Alpha Slants of Beta Theta Pi - Spring 2021

BTP/MI OH - S21 2nd Client

Alpha Slants of

BETA THETA PI SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER

Serving as Our Brother’s Keeper

Support of Family Gives Erin Ennis ’89 Strength During Terminal Cancer Battle

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hen the late Stuart Scott accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2014 ESPYs, the former ESPN anchor said during his speech, “When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer.You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live. So live, fight like hell, and when you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.” Stuart died less than six months later after his battle with cancer, but the fight for a cure goes on.

Today, one of our Beta brothers is battling his own bout with cancer, as Erin Ennis ’89 has been diagnosed with metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma. Erin is undergoing palliative chemotherapy for the terminal diagnosis, but just like Stuart said, that doesn’t mean he’s going to lose to cancer. He has lived and fought like hell because of his children, Arlo, Alayna, and Zoe, and is beyond thankful for the Alpha Chapter brothers who have supported him and his family throughout his fight.

When Glenn found out Erin was sick, he and a few other Alpha Chapter brothers from their class went to visit him for the weekend. Even though Erin was clearly in pain, his Spartan personality was more evident than ever as he hosted his brothers.

Erin Ennis ’89 with his daughters, Alayna and Zoe.

The focus has since shifted to paying for the rest of Zoe and Alayna’s education. Glenn has covered Alayna’s tuition for her freshman year at Miami and is calling upon his Beta brothers to join in this cause that Erin is extremely passionate about.You can join the list of 50-plus brothers who have already served as their brother’s keeper by helping this important effort at gofundme.com/f/7du3p-theennis-family.

“There is not a week that passes in which I do not hear from my Beta brothers. Being alone is a very scary place to be,” Erin said. “It’s a true feeling of vulnerability. Being visible and reminding me that my family is not facing this alone provides a strength to forge ahead no matter what the day, week, or month may bring.

They unselfishly give me their care and remind me continuously that it is my will power that determines the outcome of the day.”

“We have made great progress in funding Alayna’s four years at Miami. At this point, I think we are over halfway there,” Glenn said.

“Alayna has helped greatly by earning a partial academic scholarship, working during school, and taking second semester remotely during the pandemic, which helps with housing. The goal is to raise an additional $75,000 and $100,000 to fund the remainder of Alayna’s school and fund Zoe’s education at a four-year state university.”

Glenn Trout ’89 is one of several brothers who have generously supported Erin. He and Janine Jannetto Patterson (Miami ’89) worked with a few other Alpha Chapter brothers, some of Erin’s high school friends, and the Ennis family to put together a GoFundMe campaign which helped with the family’s immediate needs.

That took care of the remaining medical bills and other debts, but unfortunately couldn’t save their home. The funds raised did get them into a nice apartment in Zoe’s school district.

Once the pandemic subsides, Erin is hopeful that Alayna can enjoy his alma mater’s wonderful tradition and immerse herself in the Miami community just like he did. Many of Erin’s favorite Miami memories involve his Beta brothers. He loved everything about Greek Week, especially when coming together with his brothers during puddle pulls and chariot races. And of course, singing beneath the Beta Bell tower in the early morning was a great way for Erin to start the day.

Granting Erin’s Eternal Wish

“It was like we were back at 200 East High Street at times with the stories and the updates,” Glenn said. “It was as if no time had passed at all. That’s really what it’s about.”

No matter what path you have taken since your undergraduate days at Miami, gatherings like that are reminders of how special Beta and brothers like Erin are to us. As you reflect on your favorite Beta memories, let’s give Erin a chance to lay down and lead this fight for him. A gift to Alayna and Zoe’s education will go a long way toward boosting Erin’s spirits and show what it means to be your brother’s keeper.

“I’ll be 55 this year.

In all my years, I have experienced just about every emotion possible in that time,” Erin said. “What the last year has taught Erin Ennis ’89 with the Cupid helmet. me is likely one of the most important life lessons—humility. One would have never thought how meaningful those rituals and shared experiences were even 30-plus years later. I am humbled by the kindness and care of my brothers now, and it all started so long ago when we didn’t even understand why or what we were pledging to each other.”

You can connect with Erin or reach out to him with questions about automated clearing house/ wire instructions at erinmennis@gmail.com.

Brothers, one of our own needs us right now, as Erin Ennis ’89 continues his battle with cancer. While he’s been given a terminal diagnosis, it’s our duty as our brother’s keeper to grant his eternal wish of covering his children’s educations.You can do your part today by supporting this special cause at gofundme.com/f/7du3p-the-ennis-family.

