The Beta Theta Pi Magazine (Summer 2006)

BETA THETA PI M

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JONATHAN BRANT CULTIVATING BROTHERHOOD

Summer 2006

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168TH

GENERAL CONVENTION Orlando • August 2-5, 2007

celebration

legislation

recreation

education

dedication

Mark you calendar today.

We hope to see you there!

Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821

The Beta Theta Pi Magazine/Vol. 134/No. 1

[Summer Contents] FEATURES

Cover Story:

24 Cultivating Brotherhood Jonathan Brant receives the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s Gold Medal for his lifelong dedication to the interfratenal movement.

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Rivers Rutherford

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125 Years at Columbia

This country singer and songwriter is making a big splash in Nashville.

Alpha Alpha alumni and guests gather to celebrate the Chapter’s prestigious history.

24 Departments 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 38 50 54 58 62

From the Editor Letters to the Editor News and Notes 15 Minutes with . . .

Marching Along Alumni News Center Stage Books by Betas Convention Highlights

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Upon These Principles Staff Changes Campus Life GFO Reports Mystic Shrine Sports Roundup The Last Word

THE BETA THETA PI

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Pater Marshall?

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Building Consensus

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Being the Change

Who really is responsible for founding Beta Theta Pi . . .

Ambassador Eric M. Javits, Columbia ’52, must build consensus in ridding the world of chemical weapons.

The Institute for Men of Principle instills a strong

sense of lifelong fraternal brotherhood.

The Offical Magazine of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

The oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine, The Beta Theta Pi was founded December 15, 1872, by Charles Duy Walker, V.M.I. 1869.

Summer 2006

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[From the Editor] It’s not about the t-shirt!

In my line of work, I have the oppor-

tunity to meet a lot of Beta brothers.

Over the years, I’ve traveled from Miami to Seattle, Los Angeles to Orono and several points in between, interacting with undergraduates and alumni through magazine interviews, leadership programs, chapter visits, anniversaries, installations, etc. One of the questions I find myself asking quite frequently is, “How did you become involved with Beta Theta Pi?” Strangely enough, not a single brother has ever said, “They had the best T-Shirt on campus!” Instead, they refer back to their early college days when they met someone in a class, in their residence hall or in some campus club who turned out to be a Beta. The Illustration by Roger Warrick simple act of extending the hand of friendship, exercised by an attentive and thoughtful brother, led them to a lifelong relationship with an organization that would change their life forever.

As Dr. Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22 wrote, “There is the unbroken fabric of Beta Theta Pi because of those who have loved the brotherhood and in their time served it that others after them might enter into a heritage of friendship that lasts through life.”

Unfortunately, the Fraternity’s membership numbers were down last year. The dramatic pledging numbers of 2004-05 (2,509 new members — the highest since 1994-95) were not repeated in 2005-06 (2,311.) Likewise, the number of active members has decreased substantially from a 12-year high of 6,577 in 1995 to 5,853 this past spring. However, the lower number cannot be attributed solely to recruitment issues, as some 49 chapters have been closed since 1997. To date, many of these chapters have been restarted, with USC, Iowa State and Kettering (formerly GMI-EMI) returning this academic year.

We’re all familiar with the “Five Step Model” of recruitment: meet them, make them your friend, introduce them to your friends, introduce them to your organization and invite them to join. If that’s all there is to it, why in the world do we spend so much time (and money) coming up with clever events, preparing extravagant smorgasbords and, oh yeah, debating the design of those “incredible” T-shirts?

The truth is that we all have a role to play in the growth and development of our brotherhood. Alumni can help by attending events, serving as recruitment advisors and recommending potential recruits for membership. Get involved today!

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BETA THETA PI FRATERNITY Founded 1839, Miami University BOARD OF TRUSTEES

GENERAL SECRETARY

David W. Wright, Ohio State ’67

PRESIDENT

P. Thomas Purinton, Kansas State ’63

GENERAL TREASURER

Christopher D. Miller, Kansas State ’86

VICE PRESIDENTS

John V. Conway, South Dakota ’56 Kenneth J. Gripsin, Rutgers ’70 W. Martin Haskell, Ohio Wesleyan ’68 David E. Schmidt, South Florida ’92 Joseph M. Troncale, Alabama ’63 Charles W. Warner, Lynchburg ’87

BETA THETA PI FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

W.H. (Bert) Bates, Missouri ’49 James J. Ellis, Missouri ’55 Michael G. Feinstein, MIT ’82 Garland G. Fritts, Illinois ’52 Thomas W. Hook, Miami ’81 S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73 Jeffrey Lieberman, Pennsylvania ’96 Lynn C. Maddox, Georgia Tech ’64 Charles O. McCormick III, Indiana ’72 Christopher D. Miller, Kansas State ’86 Jeffrey N. Newton, Miami ’77 Richard C. Spangler III, North Carolina ’71

EDITOR

Thomas C. Olver, Central Michigan ’98

Associate DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS MacGregor H. Hill II, William & Mary ’04

Associate Editor

Steven M. Brylski, Virginia Tech ’06

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Sarah Shepherd

CONTRIBUTORS

Phyllis Bowie; Jay Langhammer; Erica Suding

EDITORS EMERITUS

Erv Johnson, APR, Idaho ’53 Robert H. Kurz, Miami ’58 The Beta Theta Pi, (USPS 052-000) official magazine of Beta The-

ta Pi Fraternity, is owned by the Fraternity, edited and published under the direction and control of its Board of Trustees, published Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring for $30 one-time pre-paid subscription. Periodical class postage paid at Oxford, Ohio, and additional points of entry. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0397474. Copyright Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, 2006. Produced in the USA.

Our undergraduate members truly make the difference. Recruitment is not — strike that — cannot be the work of just a few; every individual should do his part, whether that is out front, shaking hands and telling your Beta story, or behind the scenes, organizing events or running the “War Room.”

DEADLINES Fall 2006 ...........................................................August 15 Winter 2007 ................................................November 15 Spring 2007................................................... February 15 Summer 2007 ....................................................... May 15

Just remember, when it comes to recruitment, it’s all about meeting people, making friends and sharing the true Beta experience. Think of it this way, if each of Beta’s 120 chapters recruited just 20 men this year, some 2,400 men would be “admitted to the light” of the Three Stars. If we added just 15% to last year’s pledging numbers, we would be extending the hand of friendship to more than 2,650 men this year. With all that this Great and Good Fraternity has going for it these days, it’s hard to believe that each chapter’s membership isn’t growing faster than ever before. If we just had a better T-shirt . . . — T. Olver

FOUNDATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Brennan Hall Postmaster: 5134 Bonham Road Send address P.O. Box 6277 changes to: Oxford, Ohio 45056 Beta Theta Pi Tel: 513-523-7591 P.O. Box 6277 Fax: 513-523-2381 Oxford, OH 45056 aoffice@wooglin.com www.BetaThetaPi.org

The Beta Theta Pi

[Letters to the Editor] GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT

In the splendid spring issue of the magazine (p.27) you attribute my generosity to bailing out the Bishop’s Chapter arrears in 1993. In reality, it was the generous response of my appeal to Toronto Chapter alumni that provided the funds. Approximately $4,500 was subscribed from a simple request. Thanks to the Toronto brothers’ customary generosity and their remembering the “Toronto Chapter Fund,” a young chapter of Beta Theta Pi was given a chance to survive. — Owen S. Williams, Toronto ’50

IN DEMAND

One pillar in the Vision of the Men of Principle initiative is coming to life for Beta Theta Pi, at least in Burbank, California. “Betas will be in high demand by leaders of business, government and the professions.” I started working at Disney Consumer Products (DCP) on June 1, 2004. The position opening was shared with me by former Administrative Office staff member, James (Jim) Howard, Louisville ’93 and Sadie Stern, the wife of another former Administrative Office staff member, Joel W. Stern, UC-Riverside ’94. Both Jim and Sadie were highly respected in the company and I believe my credibility as a reliable candidate and the eventual selection was strongly enhanced by the association I had with them. Today, I told the senior vice president of my function that I would be leaving DCP to pursue my MBA at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. After a long conversation, she turned and looked at me and said, “You, Jim and Sadie’s husband all come from your secret organization and all three of you have been great. We need to have another one!” To know my SVP is to know what a huge compliment that is for Beta Theta Pi. The senior vice president of a division of the Walt Disney Company, one of the leading fortune 500 organizations, is requesting — strike that — demanding, that someone else representative of Beta Theta Pi comes to work here. I’m proud to be associated with Beta Theta Pi and recognize what a major role I have, as an alumnus and general fraternity officer, to help our organization align with and continue to live the vision of our founders. — Vincent E. Mikolay, Bethany ’00

THE BETA SPIRIT

When I think of H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39, my mind is flooded with the joyful memories of time shared chatting the hours away in his office and of the stories he told that I am now inclined to pass on to future generations of Betas. There are many words that might have eloquently described the likes of Heber Hiram Stephenson but I don’t believe any to be better than simply “Beta Spirit.” Brother Stephenson had that special something Willis O. Robb, Ohio Wesleyan 1879 was referring to when he coined the phrase so many years ago. Brother Stephenson could be characterized by having “just a little warmer and just a little stronger, just a little tenderer and more enduring fraternity feeling,” and it showed to all who were fortunate enough to have met him. He will be truly missed by all in Beta’s Broad Domain. — Zachary T. Haines, Miami ’05

WELCOME, BROTHER

I was a relatively new initiate attending Convention when H.H. Stephenson, Miami ’39 strolled up to me, asked who I was and enthusiastically gave me “the grip.” I remember how it felt when he shook my hand. It was somehow different, more personal, more sincere. While we exchanged the grip with our right hands, “Hi” rested his left hand on my shoulder. He seemed to look inside me, detecting, then finding my worthiness as a brother somewhere in there, and nodding his head approvingly. His eyes were windows to a soul overflowing with the Beta Spirit. “Welcome, brother,” he spoke with such a warm smile and a tone it made you feel like he was telling you a secret that only you and he would know. It wasn’t just his words that left their indelible mark upon me that day — it was because Brother Stephenson MEANT what he said. “Welcome, brother.” I have never felt more welcome as a Beta in all my years, then at that precise moment during Convention receiving the grip from Brother Stephenson.

Hi is most certainly with our Creator now and I imagine he has already volunteered to be “God’s Greeter” at Heaven’s Gate, so when Beta brothers are passing by, he can introduce himself, give each of them the grip, look them in the eye and say “welcome, brother.” — Matthew J. Yandura, Central Michigan ’96 Summer 2006

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[News & Notes]

Beta Exceeds 3.0 GPA in 2004-05

The cumulative grade point average for Beta Theta Pi chapters in 2005 surpassed 3.0 for the first time in recent years. With 115 chapters reporting the Fraternity averaged a 3.01 GPA for 2004-05. NIC Executive Director Jon Williamson commended the Fraternity in a letter stating, “That is an excellent achievement of which you should be very proud. You are one of 13 NIC member organizations to achieve this.”

The past decade has seen a significant improvement in Beta scholarship. In 1997, the Fraternity’s cumulative GPA was a 2.82 with less than 45 percent of chapters above their All-Men’s Average (AMA.) In 2005 the Fraternity GPA was 3.01 with 63 percent of chapters above their AMA.

Fraternity Increases GPA Standard to 2.7

Delegates to Beta Theta Pi’s 167th General Convention, held in Toronto, voted to significantly increase the grade point average (GPA) standard for chapters of the Fraternity. The new standard will require all chapters and colonies to meet or exceed a 2.7 GPA. In 1984, Beta Theta Pi was the first Fraternity to adopt a 2.5 standard for chapters. Again in 1997, Beta was the first to require a 2.5 of individual members. Likewise, this move makes the Fraternity a leader with respect to the academic standards held by NorthAmerican Interfraternity Conference (NIC) organizations. “You are at the top of the standards,” said NIC Executive Director Jon Williamson. “You’re leading the way. I congratulate you on having the courage to take it to 2.7.”

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The Beta Theta Pi

Board of Trustees Members Elected Three loyal Betas were elected for terms on the Board of Trustees at the 167th General Convention in Toronto. Charles W. Warner, Lynchburg ’87 (left) was reelected as vice president; Joseph M. Troncale, Alabama ’63 (right) was elected as vice president, and Christopher D. Miller, Kansas State ’86 (center) was elected general treasurer. All will serve three-year terms. Warner is the director of Student Leadership & Involvement at West Chester University; Troncale is a business consultant and resides in Cumming, Georgia, and Miller is president and chief executive officer of Gammon Media Brokers; partners with the Berg Miller Group Realty Executives. The Board of Trustees, established in 1879, consists of nine men with rotating terms of three years. Each year two vice presidents and either the president, general secretary or general treasurer are elected.

Four Fraternities Join NIC Four fraternities joined the North-American Interfraternity Conference at its 2006 Annual Meeting in Washington.

With the addition of these four fraternities, NIC membership grows to 68 international and national men’s fraternities. Joining the NIC are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Beta Chi Theta, Phi Sigma Kappa and Sigma Phi Delta. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will have dual membership in the NIC and National Pan Hellenic Council. NIC President James R. Estes commented that these fraternities “bring a rich tradition of fraternity ideals to the conference. We are thrilled that they have joined the conference and look forward to working with them in the coming years.” Based in Indianapolis, the NIC is the premier trade association with a nearly 100 year tradition of representing men’s fraternities, with 350,000 undergraduate members on more than 800 campuses in the United States and Canada. In addition, there are more than five million alumni members of NIC fraternities.

Convention Photos Available More than 850 photos from the 167th General Convention are available for viewing and download at http://www. betathetapi.org/photos/ courtesy of the Beta Theta Pi Communications Department. Duplicates and poor quality images were removed for capacity constraints and ease of use. Full versions of all photos are available upon request.

Do you have good photos from Convention? Send them to mhill@wooglin.com.

University of Miami Expansion Plans Approved The University of Miami has invited Beta Theta Pi to colonize in the fall of 2006.

Director of Expansion and Recruitment JB Scherpelz, Miami ’05 and Director of Chapter Services Judson Horras, Iowa State ’97 led the April 5th presentation to the University of Miami IFC, focusing on Beta Theta Pi’s Men of Principle initiative and colony development process. The presentation included a testimonial by Florida International Colony President Gabriel Shapanka ’07 regarding his experiences as a founding father this past fall. Kara Miller, coordinator for Greek affairs, noted that the committee’s selections were based on an organization’s national strengths, number of chapters in Florida and amount of alumni support in the Miami area. This support will help the colony with a full five-person advisory team and a strong network of Friends of Beta.

Scherpelz concluded, “This is a great opportunity to work with the colony at FIU, and existing chapters at Nova Southeastern and Florida Atlantic, to continue to build a strong presence for Beta Theta Pi in south Florida.” The University of Miami expansion is scheduled for fall 2006. If you would like more information or have interest in serving as an advisor please contact Scherpelz at jscherpelz@wooglin.com.

Lugar One Step Closer to Sixth Term Senator Richard G. Lugar, Denison ’54 will run for his sixth term this fall with no opposition from the Indiana Democratic Party. The party announced that no credible candidate could be found to take on Lugar, a Republican seeking his sixth term. “Let’s be honest,” the party’s chairman, Dan Parker, said.

“Richard Lugar is beloved not only by Republicans, but by independents and Democrats.” Lugar is a recipient of the Fraternity’s Oxford Cup and Francis Wayland Shepardson Award. He is the spokesman for the Men of Principle initiative and honorary chairman of the Upon These Principles capital campaign.

Beta Theta Pi Earns Communications Awards At the 2006 College Fraternity Editors Association (CFEA) and North-American Interfraternity Foundation (NIF) Awards presented Saturday, May 20, 2006 in Memphis, Beta Theta Pi was honored with several awards. From the 586 entries received from more than 50 member organizations in 21 categories, Beta Theta Pi earned first place in the website category (www.betathetapi.org), second place for publications improvement (2005 Convention program), second place for editorial comment article (“Inspiration Point: Free Advice at the Drivethru Window,” Spring 2005) and third place for promotional publication (2006 Leadership Opportunities brochure.) In addition, Director of Communications and Editor Tom Olver, Central Michigan ’98 was presented with the Silver Quill, marking five years of service to CFEA. He was elected to a fourth term on the CFEA Board of Directors and will serve a third year as treasurer of the Association.

Summer 2006

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15 minutes with . . .

Christopher D. Miller, Kansas State ’86 A member of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation Board of Directors since 2004, Christopher Miller was elected to serve as the Fraternity’s 25th General Treasurer at the 167th General Convention held this summer in Toronto. He will serve a three-year term on the Board of Trustees and will continue in his role as a Foundation director. Miller is a past president of the Valley of the Sun Alumni Association.

Full Name: Christopher D. Miller School & Grad Year: Kansas State ’86 Job: Investment banker; president and chief executive officer of Gammon Media Brokers; partners with the Berg Miller Group Realty Executives

Born Where & When: Frankfurt, Germany — October 19, 1963 Listen to the complete interview with Brother Miller by logging on to www. betathetapi.org.

A few of your favorite things . . .

