MArching Along
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SENATOR LUGAR KNIGHTED On April 16, former U.S. Senator of Indiana Dick Lugar, Denison ’54, was named an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He joins an exclusive list of Americans who have been knighted, including former Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Lugar is pictured with his wife, Char, and grandchildren.
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AIDING BOSTON MARATHON VICTIMS During emergencies there are always people who run towards the danger. Dr. Chris Rupe, Kansas ’00, did exactly that during the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy. The explosions happened seconds after Chris finished the marathon, and he immediately began helping those injured from the blasts. Thank you, Chris. You truly are a man of principle.
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WATCH OUT, HOLLYWOOD Are you a fan of NBC’s “The Voice”? Joey Femia, Central Florida ’12, works for the show’s production team. Joey has also worked for Fox’s “X Factor”. The future is bright for this brother! Connect with him at jfemia@knights.ucf.edu.
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INVESTING IN EDUCATION The University of Utah is receiving a new building with the help of Oxford Cup Recipient Spence Eccles Sr., Utah ’56. Joining him at the groundbreaking ceremony for the George S. Eccles Student Life Center were current members of his Gamma Beta Chapter. Connect with Spence at sfeccles@efventures.com.
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A SURVIVOR’S JOURNEY In 2007, Matt Cotcher, Texas ’94, was diagnosed with a Grade II ependymoma, a racquetball-sized tumor wrapped around his brainstem. Following an emergency nine-hour surgery, three months of hospitalization and four subsequent surgeries, Matt’s journey included relearning to walk, talk and swallow because of damage to his brainstem. In 2011, Matt and two brain tumor survivors founded “Hawktober” (hawktober.com), a nonprofit organization to raise awareness for brain tumors. They launched the “I CANcer” initiative to motivate and empower survivors to push through physical and emotional challenges they face. Matt’s proving he CAN too, after completing the Austin Marathon in 4:19:28 this year. Congratulate Matt at mlcotcher@gmail.com.
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NEW TRUSTEE AT MIAMI Congrats to David Budig, Miami ’84, on being selected as Miami University’s newest member of the Board of Trustees. Budig will serve a nine-year term that began in March and ends in February 2022.
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COMMUNICATIONS GURU Tom Wheeler, Ohio State ’68, has been nominated to become the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Congrats on this major accomplishment, Tom, and good luck in the new role!
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SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENTS William Pease, M.D., Vanderbilt ’77, of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center received the Distinguished Physician Award from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Congratulate him at wpease@aol.com.
Have you been “marching along” with achievements? Email beta@betathetapi.org or mail a letter to the Administrative Office with the subject line “Marching Along.”
www.betathetapi.org
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