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Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI

INTRODUCING THE ALPHA BETA GIVING CIRCLE New Annual Grant Program Supports Worthy Projects While Memorializing Brothers

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he Alpha Beta Giving Circle is a new annual grant program benefitting Beta undergraduate actives with financial aid to fund life-enriching experiences based on membership, merit, and need. The Giving Circle was formed in 2020 by Beta alumni to help honor and remember those brothers who came before us by encouraging the current generation of Betas to undertake projects reaching beyond the ordinary requirements of college. It does not compete with existing scholarship programs. The program is intended to facilitate activities that are beyond the day-to-day academic experience Miami University offers. The Giving Circle is administered through the Miami University Foundation to preserve its tax-deductible status and provide university structure and security for the contributions. The program is modeled after the Miami University Foundation’s existing M.I.A.M.I. Women Giving Circle that has been in existence for several years.

The Giving Circle is a collective giving effort where each member/donor on a yearly basis elects to contribute a threshold amount. Contributions are combined to create an annual grant pool that funds project proposals submitted by undergraduate Alpha Betas and voted on by Giving Circle members. A new Giving Circle will occur each year with member contributions, grant submissions, awards, and recognition.

The Miami University Foundation and the Giving Circle allow funding support for the following five categories of projects: 1. Conferences/leadership activities 2. Study abroad or off-campus 3. Research (equipment, travel) 4. Financial support 5. Technology, equipment, and books It is understood that those making contributions to the Giving Circle are seeking to memorialize the passing of classmate brothers while honoring their own Alpha Beta experience by enriching the lives of current and future Alpha Betas. Our hope is that the Giving Circle provides the means for students to dream, learn, grow, and, importantly, GIVE BACK to others. We are a senior generation of Betas forwarding resources to future generations of young, enterprising brothers.

Our expectation for the grants awarded in this program is for extraordinary outcomes for the student recipients and the lives they touch.

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Alumni Step Up to Co-chair Mentoring and Internship Program

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oug Wagner ’78 and John Czyzyck ’87 have agreed to co-chair Alpha Chapter’s mentoring and internship program. While the program is in its early stage of development and implementation, it has enormous potential to dramatically impact the career paths of our undergraduate members.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Alpha Chapter’s internship program is being established to provide opportunities for professional experience and personal growth for our undergraduate members in their areas of interest. We plan to staff and operate our internship program with a combination of undergraduates and alumni who will identify and match undergraduate members to career and/or industry specific internships. Our program’s mission will be to create one of the most effective internship programs offered by any university undergraduate organization in the country.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Alpha Chapter’s mentorship program will attempt to leverage our vast network of alumni to provide industryspecific career advice and mentoring for our undergraduate members. Our program’s mission will be to match and provide a career mentoring opportunity of our undergraduate members. Doug has already identified 10 alumni medical doctors to match up with Alpha Chapter’s 10 pre-med undergraduate members.

The Giving Circle membership will include alumni of the Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, their families and friends, and any others who wish to participate. Members are eligible to vote on the annual grant proposals submitted by undergraduate Betas and are asked to contribute $1,000 per year for membership in the program. Grant awards for the 2020-21 academic year are expected to be announced in April 2021. Donations to the Giving Circle must be received by March 31, 2021.

For information on how to donate to the Alpha Beta Giving Circle, please refer to the following Miami University Foundation link: http://www.givetomiamioh.org/alphabetagc.

Yours in ___kai___, Bill Elliot ’73 alphagivingcircle@gmail.com (614) 440-6626

Tommy Finn ’23 shadows Doug Wagner ’78 in Akron, Ohio, as part of Alpha Chapter’s mentoring program in January. Ian Doucet ’23 also joined Tommy in shadowing Doug.Tommy and Ian are studying pre-med with respective majors in biochemistry/biological physics and biochemistry.

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All About Academics at Alpha Chapter Beta Builds Upon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

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Connor Wainwright ’23, Dan Hornig ’23, Alex Steindl ’23, Vince Marino ’23, Dunovan Rodgers ’23, Matthew Keyser ’22, Grant Weisheimer ’23, Jack Hartwell ’23, Chris MacFarland ’23,Thomas Finn ’23, Caleb Schlenker ’22, Aidan Schwind ’23, John Clifford ’23, Alex Muskara ’23, Ethan Kraus ’23,Trevor Weickert ’23, and Alex Hauptman ’23 after a late-night game of football.

o start off 2021, the men of Alpha Chapter have worked tirelessly to grow and develop the prominent name that our predecessors before us established. Since brothers have been taking most of their classes remotely while living in the chapter house, we have had more opportunities to study together and strive for academic excellence. Alpha achieved a 3.75 GPA for the fall 2020 semester, which was the best among fraternities on campus. We also improved the chapter’s cumulative GPA to 3.55—yet another top mark for Miami fraternities. I’m extremely proud of the brothers for doing their part to elevate Alpha’s academic reputation. We’ve also had more brothers get involved on the Interfraternity Council executive team, professional organizations, student government, club sports, and other activities.

