Nearly 500 brothers and guests gathered in St. Louis for the 186th General Convention this summer. Dive into the highlights, packed with awards, Fraternity business and Beta inspiration.
22
Parent Op-Ed
With his freshman son smoking pot, posting a 2.35 GPA and spiraling in the wake of COVID and his parents’ separation, John Lee, Oklahoma State ’84, finally stepped in. He called his chapter’s recruitment chair.
26
The Ones That Got Away
Many fraternities boast industry greats who didn’t “Go Beta” but still bring remarkable credit to the fraternity experience.
38
The Beta Store
Introducing Beta’s new official shop for everyday staples, premium apparel, monthly merch drops and custom designed chapter/group orders.
46 Storyteller
Authoring six historic Beta books and some 40 issues of The Beta Theta Pi, the Fraternity pays tribute to its first full-time communication director, Editor Emeritus Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53.
The Beta Theta Pi
On the Cover High-profile fraternity alumni represent the quality of Beta’s interfraternal friends.
The first college fraternity magazine, founded December 15, 1872, by Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869, and published continuously since.
Publication Schedule
Winter Jan. 15 Feb. 15
Spring April 15 May 15 Fall Oct. 15 Nov. 15
Who Receives the Beta Magazine?
All Beta collegians and parents, current and former volunteers, Foundation donors, and anyone who requests to receive it in print. Update your subscription and contact info at my.beta. org, 800.800.BETA or officemanager@beta.org
How Does One Get Published?
Content submissions and photos can be sent to beta@beta.org or:
While space constraints make it difficult to include all submissions, a fair evaluation process is exercised to publish a variety of unique content.
Want Instant Access to a Past Issue?
All issues since 1872 can be accessed in Beta’s digital archive: magazine.beta.org.
The Beta Theta Pi, (USPS 052-000), official magazine of Beta Theta Pi, is owned by the Fraternity, edited and published under the direction and control of its Board of Trustees, and published fall, winter and spring for a $30 one-time, prepaid subscription. Standard nonprofit 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.
historical throwback
Hardison's May 1924 Beta invoice indicates monthly social dues were $3.00, his room was $12.50 and his meal plan was $31.00.
Century-Old Beta Scrapbooks Make Their Way to Oxford
Most Betas document milestone moments these days via their cell phone cameras thanks to Apple's 2007 launch of the iPhone. And the 20 years of technological evolution since have made logging even more dynamic given the ability to record video and sound. But in the early 1920s, Betas weren't privy to such advancements to memorialize personal history. They went old school: They scrapbooked.
In 2023, General Fraternity Archivist and Historian Zac Haines, Miami '04, was able to secure two such treasures of Frederick Hardison, Texas 1927, (left) and Cyril Moore, Miami 1922, (right). Bound in beautifully preserved suede and branded with Beta's coat of arms, both include vintage photos of football games, military assignments and Beta Sweethearts, news clippings, receipts, dance cards, Initiation banquet programs and life in the chapter house.
foreword
editor’s note
Editor Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 martin.cobb@beta.org
Chief Communication Officer Justin Warren, SMU ’10 justin.warren@beta.org
Creative Director Sarah Shepherd sarah.shepherd@beta.org
Director of Brand Marketing Mike Roupas, Iowa ’10 mike.roupas@beta.org
Director of Digital Media Sutton Jacobs, Wittenberg ’18 sutton.jacobs@beta.org
Publication Printer Royle Printing Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Let's face it, when it comes to Beta Theta Pi, we talk about ourselves a lot. From triumphs and accolades won, to disappointments and frustrations needing attention, given the pivotal role the Fraternity plays throughout our lives, it's natural we're a little self-centered.
It's for those reasons that our magazine's editorial team often explores feature subjects we believe are critical to the health and well-being of the Fraternity. In interfraternal circles, it's a running joke that "Beta's comm team is a serious bunch." If I'm being frank, we take it as a badge of honor.
Caring for the Fraternity, of course, does not mean we don't see or value the lighter side of the organization. The fun, learning and love nurtured by Beta Theta Pi is certainly the lifeblood that has kept it going for 186 years.
Nor do our intellectually curious leanings mean we're not good sports. Humility has been an endearing characteristic of Beta Theta Pi ever since William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878, was coined by others as "The Father of Interfraternalism" given his highmindedness about the fraternity experience at-large.
So, it is in that spirit — recognizing this topic has been on our idea board for years — this issue takes a pause focusing purely on Beta subjects and nods to our friendly rivals' success on the membership front. After all, so much of western civilization has been shaped by fraternity men. As you read, several personalities will raise eyebrows. Even more are sure to prompt grins and inner nods of approval.
Like in sports, surely a confident fraternity like Beta Theta Pi is not threatened by nodding to the all-stars of its friendly competitors. For an experience Betas believe in so passionately, it's fitting we take a moment now and again to acknowledge others who also bring it credibility.
Sincerely and in ___kai___,
"Like in sports, surely a confident fraternity like Beta Theta Pi is not threatened by nodding to the allstars of its friendly competitors.
For an experience Betas believe in so passionately, it's fitting we take a moment now and again to acknowledge others who also bring it credibility."
the inbox
unfiltered feedback
“Coverage of brothers who received the Congressional Medal of Honor was an outstanding reminder for everyone of their sacrifice.
I intend to carry this issue with me to revisit the monument listing the names of all medal recipients in Indianapolis, where I have read the citations out loud in the past to show my appreciation to each one.”
— Jonathan Brant, Miami ’75 General Fraternity President
“As a proud Beta for over 60 years, and a United States Air Force officer for 25 years, I wish to commend [the Fraternity] for the outstanding cover and article on our greatest Beta heroes. Although certainly not our only combat heroes, these brothers, by their conspicuous gallantry, brought legendary and mythological status to their names, and to our Fraternity. They truly were men of principle.
The four who died defending our nation were young men who had bright futures ahead of them but did not hesitate to make the fateful decision to put mission over that of their own life and limb. May God bless them. And, thank God I am a Beta.” — Yancey Swearingen, Alabama ’67
“Thank you so much for writing the Medal of Honor article in the spring magazine. The photos were special.
Terry Graves, Miami ’67, was a very special man. Upon graduating, that November he returned to Oxford to visit the brothers and his fiancé, Sylvia Beam of Louisville, a sorority sister of my wife, Cathy, Delta Delta Delta. The last time I was with Terry, we were in the tower of the Beta house.
magazinefeedback
He commented with great enthusiasm that he was looking forward to going to Vietnam, and that he would return with many medals.
Flash forward over 50 years, I was with Terry’s brother, Rick Graves, Miami ’71, during a Beta alumni event. When I talked about my last visit with Terry, Rick said he told everyone the same story including their mom and dad. But he said only to Rick that he also did not think he would survive his one-year deployment.
He arrived in Vietnam in January 1968 and was killed the following month during the offensive. One can only imagine what great things he would have accomplished had he survived that war and returned home. Sad.
I leave you with a happy Terry story, however.
During the end of rush in January 1963, Terry was ‘hot boxed’ while visiting the Sigma Chi house at the opposite end of E. High Street here in Oxford. He had accepted the Sigma Chi pledge pin but made one request. He wanted to visit the Beta house one last time to thank the brothers for the great rush they had given him. The Sigs reluctantly agreed with two conditions: (1) five brothers would ac-
company him as security to the Beta house, and (2) the ‘thank you’ had to happen on the front porch, NOT inside the house.
So, Terry walked up to the Beta house and had a tearful goodbye with his Beta friends. He then turned to meet the five ‘bodyguards’ by the walk to the then-Administrative Office where he stopped, said ‘Screw it!’ while removing the Sigma Chi pledge pin, turned and ran back to the cheering crowd on the Beta porch. The rest, as they say, is history!” — Tom Fey, Miami ’68
“I am the Eta Chapter chapter counselor at UNC and class of 1997. I read ‘The Sacrificial Six’ article in the spring Beta magazine, which was well done. Per the encouragement of Ash Pipkin, North Carolina ’60, we now have Brother Jensen’s Silver Star citation installed in the Eta Chapter’s trophy room.”
— Bryant Duke Paris III, North Carolina ’97
“It isn’t often that small Beta chapters receive much publicity in our magazine, but thanks for the article on page 20 of the spring 2025 edition. I am a graduate of Bowdoin College class of 1960 and reader
of our Beta magazine for over six decades.
Never has my chapter received such significant publicity as was described in the article titled ‘The Sacrificial Six.’ I was very proud to join the chapter when Bowdoin was an allmale college and when it was considering accepting qualified females but, unfortunately, near the decision to eliminate all fraternities from Bowdoin.
I do not know how your decision is made relative to brothers currently receiving our mailed magazine, but if there are significant members not, I would like to have your office mail that article or the entire issue explaining why when members are recognized for meaningful actions. There is no better publicity for the schools involved and, especially, the chapters of our Fraternity.”
— Frederic Johnson, Bowdoin ’60
“You probably know this, but in the article on the Medal of Honor, McGuire is the namesake of McGuire Air Force Base. It was a great article.” — Ed Corlew, Tennessee ’81
(Editor’s Note: Indeed, brother. A fitting reminder is on page 25.)
very impressed
“A group of us Beta alums from the early 1970s visited our alma mater the weekend of April 4-5 for a long delayed reunion. We contacted the current president George Gale, Washington in St. Louis ’27, in advance and he graciously invited our group to a lunch at their house on Saturday. About 20 of us old guys attended and were warmly greeted by George and many of the actives who seemed genuinely interested in our old photos and stories about fraternity life in the 1970s.
We were very impressed by the young men in the house. Many are involved not only in Greek life but athletics and other activities. Their GPA is terrific. George related the challenges the chapter has faced recently but is optimistic they are getting back on track to be in good standing and move back into the beautiful new Beta house the university built several years ago. As chapter leaders from our era, we can relate to the challenges of maintaining a positive Greek experience in a campus atmosphere that was generally not supportive. This chapter has 70 actives! We were lucky to have 30 at any one time.
The fact that the chapter welcomed us and was interested in Beta lore and traditions from our time is a positive sign to the Fraternity and university leadership who make decisions on chapter status. We hope you give them every opportunity to continue to grow and succeed. From our standpoint, these young men don’t seem that different from us many years ago.
Of course, we did have better hair.
Yours in -kai-”
Joe Davidson, Washington in St. Louis ’74 Former Chapter President
Mark Irwin, Washington in St. Louis ’74 Former Chapter President
Curt Beck, Washington in St. Louis ’75 Former Chapter President
Fraternal 50 recognition. We have another brother, Dick Bachelder, Bowdoin ‘78, who got his today! Dick was in a freak ski accident three years ago that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His positive attitude is incredible and inspiring. We have weekly calls together called ‘Happy Hour with Bach’ and have over 100 friends that circle in and out each week for stories (no fact checking) and laughs.
A lot of them are Betas from 1971-1983. Originally, we thought we could boost his spirits and found he is actually doing that for all of us. Lots of unfaltering fidelity and unsullied friendships.”
— Jamie Jones, Bowdoin ’79
newsworthy
fraternity updates
Trustees Direct Staff to Develop Mental Health Initiative
With rates of depression and loneliness among young men on the rise, and external research and Beta’s own Brotherhood Assessment data correlating community and connection to improved well-being, Trustees recently added a “fostering belonging and wellness” initiative to the Fraternity’s strategic plan. Including a commissioner who will provide volunteer leadership on the matter, read more about the plan’s six priorities at beta.org/strategic-plan.
Expansions Boom; Chapter Closed at American
Beta Makes Interfraternal Waves
In May, Beta secured seven writing, design and digital media honors at the Fraternity Communications Association meeting in Denver, the most of any fraternity. Creative Director Sarah Shepherd was also elected president, following in the footsteps of acclaimed Beta Editors Shepardson, Johnson and Olver.
Founding fathers have been recruited into Beta’s expansion projects this fall and, with class sizes to-date denoted in parentheses, local volunteers and staff recruitment teams recently shared results at two reestablishments, UC Berkeley (11) and Chico State (38), and two new chapters at Mississippi State (50, above) and New Hampshire (40). Unfortunately, on July 24, closure of Eta Pi Chapter at American University was announced due to hazing.
During the 186th General Convention in St. Louis, Trustees also confirmed $200,000 and $10,000 gifts to the NIC and Association of Fraternity Advisors, respectively, for campaigns focused on fraternity research, advocacy and professional development.
Mississippi State University Founding Fathers | October 19, 2025
beta events greek headlines
A | Sale of Penn State Beta House Forced After Hazing Death
On July 18, Penn State’s board of trustees approved purchase of the Beta house for $7.3 million following the chapter’s closure and years of litigation stemming from the 2017 hazing death of Tim Piazza. The 23,000-square-foot house has been owned by Alpha Upsilon House Corporation since 1928. A deed covenant stipulated Penn State had the right to reacquire it if the property “ceased to be used as a Fraternity.”
B | Sig Ep’s Llamas Named Anchor of NBC Nightly News
Following 10 years as anchor of NBC Nightly News, Lester Holt officially stepped down from the post this past summer and handed the baton to Loyola University New Orleans graduate Tom Llamas, Sigma Phi Epsilon. A Florida native, Llamas has won multiple Emmy Awards and two Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcasting.
C | Pike President Ordered to Pay $6.5 Million in Hazing Case
Last December 12, the Franklin County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas ordered Bowling Green Chapter President Daylen Dunson, Pi Kappa Alpha , to pay $6.5 million in damages to the family of Stone Foltz. Foltz died in 2021 from the forced consumption of alcohol on big brother night.
D | Four-Time Grammy-Winning Roberta Flack Remembered
Known for her chart-topping singles “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” Roberta Flack, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., passed on February 24. Flack earned four Grammys and was the first to win Record of the Year in consecutive years.
19 Boise State Installation Boise, Idaho jzazzara188@gmail.com
24-25 Board of Trustees Spring Meeting Denver, Colorado jeff.rundle@beta.org
Learn more at beta.org/calendar. Upcoming alumni event? Email specifics to alumni@beta.org!
Deferred Recruitment
Eliminated for Freshmen
In a nod to retention data and the power of helping freshmen build support networks more quickly, the University of Maryland and George Washington University recently announced policy changes eliminating deferred recruitment. Wittenberg University enacted a similar change in 2024. Fall freshmen are now permitted to join fraternities and sororities at will.
Beta’s 186th General Convention in the Gateway City
By Sutton Jacobs, Wittenberg ’18
Beta Spirit flowed across the campus of Washington University in St. Louis — home of the Alpha Iota Chapter — and through the Gateway City during Beta’s 186th General Convention. Nearly 500 brothers, Beta Sweethearts and Friends of Beta came together for the Fraternity’s joyful annual reunion July 31 to August 3, 2025.
It was only the fourth time the Convention convened in St. Louis. In fact, the last time doing so was the 75th General Convention in 1914, nearly 50 years before construction began on a now-famous arch that rises over the city. Prior to that, the timing of the 65th Convention was perfect for Beta brothers of the day to also experience the 1904 Summer Olympics and St. Louis World’s Fair.
While this year’s reunion did not coincide with a buzzing global event just across town, it was full of the pomp and circumstance that brings Betas together from near and far. The campus atmosphere made the 186th unique — the first time the Fraternity took over a campus that wasn’t Miami University for its annual reunion — as alumni reminisced of their own collegiate days. The camaraderie of brothers and friends was infectious from the moment they stepped on campus, reuniting with dear friends and making new ones at various receptions and outings. Several early arrivals hit the links for a relaxing start to their Convention experience, enjoying a round of golf in the Dragon Classic golf tournament.
The 186th General Convention officially kicked off on Thursday in the grandeur of Graham Chapel, which proved to be quite the venue for the weekend’s general sessions with its dazzling acoustics as the collective voice of the Singing Fraternity filled the room.
More than 150 awards were received by 80 chapters and individuals on Thursday and Saturday nights, a true testament of success across Beta’s Broad Domain during the past year. Among
them, 23 chapters received the coveted John Reily Knox Award for excellence in operations and 32 the newly redesigned Francis H. Sisson Award — now a bronzed marble dragon atop a pedestal. Recognition of worthy Fraternity men carried into Saturday, when Paul Swartz, Kansas State ’64, accepted the Francis W. Shepardson Award for his years of service advancing the Beta mission, vision and core values locally and as a member of the Board of Trustees.
The energy from Convention Kickoff carried into Friday morning’s Model Initiation, one of Convention’s greatest traditions. This by the book walkthrough of the Initiation Ceremony was led by a spectacular cast. During which, the Washington in St. Louis chapter offered three of its own the incredible experience to be initiated into Beta’s merry band by brothers representing nearly 150 chapters: Ameer Hajji ’28, Brock Wrisberg ’28, and Connor May ’28 (pictured right to left on page 12)
The Beta Foundation wowed guests with the progress of the $25 million Build the Bridge Campaign (learn more on page 72) at its invite-only John Reily Knox Club Recognition Dinner on Friday. Special guest Linda Del Pizzo — Beta Sweetheart of the late Ferd Del Pizzo, Washington in St. Louis ’58, a legendary influence on chapters across the state of Missouri — was
Left: The sound of the “Beta Doxology” fills Graham Chapel, concluding Model Initiation. Right: Westminster’s Louis Beasley ’65, and Jim Middleton ’67, enjoy full plates at Saturday’s Beta Barbecue.
BUSINESS OF THE FRATERNITY
CHAPTER STATUS CHANGES
Alpha Mu Chapter Samford returned to good standing
Sigma Rho Chapter Illinois returned to good standing
Eta Gamma Chapter Florida International appeal of disbandment denied
Theta Kappa Chapter LSU charter petition approved
Theta Lambda Chapter Boise State charter petition approved
LEGISLATIVE OUTCOMES
Proposal 1 Standardization of Chapter Officer Elections — Failed as amended
Proposal 3 Scholastic Requirements for Initiation — Approved as amended
BOARD ELECTIONS
General Secretary John Stebbins, Emory ’92
Trustees Nick Gilson, Utah ’03; Rod Kelley, Florida State ’14; Willie Romero, UNLV ’95
Scan the QR code to view the Legislation summary and minutes or visit beta.org/legislation
warmly welcomed back to Convention and was a star of the evening’s program that honored Ferd at his alma mater.
Of course, the time-old traditions of the Beta and Convention Countdowns are a favorite every year. Brother Tom Lipton, Western Reserve ’63, once again traveled in from Germany for another milestone: his 55th Convention. Meanwhile this year’s honor for most years a Beta went to 1959-initiate Art Carmichael, Oregon ’62. The 186th also saw the return of the Sweetheart Countdown, where Brother Swartz captured the hearts of the audience with his wife of 58 years, Kay.
Chapter and alumni delegates conducted the business of the Fraternity with efficiency all day Saturday, considering just three proposals to The Code of Beta Theta Pi. Only Proposal 1 on Standardization of Chapter Officer Elections sparked debate, as a similar submission did a year ago, and ultimately failed. All four re/elections of candidates to the Board of Trustees were approved without objection, including General Secretary John Stebbins, Emory ’92, who was entrusted to lead the Great and Good Fraternity for another term.
This year, more time was spent on considering chapter statuses. Each of the four chapters petitioning to re/ charter — Boise State, Illinois, LSU and Samford — was approved without contention. None celebrated more than LSU, which has persisted through a decade of establishment to become the Theta Kappa of Beta Theta Pi. Appreciation was equally shared by the floor with Regional Chief Chuck Graves, Middle Tennessee State ’94, for his work this year to have two chapters within the South Region approved to re/charter.
Top Right: Trustee Aaron Kozuki, Washington in St. Louis ’05, stands with his newly initiated chapter brothers. Above: LSU brothers celebrate following the approval by delegates for their chapter to receive its charter. Opposite Page: Award winner Henry Jonas, Appalachian State ’25, provides remarks on his Beta journey.
“
I did not find Beta, Beta found me. It is the greatest gift I have ever received and I hope to give that gift to the next generation of Betas to follow.