Color: Purple Food: Steak Word: Champion.

You have to work hard to be one, and once you are one, it always sticks with you.

Beta Song: Beta Rose Dessert: Brownies Album: Momma Mia! Soundtrack Sport: Golf Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins Movie: The Secret of My Success Toothpaste: Crest or Colgate (My wife will buy what is on sale.)

Family Stats: Wife Kristin (16 years); son, 15; daughter, 13, and daughter, 11 Pets: Bouvier des Flandris. 102 pounds. Name: Bodacious or Bodie for short.

First job: Working in the pressroom at the family newspaper Worst job: Collections for advertising. I realized that there are a lot of people out there in this world that just don’t do what they say they’re going to do and it’s better just not to have to deal with them (laughs.)

Why K-State: My family has long connections with Kansas State. The journalism school at K-State is named after my great-grandfather. So, I grew up being a Kansas State fan and when it came time for college, I ended up with a four-year ride, or an Army ROTC scholarship at the time.

Why Beta: My grandfather was a Beta and his brother was a Beta. We had been around Beta events since I was a young child. When it was time to go through rush, I kind of zeroed in on the Betas and what they did. They were pretty much leaders on campus and I fit in well with that pledge class.

Favorite Beta memory: I’d probably have to go back to being initiated with my pledge class. That was an emotional, very tight event that was very . . . it was just something you’ll never forget. I’m glad I got to go through with the guys I did.

Which Betas have inspired you? I’d probably say . . . besides my grandfather and my great-uncle . . . right up there would be John Rhodes (Kansas State ’38.) He was a member of my grandfather’s pledge class and I’ve known him since I was a young man.

I enjoyed him and Betty so very much, and it was really hard for . . . when he passed away a couple years ago. He was a mentor for me in Arizona when I got down there.

Most impressive brush with greatness: Oh boy . . . being General Treasurer (laughs.) I’d say one of my highlights was being at the 1996 Republican National Convention. I was a delegate, which was kind of neat.

Best advice you’ve ever been given: Probably . . . I read this somewhere, “Always go forward and never turn back.” It was a quote from Father Junipero Serra, who was a Franciscan missionary in California in the 1700s.

Podcasts: I’ve got some on negotiating . . . on some venture capital podcasting, some good sales podcasting and then I’ve really kind of enjoyed downloading some TV shows for when I’m traveling on the airplane if I don’t want to watch a movie on the laptop.

Watching a couple of TV shows on the iPod makes an hour or so go by pretty quickly.

How many speeding tickets: Probably not more than four or five. Knock on wood and you’d better not jinx me and make me get one.

Most unusual thing in your fridge right now: Goat cheese. I just said that because my daughter got all over me the other night because I put it on a salad and she wasn’t impressed.

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The Beta Theta Pi

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Cornell (Β∆) Columbia (ΑΑ) Nebraska (ΑΤ) Yale (ΦΧ) Case Western Reserve (ΛΚ−Β) Kansas (ΑΝ) Truman State (ΖΞ) Pennsylvania (Φ) Washington in St. Louis (ΑΙ) Washington (ΒΩ) Emory (ΓΥ) Loyola Marymount (Colony) Oklahoma State (ΓΛ) Northwestern (Ρ) Whitman(ΓΖ) Georgia (ΕΕ) Miami (Α) Minnesota (ΒΠ) Missouri-Kansas City (ΕΛ) Kansas State (ΓΕ) Vanderbilt (ΒΛ) California-Los Angeles (ΓΝ) Villanova (ΖΕ) Connecticut (ΖΧ) Michigan (Λ) British Columbia (ΓΟ) Johns Hopkins (ΑΧ) San Diego (Colony) North Carolina (Η) MIT (ΒΥ) Idaho (ΓΓ) Wabash (Τ) Lawrence (ΓΠ) Michigan State (ΓΨ) Penn State (ΑΥ) William & Mary (ΖΥ) Indiana (Π) Cincinnati (ΒΝ) Georgia Tech (ΓΗ) Kenyon (ΒΑ) Oklahoma (ΓΦ) Carnegie Mellon (ΓΙ) California-Irvine (∆Σ) Willamette (ΓΣ) Colgate (ΒΘ) Virginia Tech (ΑΦ) Puget Sound (∆Ε) Toronto (ΘΖ) Colorado State (ΕΚ) Missouri (ΖΦ) California-Berkley (Ω) Denver (ΑΖ) North Dakota (ΓΚ) Ohio State (Θ∆) Western Ontario (∆Α) California-Santa Barbara (ΕΠ) Florida (ΓΞ) Washington State (ΓΘ)

Beta Theta Pi Average

GPA*

AMA

3.501 3.500 3.488 3.485 3.472 3.460 3.440 3.434 3.415 3.385 3.365 3.335 3.303 3.285 3.271 3.255 3.240 3.235 3.220 3.207 3.205 3.195 3.195 3.185 3.182 3.170 3.170 3.160 3.159 3.150 3.145 3.145 3.141 3.140 3.140 3.140 3.133 3.132 3.125 3.120 3.118 3.110 3.106 3.096 3.095 3.095 3.090 3.085 3.085 3.076 3.069 3.055 3.055 3.050 3.050 3.046 3.015 3.015

N/A N/A 2.963 N/A 3.250 2.835 3.105 3.329 3.380 3.150 3.228 3.040 2.788 3.350 3.322 3.025 2.910 2.975 2.830 2.812 3.180 3.118 N/A N/A 3.175 2.895 3.210 2.930 3.017 N/A 2.870 3.025 3.123 2.960 3.030 3.110 2.910 2.845 2.925 3.095 2.925 3.165 2.896 3.163 3.110 2.871 3.045 N/A 2.780 2.868 3.190 3.105 2.890 2.945 2.850 2.912 3.112 2.850

3.011

2.931

Above Average Academically Delegates to Beta Theta Pi’s 167th General Convention, held in Toronto, Ontario, June 29-July 2, voted to significantly increase the grade point average (GPA) standard for chapters of the Fraternity. The new standard will require all chapters and colonies to meet or exceed a 2.7 GPA. In 1984, Beta Theta Pi was the first Fraternity to adopt a 2.5 standard for chapters. Again in 1997, Beta was the first to require a 2.5 of individual members. Likewise, this move makes the Fraternity a leader with respect to the academic standards held by North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) organizations. “You are at the top of the standards,” said NIC Executive Director Jon Williamson.

“You’re leading the way. I congratulate you on having the courage to take it to 2.7.”

The cumulative grade point average for Beta Theta Pi chapters in 2005 surpassed 3.0 for the first time in recent years. With 115 (of 122) chapters reporting, the Fraternity averaged a combined 3.011 GPA for spring and fall 2005.

The past decade has seen a significant improvement in Beta scholarship. In 1997, the Fraternity’s cumulative GPA was a 2.82 with less than 45 percent of chapters above the respective All-Men’s Average (AMA.) In 2005, the Fraternity GPA was 3.011 with 63 percent of chapters above the respective AMA.

Fraternity Average by Calendar Year

* 2005 spring and fall combined GPA ** Chapters in bold exceeded the respective AMA

Summer 2006

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[Marching Along] Gregory B. Jordan Bethany ’81

Jordan, managing partner at Reed Smith, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bethany College. Jordan has been with Reed Smith since 1984. He has served as the Managing Partner and Chairman of the Senior Management Team and the Executive Committee since 2001.

In 2003, The American Lawyer named Jordan one of the country’s top 45 lawyers under 45.

Bruce M. Guthrie Cornell ’87

The Libertarian Party of Washington State (LPWA) voted to endorse Guthrie in his bid for U.S. Senate at their annual convention in Bremerton, Washington. Guthrie is an instructor at Western Washington University, having earned his Masters degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He is an established Libertarian Party leader and a competitive speed skater, sharing his passion for the sport by coaching children in the Whatcom Speed Skating Club and developmentally disabled adults through NW Washington Special Olympics.

L. Martin Cobb

Eastern Kentucky ’96 Cobb was named a 2006 Distinguished Alumnus by the Eastern Kentucky University College of Business and Technology.

A graduate of the department of management, marketing and administrative communications, Cobb later earned an MBA from Miami University. He serves as associate director of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation, and played an integral role in the success of the Upon These Principles capital campaign.

Charles O. McCormick III Indiana ’72

McCormick was elected vice president of the Indiana University Alumni IFC on May 20. McCormick earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the IU School of Medicine in 1975 and completed his ophthalmology residency in 1979. He is co-founder of the Indiana Eye Clinic and a member of the Clinic’s active staff.

He has served as chapter counselor for Pi since 2003 and recently joined the Beta Theta Pi Foundation Board of Directors.

Edward (Ted) McNabola Miami ’89

McNabola is a partner at the Chicago law firm Cogan & McNabola, P.C., and has successfully handled hundreds of professional negligence, personal injury and class action cases. He is also an adjunct professor at 10

The Beta Theta Pi

Northwestern School of Law and was recently named one of the top 100 lawyers in the state of Illinois by Law & Politics magazine, which surveyed more than 1,000 Illinois attorneys statewide who have been licensed for five or more years.

Attorneys were asked to name the best lawyers they had personally observed in action. Each lawyer nominated was then given a score based on the number and type of votes received.

McNabola was featured in the February 2006 issue of Chicago Magazine.

Steven R. Hutchins Nebraska ’67

Hutchins, a partner in the Denver firm of Hutchins & Stiff LLC, has become a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Membership in the Fellows is limited to one third of one percent of the lawyers in America. Established in 1952, the American Bar Foundation is an independent, nonprofit national research institute committed to objective empirical research on law and legal institutions.

Hugh L. McColl North Carolina ’57

McColl has received the Leadership Award from the Kenan-Flagler Business School Alumni Association. McColl retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of America in 2001 and since has founded several businesses, including McColl Fine Art in Charlotte and MME Fine Art in New York.

Jason R. King, Villanova ’98, a member of the finance and accounting unit at Hunt Valley (MD)-based Butler Capital Corporation, has been named controller at the $250 millionasset firm. King joined Butler in 2002 and was promoted to the post of senior staff accountant one year later. He was named assistant controller in 2005. Prior to joining Butler Capital, Mr. King held positions at PFPC, a subsidiary of PNC Bank based in Wilmington, Delaware, and at Merrill Lynch in New Jersey.

Craig L. Selby, West Virginia ’67, has been appointed president of Charleston Newspapers. Selby has been with Charleston Newspapers since graduation. He previously served as general manager and as publisher of the Charleston Gazette.

Chad D. Cotti

Wisconsin-Oshkosh ’00 Cotti obtained his PhD in economics from UWMilwaukee. While an undergrad at WisconsinOshkosh, Cotti served as fundraising chairman, housing chairman and vice president.

After earning his undergraduate degree, he served as a live-in advisor in 2001 for the Alpha Pi (Wisconsin) chapter and served as recruitment advisor for Zeta Zeta (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) in 2002. He achieved his Masters in Public Affairs from UW-Madison in 2002. Cotti will be teaching at the University of South Carolina in the fall.

[Alumni News] “Once a Beta, Always a Beta.”

Join your brothers, both young and old, and renew your spirit of brotherhood.

HOLMSTROM MEMORIAL WEEKEND

Each year, the Dan Holmstrom Memorial Scholarship Fund, supported by the Holmstrom family and alumni of the Alpha Beta (Iowa) Chapter, grants a scholarship to an active member of the Iowa chapter. The winner best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of Daniel Alexander Holmstrom, Iowa ’99. Each fall a reunion weekend is held in Iowa City during a home football weekend for Beta brothers to reunite, celebrate Dan’s life and raise money for the memorial fund.

2006 Dan Holmstrom Memorial Weekend Friday, Sept. 15th – Open House at the chapter house 7-10 p.m.

ONCE A BETA, ALWAYS A BETA

The Naples (Fla.) Area Beta Alumni Club looks forward to another active season with monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at the Collier Athletic Club in Naples. The informal mission of the Club is to have lunch and a good time with old and new Beta friends who share common values. The meetings start at 11:30 a.m. with the singing of a few of the good old Beta songs and the “Doxology” before a buffet lunch. A short program follows featuring a prominent speaker from the business and/or political world to share their thoughts, wisdom and humor. Residents and seasonal or visiting Betas are welcome but reservations are required. Contact El Bourgraf at 800-733-3766, ext. 1211 or ebourgraf@ferno.com for further information and to get on the mailing list.

Saturday, Sept. 16th – Tailgate outside Kinnick Stadium (Iowa vs. Iowa State) 8-11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 16th – Reunion at The Summit 6-10 p.m.

The Dan Holmstrom Memorial Fund is a part of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation. All checks for donations to the fund can be mailed to: The Dan Holmstrom Memorial, c/o Scott Hall, 1706 Elm Street, Granger, IA 50109, or credit card payments can be sent via PayPal. Questions? Contact Scott Hall at 515-306-5537 or shall182@hotmail.com.

Summer 2006

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[Center Stage] Rooney Ned Brower, SMU ’98, drummer/vocalist for the rock group Rooney, completed an 11 city tour with Kelly Clarkson in late July and early August. The Los Angeles-based band will release its second CD in October, which features current hit single “Tell Me.” Rooney’s first CD came out in 2003 and the group has also toured with Weezer and The Strokes.

Check out Brower and Rooney at www.rooney-band.com.

Cannonball

Hazzard

Pat Green, Texas Tech ’95, released his 10th CD, Cannonball, in August. The initial single from the disc, “Feels Just Like It Should,” reached top 25 status on the country charts in mid-July. For more details on Pat’s career and touring schedule, go to www.patgreen. com.

Jay Chandrasekhar, Colgate ’90, directed, co-wrote and starred in Beerfest, the newest film effort from the Broken Lizard comedy team of Colgate Beta alumni. He also directed 2005’s The Dukes of Hazzard and several episodes of TV’s Arrested Development after the Broken Lizard gang gained fame for Club Dread and Super Troopers a few years ago. Also appearing in Beerfest are Kevin Heffernan, Colgate ’90; Steve Lemme, Colgate ’91, and Erik Stolhanske, Colgate ’91.

Miami Vice

Beta Stars Alan Ladd Jr., UCLA ’59, produced the 2005 film An Unfinished Life and has completed production on Gone, Baby, Gone and A Dream of Red Mansions. He won a 1996 Oscar as co-producer of Best Picture Braveheart.

Jeffrey Jones, Lawrence ’68, has played A.W. Merrick in 30 recent episodes of HBO’s Deadwood series after a lengthy film career. Among his memorable films are Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Amadeus, Ed Wood, The Devil’s Advocate, Heartbreakers and The Hunt for Red October.

Ned Schmidtke, Beloit ’64, appeared in recent hit films Wedding Crashers and Accepted. On television, he has done eight episodes of Point Pleasant; three episodes of Huff, and guest roles on Without a Trace and Cold Case.

Elias Soriano, Florida Atlantic ’97 (above) is lead singer and front man for Fort Lauderdale-based group Nonpoint, considered one of the best live bands in rock today. Their remake of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” is the title song for current film Miami Vice and on the group’s 2003 CD Recoil. Nonpoint was formed in 1997 and has produced four CDs, with the latest being To the Pain last fall. They have toured with such groups as Linkin Park, The Deftones and Mudvayne and have played in U.S. and U.K. Ozzfest shows.

Adam West (William Anderson), Whitman ’51, is in most episodes of hit Fox animated sitcom Family Guy as the voice of Mayor Adam West. He has also appeared as himself on Nickelodeon’s animated series The Fairly OddParents. Catch up with him at www.adamwest.com.

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The Beta Theta Pi

Robert Pine, Ohio Wesleyan ’63, was in the film Red Eye (as an unhappy hotel guest) and has made recent guest appearances on such TV shows as Criminal Minds, Big Love, Six Feet Under and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Already completed for 2007 release are the films Paved with Good Intentions and Rodeo Girl. His son, Chris Pine, is an up-andcoming actor.

Brian White, Dartmouth ’95, (above) had a key role in The Family Stone, which recently came out on DVD, and is in upcoming films DOA, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, Steppin’, Daddy’s Little Girl, The Game Plan and North Hills.

RIVERS RUTHERFORD Beta Songwriter Among Country Music’s Best Making a big splash in Nashville the last decade has been songwriter-singer Rivers Rutherford, Mississippi ’89, the writer of six No.1 hits for some of country music’s top recording artists. His song, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” recorded by Brad Paisley, was nominated by the Academy of Country Music as 2006 Song of the Year and also earned a Song of the Year nomination from the Gospel Music Association.

RR

Rutherford’s first No.1 hit was Brooks and Dunn’s “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” in 2001, which won him the 2002 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Song of the Year award. The song is still the most successful single ever recorded by Brooks and Dunn. Since then, Rutherford has reached No.1 status with “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw in 2003, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” by Montgomery Gentry in 2004, “Homewrecker” by Gretchen Wilson in 2005 and Kenny Chesney’s “Living in Fast Forward” this year. Montgomery Gentry’s “She Don’t Tell Me To” has also been a top five hit in 2006.

Born and raised in Memphis, Rutherford’s parents were his early musical influences.