As a part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, we have been educating ourselves on cultural topics, engaging in conversations regarding those topics, and reflecting upon what it means to be a Beta in today’s world. This program brings in speakers from multicultural organizations on campus to enhance our brother’s cultural competency, which demonstrates the cultivation of the intellect within the chapter.

With this being the first time conducting a recruitment period virtually, there were many obstacles and learning experiences that we had to overcome.VP of Recruitment Ben Petersen ’23 led the charge during the recruitment process, putting together virtual game nights, meet and greets, and other activities. Our values-based recruitment initiative helped us welcome 30 new members.

The spring 2021 new member class participated in a socially distanced initiation on February 28.

I’m ecstatic to see how we can help our new brothers live out the values that the Shrine on High has instilled in us.

Evan Beyke ’23, Shane Swartzentruber ’22, Will Ceccoli ’21, James Flynn ’22, Chris Dudenhofer ’21, and Hayden Hoogerhyde ’21 played in the championship game of a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

I am proud to say that the men of Alpha haven’t folded in the slightest throughout the pandemic.

We have done the exact opposite, as we’ve advanced in all areas as Men of Principle. We have relied on each other and pushed one another to make the most of situations that were out of our control. I would like to thank the chapter advisors, alumni, General Fraternity, and friends of Beta for contributing to Alpha’s growth through the craziness of 2020. May we all learn from the lessons of 2020 and keep advancing Beta’s ideals at Alpha in 2021.

Yours in ___kai___, James Flynn ’22, #2893 Chapter President flynnjm3@miamioh.edu

BETA BY THE NUMBERS 30

SPRING NEW MEMBERS Marc Davis ’21, Alex Steindl ’23, John Clifford ’23, and Alex Hauptman ’23 go rock climbing in Cincinnati.

3.75

FALL SEMESTER GPA (best among Miami fraternities)

3.55

Chris MacFarland ’23, Evan Beyke ’23,Thomas Finn ’23, and Jake Hoffman ’23 spend a beautiful night in uptown Oxford.

Caleb Schlenker ’22, James Flynn ’22, and Trevor Weickert ’22 enjoying a weekend getaway to Hocking Hills, Ohio.

CUMULATIVE GPA (best among Miami fraternities)

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We Couldn’t Have Done It Without Our Dedicated Donors FOREVER ALPHA CAMPAIGN COMES TO A SUCCESSFUL CLOSE

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s we wrap up the Forever Alpha campaign and recognize everyone on our final donor list, we would like to thank all our amazing alumni for their unbelievable support and commitment. It has been our greatest honor and privilege to lead the campaign.

We have truly enjoyed meeting and speaking with so many of our wonderful alumni who gave us their time and treasure. We raised $4,210,194 as a result of your generous support and the involvement of so many of our alumni. Those funds allowed us to complete the nearly $6 million renovation of our house and reestablish Alpha Chapter as a leader on Miami’s campus.

We would be remiss not remind you that the Alpha Chapter and the Forever Alpha Company (the Alpha Chapter House Corporation) will continue to need the financial support and involvement of our alumni to ensure the long-term sustainability of our beloved chapter and fulfill our mission to develop Men of Principle for a Principled Life.

The ___kai___ Society ($500,000 and above) Thomas W. Hook ’81

The John Reily Know Society ($250,000 to $499,999) Roy C. Ostberg ’62 Mitchell P. Rales Family Foundation

The Alpha Heritage Society ($100,000 to $249,999) Nancy Sohngen Cottrell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Smith Lynn and Tim Pistell ’69 In memory of John E. Dolibois ’42 James W. Haywood ’74 In memory of James Schellhase ’73 Jeffrey M. Anderson ’75 Jeffrey N. Newton ’77 and Thomas A. Pierce ’77 In memory of Art Ensey ’76 Christopher M. Gorman ’83

The 200 E. High Society ($50,000 to $99,999) Stuckey Family Gift John H. Stuckey ’66 Thomas D. Stuckey ’76 John R. Deyo ’69 Gary V. Chensoff ’74 W. Bradfield Trucksis ’75 Arthur J. Reimers III ’77 Cottrell Family Gift Philip F. Cottrell ’78 Robert S. Cottrell ’79

Gary A. Riddle ’77 In honor of Jane, My Beta Sweetheart Steven C. Stocker ’81 John K. Suckow ’81 David H. Budig ’84 Beau Cummins ’84 Thomas E. Fox ’85 Jeffrey A. Schwartz ’86 Michael A. Yukevich ’92 In memory of H.H. Stephenson ’39 and Todd Weaver ’93 Joseph J. Rosing ’06