Henry Jonas, Appalachian State ’25
Jerry M. Blesch General Secretary Leadership Award
What’s completely necessary for the continued success of this Fraternity is for us to just be selfless. Give ourselves to others. Focus in on what’s good and pure and true.
John Smid, Toronto ’99 Regional Chief of the Year “
Across campus, the Keystone at Convention track offered continuing education for vice presidents of finance while collegians at-large gained critical career-prep skills at the Peter F. Greiner Leadership College. However, it was the introduction of various improvements to chapter operations that stole the show for collegiate sessions. Just weeks before traveling to St. Louis, the Fraternity launched an all-new MyBeta experience designed with collegians, alumni and volunteers in mind. (Claim your account and check it out for yourself at my.beta.org!)
In addition to rekindling brotherly bonds, conducting Fraternity business and reigniting Beta Spirit, Convention attendees were challenged to not just share messaging about Beta, but also live intentionally. Following the Model Initiation, Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05, spoke on how to do just that in guided discussion on the meaning and value found within the principles of Beta Theta Pi.
Ethan Braden, Willamette ’02, continued that conversation from a different perspective. Backed by his industry experience in university and corporate communications, he spoke on the importance of a value proposition and showing what sets Beta apart from peer fraternities on campus.
“We can look back a hundred years and see that we are anchored in timeless, needed, timely, relevant, meaningful values,” he said. “That’s Beta. It’s the friendship, the belonging, the community, the home that each of you found — and that we’re going to secure for another 186 years.”
Even after the sun set on campus, Convention remained lively and words of wisdom continued from Saturday’s final award winners. Among those, North American Interfraternity Conference CEO Jud Horras, Iowa State ’97, was in attendance to recognize Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96, with the NIC’s Alumnus of Distinction Award. In his remarks, Brother Cobb offered a powerful challenge to attendees as Convention came to a close: “Brothers, the world needs us to do more, to give more and to love more. The world needs more Beta Theta Pi.”
Top: Past Wooden Institute attendees and re/founding fathers hoist facilitator and Fraternity Growth staff member Cody Denton, Purdue ’18. Left: Attendees pen their names into history by signing the Convention Roll Book. Right: Paul Swartz, Kansas State ’64, (left) receives the Shepardson Award for his service to the Fraternity. Opposite Page: This year, 23 chapters received the coveted Knox Award.
CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION
CHAPTER AWARDS
John Reily Knox Award Nebraska (19), San Diego (16), Truman State (15), Miami (13), Georgia Tech (11), Centre (11), Idaho (11), Case Western Reserve (9), Creighton (8), New Jersey (7), Virginia Tech (6), Kentucky (5), Cincinnati (5), Texas (5), John Carroll (4), Elon (3), Iowa (2), Cal Poly (2), Pacific (2), Denison (1), High Point (1), Miami (Fla.) (1), Washington State (1)
Francis H. Sisson Award Georgia Tech (38), Nebraska (26), Georgia (24), Truman State (23), Idaho (22), Kansas (22), Cincinnati (20), Miami (19), San Diego (18), Centre (18), Case Western Reserve (17), Iowa (12), Texas (10), Virginia Tech (10), Oklahoma State (10), Creighton (9), Saint Louis (9), Kentucky (8), Iowa State (8), John Carroll (8), New Jersey (7), Cal Poly (7), High Point (6), Bethany (6), Washington State (6), South Carolina (6), Elon (5), Pacific (4), Furman (4), Denison (3), Miami (2), WPI (1)
John Holt Duncan Community Service Award Denver
Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award
Iowa (24 Total Attendees), Texas at Arlington (100% Chapter Participation)
North Dakota Award, Excellence in Chapter Publications Nebraska, Iowa State, Missouri
H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award for Excellence in Historical Preservation and Research Centre
Excellence in Risk Management South Florida
Advisory Team of the Year Colorado
Most Improved Chapter of Year Texas
Outstanding Alumni Association John Carroll
Outstanding Alumni Relations Nebraska
Outstanding Campus Involvement Oklahoma State
Outstanding New Member Education John Carroll
Outstanding Recruitment Program Illinois
VIRGINIA TECH AWARDS - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Highest GPA Kansas (3.75)
Most Improved GPA Kennesaw State (3.20 to 3.50)
Region GPA Leaders George Washington, Kansas, Kennesaw State, Miami, Miami (Fla.), Saint Louis, San Diego, Washington State, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, WPI
Top Fraternity GPA on Campus Arkansas, Bethany, Cal Poly, Centre, Eastern Kentucky, Elon, Embry-Riddle, George Washington, High Point, Iowa, James Madison, John Carroll, Kansas, Kennesaw State, Lawrence, Maryland, Miami, Nebraska at Omaha, Ohio State, Pacific, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Saint Louis, San Diego, San Diego State, South Florida, TCU, Texas at Arlington, Truman State, Utah, Wisconsin-Oshkosh
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Francis W. Shepardson Award Paul Swartz, Kansas State ’64
Jonathan J. Brant Interfraternalism Award Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, Lambda Chi Alpha
Jerry M. Blesch General Secretary Leadership Award Henry Jonas, Appalachian State ’25
Dr. Edward B. Taylor Chapter Counselor of the Year Katie Seutjens, Delta Gamma (Pennsylvania)
Charles W. Warner Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year McKenzie Pendry, Alpha Chi Omega (Iowa)
Regional Chief of the Year John Smid, Toronto ’99
District Chief of the Year Ian Ross, Michigan ’21
Rookie District Chief of the Year Kevin Levy, American ’16
Advisor of the Year Tom Schoelerman, Iowa State ’73
House Corp Volunteer of the Year Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 (Kentucky)
House Director of the Year Connie Moore (Iowa State)
Chapter President of the Year Grant Coulson, Pennsylvania ’27
Chapter Executive of the Year Agastya Goel, Pennsylvania ’26
Exemplary Campus Leadership Rithvik Lee Pack, South Florida ’26
NIC AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Alumnus of Distinction Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96
Chapter of Distinction Iowa
SINGING AWARDS
Best New Song “Dear Old Wooglin’s Crew” by Jackson Martin, Kentucky ’26
Whitman Choral Cup Oklahoma State
Scan the QR code to listen to the winners of both singing competitions or visit beta.org/186-awards
alumni
news lifelong brotherhood
Raised in a slave-owning family, Justice Harlan became known as “The Great Dissenter” for his lone votes against racial segregation.
Supreme Court’s “The Great Dissenter” Memorialized in Bronze
On October 17, and before a crowd of 500-plus, Centre College dedicated an inspiring bronze statue of its most famous graduate, Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, Centre 1850. Harlan grew up in a slave-owning family but, following service as a Union colonel, became known as the Supreme Court’s “Great Dissenter” for his lone votes against racial segregation. Coining the phrase “Our Constitution is colorblind” in Plessy v. Ferguson, his dissent served as the basis for reversing U.S. law in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 and the same-sex marriage ban in 2015. Placed on a main thoroughfare, and brought to life by renowned sculptor Ed Hamilton, the monument is positioned at eye level, void of a grand pedestal in a nod to Harlan’s principled stand rejecting castes in society. His line of sight also captures Hamilton’s statue of President Lincoln. Representing the General Fraternity were President Jonathan Brant, Miami ’75, Regional Chief Chuck Graves, Middle Tennessee State ’94, and the Fraternity’s editor. Harlan becomes the fourth Beta across the commonwealth to be memorialized in bronze, including UK founding President James K. Patterson, Hanover 1856; Senator John Sherman Cooper, Centre 1922; and Western Kentucky University Head Basketball Coach and Diddle Arena namesake, Ed Diddle, Centre 1919
Photo: Centre College/Brian Oates
alumni news
A | First Generation Centre Grad Earns Fulbright
Former Chapter President PhillipMichael Collins, Centre ’25, earned quite the graduation gift this past spring when he was named a 2025 Fulbright Scholar. An international studies and religion double major with a Middle Eastern studies minor, coupled with studying abroad in Turkey and China, built his case for Fulbright placement. He is currently teaching English in the West Bank.
B | New Destroyer Named for Navy Secretary Mabus
The longest serving Navy secretary since World War I is soon to become namesake of the country’s newest destroyer. Announced earlier this year, the USS Mabus will honor the 2009-17 service of America’s 75th Navy secretary, Ray Mabus, Mississippi ’69. A Navy veteran, he was ambassador to Saudi Arabia 1994-96, and served as governor of Mississippi 1988-92. For his distinguished military and political career, in 2013 he was awarded the Oxford Cup, Beta’s highest honor for professional achievement.
C | Ball State Alum Elected to House of Representatives
The Beta staff was startled to recently learn that Frank Mrvan, Ball State ’91, was elected to Congress in 2021 and is serving his third term in the House of Representatives. A Democrat representing Indiana’s 1st Congressional District, Mrvan served as North Township trustee from 2005-21. Of Polish heritage, he was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana. After graduating from Oliver P. Morton High School, which is named for the former Indiana governor and Miami Beta alumnus, he earned a bachelor’s in journalism.
Beta Doc Named to TIME Top 100
Dr. Robert Montgomery, St. Lawrence ’82, was recently named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2025” given his revolutionary leadership in the world of organ transplantation. Pioneering laparoscopic kidney donation, he is also responsible for the first successful genetically modified pig-to-human kidney transplant. Read more about his inspiring career at beta.org/TIME100.
Photo: Brad Trent
D | Doctorate to OU Great
During commencement in Norman last May, energy executive Tom McCasland, Oklahoma ’56, was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters for “his extraordinary leadership, generosity and enduring impact on education.” In addition to decades of support of his beloved Gamma Phi Chapter, McCasland also served on Beta’s Foundation Board 2007-13.
E | The Pride of Northwestern
For his achievements as CEO of Adams Street Partners private equity fund and service as trustee and cochair of the “We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern,” Bon French, Northwestern ’75, was bestowed the Alumni Medal in October, the university’s highest alumni recognition.
F | A Lifetime of Philanthropy
The University of Nebraska Foundation has bestowed the Scott Medal, its inaugural award for lifetime achievement in philanthropy, on Carl Mammel, Nebraska ’55. A prominent business leader, Mammel made the largest gift in the history of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, resulting in the construction of Mammel Hall, home of its College of Business Administration.
G | DiPaolo: Walking the Talk
A former trustee and beloved facilitator at Beta leadership programs, Dr. Don (Dipper) DiPaolo, Michigan ’78, was honored by the University of Detroit Mercy with the Mission Leadership Award at this fall’s convocation, recognizing one faculty member “who exemplifies and lives the mission of the university.”
alumni news
H | Space Survival Author
Maj. Joseph Puntoriero, Knox ’13, was recently recruited to author a chapter in “Survival in Space,” a new textbook by Kansas State professor Randall K. Nichols. Puntoriero’s chapter focuses on military theory and how war will occur from the terrestrial view to the interplanetary space.
I | On Fire
Tapped to compete in this past year’s Global XPRIZE Wildfire Competition, Ember Flash Aerospace CEO and Co-Founder Joseph Norris, Louisville ’99, is turning heads given his startup’s use of artificial intelligence to detect and extinguish wildfires before they grow out of control.
J | Distinguished Design
Architect Dr. Jack Smith, Utah ’53, continues to be honored by his industry, most recently for his role in the House at Eagle Creek, “one of the 100 most significant buildings in Idaho history.” His designs include Snowbird Resort in Salt Lake City, home to Beta’s 2017 General Convention.
K | Cuban Invests in GBA
Greek Basketball Association Founder Michael Bales, Indiana ’23, landed a big partner this spring: IU alumnus and billionaire investor Mark Cuban, Pi Lambda Phi. “The GBA has tapped into the passion of Greek life,” Cuban said. “This isn’t just a league; it’s a brand with serious upside.”
alumni news
L | Milestones Backward Run
It may have been 60 years since they first walked campus together in Cleveland, Ohio, but pledge brothers of 1965 from Lambda Kappa Chapter at Case Institute of Technology picked up right where they left off during a reunion in New Orleans this past April. As shared by Brother Henry Vernon ’68, “We were initiated on April 21, 1965, and several had not seen each other since our college days. The highlight of the reunion was dinner in the Rex Room at Antoine’s.”
M | From Athens to Munich
Ohio University Betas’ love for one another knows no bounds, as evidenced by a late 1980s foursome that traveled to Munich, Germany, this fall to stroll down memory lane, spread a little phi kai phi and, of course, enjoy Oktoberfest. Pictured left to right: Tom Douglas ’87; David Kershaw ’87; Martin Carbone ’88; and Bruce Skala ’88
N | Brotherhood at the Beach
Brothers from Wichita State’s fall 1983 pledge class reconnected in June at Indian Rocks Beach in Florida. As shared by former District Chief Brian Wells ’87, “We continue to stay in touch after all these years. Forty-two years has not dulled our brotherhood.”
Pictured left to right: Chris Rowland ’88; John Anderton ’88; Jeff DeGraffenreid ’88; and Wells ’87
O | 58 Years and Going
Beta’s Northeast Ohio Alumni Association gathered again in August for its 58th Annual Steakout. Including a day-long golf outing and concluding with a cookout, 30 Betas attended representing 10 chapters from across Beta’s Broad Domain.
$100 Million: Largest Gift in Georgia Tech History
His first gift to Georgia Tech was $100 in 1978, but when the $100 million estate gift from John Durstine ’56, (above, 1950s yearbook) came through in 2025, jaws dropped across higher ed. Known for his sharp intellect and quiet generosity, the lifelong Ford engineer directed his gift to faculty endowment within the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering to ensure it remains one of America’s top programs. Durstine’s bequest becomes the largest gift in Georgia Tech history.
FRATERNITY Means More Than Football and Parties
My son, Lucas, was a certifiable train wreck in high school. His mother and I had separated, which shook his world. He was smoking pot several times a day and was one absence away from not graduating. Somehow, he pulled together a decent GPA and a respectable college entrance score. He got his diploma. Barely.
Despite growing up on the beaches of California, Lucas chose to attend my alma mater, Oklahoma State University. It had everything to do with the 2011 OSU football season, the postcard-perfect campus and the shiny new Greenwood School of Music — nothing to do with Dad. I didn’t get much say in his housing choice. He picked an apartment with his own bedroom and bathroom — essentially married-student housing. No roommates. No chaos. No connection.
Then came COVID. Classes were online. Campus was quiet. His freshman year — what should have been a season of new friendships — was a bust. I’ll never forget the day he hit bottom. He called after walking through a field in beach flip-flops and getting eaten alive by chiggers.
He wasn’t in California anymore.
When OSU told students they could go home after Thanksgiving, he packed up and left. He ended the semester with a 2.35 GPA and no plans to return.
I’d seen enough. I stepped in.
I called the recruitment chair at my old fraternity and told him the good parts of Lucas’ story. “What’s his Instagram handle?” the young man asked. Apparently, you can size someone up in 30 seconds on social media. After a few video calls, the Beta house offered him a spring bid. I sweetened the deal with a car, a Stetson and a pair of cowboy boots.
When I asked whether he wanted to drive or ship the car, he said not to bother. “I probably won’t need it.” Not a good sign. He still had one foot out the door.
Then something happened. He moved into the Beta house on a Friday. On Monday, I got a call: “Hey Dad. I need my car.”
That’s when I knew. He was in.
The friendships he built with his 12 pledge brothers changed everything. He stopped smoking weed — thanks to peer pressure of the best kind — and earned a 3.8 GPA. I saw a spark return that I hadn’t seen in years.
In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general issued a national advisory on the loneliness epidemic. It’s not just emotional — it’s medical. Lacking social connection, the report said, carries health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Fraternity is just one example. If you’re a young man looking for your people, you don’t have to search blind. There’s
By K. John Lee, Oklahoma State '84
First featured in The Oklahoman, August 8, 2025
Design by Sarah Shepherd
already a catalog of community — it’s called the yearbook. Drama club, chess team, campus ministry, intramurals, music ensembles, student government — these are full of like-minded people looking for the same thing: belonging. If you show up, contribute and care, you’ll find your crew.
Lucas didn’t find a miracle. He found a group of guys who pulled him back in. Who challenged him. Who liked him, flaws and all.
We say kids need therapy — and sometimes they do. But sometimes, they just need 12 guys and a second chance.
Lucas’ final OSU football game was also the last Bedlam game. I told him to meet me on the 50-yard line if we won. Sorry Sooner fans — we won, and we stormed Boone Pickens Stadium.
When I saw Lucas, we hugged. I wept so hard my shoulders heaved. And when I finally pulled it together, I told him my happiness had nothing to do with the game and everything to do with his miracle.
He smiled, patted me on the shoulder, and said two simple words I’ll never forget: “I know.”
"We say kids need therapy — and sometimes they do. But sometimes, they just need 12 guys and a second chance."
After 38 years in Los Angeles, K. John Lee recently boomeranged back to his Oklahoma roots. He is a financier, real estate investor, former high school teacher and a father of two young men.
cut and polishedrefining men of principle
Tech Overload
The average man checks his phone over 100 times a day, not because he’s curious, but because he’s conditioned. Our devices promise connection and productivity, but often deliver the opposite: distraction, comparison and fatigue. Learning to use tech intentionally, not impulsively, is modern self-discipline.
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF CONSTANT CONNECTION
• Every notification is a dopamine trigger; our brains adapt to crave micro-stimulation.
• Multitasking feels productive but actually lowers efficiency by up to 40%.
• Blue light and mental stimulation before bed reduce melatonin and deepen insomnia cycles.
RECLAIM YOUR ATTENTION
• Digital Curfew | No screens an hour before sleep or within the first 30 minutes of waking.
• Set Boundaries | Turn off nonessential notifications; use “Do Not Disturb” for focus blocks.
• Single-Tasking | Try the “one tab, one task” technique; only keep one browser tab open to focus intently on a single activity. You’ll finish more and feel calmer.
RECONNECT
WITH THE REAL WORLD
• Replace idle scrolling with idle thinking by taking walks, driving without music and generally letting your mind wander.
• Practice “tech Sabbath” by unplugging on Sunday evenings or mornings each week.
• Touch base in person by grabbing coffee, tossing a ball or sharing a meal — real connection fills a tank your phone can’t.
• Cook, build, fix, draw or do anything tactile that reminds your hands (and brain) they were made for more than typing.
Staff Endorsed
Need a reset but lacking the willpower? Consider a device like Brick, which locks apps and notifications you find distracting until you physically (and intentionally) tap the NFC-tag equipped device to regain full access to your phone.
eponyms worldwide tributes
Named for Second Leading Ace of All Time, McGuire Air Force Base Turns 85
Opening as Fort Dix Army Airfield in 1941, the New Jersey air force base that was renamed in 1948 for Beta’s own Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr., Georgia Tech ’42, turns 85 this coming year. Such a milestone anniversary reminds Betas everywhere of justification for the name change, not to mention why President Franklin D. Roosevelt bestowed McGuire with the Medal of Honor.
On January 6, 1945, “Tom,” as he was affectionately known, voluntarily led a squadron of 15 fighter planes as cover for bombers over the Philippine Islands during World War II, when his formation was attacked by 20 Japanese fighters. He repeatedly aided embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while outnumbered 3-to-1. The next day, McGuire volunteered to lead fighters on another mission. Exposing himself to attacks to rescue a crippled bomber, he shot down one aircraft, parried the attack of four others, engaged three more and eventually secured his 38th victory. Attempting a risky maneuver to save a fellow flyer, he crashed and was killed upon impact.
McGuire remains America’s second all-time air ace. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Killed in action in WWII, Tom McGuire, Georgia Tech ’42, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Alpha Delta Phi.
Photo: U.S. Air Force
The Ones That Got Away
industry greats Who Didn’t “Go Beta” But still Bring Remarkable Credit to the Fraternity Experience
BY MARTIN COBB, EASTERN KENTUCKY ’96
DESIGNED
BY
MIKE ROUPAS, IOWA ’10
Beta Theta Pi boasts a storied history and a legion of alumni who have, for good reason, become household names across the continent. Names like Wooden, Walton and Nordstrom rarely need introduction.
