com

Knox

Ξ | Galesburg, Ill. | Est. 1855 Malik Hamilton ’19 mahamilton@knox.edu

Last year, we had one of the largest recruiting classes over the past couple of years. We were informed that our house renovation would take place during the summer and be finished by the start of the new year. We are looking forward to continuing our excellence in growth, not just in size, but also with our academic standings.

11/21/18 1:34 PM

Lawrence

| Appleton, Wis. | Est. 1936 Alex Hadlich ’20 alexander.d.hadlich@lawrence.edu

ΓΠ

This fall, we had a brotherhood lock-in, hosted our annual Beta Beach Bash (where we fill our basement with 14 tons of sand), completed our search for a new meal program and elected a new executive board.

We have deferred recruitment, so our efforts have been in brainstorming and planning for when we get back from winter break. Happy holidays from Gamma Pi!

CHAPTER REPORTS

44

LSU

Colony | Baton Rouge, La. Zach Berryman ’20 zberry2@lsu.edu

The LSU colony had a great fall recruitment, and encourage any alumni in the area to reach out to the chapter president if you’re looking to get involved.

We are excited for the spring, and above all Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temp rouler!

Miami (Fla.)

| Miami, Fla. | Est. 2009 Matt Wilson ’20 mrw83@miami.edu

HB

Eta Beta welcomes a new pledge class and executive staff. The chapter was honored to once again raise money for the Movember Foundation and participate in all six sorority philanthropies on campus. We also worked with Utah alumni Chas Foote ’15, and Mitchell Cox ’14, at Unlocked Careers in a two-part career development workshop. We are looking forward to spring recruitment.

Louisville

Maine

Michigan

ΔΠ

BH

Λ

| Louisville, Ky. | Est. 1971 Aidan Steiner ’20 agstei01@louisville.edu

We reached 100 active members this spring for the first time in our chapter’s history and took 31 new members this fall. We are also proud of our improved alumni relations.

With three successful events, including a day on the historic Churchill Downs track, Louisville Beta is laying the groundwork for a celebration of 50-straight years of continued and lasting brotherhood in 2021.

THE BETA THETA PI

Loyola Chicago

Colony | Chicago, Ill. Ethan Holleman ’20 eholleman@luc.edu

The Loyola Chicago colony held our fall philanthropy, Nightmare: A Haunted House, that benefits Misericordia, a local home for those with intellectual disabilities.

We’ve had strong involvement in campus events, winning intramural flag football, a final four finish in Phi Sigma Sigma’s Phield Day and participating in Alpha Chi Omega’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

Loyola Marymount

| Los Angeles, Calif. | Est. 2007 Rory Bruemmer ’20 bruemmer.rory@gmail.com

ΗΑ

We had a successful recruitment process with 18 new members, an all-time high for fall recruitment. Additionally, we introduced a new philanthropy event for the fall semester called Beta Casino Night. One member, Michael Dennehy ’19, was part of a group that created the donation-based brand Hygiene U Give. The idea was pitched to TOMS and granted $2,000 to fund.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 44

| Orono, Maine | Est. 1879 Camden Reiss ’19 camden.reiss@maine.edu

We inducted 10 new members this semester and have had a great time getting to know them so far! Our brother, Grant Meserve ’19, is coaching a middle school football team for the local town of Orono, Maine.

All of our brothers have enjoyed supporting Coach Meserve and the players in their recent games.

| Ann Arbor, Mich. | Est. 1845 Nathan Kane ’19 kanenp@umich.edu

On October 19, Lambda held the first-ever Jackie Edelmann Memorial Beta Boat Smash and Barbecue, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Research Institute. More than $1,500 was raised in the first two weeks of fundraising alone, and the event was a huge success! Lambda brothers were proud to host a large-scale philanthropy event on campus in support of a cause dear to our hearts.

Maryland

Michigan State

ΔΩ

ΓΨ

| College Park, Md. | Est. 1982 Anthony Valdez ’19 valdezanthony5@gmail.com

We maintained our high GPA, placing within the top five at Maryland. We added an eight-man pledge class in the fall and look forward to adding a 15-man pledge class in the spring. For the first time, we went on a brotherhood retreat in West Virginia in October to help grow the brotherhood within our chapter.

| East Lansing, Mich. | Est. 1950 Nick Herbst ’19 herbstn1@msu.edu

The Gamma Psi Chapter here at Michigan State hit the ground running with a great start to the fall semester. The chapter is boasting a whopping 26-man pledge class comprised of great young men. At the moment, the chapter is undefeated in both the IFC IM leagues for soccer and flag football.

To top it all off, we finished up the spring semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.31!

Miami

Minnesota

A

ΒΠ

| Oxford, Ohio | Est. 1839 Nicholas Hoyt ’19 hoytna@miamioh.edu

Our chapter has been very excited about living in the newly renovated house. 200 East High Street is an active home for all the brothers of the Alpha Chapter. This home has given us a gathering place to focus on our campus activities, leading to us placing first in Greek Week! Special thanks go to all the donors, alumni and volunteers who made it possible.

| Minneapolis, Minn. | Est. 1889 David Bock ’19 bockx115@umn.edu

Despite a drop of nearly 40 percent in formal fall rush signups this year, Beta Pi signed a pledge class of 17 outstanding new members (down only one from the previous year). Beta Pi continues to boast the highest cumulative GPA on campus and looks forward to continued success in and out of the classroom.

11/21/18 1:35 PM

Mississippi

| Oxford, Miss. | Est. 1879 Chauncey L. Mullins ’19 clmullin@go.olemiss.edu BB

The Beta Beta Chapter welcomed 79 new members this fall, increasing our overall size to 200 men. As our chapter continues to grow, we have experienced an increase in chapter GPA, more involvement on campus and success in various prized competitions on campus. The Beta Beta Chapter strives to build men of principle for a principled life.

MIT

| Cambridge, Mass. | Est. 1913 Yaseen Alkhafaji ’21 btp-pres@mit.edu BY

Beta Upsilon completed a successful fall rush with 13 new members. Our chapter has increased from 29 to 36 in just one year.

Last spring, we increased our chapter’s GPA to a 4.6 out of 5.0! Internally, we’ve participated in brotherhood events together, and externally we’ve collaborated to raise money for Autism Speaks. Our chapter has a bright future ahead!

Missouri

NC State

ZΦ

HP

| Columbia, Mo. | Est. 1890 Spencer Stapf ’19 spencer.stapf@missouribeta.com

The Eta Rho Chapter is proud to have initiated a strong class of 20 new brothers this fall semester after successfully piloting the new Son of the Stars Member Orientation Program. In addition, our housing corporation is making efforts to raise money for a new chapter house on campus, and we are excited about our larger and more involved alumni base.

