NEWSWORTHY
NEWSWORTHY
RECORD RECRUITMENT
19 IFC PRESIDENTS
EXPANSION DRUM ROLL, PLEASE . . .
W & L CHAPTER CLOSED FOR HAZING
HAINES APPOINTED
REGISTRATION OPEN
With the books closed, making official 2,509 men pledged in fall 2017, the Fraternity broke the 2,500-person mark for only the second time in history. The Fraternity’s chapters and colonies worked incredibly hard throughout the summer and early fall to ensure the lifeblood of the Fraternity was nourished with principled young men and leaders. (Above, Carleton’s fall 2017 pledge class.)
As though 10 Betas elected student body president last spring weren’t an indication of the character of Beta Theta Pi, this fall interfraternal peers elevated 19 Betas to lead their IFCs. “The Father of the Interfraternity Movement,” Beta’s own William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878/Columbia 1881, would certainly be proud. (Above, Henry Poulin, Northeastern ’19; see page 50 for extended coverage.)
6 THE BETA THETA PI
The Fraternity is pleased to announce it has been selected to re/colonize the following campuses in the 2018-19 academic year. Contact Director of Expansion David Greis, Kentucky ’14, at david.greis@beta.org to learn how you can support the young men who will build these strong new Beta chapters: 1) University of Colorado Boulder (Beta Tau Chapter) 2) Florida Gulf Coast University 3) James Madison University (pictured) 4) University of New Mexico
General Secretary Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73, has named lore enthusiast Zac Haines, Miami ’05, as Beta’s sixth General Fraternity Archivist since 1891. betahaines@gmail.com
JOIN THE CLUB
This year’s undergraduates have access to some slick Beta socks by joining the Sons of the Dragon Club with a gift of $18.39 to the BLF by April 1: beta.org/dragons.
Following an investigation into the chapter’s new member program due to reports of alleged hazing – which was met with resistance, a lack of transparency and no effort to hold individuals accountable – the Board of Trustees announced closure of the Alpha Rho Chapter at Washington and Lee on February 26, 2018. In the days that followed, General Secretary Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73, shared, “Let there be no misunderstanding, Beta Theta Pi will not condone hazing by any chapter, at any time, on any campus. The choice is clear and the Fraternity’s position is unequivocal.”
Norfolk, Virginia, will play home to the 179th General Convention, and it’s sure to be another one for the history books. Registration is now open at beta.org/convention!
GREEK ROYALTY
Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnus and actress Meghan Markle, Northwestern ’03, recently became engaged to Prince Harry. The couple will marry at Windsor Castle on May 19.