But, so have many other fraternities. The likes of Bob Barker, Warren Buffett and Martin Luther King Jr. also lay claim to Greek life. Their fraternities celebrate them with justifiable pride, too.
Thus, in a nod to interfraternalism, a notion that actually finds its origins in Beta’s DNA, say hello to the ones that got away — industry greats who didn’t “Go Beta” but still bring remarkable credit to the fraternity experience.
Arts & Entertainment
The Ones That Got Away
Betas have earned at least seven Oscars, 10 Tonys, 15 Grammys, 81 Emmys and two Peabodys through the years, indicating just how successful the Fraternity has been in the arts — even claiming among its ranks Adam West, Whitman ’51, of “Batman” and Composer Stephen Sondheim, Williams ’50.
But Beta’s friendly rivals need not hang their heads. Some of the biggest names on screen, in print and in music honed their craft among fraternity brothers who encouraged them to pursue their passions — and then share them with the world.
$10B
Directing films like “Jaws,” “E.T.,” “Jurassic Park” and “Indiana Jones,” Steven Spielberg, Theta Chi, is the all-time highest grossing filmmaker.
Ted Cassidy
Alpha Sigma Phi Lurch on the “Addams Family”
Dr. Seuss
Sigma Phi Epsilon Author
Will Ferrell
Delta Tau Delta Actor
Johnny Carson Phi Gamma Delta “The Tonight Show” Host
Sigma Nu
“Being in a fraternity helped shape who I am today. It gave me lifelong friends, confidence and leadership experience that I still rely on.”
— Actor Brad Pitt, Sigma Chi
Steve
and more
Harvey Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Comedian
Tim McGraw Pi Kappa Alpha Country Singer
Jon Chu Sigma Phi Epsilon Movie Director
Jimmy Buffett Kappa Sigma Singer
Brad Pitt Sigma Chi Actor
Steven Spielberg Theta Chi Filmmaker
Bob Barker
“The Price Is Right” Host
Country Singer Zac Brown, Kappa Alpha
Movie Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Zeta Beta Tau
Country Singer Kenny Chesney, Lambda Chi Alpha • Glass Artist Dale Chihuly, Delta Kappa Epsilon
Comedian Cedric The Entertainer, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Star Chef Guy Fieri, Alpha Tau Omega
Actor Harrison Ford, Sigma Nu
Actor Don Knotts, Phi Sigma Kappa
TV Host David Letterman, Sigma Chi
Actor Matthew McConaughey, Delta Tau Delta
Actor Paul Newman, Phi Kappa Tau
Actor Robert Redford, Kappa Sigma
business & Industry
The Ones That Got Away
Robert Johnson Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Co-Founder, BET; First Black Billionaire
the rags to riches stories of Walmart Founder Sam Walton, Missouri ’40, and Pakistani immigrant turned CEO and Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Shad Khan, Illinois ’70, point to the “Pioneering Fraternity’s” emphasis on entrepreneuralism, determination and leadership.
Greek life incubates those same real life, critical-thinking, problem-solving skillsets no matter the letters on one’s chest, symbolized poignantly by some of the biggest brands, products and services in the marketplace.
Warren Buffett
Alpha Sigma Phi CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
6th
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, Alpha Sigma Phi, ranks the sixth wealthiest person in the world on Forbes’ 2025 list of billionaires.
Robert Cade Delta Upsilon Founder, Gatorade
Schwab
Sigma Nu Founder, Schwab Financial Services
Henry Bloch
Zeta Beta Tau Co-Founder, H&R Block
William Davidson
Alpha Tau Omega President, Harley-Davidson
“Because you will move in the direction of the people you associate with, why not associate with the best?”
— Investor Warren Buffett, Alpha Sigma Phi
Sigma Chi Co-Founder, Home Depot
and more
Truett Cathy Pi Kappa Alpha Founder, Chick-fil-A
Julian Van Winkle III Kappa Alpha President, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Charles
Ken Langone
Frank Lloyd Wright Phi Delta Theta Architect
Costco Founder Jeff Brotman, Zeta Beta Tau
Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, Theta Chi • NIKE Co-Founder Phil Knight, Phi Gamma Delta • Marriott Founder J. Willard Marriott, Phi Delta Theta • Mondavi Wine Founder Robert Mondavi, Phi Sigma Kappa • Morgan & Morgan Founder John Morgan, Alpha Tau Omega • Oil Tycoon Boone Pickens, Sigma Alpha Epsilon • Eli Lily CEO David Ricks, Phi Kappa Tau
Makers Mark Founder Taylor Samuels, Kappa Alpha • Tyson Foods CEO Don Tyson, Sigma Nu
GE CEO Jack Welch, Phi Sigma Kappa
heroes
The Ones That Got Away
sixty million Chinese have Yu-Chuen “Jimmy” Yen, Yale 1918, to thank for their ability to read. Single-handedly pushing for literacy and rural reconstruction, his leadership lifted a generation out of poverty, and he was a Beta.
As is Bill Lowry, Kenyon ’56, who became one of the first black Americans ever initiated into an NIC fraternity thanks to the defiance of 50 young, white Betas in Gambier, Ohio.
Taking risks and principled stands in the face of adversity define a hero — and scores of fraternity men who have changed the world.
At 35, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient for his civil rights leadership.
Gen. Paul Tibbets Sigma Nu WWII Pilot Captain Carrying Atomic Bomb
Phi Delta Theta Astronaut, “First Man on the Moon”
Branch Rickey
Delta Tau Delta Broke the Color Barrier in MLB, Signing Jackie Robinson to the L.A. Dodgers
Reinhold
Edwin Hubble Kappa Sigma Astronomer
and more
“The fraternity is one of the most skillfully devised institutions among men, where a boy disorganized is brought into an organization of kindred minds who believe in him and thereby help him to find himself.”
— Pastor and “The Power of Positive Thinking” Author Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Phi Gamma Delta
Martin Luther King Jr. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Minister, Civil Rights Leader
Ernest Goodpasture Kappa Sigma Infectious Disease & Vaccine Pioneer
Paul Lauterbur Phi Kappa Tau Nobel Prize; Co-Inventor, MRI
Dr. Linus Pauling Delta Upsilon Two-Time Nobel Prize: Peace & Chemistry
Ed Murrow Kappa Sigma Pioneering American Broadcaster
•
•
•
Huntsman Cancer Institute Benefactor Jon Huntsman, Sigma Chi
U.N. Security Council Architect Grayson Kirk, Phi Kappa Tau
“Battle of the Bulge” 101st Airborne Commander Gen. Anthony “Nuts” McAuliffe, Sigma Phi Epsilon • Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman & Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. John Shalikashvili, Theta Chi • Sloan-Kettering Institute Founders Alfred Sloan and Charles Kettering, Delta Upsilon
being older than 24 states in the Union and all 10 provinces in Canada brought about a certain “first mover advantage” as it relates to Beta’s pick of men. A U.S. vice president, eight Supreme Court Justices, 200 Congressmen, 56 governors, 32 ambassadors and a Canadian Prime Minister, Supreme Court Justice and two premiers suggest the quality of Beta’s political band.
Beta still cannot claim a U.S. president, however 11 other fraternities can. Learned first in the chapter hall, fraternity membership has long cultivated service to and for others.
Thurgood Marshall
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
First Black Supreme Court Justice
4
Delta Kappa Epsilon boasts the greatest number of student-initiated U.S. presidents, including T. Roosevelt, Ford, G.H.W. Bush and G.W. Bush.
Hakeem Jeffries
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader
Phi Sigma Kappa
Primary Sponsor, Americans With Disabilities Act
Prime
Lester Pearson
Delta Upsilon
Minister of Canada, Nobel Peace Prize
Anthony Coelho
Paul Ryan
Delta Tau Delta
U.S. Speaker of the House
Teddy Roosevelt
Delta Kappa Epsilon
U.S. President
Alpha
and more
“Fraternities have good reason to be proud of their many achievements ... By making sure they remain a positive influence on our campuses, they’re helping America meet the great challenges that lie ahead.”
— U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Ronald Reagan
Tau Kappa Epsilon
U.S. President
Phi
U.S. President
Mike Johnson Kappa Sigma U.S. Speaker of the House
Delta Kappa Epsilon
U.S. President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Delta
George W. Bush
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Delta Tau Delta • Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Sigma Chi • First Black Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, Sigma Phi Epsilon • Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Pi Kappa Alpha • Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, Phi Gamma Delta • Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, Alpha Sigma Phi • Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. • Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Kappa Alpha • Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, Delta Upsilon • U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Phi Kappa Psi
Sports
The Ones That Got Away
lists of athletic greats typically include two-time Heisman runner-up Charlie “ChooChoo” Justice, North Carolina ’50, MLB Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, Ohio ’71, and NBA Champion Jerry Lucas, Ohio State ’62, not to mention UCLA basketball coaching legend John Wooden, Purdue ’32, who won 10 championships in 12 years.
But Beta is not alone on the field of competition. The fraternity experience reinforces discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship. Skills that have marqueed so many fraternity men as “among the greatest of all time.”
Canadian-born and McGill University graduate James Naismith, Sigma Phi Epsilon, invented basketball while teaching at the YMCA.
Paul “Bear” Bryant Sigma Nu 6-Time College Football Coaching Champion
Shaquille O’Neal
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 4-Time NBA Champion
Jack Nicklaus
Phi Gamma Delta PGA Champion
Jerry Rice
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 3-Time NFL Super Bowl-Winning Wide Receiver
Lou Gehrig
Phi Delta Theta
6-Time MLB World Series Champion
Bill Russell
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 11-Time NBA Champion
“When I was in college, my fraternity brothers looked out for me. They just had so much brotherly love.”
— NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
James Naismith
Sigma Phi Epsilon Inventor, Basketball
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
3-Time NFL Super
and more
Steve Prefontaine
Quarterback
Pi Kappa Alpha Long-Distance Running Legend
D. Wayne Lukas Kappa Sigma Hall of Fame Horse Trainer
Troy Aikman
Bowl-Winning
ESPN Analyst Lee Corso, Alpha Tau Omega • Super Bowl Quarterback John Elway, Delta Tau Delta • High Jump Olympic Gold Medalist Dick Fosbury, Theta Chi • The Masters & Augusta National Golf Course Founder Bobby Jones, Sigma Alpha Epsilon • NBA Coaching Champion Pat Riley, Sigma Nu • College Football Coaching Champion Kirby Smart, Sigma Alpha Epsilon • College Basketball Coaching Champion Dean Smith, Phi Gamma Delta • Heisman & College Football Coaching Champion Steve Spurrier, Alpha Tau Omega • PGA Champion Tom Watson, Alpha Sigma Phi
Introducing The Beta Store, the new official home of Beta merchandise. With premium apparel lines, everyday staples and exclusive monthly product drops, the Fraternity’s new shop elevates how members of all ages represent Beta with pride. Shop today at store.beta.org. Take 15% off your order with promo code BETA15 at checkout!
Photo: Noah Manderfeld, Illinois ’28
A New Era of Beta Style
FEATURING PREMIUM APPAREL BRANDS
campus life student
highlights
When Waters Rose
In the early morning darkness of July 4, the Guadelupe River surged as months' worth of rain dropped on central Texas. A single cabin at the all-boys Camp La Junta was ripped from its foundation with Camp Counselor Owen Mackintosh, Colorado ’28, still inside. Fortunately, it only drifted a hundred yards to the other side of camp, getting caught up in a tree. Instead of being pulled into the raging river, Brother Mackintosh and three fellow camp staffers were able to escape to safety.
The traumatic, once-in-a-century storm fueled Owen, however. He quickly helped other cabins evacuate, as boys climbed to the top bunks and rafters to avoid the rising water. Though exhausted, he continued to volunteer in the weeks after, commuting from his hometown of Austin to help the community clean up, recover and rebuild. Camp La Junta only sustained property damage and reported no injuries or deaths, but other camps in the area were not as fortunate. Just five miles up the south fork of the Guadelupe River is the all-girls Camp Mystic, which gained national attention after it lost 27 girls and counselors to the surging waters.
Camp La Junta is a second home for Owen Mackintosh, Colorado ’28, who has spent several summers there on the camp's staff.
campus life
A | King and Legacy
Being crowned homecoming king felt full circle for Carter Arrott, Texas Tech ’26. He took pride in joining Beta, following a line of Red Raider men in his family to do so, including his father, uncle and maternal grandfather. Now he gets to represent Texas Tech in a new way; as homecoming king he'll serve as a mentor to students in the Lubbock Independent School District. No stranger to leadership, Carter previously served as the second-incommand of student government.
B | Hanover's Athletic Prowess
Some 18 Hanover brothers have been leading the way on the football field this season, helping the Panthers to its first conference title since 2019 and closing the regular season 8-2 overall. Brian Wall ’28, (pictured) is the Panther's tackle leader with 59 through the regular season and was named defensive player of the week earlier this fall after an 11-tackle game against NCAA Division I-foe Butler. Meanwhile Garron Jenkins ’28, received the same honor after noting four tackles for loss and three sacks against Bluffton.
C | A Day With Coach Day
At its annual Theta Delta Roundup, the Ohio State chapter was thrilled to welcome and hear from national championship-winning Head Coach Ryan Day. He spoke on a variety of topics during the dinner program, including his philosophy on developing young men to be the best they can be. Afterwards, questions were fielded by Coach Day from the 164 collegians, alumni and guests in attendance at the Scioto Country Club.
Photo: Texas Tech
campus life
D | Keeping Tradition Alive
Eric Dong, Louisville '26, brought energy to the crowd at the fifth annual Asian Night Market, not by speaking but, rather, through dance. He's been perfecting neo-traditional lion dancing for more than two years with the River Lotus Lion Dance team, proudly performing and celebrating at a variety of events around Louisville. "For me, lion dancing is more than just a performance, it is a way to actively preserve my culture and share it with people in an energetic and joyful way."
E | Free Falling in Style
He doesn't fear heights, he embraces them. Mytch Hagan, Iowa State ’27, has a passion for skydiving — he makes a drop whenever he can — and completed his 100th jump in October. He made his mark at the 2024 USPA Collegiate National Championship, placing 10th in his division in sport accuracy landings and also competing in two-way formations. Brother Hagan expects to do even better as he looks ahead to the national competition later this year in Arizona.
F | Rocket Men at Purdue
Purdue Brothers Andrew Coots ’27, Ethan Wittman ’27, and Cole Mauch ’27, (left to right) packed their bags and headed west to the Mojave Desert with the Purdue Orbital team this past spring to launch and successfully recover two student-built rockets. Pictured here, Stratos II reached an altitude of 37,800 feet, three-times the team's previous best height, with a top speed of Mach 2.7, which clocks in at more than 2,000 miles per hour.
Chapter of Distinction
The Iowa chapter was recognized by the North American Interfraternity Conference as a Chapter of Distinction. It is one of only five to receive this prestigious honor in 2025 — outperforming more than 6,000 chapters recognized by the organization.
The Alpha Beta Chapter was commended for its well-rounded member experience, which focuses on the recruitment and retention of 50-60 new members each year.
The chapter has proven academic accountability and success, ranking as the top fraternity on campus for the last three semesters. Additionally, some 72 members have graduated from Beta’s leadership programs over the last three years including 10 from the Wooden Institute.
Cultural Exploration
Appalachian State’s Seamus Kennedy ’27, knew he wanted to immerse himself into a new culture while continuing his studies in marketing and sales. "Hearing about the city of Tokyo, the customs of Japan, cuisine and the lifestyle of the people inspired me to want to experience it for myself." In addition to showing off his Beta Spirit at Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, he also visited Osaka Castle, Mt. Takao and the town of Fujinomiya near Mt. Fuji.
G | St. Lawrence Cleans Up
The brothers of the St. Lawrence chapter took time out of their Saturday to give back to the community in October. With shovels and rakes in hand, they got to work cleaning up campsites and distributing mulch at Higley Flow State Park in nearby Colton, New York. Seeing all the chapter brothers ready to give back, four of the chapter's advisors were inspired to pitch in and help, too.
H | Fright Night at Pacific
Partnering with Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity, the Pacific brothers put on their annual haunted chapter house this Halloween. This year's zombie apocalypse-themed haunt included multiple routes through the house, if anyone dared to walk through again. The scares sure lived up to the expectations set by last year's haunted carnival.
I | Magic in Stillwater
The Oklahoma State chapter became the first team in Stillwater to win backto-back Greek Basketball Association titles. In its 10-0 run, Gamma Lambda outscored rivals by 250 points. They advance on to this winter's GBA national tournament in Memphis, which will also feature Beta teams from Indiana, Kansas and Purdue.
campus life
IFC Advisory Council
Beta Theta Pi continues to boast interfraternal leadership. Annually, the North American Interfraternity Conference announces student leaders to serve on its IFC Advisory Council, supporting and mentoring interfraternity council executives on hundreds of campuses. Three Betas were tapped by the NIC this yer, leading all peer fraternities represented on the prestigious 13man board.
Each collegian selected has served on their respective campus IFC and held numerous chapter leadership positions. Cooper Hillman, Kansas State ’26, a Wooden Institute graduate, is a dual chapter and IFC president. Louisville's Michael Short ’27, brings a wealth of knowledge as his chapter's vice president of finance, IFC executive vice president and terms on student government. Two-term Chapter President Jade Zazzara, Boise State ’26, served on his local IFC executive board as the chief public relations officer and recently guided his chapter to charter approval at the 186th General Convention.
STORYTELLER THE PASSING OF EDITOR EMERITUS ERV JOHNSON
By Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 | Design by Sarah Shepherd
L.E. (Erv) Johnson, Idaho’53
1972-1981
Chapter Counselor Gamma Gamma Chapter University of Idaho
1992-2001
Director of Communication and Editor of The Beta Theta Pi
AUTHORED BETA BOOKS
Son of the Stars, 15th Edition (2002)
Treasure of the Hills:
The First 100 Years of Beta Theta Pi in Idaho (2004)
Beta Statesmen (2010)
Beta Heroes (2011)
Betas in the Arts (2012)
Betas of Achievement II (2015)
INTERFRATERNAL RECOGNITION
President of the College Fraternity Editors Association (1998-99)
College Fraternity Editors Association
“Marilyn Simpson Ford Award” for Outstanding Service to Greek Community Communication (1996)
Born in 1931 in Salina, Kansas, Erv Johnson moved with his mom and dad to Idaho in 1934 to rejoin extended family during the height of the Great Depression. Graduating from Boise High School in 1949 as an accomplished student, leader, athlete and Eagle Scout, he matriculated to the University of Idaho where he joined Beta’s storied Gamma Gamma Chapter. A renaissance man of sorts, he rose through the ranks, eventually being elected chapter president.
Earning his bachelor’s degree in business law, Erv served in the Army (1954‐56) and reserve duty (1956‐61), retiring with the rank of captain.
Professionally, Brother Johnson became assistant vice president of public relations for Pittsburgh National Bank (PNC) and, in 1967, opened the public relations firm L.E. Johnson & Associates, Inc., which he headed for 20 years. In 1986, he and Ginger, his Beta Sweetheart of 45 years, moved to Portugal where he became editor of two leading European travel magazines.
Erv’s lifetime of dedicated service to his beloved Beta Theta Pi began long before he and Ginger ventured to Oxford, Ohio, in 1992. He was Gamma Gamma’s chapter counselor (1972‐81), served on the house corporation board of directors, and was the 1977 founding editor of Gamma Gamma’s alumni newsletter.
One of the first hires upon Bob Cottrell, Miami ’54, being appointed administrative secretary, Erv was appointed Beta’s director of communication in December 1992. In that role, he doubled as editor of The Beta Theta
46 Storyteller: Erv Johnson | The Beta Theta Pi
Pi magazine, serving through November 2001. The Fraternity’s communication efforts and team-based approach to marketing and public relations grew exponentially due to his technical expertise and brotherly dedication.
