9 minute read
On, Wisconsin!
On, Wisconsin! Chapter Revival Leads to Lake House Renovation
by Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky '96
We present the corporation's house to you and future chapters with no small degree of pride. The generosity of our alumni made possible this new home. It should be an institution for character building.
— Beta Building Association; January 20, 1926
When word spread in 2019 that Beta’s house corporation at the University of Wisconsin was launching a $2 million campaign to restore its chapter house on the bank of Lake Mendota, it wasn’t uncommon to get raised eyebrows in response. After all, the chapter hadn’t come close to filling the 34-bed house in 30 years and, prior to 2015, its undergraduate membership barely averaged 35 men.
What has followed, however, may be one of Beta’s most remarkable “phoenix rising from the ashes” stories in modern memory. Not only did Alpha Pi Chapter best its fundraising goal by $100,000, garnering a total of $2.1 million raised by 2023 – one year ahead of schedule – but it also now boasts Beta’s eighth largest chapter, a hefty 156 brothers strong.
As longtime father figure to the chapter and major benefactor Ted Kellner, Wisconsin ’69, shared in an interview with The Beta Theta Pi, “No matter how bad things got, no one ever gave up. We never quit. No one quit on Beta.”
No matter how bad things got, no one ever gave up. We never quit. No one quit on Beta.
— Ted Kellner, Wisconsin '69
THERE'S A SCENE
Like so many chapters at large, flagship state schools, the Alpha Pi Chapter came to life in a golden era of Beta expansion. The Fraternity’s first-mover advantage given its 1839 origins routinely placed Beta among the first of any fraternity on campus.
Having its pick among students, athletes and leaders built Beta a bedrock of high-minded alumni support and a portfolio of prime chapter house locations – a fast head start compared to younger fraternities.
That was certainly the case at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Founded June 6, 1873, and by 1874 boasting Beta university President John Bascom, Williams 1849, for whom UW’s iconic Bascom Hall and Bascom Hill are named, a legion of elder statesmen started their leadership paths at the Beta house on the lake.
Robert LaFollette Jr., Wisconsin 1917, and Phil LaFollette, Wisconsin 1919, the sons of powerful Congressman, Governor and U.S. Senator Robert LaFollette, joined Wooglin’s band, becoming senator and
governor, respectively. Others included Congressmen Webster Brown 1874, a chapter co-founder, Joseph Farrington 1919, and Steve Gunderson ’73. For years, Alpha Pi was a fraternity beacon in the Badger State.
THE SPIRIT OF ALPHA PI
By the early 1900s, the chapter had secured a beautiful home on the bank of Lake Mendota, just two blocks from campus. Tragedy struck on February 11, 1925, however, when a midnight fire left the chapter homeless. Given the quality of the Beta experience the prior 52 years, the chapter’s loyal alumni wasted no time. In less than one year they built and dedicated the beautiful Italian-inspired house all living Wisconsin Betas call home.
Alpha Pi’s first century was storybook, one anchored in brotherly love that bound men for life. Look no further than 18 Betas from 1968-70 who, prompted by Brothers Kellner ’69, and James Pearce ’68, developed a plan while still in school to keep their bond tight.
In 1968, the brothers pooled together $6,000 and created the “Beta Fund.” Including an annual convention for oversight, it doubles as an opportunity to pass the Loving Cup around. With ski trips, golf outings, Wisconsin Bowl visits and overseas excursions, the fund has grown to $45 million.
“From an investment standpoint, the Beta Fund has done well,” Kellner said. “More importantly, we have college brothers who still come together and have remained close friends for over 50 years.”
Read more about Wisconsin’s 1925 house fire and 1926 new house dedication at beta.org/wisconsinhouse.
A DISAPPOINTING REALITY
For decades, 622 Mendota Court fostered a chapter that was among the upper echelon in Madison. It was that kind of success-oriented camaraderie that gave birth to the Beta Fund. But it could not escape the 1970s’ anti-authority movement due to Vietnam and Watergate.