The Campanile Society ($10,000 to $24,999) Phyllis Rhodes Brower In memory of Dan Charles Brower ’52, Forever Alpha 5136-001 R. Conrad Leslie ’47 Peter Hieronimus ’53 John M. Groom ’58 Wallace W. McCallum ’59 In honor of Class of ’59 and John Dolibois ’40 Donald E. Taylor ’60 W. John Hussey ’61 Wayne L. Nicely ’61 David A. Hill, M.D. ’62 Stuard W. Opdycke ’64 In memory of John Rawlings ’64 Hewett S. Wells ’64 Russ Morgan ’65 J. Douglas Gray ’66 Philip L. Conover ’68 Thomas M. Loeb, M.D. ’68

Rick Cottrell ’80 Wagner Family Gift Douglas ’78 and Peggy (Porter) Wagner In memory of Art Ensley ’76, Charlie ’12, and Jackie (Jue) Wagner Maureen and Bob Gillespie ’81 Jeffrey W. Edwards ’85 Trout Family Glenn D. Trout Jr ’89 Zachary T. Haines ’05 In memory of H.H. Stephenson Jr. ’39

The Men of Principle Society ($25,000 to $49,999) Robert W. Schneebeck ’55 Robert D. Wertz, M.D. ’61 In memory of Richard F. Fryman ’61 In honor of K. Michael Foley ’61 Steven W. Martineau ’66 William F. Alderman ’67 James C. Deuser ’69 In memory of Ralph N. Fey ’40 Thomas I. Converse ’72 Scott C. Fessenden ’74 In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Charles C. Fessenden Paul W. Hartung III ’75 In memory of Beth and Grant L. Hartung ’78 Pam and Mark Alder ’76

Yours in ___kai___, Tom Pierce ’77, #1610 and Jeff Newton ’77, #1609 Forever Alpha Campaign Chairmen miamibeta.org | “Lasting for an Age”

Robert J. Dolibois ’69 In memory of John E. Dolibois ’42 Gill Family Gift William L. Gill ’71 Robert E. Gill ’73 In memory of Deck P. Murray ’73 William Elliott ’73 Randall L. Kirschner ’74 Benjamin F. Suffron III ’74 In memory of Mindy C. Brant Ted W. Brown ’76 Thomas Kinder ’76 David R. Teckman ’78 James H. Colley ’79 Thomas A. Mitro ’79 Mark C. Smith ’80 Robertson Family Gift T. Calloway Robertson ’81 Gail Robertson Boland T. Jones ’82 David P. Myers ’82 G. Lee Esler ’83 Richard P. LaFleur ’83 David M. Palmer ’83 Jeffrey H. Sherman ’83 Benjamin A. Willingham ’84 Stuart B. Frankel ’87 Mark E. Madson ’90 Andrew L. Gloor ’93 Andrew J. Scarpitti ’02 Michael D. Macechko ’05 In memory of Cathy Fey In honor of Tom Fey ’68

Forever Alpha Campaign Chairmen Tom Pierce ’77 and Jeff Newton ’77.

The Wooglin Society ($5,000 to $9,999) Anonymous Judy and Ken Pierce In honor of Tom Pierce ’77 Sheri Stover In memory of Arthur T. Ensley III ’76 Frederick Brower ’50 Charles O. Chrysler ’52 John Y. Taggart ’53 Ronald P. Helman ’55 Robert W. Schneebeck ’55 In memory of Otto “Henry” Jung ’55 Robert W. Schneebeck ’55 In memory of John A. Stottlemyer ’55 William “Duff” Shardelow ’55 Theodore C. Hardy ’56 In memory of John A. Stottlemyer ’55 and Whitney D. Hardy ’58 Mynhier Family Gift J. Edward Mynhier ’57 James E. Mynhier, Jr ’82 Robert H. Kurz ’58 In memory of Robert T. Howard and Larry Binkley ’58 James R. McClanahan ’60 James D. Monnett ’60 In memory of C. David Whitman ’60, Capt. USN Dennis Tamcsin ’60 John D. Taylor ’60 Dr. Donald K. Bryan ’63 Peter W.C. Barnhart ’66 Theodore V. Boyd ’66 John B. Rohyans ’66