His dad played piano with the Apollo Boys’ Choir and started him on the guitar and piano at age seven. He reminisced, “I grew up with my dad and me sitting at the kitchen table singing all kinds of music. I soon knew I loved the grooves of R&B, the guitars of rock and roll, and the lyrics of country.” He played piano on the Memphis Queen riverboat at age 15 and performed in Beale Street clubs during high school. He went to the University of Mississippi on a piano scholarship, majoring in English and music.

At 21, Rutherford met Memphis resident Chips Morman (who produced Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds”) by climbing the fence at Morman’s home so he could play for him. Rutherford recalled, “Chips was not too happy about waking up to barking guard dogs and squad cars but he listened . . . and when I had finished playing, he just sat there silently smoking a cigarette.” Morman did like his music and chose “American Remains” as a sequel to “Highwayman,” a hit made famous by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. Two weeks later, Rutherford walked into a Nashville recording studio where he

Just Another Coaster, is available online at www.riversrutherford.com.

played the song for the group. They cut the song that day and it was on the Highwayman II album.

After moving to Nashville in 1993, Rutherford worked as a studio guitar player on albums by Ringo Starr, Amy Grant, Gary Allan, Tracy Byrd and Mark Chestnutt before becoming a full-time songwriter. He joined his current employer, the Universal Music Publishing Group, in 1996 and has had his songs recorded by Faith Hill, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Trick Pony, Travis Tritt, Mark Wills, Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton, Josh Gracin, Chely Wright, Deana Carter, Jamie O’Neal, Clay Davidson and Andy Griggs.

In addition to his songwriting talents, Rutherford has had the opportunity in recent years to perform his own songs on stage. In 2005, he opened concerts for Keith Urban; Beta’s Pat Green, Texas Tech ’95, and Gracin. This summer, he opened five concerts for Gretchen Wilson, including a date in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. He is also producing albums for Terri Clark and newcomer Cole Degges. Rutherford’s own CD, Just Another Coaster, is available online at www.riversrutherford.com.

— J. Langhammer

Just two weeks after Rutherford celebrated a No. 1 song with Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going,” he scored his sixth No. 1 hit with Kenny Chesney’s “Living In Fast Forward.”

• Rutherford’s song, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” was nominated by the Academy of Country Music for the 2006 Song of the Year. He received a nomination from the Gospel Music Association for Song of the Year, also for “When I Get Where I’m Going.”

• The RCA Label Group has recently employed Rutherford to produce Terri Clark’s next record.

• Rutherford opened five concerts for Gretchen Wilson this summer, including a date at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Summer 2006

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[Books by Betas] Mastering the Universe: He-Man and the Rise and Fall of a Billion Dollar Idea

Roger H. Sweet, Miami ’57 and David Wecker Paperback. 224 pages. US$16.99. Emmis Books. 2005.

Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com

Submit a Book for Review

Have you recently published a book that you would like featured in “Books by Betas?” Send a signed copy of the book, a brief description of the work and a brief biography to: Thomas C. Olver, Editor 5134 Bonham Road Oxford, Ohio 45056

Mastering the Universe takes readers inside the toy industry with an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the inspired creation, meteoric rise and devastating fall of one of the top-selling toy lines ever — He-Man and the Masters of the Universe — as told by HeMan creator Roger Sweet. The muscle-bound action figure and his allies and villains created a fantasy world for boys that reached some $400 million in sales in 1986. Sweet and co-author Wecker reveal the office politics that influenced the development of He-Man, starting with the initial call for a male action figure to compete with the Star Wars craze. Mastering the Universe is a must read for any toy collector, pop culture enthusiast or anyone interested in the drama of business history. Sweet has a master of science in product design from the Institute of Design in Chicago. He has designed products for Boeing, Proctor & Gamble, Rubbermaid, Hamilton Beach Scovill, Hoover and Mattel.

Standing Eight: The Inspiring Story of Jesus Chavez and His Quest for the American Dream Adam S. Pitluk, Missouri ’99 Hardcover. 272 pages. US$24.95. Perseus Books Group. 2006.

Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com

Pitluk tells this inspiring, true story of Jesus “El Matador” Chavez and the obstacles and devastation he faced on his way to becoming Lightweight champion of the world. Crossing the U.S. border illegally with his family as a young boy, he settled in Chicago. It was there he learned to box, winning three Gold Glove championships, and it was also where he joined a gang. After serving time in the infamous Statesville Penitentiary in Joliet, Chavez was deported. Standing Eight tells the triumphant tale of Chavez’s return to America, his rise to the top of the professional boxing ranks and his second deportation to Mexico. A strong-willed fighter, Chavez refused to stay down for the count and gained U.S. citizenship. He is the reigning champ of the IBF Lightweight title. Pitluk is a contributor to Time magazine and has written for People and The Dallas Morning News, among other publications. He resides in Dallas, Texas.

Paths to Contemporary French Literature

John R. Taylor, Idaho ’74 Paperback. 358 pages. US$29.95. Transaction Publishers. 2004.

Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com Although the great French novelists of the last two centuries are widely read in America, there is a widespread notion that little of importance has happened in French literature recently.

Taylor introduces English language readers to more than 50 important French writers and poets who are admired by their peers. Paths to Contemporary French Literature is a much-needed guide for curious American readers seeking current information and analyses on French literature and writers.

Taylor is the author of four collections of short prose and a collection of longer stories, Now the Summer Came to Pass, which won the 2003 Three Oaks Prize for fiction. His book reviews and essays regularly appear in the Times Literary Supplement and The Yale Review.

The Apocalypse Tapestries John R. Taylor, Idaho ’74 Paperback. 126 pages. US$15.00.

Xenos Books. 2004.

Available at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com

Poems, prose poems and reflections are shared with the reader in Taylor’s collection The Apocalypse Tapestries. Taylor was inspired by the memories of travels 14

The Beta Theta Pi

and everyday life, as well as the “Apocalypse tapestries” housed in the Château of Angers (France.) Many of these tapestries feature St. John as a writer, observing the scenes he writes about in the Book of Revelations. The collection contains more than 60 poems and reflections. After completing his undergraduate study, Taylor left the United States, studied in Germany, spent a year in Greece and eventually settled in France where he resides today.

Finance on a Beermat

Jeffrey R. Macklin, Ohio State ’72 with Mike Southon, Chris West and Stephen King Paperback. 228 pages. £14.99. Random House Business Books. 2006.

Available at www.amazon.co.uk and www.beermat.biz This is a book for the many entrepreneurs and small business owners who are afraid of finance. Finance on a Beermat shows how to turn finance into a proactive tool for building businesses. Beginning with the basics, Macklin and the authors explain basic accounting, the business model, tax information and business growth. The book is aimed at small and growing businesses and is written from many years of experience in the start-up and small-to-medium-sized enterprises. Macklin is the managing director for FDUK, a company that provides part-time finance directors to growing businesses, and has been involved in the start-up of a number of international and UK-based businesses. He holds his CPA and earned an MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Plain Dealing

Richard G. Zimmerman, Wittenberg ’56 Paperback. 130 pages. US$19.95. Kent State University Press. 2006.

Available at www.kentstateuniversitypress.com Plain Dealing is a collection of political remembrances from a longtime Statehouse and Washington bureau reporter. The son of an Ohio Supreme Court justice, Zimmerman grew up on state politics. Sitting at the dinner table with his father, Judge Charles Ballard Zimmerman, he was entertained with political reminiscences of political leaders from both parties. In the same way, Zimmerman entertains the reader with stories of Ohio’s politicians and their schemes during the more than 30 years of his reporting. His discussions of Watergate, his African sabbatical and the National Press Club are insightful, refreshing and witty. Zimmerman is the author of Call Me Mike: A Political Biography of Michael V. DiSalle and authored a chapter of Ohio Politics. In spring 2005, he received a doctor of humane letters honorary degree from Wittenberg University. During his undergraduate study, Zimmerman served as chapter president. His father, brother, uncle and cousin were all Betas at Wittenberg.

Revolutionary Book on Fraternity Recruitment Released Good Guys: The Eight Steps to Limitless Possibility for Fraternity Recruitment, the first book published about getting a higher quantity of higher quality members in college fraternities was released February 1, 2006.

Authors Matt Mattson and Josh Orendi, are the co-founders of Phired Up Productions, LLC, a company that specializes in delivering fraternity recruitment training solutions. The book details The Eight Steps to Limitless Possibility, which according to the authors, is a holistic approach to getting actual results from values-based recruitment.

“Our fraternity members are told to do year-round, values-based recruitment, but in the past we’ve fallen short of giving them the tools to get results,” says Mattson, the CEO of Phired Up, “this book finally delivers the how-to that our collegiate brothers are looking for.” Good Guys is available for $19.95 through Phired Up Productions’ website, www.

PhiredUp.com, and will be available through major book retail outlets in the coming months.

Summer 2006

15

100

1906

2006

Commemorating 100 Years of Beta Theta Pi in Canada The 67th General Convention in 1906 approved the charter petition of the Theta Zeta society at the University of Toronto to become the first chapter of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. One hundred years later more than 280 Betas and guests gathered at a celebratory banquet to commemorate a century of Canadian Beta brotherhood.

The Beta Centennial Celebration, held at Toronto’s Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre on Wednesday, June 28, honored the intertwined heritage of Beta Theta Pi and Canada. The evening included a video timeline and the Loving Cup ceremony with more than 200 Betas. The traditional Beta countdown included a remarkable showing of fraternal fifties. More than 35 brothers were recognized for membership in Beta Theta Pi for more than 50 years, including several founders of the Delta Alpha chapter at Western Ontario.

The Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada announced the sponsorship of 43 attendees from Canadian chapters to the Peter F. Greiner Leadership College.

Keynote Speaker William A. Etherington, Western Ontario ’63 concluded the banquet, praising the Fraternity’s focus on leadership development. Etherington remarked, “The timeless objects of Beta Theta Pi contribute greatly to the leadership compeFraternity President Tom Purinton, Kansas tencies of young men.”

Keynote Speaker William A. Etherington, Western Ontario ’63.

tion since 1976. He served as chief of District IV (1963-67) and is former treasurer and president of the Theta Zeta State ’63 (left) and Shepardson Award Alumni Association. In addiThe prestigious Francis W. Honoree Owen S. Williams, Toronto ’50 tion to serving on the Beta Shepardson award was bestowed upon Owen Theta Pi Foundation Board (1995-2002), Williams S. Williams, Toronto ’50, president of the Beta was vice president two Beta General Conventions Theta Pi Foundation of Canada. Considered Beta and chaired the 50th, 75th and 90th Theta Zeta Theta Pi’s Canadian conscience in recent years, anniversary banquets. Williams concluded his Williams has given selflessly of his time and eneracceptance remarks saying, “I am overwhelmed gies, particularly in Canada. Chairman of the with the friendship I have received all these years.

Board of Directors of the Beta Theta Pi FoundaI am very proud to be a Beta.” tion of Canada, Williams was chapter counselor to Theta Zeta (Toronto) for more than 25 years and has been president of the chapter house corpora-

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The Beta Theta Pi

Toronto, Ontario

The

167th General Convention

Highlights

2006

Celebrated 100 years of Beta Theta Pi in Canada 761 Attendees

10 KNOX AWARD WINNERS

265 LEADERSHIP COLLEGE ATTENDEES

$20.1 Million for the Campaign Representatives from Beta’s newest chapters and colonies raised large display boards in a suspensful moment as the total was announced. As of July 1, 2006, the Upon These Principles capital campaign stands at $20,146,894.

2 SHEPARDSON AWARDS

New 2.7 GPA Requirement for Chapters Delgates voted to significantly increase the grade point average standard for chapters of the Fraternity. The new standard will require all chapters and colonies to meet or exceed a 2.7 GPA.

105

2

290

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Age of the oldest Convention attendee: C. Yardley Chittick, MIT ’22.

Number of charters granted by the Convention: Columbia and Virginia Tech

Number of points earned by the Miami chapter to secure this year’s General Secretary’s Convention Cup.

Number of Conventions attended by James A. McMullen III, Texas ’54 and Sally Shoop.

Complete coverage of the 167th General Convention will be in the fall issue.

51 SISSON AWARD WINNERS Summer 2006

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ΒΘΠ

UPON THESE PRINCIPLES a campaign for every beta

Beta Theta Pi’s Upon These Principles: a Campaign for Every Beta has surpassed the mark toward the orginal goal of $15 million to grow and sustain the Fraternity’s educational and leadership programming!

$20 Million

Brothers Lugar and Bates were honored for their efforts in accomplishing this great feat with the naming of the driveway leading up to Brennan Hall, the Foundation and Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio, as Lugar-Bates Drive.

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The Beta Theta Pi

Sta y

Tun ed

An extended Campaign summary will be featured in the fall issue of The Beta Theta Pi.

!

In 2003, the Beta Theta Pi Foundation launched an aggressive campaign to endow the Three Great Principles of the Fraternity. The Upon These Principles capital campaign was deemed necessary to support Beta chapters and undergraduates; thus the Beta Theta Pi Foundation Board of Directors, volunteer ranks and staff set out to raise $15,000,000 to support the educational programming of the Men of Principle initiative.

The final “every Beta” phase of the Campaign began in early 2006 involving more than 15,000 phone calls and 100,000 letters to all Betas. The success of reaching the Campaign goal came into question as the total raised remained near $11 million at what appeared to be the end of the major donor phase. Unbeknownst to all 167th General Convention attendees, the Campaign staff and volunteers were hard at work securing further significant gifts to reach the Campaign goal.

At last year’s Convention, Upon These Principles Chairman Bert Bates, Missouri ’49 shared that the Fraternity had secured a gift to endow The Institute for Men of Principle. Having graduated more than 1,300 young Betas since its inception in 1999, it has quickly become the crown-jewel in our Fraternity’s programmatic menu. What Bates couldn’t share then was that the Fraternity was in intimate discussions with the donor on a possible namesake for The Institute. An Oxford Cup recipient, James A. Collins, UCLA ’50, has long been known as one of southern California’s most prominent business and civic leaders. An international restaurateur, at one point boasting some 270 Kentucky Fried Chicken stores and 700 Sizzler restaurants, Collins has had an incredibly gratifying business career. Jim and Carol Collins provided a $750,000 gift to name and endow The Institute for Men of Principle. Following two years of discussion and coordination, the Fraternity received confirmation in late-June that Collins had received permission to name The Institute after one of his closest, lifelong Beta brothers. The Institute for Men of Principle will now be known as The John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle.

“I had a wonderful experience during my college years as a Beta at UCLA, and I want to make sure that future generations of Betas are provided the same opportunities I received. Nellie and John have been good friends of mine since the 1950s. Hopefully naming The Institute in honor of Nellie and Brother Wooden will enhance the visibility and success of this important leadership program for young Betas everywhere.” — Jim Collins, UCLA ’50 (pictured above, left, with John Wooden, Purdue ’32.)

During the Saturday evening Celebration Banquet at the 167th General Convention, Honorary Campaign Chairman Senator Richard G. Lugar, Denison ’54 and Campaign Chairman Bates announced the accomplishment of the goal. Representatives from Beta’s 10 newest chapters and colonies raised large display boards in a suspenseful moment as the total was announced. As of July 1, 2006, the Upon These Principles capital campaign stands at $20,146,894. Chairman Bates was quick to point out that “we are certainly still open for business!”

Summer 2006

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06 Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administration

CHANGES

Same Staff, New Positions . . .

In June, Administrative Secretary Stephen B. Becker, Florida ’69 appointed three new directors to the Administrative Office staff. Dustin L. Anderson, Minnesota ’05, assumed responsibilities as director of operations and education; Kye D. Hittle, Kansas State ’99, became director of information technology, and Jason P. Waggoner, Truman State ’04, was appointed director of volunteer development.

Anderson’s responsibilities include leadership consultant management, volunteer support, risk management, curriculum and logistics for retreats, project management for the Men of Principle initiative and implementation of the Fraternity’s Standard Chapter Operating Expectations for half of the Fraternity’s chapters and colonies. As the Fraternity’s first director of information technology, Hittle is responsible for supervising administrative office technology and overseeing the Fraternity’s technological initiatives.

Waggoner’s responsibilities include facilitating the achievement of Beta Theta Pi’s strategic direction and providing direction for recruitment, training and accreditation for district chiefs and advisory teams.

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The Beta Theta Pi

Dustin L. Anderson, Minnesota ’05, director of operations and education

Kye D. Hittle, Kansas State ’99, director of information technology

Jason P. Waggoner, Truman State ’04, director of volunteer development

Staff

n matio infor ff l a c i ta ph her s iogra For b ese and ot sit h i t v on rs, membe etapi.org. i, P th a t e b Theta www. d Beta n a t u e o Offic t Ab Selec ative f. r t s i Admin ffice Staf O

Brennan Hall

Projects

New Staff . . .

Left to right: Kokojan, Porter-Price, Fernandez, Brylski, Katigan, Schmidt, Rundle

Seven new employees joined the Administrative Office staff in June.

