DELEGATES DIVE IN DURING BUSY LEGISLATIVE YEAR
Closely following the conclusion of the Convention Kickoff, 156 chapter and alumni delegates hit the ground running in the Legislation Hall. As of midnight, at least one committee was still debating its recommendations to the body. Rightfully so, as today the men will consider several votes on the floor, including granting charters, electing Board members and several proposals that will shape the future of the Fraternity. Stay connected with the Wooglin Daily News for updates from the legislation floor.
GENERAL FRATERNITY OFFICERS RECOGNIZED AT KICKOFF In addition to several chapter honors (see back page), five General Fraternity Officers received awards at yesterday’s Convention Kickoff: Regional Chief of the Year Martin Lewison, Columbia ’88 District Chief of the Year Ethan Fritch, NC State ’16 Kal Pipo, Case Western Reserve ’86 Rookie District Chief of the Year Nathan Balkenbusch, Kansas State ’14 Nick Sexton, Eastern Kentucky ’11
LIPTON JOINS BETA GREATS BROOKS AND RYAN BY REACHING 50TH CONVENTION MILESTONE During yesterday’s Convention Kickoff celebration, Tom Lipton, Western Reserve ’63, was honored for reaching a rare Beta milestone — attending 50 Beta General Conventions. Lipton joins a select group of Beta Greats who have achieved this rare feat, including: Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence 1922, and J. Harold Ryan, Yale 1908. As he’s done many years before, Lipton made the 4,300-mile journey from his home in Munich, Germany, to join brothers, Sweethearts
and guests in Oxford to celebrate 180 years of Beta Theta Pi. Given an opportunity to reflect on his years as a Convention attendee, Lipton remarked: My first Convention was here 55 years ago. Everybody asks, “Why do you do it? It’s just a Fraternity!” Just a Fraternity? It’s everything. It’s a family, it’s the best friends I’ve ever made, it’s each and every one of you. It’s the old adage: ‘Once a Beta, Always
a Beta, Everywhere a Beta.’ That’s the secret of what this is all about. We are a brotherhood, we are friends, we are people who open our hearts to each other. And that’s why, year after year, you feel the love flow from heart to heart.” They were truly inspiring words from the Convention veteran. For his achievement, Brother Lipton was gifted a pair of gold, Beta-badge inspired cufflinks.
SPECIAL EVENT SPEAKERS | FRIDAY General Fraternity Chorister Dr. Brock Johnson will lead Convention Chorus practices throughout the weekend, leading up to Saturday’s Recognition Ceremony.
Randy Zaic, Georgia Tech ’80, principal architect at Zaic and Associates, speaks at the Housing Summit on trends in Greek housing architecture.
Foundation Chairman Mike Feinstein, MIT ’82, will address and recognize those in attendance at this year’s John Reily Knox Club Reception and Dinner.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OXFORD FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
BREAKFAST SERVICE 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Group A 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Group B Western Dining Hall HOSPITALITY SUITE: SPOUSES & GUESTS 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Marcum 112 LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Various (See Convention Guide) HOUSING SUMMIT 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Alpha Chapter House LEGISLATION SESSION II 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Shriver: Dolibois Room LEADERSHIP COLLEGE TRACKS 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Brotherhood and Belonging: Heritage Room Career Preparation: Shideler Auditorium LUNCH 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Group A 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Group B Western Dining Hall LEGISLATION III / LEADERSHIP COLLEGE 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Various (See Convention Guide) GFHC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Alpha Chapter House DINNER (BOTH GROUPS) 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Western Dining Hall WORKING FOR THE FRATERNITY (INTEREST SESSION) 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Western Dining Hall
Clockwise: General Fraternity Officer award winners take stage to receive their well-deserved honors; a special message greets attendees; General Fraternity President Bob Schnese, Wisconsin ’83, and Foundation Vice Chairman Willie Romero, UNLV ’95, catch up before meetings.
CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS TAKE CENTER STAGE DURING KICKOFF EVENT ADVISORY TEAM OF THE YEAR Willamette
NORTH DAKOTA AWARD Auburn, Florida State, Washington State
HARDIN LEADERSHIP DEV. AWARD Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida Gulf Coast, Kettering A, Kettering B, Knox, Loyola Chicago, MIT, New Mexico, Oregon State, Rochester, Rockhurst, South Dakota, Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI RELATIONS Auburn, Nebraska
EXCELLENCE IN RISK MANAGEMENT Northeastern, Ohio State FRANCIS H. SISSON AWARD Bethany (6), Centre (12), Colorado Mines (18), Creighton (3), Delaware (1), Denver (4), Kansas State (29), Kettering B (10), Loyola Chicago (1), Nebraska (22), New Jersey (1), San Diego (13), SMU (10), TCU (6), Truman State (19), Washington (14), Wisconsin-Oshkosh (10) H. H. STEPHENSON, JR. AWARD Colorado Mines, Georgia Tech DUNCAN SERVICE AWARD Loyola Chicago, Oklahoma State MOST IMPROVED CHAPTER Northeastern, Loyola Chicago
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Florida State, Kettering A, Nebraska, Puget Sound OUTSTANDING NEW MEMBER EDUCATION Miami OUTSTANDING RECRUITMENT Northeastern, Centre SONS OF THE DRAGON CLUB AWARD Arkansas, Cornell, Denver, Idaho, Kettering A, New Mexico, Pacific, Rochester, Rockhurst, Southern Illinois, Westminster VIRGINIA TECH AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE British Columbia, Connecticut, High Point, Kentucky, Kettering B, Nebraska, San Diego, TCU, Virginia, Wittenberg, Columbia (Highest GPA: 3.73), American (Most Improved GPA: 0.19 Improvement)
REMINDERS
JRK CLUB RECEPTION / DINNER (INVITE ONLY) 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Marcum
• Breakfast will be provided to all Convention attendees tomorrow from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. in the Western Dining Hall.
LEGISLATION SESSION IV 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Shriver: Dolibois
• Interested in joining the Convention Chorus? Attend practice tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Hillcrest Hall lobby. • Visit the registration table to reserve a spot on Sunday’s airport shuttle.
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