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Bradford D. Smart ’66 Thomas W. Cleverdon ’67 Robert A. Haines Jr. ’67 John M. Slavens ’67 Fey Family Gift Thomas C. Fey ’68 Brian D. Fey ’00 In memory of Catherine R. Fey Bruce H. Branyan ’69 Christie Family Gift Richard L. Christie ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Miller ’69 James P. Talbott ’69 John D. Alderman ’70 John C. Grant ’70 Paul J. Hasemeyer ’72 John F. Marple ’72 William L. Phipps ’72 Gary E. Goshorn ’73 Mindy and Jonathan Brant ’75 In honor of Steven R. Brant ’78 Steven A. Smith ’75 Michael S. Blue, M.D. ’76 James W. Fennell, D.D.S. ’76 Jay Foran ’76 In memory of Grant Hartung ’78 J. Scott Jamieson ’76 Steve S. Retzsch ’76 In honor of The BullPen James H. Ellis III ’77 Kathy and Peter Van Zant ’77 Jeffrey L. Walker ’77 James A. Whaley ’77 Glenn J. Pryor ’78 In memory of Dayton E. Pryor, Bethany ’52 Timothy A. Sando ’78 E.S. Sondles ’78 In memory of Lana’s Greenbeans George P. Wick, D.D.S. ’78 Mark W. Haller ’79 Robert L. McIlvaine ’79 Mark F. Stephan ’80 Woody Fitton ’82 In honor of Fred Brower ’50 William E.York ’82 John E. Czyzycki ’87 Martin P. Dixon ’90 Edward J. O’Reilly ’90 Craig L. Cimoroni ’92 John J. Rock ’92 Ben Beshear ’01 Justin R. Beck ’02 William E. Rutledge ’05

Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI T. Calloway Robertson IV ’08 Steven S. Bernet ’12

The 1839 Society ($2,500 to $4,999) Brian Breittholz Roger D. Fields Associates, Inc. Richard Stover In memory of Arthur T. Ensley III ’76 Jack L. Fryman ’51 Betty and Don Gerber ’51 Charles E. Teckman ’51 Harold E. Kelch, M.D. ’52 Melvin A. Baker ’55 James F. Sommer ’57 In memory of John M. Sommer ’53 Barry Kent ’58 In memory of Larry Binkley ’58 and Jim Cushman ’58 Jack R. Saidel ’59 K. Michael Foley ’61 In memory of Richard F. Fryman ’61 In honor of Robert D. Wertz ’61 Dean L. Fisher ’62 In memory of James P. Daniels ’60, Edward Stoll ’61, and Roy Ostberg ’62 Harlow W. Gregory Jr. ’62 Philip G. Kuehl ’65 James R. Robertson, M.D. ’66 In memory of Terrence C. Graves ’67 Andy Bell ’67 John C. McClure ’67 David J. Kenley ’68 E. Phillips Knox ’68 Christopher Blatchford ’69 Chip Hunter ’69 James L. Kotschwar ’69 Thomas O. Moorhead ’69 Dennis C. Myers ’69 J. Michael Perez ’69 In memory of Terry Graves ’67 Thomas H. Edwards ’74 In memory of Steven Collins ’74 Marc G. MacKeigan ’75 P.J. Evans ’78 In honor of “The BullPen” Noel A. Follrath ’78 David S. Gilreath ’78 Louis R. Mohn ’78 Thomas P. Semans ’78 David J. Alexander ’79 James M. Bugel ’79

N. Richard Nelson ’79 Dave Pawlicki ’79 Michael J. Curran ’80 Mark E. Flanigan ’81 John C. Hart ’81 Barry Shields ’81 John B. Weimer ’81 William K. Frain ’82 Peter H. Gilreath ’82 Thomas K. Merrell ’82 Robert I. Rowan III ’82 Donald R. Borthwick ’83 John P. Englhardt ’83 James R. Geuther ’85 Albert E. Davies III ’86 Jeffrey I. Wood ’86 Michael J. Flynn ’89 John K. Schlueter ’90 Lawson E. Whiting ’90 Jon Gould ’92 Jack Weston ’02 Philip S. Fernandez ’06 Alexander M. Tipton ’09

Donors (Up to $2,499) Anonymous Anonymous In memory of Deck P. Murray ’73 Beta Theta Pi Alumni Neoh In memory of William K. Wallace ’42 Eric Buller Benjamin Dobrowolski Lynn Huynh Sheryl Mabry Jeffrey McNaul William T. “Billy” Olson In honor of Jeff Newton ’77 Norman F. Heydinger ’42 John E. Hocking ’48 Walter R. Shafer ’50 Willard Smith ’50 Edward J. Murphy ’51 Jay C. Fry ’52 James H. Foster ’54 In honor of The Class of 1954 Richard H. Frische ’54 J. William Horrigan, Jr. ’54 In memory of J. William Horrigan ’24 Robert W. Olson, M.D. ’54 In memory of Dale Hines ’54 Scott Pierce ’54 David L. Anderegg Sr. ’55 Henry Jung ’55 Frank S. Koffend ’55 Paul E. Dahnke ’57 In memory of Burton A. Roeth ’57