Colony | Ewing, N.J. Nathan Gambrill ’20 gambrin1@tcnj.edu

This semester, our colony is proud to call the new IGC president one of our brothers.

We have also had one of our first alumni join our advisory team as alumni relations advisor, and we are excited to apply for our charter so that we can hopefully receive it at the 180th General Convention.

New Mexico

Colony | Albuquerque, N.M. Alex Contreras, alex.contreras@beta.org Colony Development Coordinator

The New Mexico colony is wrapping up Founding Father education and has recently slated it’s executive board. Initiation took place in December with brothers from Arizona State traveling to Albuquerque to assist with the ceremony.

45

Nebraska

North Carolina

ΕΛ

AT

H

Chapter operations at Missouri-Kansas City have been suspended until the fall of 2019 due to concerns about risk management.

The General Fraternity and the University continue to work towards a long term solution for the chapter with the involvement of local alumni and advisors.

| Lincoln, Neb. | Est. 1888 John Pfeifer ’19 john.pfeifer02@gmail.com

It’s been another great semester here at Nebraska. We recruited a promising group of 34 young men to be a part of our new member class, and they’re off to a fantastic start with their college experience. We are excited to see everything they will accomplish and contribute to the Alpha Tau Chapter.

Go Big Red!

| Chapel Hill, N.C. | Est. 1852 Nathan Brenner, North Carolina ’19 ncb731@live.unc.edu

This semester the Eta Chapter added 22 new brothers from the class of 2022.

The men helped raise money for Habitat for Humanity by hosting a benefit concert and also participated in an outdoor leadership training program through GoRuck, which was a great bonding experience.

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

Missouri-Kansas City

| Kansas City, Mo. | Est. 1989

CHAPTER REPORTS

The Zeta Phi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi is off to a great start as we signed 37 new members. We have had multiple alumni come and talk to our chapter about mental health and professional development. We are excited for another year and look forward to staying atop the leader board in grades and intramurals.

| Raleigh, N.C. | Est. 2017 Ryan Alexander ’20 rsalexan@ncsu.edu

New Jersey

LMU Reaches 90 A primarily deferred recruitment campus, Loyola Marymount’s 18 newly initiated brothers mark an all-time high for the fall term. Now with a 100 percent initiation rate and 90 brothers total, the men are looking optimistically toward growing even more this spring.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 45

11/25/18 11:00 PM

Undefeated Champs San Jose State proved to be showstoppers on the volleyball court this year, ending the season undefeated and bringing home the intramural championship. No doubt these men are among many across North America showcasing Beta as gentlemen, scholars AND athletes.

North Dakota

| Grand Forks, N.D. | Est. 1922 Ryan Krebs ’20 ryan.m.krebs@und.edu ΓΚ

CHAPTER REPORTS

46

Gamma Kappa has demonstrated its profound resiliency over the past year. After recovering from a tragic flood in December 2017, we have worked to develop a high-functioning house corporation and advisory team. We recruited a pledge class of 18 men, and gave back to the community through 72 cumulative hours of volunteer work in the annual Zombie Arthritis Run.

THE BETA THETA PI

Northeastern

| Boston, Mass. | Est. 2013 William Cisneros ’19 cisneros.w@husky.neu.edu

ΗΖ

After a successful fall rush, the Eta Zeta Chapter inducted its largest-ever pledge class, consisting of 20 men. Eta Zeta had an extremely strong start to its semester by hosting its most successful philanthropy event ever, the Husky Home Run Derby, to raise money for Camp Sunshine. We are looking forward to celebrating our 10-year anniversary in the coming year!

Nova Southeastern

| Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Est. 1997 Montana Beneduce ’18 montanabeneduce@gmail.com ZM

The Zeta Mu Chapter was able to nearly double our membership this semester due to successful efforts during rush week. Our new pledge process has proven to be more effective in teaching our new members and integrating them into the chapter. We also had a successful Bowling for Boxers philanthropy event and a successful alumni golf day for our 21st Founders Day.

Ohio

| Athens, Ohio | Est. 1841 Gus Thieken ’19 agthieken@gmail.com BK

Beta Kappa recently had more than 40 brothers give back to our veteran community by providing aid for our hometown heroes during the Athens Area Stand Down.

We enjoyed welcoming back our alumni for homecoming and celebrating those who have made our experience possible.

Oklahoma

ΓΦ | Norman, Okla. | Est. 1907 Lane Prado ’19 lane.prado@ou.edu

We held our Farmer’s Daughter philanthropy in November, benefiting Warriors for Freedom. Last semester, we were excited to post a chapter GPA of 3.34, and we are hoping to continue raising the GPA this semester! We are thrilled to have signed a new pledge class of 52 incredible men this fall, and we are excited to see these new members grow and develop with our chapter.

Oklahoma State

ΓΛ | Stillwater, Okla. | Est. 1923 Nathan Moore ’20 nathan.moore10@okstate.edu

Summer recruitment resulted in an addition of 42 high-caliber pledges, putting our chapter’s total membership at 163 men.

Last semester, we had a chapter-wide GPA of 3.38. Our chapter is in the process of constructing a new Beta house on campus.

We are all very thankful for the alumni who made such a project possible.

Northwestern

Ohio State

Oregon State

P

ΘΔ

ΓM

| Evanston, Ill. | Est. 1873 Evan Augeri ’20 evanaugeri17@gmail.com

After making a strong quarter-long effort to recruit 25 men of principle, we’re looking forward to taking our new pledge class on our annual trip to Oxford after a hiatus in 2018. These efforts will also help us to fill our house to maximum capacity in the 2019-20 year and continue to lay the groundwork for our reorganization.

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 46

| Columbus, Ohio | Est. 1885 Sam Harrison ’19 harrison.695@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Our recruitment got off to a fast start, bringing in a pledge class of 14 new, motivated members. Last semester, the chapter ranked in the top seven fraternities with the highest GPA. This November, the chapter hosted our philanthropy event to raise money for Columbus’ homeless youth drop-in center, Star House.

| Corvallis, Ore. | Est. 1923 Trent Kershaw ’19 kershatr@oregonstate.edu

With 15 exceptional Refounding Fathers, Oregon State’s recolonization has been going superbly. We’re continuously adding more brothers and creating relationships with our alumni. Rekindling old relationships within the Greek community has us excited for the future and becoming even stronger as an organization, deeply focusing on our relationships with one another.

11/25/18 11:01 PM

Pacific

| Stockton, Calif. | Est. 2015 Jonathan Arrow ’19 jarrowffl@yahoo.com

HK

We recruited 12 new members this semester, the most for a fall pledge class in our chapter’s history. We also had a highly successful philanthropy season, with both Haunted House and Beta Beats making more money than they ever have in our chapter’s history.