Steven M. Brylski, Virginia Tech ’06 joined the communications department as associate editor of The Beta Theta Pi magazine. Philip S. Fernandez, Miami ’06; Russell H. Katigan, Oklahoma State ’05; Joe A. Kokojan, Oklahoma ’06; Adam Porter-Price, Connecticut ’06; Brett M. Rundle, Kansas State ’06, and David L. Schmidt, Connecticut ’06 joined the operations department as leadership consultants.

The traveling staff comprised of 11 leadership consultants, counsels 122 chapters and colonies throughout North America. Consultants work closely with chapters in the areas of leadership, scholarship, recruitment, risk management, alumni relations and new member education.

While traveling, consultants meet with university officials, alumni and chapter advisors to measure the progress of each chapter. Consultants are liaisons for the Fraternity’s Men of Principle initiative, work with Interfraternity-related conferences and facilitate the General Fraternity’s summer convention.

Summer 2006

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Columbia Celebrates 125 Years In late 1881, a young William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878 — having already championed a merger between his fraternity of Alpha Sigma Chi and Beta Theta Pi and published his first edition of Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities — helped establish a chapter at Columbia University, assuming number one on the rolls of the Alpha Alpha chapter. On April 22, the legacy of this Beta great proved alive and well as more than 100 brothers and guests gathered in Low Memorial Library to celebrate 125 years of Beta Theta Pi at Columbia.

Ambassador Eric M. Javits Columbia ’52.

At the black-tie gala dinner, organized by the Alpha Alpha Alumni Foundation, brothers celebrated the prestigious history of Alpha Alpha from the days of Brother Baird through the recolonization in 2003.

A�endees were treated to a grand venue in the Low Library Rotunda with an elegant dinner and well-cra�ed program. The evening included an emotional speech from assistant district chief and member of the recolonization team, Brad W. Kiesling, Westminster ’01; a celebration of Fraternal Fi�ies, and a heart-felt keynote address by Ambassador Eric M. Javits, Columbia ’52.

Javits, who serves as United States ambassador to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, recalled his time in the chapter and his efforts as president to institute quiet hours and improve the Chapter GPA. He also gave significant praise to those involved in what he described as the phoenix-like rise of the chapter. “We are fortunate to have a selfless and highly motivated cadre serving on the Alpha Alpha Alumni Foundation,” remarked Javits. “Brothers like Jim Mullin, Ma� DeFilippis and many others have worked tirelessly to bring our chapter back to active and respected status on campus.”

The History of the Alpha Alpha chapter is irrevocably linked to the Beta House. The facility at 550 West 114th Street has been the cherished home to hundreds of Alpha Alphas for more than 75 years. The house, a turnof-the century brownstone-style building of five stories, holds a special place in the hearts of Alpha Alpha and in their heritage. Alpha Alpha Alumni Foundation President Jim Mullen, Columbia ’77 recounted a story of when his wife once inquired, “When are you going to sell that house?” To which he replied, “Never!”

That fervent answer has persisted, driving Alpha Alpha alumni to plan and execute a $1.6 million renovation completed in early 2005. Alpha Alpha Alumni Foundation Treasurer Ma� DeFilippis, Columbia ’93, described by his peers as “a general for Alpha Alpha’s troops,” took a leading role in the project. On Saturday evening, he was greeted with appreciation by a standing ovation at his introduction. “Thank you to

22

The Beta Theta Pi

everyone involved in making this a reality,” said DeFilippis. “And, thank you to my wife for understanding.” The challenges of time, energy and maintaining a mortgage in Manha�an did not deter DeFilippis or Alpha Alpha, and the Chapter now stands as the last remaining fraternity to own its house at Columbia. As many alumni will note — it is the best house.

Colony President Andrew (Drew) A. Lebed, Columbia ’07 spoke on behalf of the Colony members thanking the alumni for their continued support. “Alumni have donated time and money in the spirit of their Beta friendships and the hope that those friendships would remain strong through the years,” explained Lebed. “Well, the spirit has returned to 550 West 114th Street. Thank you for making those friendships possible once again.” He also described the Colony’s achievements — most notably a GPA expected to exceed 3.5 and compete for the highest in Beta’s Broad Domain — and the plan to regain Alpha Alpha’s charter at the 167th General Convention in Toronto.

The event continued with the undergraduate members singing “Marching Along,” group photos of all Betas in a�endance and a pleasant evening of dancing, stories and fellowship. The murky weather of a cold and wet New York City was no match for the warmth and joy of this gathering of Betas. The celebration was a fi�ing tribute to the origins and heritage of Alpha Alpha, and it le� li�le doubt that Beta Theta Pi will thrive at Columbia University for another 125 years. – M. Hill

Andrew (Drew) A. Lebed Columbia ’07 “The spirit has returned to 550 West 114th Street. Thank you for making those friendships possible once again.”

Summer 2006

23

Jonathan Bran “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

– Nelson Henderson

Tucked behind the desk of Jonathan J. Brant, CAE, Miami ’75, a black & white illustration hangs from a single nail in the wall. It is framed, matted and, at first glance, not worth mentioning. However, it is conspicuously out-of-place among the other items in the room.

Brant is the type of man who smiles politely at praise, but deflects such adulation to the positive traits of others. He embodies the quote made famous by former U.S. President Harry S. Truman, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”.

The illustration has a humble and motivational theme.

It depicts a young man planting a row of oak saplings in an orchard. Beside that row is another with slightly larger trees. Behind these rows, and progressively in the distance, are trees that rise just a bit taller than the previous. They lead to a stand of oaks that tower protectively in the background. The largest trees are ancient yet the tree-farmer is too young to have planted them himself. Nevertheless, he plants his saplings and cultivates their growth, continuing the efforts of those who came before him.

Association of Fraternity Advisors executive director, Sue Kraft-Fussell, a former employee of Brant at the NIC, stated, “Jonathan infused our culture with the expectation that we do the right things, the right way and for the right reasons.”

“There [is] such great purpose and satisfaction in helping young people,” affirmed Brant with an enthusiastic glint in his eye. For a man who has been continuously involved with youth organizations since the age of eight when he joined the Boy Scouts of America, he sustains a tremendous passion for the field. Whether it’s his own collegiate fraternity or an organization of similar value, Brant finds the experience highly rewarding.

Before becoming the director of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation in 1999, Brant served the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) for 17 years as its executive vice president. The NIC is a confederation of 68 men’s college fraternities that promotes and secures the common interests of the fraternal system. It represents more than 350,000 undergraduates on some 800 campuses.

On April 24, 2006, the NIC honored Brant with the Gold Medal, the organization’s greatest honor. According to NIC Executive Vice President Jon Williamson, this award “honors a lifetime commitment to the community, men’s fraternities and the interfraternal movement.”

Brant took his place among three Beta legends that night – all have earned the NIC’s highest distinction: G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27; A. Ray Warnock, Illinois 1905, and Dr. Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22.

Brant felt “humbled” by the distinction. During his acceptance address, he offered one condition in receiving the honor. “This award is given to all who have labored long and faithfully for the brotherhood, for it is Fraternity that has placed me in so many positions of opportunity to serve,” he said.

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The Beta Theta Pi

For those searching for the right thing to do, Brant gently instructs, “Reach out to others. Build relationships.

Find friends that may wear the Greek letters of another organization and cultivate those interactions. Learn from one another.

“Our identity is made up of a collection of relationships we have with other people and with ourselves. Some of the finest people I know, both men and women, I have known because of my interfraternity involvement after graduation.”

Executive vice president of Phi Kappa Tau and a close friend of Brant, Bill Jenkins, noted that Gold Medals are “merely trappings for magnificent contributions to one’s fellow man. Jonathan’s contributions are, indeed, magnificent.”

Brant finds a tremendous amount of satisfaction in building relationships and bridging gaps. He values genuine conversations and honest emotions. He looks people in the eye, listens intently as they talk,and finds the potential good within everyone. His professional career is centered around encouraging that potential.

“Although it may not be important that I’m remembered for anything, I firmly believe that each generation builds for the next,” offers Brant. “I think that if we consider what we do today and how it affects tomorrow then we are anticipating and expecting to be fruitful for many people in the future.”

As he speaks, he motions to the illustration behind the desk and leans in closely. “The planter is someone that’s not really expecting to be around when those trees have grown into large oaks, but he’s expecting them to pay off for somebody and be enjoyed by everyone.”

With men such as Jonathan Brant tending to the orchards of brotherhood, one should feel confident that Beta Theta Pi still has fruit to bear. – S. Brylski

nt

The Gold Medal was ďŹ rst awarded by the NIC in 1940 to recognize service, character and commitment.

Summer 2006

25

Pater Marshall?

“Reily, it seems to me that you are getting the credit as the founder of the Fraternity. How did that g out?” asked Marshall.

“Why, Taylor, I did found that sociy,” Knox replied.

Marshall then began with much energy, gticulation and pounding on the counter, “Why, you didn’t! Don’t you know I went and got the name, and took it to you and told you about the new sociy I had in mind and you said ‘Y, Taylor that would be a good scheme.’ Don’t you remember en I went to your room . . .,” and similar exprions to rall things to the mind of Knox.

Finally Knox said, “Well, Taylor, I gu you’re right, but I thought I did it.”

Samuel Taylor Marshall, Miami 1840 (1812-95) Graduated A.B. in 1840. Teacher of Latin, West Point, Iowa, 1844. Sergeant-at-Arms of the Iowa Legislature, 1846-48. Editor of the Nipantuck, the first daily paper of Keokuk, Iowa, 1855. Author of several fugitive poems and addresses.

Marshall’s recollection: “I was really an athlete and could beat anybody playing football. I did many tricks in which I was generally discovered. I was always doing something a little out of the ordinary. I never denied to the professors what I did.”

26

The Beta The Theta Beta Theta Pi Pi

Miami University in 1839

This account, by the youngest daughter of Samuel Taylor Marshall, Miami 1840, of a meeting between Marshall and John Reily Knox, Miami 1839, later in life, offers a startling possibility. Perhaps Knox has been given credit for founding the Fraternity that is rightly due to Marshall. Should members of Beta Theta Pi refer to “Pater Marshall and his associates” instead of “Pater Knox?”

Marshall’s claim appears to be very well supported.

As an undergraduate, he personally designed and had made in Cincinnati the first badges of the society, with the back of his own badge reading, “S.T. Marshall, Founder.” Many years later, as an elderly lawyer in Iowa, he was in sole possession of the original constitution, signed “S.T. Marshall, Original Founder.” Knox even gives him credit for suggesting the idea of a new fraternity in a letter written four years after the founding.1 Most poignantly, the apparent admission of Knox that Marshall’s account was correct implies that Knox’s memory had misled him to believe he was the sole founder over the years.

At closer examination, the supporting sources do not paint such a clear picture of who was first. In the early 1890s, Marshall did stumble upon the original constitution within his musty law papers.

However, this first version — potentially containing the signatures of all the founders — can no 1. A letter from Knox to E.B. Stevens, Miami 1843, dated April 14, 1843.

longer be found. All that remains is a later copy that includes his bold claim to priority. Similarly, the Marshall badge on display in the Administrative Office museum is not the original. After losing his original badge, for the second time, Marshall had another one made by a different jeweler. This explains why the newer version differs slightly from the badge of founder Michael Clarkson Ryan, Miami 1839, also on display. As a result, there is no way to know if the “founder” inscription, that would indicate he regarded himself the primary founder while in school, actually existed on Marshall’s badge of 1839.

Marshall’s replica badge (le�) was made later in his life and differs slightly from the original Ryan badge (right)

Many years removed from college, Knox and Marshall each firmly claimed to be the sole founder.

Their recollections were recorded more than 30 and 50 years later, respectively, and time seems to have clouded the difference between fact and opinion for both men. Their detailed accounts of the pre-founding are littered with inconsistencies.

Unfortunately, none of the other founders left any Summer 2006

27

to other clues as to who was the primary founder.

In his 1843 letter, Knox described Marshall as the originator of the idea for a new fraternity. He wrote, “Taylor Marshall suggested the idea of building up a society which might unite the benefits without the disadvantages of the Alphas. I told him I had thought of it but was afraid that we could not succeed.”3 Records show that Marshall had recently declined membership in Alpha Delta Phi and that Knox had endured a bitter fight with members of that organization for the presidency of the Union Literary Society. The probable truth is that the idea to form a new fraternity came to both of them independently from their respective experiences.

First Page of the 1840 Minutes Book

clues about the pre-founding, understandable since they were likely approached after the fact.

The historical materials are scarce and the best sources to reconstruct the truth are the earliest minutes and letters of the founders.

There were no records of the early meetings before August 8, 1839 and the original papers are long since lost. The first minutes of the association were not transcribed into a bound volume until December of 1840. At close inspection, the eight names signed to the Constitution are distinctly of the same handwriting.2 It should also be noted the order was set to paper after Knox and Marshall had completed their studies at Miami and already departed Oxford. While not alphabetical or by year, the order of the names is in all probability the order in which Knox and Marshall invited the others to join them. It will never be known what the original order was or if it ever changed from what we know today.

Since the original order the founders signed the constitution cannot be ascertained, one must look 2. It is the handwriting of John Whitney, Miami 1840.

Founder C.H. Hardin, Miami 1841, wrote on December 28, 1840 that, “Whitney is now in my room, transcribing the minutes and speeches into a book.”

28

The Beta Theta Pi

What is perhaps more significant than whose idea it was to found a new organization is who selected the principles and obligations, thus weaving the essential fabric of Beta Theta Pi. This act has frequently been attributed to Knox over Marshall in the eyes of many historians who knew the former well. One went so far as to impugn Marshall’s abilities stating, “Marshall could not have invented the Greek motto from inherent limitations.”4 Contrarily, legendary Beta, Major Wyllys C. Ransom, Michigan 1848 — author of the open constitution, objects and separate ritual — recounted in 1898 that, “The old first Constitution was drawn mainly by Sam T. Marshall.” He also claimed to have discussed Marshall’s account of the founding with John Reily Knox several times with Knox’s confirmation of its overarching accuracy. This likely corroborates Maud Marshall’s account of her father’s confrontation with Knox.

Returning to early sources, Knox continued his 1843 letter, “We then went to work on the constitution . . . Many were the long consultations which Taylor and I held over that.” This account, along with other similar recollections supports the idea that neither founder’s claim to sole authorship is accurate. The straightforward conclusion is that both men worked together to write the Constitution (patriotically dated July 4 by Marshall) before other founders became involved in later July and early August. It was through joint action and cooperation that their mutual idea came to fruition.

3. Knox repeats this statement in a June 17, 1869 letter, “The original suggestion of the organization was from Marshall.”

4. William R. Baird, Stevens 1878 included this comment attributed to Dr. John C. Sachos, Cincinnati ’40 as an editorial to the 1911 article Knox or Marshall? by Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882.

It is no doubt that Knox’s proximity to Oxford and later involvement with the Fraternity as a Board member, Convention president and frequent attendee at Beta gatherings solidified his affectionate nickname of “Pater.” Yet, his magnanimous personality and fraternal spirit cannot change the facts of the founding. The facts, while wholly inconclusive as to who was first, strongly support the idea that Pater Knox did not act alone. It took more than one man to found Beta Theta Pi. Major Ransom went on to insist in his letter, “Knox was not the founder of the Fraternity only one of them.”5 Marshall expanded on this idea remarking in an 1892 letter, “the Constitution and bylaws reads, that it requires three members to found a chapter; therefore Knox, Smith and Marshall are really the founders.”6

bers to follow, such as Alexander Paddack, Miami 1841, improved the badge and helped found the second chapter at Cincinnati.

These men begin a long illustrious line of Betas whose contributions have made Beta Theta Pi a leader in the Greek world and the fraternal organization so many brothers cherish. Knox and Marshall certainly deserve their credit, but it took many other Betas to make their great idea worth remembering. — M. Hill

Who was first in the pre-founding does not really matter. Beta Theta Pi never took full form until the first regular meeting on August 8, 1839. Thus, the complete truth is that eight men founded the Fraternity, not one, two or three. While Knox and Marshall may have started the venture and authored the Constitution, John Holt Duncan, Miami 1840, served as the first president. Charles Henry Hardin, Miami 1841, wrote the second constitution. Mem5. Ransom’s statement is remarkable considering he wrote the line, “Here’s a health to Pater Knox, boys, and them of ’39.”

6. The third person extended membership is also a mystery. The fact that Marshall roomed with Smith supports the idea he was brought in next. As Peter Floriani, Lehigh ’77 mused in The Faithful Home of the Three Stars, “Just try keeping the plans for your new fraternity secret from your roommate.”

John Reily Knox, Miami 1839 (1820-98) Graduated A.B. in 1839. Taught school in Mississippi 1841-42. Admitted to the bar in 1843; practiced at Greenville, Ohio, 1843-52; at Dayton, Ohio, 1852-56, and at Greenville 1856-98. Presidential Elector for Ohio, 1860. Trustee of Miami University, 1869-98.

Member of Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, 1879-96. President of the Fraternity, 1893-94.