John C. Soller ’57 George T. Budig ’58 David G. Warren ’58 William W. Brown ’59 Larry Dill ’59 Laurence Connor ’60 Harry Hattenbach ’60 Peter G. Kratt ’62 William B. North ’62 Steven C. Smith ’62 James L. Hussey ’63 C. Gary Mutz ’63 Daniel E. Long ’66 Jon G. Peterson ’66 In memory of Ray A. Gates ’66 Philip E. Cook ’67 Luke Henley ’67 In memory of Terry Graves ’67 Vincent G. Matecheck ’67 In memory of John Boyer ’67 Peter A. Matty ’67 S. Jerry Roberts ’67 William J. Ross, M.D. ’68 Arthur D. Collins Jr. J. Michael Perez, M.D. ’69 In memory of David Osborne ’69 Robert J. Pickton II ’69 Joseph L. Hall ’70 In memory of John E. Dolibois ’42 David C. Chadwick ’71 W. Timothy Love ’71 In memory of Mom Clemmons Thomas “Ralph” Clark ’72 David L. Doyle ’72 Joseph R. Petras Jr. ’72 Peter R. Davis ’73 Charles P. Gilkison V ’73 In memory of Deck P. Murray ’73 Samuel D. Gourley ’73 Jeffrey C. Smith ’73 In memory of Deck P. Murray ’73 Craig J.Van Horsten ’73 In memory of Deck Murray ’73 Michael J. Wall ’73 In memory of Deck P. Murray ’73 Thomas P. Mitchell ’74 Kenton C. Musselman ’74 John L. Walther Jr. ’74 In memory of John L. Walther Sr., Westminster ’44 Gary M. Valvo ’75 Steven B. Covault ’76 Jay L. Geiser ’76

William C. Moore ’76 Marc R. Fey ’77 Stephen Kendall ’77 John E. Douglas ’78 In memory of Lou Mohn ’78 Mark J. Triffon, M.D. ’78 David S. Feldmiller ’79 Charles G. Johnson ’79 Steven A. Otey ’79 Walter M. Popen ’79 James A. Gilligan ’80 Paul G. Kinney ’80 Paul J. Longville ’80 Michael L. Pfeiffer ’80 In memory of Charles W. Pfeiffer Robert A. Wirthlin ’80 Cedric Adams III ’81 James P. Amato ’81 Richard “Chip” Clark ’81 Timothy C. Conder ’82 Stephen L. Tooker ’82 Bob Hanley, Syracuse ’83 Joseph L. Carson ’86 Kurt W. Kruggel ’86 Kenneth C. LeGates ’86 Rick Dworznik ’87 David A. Deger ’89 Edward W. McNabola ’89 James J. Holley ’90 Thomas A. Ritter ’90 Steven E. Sieracki ’90 Christopher G. Herbruck ’92 Willem J. Vroegh ’92 William W. Glenn ’93 Todd G. Raclaw ’93 James W. Wilson ’93 Joseph A. Coney ’04 Bradley W. Goble ’04 George W. Schein ’04 Hunter J. Fiers ’05 JB Scherpelz ’05 Andrew J. Snyder ’05 Joseph E. Budde Jr. ’06 Daniel R. Fogle ’07 Jacob R. Whelan ’07 Michael Geswein ’08 Ryan T. Repko ’08 Michael J. Scott ’09 Matthew M. Bennett ’12 Gregory T. Shumaker ’12

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Rising to the Occasion During a Virtual Recruitment

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was honored to lead another successful recruitment process for Alpha Chapter with chapter President James Flynn ’22 and the recruitment committee. We welcomed a new member class of 30 principled young men who will no doubt add to the storied legacy of our chapter. Our fall 2020 new member class is comprised of varying backgrounds, interests, and identities. However, each member encapsulates our core values.

The recruitment process was unlike anything ever seen by Alpha Chapter, but we rose to the challenge. We hosted virtual events, such as Meet the Brothers and Jeopardy Night, to comply with COVID-19 safety regulations. We also held two events uptown at Books ’n’ Brews and Fiesta Charra to meet some of the young men in person. We were careful to follow precautions and regulations at these events, as evidenced by zero brothers testing positive for COVID-19 this academic year.

All events were quite successful, and we met many quality candidates along the way. The IFC average for formal recruitment was about 15 new members accepting bids, which we smashed with 24 formally registered new members accepting bids and six others accepting bids informally. We converted at an 88.2% rate in terms of bids accepted to bids given out.

These 30 fine young men were inducted on January 31 and initiated on February 28.

Yours in ___kai___, Ben Petersen ’23, #2938 VP of Recruitment (330) 322-5878 peter344@miamioh.edu

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS Nazar Abbas ’24 Point Pleasant,W.Va. Political Science Chase Adams ’24 Cincinnati, Ohio Marketing AJ Alejandro ’24 Liberty Township, Ohio Finance/Co-Entrepreneurship Kyle Baseman ’23 Delaware, Ohio Capital Management and Leadership Travis Baughman ’24 Bryan, Ohio Finance RJ Burrows ’24 North Royalton, Ohio Chemical Engineering Danny Chaves ’23 Cincinnati, Ohio Marketing and Political Science Joe Crotty ’24 San Diego, Calif.