Finally, we had a strong alumni showing at our Alumni Loving Cup during our homecoming weekend.

Purdue

| West Lafayette, Ind. | Est. 1903 Cooper Feeney ’21 feeney10@purdue.edu BM

The Beta Mu Chapter has been successful in increasing our presence all over campus this semester. From IFC leadership, to a successful haunted house philanthropy event with Pi Beta Phi, we are becoming a strong leader of our Greek community. Additionally, we have a competitive Beta racing team for Grand Prix this year, recently placing third in a 30-team event.

Pennsylvania

Quinnipiac

Φ

HΣ

| Philadelphia, Pa. | Est. 1880 Tim Miller ’20 timmymiller4@gmail.com

| Pittsburgh, Pa. | Est. 2016 Peter Allen ’19 pma15@pitt.edu HN

Recharged from our biannual brotherhood retreat spent camping in Ohiopyle State Park, Eta Nu returned to campus ready to take on the remainder of the semester. Carving out time for reflection and relaxation allows us to better focus on our coursework and lead us to academic achievement, such as earning the highest QPA among all Pitt Greek organizations last spring semester!

Puget Sound

| Tacoma, Wash. | Est. 1962 Henry Gardella ’19 hwgardella@gmail.com ΔΕ

Delta Epsilon once again claimed the highest GPA among UPS fraternities last semester, and we hope to keep this title with the support of our academic standards committee. Beyond academics, our members had a blast roller skating during this semester’s brotherhood retreat. Finally, we are excited to be organizing a chapter history exhibit honoring our 1000th member!

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 47

Rochester

Colony | Rochester, N.Y. Arif Kodza ’19 akodza@u.rochester.edu

We participated in weekly volunteer services at a local soup kitchen, helped the Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence and the Episcopal Living Communities run their grand events, and ran a fundraiser through a local restaurant for RESTORE (a rape/crisis hotline and advocacy organization — our official philanthropy).

Rockhurst

Colony | Kansas City, Mo. Brandon Hernandez ’19 HernandezB@hawks.rockhurst.edu

The Rockhurst colony is looking to enroll in sexual assault prevention courses this upcoming year to continue to be recognized as one of the safer fraternities on campus, keeping to our promise to continue being Men For Others. We also continue to strive toward Greek unity by participating in other Greek events and philanthropy events as they come up.

The Sacred Heart colony has been working extremely hard this semester recruiting high-quality men who have a strict focus on academic standards, service and the drive to help others. This past year, we achieved one of the highest GPAs on campus, accumulated more than 600 service hours and have been working toward topping our last philanthropy event.

Saint Louis

ZT | Saint Louis, Mo. | Est. 2003 Matias Grignola ’19 matias.grignola@slu.edu

Zeta Tau achieved the top fraternity GPA for the third year in a row. Our philanthropy events, which support the Women’s Safe House, have been a great success, resulting in record numbers for attendance and participation for our inaugural Beta World Cup event. To round out this year, we are holding our fall initiation in Oxford to show the new initiates some history of Beta Theta Pi.

San Diego

| San Diego, Calif. | Est. 2007 Will Knopka ’19 wknopka@sandiego.edu

ΖΩ

The Zeta Omega Chapter has kept our momentum going this semester. Since bringing home the Knox Award this summer at Convention, we’ve welcomed seven soon-to-be brothers into our chapter, hosted a successful annual philanthropic talent show, “Almost Famous,” and built some good, ol’ fashioned brotherhood on a weekend camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

47 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

Pittsburgh

We have welcomed our 16-man Iota Class this fall. Our year-round philanthropic efforts to the American Cancer Society (ACS) totaled more than $8,000. The chapter was the largest donor for ACS’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for Greater New Haven walk in October, where brothers also volunteered for the day.

Colony | Fairfield, Conn.

Michael Vanderspek ’19 vanderspekm@mail.sacredheart.edu

CHAPTER REPORTS

The Phi Chapter is having another great semester. We finished hosting 36 of our dads for our annual dad’s weekend and are looking forward to hosting the moms in the spring. The brothers of the Phi Chapter are excited for the upcoming recruitment season and seeing each other after coming back from winter break.

| Hamden, Conn. | Est. 2018 James Burnham ’19 jsburnham@quinnipiac.edu

Sacred Heart

San Jose State

| San Jose, Calif. | Est. 1995 Tony Velasco ’19 tonyvelasco97@gmail.com

ΖΗ

After a successful rush, Zeta Eta pulled in an eager pledge class that is all-in to push the chapter forward. The intramural volleyball team saw huge success going 9-0 for an undefeated season and won Zeta Eta’s first intramural championship in many years.

Recently graduated brothers continue to find employment success in Silicon Valley at companies like Tesla and Boeing.

11/21/18 1:35 PM

SMU

| Dallas, Texas | Est. 1951 Levi Laseter ’19 levilaseter@gmail.com

ΓΩ

The men of the Gamma Omega Chapter continue to lead in organizations across campus, as well as within the Greek community and IFC. Additionally, we recently welcomed seven new sophomore men into our brotherhood in our recently initiated fall class, and look forward to seeing the fruit of our recruitment efforts this coming spring in the formal recruitment period.

CHAPTER REPORTS

48

Southern California

Stevens

ΓΤ

Σ

| Los Angeles, Calif. | Est. 1947 Robert Stern ’20 bobbystern123@gmail.com

Over the summer, Gamma Tau completed a million-dollar full remodel of the chapter house. The chapter recently celebrated USC homecoming with a large alumni tailgate on campus – one of its largest events in recent memory. The Southern California Betas are currently preparing for their signature philanthropy, the 39th annual Swim With Mike, which benefits disabled athletes.

South Carolina

Southern Illinois

Y

ZO

| Columbia, S.C. | Est. 1858 Andrew Bosley ’18 scbetapresident@gmail.com

Our chapter just initiated 30 new brothers this fall. We’re looking forward to all the fun things the spring has in store while our new executive board looks to make some positive changes. Upsilon is stronger than ever, and we appreciate the support from our university and General Fraternity. We wish every Beta and Friend of Beta a safe and happy new year.

THE BETA THETA PI

South Dakota

| Vermillion, S.D. | Est. 1912 Jedidiah Jacobson ’19 jed.jacobson@coyotes.usd.edu ΓΑ

We have recruited 21 amazing young men, all of whom have a high school GPA above 3.0. We awarded Roy Terwilliger ’59, with the Starr Award for Alumni of the Year after his contributions to the fundraising responsible for the renovations made to the John J. Hall Dragons Den. We also received first place in Greek Week for the second time in three years.

| Carbondale, Ill. | Est. 1999 Patrick Hill ’19 patrickhill46@siu.edu

The chapter is going through a rebuild right now. We are looking forward to the future of the chapter after this semester. Also, the chapter is working on alumni events both in the Chicagoland area and the St. Louis area throughout the spring semester.