In addition to publishing some 40 issues of The Beta Theta Pi, Erv authored a historic volume of Beta books (see left). For his tireless service to the General Fraternity, he was honored by the Board of Trustees in 2006 at a 200-plus Boise Beta dinner and bestowed the Francis W. Shepardson Award.
Erv and Ginger — and their multiple dogs named “Sara B.” — spent many years in their retirement traveling throughout the west in their RV, portraying historical characters, including his one-man E. Hemingway show, and giving colorful tours of lighthouses and Army posts, and attending baseball games.
Succumbing to a stroke on September 20, 2025, he is survived by Ginger, daughters Meg (James) Carlson and Becky (Marc) Sorenson, Beta son Brad (Stephanie) Johnson, Idaho ’83, Beta grandsons Matt Carlson, Idaho ’11, and Brandon Johnson, Idaho ’29, and seven other grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Certainly, few have done more to record the history of Beta Theta Pi for the benefit of future generations than dearly departed brother Erv Johnson. Fittingly included when referencing other legendary Beta authors like Baird, Shepardson and Robb, Moscow’s favored son has justly earned the affectionate honor as another “Beta Great.” He made Wooglin proud — and built the bridge for those who follow.
IN ERV’S WORDS
In recent years, I have had the experience of losing many friends, fraternal and otherwise, which causes one to reflect on “just what I accomplished in 93 years” which have flown by so quickly. Typically you conclude that there was much more that you could have done, and many acts done and undone which could have been improved upon. But better to focus on the positives, such as they were.
I’ve always thought that when I grew old I’d like to be wise and witty, aware and absorbed in life, involved in a quest for new experiences, and constantly creating, writing, performing, pleasing. Lacking that, why bother to grow old?
If you seek meaning for this terminal event, simply say that “I was a spear carrier for the human spirit.” So many strive to make their mark in this world. I just loved being here and thrilled with almost every moment. Among actors, there are leads and other speaking parts, and then there are “spear carriers” (ie., the littlenoticed extras so necessary to complete the visual effect).
To the former is the glory; to the latter is the joy. If we do nothing greater than to seek joy, then we are at ease with living, and we spread joy to all around us. Yes, simply say that I was a spear carrier, marching to bring joy to the human spirit.
But weep not; I had a blast!
(Featured in the printed program of Erv’s celebration of life on October 4, 2025.)
YES, SIMPLY SAY THAT I WAS A SPEAR CARRIER, MARCHING TO BRING JOY TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT. BUT WEEP NOT; I HAD A BLAST!”
chapter eternal
in loving memory
Forever Remembered
Notices of Betas, Sweethearts and Friends of Beta who passed within the last two years and were reported to the Administrative Office between April 1 and October 31 are included in this listing.
Report a Beta’s Death
Please contact the Beta receptionist at 800.800.BETA or officemanager@beta.org to report a Beta’s passing.
Donate to the Archives
Ask loved ones to donate your Beta badge and important Beta artifacts to the Fraternity’s Archives and Museum in Oxford.
Memorial Gifts
The Fraternity is often asked how to memorialize a dearly departed Beta. Memorial gifts can be made at beta.org/gift or with Director of Development Laura Lednik at 800.800.BETA. In lieu of flowers, consider naming the Beta Leadership Fund in your own obituary.
Friends of Beta
Karen Blesch, Sept. 28
Gayle Cook, Aug. 17
Jo Kleffner, Aug. 24
Patricia O'Donnell, May 3
Dorotha Pitcher, Feb. 6
Virginia L. Riggert, Sept. 18, 2024
Steve & Gwyneth Tigner, Oct. 1
Leslie Widera, April 3, 2024
Alabama
Yancey G. Swearingen ’67, July 25 c
Arizona
Richard E. Botke, April 20
Clark H. Greger ’64, June 20
John F. Kanan ’67, Dec. 26, 2024
Auburn
Jay D. Taylor ’90, June 8
Ball State
Terrence M. Deters ’79, July 16
Gary E. Wasson ’68, July 27, 2024 c
Beloit
John C. Hunter ’66, May 29, 2024 c
Joseph H. Maino ’73, Aug. 26
Bethany
John P. Roscoe ’78, Dec. 3, 2023
Bowdoin
William J. Burchard ’79, March 12
British Columbia
Michael C. Jolly ’68, Feb. 4
Case
James R. Murphie ’54, May 13, 2024
Cyril Urbancic Jr. ’55, Feb. 17, 2024 c
Centre
Alexander B. Leff ’19, Sept. 24, 2024
Chicago
Robert E. Sloan ’51, Nov. 29, 2024
Cincinnati
James R. Hawkins ’66, March 28 c
Donald M. Rose ’55, June 19
Steven A. Wilson ’66, Oct. 14
Colgate
John J. Wild Jr. ’66, July 22
Karen Blesch
Alpha Delta Pi Sept. 28
Preceded in death by her husband, former General
Colorado
William S. Bradfield Sr. ’59, Sept. 3, 2024
Thomas P. Consolino Jr. ’88, June 4
Robert N. Simpson Jr. ’58, April 9
Louis T. Walsh ’90, Aug. 22
Colorado College
Albert W. Bevan Jr. ’59, July 28
Colorado Mines
John F. Osborne ’66, Feb. 23
Colorado State
Jon D. Gregory ’98, June 1
Columbia
William B. Culverwell ’58, Aug. 8 c
James S. Freese ’65, Nov. 3, 2024
Cornell
Stanley T. Kochanoff ’66, Nov. 21, 2024
George T. Ladas ’59, Sept. 15, 2024
Dartmouth
Robert C. Rooke ’49, July 10
Frederick H. Stephens Jr. ’55, May 3
Davidson
Edwin L. Douglass Jr. ’55, July 25
David P. McLain Jr. ’58, July 4 c
Denison
Arthur G. Baker Jr. ’57, April 9, 2024 c
Richard C. Byrne ’72, March 16, 2024
Douglas O. Dudley ’60, Jan. 31 c
Larry K. Fairchild ’64, Aug. 28, 2024 c
Gary V. Gieringer ’57, May 7, 2024 c
Henry W. Isaly ’53, Feb. 3
David Liederman ’71, July 4, 2024
Leslie C. Overlock Jr. ’65, Aug. 18, 2024 c
C. T. Rice ’59, April 25, 2024 c
Lloyd S. Robinson ’50, Dec. 13, 2024 c
S. J. Roush Jr. ’54, Aug. 26, 2024 c
John M. Steele ’67, Aug. 7
George H. Weber ’52, Dec. 6, 2024
John M. Williams ’55, March 19, 2024 c
Maximilin U. Wright ’02, Sept. 12, 2024
Denver
Fred J. Martin Jr. ’54, Feb. 21, 2024
Karl F. Weiffenbach ’58, June 1 c
DePauw
Tracy J. Ellis ’75, July 30
Robert K. Gibson ’50, July 29, 2024
Fred H. Kumb Jr. ’66, July 14
Yancey Swearingen
Alabama ’67
July 25
Dickinson
John A. Nikoloff ’72, Jan. 10 c
Duke
William T. Graham ’56, April 12 c
William J. Griffith ’50, Dec. 4, 2024
Frederick L. Watkins ’56, Oct. 8 c
East Carolina
Roderick D. Sprinkle ’85, Oct. 3
Eastern Kentucky
John R. Lanier ’74, July 7 c
Douglas K. Wilson ’78, May 7, 2024
Emory
Patrick T. Beall ’69, May 8, 2024
William J. Rencher ’64, Aug. 20, 2024
Florida
John V. Jokinen ’65, June 28
Robert S. Kellow ’59, July 3
William G. Murdy Jr. ’56, Feb. 17 c
Robert W. Rutter Jr. ’64, Jan. 4, 2024
Ronald W. Tacy ’73, Sept. 2
Georgia
Evan K. Schuetz ’02, Aug. 25
Georgia Tech
John W. Durstine ’56, Feb. 20
John W. Gay III ’54, Sept. 25
C. L. Strickland Jr. ’58, Sept. 12
GMI-EMI
Thomas W. Creech ’79, Sept. 25, 2024
Hanover
Patrick S. Neale ’76, Dec. 28, 2023
John R. Sutton Jr. ’55, Sept. 5
Idaho
Wayne B. Anderson ’72, Aug. 29
J. D. DuShane ’87, March 5
L. Erwin Johnson ’53, Sept. 20 c
Ronald E. Lichau ’61, March 7
Robert G. Newhouse ’56, Aug. 22
Wellington C. Pierce Jr. ’53, Aug. 2
Illinois
Stephen K. Derwelis ’63, June 21
Robert C. Lauchner ’52, July 25
Indiana
James M. Gast ’67, April 30 c
Jack L. Harris ’51, Oct. 20
Flags indicate Betas who served in the United States or Canadian armed forces.
Secretary Captain Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60, Karen was a devoted Beta Sweetheart and Convention veteran whose charisma made family and friends across the globe feel loved and supported.
Commissioned in the U.S. Air Force upon graduation, Yancey retired from active duty 25 years later as a lieutenant colonel. Once a district chief, he also acted for several years as Convention secretary and Committee of the Whole chairman.
Steve Wilson
Cincinnati ’66
Oct. 14
Steve served Beta throughout his life, first as chapter president and later as leader of the local house corporation, the Administrative Office’s first-ever administrative assistant and eventually on the Beta Foundation Board of Directors.
Stephen P. Heckman ’61, Oct. 1 c
James S. McEwen ’64, Aug. 24
Douglas B. Meadows ’74, April 18
Ronald D. Miller ’61, Feb. 27 c
Elgin C. Norris ’60, May 14 c
Edwin F. Walmer ’52, Jan. 28 c
Iowa
Lawrence D. Fisher ’68, June 24, 2024
Benjamin D. Hill ’81, March 30
Kenneth A. Ploen ’57, Feb. 13, 2024
Iowa State
John W. Axel ’64, Sept. 2
David C. Kern ’55, June 5, 2024 c Roger W. Krakow, June 3
Robert W. Lovgren ’69, Feb. 15
George J. Muller II ’74, Dec. 23, 2024 c
Christopher K. White ’10, Aug. 29, 2024
Johns Hopkins
Thomas P. Galinski ’61, Aug. 26
Kansas
Richard A. Arms ’62, June 30
Theodore N. McCoy ’55, July 18
George S. Smith Jr. ’53, June 8
Kansas State
Jaret L. Moyer ’93, Sept. 5
George E. Ross Jr. ’60, July 23
Roger C. Shenkel ’64, June 5, 2024
James L. Weaver ’69, Aug. 12
Charles D. Younkin ’67, Dec. 21, 2024 c
Kentucky
Ethan C. Barnett ’24, May 8
Noah M. Tinch ’28, June 12
Kenyon
Stephen P. Bartholf ’58, Jan. 8
Michael E. Gibbons ’74, Sept. 15
John A. Mayer ’62, Nov. 2, 2024 c
Knox
Thomas W. Maibach ’64, June 14
Lawrence
Peter D. Humleker III ’68, June 25
Clay R. Williams ’57, Jan. 14, 2024
Maine
Richard G. Bachelder ’50, June 6, 2024
Charles R. Barr ’50, Dec. 12, 2023
Richard N. Berry Jr. ’65, April 16, 2024 c
Bill Griffith Duke ’50
Dec. 4, 2024
A 41-year administrator at Duke University, Bill helped lead the institution through some of its most turbulent times and is remembered as “a national figure who influenced the student affairs profession across the country.”
Christopher G. Laban ’90, March 16
William R. Saucier ’73, May 3
Miami
David L. Anderegg ’55, Aug. 1, 2024 c
Frederick F. Brower ’50, Aug. 4 c
Ronald J. Mitchell ’08, Feb. 27 c
Todd W. Plattenburg ’81, Dec. 26, 2023
Chester F. Wright II ’76, July 6, 2024
Michigan
Thomas G. Patterson ’60, Sept. 5
Michigan State
Edward D. Deeb ’60, Sept. 2 c
William C. Federhart ’53, Dec. 8, 2024
David E. Mowers ’62, July 11
Russell E. Palmer ’56, June 14
Middle Tennessee State
Matthew S. Powell ’08, March 9, 2024
Minnesota
James M. Boosalis ’67, Sept. 9
George A. Emslie ’54, Feb. 26, 2024
Bruce R. Kelley ’50, Feb. 9 c
James F. Pearson ’54, June 18
Jon W. Webber ’60, March 30 c
Harold H. Wylie Jr. ’51, April 7 c
Missouri
C. Huston Bell ’54, Oct. 19
Donald C. Dippold ’52, March 31 c
William B. Kircher ’59, Aug. 1
Edward B. Mitchell ’65, July 30
Daniel R. Roling ’84, June 1
Donald R. Rudolph ’79, Aug. 8
Robert M. Sweeney ’45, July 15
MIT
William B. Marks ’56, June 9, 2024
Richard C. Reedy ’51, Oct. 9, 2024 c
Nebraska
George E. Bates Jr. ’60, April 2 c
Bennie Cohen ’71, July 9 c
James E. Gourlay ’61, Aug. 26
Robert C. McConaughey ’49, Aug. 14
George L. Otterson Jr. ’62, Aug. 26, 2024 c
James A. VanHousen ’71, Oct. 13
North Carolina
Bernard D. Balas ’61, March 24 c
John L. Irvin ’55, April 27
Brantley T. Jolly Jr. ’83, April 7
Edward H. Lesesne Jr. ’65, May 21
Noah Tinch
Kentucky ’28
June 12
A kinesiology major, Noah passed away tragically during a fly fishing trip in Colorado. “He was one of the nicest, most amazing guys we ever knew,” his chapter brothers recalled. “His character mirrored what we all strive to be.”
William W. McLendon ’52, June 8, 2024
Frederick A. Rogers III ’66, April 8 c
Thomas J. Wilson ’04, June 18
North Dakota
Robert S. Forberg ’80, Sept. 9, 2024
Gary E. Hill ’60, Nov. 5, 2023 c
Norman H. Hoffman ’58, Nov. 5, 2024
Robert L. Parker ’67, Jan. 31
Northwestern
Charles E. Knudsen Jr. ’51, Aug. 21
Ohio
Thomas E. Adamich ’59, April 11
Roger C. Eckert ’65, March 23
Charles R. Herms Jr ’73, Aug. 12
John R. Patten ’57, Nov. 8, 2023
L. Roger Plauche ’61, June 27
Charles E. Skipper ’56, Oct. 28 c
Daniel S. Webster ’62, July 15 c
Ohio State
James A. Clark ’63, Oct. 22
James M. Herald ’68, Oct. 2
Frederic G. Hunt ’51, April 3 c
George C. Jacob ’61, Dec. 31, 2024 c
Joseph C. Lehner ’70, July 20
Ronald H. McHam ’62, July 23
Frederick J. Milligan ’64, March 27
James C. Mitchell ’57, Sept. 30
David R. Rudy ’56, May 19 c
James F. Turner ’65, Feb. 26, 2024 c
Richard H. Turner ’59, June 24
William P. White ’65, July 3
Ohio Wesleyan
Edmond C. Clarke ’58, Aug. 26, 2024 c
Stephen G. Deuble ’69, April 12, 2024
Bruce R. Elder ’62, Nov. 24, 2024 c
Dwight D. Frazer ’79, July 27
Timothy M. O'Hara ’72, June 3
John F. Sanders ’61, Aug. 14, 2024
Oklahoma
James E. Brandon ’77, July 12
Roger C. Clark ’53, Sept. 1
Erwin A. Cook ’56, May 9
P. Jack Hoopes Jr. ’73, Aug. 10
Millard K. Ingram ’54, May 27
George H. Lampton ’55, March 9 c
Phillip H. Leonard ’61, June 17
Michael T. Lynch ’71, Feb. 28
Louis E. McCarter Jr. ’62, July 20
Samuel W. Pangburn ’61, Nov. 24, 2023
Bill K. Reed ’55, April 1 c
Mike Gibbons
Kenyon ’74
Sept. 15
A successful businessman who later mounted two campaigns for U.S. Senate, Mike supported numerous civic, educational and philanthropic organizations in Ohio, including serving on the Beta Foundation Board of Directors.
Erv Johnson
Idaho ’53
Sept. 20
Erv was honored with Beta’s Francis Wayland Shepardson Award in 2006 after years of service as director of communication, editor of The Beta Theta Pi magazine and Beta author. Read more on page 46.
Fred Brower
Miami ’50
Aug. 4
Fred received several decorations as a U.S. Marine, including the Purple Heart. He served as the Administrative Office’s second-ever administrative secretary, General Treasurer and trustee of the Founders Fund and Baird Fund. He was honored with the Francis Wayland Shepardson Award in 2006.
Russ Palmer
Michigan State ’56
June 14
Russ was named CEO of Touche Ross — now Deloitte — at age 37, making him the youngest-ever head of a Big 4 firm. He was later dean of the Wharton School of Business at Pennsylvania, founded a private-equity firm and launched the REP Family Foundation supporting underserved youth. He was honored with the Oxford Cup in 2005.
Bill Reed
Oklahoma ’55
April 1
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bill moved to Oklahoma City for a job with Standard Oil. As an independent geologist, his theory that fractured Viola limestone could produce oil and gas commercially sparked a drilling boom across southern Oklahoma. A benefactor of the Beta Foundation, he also served as chapter counselor and house corporation president.