Architecture Dylan Crum ’23 Toledo, Ohio Psychology Jack DeLaet ’24 Larchmont, Ohio Economics

Quinn Dunivan ’24 Edwardsville, Ill. Biomedical Engineering with Pre-Med Co-major Logan Fisher ’23 Oregonia, Ohio Architecture Kelton French ’23 New Albany, Ohio Computer Science Jake Gerding ’24 West Chester, Ohio Interactive Media Studies Graham Hartman ’24 Findlay, Ohio Communication Design Devin Hassan ’24 Edgewood, Ky. Marketing Jake Hoffman ’23 Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Entertainment Business and Design: Games + Simulation: Development Riley Johnson ’24 Snowmass Village, Colo.

Biology Josh Laine ’24 West Chester, Ohio Mechanical Engineering Brady Losiewicz ’24 Findlay, Ohio Business Analytics

Colin McEwen ’23 Lincoln Township, Ohio Chemical Engineering Alex Mrosko ’24 Avon, Ohio Finance Broc Nordmark ’23 West Chester, Ohio Data Analytics/Sports Management Jack Podell ’24 Princeton, N.J. Marketing Andrew Schwertner ’24 Richfield, Ohio Marketing Sam Streberger ’23 Clinton Township, Mich.

Public Health Jarred Watkins ’24 Batavia, Ohio Journalism and Professional Writing

CHAPTER OFFICERS President James Flynn ’22 Vice President of Brotherhood Caleb Schlenker ’22 Vice President of Recruitment Ben Petersen ’23 Vice President of Member Education Jeremiah Grimm ’22 Vice President of Risk Management Trevor Weickert ’23

Michael Whidden ’23 Troy, Ohio Political Science and Economics

Vice President of Communications Dunovan Rodgers ’23

Ben White ’24 Shaker Heights, Ohio Accounting

Vice President of Finance Alex Steindl ’23

Connor Woodward ’23 Toledo, Ohio Environmental Earth Sciences

Vice President of Programming Sam Groth ’22 Vice President of Housing Ian Doucet ’23

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Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI

Of Ever Honored Memory Mack Yoho ’58, #1101 passed on to Our Mystic Shrine on September 14, 2020. He is a member of the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mack proudly represented Beta as a captain on the Miami football team and throughout his professional career with the Ottawa Rough Riders and the Buffalo Bills. He later entered the coaching ranks and served as the defensive line coach at Yale under the legendary Carm Cozza. Mack’s passion for athletics also included spending a lot of time playing golf and watching football or golf on TV.

James Daniels ’60, #1147 passed on to Our Mystic Shrine in November 2019. He was a co-captain on the Miami football team his senior year. After graduation Jim served in the Ohio National Guard as a medic, then went on to become a financial advisor for Paine Webber and Merrill Lynch, retiring after 35 years of serving his clients. Jim always loved music and the theater. He once had a key role in the musical Guys and Dolls at the Hanna Theater.

His strong singing voice also supported the singing groups at the Cleveland Athletic Club and The Hermit Club over the years.

Mack had a successful career as a banker, in New Haven, Conn., Rochester, N.Y., and San Francisco, Calif., before enjoying retirement in Palm Desert, Calif. He will be remembered as the strong, silent leader of his family and for his fun and quick wit. Mack is predeceased by his parents, Olive and Stanley Yoho, and his wife, Julia Strong Yoho. He leaves his longtime companion, LaNei Cross, and his children, Kelly (Dina) Yoho, Julie Williams, and Elizabeth (David) Rowe, as well as grandchildren Virginia and Caroline Williams and Brydon Rowe.

Jim shared 51 years of marriage with his wife, Rosemarie. He was the father of Bethany Guerrero (Cristo) and Benjamin (Shine). Jim and Rosemarie also had three grandchildren, Julia, Lillian, and Livia.

In Case You Missed It

Donald J. McGinley ’53 Ted C. Hardy ’56 Kenneth M. Strader ’58 William J. Schewe Jr ’71

Vice Presidents Gary Riddle ’77 T. Calloway Robertson III ’81 Secretary Ben Suffron III ’74 Treasurers James Colley ’79 Inspection Contact Gary Riddle ’77

Nancy had a passion for service to both the city of Hamilton and her alma mater. Her community involvement included service on the Miami Alumni Council, Butler County Children’s Home board of trustees, and Miami Hamilton Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

She also served as a deacon and elder at the Presbyterian Church. In 1981, Miami awarded her the prestigious Bishop Medal for meritorious public service. In 1991, Bob and Nancy established the Nancy Sohngen Cottrell Scholar Leader Award to recognize and reward highly qualified students who demonstrate both leadership and scholarship while attending Miami Hamilton.