St. Lawrence

| Canton, N.Y. | Est. 1879 Scott Shouvlin ’19 spshou15@stlawu.edu ΒZ

This fall, the Beta Zeta Chapter added 22 new members, expanding the brotherhood to 72 active brothers on campus. We also have continued our philanthropy work with Bittersweet Farm, giving them the proceeds of our annual Beta Golf. As we move on throughout the year, we will be continuing our philanthropy, and are looking forward to another pledge class in the spring.

| Hoboken, N.J. | Est. 1879 James Ebert ’19 jebert@stevens.edu

We held our inaugural Sigma Alumni Reception, which was a huge success with more than 60 guests in attendance. We also held philanthropic events to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other organizations, continued renovations on our chapter house, hosted a Parents’ Day barbeque, and were successful in intramural sports competitions.

TCU

HH | Fort Worth, Texas | Est. 2014 Ben Warren ’20 ben.warren@tcu.edu

The Eta Eta Chapter successfully added a pledge class of 48 impressive young men.

With the addition of the new pledge class, our chapter includes 168 members, making us the largest fraternity on TCU’s campus.

Additionally, we hosted our annual philanthropy event, Giving HeART, which raised more than $22,000 benefiting the CARPE Program for Cook Children’s Hospital.

Tennessee

ΔΚ | Knoxville, Tenn. | Est. 1967 Michael Keesee ’19 mkeesee@vols.utk.edu

This fall, Delta Kappa moved back on campus and finished recruitment with 14 pledges. The chapter currently has a 3.16 cumulative GPA, among the top three on campus. Brothers hosted a Parents’ Weekend dinner to give families a chance to see the new house. We are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the new year for a successful recruitment and spring semester.

Down on the Farm St. Lawrence brothers spent a weekend splitting wood and working as farm hands at the local Bittersweet Farm – a longtime philanthropy partner for the chapter. The farm’s owner said of the men: “They have saved our butts on big tasks several times. Go Beta!”

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11/21/18 1:36 PM

Texas

Toronto

UCLA

BO

ΘΖ

ΓΝ

| Austin, Texas | Est. 1866 Matthew Maupin ’19 president@texasbeta.org

Texas Beta is proud to initiate a class of 20 fine men this fall semester. Currently, we are in the process of undergoing extensive renovations to our chapter house to increase study space and lounge facilities. We’d like to thank Texas Beta Student Aid Fund and Gregg Young ’69, for their continued support of giving the chapter a place to call home.

| Toronto, Ont. | Est. 1906 Aleks Vagners ’19 aleks.vagners@outlook.com

The Theta Zeta Chapter continues to grow, welcoming one of the largest pledge classes of recent years. With recent chapter house renovations being completed at the start of the academic year, the house is looking better than ever and is set to provide a place for brotherhood for many years to come.

Texas A&M

Truman State

EH

ZΞ

| College Station, Texas | Est. 1987 Matthew Wood ’19 matthew.wood218@gmail.com

Throughout 2018, Zeta Xi found success on multiple levels. Our chapter is proud to have been awarded Greek Week and intramural championships last semester and the Knox Award last summer. We continue to develop through the implementation of new events each month while focusing on a culture centered around brotherhood and accountability. We are enthusiastic for the spring.

UC Irvine

ΔP

ΔΣ

| Arlington, Texas | Est. 1971 Sam Majumder ’19 subham.majumder@mavs.uta.edu

The chapter welcomed six new brothers into its fold this year. The chapter also made great strides in its philanthropy, Heroes for Hope, raising almost $3,000 this semester.

Being covered by NBC and Univision, the chapter hopes to continue raising awareness for its upcoming events. Finally, the brothers enjoyed our brotherhood retreat in November.

Texas Tech

| Lubbock, Texas | Est. 1970 Allen Krause ’19 william.krause@ttu.edu

ΔM

The Delta Mu Colony prides itself in taking a new member class of 50, which brought our member total to a record high. From a philanthropic standpoint, we have changed our benefiting organization to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Overall, Delta Mu is continuing to lead and prosper on Texas Tech’s campus.

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| Irvine, Calif. | Est. 1975 Michael Steinhilber ’19 mickeyman1125@gmail.com

It’s been a pleasure to have met so many alumni throughout recruitment this fall! It’s rewarding having such an experience that conveys “Once a Beta, Always a Beta.” We are pleased that our brothers are committed to enriching their Beta experience through more ritual review and the coming of our week-long philanthropy event in 2019!

UC San Diego

| La Jolla, Calif. | Est. 1995 Sammy Najd ’19 snajd@ucsd.edu ΖΓ

The Zeta Gamma Chapter is coming off a strong recruitment season, welcoming 20 stellar men as pledges into the brotherhood.

Academically, we are as strong as ever, recording the second-highest GPA out of all 16 fraternities on campus. We are looking forward to a fun and fruitful fall quarter and to continue to blaze Beta’s name on high.

Utah

ΓB | Salt Lake City, Utah | Est. 1913 Anthony Panuzio ’20 anthonypanuzio1@gmail.com

Gamma Beta initiated 20 members this fall and our chapter size is at 75 men. Our chapter broke our spring record last semester raising more than $18,000 for the Rape Recovery Center. We are hosted our annual Blue Tie Gala in November and are aiming to raise $100,000.

49

Villanova

ΖΕ | Villanova, Pa. | Est. 1995 Matt Karlson ’19 mkarlson@villanova.edu

In the last year, we were the second-largest donor to an alumnus’ fundraising project, Miracle for Molly, raising $18,450.

In addition, we took in one of our largest sophomore classes in history, established a 15 percent larger contingency fund and received recognition from the school for our comprehensive and progressive positive pledge education plan.

WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

Texas at Arlington

Gamma Nu added 35 new members after hosting one of the strongest rushes at UCLA. The active membership is currently at 113 brothers. Gamma Nu is excited for our biannual formal in Palm Springs, our new and improved fall social events and our Beta Theta Spike philanthropy. Gamma Nu strives to continue leading the way in a transforming Greek life culture.

CHAPTER REPORTS

The Epsilon Eta Chapter enjoyed another great fall semester. We took in 33 new members, putting our overall chapter size at more than 150. This semester, we enjoyed a successful Dad’s Weekend, Alumni Weekend and Aggie football tailgates. We look forward to our spring pledge class and our annual philanthropy event, DBM Fest.

| Kirksville, Mo. | Est. 1997 Max Pyle ’19 mgp7116@truman.edu

| Los Angeles, Calif. | Est. 1926 Daniel Ochs ’19 danielochs23@g.ucla.edu

Virginia

O | Charlottesville, Va. | Est. 1855 Ben Moore ’19 bcm5hg@virginia.edu

Omicron enjoyed another successful year.