Marshall’s recollection: “Studious, notably modest, manly and a splendid character in every way. He did not take to athletics, not being a rugged boy and seldom played football.

His college life was a dead level on a high plane and he always stood high with the faculty.”

Summer 2006

29

Just a few steps from the chilling April rain of midtown Manhattan, Ambassador Eric M. Javits, Columbia ’52 rounds the corner into the grand lobby from his room at The University Club with a warm smile and an out-stretched hand. The marble floors and gilded columns echo his greetings in a quiet setting that exudes distinction and stature. In modest manner, Javits is quick to insist “you don’t need to call me ambassador, it’s Eric.”

The morning after the Alpha Alpha Chapter’s 125th Anniversary, wide-awake from acclimation to Central European time, the first full-time resident U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons sits down to reflect on his time at Columbia, his important work and the role of Beta Theta Pi in both.

“Being in a fraternity gives you a lot of the intuitive training you need to go into multilateral negotiations,” says the former Alpha Alpha chapter president stirring his coffee. Javits uses that training, along with his 40 years of legal experience, to work with 178 member nations in ridding the world of lethal chemical weapons.

Eric M. Javits, Columbia ’52

BUILDING CONSENSUS Skillful diplomacy is needed to achieve the aim of a world free of chemical weapons. “At my current post, in The Hague,” offers Javits, “neither snaps nor applause are used to express approval. It takes consensus to reach agreement.” All member states must agree on action to be taken, and any one can block agreement.

REPRESENTING AMERICA A loyal political supporter, Javits spent three years before 2000 as chairman of the Republican Eagles, a major donors circle in the Republican National Committee. “I gave about half my time for three years to help build the Party and elect the President,” he recalls.

Wishing to serve his country following the election, Javits submitted an application online and requested appointment as ambassador to Spain or Sweden. When he received no answer one way or another from administration officials, Javits grew worried. “I was getting a little uneasy at the idea that people were supposed to apply on the internet and then they never hear again.”

Then by chance, he bumped into Bush Political Advisor Karl Rove and asked what was wrong.

Rove responded, “No, no. Eric, we know your legal and negotiating background. You’re going

30

The Beta Theta Pi

Summer 2006

31

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Headquarters – The Hague in the Netherlands

to get something a bit different than a bi-lateral ambassadorship.”

Javits insists that selfish interests can kill consensus among any group.

Since few people are capable of effective multilateral diplomacy, Javits found himself with a pick of several posts. He chose Geneva at the Conference on Disarmament. “Actually, I was very happy,” Javits remembers. “I thought it was more in line with my experience and my capabilities.”

His nomination went though the Senate with a unanimous vote and he began work in 2001.

COLUMBIA YEARS A 1948 graduate of Choate preparatory school in Connecticut, Javits yearned for freedom from what he jokingly terms “three years of repression.” An all-male student body, a jacket and tie dress code, chapel twice a day and around the clock attendance monitoring drove him to traverse the continent and enroll in Stanford University. “I thought a west coast co-ed college experience, with the best tennis team in the country, was just for me.”

Unfortunately, not everything went as smoothly as his confirmation. Suffering through a year of stalemate in Geneva, President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell decided Javits was needed elsewhere. The United States had just spent a lot of political capital forcing out an ineffective director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. “The morale of the place had been destroyed by the fight.” To show support for the OPCW, the U.S. donated $2 million to rebuild the failing inspection budget and appointed a full time resident ambassador.

Previously, U.S. diplomats would fly in from Washington, have their say and leave. “People there would see them as carpetbaggers coming in and telling them what to do.” However, with a new and respected director general and a fulltime resident U.S. ambassador in place, things began to turn around. “I made every effort to employ a gentle and polite manner in the way I would deal with people, it turned things around right away,” adds Javits, clearing his throat. “We have had unparalleled success in that forum ever since.”

Javits insists that selfish interests can kill consensus among any group.

The difficulty representing the United States is that the country is often viewed as what he calls a “100-ton gorilla,” a notion he must dispel with a respectful, considerate posture. He asserts, “You have to listen to countries.” Javits tries to gently build trust, listen to ideas and show them their countries are real partners in a common goal.

Javits, however, has no tolerance for what he terms “linkage.” Most of the issues that led to the stalemate he experienced in Geneva arose from national self-interest linkage. “We need to look at each other as virtual family in an enterprise to get rid of some of the worst weapons that are threatening mankind. Narrow national interests or immaterial things shouldn’t be brought into it.”

32

The Beta Theta Pi

After a poor attendance record and excessive time spent on the beach or at the movies, the young Javits decided he was ready to get an education and he transferred to Columbia. “I knew I had to buckle down and study.”

Living as a recluse, he went to class and studied incessantly earning all A’s in his first semester.

“I would never go out except to class,” remarks Javits. “I felt alone and without friends.” The second semester he started to slowly make friends, including a group of Betas he met in one of his classes. With a bit of persuasion, they convinced him to come over to the house and within a few weeks he decided to pledge.

Many of the older chapter members — battlehardened World War II veterans attending school on the GI Bill — placed a lot of emphasis on athletics, shooting pool and camaraderie instead of cultivation of the intellect. “There was no toning down that house while they were in there. They drank hard and played hard.”

Yet, Javits had a plan to get the Chapter on track and improve grades. After initiation, at the end of his sophomore year, he moved into the Beta House on 114th Street, just a stones throw from the heart of campus. “I took a room on the fourth floor that was a mess and completely fixed it up.

I made it a nice room. I think people in the house saw that something was beginning to happen.”

Javits, seeking change, started to talk about the fact that nobody could study at night because there was too much noise. He rallied a few members individually to bring up the issue at a meeting and try to institute a few quiet hours each night. “Instead of forcing us out of the house to go to the library for some quiet,” they argued, “we could all do better with some better marks.” The plan worked as consensus grew that quiet hours were acceptable and needed. As a result, grade point averages started to go up.

Javits was elected president of the Alpha Alpha chapter, where he continued to hone useful leadership skills like building consensus. “Thirty or 40 brothers would each speak their peace. I learned to listen. I learned to express myself only after hearing others out. I learned that tolerance and courtesy worked best to forge agreement.”

During his remaining years, Javits was elected Chairman of the Student Board of Representatives, played No. 1 on the Columbia tennis team, and excelled academically, becoming a member of Phi Beta Kappa. “I’ve always felt that the years I spent at Columbia were some of the best years of my life,” Javits reminisces with a wide smile.

“The Beta house was great then. It was a wonderful place where we had wonderful times.”

BETA’S RETURN TO CAMPUS In 2001, the Alpha Alpha chapter was disbanded due to risk management problems and was re-colonized in the spring of 2003. With everincreasing success, including a GPA in excess of 3.5, the 40-man colony affirms Javits’ belief that the closure was necessary. “I always feel when something like that happens, it is deserved and it is the best thing because it puts things back on the right track.”

“To see [the Chapter] come back like a phoenix out of the ashes is great and the people who put their shoulder to that deserve an awful lot of credit,” offers the 75-year-old ambassador. Those people include the Alpha Alpha Alumni Foundation members who raised $1.6 million to renovate

the Columbia chapter house. A significant recruitment tool, the house remains a symbol in Javits’ and other Alpha Alpha’s minds of the Chapter’s strength.

He also credits the Fraternity’s principles and the Men of Principle initiative. “Men of Principle is exactly Beta as far as I’m concerned,” says Javits

“The ideals of friendship and fidelity resonate now with my fellow diplomats as they did at the Beta house in the 50s. laying both hands on the table to espouse his conviction. “It epitomizes the high principle and the resilience and the value of the Fraternity. I see the tangible results.”

Javits maintains faith in the direction of the Fraternity and the power of her principles. “The ideals of friendship and fidelity resonate now with my fellow diplomats as they did at the Beta house in the 50s. I think Beta Theta Pi is embracing and has embraced values that are lasting and permanent and will keep it as a vibrant and valuable organization.”

As the ambassador extends his hand again for a parting grip, his genuine love for Beta Theta Pi is unmistakable. With a flight to catch, Javits rounds the corner of the marble-covered lobby returning his attention to the task ahead: building consensus on a global stage. — M. Hill

The Javits File Born: May 24, 1931; New York, N.Y. Education: Columbia College (A.B., 1952); Columbia Law School (J.D., 1955) Personal: Married, Dr. Margaretha Espersson; Children: Eric Javits Jr., a noted designer, and Jocelyn Javits, an investment banker Professional: U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2003-present); U.S. Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament (2001-02); Senior Counsel, Robinson, Brog, Leinwand, Green, Genovese & Gluck, P.C. (1990-2001);

Senior Partner, Javits & Javits (1964-89); Attorney, Javits & Javits (1955-64) Boards: Prior to his appointment and confirmation by the U.S. Senate, he was president and chairman of the Spanish Institute. He was a board member of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the French Institute-Alliance Francaise and the Cardozo School of Law. He was appointed by then-New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to serve as a member of the NYC Commission for the United Nations and Protocol.

Hobbies/Leisure: Tennis, exercise and crossword puzzles

Summer 2006

33

The Institute

Living the Change: The Pow

34

The Beta Theta Pi

wer of The Institute for Men of Principle

Graduates of The Institute pose with their facilitators on the grounds of the Administrative Office.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi On the final day of each session of The Institute for Men of Principle, participants and facilitators are equally exhausted. They are physically tired, emotionally drained, and fully prepared to return home. You can see it in their weary eyes, the opportunity for change may have been lost within the haze of fatigue.

Yet they still have one final task to complete, a task more demanding and rewarding than any that came before it. In the Samuel Taylor Marshall Seminar Room at Brennan Hall (the Administrative Office), undergraduate participants from across the continent are instructed to form a circle around the room.

Commonly referred to as the “roundtable,” this circle allows brothers to speak briefly about what the week has meant to them. During this emotional series of monologues, there are quite a few laughs and, not surprisingly,

a few tears as well. Most brothers expressed that they are excited to use their newly discovered leadership skills such as modeling the way, enabling others to act and encouraging the heart. Some thank their small-group facilitators for encouraging new ways of thinking.

Many are simply happy to have connected with brothers from other chapters.

What is important is that when they talk, they don’t look at each other with the awkwardness common among new acquaintances. Rather, they hold one another’s eye with the casual comfort that accompanies brotherhood. It is as though they have known each other far longer than their five days in Oxford.

But it didn’t start off that way.

Just a few days prior, these undergraduates were meeting for the first time. They came from across North America with various ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Summer 2006

35

Institute participants took part in a “Giving of Self” activity that included spending time with a local youth program.

Small chapter groups met extensively throughout the week (below.)

Furthermore, each individual’s fraternal experience varied broadly depending on the particular chapter, region or campus.

These men were little more than strangers bound loosely together by an ancient system of principles, yet they will leave Oxford as close friends.

“I finally understand what true brotherhood can look like. The best part is that, even though I’ve only known you [all] for five days, we are brothers for life.”

36

The Beta Theta Pi

The three great principles of Beta Theta Pi, which clearly define the Fraternity’s purpose, are publicly declared in the Objects and privately addressed in the Ritual. When a new member signs his name to the roll book, he makes a lifetime commitment to uphold these ideals; he submits himself to live Beta Theta Pi. In this way, the Ritual is the tie that binds the Fraternity.

One undergraduate tearfully addresses the group, “I finally understand what true brotherhood can look like. The best part is that, even though I’ve only known you [all] for five days, we are brothers for life.”

Those words encompass what seems to be a general theme of these roundtables: that The Institute for Men of Principle builds the bonds of fraternal brotherhood in a powerful way. An experience such as The Institute exceeds a simple “Howto-Fix-My-Chapter-Seminar.” The Institute encourages members to find the qualities of leadership within, and to use the three great principles as guideposts for future decisions while connecting on a deeper level with lifelong fraternal brotherhood.

When every participant has finished speaking to the roundtable, The Institute ends. Brothers stand to say their goodbyes, make promises to keep in touch, and hope for an improved chapter experience back home. The roundtable has affected the exhausted group in a noticeable way. Somehow, within the span of a couple of hours, these men once again look excited to live the change they hope to see. – S. Brylski

The John & Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle Beta Theta Pi developed The Institute for Men of Principle in 1999 to educate undergraduates on the purpose of the Fraternity while equipping them with the necessary tools to enact positive change in their chapters. This five-day values-based experience encourages participants to evaluate themselves, the state of their chapter, and the interfraternal Greek movement as a whole.

This leadership opportunity keeps participants on a strict agenda.

Each morning begins with a large-group presentation followed by an in-depth discussion of the curriculum. Such topics include personal values and leadership inventories, John Wooden’s Team Philosophy and Kouzes & Posner’s Leadership Challenge©.

During the first day of the Institute, participants bonded quickly through a variety of team-building excercises.

Participants learn the value of community service during various projects in and around the Oxford community. Whether playing games with underprivileged youth at a local day-camp or having conversations with the elderly at an assisted living home, these men find the activities deeply rewarding.

Institute participants spend much of their time in small-groups of approximately 10 brothers. These groups are specifically designed to allow a close-knit environment that encourages open and honest dialogue. Facilitators listen carefully to the conversations, only speaking to offer thought-provoking questions, alternative views, and interesting points of discussion. The topics revolve around the obligations and principles upon which Beta Theta Pi was founded, and the obstacles that prevent chapters from achieving these goals.

A final group meeting allowed members to discuss particular issues that directly affect the coming semester.

Summer 2006

37

[Campus Life] "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

– William Butler Yeats

38

An update of each chapter’s performance in relation to the Standard Chapter Operating Expectations is included following its report.

Items that appear in RED reflect a failure to meet the standard. “N/A” for academics indicates no report. “N/A” for ritual indicates incomplete ritual performance verification. SCOE data is accurate as of 7/25/06.

The Beta Theta Pi

Alabama (∆Θ)

This spring was successful for Delta Theta. Construction began on the new house, which will be opened in the fall of 2007. Our intramural basketball team reached the quarterfinals in playoffs and finished the season with two losses. The indoor soccer team reached the playoffs. Blake Perry ’07 and Tyler Poston ’07 were initiated into the Order of Omega and the Jason’s Society.

Poston was elected as president of the Order of Omega. Pete Silliman ’08 was elected as a senator for the business college. We pledged and initiated seven new members, all of whom have the potential to become great leaders. Finally, we received the Most Improved Fraternity Award at the annual Greek Awards Banquet. — Brian D. Reynolds ’08, secretary,

205-344-2644, reyno006@bama.ua.edu Advisors: 7 Members: 69 Academic: 2.85 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Arizona (∆Β)

During the past year, Delta Beta continued its excellence on campus and in the community. At the University Greek Awards, the Chapter won nine awards including the Dean Robert Svob Award, presented to the best overall fraternity for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, Daniel C. Huck ’07 was awarded Junior Greek Man of the Year. The Chapter ranked fourth out of 25 fraternities for chapter GPA. The hockey team played in the championship game in both the intramural and local community leagues. More than 40 members participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, contributing more than $1,300 to the cause. We organized a blood drive through the American Red Cross, which was available to students campus-wide. In addition, many members find time to be involved with a variety of clubs and honoraries throughout campus. —

Justin T. Green ’07, secretary, 520-603-9546, jgreen@email.arizona.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 82 Academic: 2.82 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Auburn (∆Ζ)

This has been another outstanding year for Delta Zeta.

Since last year, the Chapter increased its GPA, held a strong position in the intramural competition and increased its involvement in the campus community. Many brothers were elected to positions of prestige such as George Stegall ’07 who was selected as SGA president. Our semi-annual philanthropy volleyball tournament raised money for the American Cancer Society. Beta had a solid spring rush, pledging 5 outstanding young men. — Nicholas C. Gon-

zalez ’07, public relations chairman, 205-4226609, gonzanc@auburn.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 129 Academic: 2.86 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Baylor (∆Ψ)

Delta Psi had another successful semester of recruitment that added size and personality to a chapter already primed for a great year. The new members joined just in time for annual retreats and a lakefront formal in Austin, Texas. Delta Psi is actively recruiting potential members to add to the quality of the Chapter and solidify its position on campus. Intramural success has put Delta Psi above its peers on the athletic field. After a record-setting flag-football season in the fall, Delta Psi softball teams batted their way deep into the playoffs. For the third consecutive year, the Chapter raised money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation through a sand volleyball tournament. — Brett

H. Messerall ’09, president, 832-515-7037, brett_messerall@baylor.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 31 Academic: 2.93 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

British Columbia (ΓΟ)

This year has been a tremendous success for Gamma Omicron. We returned the Sports Trophy to the halls of Beta Theta Pi by winning 15 individual and team championships, more than twice the wins of all of the other fraternities combined. We placed second place in Mr. Greek, won Delta Gamma Anchorsplash, and placed first in the IFC/Panhellenic Greek Week. We had the best fraternity performance in Order of Omega’s Songfest and took first, second and third place in Kappa Sigma Boat Racer. We sit very well next year with three brothers on the executive board of IFC and Order of Omega. — Joshua H. Cox ’05, presi-

dent, 604-266-1870, joshuacox@hotmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 62 Academic: 3.20 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Cal Poly (Ε∆)

As the chapter has matured, we have seen our share of ups and downs. We are very proud of the eight men initiated in the fall. We are confident that the Chapter is safe despite a number of our members having graduated. We are grateful to the support of our alumni who have given generously over the past year. Our second annual alumni banquet and awards ceremony will be on October 7. Keep your eyes out for our newsletter this summer. — Thomas W. Alderman ’05, presi-

dent, 805-550-2032, talderma@calpoly.edu Advisors: 2 Members: 27 Academic: 2.82 RM: Excellent

Convention: No Finance: $3,460.52 Ritual: Yes

Cal State-Chico (ΕΙ)

After a tumultuous year, the men of Epsilon Iota continue to progress toward a new level of excellence. Led by a newly

appointed advisory board and a dedicated executive committee, our members have shown excitement. The Chapter introduced a successful charity basketball tournament with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of America. Our basketball team went through an undefeated season and won the Fraternity league intramural championship. Through the implementation of the Recruitment Through Scholarship grant, we recruited a strong pledge class of 12 diverse men. With such an eventful semester, Epsilon Iota looks primed for another great year at Chico State. — Julian D. Avilla ’06,

president, 925-216-4786, jedadia89@aol.com Advisors: 1 Members: 49 Academic: 2.67 RM: Satisfactory

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Cal-Berkeley (Ω)

A miscommunication with the Greek Life Office placed us on suspended status both with the University and with the General Fraternity, but the chapter continued to push for improvements. We completed our advisory team, updated all membership information with the General Fraternity, updated the chapter bylaws and risk management plan, created a positive pledge education program, and improved the aesthetics of our house. We participated in community clean-up projects.