Robert B. Ringo ’61, May 19, 2024
Wayne E. Sansbury ’58, June 22
J. Fletcher Sharp ’60, March 29 c
William J. Thompson ’23, July 18
Oklahoma State
Patrick C. Duncan ’93, April 1
Mark H. Freeman ’76, Nov. 19, 2024
Shane C. Greiner ’19, April 30
Bobby J. Spencer ’63, Oct. 9, 2024 c
Mark F. Sutton ’80, June 5
William K. Teigen ’64, April 24 c
Oregon
Morris A. Arntson Jr. ’59, March 1
Malcolm F. Marsh ’52, March 15
Thomas W. Wiecks ’68, Oct. 5
Oregon State
Charles M. Bailey ’78, July 8
John O. Dunkin ’61, March 23 c
James W. Ednie ’57, May 21
Gary S. Ellingson ’94, Nov. 17, 2024
John P. Gallucci ’72, April 13, 2024
Neil E. Saling Jr. ’58, Dec. 16, 2023 c
Jack O. Saling ’53, Oct. 14 c
Don R. Wiesner ’70, June 17, 2024
Penn State
Francis G. Dolman ’65, July 21
Edward N. Lyon ’57, Aug. 4
Eugene D. Maley Jr. ’90, June 25
William B. Torrance ’71, Oct. 31
Pennsylvania
Laurance E. Masters ’54, Oct. 25 c
Puget Sound
Adam J. Herbertson ’17, May 26, 2024
Purdue
Scott Attar ’90, May 30
John P. Conley Jr. ’67, July 28, 2024
Thomas C. Ewing ’72, Sept. 7
Alexander Illsen ’57, Aug. 1, 2024
William M. Lyles ’55, March 26 c
Robert W. Morris ’68, June 21
Robert B. Morrison ’39, June 21
Quinnipiac
Thomas M. Godbout ’28, June 16
Sewanee
John S. Warner ’52, July 3 c
South Dakota
James F. Forney ’61, Feb. 29, 2024 c
Desmond H. Kittelson ’54, June 14
Leo E. Peck ’51, Feb. 14 c
Gregory N. Pool ’61, Oct. 11 c
Charles A. Roach ’53, Nov. 5, 2024
Harry N. Sandstrom ’66, Nov. 24, 2024 c
James L. Wosepka ’62, July 27, 2024 c
Southern California
Walter T. Gorrell ’58, June 9
John E. Short ’61, Dec. 21, 2024
Rod Wilger ’55, March 31, 2024
St. Lawrence
Richard A. Hynson ’54, June 11
John M. Pontius Jr. ’74, July 17
Stanford
James R. Ukropina ’59, April 8 c
Syracuse
Matthew J. Beach ’70, Sept. 13
Kenneth B. Bobis ’71, April 7, 2024
Donald A. Kluga ’73, May 26, 2024
Tennessee
Jonathan P. Dawson ’25, April 23
Texas
Thomas S. Miller ’46, May 3
P. Frank Steed, Jr. ’58, July 15
Robert M. Wilson ’63, July 31 c
Texas Tech
Richard A. Moffett ’72, Oct. 1
Toledo
Todd A. Van Ness ’93, March 23
UC Berkeley
Patrick J. Gilligan ’68, April 23
UCLA
Michael D. Began ’80, Sept. 21, 2024
Charles W. Clark ’58, Oct. 5
Joseph C. Edwards ’60, June 15 c
Utah
Jack P. Bedont ’07, May 6
C. D. Borup ’65, March 12
Gary H. Brockbank ’61, May 14 c
Raymond A. Haeckel ’61, Aug. 16, 2024
Ramon E. Johnson ’59, April 8
William R. Moreton ’82, March 20
Nicholas G. Morgan III ’61, Sept. 18
Eric J. Richins ’88, Dec. 27, 2024
Royal L. Tribe III ’70, Oct. 27
Vanderbilt
Carter S. Chapman Jr. ’69, March 10 c
Charles F. Delavan ’68, Oct. 9 c
Virginia
Andrew C. Scott ’50, May 25 c
Virginia Tech
John D. McMonigle ’79, July 24
Wabash
John D. Cochran Jr. ’68, May 14, 2024
Philip T. Holliday ’62, Nov. 19, 2023
Stephen R. Ong ’71, Nov. 28, 2023
S. Clarke Smith ’57, Sept. 1
Michael C. Smith ’62, Oct. 11
Washington
Charles K. Barbo ’63, Aug. 6
Raymond J. Lee ’52, April 24 c
Stephen M. Storrar ’60, Jan. 20, 2024
John R. Woodworth ’47, June 9, 2024 c
Washington & Jefferson
James M. Farson ’56, Oct. 4
Anthony J. Seneca ’72, Aug. 15
Washington and Lee
Edgar M. Baber ’59, April 24, 2024
James W. Haley Jr. ’64, June 8, 2024
Edgar H. MacKinlay ’58, July 25
Andrew L. Peabody ’50, July 10
Walter R. Randall Jr. ’52, June 28, 2024
John G. Simmons ’69, Sept. 5, 2024
Washington in St. Louis
Christopher L. Gianoulakis ’66, Aug. 24, 2024
Robert D. Patton ’37, July 4, 2024
William R. Rayburn ’62, June 16
Washington State
J. R. Elsensohn ’63, June 10, 2024
Gerald E. Johnson ’59, March 16
Gary E. Marks ’73, April 29
Charles C. Norland ’55, July 16, 2024
Harvey L. West ’62, June 24, 2024 c
Wesleyan
David J. Cox ’56, Oct. 14, 2024
West Virginia
John D. Carpenter ’61, June 24
Terrance D. Wharton ’58, April 23, 2024 c
Western Ontario
Brian G. Hutchison ’66, Aug. 19, 2024
Western Reserve
Reginald D. Resnick ’50, Sept. 25 c
Stephen J. Szabo ’62, July 30
Westminster
Buell V. Applebury ’69, April 17, 2024
Richard M. Bliss ’60, June 10 c
Henry B. Bowman ’92, April 23
Dennis C. McDaniel ’66, Aug. 2
James D. Moffat IV ’71, Sept. 23, 2024
Dudley S. Spangler ’76, Oct. 6
Adam L. Willett ’05, Dec. 30, 2024
Whitman
Theodore A. Burns ’57, Jan. 19
Hugh W. Leitch ’57, April 16
Willamette
Fred L. Rose Jr. ’57, March 5, 2024 c
Larry L. Sterling ’60, Jan. 12
A. Norton Younglove ’51, Jan. 17
Williams
John W. Stayton Jr. ’63, Aug. 10, 2024
Wisconsin
William V. Dietrich ’62, Sept. 10, 2024
Phillip H. Frensz ’55, Nov. 28, 2023
Ron L. Knoll ’58, June 10, 2024
Rolland S. McGinnis ’53, July 22 c
Richard G. Neuheisel ’58, March 27 c
Robert H. Stricker Jr. ’59, Jan. 24, 2024
Louis J. Wagner ’64, June 7
Wittenberg
Jack R. Bowman ’78, April 17, 2024
Eugene P. Earick ’69, May 6
William S. Shields ’74, Dec. 30, 2024
Ray A. Yoder ’72, Jan. 17
Yale
Daniel H. Murphy II ’62, July 13
Robert T. Page ’56, June 19
H. Duff Smith ’53, March 25 c
Stewart R. Wright ’57, March 26 c
Jim Ukropina Stanford ’59
April 8
Jim served as a legal advisor to an array of individuals and corporations, including Fortune 500 companies and entertainment icon Bing Crosby. His enduring love for Stanford was a defining aspect of his life, serving on the university board of trustees and athletic board.
Robert Wilson Texas ’63
July 31
A pioneering experimental theater director and visual artist, Robert redefined performance with slow-motion tableaux, vivid lighting and collaborations like “Einstein on the Beach” with Philip Glass. His avant-garde legacy includes founding the Watermill Center on Long Island.
Gary Marks
Washington State ’73
April 29
Gary was a loyal supporter of Wazzu academics and athletics. He remained equally committed to Beta, serving over 20 years as president and treasurer of his alma mater’s house corporation and alumni association, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.
This year’s Chapter
Eternal video honors many of the interfraternal friends, Sweethearts and Beta brothers who passed in the prior year. Watch it at beta.org/ chaptereternal186th.
BUILDING
BROTHERHOOD
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR TOMORROW’S LEADERS
ANNUAL REPORT | BETA THETA PI FOUNDATION
June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025
DEAR BROTHERS AND FRIENDS,
This year’s annual report is a celebration of you. Your generosity is strengthening Beta today and securing its future.
The Build the Bridge Campaign, though still in progress, is already transforming lives. Collegians and alumni benefit from expanded opportunities, stronger leadership programs and greater accessibility. On page 22, you’ll see the campaign pillars, progress and ways to get involved.
The Beta Leadership Fund (BLF) fuels everything we do. More than 4,700 donors raised $1.34 million this past year, surpassing our $1.25 million goal. Because of the BLF, programs like the Wooden Institute and Keystone thrive, while initiatives in new member education and member wellness expand Beta’s mission. The BLF provides flexibility to meet today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s unknowns.
FOUNDATION PURPOSE
To advance the educational mission and goals of Beta Theta Pi toward the vision of the Fraternity.
FOUNDATION RESPONSIBILITIES
Cultivate lifelong friendships; solicit Betas and friends; provide gift stewardship; fund leadership and educational grants; empower Foundation volunteers;oversee investment strategies; recognize Betas, parents and Friends of Beta.
Beyond numbers, this is about lives changed — young men leading with values, building confidence and resilience, and forming friendships that last a lifetime. These experiences shape character, strengthen brotherhood and prepare Betas to lead in every area of life.
Looking ahead, we are optimistic. Together, through the Build the Bridge Campaign and BLF, we are advancing Beta’s mission and ensuring brothers are brothers for life.
Thank you for believing in Beta Theta Pi. May this report celebrate the difference you’ve made and inspire you to continue building the bridge with us.
Sincerely and yours in kai , Rick Banks, Cornell
’72 Foundation Chairman
FOUNDATION STAFF
Phil Fernandez, Miami ’06; Chief Foundation Officer
Laura Lednik; Director of Development
Travis Robinson; Director of Annual Giving
Jackson Chambers, Utah ’12; Director of Advancement
Jeff Newton, Miami ’77; Director of Advancement
Aaron Selby, Wabash ’06; Director of Advancement
Eric Eickhoff, Ohio Wesleyan ’00; Director of Alumni Services
Rick Banks, Cornell ’72, speaking at a donor recognition dinner held in St. Louis, Missouri, at the 186th General Convention.
FOUNDATION BOARD
Foundation Chairman: Rick Banks, Cornell ’72
Vice Chairman: Stavan Bhatt, Louisville ’98
Treasurer: Scott Grotjan, South Dakota ’92
Secretary: Tom Reeves, Eastern Kentucky ’99
Board of Directors:
Mike Bickford, Oklahoma ’80
Rob Billoni, Florida Atlantic ’95
Art Carmichael, Oregon ’62
Karl Chiao, Texas A&M ’90
John Chisholm, MIT ’84
Jeff Flanagan, Rhode Island ’93
Zac Haines, Miami ’05
Kent Mire, TCU ’07
Marty Obst, Southern Illinois ’03
Tom Olver, Central Michigan ’98
Rick Sabol, Ohio ’77
John Torget, Cornell ’93
Jay Watkins, MIT ’90
COLLEGIATE COMMISSIONERS
Henry Jonas, Appalachian State ’25
Phillip Miavelstück, George Mason ’25
$4,270,972
Total
TOTAL DOLLARS GRANTED
$30,726 AVERAGE GRANT
TOTAL FOUNDATION DOLLARS RAISED (ALL FUNDS)
BETA LEADERSHIP FUND DONORS
THANKS
TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!
For more information and a complete list of donors, visit beta.org/givingdaychallenge
ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING GIVING DAY!
$522,827
raised for the BLF in 2025
$235K
Dollars raised by challenge gifts
89GGIVING DAY AAMBASSADORS
1 DAY. 8 HOURS. 39 MINUTES.
KEN BRYAN, MIT ’88 was the highest performing Giving Day Ambassador by both total dollars raised and total donors.
The Giving Day Challenge, now in its sixth year, is a friendly fundraising competition between chapters. It is an opportunity for brothers and friends to celebrate Beta Theta Pi’s impact on its members and bolster pride in our Great and Good Fraternity through an unrestricted gift to the Beta Leadership Fund.
AMBASSADOR LEADERS
$177,739 DOLLARS RAISED
Ken Bryan, MIT ’88
Stavan Bhatt, Louisville ’98
John Stebbins, Emory ’92
796 DONORS PARTICIPATED
Ken Bryan, MIT ’88
S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73
John Stebbins, Emory ’92
For information on becoming an ambassador, please visit beta.org/ambassadors.
TOP CHAPTERS
1,000+ MEMBERS
DONORS
1. Oklahoma (265)
2. Iowa (156)
3. Utah (105)
4. Miami (95)
5. Wabash (61)
DOLLARS
1. Miami ($20,184)
2. Cincinnati ($13,710)
3. Oklahoma ($10,675)
4. Wabash ($8,095)
5. Iowa State ($6,893)
2,732
Total Giving Day donors
TOP CHAPTERS
<1,000 MEMBERS
DONORS
1. Arkansas (230)
2. Bethany (106)
3. MIT (97)
4. Eastern Kentucky (76)
5. Tennessee (73)
DOLLARS
1. Bethany ($20,000)
2. MIT ($18,257)
3. Eastern Kentucky ($7,389)
4. Arkansas ($5,774)
5. Villanova ($5,767)
SONS OF THE DRAGON CLUB
This student giving club was created to inspire collegiate members to give back collectively, reinforcing Beta’s mission of building men of principle for a principled life. Gifts through the club support leadership development, wellness initiatives and programs that strengthen the Beta experience on every campus.
23 CHAPTER-WIDE GIFTS
The most ever! Each with 70+ members for 100% participation.
TOP FIVE
CHAPTERS
1. Oklahoma (237)
2. Arkansas (220)
3. Iowa (129)
4. Utah (84)
5. Tennessee (70)
“WHY
$23,755
Dollars Raised in FY25 1,370 Collegiate Donors
WE
GIVE . . .”
JOHN REILY KNOX CLUB
The John Reily Knox Club continues to stand as a cornerstone of generosity within the Beta Foundation. Together, 319 members, including both lifelong supporters and young JRK members, are making a profound difference.
$6,844,352 raised collectively from JRK Club donors
319 total members
36 young JRK members contributed $27,785, included in the total above Join the club by giving (or pledging) $1,839 or more to the BLF in a single year. Betas within 10 years of graduation can join the club with an annual gift of only $500 or more. JRK Club members receive an exclusive invitation to the annual recognition dinner at the General Convention.
HONORARY FRIEND OF BETA AND PARENT CHAIRS
ASHLEY SPOTO
Sigma Kappa
“For those considering supporting Beta Theta Pi, I hope you discover the profound importance of investing in young men. Supporting them offers valuable insight into how we can build a better world. By guiding them through challenges and upholding Beta’s values, we cultivate purpose and belonging. These values are universal, resonating with people of all backgrounds. Supporting Beta means empowering individuals and strengthening a foundation of shared values that benefit us all.”
RICHARD & LORI LENNOX
(son Luke Lennox, Oregon ’26)
“We’ve dabbled and enrolled our son in a couple different leadership programs throughout the years but nothing has accelerated his development quite like Beta. Since joining Beta, we’ve watched our son embody leadership through his proactive investment in the community while maintaining strong academic performance.”
CHRIS & MELISSA BOALS
(son Will Boals, Samford ’26)
“We decided to support the Beta Leadership Fund because we are so thankful for the impact that Beta has had on Will’s college life. There’s no doubt that Will has had a more enjoyable and meaningful experience through being a Beta brother than he would have otherwise.”
“Honorary chairs help secure philanthropic support by engaging their networks, encouraging generosity among peers and championing awareness of the Foundation’s mission.”
ANNUAL, LIFETIME AND TOTAL YEARS GIVING
ALABAMA
$500 - $999
Wayne Williams ’67%
$250 - $499
Ben McMahan ’70%
Yancey Swearingen ’67Y
Gary Tyer ’69
$100 - $249
Scott Jackson ’79%
Charles Newton ’69%
Others
Karl Cloninger ’73
Larry Ennis ’72
Brandon Flowers ’99
V. J. Graffeo ’00
Jim Hill ’69
Jon McMillan ’71
AMERICAN
$500 - $999
Kevin Levy ’16%
Others
Jimmy Grebenstein ’24
Sakari Ishetiar ’16
AMHERST
$100 - $249
Bill Colby ’60%
Stan Hirt ’56%
ARIZONA
$1,000 - $1,838
Fred Oliver ’67&
$500 - $999
Troy Whitehead ’11%
$250 - $499
Bob Petrucciani ’62Y
$100 - $249
Jon Jump ’91Y
Micky Murphy ’66%
Others
Scott Angell ’15
Bill Brown ’66%
Dan Drackett ’66&
Frankie Erculei ’93
Max Keyser ’16
Toby Knox ’65
Davis Millar ’06
Dave Russell ’12%
Nick Trevino ’14
Kevin Truitt ’06
ARIZONA STATE
$500 - $999
Tod Lashway ’79Y
$250 - $499
Pat Rissi ’80Y
Others
Jim Robbins ’78
Tony Schreiber ’83
John Simmons ’86
ARKANSAS
$500 - $999
Strohmann Breeding ’20
$250 - $499
Andrew Pang ’13%
Others
Tyler Ford ’22
Jeremy Thelen ’15
Richard Zimmerman ’15
Andrew Zurborg ’15
AUBURN
$500 - $999
Bob Batson ’70Y
John Hecker ’97
supporters who made gifts between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.
$250 - $499
Bill Johnston ’71%
Fred Newman ’81Y
$100 - $249
Lonnie Hale ’69%
Hillman Holland ’73%
Haden McWhorter ’90
Joseph Narciso ’72
Michael Puffe ’92
Jim Stevenson ’71%
Norwood Utter ’73%
Others
Michael Brandon ’84%
Steve Cheatwood ’71
John Ellison ’67
Bill Rodgers ’64
David Thompson ’80
Royce Tyree ’79
BALL STATE
$1,000 - $1,838
Larry Johnson ’81Y
Jason Melton ’99&
$500 - $999
Frank Davis ’67Y
Kurt Phares ’80Y
Steve Riddle ’80Y
Mike Thayer ’83Y
$250 - $499
Greg Smith ’87Y
$100 - $249
Toby Beegle ’91
Christopher Brandt ’76%
Mark Hesterman ’75%
Michael Hillock ’73
Paul Knauff ’67%
Doug Marsh ’69
Randy Phillips ’79%
Joel Spieth ’94
William Thompson ’67
Craig Welti ’76%
Others
Bob Barrell ’66%
Adam Cairns ’03
Chuck Colip ’74
Rocky Condon ’67
Allan Hauersperger ’76
Rex Heil ’74
Rusty Kistler ’80
John Lintzenich ’74
Kent Lochmueller ’68
Greg Porter ’00
Doug Rzepka ’73
Dan Segebarth ’69
Don Sexton ’67
Tom Teusch ’67%
Jim Vineyard ’67%
Kurt Wolf ’81
BAYLOR
$500 - $999
Nick Jones ’16%
Others
Tyler Anderson ’14
Ben Bratt ’23
Jon Davis ’18
Daniel Haddad ’12
BELOIT
$1,839 - $2,499
Steve Goldman ’64&
$250 - $499
Bob Lang ’65%
DONOR LEGEND
JUNE 1, 2024– MAY 31, 2025
Auto-Kai donors shown in BLUE
LIFETIME GIVING SOCIETIES
Shrine On High............$5 Million+
G Old Main .............................$1 Million
% Campanile .........................$500,000
O Chautauqua ......................$250,000
t Diamond..............................$100,000
Z Rose .......................................$50,000
& Founders’..............................$25,000
& President’s ...........................$10,000
Y Loving Cup .............................$5,000
% Beta............................................$1,000 TOTAL YEARS GIVING
$500 - $999
Ted Brown ’76%
Dick Christie ’69Y
Steve Covault ’76%
Bill Elliott ’73%
Tommy Finn ’23
Kyle Fischer ’20%
Jay Foran ’76
Skip McCallum ’59&
Jim McClanahan ’60&
Bill Moore ’76%
Tim Pistell ’69Y
Bill Rutledge ’05Y
Gary Shipley ’73%
Jim Sommer ’57Y
Carl Tinstman ’67Y
Ralph Tschantz ’75
Doug Wagner ’78&
Jake Whelan ’07Y
Mike Yukevich ’92Y
$250 - $499
Jack Alderman ’70%
Jeff Barefoot ’74%
Joe Budde ’06Y
Wick Chadwick ’71%
Mike Curran ’80Y
Jay Ellis ’77Y
Tom Fey ’68&
Tom Fox ’85%
David Gilreath ’78%
Peter Gilreath ’82%
Bill Gregory ’62%
John Hart ’81
Joe Jackson ’82%
Scott Jamieson ’76%
David Kenley ’68%
Tom Loeb ’68&
Marc MacKeigan ’75
Jim Neef ’53Y
Joe Petras ’72Y
Gary Riddle ’77&
Brent Soller ’03%
Mark Stephan ’80%
John Stuckey ’66&
$100 - $249
Justin Beck ’02Y
Andy Bell ’67%
Chip Clark ’81%
Tom Cleverdon ’67Y
John Czyzycki ’87%
Jim Deuser ’69
Marc Fey ’77%
Woody Fitton ’82
Jim Glasgow ’55%
Rick Graves ’71%
Bob Haines ’67%
John Hocking ’48%
Scott Hoyer ’91%
Charlie Isaly ’66
Jim Kestner ’71%
Phil Knox ’68&
Jack Marple ’72%
David Myers ’82%
Jim Mynhier ’82%
Bob Olson ’54%
Steve Otey ’79%
Donald Paynter ’68%
Tom Pierce ’77%
Calloway Robertson ’81Y
Bill Ross ’68%
Tom Semans ’78
Jeff Sherman ’83%
Tom Skoulis ’79%
John Slavens ’67%
Ben Suffron ’74Y
Glenn Trout ’89%
Craig VanHorsten ’73
Hew Wells ’64Y
James Whaley ’77%
Ben Willingham ’84%
Others
Ken Boyer ’72%
Dan Brower ’79
Jim Bullock ’84
Henry Carnes ’18
Tom Clark ’72%
Philip Cook ’67
Jack DeLaet ’24
David Doyle ’72%
Tom Edwards ’74
Mark Flanigan ’81
Jay Fry ’52%
Jay Geiser ’76
Rob Haley ’84
Wayne Helfrich ’57%
Hayden Hoogerhyde ’21
Bill Horrigan ’54
Trevor Johansen ’19
Randy Kirschner ’74%
Jeff Koons ’70
Locks Locker ’75
Peter Matty ’67%
Andrew McLeese ’21
Jeremy Moore ’02
Tom Moorhead ’69
Massillon Myers ’20
Armando Ocando ’11
Alex Orr ’21
Robert Pickton ’69
Bill Ress ’55%
MIAMI (FLA.)