In March, the brothers put on a fundraising event for Olivia, a local Girl Scout who has a heart condition that needed surgery. The brothers helped Olivia and her mother raise enough money to pay for her surgery in November. In addition, the brothers helped Olivia surpass her impressive goal of selling over 3,300 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

11/21/18 1:36 PM

Westminster at 150 Westminster turned 150 in 2018, a feat the chapter celebrated at an anniversary weekend alongside some 250 alumni. General Fraternity President Bob Schnese, Wisconsin ’83, also attended and left impressed with the “genuine and constant love” he witnessed amongst the brotherhood.

Virginia Tech

| Blacksburg, Va. | Est. 1877 Kristopher J. DeVito ’20 kdevito@vt.edu

AΦ

CHAPTER REPORTS

50

Alpha Phi is pleased to report on a successful recruitment period, receiving 23 new members of the 28 bids administered. Our chapter, which features 108 initiates, also ranked fourth among all IFC chapters at Virginia Tech in chapter GPA for the spring 2018 semester. Our chapter GPA of 3.285 was higher than both the all-IFC average (3.145) and all-undergraduate average (3.213).

Washington and Jefferson

| Washington, Pa. | Est. 1842 Colton Blair ’19 blairct@jay.washjeff.edu Γ

The fall 2018 semester brought many new opportunities for the brothers of the Gamma Chapter. First, a new service event was created where the brothers interacted closely with the neighborhood school districts to provide materials that the enrolled students might need. Also, homecoming brought multiple alumni back to celebrate our 176th continuous year as a chapter.

THE BETA THETA PI

Wabash

Washington in St. Louis

T

AI

| Crawfordsville, Ind. | Est. 1846 Patrick Kelly ’21 pakelly21@wabash.edu

As many know, we suffered a tragic loss of our brother, Evan Hansen. In response to this, we have shifted our philanthropic efforts to support American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Merciful Help Center. We are about to take over at the top of list for our campus GPA.

Washington

| Seattle, Wash. | Est. 1901 Riley Noonan ’20 rwtn1997@gmail.com

BΩ

Beta Omega is proud to announce that we finished top two in grades on campus this past spring, received a Knox Award at Convention and signed 29 new pledges who we are hopeful to initiate in January. We are excited for a fall full of intramural football, brotherhoods, tailgates and maybe a little studying as well!

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 50

| Saint Louis, Mo. | Est. 1869 Nate Engel ’20 16nengel@gmail.con

The Alpha Iota Chapter saw yet another strong recruiting effort, taking in 17 pledges in the spring and 12 in the fall. We remain one of the top Beta chapters in terms of GPA, with a cumulative average of 3.61.

Through engagement with brothers and alumni, we recently renovated the letters on the outside of our house.

Washington State

| Pullman, Wash. | Est. 1920 Mitchell kirkpatrick ’20 m.kirkpatrick@wsu.edu ΓΘ

Fall recruitment was extremely successful and our recruitment goal was met, bringing our total chapter size to more than 100 men.

One of the most exciting events of the fall was the announcement of our centennial campaign to renovate and expand our chapter house. The early support from alumni has been incredible and is growing with new donors every day.

Westminster

ΑΔ | Fulton, Mo. | Est. 1868 Jonathan Ruzzo ’20 jruzzo.20@westminster-mo.edu

This fall, our chapter went paintballing for a brotherhood-building event. The activity was successful with more than half the chapter and new members in attendance. The guys enjoyed getting out of Fulton, and it helped relieve some stress from the semester.

We are continuously looking for ways for members to build stronger relationships with each other and this helped achieve that.

Whitman

ΓΖ | Walla Walla, Wash. | Est. 1916 Jack H Taylor ’20 taylorjh@whitman.edu

This fall, we had a very successful rush. We started off a very small chapter and through reforming our rush strategy, we ultimately doubled our chapter size. We are now in the middle of pledge education, which all of our pledges are very enthusiastic about. We are very excited to begin initiation so our new brothers can join us!

Wichita State

ΔΓ | Wichita, Kan. | Est. 1959 Dir. of Chapter Services Austin Marple austin.marple@beta.org

Chapter operations at Wichita State have been restricted due to concerns about risk management and safety in its pledge program. After collaboration with the University, chapter operations will be eased back this spring. A group of students are committed to a values-based future for the chapter, and advisors and General Fraternity Officers will be working with them and university officials through the spring to ensure excellent and safe operations.

11/21/18 1:36 PM

Willamette

Wisconsin

ΓΣ

AΠ

| Salem, Ore. | Est. 1947 Evan Levy ’19 edlevy@willamette.edu

The Gamma Sigma Chapter hosted a campus-wide screening of the film, “The Mask You Live In,” and a follow-up lecture on healthy masculinity. In addition, Gamma Sigma put on a lecture and workshop with IFC in December focused on consent, sexual assault prevention and healthy masculinity.

| Madison, Wis. | Est. 1873 Jacob Schumacher ’20 schumacher7@wisc.edu

The Alpha Pi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi is excited to announce a record pledge class of 43 new members, bringing our total membership to the highest it has been in several decades. We also hosted our annual fall philanthropy, and the proceeds were donated to the Robert Michael Wood Foundation, which benefits children and their families affected by pediatric stroke.

William & Mary

| Williamsburg, Va. | Est. 1876 Jake Lipman ’20 jalipman@email.wm.edu

The Zeta Upsilon Chapter had a very successful rush process, and we are very excited for the spring 2019 semester. Thank you to our seniors, Thomas Foreman ’19, Jay Feyerabend ’19, Tommy Clark ’19, and Michael Ambrose ’19, for everything they have given the chapter. We are forever grateful for the continuous effort they put into Beta.

ΑΓ | Springfield, Ohio | Est. 1867 Carter Schmidt ’19 schmidtc@wittenberg.edu

Alpha Gamma recently held our annual Animal House philanthropy event raising around $1,500 for local animal shelters. We recently celebrated homecoming weekend at Wittenberg with some great alumni and have also started the preliminary process for a new house project that should hopefully take off in the very near future!

Wisconsin-Oshkosh

WPI

ZZ

HΤ

| Oshkosh, Wis. | Est. 1995 Jonathan Robinson ’19 robinj10@uwosh.edu

ZY

Wittenberg

Zeta Zeta recruited 11 fantastic men to the chapter, the largest pledge class we have had in the past few years. Campus involvement is this semester’s main focus for our brothers.