At Delta Gamma’s March philanthropy event AnchorSplash, Lucas Yancey ’08 was voted “AnchorMan” for being the best all-around Greek male in the talent competition. We participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at UC Berkeley, raising more than $500. On May 6, the Cal Men’s Rugby Team, which includes 23 active Betas, competed for the national championship. With two more pledges this spring and five members attending summer leadership opportunities, the chapter is growing in size and experience.

— Steven M. Westhoff ’08, scholarship chair-

man, 310-480-6598, swesthoff@berkeley.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 36 Academic: 3.10 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

California-Irvine (∆Σ)

Delta Sigma led all UC-Irvine fraternities in GPA, which was no small feat for a colony attempting to earn its charter.

The Dragon Downhill Skate Race was our most recently organized philanthropic event since having been recolonized. We donated all proceeds to the Prosthetics Outreach Foundation. The Colony has competed well in its first year of IFC sports, netting a playoff run in flag football and a second place finish in the Greek Week Softball tournament. Delta Sigma is actively reaching out to alumni, setting the groundwork for a network that will bring our members closer to one another. Nineteen new members were recruited. — Peter B. Gabrio ’07,

president, 831-818-9672, pgabrio@uci.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 32 Academic: 3.14 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Summer 2006

39

CaliforniaLos Angeles (ΓΝ)

This spring the Chapter successfully recruited five new brothers to Gamma Nu bringing the chapter total to 52 men. The Chapter’s academic excellence continued this winter, with four men earning 4.0s and 15 men earning above a 3.5 GPA. The Chapter raised almost $4,000 for UCLA Dance Marathon, benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation — 16 men danced for 26 hours to raise money for the cause. The Chapter continues its strong leadership with Terry Frink ’07 being appointed head GAMMA on IFC. The recently renovated website can be accessed at www.betabruins. com. — Ryan P. Hall ’07, president, 925-786-

3304, ryanhall@ucla.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 48 Academic: 3.08 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Carleton (ΕΥ)

Not only are we celebrating 100 years in Canada, but 15 years at Carleton University and the return of Epsilon Upsilon to prominence in the Ottawa Greek community. We’ve eliminated our debt with the General Fraternity and nearly doubled our size. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get back on track. We hope to keep the momentum going throughout the fall and continue what has been a banner year for Epsilon Upsilon. — Fraser L. MacQuarrie ’08, president,

613-863-7170, frasermacquarrie@gmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 16 Academic: N/A RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Carnegie Mellon (ΓΙ)

Gamma lead the campus in community service and excelled in campus athletics.

This spring, Gamma Iota organized fundraising efforts for charitable organizations such as Smile Train, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The semester marked the first annual Beta Theta Pi flag football tournament, which is a philanthropic event. The Chapter hosted the Beta Alumni Golf Outing, and Alumni BBQ, in which we were recognized by the University with the Outstanding Alumni Relations Award. Finally, we won the intramural championship for the third consecutive year. We eagerly await the completion of the $1.2 million renovations to the house, which will be performed this summer. — James T. Rogers ’07, president, 412-

862-3913, jtrogers@andrew.cmu.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 61 Academic: 3.12 RM: Satisfactory

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Case Western Reserve (ΛΚΒ)

Lambda Kappa-Beta started the spring semester with the highest GPA among actives and ranked fourth of 17 fraterni-

40

The Beta Theta Pi

ties overall. Three new members joined Beta this spring and the Chapter headed to the Administrative Offices for the initiation of a fourth. We have committed to improve the community by tutoring K-12 students and working with Replay for Kids, which fixes used toys for children with disabilities. Our 20th Annual Walkathon for Diabetes, in memory of Steven P. Arnold ’84, concluded the year with brothers working to increase diabetes awareness. Two Brothers received leadership awards from CWRU and another was inducted as a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar. Chapter advisor Scott Allen was named Advisor of the Year by CWRU. — Dave C. Bartholomew ’06, 216-754-

1907, dcb12@cwru.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 11 Academic: 3.52 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Central FloriDA (ΖΨ)

Zeta Psi continues to make a strong impression on the UCF campus. This spring we placed first for a medium organization at Dance Marathon, first at the intramural dodgeball championship, second in the Mario Jenkins Memorial Softball Tournament, and third in both Kappa Alpha Theta’s Spring Fling and Kappa Delta’s 5K Run. Justin Mellinger ’09 was crowned Alpha Delta Pi’s MVP for their Hoops and Hogs philanthropy. Campus involvement is as high as ever as two brothers were selected for the Greek Week Executive Committee: one for UCF Orientation Team, and seven more as Greek Life Consultants. To cap off a monumental semester, we initiated 16 men. — Jason K. Holic ’08, secretary, 941-544-

4415, jason.holic@gmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 72 Academic: 2.47 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Central Michigan (ΕΓ)

The men of Epsilon Gamma at Central Michigan University have worked hard to form a great chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Leadership Consultant Michael Wolford, Miami ’04 helped organize a solid recruitment plan, which enabled the chapter to recruit its largest pledge class since our re-colonization in 2005.

At the end of the semester, we held Initiation at Mount Pleasant, followed by an end of the year Pig Roast to celebrate. I would like to thank the alumni for taking the time to help us find our identity and being there for us. I look forward to seeing Epsilon Gamma grow in the upcoming semesters and become one of the best chapters of Beta Theta Pi! — Ross A. McCallum ’08,

president, 248-770-8454, mccal1ra@cmich. edu Advisors: 5 Members: 15 Academic: 2.90 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $1,749.27 Ritual: N/A

Centre (Ε)

The new member class demonstrates the Chapter’s drive towards excellence.

Nine men were selected to

preserve the Episilon chapter motto of “manliness” in the years to come. The pledge class had the highest GPA of any on campus. The Chapter held a benefit concert for St. Judes Hospital. Campus involvement in the class includes head vocalist in college choir, lead saxophone player in top jazz band, Democrats Club Treasurer, and the Peace Club Secretary.

Three new members are involved in the drama department, and one is a member of the track and field team. Our eight graduating seniors are each continuing their education in the fall at various graduate schools. — Kenneth L.

Smith ’09, secretary, 859-238-5784, kenny. smith@centre.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 21 Academic: 2.42 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $245.22 Ritual: Yes

Cincinnati (ΒΝ)

The brothers of Beta Nu have been busy with their commitment to the community through the annual Psychedelic Toilet Drop. The “PTD” as we affectionately call it, was once again a success, as it raised over $3,400 towards the Literacy Center West. Beta Nu scored first in grades during the fall quarter and third in grades in the winter quarter. We successfully recruited eight pledges. Our busy social calendar featured a spring formal on Cinco de Mayo and a Senior Roast. We have formed a committee to organize informal events such as arcade nights and eating contests at local buffets. — Jason

T. Steinhauer ’07, president, 513-515-0259, steinhjt@email.uc.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 53 Academic: 3.17 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Clemson (∆Ν)

Delta Nu continues to make strides athletically, socially and academically. The Chapter fielded more than a dozen intramural teams this spring and enjoyed numerous mixers with other Greek organizations. Two brothers were inducted into the Order of Omega. Chapter counselor Wayne Heath and undergraduate Harrison Trammell ’06 were honored with the Greek Advisor and Greek Man of the Year awards, respectively. The Chapter had full participation in the annual Relay for Life event in which Delta Nu raised over $2,500 and hosted activities in conjunction with Alpha Delta Pi. Delta Nu is proud to be ranked first among all fraternities on campus with an average GPA of 3.235.

— John B. Thomas ’08, president, 864-921-

9997, jbt@clemson.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 58 Academic: 2.96 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Colorado Mines (ΒΦ)

Beta Phi has had another busy year in Golden. Our semester started with a joint initiation with the Alpha Zeta chapter.

In the newly developed Keystone Regional Leadership Conference, the chapter was given awards for both excellence in self-governance and recruitment. Even with these successes, we have refined the Recruitment Through Scholarship program to attract another strong new member class that supports Beta’s values. Our annual philanthropy, the Beta Phi Skia-Thon, was again successful with the fundraising topping out at $16,000, doubling our efforts from last year. We will continue to strive for excellence in the year to come. Congratulations to our graduating seniors. — Thomas

W. Hamilton ’07, president, 303-910-0642, t_wes_ham@yahoo.com Advisors: 5 Members: 51 Academic: 2.724 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Columbia (ΑΑ)

At convention this summer, we received news that our charter has been reinstated. This semester we have worked hard to build the chapter, having fun, and earn our charter back so this was welcome news. The Alpha Alpha chapter was able to recruit ten new Betas in the spring, bringing our total membership up to 53. This makes us the second largest fraternity on campus! We spearheaded the “Project Health Barbeque”, which brought terminally ill and hospitalized children to Columbia for a day of food and outdoor games. Further, we rose over $700 for cancer research during Relay for Life. We instituted official “kai” events, which use chapter funds to organize times when brothers can catch up with one another. We recently celebrated our 125th Anniversary as a chapter of Beta Theta Pi! Proud to be Betas!

— Daniel E. Free Jr. ’08, secretary, 646-510-

4111, def2104@columbia.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 40 Academic: 3.56 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Connecticut (ΖΧ)

The Chapter has grown significantly in the past year. As we have grown, we have maintained quality, which was proven by winning eight out of eighteen University Greek Life awards. In addition, chapter counselor David Daniels was recognized as the best advisor to any campus organization. Andrew Callahan ’07 was elected as IFC President and Christopher Cantu ’07 will be teaching a Greek Leadership course in the fall. Several organizations participated in our first “Four-square” tournament to benefit St. Jude’s children’s hospital. Finally, the Chapter would like to recognize its alumni who have elected to serve the General Fraternity: congratulations to Ben Swartz ’05 for his appointment as District Chief, and to Adam Porter-Price ’06 and David Schmidt ’06 who have both been hired as Leadership Consultants. — Jared E. Kaprove ’06, 860-427-9821,

jkaprove@gmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 40 Academic: 3.12 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Cornell (Β∆)

Beta Delta continued its academic success, achieving the third-highest GPA among fraternities on campus (3.501).

Fundraisers for the year included a wristband drive that raised approximately $500 to donate to Hurricane Katrina relief, and $1,950 towards the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Dan Opel ’08 served on the Orientation Steering Committee, Anderson Clark ’08 was a function manager for Hotel Ezra Cornell and concert manager for the Class Notes, and Michael Collis ’08 served as secretary and recruitment chair for Wilderness pre-orientation programs. Beta Delta placed second in intramural bowling, and won a whiffle-ball tournament Three new members were initiated in the spring, and communications with alumni increased throughout the year. — Robert A. Ippolito ’08, vice president,

585-315-2205, rai5@cornell.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 30 Academic: 3.501 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Denison (ΑΗ)

Alpha Eta organized a number of community service and fundraising events. We held a valet parking service fundraiser event, which raised money for the ARC of Licking County. We organized an alumni golf tournament to develop our alumni relations and raise money for the Chapter. We held a faculty appreciation dinner. We are very proud of our new members, and are very optimistic about the future of Alpha Eta. We have two undergraduate brothers serving on the Interfraternity Council, more than any other fraternity at Denison. Recently, we were honored by the University with the Chapter Excellence Award in Leadership. Denison Betas topped 12 other awards at the 2006 Greek Awards Ceremony.

— Mete Tuzcu ’07, secretary, 740-587-8378,

tuzcu_m@denison.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 19 Academic: 3.78 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

DePauw (∆)

Delta excelled academically with a 3.09 cumulative GPA and initiated a spring new member class with a 3.16.

The Delta chapter was once again the only Greek organization at DePauw to be a Ruby Sponsor at Relay for Life, which raised more than $215,000 for the American Cancer Society. In the fall, we donated $2,600 to various charitable organizations. Kevin McEvoy ’07 was recently elected president of the student body, and Zachary Marquand ’07 was elected Order of Omega president and a position on the Interfraternity Council. Delta has members on 10 University sports team including several athletic trainers. Chapter advisor Adam Cohen was named Chapter Advisor of the Year.

We will be hosting an open house on June 10 for all alumni. We will be dedicating the new Bud Wilson Study Area. — Jordan A. Voss ’07,

alumni relations chairman, 859-229-0825, jvoss@depauw.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 46 Academic: 3.03 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

East Carolina (ΕΑ)

Epsilon Alpha started the spring semester with the initiation of another pledge class. We had a smooth transition with our new officers into their executive positions. We are currently working on ideas for a large-scale annual philanthropic event. We had several brothers attend Futures Quest. Our biggest event was the installation ceremony where several prominent guests and speakers from the General Fraternity attended. We are anxiously awaiting another successful semester at East Carolina. — Matthew G. Levtzow ’07, president,

252-328-8163, mgl0306@mail.ecu.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 21 Academic: 2.80 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Eastern Kentucky (∆Ξ)

With new administration, Alpha Zeta has been taking care of business and working to improve several specific areas that required attention. Daniel Ratschkowsky ’08 has developed a new scholarship assistance program. With the mutual aid from other Beta chapters, we have refined Alpha Zeta’s bylaws and constitution.

We are actively involved in the local community, averaging 52 hours of community service per brother. Our philanthropy chair hopes to increase those numbers. Congratulations to Joel McClurg ’06 and Basil Shah ’06 who both received 4.0 GPA’s. The Alpha Zeta average GPA is 3.01. — Michael K. Berthold ’08,

The 26 men who were initiated this past semester have gotten off to a great start! Earning first in grades on campus, the men have made their mark. The recruitment and scholarship chairs have been working diligently on Recruitment Through Scholarship.

Formal recruitment is August 28-31. The first three nights will be a casual atmosphere with refreshments and games. August 31st will be more formal, with an emphasis on the Fraternity through a question and answer period. We encourage any alumni to come out to meet the future members of our Colony. Mark you calendar for the Colony’s first official, and Delta Xi’s 35th Anniversary, Homecoming – October 13-15! — Adam Rice’ 07, president, adam_

Advisors: 5 Members: 25 Academic: 3.05 RM: Satisfactory

Advisors: 6 Members: 26 Academic: 2.93 RM: Excellent

Denver (ΑΖ)

secretary, 206-351-1110, MBerthol@du.edu Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

rice11@eku.edu

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Summer 2006

41

Eastern Washington (ΕΩ)

Epsilon Omega has high achievements in academics and in the community. Several of our members serve on the ASEWU including Eric Silva ’07 (academic affairs), Jason Gavinski ’07 (chief justice of superior court), Jason Alvarado ’06 (vice president of finance) and Mark Carothers ’07 (technology advancement.) This winter the chapter had the highest GPA of any Greek organization and was above the all-men’s and All-Campus average. — Jason

L. Wilcox ’08, secretary, 509-294-0569, jasonissmooth@yahoo.com Advisors: 7 Members: 27 Academic: 2.87 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Emory (ΓΥ)

Gamma Upsilon is proud to report the recent success from the Greek Awards Banquet. The Chapter won five awards: Outstanding Promotion of the Fraternal Spirit, Best Service Project, Outstanding New Member Program, Outstanding Chapter President (Burke Loeffler ’06), and Most Improved Chapter. The Chapter was a finalist for five other awards including the Dean’s Cup, which is the highest honor that can be awarded to a fraternity. The Chapter continues to excel academically and expects to be above the all-men’s and All-Fraternity Averages for the spring semester. Lastly, the Chapter welcomes its 18 newest members, having initiated 100% of its pledge class. — Urian H. Yap ’06,

404-251-8458,

Advisors: 5 Members: 64 Academic: 3.38 RM: Satisfactory

uyap@learnlink.emory.edu Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Florida (ΓΞ)

The men of Gamma Xi received the Buddy McKay Award, recognizing us as the best fraternity at the University of Florida. Gamma Xi rededicated itself to the values of service and philanthropy when it held its first philanthropy in recent memory, the Beta Challenge. The Chapter participated in and won many other philanthropic events such as Delta Gamma AnchorSplash, Pi Beta Phi Down and Dirty, and Chi Omega’s Sandblast. We volunteered at the Five Points of Life Marathon, and participated in Relay for Life. Eight brothers were initiated this spring with a GPA of more than 3.5.