$5,000 - $9,999
Peter Darrow ’09&
Others
Joe Bonner ’17%
Jorge Casariego ’10
Jeremy Crystal ’09
Graham Purdy ’09
Andrew Willert ’09
MICHIGAN
$1,839 - $2,499
Dipper DiPaolo ’78&
Karl Edelmann ’86&
$1,000 - $1,838
$500 - $999
David Barbour ’62Y
Bruce Douglas ’65&
Ian Ross ’21
$250 - $499
Philip Balkema ’65
Roger Helman ’89%
Chris Litrel ’87Y
Russell Monahan ’75
Joe Salata ’78%
$100 - $249
Jim Denbo ’63&
Clifford Galen ’60%
Stephen Kott ’56%
Bill Meeske ’69%
Stu Pettitt ’72
Pete Speer ’91
Norman Wilhelmsen ’68
Others
Bob Heitzman ’66
Richard Hodgson ’85
Christopher Keane ’74
Patrick Livingston ’61
Nathan Satterfield ’23
Rick Schaefer ’61
Jonathan Walker ’70
MICHIGAN STATE
$1,839 - $2,499
Dan Reason ’57&
$1,000 - $1,838
Corey Bordine ’89%
Mark Theoharous ’83Y
$500 - $999
Chris Bailo ’81
Jim Kohl ’66%
John Lynch ’83Y
Paul Pfeiffer ’64%
$250 - $499
Jack Collins ’70%
Jim Hayden ’60Y
Jonathan Kubo ’84&
Mat Vanderkloot ’76%
$100 - $249
Al Dominick ’66%
David Gill ’94
William Jordan ’62
David Kirkpatrick ’82%
Bo Zielke ’60
Others
Alex Haddad ’15
Keith Loch ’87
David Martino ’75
Eric Peterson ’64%
John Raut ’68
Patrick Robinson ’15
Don Sawyer ’61
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
$2,500 - $4,999
Woody Ratterman ’95&
$1,839 - $2,499
Scott Fussell ’95&
Chuck Graves ’94&
$500 - $999
Jim Lloyd ’96%
$100 - $249
John Pritchard ’95
Bill Walker ’91
Others
Wes Hinton ’94
Dustin Winslow ’94
MINNESOTA
$5,000 - $9,999
$1,839 - $2,499
Jeff Greiner ’80t
Justin Miller ’00&
$500 - $999
Colin Close ’13Y
Scott Heineman ’03&
Evan Jobin ’18%
Bruce Johnson ’61%
Jim Keeler ’89&
Branden Peterson ’05%
Reece Quesnel ’13%
David Servais ’92%
$250 - $499
Brent Anderson ’85Y
Travis Fischer ’05%
Mike Kokkinen ’00&
Ty Leech ’17%
Dixon Tews ’63%
$100 - $249
Bob Alliegro ’84
Aaron Docken ’06
Jan Ebbert ’63%
Dick George ’66%
Steven Kanner ’83
Bill Madden ’86
Ryan Marek ’12%
Scott Martin ’89
Noah McHale ’14%
Charles Suk ’68
Others
Aaron Jastrow ’89%
Alex Jobin ’16%
Jake Polzin ’24
Jeremy Weidman ’03%
MISSISSIPPI
$10,000 - $24,999
Lee Bethay ’82&
$5,000 - $9,999
Wylie Richards ’69&
$250 - $499
Austin Jones ’15
Andy Smith ’16%
Scooter Smith ’15%
$100 - $249
Sam Endicott ’72
Gabe Harrison ’07%
Michael Harrison ’68%
Kyle Hathaway ’01
Others
Terry Algood ’69
Brian Bonick ’21
Kerby Bowling ’77
John Glenn ’82%
Gary Whitener ’68
Taylor Williams ’19
MISSOURI
$50,000+
Bert Bates ’49O
$5,000 - $9,999
John Hillhouse ’69t
Bob Selsor ’82Y
$2,500 - $4,999
Robert Shamberger ’71&
$1,839 - $2,499
Steve Gardner ’79Y
Robert Healy ’64Z
Hank Plain ’80Z
$1,000 - $1,838
Jeff Dritley ’78&
Hank Robertson ’51Z
Bill Stone ’65Y
Marc Swartz ’69Y
Pat Lujin ’88%
Tim Petersen ’88%
$250 - $499
Adam Braverman ’85%
Paul Combs ’87%
Buddy Leech ’64%
Bill Plummer ’67%
$100 - $249
Ralph Babb ’71
Phil Brown ’59%
Patrick Douglas ’96
Kerry Douglas ’68%
Ken Geel ’67%
Viga Hall ’51%
Charles Hight ’60%
Stephen Limbaugh ’51%
Bill Price ’63Y
Paul Pritchard ’66
James Towler ’84%
Bob Toy ’86%
Newt Wakeman ’59
Others
Don Barbour ’60
Linton Bartlett ’86
Matthew Del Pizzo ’93
Sid Douglas ’80
Terry Dunaway ’61
Michael Haley ’74
Mark Hammett ’99
Tom Hankins ’74
Shannon Hessemyer ’97
John Morgenson ’79
John Nicol ’66
Richard Ott ’82%
Jay Preston ’08
Chuck Stillwell ’70
Jon Valuck ’83%
Howard Wright ’62
MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
Others
Shiraz Daud ’96
Thomas Green ’16
Casey Prough ’01
MIT
$25,000 - $49,999
Mike Feinstein ’82%
$5,000 - $9,999
John Chisholm ’84Z
$2,500 - $4,999
Ken Bryan ’88t
Alan Laves ’82Z
Jay Watkins ’90&
$1,839 - $2,499
Godard Abel ’93&
Simeon Chow ’77&
$1,000 - $1,838
Mark Cooper ’91&
Crash Tung ’86t
$500 - $999
Gary Bickel ’61Y
Noah Breslow ’97Y
Gary Henderson ’82Y
Michael Monsler ’64%
$250 - $499
Erik Abernathy ’93
Larry Hoover ’57&
John Kerins ’80Y
David Krall ’82&
Bill Maimone ’84&
Spike McGovern ’89&
John Sell ’91Y
John Springsteen ’91&
AUTO-KAI CLUB AND PLEDGED SUPPORT
326 recurring donors
$145,414 raised in FY25
In total, brothers and Friends of Beta pledged $418,634 to the Beta Leadership Fund in FY25. This recurring and pledged support highlights the sustainable, predictable impact that allows Beta to plan for the future with confidence.
WHY YOUR RECURRING GIFT MATTERS
Together, Auto-Kai and multi-year BLF pledges create a foundation of reliability. This ongoing generosity empowers Beta to:
• F orecast programs with confidence
• I nvest in long-term leadership initiatives
• D eliver life-changing experiences to collegians and alumni alike
Jon Ahearn ’14%
Nick Lampi ’99&
$500 - $999
Gene Bradley ’64%
Milton English ’66%
Richard Steines ’84%
Automate your BLF giving and join the Auto-Kai Club at beta.org/autokai
Bob Struble ’85&
Randy West ’93%
$100 - $249
Frank Aguirre ’91
Ed Bell ’58%
Mark Bouchard ’84%
Kenneth Chay ’91%
Andrew Chess ’86
Bill Chesterson ’82%
John Coggeshall ’66
Jim Cureton ’89%
Seth Davis ’83%
Tony DiPesa ’86%
Brian DiVasta ’95
Tuan Elstrom ’91
Lampros Fatsis ’77
Daniel Frankel ’89
Bob Grant ’64&
Christian Hamer ’94%
Robert Harris ’81Y
Tom Hauer ’79%
David Kramer ’88
Roger Lacy ’79%
Frank Leibly ’93Z
Allan MacLaren ’60%
Bob Malster ’56%
Herman Marshall ’78&
Rob Mentle ’88
David Milich ’82t
Chris Mottes ’90
Michael Rechtin ’89%
Tom Rooze ’85
Tyler Schoulte ’21
Mehul Shah ’01
Michael Skillingberg ’75
Rob Ullman ’94
Alex Virgilio ’92%
Others
Chris Briere ’19
Rich Carpenter ’64%
Raysh Daub ’70
Michael DeCavalcante ’87
David Dellagrotte ’90
Anand Devendran ’99
Wilf Gardner ’69
Peter Gaston ’81&
Gary Gibian ’71
Dan Kramer ’83
John Lamy ’68
David Lineman ’85%
Jeff Murray ’71
William Nolan ’24
Bob Ramstad ’90&
Phil Robinson ’61
Alex Ross ’61%
Nico Salinas ’21
Ken Shine ’85%
Steve Silberberg ’83
Ben Silverman ’88
Victor Sinow ’08%
Marty St. George ’86Y
Bob Wargo ’77%
NEBRASKA
$2,500 - $4,999
Jim Penney ’65Y
Mike Wortman ’70&
$1,000 - $1,838
Kile Johnson ’66%
Carl Mammel ’55&
$500 - $999
Bruce McKeag ’68&
Bill Pohlman ’62Y
$250 - $499
Craig Christiansen ’73%
Scott Greenwood ’74Y
John Hancock ’69%
Jon Hinrichs ’64%
Scott Ingham ’15
Hal Johnson ’61Y
Jerry Marples ’60%
John Meese ’73%
Preston Mesick ’06%
Kenton Moore ’09%
Don Stokes ’62Y
$100 - $249
BC Christenson ’70%
Craig Colburn ’65%
Larry Dlugosh ’65%
Larry Frolik ’66%
Kip Hirschbach ’68
Jim Humphry ’65%
Max Martin ’70%
Todd Mattox ’02Y
John McCollister ’70
Neil Moseman ’83%
Lee Peterson ’61%
Bob Purcell ’65%
Jim Rembolt ’65%
Drew Stange ’83%
Philip Swaim ’63
Steve Williams ’75%
Tom Williams ’70%
Brian Worrall ’80
Others
Bill Buntain ’84
Chris Costello ’91
Andy Cunningham ’71
Gene Hammond ’68
John Hanneman ’73
Dave Humphry ’62%
Steve Hutchins ’67
Barry Johnston ’66
Mark Larsen ’79
Gary Matson ’63
Dave Nikunen ’83
Charlie Packard ’71
Frank Robinson ’61
Mac Ryder ’61%
David Smith ’64
Duane Sullivan ’71%
Grant Vicich ’02
Don Walla ’74
Bob Whitmore ’71%
Kevin Woolworth ’20
NEW JERSEY
Others
Zack Bacino ’23
Joey Baldofsky ’19
Chris Blakeley ’19
NORTH CAROLINA
$500 - $999
Rick Spangler ’71&
$100 - $249
Peter Cleveland ’78%
Pax Glenn ’58%
Jimmy Hart ’80
Ed Pagett ’67%
Bob Sevier ’62%
Reb Thomas ’79%
Eric Wagoner ’73%
Charles Warren ’61%
Others
Trip Brown ’61%
Jim Crouch ’71
Stephen Cumbie ’70Y
Bill Keesler ’74
Doc Lohr ’58
Bill Stacy ’75
Ralph Whitfield ’81%
NORTH DAKOTA
$250 - $499
Dave Dixon ’58%
$100 - $249
Tom Thomas ’58%
Others
Eric Braasch ’15%
Senor Fugere ’63
Myron Johnson ’70%
Doug Lewis ’79
Joe Rolfes ’15
Paul Skjervheim ’15%
NORTHEASTERN
$100 - $249
Matt Crimmins ’13
Others
Joe Albanese ’17
John Hubbard ’14%
Will Pett ’14
Tyler Wong ’16
NORTHWESTERN
$5,000 - $9,999
John Mutz ’57Z
$1,839 - $2,499
Justin Rutherford ’00&
$1,000 - $1,838
Thomas Greaves ’11%
Others
Bill Caruso ’55
Lee Enz ’57
David Kahl ’64
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
$1,000 - $1,838
Roger Roa ’02Y
$500 - $999
Tony Benza ’10
OHIO
$10,000 - $24,999
Rick Sabol ’77Z
$5,000 - $9,999
Randy Greig ’53&
$2,500 - $4,999
Randy Apgar ’68&
Jim Goddard ’54Z
$1,839 - $2,499
Peter Fine ’74&
Jeff O’Hara ’69&
$1,000 - $1,838
Rick Brown ’65Z
Glenn Corlett ’65&
John Gainor ’78Y
Tommy Raimondi ’16%
$500 - $999
Deke Abbott ’61Y
Philip Akin ’20
Bob Boyd ’63Y
Thomas Brenner ’77%
Brian Cain ’91%
John Callahan ’56
Robert Castle ’77Y
Tom Connors ’66%
Carson Crow ’71%
Jim Domke ’77%
Bruce Dupuis ’72%
George Eistetter ’58
Mark Griffith ’78%
Chris Hile ’94%
Paul Kerschner ’76%
Mike Kress ’65&
John McKinley ’64Y
Tom Morr ’70%
Jeff Radomski ’81%
Dave Scott ’62%
Jim Stagi ’77&
Alan Templeman ’63%
Bill Whipple ’72Y
Steve Zimmerman ’72%
$250 - $499
Andrew Berger ’79Y
Culby Culbertson ’77%
Dan Dahlen ’76%
Steve Lesser ’75
Alan Prescott ’78%
Bill Roof ’75%
Emmett Wilson ’84Y
$100 - $249
Dave Cappellari ’77%
Gary Harlow ’67%
John Holden ’65%
Kent Houser ’77%
Michael La Beau ’67%
Doug Schwarz ’78
Bruce Skala ’88
Dave Wolfe ’64%
Jim Young ’68%
Others
Bob Beles ’64
David Brown ’77
Ron Calhoun ’72Y
Denny Conrad ’75
Bob Gruss ’74%
Pete Hood ’61%
Jim Horn ’68&
Donald Hunt ’61
Jerry Lyons ’56
Nate Renwald ’96
Caleb Saunders ’20
Pete Shilling ’65%
Jamison Vaughn ’14
OHIO STATE
$1,839 - $2,499
Rick Schwieterman ’72&
Ralph Talmage ’71&
Bob Taylor ’64&
$250 - $499
Dick Foster ’65%
Dan Wigton ’79Y
$100 - $249
Roger Albrecht ’68&
Scott Barnes ’78%
John Beam ’68&
Jon Bennett ’69%
Bill Buckham ’67Y
John Hopkins ’57%
Scott Kraushar ’76%
Drew Locaputo ’95%
Christopher Swartz ’66%
Others
Rick Carpenter ’66
Tony Cicatiello ’69%
William Moshier ’53
Dave Neff ’74%
Tom Phillips ’64
Chuck Pond ’62
Justin Reckers ’03
John Rindler ’85
Dave Rowlinson ’81
Bob Stevenson ’48
Jerry Truster ’65
Chuck Wright ’62%
David Wright ’67t
OHIO WESLEYAN
$1,000 - $1,838
Marty Haskell ’68&
$500 - $999
Larry Linderer ’55%
Tom Tatham ’56%
$250 - $499
Eric Eickhoff ’00&
Bob Walters ’73%
$100 - $249
Thomas Chimples ’81%
Dick Currie ’58
Others
Bruce Crittenden ’59
Mike Dove ’55
Matt Garrison ’99%
Jack Hahn ’55%
Rick Hursh ’70%
Jud Knox ’70
Steve Sherwood ’70
Lee Szambecki ’98%
John Turner ’61
Fred Yost ’73
OKLAHOMA
$10,000 - $24,999
Link Barr ’85%
Robert Beall ’80O
Mike Bickford ’80O
$2,500 - $4,999
Andy Bishop ’75Z
Tom McCasland ’56 G
Thomas Norris ’56&
Don Smith ’58Z
$1,839 - $2,499
Steve Glasser ’70&
Arthur Thompson ’66&
Lance Tolson ’82&
$1,000 - $1,838
Michael Hall ’88Y
Bob Klabzuba ’71Z
Carlisle Mabrey ’66t
$500 - $999
George Durfee ’59%
Lane Gibbs ’09%
Tad Hughes ’85%
Scott Lawrence ’67%
Cory Lloyd ’10
Tom McCasland ’81O
Steve Miller ’72%
Brian O’Hara ’86%
Rodrigo Rivera-Reyes ’15%
Rich Talley ’74t
$250 - $499
Zach Allen ’85%
Patrick Barnes ’70
Steven Carter ’02
John Coker ’72%
Charles Cole ’66%
Renny Collins ’79Y
Mark Curnutte ’76%
Doug Frantz ’66Y
Randy Helms ’79%
John Hillis ’82Y
Aaron Hutton ’98
Brad Johnston ’69%
Paul Keller ’05%
Burt Lampl ’88%
Donnie Lehman ’83%
Todd Lisle ’84Y
Dean Luthey ’76&
David Mueller ’63
William Nation ’96
Stephen Newcombe ’79%
Corey Walz ’12%
$100 - $249
Bob Berry ’70
William Berry ’73
Eric Brigance ’97
Chris Brown ’71%
Dewey Chambers ’80&
Don Crews ’65%
Ronald Cutter ’90
Bradford Hoopes ’76%
Thomas Hopwood ’70
Mark Johnston ’79
Derek Kemp ’12
Kenneth Lisle ’73%
Curtis McCarty ’92Y
Douglas McDonald ’60%
Henry Nguyen ’07
Jeffrey Norman ’85%
John Ritz ’71%
Mike Ritz ’66%
Rob Robertson ’84%
Steve Sinos ’04
Strat Tolson ’44%
Charlie Towe ’85
Others
Richard Anderson ’82
Logan Beall ’12%
Ken Beard ’75
Joe Bell ’59
Charlie Bethea ’67
Jeffrey Bissinger ’15
Brad Brown ’07
Gary Brown ’74%
Tony Bumpas ’76
Robert Byrd ’97
Patrick Campbell ’74%
Don Carey ’61
Danny Craig ’03
Joey Depner ’23
Koby Harrington ’09%
Joe Kokojan ’06%
Bryan Lansford ’85
Tim Larason ’62
Scott Millington ’81
Brooks Mitchell ’83%
Mitch Neely ’04
Skip Norris ’66
Brett Robinson ’86
Harry Segnar ’67
Marc Taylor ’91%
Steve Taylor ’67
Carter Williams ’21
Grant Wilson ’78%
OKLAHOMA STATE
$25,000 - $49,999
Brad Black ’77t
$1,000 - $1,838
Josh Fairchild ’05Y
$500 - $999
Bill Fraser ’84 $250 - $499
Jerry Fine ’66&
Joe Greenhaw ’83&
Ed Holstein ’54Y
Dot Thomas ’79& $100 - $249
Edward El Rassi ’08
Kevin Ellington ’60&
Larry Maguire ’65%
Ron Peterson ’83
George Reed ’83Y
Jeb Reid ’79
Neil Rosser ’84%
Tim Smalley ’60
Chris Wild ’08
who made gifts between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.
