Friday's Wooglin Daily News - 178th General Convention

beta honors worthy members and friends Zach Lepperd, Truman State ’16, took home the top undergraduate prize at last night’s Recognition Ceremony, the Jerry M. Blesch General Secretary Leadership Award. Known across campus as “The Face of Truman,” Lepperd was one of several individuals recognized at the ceremony celebrating contributions made by members and non-members alike to the betterment of our Great and Good Fraternity. Awards geared toward chapter achievements will largely be featured at today’s Awards Luncheon.

fraternity leaders confront challenges at convention kickoff event

O In absence, Del Pizzo continues to charm Before health complications prevented his attendance, Ferd Del Pizzo, Washington in St. Louis ’58, had attended 45-consecutive Conventions. Last night, Convention-goers were treated to a video highlighting his passion for Beta Theta Pi. Always good for a laugh, attendees at the 178th will see more of Del Pizzo throughout the weekend.

ne question had surely been weighing on members’ minds in the months leading up to the 178th General Convention: How would Beta choose to address the tragic death of new member Tim Piazza at Penn State during the Fraternity’s annual reunion?

Within 10 minutes of the Convention Kickoff session beginning, attendees to get their answer. Almost immediately, Fraternity leadership acknowledged the events – at times in vivid detail – leading up to Tim’s

death, and posed a series of questions aimed at reinforcing a shared commitment amongst brothers and friends to love and care for one another in all situations.

Beta Theta Pi Executive Director Jeff Rundle, Kansas State ’03, began by saying that his podium time wouldn’t be spent delivering a “normal” State of the Fraternity address. “These times are not normal,” Rundle said.

“And we are called to do something different in this moment.”

The session was one of three programs scheduled throughout the weekend closely tied to the Convention theme: “A Shared Commitment.”

Rundle acknowledged that the journey forward for the Fraternity is long and must be taken together. “As we walk side-byside, don’t let your focus fall on the path below your feet,” he said. “Lift up your gaze and focus on the light above that has guided our Fraternity for nearly two centuries.”

AWARDS LUNCHEON awards emcee Fraternity Vice President Justin Foster, West Chester ’11, will emcee today’s Awards Luncheon. Newly married, Foster lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and works for the University of Phoenix.

awards preview More than 14 awards will be announced at today’s Awards Luncheon, including: – – – –

Francis H. Sisson Award Hardin Leadership Development Award Duncan Community Service Award H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award

– – – – –

N. Dakota Award for Alumni Communications Virginia Tech Award for Academics Advisory Team of the Year Outstanding Campus Involvement Award Most Improved Chapter Award ... and many more

today on the range friday, july 28 legislation committee meetings 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Various (See Convention Guide) foundation board of directors meeting 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Maybird

khan becomes 82nd looking ahead at oxford cup recipient beta’s 178th

leadership college track session 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Various (See Convention Guide)

“I’ve lived the American dream, and Beta has been a big part of it,” Oxford Cup Recipient Shad Khan, Illinois ’70, said as he began his acceptance remarks at last night’s Recognition Ceremony.

awards luncheon 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Special Event Tent all-convention session: a shared reflection 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Special Event Tent jrk club reception & recognition dinner 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Golden Cliff outdoor movie: the sandlot 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Outside Forklift the loving cup ceremony 11:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Wasatch B shelby l. molter song competition 11:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Wasatch B

REMINDERS

attire Attire is resort-casual (i.e. collared shirts, shorts, jeans or khaki pants for men, and comparable attire for women. Flip flops are allowed.).

Attire must be in good taste and represent Beta Theta Pi in an appropriate light (i.e. no alcohol, sexual innuendos, etc.).

The words that followed closely tracked along three paths: what Beta has means to him, what has concerned him over time, and what brought him to the point of accepting the Oxford Cup. Khan said that he was pursued by multiple houses during his time at the University of Illinois, but that Beta was the first house he went to ... and he never left. “It was the singular greatest experience of my life,” he said.

He was quick to point out, though, that there was more to his story, including that his own son, Tony, later depledged the chapter in 2001 after experiencing hazing. “Great institutions don’t suddenly die,” he said. “They fade away.” He went on to say that situations like Tony’s, or more currently the tragedy at Penn State, cannot be ignored.

Khan says he accepted the Oxford Cup so he could share time with the Fraternity’s leaders and jointly push for betterment of the Beta experience for brothers in the future. He closed by saying: “You care. I care. Why? Because I want every young man to have the fabulous Beta Theta Pi experience that I had.”

Dress for Saturday’s Celebration Banquet is coat and tie for men and comparable for women. jrk club dinner There is still time to secure a seat at the John Reily Knox Club Recognition Dinner. See Director of Advancement Phil Fernandez for information.

saturday, july 29 – Vendor and Exhibitor Fair – Hospitality Suite: Spouses and Guests – Advisory Council Breakfast – Region Meetings – Model Initiation – Installations Planning Meeting – Convention Chorus Practice – Interest Session: Working On Beta’s Staff – All-Convention Session: A Shared Commitment – Legislation Session IV – Leadership College – Gamma Beta Chapter Reunion – Convention Chorus Practice – Marching Line – Celebration Banquet – All-Convention Cocktail Dessert Reception

“there’s nothing quite like a beta convention.”

— Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22

departure shuttles All attendees who wish to reserve a spot on one of the departure shuttles on Sunday must reserve a spot in advance by visiting the registration table. Shuttles will leave at 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.