We also achieved the highest GPA of all the fraternities on campus and have seen the highest GPA the chapter has had in the past three years!

| Worcester, Mass. | Est. 2018 Benjamin Child ’19 bhchild@wpi.edu

After chartering at this summer’s General Convention, our chapter has been working hard to prepare for our installation this coming spring. Additionally, we held our most successful philanthropy event yet, a live action murder mystery. The proceeds from this event and our Beta Theta Pizza Pies philanthropy will be donated to the African Community Education Fund.

ETCH YOUR NAME IN BETA HISTORY One of Beta’s most cherished icons, bricks in the Beta Walkway are grouped by chapter and each personalized with the name of the Beta or Friend of Beta who purchased it. Any Beta, Friend of Beta or family member can secure his/her place in history with a gift of $350 or more to the Beta Leadership Fund.

BETA.ORG/BRICK

p38-50_Chapter Reports_wtr19.indd 51

11/25/18 11:01 PM

chapter eternal in loving memory

F CHAPTER ETERNAL

52

orever remembering these men and the love they had for Beta Theta Pi, notices of their passing were reported to the Administrative Office between May 5 and October 25, 2018. For assistance locating an obituary or to report a brother’s death, please contact Phyllis Bowie at 800.800.BETA or phyllis.bowie@beta.org.

THE BETA THETA PI

Asking loved ones to donate your Beta badge and important Beta artifacts to the Fraternity’s archives and museum in Oxford is always welcomed and appreciated.

Flags indicate Betas who served in the United States or Canadian armed forces.

The Foundation is often asked how one can memorialize a dearly departed Beta while also supporting the goals of the Fraternity. In lieu of flowers, consider naming the Beta Leadership Fund in your own obituary. Memorial gifts can be made at beta.org/gift or 800.800.BETA.

p52-54_Chapter Eternal_wtr19.indd 52

11/26/18 1:01 PM

Iowa Richard P. Goetz ’56 LeRoy G. Pratt ’32

1/9/17 6/24/07

Iowa State Burton H. Baker ’50 1/7/17 Robert A. Massey ’67 C 6/30/18 Jerry D. Sande ’76 8/15/18 7/8/17

Kansas David G. Hill ’56 C 5/26/18 Cleveland M. McCarty DMD ’56 C 7/3/18 Robert W. Weber ’47 C 5/11/18

Kansas State

Kenyon Dale M. Holwick Jr. ’50 C 9/13/18 Freeman B. Olmstead ’57 10/14/16

Knox David H. Booth ’69 8/13/18 Dan R. Carmichael, Jr. ’54 C 8/2/18 Nevin C. Lescher ’53 C 4/12/18 Willard T. Stanforth ’45 4/1/18

Lawrence

Mississippi 5/24/18

Missouri Benjamin F. Smithers ’69 5/4/18 Lyle A. vanRavenswaay ’57 C 9/3/18

MIT Robert C. Evans ’42 Christopher J. Morgen ’87

6/8/17 8/2/18

Nebraska John A. Haslam ’49 C 10/16/18 Kenneth I. Kailey ’50 C 7/7/18 John M. McHenry ’70 8/18/18 James B. Thomas ’61 10/4/18

North Carolina

6/4/18 11/10/16

Ohio

Charles R. Roe ’62 C 7/8/18

Michael R. Felton ’89 Bryce W. Hoime ’76

6/7/18 9/17/18

Eric Coon ’00 David A. Emery ’84 Michael D. Ginder ’92 J. D. Lundberg ’56 Michael R. McKinley ’59 Cruse W. Moss II ’48

8/16/18 10/12/16 8/16/18 6/8/18 9/10/18 8/21/18

Ohio State

Michigan State

Ohio Wesleyan

John C. Burchfield ’57 C 7/13/18

Thomas A. Bates ’69 12/2/16 Robert L. Cotner ’54 C 8/10/18 Phillip E. Jarvis ’60 8/12/18 Thomas R. Long ’51 6/8/18 John W. Mutersbaugh ’58 5/9/16 William H. Niblock Jr. ’65 7/23/18 Charles D. Underwood Jr. ’68 C 7/18/18

1/31/18 9/19/18

Michigan

Christopher J. Gage ’68 10/2/16 Carl A. Swanson ’51 6/30/18 Daniel F. Valmassei ’60 C 10/15/18 Joseph F. Zahn ’70 6/14/16

p52-54_Chapter Eternal_wtr19.1.indd 53

Oregon

Danny L. Davis ’47 C 6/5/18 Wendell W. Hall ’51 7/10/18 James T. Palmer ’57 6/3/18

North Dakota

Calvin M. Chamberlain ’48 C 8/17/17

Carroll W. Anstaett ’48 William C. Joseph ’57 C

William A. Ahrberg ’50 C 6/14/18 William W. Munn Jr. ’66 9/28/16 Mike A. Patrick ’72 8/8/18 Jack L. Sellers ’55 C 7/11/18 James D. Hibbard ’67 8/29/18 Allen M. Hillis ’66 9/27/18 Schuyler L. Jeffries ’58 9/5/17 Roger S. Marsh ’50 C 9/15/18 Deane L. Smith ’52 C 8/22/18 Dennis C. Tripp ’65 C 8/16/18 Gerald R. Wolfsehr ’46 2/9/18 Robert C. Grim ’69 C 9/13/18 Oscar F. Holm ’44 4/5/15 Stephen K. Jackson ’61 12/3/16 James M. Mudd ’63 10/1/18 Douglas S. Robertson ’69 6/26/16

Ralph W. Hoyt ’50 C 6/20/18 Charles N. Marvin Jr. MD ’77 10/7/18 Charles R. Nisbet III ’59 5/29/18

Joseph K. Arnold ’63 7/13/18 George H. Beaver Jr ’54 C 8/1/18 David L. Brennan ’53 10/14/18 Marcus E. Hanna ’59 9/25/16 Frederick B. Hill III ’50 C 5/9/18 Gary L. Jones ’63 5/14/18 Carl F. Weiffenbach ’57 C 6/13/18

Miami

Oklahoma State

Penn State Richard D. Cameron ’53 6/9/18 Eric Haaijer ’83 6/22/18 William F. Meckling Jr. ’58 5/4/16 N. J. Morrison III ’65 C 8/30/18 Benjamin M. Witmer Jr. ’56 C 9/12/18

Pennsylvania Joseph R. Clausen Jr. ’44 1/31/17 Edward J. Kehoe Jr. ’49 9/18/16 John C. McCombs ’52 C 8/21/18 Cyrus J. Sharer ’43 8/11/16 John M. Wiler ’50 7/16/18

Puget Sound William H. Sievers ’67

5/4/18

Purdue Thomas R. Lugar ’55 C 8/9/18 Paul F. McGinnis ’51 2/28/17 William L. Morgan ’43 6/5/17 Philip T. Sheets Jr. ’87 9/15/18

Rutgers Robert E. Meury Jr. ’71 C 7/16/18 Kenneth A. Pagach ’63 7/31/18

A passionate Rotarian, Wilkins was devoted to the cause of eradicating polio, a disease that affected one of his sons and took the life of his first wife. Devoted to Beta Theta Pi, he served as distict chief from 1970-75 and was inducted into his own Alpha Zeta Chapter’s hall of fame.

