I believe in the power of the mind, cultivating my own intellect and the minds of others.
I respect leadership, lead when called upon to do so and help to prepare the leaders who will come after me.
I willingly lend my talents and abilities to the service of my community.
I recognize and respect the worth of each person, refusing to take part in activities that undermine the dignity of others or myself.
I choose to act responsibly, weighing the consequences of my actions on those around me.
I speak honestly and listen actively.
I seek the company of other men of principle, extending them the bonds of brotherhood.
I build bridges, not walls.
I am a Beta.
THE MEN OF PRINCIPLE CREED
Welcome to the Beta family!
My name is John Stebbins, and I serve as the General Secretary of Beta Theta Pi. First and foremost, congratulations on your decision to join one of North America’s greatest college fraternities.
Founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and boasting some 225,000 members, Beta has a strong reputation built on 185 years of brotherhood and tradition. Known for its award-winning Men of Principle initiative, Beta is committed to providing a fraternity experience that is fun and enjoyable, yet safe, balanced and grounded in academic achievement and personal development.
Of course, the freedoms of college life will undoubtedly present temptations. Make no mistake about it: You are attending college to earn a degree that will aid in your future personal and professional pursuits. By becoming a Beta, you have chosen to hold yourself to a higher standard than most men on your campus, including the responsible use of alcohol and disdain for drugs, hazing, sexual assault and matters of intolerance.
With a stronger understanding of what being a member of Beta Theta Pi means, I encourage you to:
1. Explore the Fraternity’s leadership programs at beta.org, which are available to you and all Beta collegians. With several outstanding leadership experiences to choose from, you will have many opportunities to develop your abilities and grow personally.
2. Connect with Beta through the Fraternity’s communication platforms designed to keep you and some 150,000 living Betas in the loop: the official website (beta.org), Beta’s award-winning magazine, the monthly e-newsletter and acclaimed Beta social media feeds via Facebook and Instagram, which are updated daily.
3. Review and understand the financial obligations of the Fraternity at beta.org, which are among the lowest in the fraternity world due to Beta Theta Pi’s outstanding track record of risk management and financial prudence.
While the enclosed materials will go a long way in preparing you for a lifetime of Beta membership, I hope you will do your part to maintain Beta as a fraternity open to the diversity and uniqueness of its individual members, one of strong reputation and leadership, and, above all else, one committed to its founding principles: mutual assistance, intellectual development and the fostering of honorable, faithful relationships. The Fraternity will do all it can to help you in these noble pursuits.
Again, welcome to the Beta family!
Warmly,
John H. Stebbins, Emory ’92 General Secretary
“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
— John R. Wooden, Purdue ’32, UCLA Coaching Legend
A RECORD OF DISTINCTION
The Beta tradition has produced some of North America’s most outstanding men. Guided by the values of the Fraternity and a brotherhood that pushes all Betas to achieve more than they could alone, the rolls of Beta Theta Pi include titans of industry from all walks of life. Labeled “The Pioneering Fraternity” in the 1800s thanks to the litany of “Beta Firsts,” today Beta Theta Pi is known as “The Leadership Fraternity” – a moniker in which all Betas take justifiable pride:
17th vice president of the United States
17th 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
85 Rhodes Scholars – more than any other fraternity
Three NFL team owners and One NFL President
First founded west of Alleghenies (1839)
First to have a General Convention (1842)
First to host an interfraternal event (1848)
First west of the Mississippi River (1866)
First to create alumni chapters (1867)
First and oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine (1872)
First to have General Fraternity Officers (1872)
First to organize chapters into districts for administrative purposes (1873)
First to publish an open constitution for public distribution (1879)
First to be founded in 15 states – more than any other fraternity
First to be founded on 35+ campuses –more than any other fraternity
First to adopt a 2.8 GPA – or campus all men’s average – for a chapter, whichever is greatest (2012)
BETAS OF ACHIEVEMENT
William Anderson Whitman ’51
Original “Batman,” Adam West
Jay Chandrasekhar Colgate ’90 “Super Troopers,” Comedian, Writer
Richard Lugar Denison ’54 U.S. Senator, Indiana
John Turner
British Columbia ’49 17th Canadian Prime Minister
Bill Bowerman Oregon ’33 Co-founder, Nike, Inc.
Neil Everett Oregon ’84 Broadcaster, ESPN’s “SportsCenter”
Bruce Nordstrom Washington ’55 Chairman and CEO, Nordstrom, Inc.
Sam Walton Missouri ’40 Founder/Chairman, Walmart
Mike Brown Miami ’57 Owner, NFL Cincinnati Bengals
Howard Fineman Colgate ’70 Huffington Post, MSNBC Analyst
Mitch Rales Miami ’78 Co-owner, NFL Washington Commanders
Brian White Dartmouth ’95 “CSI: Miami,” “Stomp the Yard,” “Tyler Perry’s for Better or Worse”
Dan Carney Wichita State ’53 Co-founder, Pizza Hut
Shahid Khan Illinois ’70
NFL Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars
Stephen Sondheim Williams ’50 Award-Winning Broadway Composer
John Wooden Purdue ’32 UCLA Basketball Coaching Legend
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO AS A NEW MEMBER OF BETA THETA PI
1. Complete your official Beta registration at my.beta.org.
2. Follow Beta on Facebook and Instagram
3. Beta is also known as “The Singing Fraternity,” so listen to 44 classic, four-part-harmony Beta songs on your favorite streaming service. A pocket-size “Beta Tunes” song book is enclosed to assist with your upcoming serenades!
4. Become familiar with your chapter’s membership fees and always pay your dues on time.
5. Consider running for at least one officer position during your time as a Beta collegian. In Beta Theta Pi, you get out of it what you put into it.
6. Being one of the only fraternities to hold an annual Convention, make a commitment to attend at least one during your collegiate years.
7. Plan to graduate from at least one of Beta’s award-winning leadership programs offered by the General Fraternity. Learn more at beta.org
8. Join the Sons of the Dragon Club each spring, which is the Fraternity’s collegiate giving club. Cool Beta swag is included each year!
9. Remember that, as a new member, your words and actions reflect on all of Beta Theta Pi and its members, and in our brotherhood we are all held to the same high standards. Your chapter’s future depends upon a strong commitment to self-governance and personal responsibility.
10. Have a fun, balanced and safe Beta experience with your new brothers!
“To whom much is given, of him much is expected.”
“In the years ahead, nothing –and I say this with all the power I have –nothing will take the place of moral stature. Man may forgive himself for his immorality, for that’s our trait, but it is never overlooked by his fellow men or unnoticed by history. The man of principle and integrity who has developed character and self-discipline is the man humanity must always turn to for its salvation.”
– Dr. Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence 1922
Former General Fraternity President
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.
Beta Theta Pi Foundation and Administrative Office
Brennan Hall 5134 Bonham Road PO Box 6277 Oxford, Ohio 45056
