PORIES HUMBLY ACCEPTS 83RD OXFORD CUP Addressing a crowd of nearly 700 Betas and friends at last night’s Recognition Ceremony, Walter Pories, Wesleyan ’52, accepted the Oxford Cup and remarked on the Fraternity’s role in helping him dress, behave and achieve. The renowned bariatric surgeon credits Beta, in part, for his success in the medical field, particularly his relationship with his pledge brother, Hal Buckingham ’52, who joined Pories in Norfolk for the occasion.
FRATERNITY LEADERS AND INDUSTRY EXPERT PANEL SETS STAGE FOR COMING DEBATE
DELEGATES DIG IN DURING BUSY LEGISLATIVE YEAR It was a mere 15 minutes after the Convention Kickoff when 171 chapter and alumni delegates hit the ground running in the legislation hall. As of midnight, at least one committee was still debating their recommendations to the body. Rightfully so, as today the men will consider several votes on the floor, including charters, Board nominees and more.
During Thursday night’s State of the Fraternity session, Board Vice President Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05, posed a number of attendee-submitted questions to Beta and fraternal industry leaders on the pressing business ahead of the 179th General Convention. Legal counsel and Phi Delta Theta brother Jim Ewbank declared the current moment in Greek life the “Post-Piazza Period,” saying that if an organization hopes to survive another 15 years, it must be
willing to hold members and chapters accountable now. Asked about the Trustees’ process for soliciting feedback for the new strategic plan, General Secretary Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73, detailed the Board’s multiyear “listening tour,” which he said reaped insight from more than 1,000 brothers. This advice, he suggested, swayed the Board to settle on an alternative substance-free housing policy than was originally intended to be announced last fall.
While a majority of the questions answered by the panel stemmed from the Board’s decision to implement substance-free housing, members also asked about rising insurance premiums, downward trends in recruitment, and whether or not the Fraternity would standardize bystander intervention or sexual misconduct training as part of new risk management education curriculum. If you missed the session, Swartz announced that recap handouts would be made available Friday morning.
EMCEES AND SPECIAL GUESTS | FRIDAY Mar yland Chapter Counselor and newly appointed Foundation Board Director Aaron Kozuki, Washington in St. Louis ’05, leads this afternoon’s Awards Luncheon.
Oxford Cup recipient and retired U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, Denison ’54, makes his annual pilgrimage to join Beta brothers and beloved guests at the 179th General Convention.
NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction winner and former Chapter President Jack Schimpf, Missouri ’18, delivers the annual undergraduate keynote at today’s luncheon.
NOW ON DECK IN NORFOLK FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 Coffee Service 7:15 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Presidential/Hampton Foyer/Marriott Hospitality Sweet: Alumni & Guests 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Parlor Suite, Room 416 Legislation Committee Meetings 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Various (See Convention Guide) Housing Summit 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Franklin/Shangri La Leadership College Tracks 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Various (See Convention Guide) Legislation Session II 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Marriott IV Awards Luncheon 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Norfolk Ballrooms
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AFTER BRIEF HIATUS, HOUSING SUMMIT MAKES RETURN
WINNERS HONORED AT RECOGNITION CEREMONY
After taking a break in 2017, the Cornerstone Housing Summit has returned to the General Convention experience.
District Chief of the Year Matthew V. Zahn, George Washington ’15
More than 20 chapter house corporations from across North America have begun their three-day educational journey on managing 21st-century fraternity homes. Throughout the weekend, attendees will receive expert advice from industry leaders in areas such as fundraising, risk management and keeping a home competitive on campus.
Legislation III/Leadership College 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Various (See Convention Guide)
Multiple states and municipalities have moved to stiffen penalties for hazing and alcohol-related crimes within fraternities in recent months, some of which would result in the loss of chapter house zoning or even the forfeiture of a chapter house property.
American Rover Excursion (Ticketed) 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Lobby
With stakes that high, the Cornerstone Housing Summit is perhaps proving more relevant now than ever before.
JRK Club Reception/Dinner (Invite Only) 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Town Point Club
In addition to the expanding Administrative Office staff supporting the program, Cornerstone participants will interact with big-name experts in the Greek world, such as Pennington, Holmes Murphy and CSL Management.
Shelby L. Molter Song Competition 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hampton I Loving Cup Ceremony 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Hampton I
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House Corporation Volunteer of the Year Joseph A. Chinnici Jr., Ohio State ’64 Theta Delta Chapter (Ohio State) House Director of the Year Lana Cameron, Friend Zeta Phi Chapter (Missouri)
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Dr. Edward B. Taylor Advisor of the Year Barton L. Ramsey, III, Centre ’75 (Centre) Emily C. Mire, Friend of Beta (TCU) Kathryn Wojcik, Friend of Beta (Colgate) John W. Hughes, Auburn ’77 (Auburn) Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year Erin M. McHale, University of Iowa Billy Boulden, Iowa State University Inerfraternalism Recognition Award Lori Hart, Alpha Omicron Pi Regional Chief of the Year Bob Griffiths, Washington ’67 Rookie District Chief of the Year Alex Klose, WPI ’16
REMINDERS • A grab-and-go breakfast will be provided to all Convention attendees tomorrow from 7:15-8:30 a.m. in the Presidential Foyer. • Interested in joining the Convention Chorus? Attend practice tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Hampton I.
• To reserve a spot on Sunday’s airport shuttle on Sunday, reserve a seat at the registration table. • If you signed up for the American Rover Harbor Cruise, please meet in the lobby no later than 4 p.m. in to receive your ticket and walk to the dock.
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