AM A MAN OF PRINCIPLE
I
John H. Stebbins, Emory ’92 General Secretary
Dear Potential New Member of Beta Theta Pi,
You are on the threshold of a decision to join Beta Theta Pi, which will change your life as an collegiate and provide a lifetime of loyal friends and career opportunities. As a long-time volunteer and witness to the success of Beta’s Men of Principle initiative, I know the value of cultivating an abundance of new leaders who are men of character and men with energy levels to succeed in business, public life, the clergy and the military — in other words, men who will create the future.
Beta Theta Pi does not tolerate alcohol abuse, drug use or hazing. We do believe in finding outstanding men on each college campus who practice academic excellence, display reverence in telling the truth, exhibit leadership potential and possess the selfless qualities which bind men together in solid brotherhood of sharing joy and sorrow, together.
I have championed the merit of a strong fraternity and sorority community because I believe it enhances the quality of undergraduate social and leadership building exercises. I have been proud of my membership in Beta Theta Pi because I was inspired during four great years at Emory University in Atlanta with Beta brothers who have meant so much to me the last 35 years. The ability to serve the Fraternity and continue to meet new brothers and network with fellow Beta alumni ever since my collegiate years has been equally rewarding. It will be for you, too. “Once a Beta, always a Beta, everywhere a Beta.”
My friend, I hope you will consider, carefully, the unparalleled opportunity and the challenge this moment presents in your life. I look forward to supporting your highest aspirations now and in years to come.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Social scientists argue we become who we surround ourselves with. Additionally, they argue that one’s college years are perhaps the most developmental of all. Right now, you have an opportunity to decide who to surround yourself with: men who, every day, strive to be of value to their community, develop their minds and forge lasting relationships that transcend the college experience.
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“I got everything I could possibly ask for from this Fraternity. Of course, the only thing I have found experience-wise worth passing along is, as you go through life, do something bigger than yourself.”
— Ray Mabus, Mississippi ‘69, U.S. Secretary of the Navy
Former Governor of Mississippi and Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
MISSION
To develop men of principle for a principled life.
VISION
Every member will live Beta Theta Pi’s values.
CORE VALUES
To build lasting bonds of friendship and brotherhood, Beta calls for:
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
Betas believe that men are mutually obligated to help others in the honorable labors and aspirations of life.
INTELLECTUAL GROWTH
Betas are devoted to continually cultivating their minds, including high standards of academic achievement.
TRUST
Betas develop absolute faith and confidence in one another by being true to themselves and others.
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT
Betas choose to act responsibly, weighing the consequences of their actions on themselves and those around them.
INTEGRITY
Betas preserve their character by doing what is morally right and demanding the same from their brothers.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
BROTHERHOOD
PERSONAL GROWTH HOME
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A PLACE FOR LEADERS
A great college experience goes beyond the classroom — it teaches real life. That’s why the Beta Theta Pi Foundation has completed two $20 million capital campaigns to support the development of leadership and life skills in its members. With award-winning leadership programs for its undergraduates to meet and learn from fellow Betas throughout North America, Betas gain real experience that pays off after graduation.
pg. 6
“We’re all working together; that’s the secret.”
— Sam Walton, Missouri ’40 Founder, Walmart
BETA’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle
An intense five-day educational experience designed to lead groups of the most promising Beta leaders across North America through a program of core values, leading with integrity, enhancing chapter motivation, team building, effective confrontation and service learning.
Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy
Three days of intense discussion, leadership training and goal setting, which is hosted at the Fraternity’s founding site with all chapter presidents in attendance.
Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI)
This North-American Interfraternity Conference program is a coeducational, principle-centered institute designed to create positive change for college campuses and Greek communities.
Keystone Regional Leadership Conference
A high quality three-day experience focusing on chapter officer development, principled leadership and volunteer training. Although Beta has other popular values-based leadership programs, this is the first that teaches operational concepts to chapter officers and advisors.
Peter F. Greiner Leadership College
This annual experience provides leadership training and education for up-and-coming leaders of Beta chapters during the Fraternity’s General Convention.
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“Older men can lead, direct, encourage, correct and inspire younger men. Likewise, young men can give older men strength, courage, faith and add ‘future to their minds.’ This is what happens when the hand of age grips the hand of youth.”