R

ead about Gary Goshorn ’73 and his wife, Carole, in the fall/winter 2020 issue of Miamian, issuu.com/miamialumni/docs/miamian_fw20_single/20.

HOUSE CORPORATION President Jeff Newton ’77

Nancy Sohngen Cottrell ’54, a Beta Sweetheart, quietly passed away on September 22, 2020, at 88. She joined Kappa Kappa Gamma and several other campus organizations while at Miami. Nancy married her childhood sweetheart, Robert L. Cottrell, on June 6, 1954, immediately following graduation. They had three sons, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Advisory Members Brad Trucksis ’75 Jay Ellis ’77 Phil Cottrell ’78 Nick Hoyt ’19 Jack Beatty ’20 Massillon Myers ’20

Members At-Large John Czyzycki ’87 Jim Deuser ’69 John Deyo ’69 Woddy Fitton ‘82 Mark Flanigan ’81 Bob Gillespie ’81 Zac Haines ’05 Bill Haywood ’74 David Myers ’82 Thomas Pierce ’77 Doug Wagner ’78 Ben Willingham ’84 Members Emeritus Jonathan Brant ’75 Pete Barnhart ’68

ADVISORY BOARD Chapter Counselor Eric Buller

Faculty Advisor Eric Buller

Financial Advisor Christian Daniels ’20

Brotherhood Advisor Ben Willingham ’84

Risk Management Advisor Steven Profitt

Advisor Team Members Gail Behrens Woody Fitton ’82 Alexis Hill Mark Pontious David Rae, Indiana ’06 Joseph Wuest IV ’19

Member Education Advisor Nathan Bettenhausen Recruitment Advisor Ian Mansfield

Board of Trustees Renames the Fraternity’s Interfraternalism Award after Jonathan Brant ’75

F

ifty years ago this fall, 24 young men entered Miami University destined to become spring pledges in the Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Originating from eight states and two countries, our existence as total strangers soon transitioned into a lifetime of friendship as Beta Brothers.Yet to every man in the Pledge Class; Pierce, Dudley, Dee, Present,Valvo, Wolfe, Balogh, Locker, Anderson, Smith, Miller, Hartung, Goodman, Hall, McCrea, Farnham, Green, Barefoot, MacKeigan, Jackman, Rebsch, Cotton, and Trucksis, if one among us was destined to live a life “devoted to the cultivation of the intellect, unsullied friendship, and unfaltering fidelity” in ways that not only furthered the development and richness of the Beta Theta Pi experience, but strengthened the foundation of the North American Interfraternity Conference, it was clearly to be Jonathan Jay Brant, “so say we all of us!” It is an honor and an inspiration to know Jonathan and see this humble servant receive such welldeserved recognition for his lifetime of selfless service to others. May his dedication be an encouragement to us all.

Yours in __kai__, Brad Trucksis ’75

FOREVER ALPHA COMPANY P.O. BOX 943 OXFORD, OH 45056 Address Service Requested

Picture Perfect at Beta Theta Pi

Joe Carson ’86,Tom Gruger ’86, Steven Suttman ’86, and Tom Fox ’85 at a Class of 1986 gathering last summer in Pittsburgh.

Mike Curran ’80, Chris Phenner ’94, Bob Gillespie ’81, Mark Stephan ’80, Jim Rudwall ’81, Derek Fuller ’83, Bob Mcilvaine ’79, Mike Pfeiffer ’80,Tom Weyhrich ’91, John Czyzycki ’87, and Jay Rock ’92 at the 19th Annual Chicago Golf Outing last summer at Hinsdale Country Club in Clarendon Hills, Illinois.

Jay Rock ’92 and Bob Gillespie ’81 were gracious hosts.

John Wilson ’84, Pete Gilreath ’82, Mike Pfeiffer ’80,Tom Witter ’84, Boland Jones ’82, Michael “Spanky” Karaus ’84, Woody Fitton ’82, Lee Esler ’83, Rich LaFleur ’83,Tom “No-K” Kinder ’76,Tom Merrell’82, Derek Fuller ’83, Bob Foster ’84, and Tom “Radar” Pierce ’77 at the Inaugural Alpha Cup Invitational last summer at May River Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina. Jeff Sherman ’83, Steve Gibbs ’83, Alain LeCoque ’82, and Mark Brady ’83 were also in attendance, but not pictured.

Thank you to Lee Esler ’83 for hosting.

Follow Alpha Chapter Online!

- miamioh.beta.org

f facebook.com/AlphaBTP i beta_miamiu