John M. McHenry Nebraska ’70 8/18/18 A prominent Lincoln attorney, McHenry was president of the Alpha Tau House Corporation at the time of his death. Active in the successful restructuring of the Nebraska chapter in the mid-1990s, his positive influence led to the chapter being selected as a pilot for the General Fraternity’s Men of Principle initiative in 199899. An active Mason, he served on numerous boards and committees in Lincoln and the state of Nebraska.

He was an avid world traveler, golfer and fisherman.

Eric J. Coon Ohio ’00 8/16/18 Longtime supporter of Beta Kappa Chapter and, specifically, the house corporation, Coon was most proud of his AA membership and the mentoring and support he offered to encourage others. In addition to serving as the “right hand” of Beta alumnus Les Cornwell, Ohio ’65, and Cornwell Properties, he served as assistant chapter counselor, financial advisor and house corporation treasurer.

53 WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG

9/13/16 6/23/16 3/10/17 5/6/16

Maine H. M. Burry Jr. ’57 Norwood P. Hallowell III ’67

George W. Armor ’53 C 8/30/18 Leonard C. Blood Jr. ’72 8/29/18 James D. Currin ’53 2/16/17 Stanley P. DeFehr ’73 5/24/18 Jeff J. Mayberry ’94 6/18/18 Burke G. Mordy ’54 C 8/10/18 William H. Noble III ’61 12/18/16 Earl W. Radcliffe Jr. ’35 6/1/68 S. N. Sisson Jr. ’77 8/5/18 Garry L. Smith ’62 C 9/12/18 Donald P. Sobocinski ’52 C 7/30/18 Michael J. Sutherland ’78 7/25/18 Sampson L. Wilhite Jr. ’58 C 10/10/18 Mark Wilson ’16 8/9/18

Northwestern 7/8/16 10/8/15 10/17/16 12/28/16

Lehigh James A. Bain Jr. ’57 Howard I. Harmatz ’72 Dennis J. Meckler ’75 John R. Winchester ’58

Robert E. Bagwill ’54 3/3/18 John A. Copper ’57 5/24/18 Robert F. Kropp ’48 C 7/15/18 William B. Lyle ’64 1/31/16 Foster S. Merrill ’38 10/31/16

C. Grant Wilkins Denver ’47 5/19/18

CHAPTER ETERNAL

William L. Cannon Sr. ’50 C 8/27/18 Robert E. Hagen ’53 C 6/27/18 Rodney C. Morgan ’71 C 10/4/18 Elgene R. Nichols ’55 2/28/17

Bruce R. Bigford ’53 James W. Morris ’56 Gilbert W. Sutherland ’60 Donald E. Swenson ’50

Oklahoma

Robert A. Quiriconi ’87

Johns Hopkins Robert L. McKim ’50

Minnesota

David L. Brennan Ohio State ’53 10/14/18 Known publicly for his trademark 10-gallon Stetson white cowboy hat, David Brennan was a giant among giants in business and the world of philanthropy. Lead donor to the Beta Foundation’s “Upon These Principles” capital campaign with a gift of $1.5 million in 2003, the Fraternity’s Administrative Office in Oxford was named “Brennan Hall” in honor of him, Beta Sweetheart Ann, and his beloved Beta brother Tom, Ohio State ’51.

11/21/18 3:04 AM

SMU

Union

Howard I. Mason Jr. ’62

5/26/18

T. W. Moore ’62

7/29/18

South Dakota Terrance L. Buskerud ’63 Gregory M. David ’77 Joseph R. Flicek ’74

4/26/18 6/17/18 1/25/18

Southern California John C. Nunez ’68 C

5/14/18

St. Lawrence Henry S. Balmer ’50 Robert C. Baxter ’49 Garrett D. Dunsmoor ’18 Jeffery Fay ’76 Marius D. Hanks ’40 Arnold W. Larsen ’51 Donald H. Patrick ’54

9/28/16 9/21/16 7/11/18 8/3/16 10/15/16 7/30/16 7/31/16

Stanford CHAPTER ETERNAL

54

Peter M. Walsh ’49

9/24/18

Stevens Donald R. Peacock ’60 Mark F. Vedder ’74

5/14/18 4/2/18

Syracuse Robert J. Heydet ’53 John R. Loveland ’59 Leonard G. Reichhard Jr. ’45 Herbert F. Steigler ’54 Frank J. Todaro ’85

12/5/17 5/18/18 11/19/17 8/8/17 7/22/16

Texas

THE BETA THETA PI

Robert L. Bobbitt Jr. ’43 C 1/8/18 George B. Brown ’60 C 10/22/18 John P. Burton ’68 6/26/18 Charles E. Grob Sr. ’69 5/17/18 Russell M. Harwood ’51 C 6/23/18 Paul A. Langford ’51 C 8/27/18 W. O. Shultz II ’48 8/24/17 John R. Woodward MD ’58 2/2/17

Texas Tech Thomas T. O’Hair ’16

8/10/18 11/14/17 6/29/18

Tulane Walter Carroll Jr. ’45 C 7/14/18 Walker Harris ’50 C 5/30/18 Wade L. Herren ’50 12/7/16 John E. Kerrigan ’53 10/8/18 John L. Ochsner MD ’48 C 7/6/18

UC Berkeley Frank J. Wright ’43

7/3/16

UCLA Byron A. Batcheller ’52 William G. Moody ’56 James R. Oliver ’59 Dean D. Whitehead ’54

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Wesleyan 3/7/17 10/3/18 5/28/16 1/4/18

Robert H. Calvert ’50 Albert R. Moro ’48 John Pfeiffer Jr. ’51 Walter N. Plaut ’41

6/12/18 11/9/16 3/3/17 7/4/16

Utah

West Virginia

Thomas H. Caine ’53 C 10/6/18 John E. Craighead ’52 1/10/17 Leon H. Saunders ’61 7/13/18

William J. Ansel ’81 6/12/18 Robert E. Haden ’60 C 8/24/18 Jack H. Hammond ’71 6/29/18 R. T. Linger MD ’46 C 7/23/18 Harry W. Moore Sr. ’53 9/11/18 Joel F. Rhein ’57 C 5/19/18