Although the Chapter is proud of our recent success, we look forward to the continued improvement of Gamma Xi. — David L. Tarasi

’08, 727-644-1327, isarat@ufl.edu

Advisors: 5 Convention: Yes Members: 125 Finance: $0.00 Academic: 3.01 Ritual: Yes RM: Excellent

Florida Atlantic (Ζ∆)

Zeta Delta had a successful year. We initiated four men and had three pledges the spring. The Chapter par-

42

The Beta Theta Pi

ticipated in many events on campus including Greek Week and Relay for Life. In addition, we had an impressive overall GPA this semester, which was above the All-Men’s and All-Fraternity Averages. Special congratulations to Will Cottle ’07 for attaining a perfect 4.0! This summer we are planning recruitment for the fall and a semiformal. Thanks to District Chief Robert Billoni ’95 and Rocco Molfese ’06 as well as all of the advisors for their continued support. — Nicolas L. Jones ’07, president Advisors: 5 Members: 13 Academic: 2.82 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

George Washington (ΖΝ)

This semester was a landmark in the Chapter’s short history.

In 2006, Zeta Nu accepted another lease on our University-owned house.

Philanthropy has been successful as we sponsored an inner-city baseball team by raising funds for jerseys, pants, hats, gloves and balls. Our donations allowed the team to have an enjoyable season. We collected $4,000 worth of food for Martha’s Table, a local soup kitchen.— Alexander J. Foster ’08, secretary,

201-919-0351, afost@gwu.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 32 Academic: 3.05 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Georgia (ΕΕ)

At the beginning of the semester, 24 new members were initiated and worked hard to contribute to the Chapter’s success. Epsilon Epsilon reports that the 2005 pledge class ranked first in GPA’s among fraternity pledge classes. The Chapter is looking forward to the construction of an extension to the house. This extension will include a new chapter room and living area for more brothers. On April 18, we conducted our annual fundraiser, Choral Cup, an a cappella competition between the UGA sororities.

Through this event, we raised close to $7,000 for the American Cancer Society. The Chapter is currently working to strengthen our alumni relations. — Claude S. Rankin ’08, secretary,

404-202-9026, csrankin@uga.edu

Advisors: 5 Members: 86 Academic: 3.16 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Georgia Tech (ΓΗ)

Gamma Eta excelled in academics, athletics, and community service. We placed in the top 5 of all fraternities after posting a 3.12 GPA. Approximately 57% of the chapter made the Dean’s List. We finished third overall in the fraternity league. We volunteered at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival had 100% participation and helped to raise more than $400,000 in one weekend. We had brothers take significant leadership roles on campus. Brandon Tubandt ’08 was elected

to the executive cabinet for FASET, Georgia Tech’s prestigious orientation program for freshmen and a highly coveted position on campus. This past convention we received our 24th consecutive Sisson Award and 2nd John Reily Knox Award. — Jason E. Pociask ’08, sec-

retary, 404-892-6935, jpociask@gatech.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 69 Academic: 3.12 RM: Satisfactory

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

HampdenSydney (Ζ)

The men of Zeta successfully installed their new officers and found themselves under very capable leadership. The men rekindled connections with their alumni, many of whom visited the house to share memories and traditions.

Zeta colony participated in the Relay for Life at Longwood College. To finish off the semester, Zeta proudly initiated two men into their cherished brotherhood. — Mark A. Tassone ’08,

secretary, 434-223-7053, tassonem@hsc.edu Advisors: 2 Members: 17 Academic: 2.84 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Idaho (ΓΓ)

It has been a successful year for Gamma Gamma. We achieved a GPA of 3.23, which ranks second among all fraternities and is well above the All-Fraternity Average of 2.86. We have totaled 920 hours of community service for the year and raised $1,924 for local charities.

Jason Giuffre ’06 has recently finished first in the 400-meter dash at the Duane Hartman Invitational. On February 11, Gamma Gamma welcomed 18 of its newest members. Alumni who attended the initiation dinner highlighted the day. This spring was a very special one for the Gamma Gamma chapter as we honored Elmer Stout by dedicating the “Elmer Stout Library.” Elmer has poured his heart and soul into Beta and we are thrilled to see that his name will continue to be remembered. — Pat

K. Harwood ’07, secretary, 208-885-6251, harw9115@uidaho.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 60 Academic: 3.23 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Illinois (ΣΡ)

This semester started well for Sigma Rho. After members won the championship of the intramural soccer league, Justin Cauley ’08 was elected to the Judicial Board of the Interfraternity Council.

Our annual philanthropy event, Beta Olympics, yielded a high number of participants and money raised. Organized by Tomislav Rogic ’08, we raised over $2,000 for the American Heart Association. Mother’s weekend, which included a silent auction, a brunch, and a night out with all of our visiting mothers, raised money for the American Heart Association.

Thanks to Patrick McGrath ’08 for arranging that event. — Samuel D. Strain ’06, 224-622-

1492, sdstrain@uiuc.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 106 Academic: 2.87 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Indiana (Π)

During the final week of the semester, Pi welcomed eight new members into the Fraternity. Four new brothers are members of the distinguished Kelley Scholars program, indicating that they received fullride scholarships from the Kelley School of Business. Throughout the semester, brothers have volunteered their time to tutor children of battered women at The Rise, a local midway house. Additionally, the Chapter partnered with two sororities to host Live at Dunn Meadow, a concert/cookout that raised several thousand dollars for Boys and Girls Club. Pi chapter is sending more than 10 percent of it’s members to various NIC-sponsored events this summer and is looking forward to a strong Fall recruitment. — Kyle B. Webb ’07, president, 317-258-

0183, kbwebb@indiana.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 72 Academic: 3.09 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Iowa (ΑΒ)

The spring semester of 2006 has been exciting for the Alpha Beta colony. We won an Advisor Excellence

award at the Keystone Regional Leadership Conference in St. Louis. Steve Bensema ’06

was the recipient of the Mary Peterson Greek Man of the Year Award. The Chapter earned a 2.91 GPA for the fall semester, which places third highest among fraternities. We have started organizing our first major philanthropy event and have regularly volunteered with a local youth organization. We initiated our Alpha pledge class, a six member group with tremendous potential. Our alumni Housing Corporation expects the completion date for our house renovations to be in late July. When we come back in the fall we will move Alpha Beta even further ahead! — Matthew L. Petti ’08, secre-

tary, 630-699-2612, matthew-petti@uiowa.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 19 Academic: 2.91 RM: Excellent

Convention: n/a Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Johns Hopkins (ΑΧ)

The Alpha Chi chapter saw growth when its total active member size increased to 25. In addition, the Chapter continues its proud tradition of service to the community with city beautification projects, pavilion construction for a regional Boy Scout reservation, and various charity drives including the Soup-erbowl of Caring. Dan D’Orlando ’07 was recently elected the vice-president of the IFC, while he, Bryan Curtin ’07 and Sheng Tao Li ’07 were inducted into the prestigious Order of Omega. Homecoming was successful as more than 25 alumni participated in the formal, barbeque, and annual Alumni vs. Actives football game. — Bryan F. Curtin ’07, secretary,

301-538-4390, bryan-curtin@jhu.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 25 Academic: 3.20 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Kansas (ΑΝ)

We initiated 19 brothers into Alpha Nu. The Chapter achieved top marks in grades last fall with a 3.48 for initiated members and a new member GPA of 3.24. Scott Ferguson ’07 is the current president of the Interfraternity Council, which includes four other brothers as officers.

Six brothers served on the Advisory Committee for the Greek-wide Rock Chalk Revue philanthropy, including Jordan Garcia ’06 as co-executive director. The Hutt saw strong showings in all sports including the victory of brothers Jeff Larkin ’06 and Tom Larkin ’08 in the intramural doubles golf tournament. Alpha Nu’s second annual dodgeball tournament philanthropy raised funds for Jubilee Café and was a tremendous success. — Dustin T. Curzon ’08,

secretary, 785-393-0583, dcurzon@ku.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 68 Academic: 3.48 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Kansas State (ΓΕ)

Continuing a tradition of academic excellence, Gamma Epsilon finished above the All-Men’s Average and third among fraternities with a 3.158 GPA. In addition, the Chapter has clinched the intramural championship for the second year in a row.

Gamma Epsilon welcomed 20 new members to brotherhood with two more having taken part in the model initiation at convention. Bradley Scheu, ’07 was presented the IFC Above and Beyond Chapter President Award for his leadership in the Greek Community. Gamma Epsilon is pleased with the semester and strives to continue on the path to excellence. — James

E. Schwartz ’08, president, 316-259-0265, jschwart@ksu.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 79 Academic: 3.16 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Kenyon (ΒΑ)

We have initiated 11 new members, increasing our total to more than 40 brothers. Our first community service project with the new members included working at the local blood drive. We have helped with the congressional campaign of Zack Space ’85. Our alumni event this semester included a barbeque and a baseball game.

Many of the undergraduates enjoyed meeting and building a stronger relationship with them.

Restoring the “Temple in the Woods” remains a top priority. Many of the brothers serve as leaders in other organizations on campus, such as: Republicans Club, Student Life Committee, and Business Financial Committee. Moreover, we finished first in intramural basketball, floor hockey, and second in soccer. — William C. Lip-

pert ’07, Chapter President, 740-427-6330, lippertw@kenyon.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 35 Academic: 3.08 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $3,769.37 Ritual: Yes

Knox (Ξ)

The Xi chapter has kept busy these last terms with several philanthropic events, each member averaging more than 15 hours of community service. Events included a polar plunge, which raised more than $1,300 dollars, a junior basketball tournament, and an Easter egg hunt for local children. Xi’s members are leaders in several of the college’s athletics with captains in baseball, track and golf, where Keith Foster ’06 was nationally ranked.

James Davis ’06 set a state record in the dead lift. — Jesse A. McIntosh ’08, secretary, 309-

341-8341, jmcintos@knox.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 33 Academic: 2.83 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Lawrence (ΓΠ)

The Chapter maintained a 3.1 GPA, a mark that was above the all-men’s average and second highest on campus among fraternities. Two brothers were accepted into Lambda Sigma, a sophomore honorary society and Adam Kolb ’06 was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, a similar society for seniors. Daniel Hertel ’09 received an award as the Most Promising Freshman.

James Hustace ’07 has been selected as a captain for the varsity swimming and diving team.

The Chapter donated $1,000 to the Housing Partnership Project. All members were present at the annual Shack-a-thon, a program in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to assist the homeless. Nine members were added to the roster during the academic year. — Ben-

jamin Glover ’08, secretary, 920-832-7454, gloverb@lawrence.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 30 Academic: 3.17 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $245.27 Ritual: Yes

LehiGh (ΒΧ)

We recruited 28 men in the spring, marking the largest pledge class at Lehigh University in more than five years and the largest pledge class in Beta Chi’s history since 1891.

We would like to thank our alumni for their time and generous financial support in this matter.

These men hold a significant amount of potential in areas that the Chapter has struggled with recently, namely scholarship, leadership and character. This spring the Chapter hosted the Fourth Annual Beta Bull-riding Competition as part of the 1st annual Greek Week carnival. They planned a chili cook off to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.— Timothy P. Lewis

’06, 610-974-0882, tpl3@lehigh.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 35 Academic: 2.33 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Summer 2006

43

Louisville (∆Π)

Delta Pi is involved in various organizations on and off of the Louisville campus. Members held a number of leadership positions in these organizations. This semester, the Chapter initiated seven new members. The Chapter is still looking forward to obtaining a Chapter house on campus, which should take place in the fall of 2006. Chapter members worked hard to fundraise yet still took time to participate in events such as Greek Week and BBBS Bowl for Kids Sake. Concerning athletics, Delta Pi placed first in basketball, which is considered to be one the most competitive sports on campus. For more info about how Delta Pi is doing please visit: www.louisvillebeta.com. Go Beta, Go Delta Pi! — Dave E. Schawe ’06, president,

859-380-6909, descha04@louisville.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 28 Academic: 3.03 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Maine (ΒΗ)

The brothers of Beta Eta survived the cold Maine winter nights during the 13th Annual Sleep-out for Rape Response Services of Bangor. Beta Eta raised $2,100 for the non-profit organization, which helps spread awareness about sexual assault. Brothers were present at the Eddington School Fair where they coordinated many of the activities and raised money for the school. Beta Eta had a strong year in athletics, winning the BC Kent (All-Fraternity intramural) points championships for the second consecutive year. Most notably, they took both basketball championships. Ryan Curry ’06 and Matthew Fortin ’06 both received 4.0 GPAs during the fall semester. We are looking forward to having a new kitchen in the house next fall, paid for by the generosity of our alumni and Housing Association. — Joshua B.

Fortier ’06, secretary, 207-299-4970, joshua. fortier@umit.maine.edu Advisors: 2 Members: 29 Academic: 2.70 RM: Excellent

Convention: No Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Miami (Α)

The Alpha chapter continued its tradition of excellence by winning several campus awards including best fraternity on campus. The University awarded Phil Fernandez ’06 the Philip and Martha Shriver Greek Man of the Year Award, a truly prestigious honor. Alpha led the charge in a service event titled “Extreme Home Makeover: Greek Edition” in which nine other fraternities and Alpha painted and landscaped two residential houses in Oxford, Ohio. The project was successful and stressed the importance of interfraternalism. Alpha initiated 32 new men at the end of March. The Alpha brothers put together a great campaign in their first year of Division I sports since the re-founding. Alpha is proud to have several members leading MARS (Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault) including brother Joseph Dougherty ’06 who is serv-

44

The Beta Theta Pi

ing as president of the group. The Chapter sent more than 20 members to summer leadership opportunities. — Kevin S. Iacofano ’06, presi-

dent, 440-479-5401, iacofaks@muohio.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 111 Academic: 3.27 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Michigan (Λ)

The chapter GPA of 3.18 was above the All-Fraternity Average in both the fall and spring semesters.

During the second semester, five brothers were accepted into our highly ranked business school. Lambda held two philanthropy events during the year one of which was the Beta Carnival. This event raised money for local cancer organizations and was a wide success on campus. We held an alcohol awareness program that was presented by our University Health Services to teach all Greek members of the dangers of binge drinking. Finally we look forward to seeing Jason Olesnauage ’09 possibly playing special teams on for the Wolverines next year. — Patrick R. Armstrong ’08, secre-

tary, 203-731-1682, pastrong@umich.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 83 Academic: 3.18 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Michigan State (ΓΨ)

Academically, the Chapter boasted a GPA of 3.17, compared to the All-Fraternity Average of 2.91 and the All-Men’s Average of 2.93. Greek Week reflected the Chapter’s commitment to the community, winning the award for Team Excellence. In campus leadership, Phillip Barbb ’08 was elected to the Interfraternity Council this term. The Chapter won the Intramural Softball League and several charity events along the way. Six men were initiated to the fraternity. The first Active/Alumni/Potential Member Luncheon held in February proved enjoyable for all. — Michael B. Kelly ’08, secre-

tary, 248-390-2803, kellym13@msu.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 89 Academic: 3.17 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Middle Tennessee State (ΕΘ)

Through strong leadership by the Chapter President Matthew Porter ’06 and the Pledge Educator Marcus Griffin ’07, Epsilon Theta rewrote outdated membership education and scholarship programs laying the foundation for future successes. Michael Finney ’07 was elected head of the Interfraternity Council judicial board.