As former House Corporation President George Moore ’79, shared: “I noticed the decline in all Madison fraternities by the late ’80s ... from membership, principles, regard for the house and the whole sense of brotherhood. Fraternities no longer had meal plans and housekeeping services for common areas. The brothers’ bond during meals was gone; no more ‘Beta Doxology.’”
He continued, “Actives treated the Beta house as an apartment versus a fraternity. It was more desirable to just come down to the house and party ... the place looked like ‘Animal House.’ When alumni visited, it always looked like a war zone.”
For three decades the chapter endured a never-ending cycle of stops and starts toward improvement. Eventually, a culture of isolation and malaise became normed. As House Corporation President Max Lord ’07, put it: “I would characterize Alpha Pi’s existence as more stagnant with low membership levels as opposed to a downturn. We had a mansion on the lake and generally kept to ourselves. There was no urge to be a major part of Greek life.”
THE PHOENIX TAKES FLIGHT
But then, something special happened in 2015. A spark took hold in the chapter’s culture that fanned the flame of brotherhood. Lord suggests the notion toward change took hold when the chapter was approached by the General Fraternity offering recruitment support in 2012. “While the chapter voted it down, it caused everyone to realize something needed to change,” he said. “Ben Belzer ’17, and Jacob Hentges ’18, served as recruitment chairs for multiple semesters. The process they put in place led to substantially larger classes, including our record 42-man class in fall 2018.”
By the time a spring Fraternal Fifty celebration started taking shape fall 2018, Rod Taylor ’72, and Lord huddled to talk about how it could springboard awareness of the chapter’s trajectory, especially since the chapter had grown to 115 men and was routinely posting a 3.40, top-5 GPA among UW’s 27 fraternities.
With the help of Alan Kaniss ’72, momentum built, resulting in other classes using the Golden Jubilee as a reason to reunite. All told, 80 alumni descended upon Madison in spring 2019 and laid eyes on what so many of them had wanted for so long. The rest, as they say, is history.
ALL FOR THE BROTHERHOOD
Hard-charging Campaign Chairman Bart Kocha ’80, led the fundraising; Kellner stepped forward with a $200,000 challenge gift; and others secured $300,000 in tax credits as part of the house’s 1986 National Historic Place designation.
In-kind services were gifted, like Don McLauchlan ’71, designing the HVAC system, saving $110,000; and the grounds enjoyed a complete overhaul, including a new fire pit, dock, shoreline and flagpole thanks to landscaping company owner Bob Downing ’91, who also serves as property manager.
A slew of other life-loyal Alpha Pis also helped seize the opportunity: Charlie Giesen ’68, Tom Oberwetter ’74, Mike Muoio ’74, Mike Imse ’77, Rick Abegglen ’82, Bob Schnese ’83, and Jim Curtis ’86.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Partnering with Potter Lawson, successor architecture firm to the home’s original 1925 designers, Law and Law, the house corp prioritized the character of the house, improving safety and tending to student preferences. Windows were replaced, the fire escape was relocated and the brick was repointed. Bathrooms were renovated, as was the kitchen; a new fitness area was incorporated and the study was refreshed. The attic was even converted into a 3-bed apartment, increasing capacity to 37.
The house corp’s operations have also leveled up, a reflection of heightened standards. Drawing from the General Fraternity’s resource bank and endorsed vendors like alumni engagement specialist Pennington & Co., it moved to digital leasing, billing and payments, and now assesses parlor fees and security deposits on every member regardless of residency – evidence again of just how far Alpha Pi has come in 10 years.
Call it luck, brotherly loyalty, patient leadership or a combination of all three, when a pivotal moment faced the undergraduate chapter, much like the fire of 1925, Alpha Pi alumni never quit. They were there to champion the cause like brothers of long ago.
It's been a long time since the delicate shades above Lake Mendota looked so clear. For Alpha Pi, maybe the state motto rings truer now more than ever: “Forward.”