Vanderbilt John P. Canby ’51 C 7/15/17 Thomas R. James ’50 1/1/17 Walter Scott Jr. ’48 C 10/14/18 Robert J. Williamson MD ’47 C 7/6/18 Robert S. Yurick MD ’54 9/21/18

Virginia John M. Lee ’53 John K. Rhoades ’70 Roland T. Sheets ’61

9/22/16 1/18/17 5/24/16

Virginia Tech Harris R. Dunaway Jr. ’75

5/30/16

Wabash Charles W. Goering ’51 Evan R. Hansen ’19 Thomas A. Klingaman ’52 John W. Thomas MD ’60

3/30/17 9/10/18 6/1/18 6/5/18

Washington Robert C. Bale ’57 C 7/22/18 Robert C. Hamblin ’54 5/21/16 Warren C. Lindblad ’50 C 7/27/18 David M. Marriott ’67 4/30/18 Paul R. Marriott ’64 C 9/26/18

Washington & Jefferson James S. Dickson ’40 Ralph G. Fennell MD ’60 William A. Horne ’39 William W. Reese Jr. ’46

7/7/16 9/3/14 3/7/17 11/24/16

Washington and Lee

Toronto Richard J. Mitchele ’59 Anton P. Sluga ’88

Frederick L. Comstock ’52 Antonio J. Faga ’73 H. L. Muller ’52 J. D. Torpie ’57

James M. Boswell ’57 C 5/22/18 Thomas V. Litzenburg Jr. ’57 5/19/18 Wood T. Sparks ’67 C 5/12/18

Washington in St. Louis Edgar L. Bland ’56 C Samuel A. Grantham ’52 James E. Gross ’45 Guy C. McMillan Jr. ’39 Edwin C. Mulcahy ’62 Raymond A. Ritter Jr. ’59

5/31/18 9/19/16 6/7/18 10/3/18 2/8/17 5/16/18

Washington State William W. Dobler ’57 C 6/8/17 Hans H. Grunbaum ’55 9/23/18

Western Ontario Alexander G. Harrison ’52

9/7/18

Western Reserve John S. Ely ’48 12/28/17 John J. Gasper ’59 4/26/18 Michael C. Zand ’58 C 8/27/18

Westminster Thomas H. Hervey ’62 C 6/14/18 Peter F. Peck ’60 5/20/18 Daniel R. Sheehy ’65 6/29/18 George L. Wachtell ’51 6/1/16

Whitman Lewis R. Johnson ’43

7/18/16

Larry H. Lovrien South Dakota ’73 10/31/18 Former vice president of Beta’s Board of Trustees, Lovrien was chapter president as an undergraduate and served the General Fraternity for 10 years as district chief. A devoted community servant, he was a long-time circuit court judge, youth soccer coach and dedicated member of the United Methodist Church.

Evan R. Hansen Wabash ’19 9/10/18 Linebacker and senior captain of the Wabash football team, Hansen took his own life on World Suicide Prevention Day following at least a year of dealing with depression. A beloved member of Tau Chapter, he served as chapter secretary and sergeant-atarms with hopes of being a nurse and Spanish translator in an underprivileged community.

Wichita State George D. Anderton Jr. ’87 C Dale E. Greenlee ’55 James E. Gross ’10 Clifford V. Jones ’70

9/7/18 4/12/18 6/7/18 6/16/18

Willamette David J. Erickson ’59

6/29/17

Williams Douglas G. Burgoyne ’52 2/5/17 Emmet B. Herndon ’45 C 4/25/18

Wisconsin Harold H. Eberhardt ’48 5/11/17 John B. Jaske ’66 10/15/16 William R. Meythaler ’69 10/9/17 Donald B. Thayer ’72 C 6/1/18

Wittenberg David D. Mattes ’59 8/30/18 Wayne O. Maurer ’90 C 6/7/18 Albert G. Powell ’52 C 7/4/18 Frederick H. Wise ’60 7/20/18

Yale John E. Eckelberry ’55 Richard A. Grainger ’59 Richard E. Harris ’54 Frank M. Henry ’55

10/27/16 3/9/18 3/15/17 6/3/18

Weber State 11/1/17 9/14/17 10/24/18 6/13/18

David G. Scott ’74

11/17/16

11/21/18 3:04 AM

bridge builder society member spotlight | Rick Banks, Cornell ’72

“

“I went from being skeptical about the future of Greek life to becoming an optimist, entirely because of the approach Beta is taking with the Men of Principle initiative and its leadership programs.”

THE BETA THETA PI | WINTER 2019 | BETA.ORG/BBS Like most of you, joining Beta was a cornerstone of my college experience at Cornell. There, I found both a tight-knit brotherhood that has endured over time, and my wife, Maryanne, who I met at the Beta Delta house 50 years ago.

I’ve seen first-hand the challenges we face in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our undergraduates.

Amidst difficult times nearly 10 years ago, Cornell alumni decided to bring our chapter to near closure and revitalize the brotherhood under the Fraternity’s Men of Principle initiative. The on site General Fraternity support was important at the time, but the long-term effects Beta’s leadership development programs have had on our young men have proven invaluable. Beta Theta Pi is now reognized as one of the premier Greek organizations at Cornell.

I went from being skeptical about the future of Greek life to becoming an optimist, entirely because of the approach Beta is taking with the Men of Principle initiative and its leadership programming. As a society, we place a high priority on supporting causes that reflect our values and are important to us. That’s why the Fraternity is now included in my estate planning. Not only in gratitude for my own Beta experience, but because I’m committed to keeping Beta strong and helping develop our undergraduates into leaders of the future.

Rick Banks, Cornell ’72, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. His 40-year career with his alma mater developed his expertise in advancement and strategic planning, which he uses today as consulting vice president at Grenzebach Glier and Associates. In addition to the Foundation Board of Directors, Banks has served on several other nonprofit boards, including The William George Agency for Children’s Services and the Community Foundation of Tompkins County. He still lives in his college town of Ithaca, New York, with his wife, Maryanne.

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11/21/18 3:07 AM

MUTUAL AID AND ASSISTANCE

BETA.ORG/GIFT

A

ccording to local legend, a midnight kiss shared between two Miami University students under the archway of Upham Hall promises lasting love.

David Navadeh, Cornell ’19, hoped to take part in this tradition with his Beta Sweetheart and Miami student, Alexandra, but needed help cementing his own ties to the university.

His Miami Beta brothers were quick to offer a gesture of mutual aid and assistance, as they’ve done for one another so many times before. Hours before the couple’s midnight kiss and surprise proposal, the Alpha Chapter initiated David as Roll No. 2876, making the “Miami Merger” possible.

David Navadeh ’19 | Beta Delta No. 2011 | Alpha No. 2876

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11/25/18 10:31 PM