A ROLL OF HONOR
The Beta tradition has produced some of North America’s most outstanding men. Guided by the values of the Fraternity and the brotherhood that pushes a Beta to achieve more than he could alone, the rolls of Beta Theta Pi include astronauts, statesmen, military heroes, artists, journalists, athletes, musicians, actors, educators, physicians, philanthropists and a multitude of Fortune 500 CEOs, just to name a few
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—
Dr. Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence
’22
Beta Theta Pi General Fraternity President and General Secretary
DISTINGUISHED BETAS
POLITICAL LEADERS
Mike Bennet, Wesleyan ’87, U.S. Senator, Colorado
Dick Gephardt, Northwestern ’62, Congressman, Missouri
Mark Hatfield, Willamette ’43, U.S. Senator, Oregon
Doug Jones, Alabama ’76, U.S. Senator, Alabama
Richard Lugar, Denison ’54, U.S. Senator, Indiana
Jim Martin, Davidson ’54, North Carolina Governor
Bill Nelson, Florida/Yale ’65, U.S. Senator, Florida; Astronaut
Kevin Stitt Oklahoma State ’95, Oklahoma Governor
John Turner, British Columbia ’49, Canadian Prime Minister
John Warner, Washington and Lee ’50, U.S. Senator, Virginia
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
Mike Brown, Dartmouth ’57, Owner, NFL Cincinnati Bengals
Jay Fiedler, Dartmouth ’94, NFL Quarterback
Shahid Khan, Illinois ’70, Owner, NFL Jacksonville Jaguars
Scott McCarron, UCLA ’89, PGA Golfer
Jamey Rootes, Clemson ‘88, President, NFL Houston Texans
Mike Schmidt, Ohio ’71, MLB Hall of Famer
Stan Smith, Southern California ’69, Wimbledon Tennis Champion
Steve Marino, Virginia ’02, PGA Golfer
BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
John Backe, Miami ’54, CEO, CBS
Dan Carney, Wichita State ’63, Co-founder, Pizza Hut
Richard Heckert, Miami ’44, CEO, DuPont
Hugh McColl, North Carolina ’57, CEO, Bank of America
Bruce Nordstrom, Washington ’55, CEO, Nordstrom
Frank Shrontz, Idaho ’53, CEO, Boeing
Warren Staley, Kansas State ’65, CEO, Cargill
Sam Walton, Missouri ’40, Founder and Chairman, Walmart
John Warnock, Utah ’61, Co-founder, Adobe Systems, Inc.
ASTRONAUTS
Joe Allen, DePauw ’59
Ken Cameron, MIT ’71
Paul Wietz, Penn State ’54
TELEVISION PERSONALITIES
William Anderson, Whitman ’51 (“Batman” Adam West)
Neil Everett, Oregon ’84 (Broadcaster, ESPN’s “SportsCenter”) Richard Karn, Washington ’78 (“Al” on “Home Improvement”) George Peppard, Purdue ’52 (“A-Team”)
John Rietz Jr., Northwestern ’54 (“Mr. Brady” Robert Reed)
Brian White, Dartmouth ’95, (“Moesha,” “CSI: Miami,”
“Stomp the Yard,” and “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse”)
AMBASSADORS
John Dolibois, Miami ’42, Ambassador to Luxembourg Glen Holden, Oregon ’51, Ambassador to Jamaica Eric Javits, Columbia ’52, Ambassador to the OPCW (The Hague) David Mulford, Lawrence ’59, Ambassador to India
DISTINGUISHED BETAS
Joe Albaugh, Oklahoma State ’74, Director of FEMA Stephen Bechtel Jr., Purdue ’47, CEO, Bechtel Construction Bill Bowerman, Oregon ’33, Co-founder, Nike Barney Calame, Missouri ’61, Public Editor, The New York Times Howard Fineman, Colgate ’70, Huffington Post, MSNBC Analyst Ray Mabus, Miss. ’69, U.S. Navy Secretary; Amb. to Saudi Arabia Ed Roski, Southern California ’62, CEO, Majestic Realty, Co-owner, L.A. Lakers, Kings and Staples Center
Stephen Sondheim, Williams ’50, Broadway Composer
John Wooden, Purdue ’32, UCLA Basketball Coaching Legend
Jimmy Yen, Yale 1918, Worldwide Humanitarian and Educator
Fineman
Turner SondheimWooden Walton
EverettNordstrom BowermanSchmidt Khan
WhiteYen
BETAS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Heralded as one of North America’s great old college fraternities, Beta Theta Pi is long in experience and certainly not short in its list of member achievements.
Known today as “The Leadership Fraternity,” Beta’s list of alumni who have gone on to achieve extraordinary professional and personal success is both inspiring and reinforcing to those who call Beta Theta Pi their own.
Vice President of the United States
Prime Minister of Canada
Nearly 200 members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives – more than any other fraternity –including two Speakers of the House
Eight U.S. Supreme Court Justices – more than any other fraternity
Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
32 Ambassadors
52 Governors to 30 States
Two Canadian Premiers
Six Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
Seven Presidential Medal of Freedom Honorees
Four Astronauts
34 Olympic Gold Medalists
Three Nobel Prize Laureates
5 Oscars, 9 Tonys, 15 Grammys, 81 Emmys and 2 Peabodys
12 Pulitzer Prize Winners
85 Rhodes Scholars – more than any other fraternity
BTP062022
John Wooden, Purdue ’32 Nicknamed the “Wizard of Westwood,” he won 10 NCAA basketball championships in a 12-year period— seven in a row — as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games. He was named national coach of the year six times.
developing men of principle for a principled life Brennan Hall | 5134 Bonham Road | PO Box 6277 | Oxford, Ohio 45056 | 800.800.BETA gobeta.com | beta.org | facebook.com/betathetapi | @betathetapi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