DONOR LEGEND
JUNE 1, 2024– MAY 31, 2025
Auto-Kai donors shown in BLUE
LIFETIME GIVING SOCIETIES
Shrine On High............$5 Million+
G Old Main .............................$1 Million
% Campanile .........................$500,000
O Chautauqua ......................$250,000
t Diamond..............................$100,000
Z Rose .......................................$50,000
& Founders’..............................$25,000
& President’s ...........................$10,000
Y Loving Cup .............................$5,000
% Beta............................................$1,000 TOTAL
Others
Doug Anderson ’76
Bert Belanger ’79&
Sam Cieminski ’19
Larry Cooper ’53
George Crawford ’83
Tom Feagins ’81
Chuck Hensley ’67Z
Lee Jeffrey ’63
Russ Katigan ’05
Terry Kern ’66&
Don Linsenmeyer ’63
Dave Lundy ’68
Ronnie Mauldin ’75
John McKnight ’54
Tim Meyer ’64
Tony Miller ’70
Millard Prigmore ’61
Gregory Schedler ’77
Gregory Sharp ’67
Jim Skelton ’58
Bill Snipes ’75%
Tom Snyder ’77&
James Spann ’57
Tary Wilkinson ’59
OREGON
$10,000 - $24,999
Spencer Brush ’67Z
$5,000 - $9,999
Art Carmichael ’62t
$500 - $999
Alex Tucker ’20%
$250 - $499
Craig Iverson ’67%
Marty Packouz ’69Y
$100 - $249
Bill Crist ’68&
Ted Gillette ’74&
Karl Koch ’65%
Roger Krakow ’75
Jerry Lewis ’63%
TJ McDonald ’71%
Stephen Wasserberger ’76%
Craig Weston ’76
Sterling Wolfe ’62%
Others
Bob Arrigoni ’58
Jairo Becerra ’23
James Forsloff ’64
Steven Lord ’69
Doug Moore ’69
Derek Muir ’04
OREGON STATE
$1,839 - $2,499
Bruce Levering ’76&
$250 - $499
Dan Sheldon ’83
$100 - $249
Steven Anderson ’79
Arlen Borgen ’56%
Tom Cox ’55%
Jim Fortner ’85
Craig Weigand ’78
Others
Jerry Boucock ’67
Michael Deats ’86%
Terry Gardner ’70
Dave Oehling ’63
Kevin Ricker ’96%
Art Sasaki ’66
Christopher Sims ’18
Morris Stimson ’59
PACIFIC
Others
Jasper Chuang ’19
Cameron Cornell ’17
Rhett Kilgore ’14
Mason Miguel ’21
PENN STATE
$500 - $999
Nick Gummo ’13%
$250 - $499
Peter Bossis ’73Y
$100 - $249
Marco Dellaria ’83%
Ted Jackson ’54
Others
Les Boeckel ’70
David Grubbs ’62
Bill Korner ’67
Zach Rubin ’06
Bill Torrance ’71
Jim Tudas ’65%
PENNSYLVANIA
$25,000 - $49,999
Jeff Lieberman ’96O
$500 - $999
Jeremie Dufault ’00Y
Brian Godfrey ’01Y
$100 - $249
John Alsentzer ’54%
Jason Aschenbrand ’96%
Bob Dempsey ’53%
Bob Gosciewski ’79
Brian Hessel ’90%
Others
Brian Bohr ’96%
Wendell Evans ’87
Keoni Fox ’96
Russell Landmann ’81
Alan Pike ’84%
PITTSBURGH
$100 - $249
James DiBitetto ’14%
Others
Eli Hoyek ’16
PUGET SOUND
$1,839 - $2,499
Don Curtis ’90&
John Toomer ’84&
$500 - $999
Ted Buck ’87Y
Collin Lee ’93%
$250 - $499
Kevin Bohm ’12
$100 - $249
John Chouinard ’69%
Alex Gardner ’11%
Others
Tom Berg ’69%
Ray Conner ’88&
Chris Craney ’70%
Craig Haines ’69
Karl Leaverton ’78%
James Lentz ’78%
Jim Lonsbery ’76
Jeff Tyner ’73
Jack Whittall ’79
Brennan Wilder-Gold ’20
PURDUE
$25,000 - $49,999
Jim Corliss ’61&
John Young ’56t
Chad Zamarin ’98t
$10,000 - $24,999
Jay Merrell ’81&
Bob St. Jean ’69&
$5,000 - $9,999
John Laurie ’86&
David McKinley ’69Y
Cary Wood ’89&
$2,500 - $4,999
Dave Cox ’63&
$1,839 - $2,499
Rick Bond ’79&
Matt Bundy ’99&
Kevin Comer ’71&
Tom Hoover ’82&
Tom Lupfer ’79&
Dave Thompson ’64&
Mike Wells ’75&
Tim Wilschetz ’83&
$1,000 - $1,838
Bill Bumpas ’59&
Terri Earnest ’66Y
Marc Fooksman ’81%
$500 - $999
Tom Brazina ’86%
Bud Harman ’51Y
Scott Hayes ’68Y
Bob McLean ’62Y
Patrick Shanahan ’82%
Fred Wendland ’90%
$250 - $499
Jeff Steurer ’02
$100 - $249
Dick Bond ’68
Jay Carpenter ’76%
John DeVries ’63&
Cooper Feeney ’21
Ray Gass ’59%
Page Hoover ’90
William Horton ’70%
John Kestler ’86%
Noah Kestler ’23
Sean Klinger ’17
Michael Kosta ’90
Michael McCoy ’73%
Lee Saberson ’68
Daniel Seach ’18
Doug Wheeler ’95
Dave Yoder ’62
Others
Andrew Becerra ’17
Gary Burns ’76
John Canterbury ’64%
Adam Cristo ’62
Sean Eddington ’16
Jim Eibel ’57%
Ralph Mason ’60
Dick Price ’62%
Robert Risser ’63
Ted Schwenke ’55%
Dan Weis ’87
QUINNIPIAC
Others
Preston Porter ’14
RHODE ISLAND
$2,500 - $4,999
Jeff Flanagan ’93&
$100 - $249
Frank Girardi ’98
Francis Troy ’95
Others
Jeff Sobel ’93
ROCHESTER
Others
Thomas Jeffries ’18
Chris Muller ’18
ROCKHURST
Others
Brandon Hernandez ’19
RUTGERS
$10,000 - $24,999
Ken Grispin ’70t
$250 - $499
John Emery ’53%
John Huss ’57Y
John Indyk ’83%
$100 - $249
Bill de Bruin ’60
Kevin Foy ’79%
John Jeniec ’71%
Ned Jones ’67
Lee Lensky ’77%
Edward Lewandowski ’78
Gordon Robinson ’59
Tom Smith ’71
Others
Philip Mahalic ’69
Jon Miller ’77
Mike Rocca ’96
Bob Russo ’79
Larry Schnapf ’76
Scot Sofield ’97
Anatoli Welihozkiy ’69
SACRED HEART
Others
Nick Zingales ’23
SAINT LOUIS
$250 - $499
Nick Block ’03%
Tim Cassady ’06%
Josh Simpson ’08%
$100 - $249
Jack Joyce ’14%
Others
Hector Bird ’06%
Matthew House ’04
SAN DIEGO
$500 - $999
Nick Hatton ’18%
Paul Winterbotham ’12Y
$100 - $249
Jordan Lemoine ’16%
Fred Myrtle ’11%
Others
Matt Oden ’12
Taylor Shramo ’11
FOUNDERS SCHOLARSHIPS
Each of the Founders Memorial Scholarship recipients received $2,500, endowed by an estate gift from Robert C. Lafferty, Ohio Wesleyan 1928.
JOHN REILY KNOX
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Noah Zahn, Johns Hopkins ’24
SAMUEL TAYLOR MARSHALL
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Alex Houlton, George Mason ’23
DAVID LINTON
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Luke Diener, Oklahoma State ’27
JAMES GEORGE SMITH
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
TJ Hoban, South Carolina ’26
CHARLES HENRY HARDIN
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Luka DiFilippo, Wabash ’25
JOHN HOLT DUNCAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ethan Walter, Johns Hopkins ’27
MICHAEL CLARKSON RYAN
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Nathan Balkenbusch, Kansas State ’14
THOMAS BOSTON GORDON
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Alec Anstine, Kentucky ’25
NOAH ZAHN
““When I was unsure of my future, a Beta outside my chapter helped me rediscover purpose and direction. Working in his research lab revealed a passion for science I hadn’t realized before, inspiring me to pursue a PhD at Princeton. Though we didn’t know we were both Betas until later, our shared commitment to the Fraternity’s values forged a bond that changed my life. True brotherhood means showing up for others when they need it most.”
$328,682 total student scholarships
Student scholarships include merit-based, Men of Principle and affordability scholarships (members and new members).
Kim Ward ’66%
Noel Lawson ’78
More information on all scholarships is available at beta.org/scholarships .
DONOR LEGEND
JUNE 1, 2024– MAY 31, 2025
Auto-Kai donors shown in BLUE
LIFETIME GIVING SOCIETIES
Tricia Trulik
Christy Trussell
Kelly Turner
Tom VanSimaeys
Beth Vlahos
Denise Waldron
Rob Walker
K athleen Walsh
Danny Warning
Betsy Weigel
Carrie Whittier
Ben Williams
Suzy Wittlich
Julie Wonders
Matthew Zebertavage
Others
Emily Abbruzzese
Roberta Affraiye
Gordy Agen
Meghan Alderson
Bradley Allen
Steve & Emily Anderson
John Anderson
Webby Applegate
Leigh Applegate
Agnes Applegate
David Applegate
Jamie Atkinson Atkinson
Tonia Ayres
Melissa Bade
Deanna Ballinger
Mahesh Balusa
Heather Banks
Maryanne Banks
Katherine Barlow
Barry Barnett
Joan Basombrio
Maria Becerra
Marcia Beck
Dan and Fran Becque
Elizabeth Bell
Christer Berg
Jason Bergeron
Sarah Bergman
Laura Bhatt
K ira Bhattarai
Christine Billings
Cathy Billoni%
Katie Bodlak
Katherine Bohorquez
Sam Boren
Gary Bossert
Renia Boudaghian
Billy Boulden
Richard Brookbanks
Ashleigh Brown-Carlson
John Bruner
Amy Buckley
Steve and Ellen Bullard
Ron Burgess
Larry Burnett
Kate Butler Denhart
Liz Cadwell
K athy Cardy
Chris Carlson
Lauren Carman
Bethany Carr
Mary Carver-Campbell
Michelle Castro
Natasha Caudill
Kathy Chambers
Kristie Chambers
Charlee Chambers
Mike Chambers
Maddox Chambers
Amy Chapman
Ian Chen
Keenan Churchman
Justin Cihanowyz
Andrew Cliatt
Jenny Cluppert
Beth Collins
Victoria Colon-Succi
Kelly Connery
Heather Considine
Ruben Contreras
Mariah Contreras
Abrianna Contreras
Marisa Contreras
Pam Cottle
Kelsey Cottle
Michael Crawford
Lori Crocker
Kevin Dacus
Tina Davis
Stephen Demm
Mary DeNardo
Cedar Village Dentistry
Claire Dixon
David Drachman
Tricia Drylie
Vikki Dwira
Jon Edwards
Rochelle Ekpa
Zeiny Elzeiny
Michelle Engle
Don Fagerberg
Shannon Fahey
Emily Fehlberg
Erin Fernandes
Grayson Fernandez
Nicolette Fernandez
Hudson Fernandez
Corbin Fiedler
Mackenzie Finklea
Donna Jo Fitzpatrick
Hailey Flavin
Susan Flynn
Cody Flynn
Alyssa Fosorile
Allison Fowler
Michelle Franchetti
Marc Francois
Nicholas Franks
Catherine Frye
Dana Garard
Matthew Garcia
Ashley Gardner
Alissa Gavrilescu
Rob Genter
Abigail Gillissie
Arica Golden
Amy Golden
JB Goll
Patricia Goodman
Marsha Grady
Melody Grand
Tyra Gray
Kelly Green
Liana Groza
Sharan Gruendler
Michelle Guobadia
Becky Guthrie
Ann Haas
Devin Hall
Mimi Harman
Kendall Hayes
Kristen Heil
Susie Heineman
Greta Heinzelman
Mary Elizabeth Herring
Liz Hickman
Joseph Hicks
Tara Hieggelke
Libbey Hoang
Emma Hyler
Kyanna Jackson
Robert Jacobson
David Jauch
Angela Jenkins
Catherine Johnson
Brad Johnson
Alex Johnston
Seth Jones
Jaylyn Jones
Paulette Kall
Kristen Kardas
Kayla Kaufmann
John Keely
Mare Kemp Costabile
Stacie Kilgore
Robert Krapfl
Donald Lafferty
Juan Landa
Barrett Lane
Kara Ledesma
Lulu Lednik
Lexi Leggs
Heather Lemire
Tom Lepperd
Sarah Lerner
Carolyn Liles
Heidie Lindsey
Laurie Lockhart
Sarah Lockhart
Tissa Lopez-Jewart
Amy Malek
Jerry Malek
Matthew Maniscalco
Sue Ann Marcum
Gerald Marple
Larissa Marple
Danielle Mason
Chris Mauch
Jeremy Mayhew
Kimberly McCalmont
Kathryn and Bruce McClain%
Bruce McClain
Alison McClean
Beth McConn
Andrea McDonald
Penelope McHale
Denise McNaughton
Avery McNaughton
Sue McPhee
Jeff Mette
Laura Meyer
Ena Meyers
Taylor Mierendorf
Jedd Miller
Carrie Miller Workman
Christopher Miofsky
Molly Mishler
Xavier Mishler
Trista and Brandon Mock
Amy Moore
Michael Morin
Doug Morris
Virginia Mullaney
Emily Nasello
Karl Neuman
Michael Nolt
Flor Olivo
Glenn O’Nan
Kristie O’Nan
Elizabeth Ontario
Guadalupe Orozco
Dale O’Toole
Anna Palagi
Jane Pallokat
Sydney Papadopoulos
Tyler Parker
Kaiya Patel
Jeremy Paul
Craig Peake
Jeff Peek
Gail Peitzmeier
Roger Pena
Les Pierce
Kate Pike
Kathy Plummer
Sharon Rantala
Maggie Rauschuber
Austin Reed
Stephanie Reeves
Samantha Reineke
Christian Reineke
Alex Reineke
Madi Reineke
Sarah Rhoades
Wendy Richards
Allison Rickels
Shannon Rickett
Kellen Roach
Kelly Robert
Kristen Robinson
Melissa Rocco
Victoria Rodriguez
Leila Rodriguez
Caroline Rohlfing
Hannah Rosen
Todd Rotgers
Eleni Roupas
Caitlin Rulli
Erica Rundle
Gabriel Rundle
Sophia Rundle
Carrie Rush
Jennifer Santerre
Anthony Scali
Diane Schindler
Steve Schmitt
Amy Schraufstetter
Liz Schultz
Jamie Selby
Stephen Selby
Karen Selby
Katie Seuntjens
Beau Seuntjens
Mae Seuntjens
Morgan Sexton
Veronica Seymour
Bonny Shade
Irina Shalinskaya
Mindy Sides Walsh
Sarah Simmons
Rebecca Simmons
Madison Simmons
Jenn Simmons
Cayla Simons
Ana Spiridigliozzi
Trisha Spivey
Spo Spoto
Brittany Spoto
Derek Standarowski
Eric Steager
Leslie Stebbins%
Jon Stenger
Lisa Sunderhaus
Crystal Sutton
Sondra Swartz
Denessa Tackett
Kathryn Taylor
Andrew Thatcher
Keri Thurner
Paige Townley
Mark Trenton
Cassidy Troup-Brady
Mandy Tyler
Jennifer VandeWiele
Luis Vasquez
Luca Vassalli
Susie Vitale
Sean Wagner
Paige Wagner
Kjirsten Wallace
Sawyer Walters
Steven Walters
Sara Walters
Morgan Warren
Taylor Warren
Cannen Warren
Tyler Wash
Julie Wavrunek
Emma Wavrunek
Kim Webber
Ashlee Weingarten
Carol Welsch
Erin Wendover
Rachel Westra%
Josie Wheeler
Ava White
Christian Wiggins
Viancca Williams
Robert Williams
John Williams
Rorik Williams
RJ Williams
James Wilson
Jake Wilson
David Workman
Donna Workman
Karen Wu
Morgan Youngs
Ashley Zadlock
Angela Zemke
Alexander Zhuravel
Peter Ziegler
Tiffani Ziemann
Thea Zunick
Nan Zupancic
Elizabeth Zuppann
A
PATH BUILT BY
BROTHERHOOD
With a gift of $500 or more to the Beta Leadership Fund, you can secure your place on the pathway while also funding the growth and development of Beta’s collegians. Each brick is engraved with a name, school and graduation year, and it is placed alongside other loyal Betas from the same chapter. Bricks make great birthday, holiday or graduation gifts!
For Frank, it’s more than philanthropy — it’s:
• Celebrating two mentors, friends and leaders each year
• Paying tribute to those who built his chapter experience
• Renewing bonds with brothers who remain part of his journey
“It’s my way of saying thank you ... and ensuring these men remain part of Beta’s story forever.”
9,000+ personalized bricks span the walkways at the Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio. BUY YOUR BRICK TODAY! beta.org/brick
FRANK DAVIS, BALL STATE ’67
BRIDGE BUILDER SOCIETY
AUBURN
Roderick B. Hastie ’82
BALL STATE
Randy D. Phillips ’79
BETHANY
Alex Delgiorno ’14
David A. Butz ’60
Richard K. Boyd, Jr. ’61
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Alan G. Young ’71
BROWN
Bruce M. Lloyd ’69
CASE
Henry L. Vernon, Jr. ’68
James W. Kewley ’66
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Terry L. Massie ’12
Thomas C. Olver ’98
CHARLESTON
Zachary Sierputowski ’16
11
NEW BBS MEMBERS in FY25 for an estimated $891,000
CHICO STATE
Robert D. Dean ’89
CINCINNATI
David M. Kerka ’88
Don J. Juszczyk ’91
Douglas Thompson Eustice ’71
Elroy E. Bourgraf ’54
Mark A. Simon ’12
Thomas D. Cassady ’76
Thomas D. Seifert ’64
CLEMSON
Bryant N. Blakeslee, Jr. ’06
COLGATE
Bruce S. Fein ’84
COLORADO MINES
Newell H. Orr, Jr. ’48
Philip A. Moldenhauer ’75
COLORADO STATE
Timothy J. Allen ’88
CONNECTICUT
Adam Porter-Price ’06
CORNELL
Philip D. Spiller, Jr. ’95
Richard W. Banks ’72
DAYTON
Simon Herrmann ’10
Thomas O. Farnsworth ’09
DENISON
George M. Brown, Jr. ’60
DEPAUW
Douglass M. Vines ’68
Jeffery L. Cable ’82
EAST CAROLINA
Adam J. Scarboro ’06
Dave Bautista Pyle ’06
Duane Kirk Little ’82
Bridge Builder Society members are brothers and friends who have included the Foundation in their will or estate plans, providing vital support for the Beta Leadership Fund and Founders Fund Endowment.
THREE WAYS TO GIVE
GIVE a charitable bequest in your will or living trust to the Beta Foundation.
NAME the Beta Foundation as a beneficiary in your 401(k) or other retirement plans.
OPEN a life insurance policy with the Beta Foundation as either the policy owner or beneficiary.
For more information, please visit beta.org/bbs.
GMI-EMI
David J. Hogan ’74
Dennis A. Dust ’69
HANOVER
Ronald A. Meegan ’69
Ross J. King ’62
Sangkook Han ’60
HIGH POINT
Michael E. Dreher ’19
IDAHO
William I. Jordan ’69
ILLINOIS
Gant Redmon ’59
John E. Manczak ’71
INDIANA
Charles O. McCormick, III ’72
J. Philip Goddard ’67
Jack L. Harris ’51
James R. Roudebush ’71
Paul H. Drew ’72
IOWA
Neal J. Brower ’90
Steven G. Bensema ’06
IOWA STATE
Gale M. Peterson, Jr. ’66
Judson A. Horras ’97
Khayree Duckett ’17
Michael J. Dubes ’66
Robert A. Wiley ’87
Ronald G. Sande ’64
William F. McCulloch ’56
JOHNS HOPKINS
James T. McMenamin, Jr. ’71
KANSAS
John W. Stewart ’60
KANSAS STATE
Jacob D. Tidwell ’04
EASTERN KENTUCKY
L. Martin Cobb ’96
Michael G. McFerren ’77
Nicholas H. Sexton ’11
EMORY
Alan C. Teplis ’78
John H. Stebbins ’92
William R. Korth ’76
FLORIDA
David J. Leppert ’77
Gary W. Leech ’70
Matthew S. Paynter ’00
Michael F. Gable ’67
Stephen B. Becker ’69
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Robert S. Billoni ’95
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Michael A. Angelica ’10
Steven Cruz ’12
FLORIDA STATE
Curtiss C. Potter ’92
Jeffrey B. McLain ’76
FURMAN
Michael P. Harrison ’98
GENERAL FRATERNITY
ROLLS
Joel A. Huxley ’06
GEORGIA TECH
Arthur R. Smith ’75
Lynn C. Maddox ’64
Theodore S. Haile ’75
MIAMI (FLA.)
Peter N. Darrow ’09
MICHIGAN
Donald G. DiPaolo ’78
Ian H. Ross ’21
James R. Denbo ’63
Karl J. Edelmann ’86
Roger S. Helman ’89
William P. Johnson ’57
MICHIGAN STATE
Russell E. Palmer ’56
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Michael D. Filyaw, Jr ’14
MINNESOTA
Brent A. Anderson ’85
James D. Keeler ’89
Justin M. Miller ’00
Ryan A. Marek ’12
MISSISSIPPI
William B. Lipscomb ’65
MISSOURI
Richard F. Kammerer ’80
Robert N. Healy ’64
Robert W. McKinley ’66
MIT
Kendall R. Bryan ’88
Michael G. Feinstein ’82
NEBRASKA
Preston M. Mesick ’06
R. C. Mead ’65
Randolph A. Walling, Jr. ’61
NORTHWESTERN
John M. Mutz ’57
Justin M. Rutherford ’00
Paul R. Gudonis ’76
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
Christopher G. Althoff ’00
James H. Porter ’64
Jeffrey S. Rundle ’03
John D. Keith ’86
Loren W. Conrad ’61
P. Thomas Purinton ’63
Paul R. Attwater, III ’83
R. William Manning ’80
Randall D. Groves ’78
Robert S. Hoisington ’79
KETTERING A
Matthew J. Lepkowski ’98
LAWRENCE
Daniel P. Hertel ’09
David J. Schnackenberg ’90
LOUISVILLE
Joshua Harris Latzko ’16
Matthew V. Tsien ’80
Thomas N. Chapman ’71
LYNCHBURG
Charles W. Warner ’87
MAINE
George S. Pullen ’03
MARYLAND
Vincent S. Chu ’87
MIAMI
J. Benjamin Beshear ’01
James T. Neef ’53
Jeffrey N. Newton ’77
John M. Slavens ’67
Jonathan J. Brant ’75
Peter W.C. Barnhart ’66
Philip S. Fernandez ’06
Robert D. Wertz, MD ’61
Thomas C. Fey ’68
SAINT LOUIS
Nicholas L. Block ’03
SAN DIEGO STATE
Patrick M. Hidalgo ’91
Aaron F. Vogt ’17
SMU
David W. Light, III ’64
Don S. Pearce ’65
John D. Hagerman ’63
SOUTH DAKOTA
John C. Thietje ’61
Stephen J. Wethor ’88
SOUTH FLORIDA
David E. Schmidt ’92
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Ryan E. King ’01
ST. LAWRENCE
Kevin C. McGrath ’77
SYRACUSE
G. Clif Heidel Jr. ’56
Marc A. Benshetler ’82
Robert F. Hanley, Jr. ’83
TCU
Austin T. Marple ’14
Kent R. Mire ’07
TEXAS
Michael R. Eubank ’83
T. Hardie Bowman IV ’72
Wade H. McMullen ’79
TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Patrick J. Connelly ’74
William K. Spring ’09
TEXAS TECH
Christian M. Ritchie ’17
R. Dean Stalcup ’71
TORONTO
Roger Roa, Jr. ’02
OHIO
Brian D. Cain ’91
Jeffrey A. Radomski ’81
Richard E. Griffin ’65
Richard H. Brown ’65
OHIO STATE
Daniel J. Westerbeck, Jr. ’67
David W. Wright ’67
John O. Hopkins ’57
OHIO WESLEYAN
Eric J. Eickhoff ’00
Cecil I. Craft, III ’86
John H. Coker, Jr. ’72
Koby C. Harrington ’09
Lance S. Tolson ’82
Michael C. Ritz ’66
OKLAHOMA STATE
Joshua P. Fairchild ’05
OREGON
Arthur C. Carmichael, Jr. ’62
William R. Crist ’68
PACIFIC
Julio A. Hernandez ’16
PURDUE
Cary B. Wood ’89
David E. Cox ’63
John E. Young ’56
R. Terri Earnest ’66
RHODE ISLAND
Jeffrey M. Flanagan ’93
RUTGERS
Kenneth J. Grispin ’70
WABASH
James A. Carroll ’65
John R. Roberts ’83
Robert T. Grand ’78
Ronald R. Nichols ’64
Samuel H. S. Hildebrand, II ’61
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON
Victor Lazzaro, Jr ’67
WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS
Aaron T. Kozuki ’05
Tristan K. Sopp ’11
WEST VIRGINIA
Thomas J. Gulliford ’68
WESTERN ONTARIO
Douglas M. Reid ’58
G. Scott Falconer ’82
John R. Birkett ’71
WESTERN RESERVE
Thomas A. Lipton ’63
WESTMINSTER
James H. Williams ’86
Michael J. Esser ’70
Theodore J. Planje, Jr. ’68
WICHITA STATE
Brian L. Wells ’87
Robert M. Smith ’67
Tim J. Watt ’80
WILLAMETTE
David W. Ashby ’68
R. Ethan Braden ’02
WILLIAM & MARY
Patrick A. Everett ’07
WISCONSIN
James R. Curtis ’86
Louis J. Wagner ’64
Robert L. Schnese ’83
William Perry Atterholt ’83
Robert B. McConnell ’79
Ross W. Marsh ’90
TRUMAN STATE
Zachary T. Lepperd ’16
UC IRVINE
Bryant Martin E. Fiesta ’16
Christopher C. Ogilvie ’80
UCLA
Michael J. Downer ’77
Walter A. Chenoweth ’52
UNLV
Michael F. Kawazoe ’01
Willie Romero ’95
UTAH
Robert E. Stagg ’67
VIRGINIA TECH
Anderson S. Wise ’10
Charles E. Comer ’75
Daniel L. Westra ’76
S. Wayne Kay ’73
FRIENDS OF BETA
Anne Emmerth
Arlene Corsiglia
Benjamin M. Williams
Brian E. Breittholz
Carol M. Briggs
Carolyn Harmon
JOHN D. (DON) BIEHL CINCINNATI ’49
$499,302 estate gift received in support of scholarships
Christine McGill
Diane Todd
Elizabeth M. Humphreys
Gwendolyn Stoecklein
Jane Patrick
June Cole
K atherine Wiley
Kathy Tolan
Lindsey Mercer
Mona Skager
Ronald W. Beshear
Sally J. Church
Sandra Northrop
Susan E. Fosdick
Susanne Sommer
DESIGNATED EDUCATIONAL AREA GRANTS
The Designated Educational Area (DEA) Grant Program allows alumni to make charitable gifts earmarked for educational projects for chapter houses, such as libraries, study rooms, internet access and general learning space. The goal of the program is to promote positive cultures and shared social experiences through best-in-class homes.
$2,755,413
Contributed to all DEA funds in FY25
9 CHAPTERS
actively using the DEA Grant Program
Al and Cabrini (Pi Beta Phi) Arendt, South Dakota ’75
SUPPORT BETA’S FUTURE AT USD WITH $55,000 GIFT
At the University of South Dakota, the chapter is using its Designated Educational Area (DEA) Grant Program to upgrade internet access and help cover educational operating costs — an innovative use of the program that enhances both learning and connection. Among those leading the way is Al Arendt, South Dakota ’75, who, along with his wife Cabrini, Pi Beta Phi, made a generous $55,000 gift to support the chapter’s educational spaces and associated operating costs. A retired attorney who practiced law in Pierre, South Dakota, for 40 years, Al reflects fondly on his Beta experience: “I remember with great fondness my days at the Beta house in the ’70s, my Beta brothers and the lifelong relationships formed from those experiences. I also remember how broke we were during college. I urge my brothers to give generously to the Beta house, which was a seminal part of our college days.”
FOUNDERS FUND ENDOWMENT
Since its establishment in 2005, the Founders Fund has grown exponentially, reflecting the enduring generosity of Betas and resulting in more than 20 times its original balance over the past 20 years.
$3,377,226
$160,749 2005 2025
2,000% increase over the past 20 years!
$134,434 estate gift contributions in FY25
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
JIM HOWARD, LOUISVILLE ’93 FROM THE CHAPTER HOUSE TO DISNEY
“Beta shaped my life in powerful ways. The skills I gained as a student leader and leadership consultant on staff opened doors in my career, including my current role at Disney. Giving back is my way of saying thank you to an organization I believe in ... with a matching gift from a company where I grew up ... 21 years and counting!”
Scan the QR code to find out if your company has a matching gift program or visit beta.org/match.
TOP FIVE COMPANIES
1. Hewlett-Packard
2. Capital Group Companies
3. Shell Oil Company
4. Walt Disney Company
5. CVS Health
39 companies donated $26,859 in matching gifts of support in FY25
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
INVESTING IN BETA’S MISSION
Beta Theta Pi’s leadership and educational programs are at the heart of the Fraternity’s mission to “develop men of principle for a principled life.” Each program — from Presidents Academy and Keystone to the Wooden Institute, chapter counselor training, Leadership Summit and the Son of the Stars New Member Orientation Program — is carefully designed to equip collegians and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and values needed to lead with integrity. Together, these programs create safer, healthier and more fulfilling chapter environments where young men can thrive academically, socially and personally.
TRANSFORMING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Participants consistently report stronger brotherhood, safer chapters and more fulfilling personal growth. They learn to lead responsibly, hold one another accountable and apply Beta’s values in daily life. From building authentic friendships to creating plans that reduce risky behavior, these programs shape confident leaders prepared to serve their chapters, campuses and communities.
WHY SUPPORT MATTERS
This impact depends on alumni and friends. Every dollar raised helps fund scholarships, resources and staff support. Every hour volunteered provides mentorship and guidance. Your investment sustains programs that transform young men today and preserve the Beta experience for generations to come.
Beta facilitators at the 2025 Wooden Institute held in Oxford, Ohio.
WOODEN INSTITUTE
JOEY THEOBALD, HANOVER ’26
“During my time at the Wooden Institute, I have learned invaluable skills and ways of living. Because of this institute, I will be leaving Oxford a better man and better Beta. These principles passed down to me are forever life changing, and I cannot thank you enough for making this possible for me. As a founding father, these skills and values will greatly help my chapter now and in the future.”
KEYSTONE
SAM KAHSAY, KENTUCKY ’26
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact of things like scholarships and programs like Sons of the Stars have made. Your support means more than just financial assistance. It’s a powerful reminder that there are people who believe in what we’re building. We hope to carry forward your spirit of generosity in the way we lead, serve and give back to our chapters and communities.”
LEADERSHIP COLLEGE
ETHAN THOMAS, SAN DIEGO ’26
“During my time here, I have learned how to be a strong, earnest, optimistic and kind leader. I have also gained so much knowledge on how to be better prepared for my journey after college. None of that could have been done without you!”
SON OF THE STARS
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Adopted by 91 chapters in FY25 (27% year-over-year increase)
FY25 grant: $48,796 | Total since 2018: $304,953
Participant Experience Outcomes
• Build close, meaningful relationships in new member class
• New member experiences help personal growth
• Feels safe and comfortable during all activities
• Encourage involvement in campus activities
• Beta supports academic, professional and personal goals
• Surround men with others who value academic success
Overall satisfaction: more than 90% very satisfied or satisfied
PROGRAM
LEARNING OUTCOMES AT-A-GLANCE SURVEY RESULTS
Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy
• Use resources to support the role
• Take action to grow as a leader
• Live Beta values in leadership
Overall satisfaction: 94.7% very satisfied
Keystone Regional Leadership Conference
• Apply Beta values in daily decisions
• Use Conclave resources to improve leadership
• Hold self and brothers accountable with values
Overall satisfaction: 86.9% very satisfied or satisfied
Chapter Counselor Training
• Use Beta values for accountability
• Apply Beta values in daily decisions
• Apply best practices in the role
Overall satisfaction: 100% very satisfied or satisfied
Hugh E. Stephenson Jr. Leadership Summit
• Understand expectations and success indicators
• Identify resources for chapter operations
• Recognize minimum expectations as Fraternity ambassador
Overall satisfaction: 96.2% very satisfied or satisfied
John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle
• Apply principled leadership in chapter, campus and community
• Cultivate self-governance, networks and change leadership
• Implement a plan for personal and chapter success
Overall satisfaction: 90.7% very satisfied or satisfied
Beta Brotherhood Assessment
• Use the assessment to address chapter culture
• Create and execute a chapter improvement plan
• Create and execute a plan to prevent risky behavior
Overall satisfaction: With an 81% participation rate, collegians’ responses to the Beta Brotherhood Assessment produced the highest Net Promoter Score — a measure and benchmark of satisfaction and loyalty — in the survey’s seven-year history. The strong score affirms that the Beta experience continues to thrive and resonate on today’s campuses.
BUILD THE BRIDGE CAMPAIGN
BUILDING BETA’S FUTURE TOGETHER
WHERE WE ARE
Brothers and friends of Beta Theta Pi have stepped forward in extraordinary ways. Since the launch of the Campaign, support has surged past $18 million — more than 70% of the way toward the $25.2 million goal. But this Campaign is about more than dollars. It’s about breaking down barriers to membership, helping brothers grow as leaders and ensuring Beta remains a source of strength and connection for life.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Affordable & Accessible: No deserving man should be unable to join or not remain in Beta due to cost.
Lifelong Brotherhood: Betas need connection and resources long after graduation.
Strong Leadership Programs: Beta’s award-winning initiatives depend on sustained investment.
$18,085,595
This Campaign is building a future where the Beta experience is affordable, impactful, and lifelong — for today’s brothers and the generations to come.
$25.2 MILLION INITIATIVE
GOAL: Make Beta affordable and accessible REQUIRED INVESTMENT: $13 million
Launch a scholarship program offering new member affordability scholarships to lower the barrier of entry in the first (and most expensive) term of collegiate membership
Launch an educational grant program for chapters struggling to send young leaders to Beta’s awardwinning leadership programs
Increase need-based scholarships to retain more collegiate brothers through graduation and assist in times of hardship
GOAL: Ensure brothers are brothers for life REQUIRED INVESTMENT: $5.8 million
Create programming for brothers nearing graduation and young alumni to reinforce the value of the Fraternity during the transition to their professional lives
Launch a professional mentoring program for collegiate and alumni members
Invest in a digital networking platform to virtually connect all Beta brothers
Enhance programs and resources to support Beta’s alumni associations
GOAL: Fund existing programs via the BLF REQUIRED INVESTMENT: $6.4 million
Continue investing in the Beta Leadership Fund, which has been critical to the Fraternity’s efforts to educate, train and propel today’s Betas as leaders in our ever-changing communities
BUILD THE BRIDGE
CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM
AFFORDABILITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
YEAR 1 PILOT RESULTS
$57,125 GRANTED AND 144 SCHOLARSHIPS RECEIVED impacting 137 collegians across 50 chapters.
• S cholarship budget doubling from $50,000 to $100,000.
• T IA program moving from pilot to full implementation.
• E xpansion of affordability scholarships to more chapters.
The Campaign has proven what’s possible, but to reach the $25.2 million goal, Beta needs your help. Every dollar builds stronger scholarships, leadership programs and lifelong brotherhood.
Scan the QR code or visit beta.org/buildthebridge for more information.
THANK YOU
to all Betas, Friends of Beta and family members who support our Great and Good Fraternity!
THE BETA WALKWAY NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS
WAYS TO GIVE
More than 9,000 Betas and friends have a personalized brick in the Beta Walkway at the Administrative Office. You can also secure a place in this historic spot with a gift of $500 or more!
Establish a special Named Endowment Fund to make an impact in perpetuity. A minimum investment is required, and the Beta Foundation will work with you to ensure your named gift meets your intentions.
APPRECIATED STOCKS
Make a charitable gift of stock, bonds or mutual funds. And, if you were born before 1955, you may also realize a significant tax savings by making a qualified charitable distribution directly from your individual retirement account.
MATCHING GIFTS
Many employers offer gift matching programs to encourage charitable giving. Your contribution to the Beta Foundation may be doubled or tripled. Check with your employer or visit beta.org/match to see if they participate.
JOIN A CLUB
Many Betas and friends make their gifts through the Auto-Kai Club by setting up a recurring gift online, the esteemed John Reily Knox Club with a gift of $1,839 or more, or the Sons of the Dragon Club (collegians) with a gift of $10 or more.
MAKE YOUR 2025-2026 GIFT TODAY!
Scan the QR code today or visit give.beta.org/ar.
for the first time ever
beta is bound for greece
october 9-18, 2026
Next fall, brothers are invited on a first-of-its-kind expedition to write the next chapter in their Beta journey, from the place that inspired it all ...
Join Betas and friends for nine days of exploration through the cradle of Western civilization, experiencing mind-blowing ruins, timeless traditions and the genuine warmth of Greek hospitality. On this 9-day journey through Athens and Kalamata, you’ll:
Walk among the mighty columns of the Acropolis in Athens, then venture into the storied land of Mycenae, Messene and Olympia.
Wander the cobbled lanes of a Byzantine city, soak in the local culture and taste olive oil pressed since antiquity.
Enjoy eight relaxing nights in boutique luxury accommodations near major attractions, with shops and restaurants just steps away.
Laugh, connect and create new memories with your Beta brothers under the Mediterranean sky.
Participate in an itinerary thoughtfully crafted for exploration and connection.
Visit beta.org/greecetravel to reserve your spot now to travel on this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the birthplace of ___kai___. Space is limited for this inaugural journey.
Register by January 27 and receive a $250 discount per passenger. For questions, contact alumni@beta.org or call AHI at (800) 323-7373 and mention the Beta Theta Pi trip.
LIFTING THE IMPOVERISHED
Upon retiring from a successful business career in 2001, Chuck DeVet, Minnesota ’62, decided to take his daughter on vacation. Choosing Vietnam as their destination, it was meant to be a respite full of leisure, laughs and learning. And it was.
What they couldn’t have anticipated, however, was the emergence of a 25-year love affair — one that has also changed the lives of thousands . . .
When Chuck and Annetta visited Vietnam, they experienced a country emerging from decades of hardship. But, wherever they traveled, they were struck by the ambitious young minds of Vietnamese children and youth that were eager to demonstrate their potential. According to Chuck, “They were only missing one thing: opportunity.”
Inspired, the DeVets got to work and established Humanitarian Services for the Children of Vietnam, a nonprofit offering life-trajectory-shifting services.
Knowing the key to lifting families out of poverty begins with education and economic opportunities, Chuck and Annetta’s HSCV focuses on improving school infrastructure, elevating living standards and sanitation conditions, and fostering access to healthcare.
The lives of countless Vietnamese have changed for the better due to the servant leadership of Brother Chuck DeVet. Because, as learned in Beta Theta Pi, it’s “others before self.”