Epsilon Theta won Phi Beta Sigma’s annual step show for the second consecutive year. The Chapter held its first formal in more than four years, in downtown Chattanooga, and closed out the year with the annual Beta Stock to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The Chapter raised more than $1,200 for testicular cancer research. — Ross P. Johnson ’08, 615-

430-5407, rpj2d@mtsu.edu

Advisors: 4 Members: 47 Academic: 2.46 RM: Satisfactory

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Minnesota (ΒΠ)

This past fall, Beta Pi was first in grades among the Minnesota fraternities for the sixth consecutive semester with 3.19 GPA. Another accomplishment that we are proud of was raising more than $2,000 through numerous philanthropic events throughout the year and averaging 20 hours of community service per member each semester. The homecoming alumni celebration was one of our more enjoyable events occurred on September 24 when we hosted more than 50 alumni, 70 parents, and numerous other people associated with the chapter. The most important event this past year was when we traveled to Oxford to initiate seven men into the Beta Pi chapter. — Jeffrey P. Holtz ’06, secre-

tary

Advisors: 5 Members: 38 Academic: 3.19 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Mississippi (ΒΒ)

Because of regaining our charter at the 166th General Convention, we held a reinstallation banquet on March 4th at the Oxford University Club. The banquet was quite successful, due to the hard work put in by many brothers. Family, friends, and alumni were present to share in this joyous occasion. General Fraternity officers attended including Regional Director and keynote speaker Jerry Blesch, General Fraternity VP Dave Schmidt and District Chief Doug Tommie. Beta Beta has succeeded in other areas including grades, philanthropy, and social events. During the spring semester, 16 men were added to the rolls of the Beta Beta chapter. We look forward to the upcoming fall semester and hope to continue the traditions of Beta Theta Pi. — Joshua L. Robinson ’08,

secretary, 228-861-9143, jlrobin1@olemiss. edu Advisors: 3 Members: 51 Academic: 2.61 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $3,296.33 Ritual: Yes

Missouri (ΖΦ)

The Chapter initiated 24 new members on February 11, 2006. This fall’s pledge class finished the fall semester with a 3.194 grade point average, far better than the All-Fraternity new member average of 2.729. The Chapter as a whole finished with a top tier average of 3.113, which was better than the all-student average, the all-men’s average, and the All-Fraternity Average. The Chapter was very involved in the community through various events, as the pledge class put in an astounding 95 service hours for a highway cleanup. Other events include raising $13,000 for MS Research through our annual philanthropy. Daniel Fletcher ’06 was elected as IFC President and James Barry ’07 was elected as IFC Vice President of Risk Management. — Daniel S. Howard ’08, president,

573-874-9396, dsh6d9@mizzou.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 110 Academic: 3.11 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Missouri-Kansas CitY (ΕΛ)

Epsilon Lambda has continued to improve their philanthropic efforts this past spring through numerous events. We raised more than $3,000 when we held Beta Week, a fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital. We participated in Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and raised more than $9,000 for cancer research.

We continued to donate our time and efforts towards maintaining the Sherwood Center for the Autistic. We make a large effort to bring as many members as we can, at least once a year, to help clean up the school. We have a high rate of membership in Order of Omega. This semester, Michael Rodriguez ’08 was elected as the president, Drew Glover ’08 was elected as the Vice President of Membership, and Austin Campbell ’08 was elected as the Ritualist.

We put tremendous effort into winning Greek Week. Jason Lurk ’09 was named Greek Man of the Year. — Kenny Chuu ’09, vice president,

314-775-4347, kcgv4@umkc.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 45 Academic: 3.316 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

MIT (ΒΥ)

The spring of 2006 was a term of resurgence for Beta Upsilon. After a difficult period following a fire in our Main House, we have made considerable strides as a chapter. We have been able to create new and exciting traditions - such as a community service project, a ballroom dance formal, and faculty dinners.

The renewed commitment to the success of the Chapter has not distracted brothers from their academic commitments however, as Beta Upsilon boasts five double-majors, three campus orientation leaders, a Burchard Humanities Scholar, a GPA above the campus average, and interns for VMware, Google, and Texas Instruments. Additionally, Beta Upsilon initiated six new members. The house is currently gearing up for recruitment, and is looking forward to continued improvement and success. — Lyel L. Resner ’07, president, 631-

375-1471,lresner@mit.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 30 Academic: 2.95 RM: Satisfactory

Convention: No Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Nebraska (ΑΤ)

Alpha Tau began the spring semester with the momentum from posting a 3.430 chapter GPA in the fall, ranking second among 27 fraternities on campus. Spring saw the initiation of 22 new members. Individual honors included the induction of Russell J. Swan ’07 and Joseph G. Manasek ’07 into the Innocents Society, the Chancellor’s senior honor society.

Swan received the University’s Outstanding Junior Leadership Award, given to only one male each year. Brothers are proud to boast the accumulation of nearly 2,200 philanthropy hours throughout the course of the year. Miscellaneous highlights of the spring included a visit from the governor of Nebraska, Dave Heinemen, to speak with members of Alpha Tau about leadership and current events.

— Cuyler C. Gembol ’07, secretary, 308-870-

2184, cgembol1@bigred.unl.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 72 Academic: 3.43 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

North Carolina (Η)

After a tumultuous year, Eta is reestablishing itself as a proud chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Our scholastic commitment is strong as ever as we have achieved a GPA that was superior to the All-Men’s Average, the All-Greek Average, and the All-University Average. Several brothers have been accepted into internship programs with some very prestigious firms. The annual Charles Ish Barbee Classic, our 3-on-3 basketball tournament, occurred on April 1, 2006 with Alston Mason ’07, Clay Griffin ’07, and Chris Sneeden ’06 taking the title. Several brothers have been extremely involved with local community service organizations. In this academic year, we increased our community service effort by more than 125 percent compared with the 2004-2005 academic year. We are very excited to have Robert Umstadter as our new Leadership Consultant. His advice and support has motivated and invigorated the chapter to make some important changes that will surely contribute to our long-term success.

— Clayton K. Griffin ’07, president, 704-472-

1024, ckgriffi@email.unc.edu Advisors: 0 Members: 39 Academic: 3.16 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

North Dakota (ΓΚ)

Strong membership numbers and active advisors helped us accomplish most of our goals. The chapter participated in several community service events, including The Big Event, Relay for Life, and the Makea-Wish Walk for Wishes. We held a spaghetti dinner at the house to benefit the Josh Cole Fund in their fight against heart disease. Several men participated in leadership activities on campus. Andrew Jensen ’08 served as chief justice for the Interfraternal Council, along with Patrick Matol ’06 who served as a justice for IFC. Michael Graalum ’09, was recently elected treasurer/secretary of IFC. The future looks bright for us, and we are looking forward to the coming years. — Steven R. Mauk ’08, secretary,

515-988-5591, smauk@aero.und.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 41 Academic: 3.08 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Northwestern (Ρ)

The spring is always an exciting and busy time in Evanston. Rho initiated 18 new members in the spring. We fielded competitive teams for intramurals and many of the philanthropy events on campus including the winning team for Delta Gamma’s AnchorSplash. We organized a tennis tournament with the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma on Memorial Day with proceeds going to the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The Chapter house will be full this summer with members taking classes or working in the Chicagoland area. Eighteen brothers are graduating and will be scattered across the country. — Matthew T. Larson ’07, president,

847-332-6863, m-larson3@northwestern.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 60 Academic: 3.28

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes RM: Excellent

Nova Southeastern (ΖΜ)

At the Greek awards, Zeta Mu was recognized as being the Most Improved Chapter in the Greek system. Evan Fish ’09 was selected as for the New Greek Member of the Year Award. With three philanthropic endeavors recorded for the second semester including the nationally recognized Love Jen festival, Zeta Mu has set its eyes on even more service ventures for the next academic year.

— Evan T. Fish ’09, secretary, 954-325-2450,

efish007@aol.com Advisors: 4 Members: 21 Academic: 2.65 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Ohio (ΒΚ)

We recently held a Beta Sweetheart ceremony for Ms. Tara Gygax, during which Ilija Vadjon ’05 announced their engagement. We extend a heartfelt congratulation to the both of them, and thank them for their dedication to the Chapter. Walter Williamson ’08 was elected into the Interfraternity Council as Vice-President of New Member Education.

Beta Kappa of Ohio University holds the first place ranking in Intramural Sports on our campus. We have initiated 30 new men and are excited to share with them all the traditions and history of our fraternity. — Walter L.

Williamson III ’08, secretary, 614-798-6756, ww339704@ohio.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 62 Academic: 2.52

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes RM: Satisfactory

Oklahoma (ΓΦ)

The Chapter initiated forty-four new members, which bumped the current chapter size to 190 men. Gamma Phi took first place in OU’s University Sing Competition, second in Home-

Summer 2006

45

coming, and third place in Sooner Scandals.

This made us the only fraternity to place in all three major events. The University honored the Chapter with the President’s Award for Outstanding Campus Involvement. Our campus leaders included Top Ten Senior Mark Bicket ’06, Big Men on Campus Brad Brown ’07 and Henry Nguyen ’07, Top Twelve Sophomores Kelly Mercer ’08 and Michael Purcell ’08, and Outstanding Freshman Koby Harrington ’09.

Gamma Phi ranked second in grades with a 3.01 GPA. We established the First Annual Frensley 5K Philanthropy Run. This event honored our fallen brother, Patrick James Frensley.

With more than 300 participants, this event raised $10,000 for the American Heart Association. — Koby C. Harrington ’09, secretary,

580-695-4181, koby@ou.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 156 Academic: 3.07 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Oklahoma State (ΓΛ)

Gamma Lambda won its first IFC Sports trophy since re-colonization.

In other IFC awards, we placed second in grades for the calendar year and had the third highest number of average community service hours. We focused much of our efforts on Relay for Life in the spring.

The relay team, headed up by Jeremy Fulda ’06, raised more than $5,000. Will Hua ’06 was recently named a Top 10 Senior. Andy Hill ’08 will be running Camp Cowboy this summer as an executive director. Our new courtyard is almost finished with alumni bricks on the way!

We would like to thank you for all the donations and we hope you see it when it is finished. —

Robert Foland ’07, president, 918-261-8704, rwf2323@hotmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 120 Academic: 3.29 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Oregon (ΒΡ)

Beta Rho has made unprecedented advances.

Foremost among these is our partnership with the Men of Principle Initiative, an achievement crowning years of effort since our reorganization in 2003. Internal reforms began with the election of an all-sophomore executive council headed

by Cody Covey ’08. The Chapter returned to good standing after more than five years of probation status and recruited a record number of spring pledges. Our revamped recruitment program now includes an impressive multimedia presentation, a 35-page handbook for potential recruits, and an in-depth interview process. The Beta Rho/Delta Gamma coed team won the UO Div. II Intramural Soccer tournament 1-0! This is Beta Rho’s first intramural division championship title in two years.

With new, proven recruitment resources and momentous strides in self-governance, Beta Rho is poised to grow further beyond our standards and reach greater success in the year to come. — Joel P. Arellano ’08, secretary, 541-

46

The Beta Theta Pi

343-2262, ja24586@yahoo.com Advisors: 7 Members: 50 Academic: 2.69 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Pennsylvania (Φ)

The Phi chapter proudly concluded the year by organizing and hosting a philanthropy event benefiting the American Cancer Society. The Chapter reached out to other Greek organizations to sponsor the event, and collected almost $10,000. The Chapter initiated 26 new members into the fraternity, making Beta the largest fraternity on campus. The Chapter’s 3.48 GPA is fifth best out of 29 fraternities and remains higher than the University’s All-Male and All-Campus Averages. The Phi chapter proved itself athletically by winning the Penn Greek Intramural Cup. Over the summer The Chapter house will be renovated. All alumni are encouraged to stop by next fall for Homecoming and/or contact Alumni Chair Steve Blum at smblum@seas. upenn.edu or 267-566-1923 to update your contact information. — Andrew J. Brennan ’08,

631-766-6686, brennana@wharton.upenn.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 71 Academic: 3.48 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

PEnn State (ΑΥ)

We recently initiated 19 new members. We are excited for these new members whom we hope will carry their momentum into the next year. We participated in Dance Marathon, helping to raise nearly $50,000 for children’s cancer research.

We held our bi-annual alumni retreat that allowed our brothers to come experience the major physical improvement to our house.

It was a huge success with many returning alumni, and we all look forward to the finished product. We anticipate a strong fall semester.

— David Siegel ’07, president, 845.807.2497,

dbs189@psu.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 51 Academic: 3.18 RM: Excellent

Convention: No Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Purdue (ΒΜ)

We have had a semester full of scholastic achievements, athletic excellence, and philanthropic events. Thirteen brothers received both Dean’s List and Semester honors. Our overall chapter GPA ranks 16th among all fraternities but is above the allmen’s and All-Fraternity Averages. Intramural Athletics remains strong. We are currently in 1st place by 108 points. Our dedication to philanthropic events remains stronger than ever.

This semester, members have already participated in Delta Gamma’s AnchorSplash, Zeta Tau Alpha’s Big Man on Campus, and many others. Our fall philanthropy, Beta/Theta Grill

Off was a success raising $14,000 for CASA. We look forward to a busy summer of remodeling the Chapter house.— Jim Anderson, presi-

dent, 765-532-4853, rjanders@purdue.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 123 Academic: 2.76 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Saint Louis (ΖΤ)

We began the semester with the largest pledge class at SLU and initiated 13 Betas.

We were honored at the Order of Omega awards banquet as the Most Distinguished Chapter. Our former Brian Strassburge ’06, received the Outstanding IFC Involvement Award. He received the Leadership in Greek Life Award from the Division of Student Development. Together the pledge class and active members went on to become intramural champions in several different sports. At the end of the semester we said good-bye and good luck to our graduating seniors. — Joseph S. Piehl

’08, vice president, 414-331-9791 Advisors: 7 Members: 77 Academic: N/A RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

San Diego

The San Diego Colony is very proud to have initiated a total of 17 new brothers. We recently elected a new Executive Board for the fall.

The San Diego Colony held its first annual Beta Toast, bringing brothers, alumni, parents, teachers and faculty from the University of San Diego together to honor those who have supported the vision and goals of the Colony.

The Toast was an opportunity to show the community what we have accomplished since our founded. Josh Lasensky ’06 was awarded Brother of the Year, Joseph Burns ’07 was awarded Beta of the Year, and Mike Ting ’08 was awarded Scholar of the Year. We recognized San Diego marketing professor Tom Minnich, Cincinatti ’60, as faculty of the year.

Two Betas have been elected and now serve on USD’s Interfraternity Council for 2006: Pat Liberatore as Vice President of Programming and Brady Johnson as Vice President of Public Relations. — Joseph A. Quiroz ’07,

jquiroz@sandiego.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 57 Academic: 3.16 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $3.16 Ritual: Yes

Sewanee (ΓΧ)

The brothers of Gamma Chi are thrilled to report the initiation of nine men. Earlier this spring, under the leadership of Alex Caffey ’08, the Chapter organized the First Annual Kickball for Cancer. The evemt raised more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society. Four brothers were elected to the University Honor Council and one to the University Discipline Committee. Brothers continue to be involved in community service through Habitat for Humanity and maintain-

ing a little league field. Overall, we have had a very successful semester and look forward to homecoming next semester when we can once again see brothers from years past. — Edward

C. Welch ’08, vice president, 931-598-2479, ewelch@sewanee.edu

tions, Chapter Excellence in Risk Management, Chapter Excellence in Chapter Operations, Chapter Excellence in Campus Chapter Involvement, and Best Collaboration (The Ebony & Ivory Step Show with the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Multicultural Sorority). — David B. Kmetz

Advisors: 0 Members: 23 Academic: N/A RM: Excellent

Advisors: 4 Members: 30 Academic: 2.49

Convention: No Finance: $601.46 Ritual: Yes

South Dakota (ΓΑ)

The spring semester for Gamma Alpha was full of difficulties and accomplishments. We decided, after much thought and consideration, to make the house dry. Gamma Alpha recorded the highest fraternity GPA on campus with a cumulative GPA of 3.2. Several members of The Chapter were very involved with the Head Start Program in Vermillion. Our intramural softball team had a successful season. We are looking forward to the summer and the fall to build on our successes and move away from our failures.

— Chris Barondeau ’08, president, Christopher.

Barondeau@usd.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 9 Academic: 3.20 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $519.16 Ritual: N/A

South (ΖΒ)

Florida

Zeta Beta has initiated 16 men. The Oxford Ball was an event that brought brothers together for an great evening of reflection. The chapter has brothers in IFC, student government, and various sports clubs. Kyle Myers ’07 was recognized by the University as the Greek Man of the Year. Barclay Harless ’08 was elected the Senate President. IFC pointed to the chapter as the Most Improved. We have filled The Chapter house and have made steps to make the house a better place to live in.

— Joseph G. Monte II ’07, secretary, 813-988-

2508, bullstar07@yahoo.com Advisors: 5 Members: 48 Academic: 2.52 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Southern Illinois (ΖΟ)

The spring semester was encouraging as 3 men were initiated at the Hall of Chapters in Oxford, Ohio. The Chapter participated in two important events: Relay for Life and the Special Olympics. The SIU Greek Awards ceremony was a pinnacle moment. Miles Bardell ’07 was honored with the IFC President of the Year and Social Man of the Year Awards. Bradley Sill ’08 won Greek God of the Year. The Chapter took home many awards that night: Overall Excellence as the Best Greek Chapter, Greek Week Champions, IFC Chapter Excellence Award, Chapter Achievement in Recruitment & Development, Chapter Excellence in Promotions/Public Rela-

’07, secretary, 815-822-3839, dkmetz@siu.edu Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes RM: Excellent

in the nation. Epsilon Eta teamed up with the Ladies of Pi Beta Phi for this project. Make sure you stop by the Beta Theta Pi tent during the 2006 Texas A&M football season. — Todd

A. Hunter ’08, president, 361-774-9654, toddahunterjr@yahoo.com Advisors: 4 Members: 75 Academic: 2.824 RM: Excellent

Texas A&MCorpus Christi (ΖΡ)

Tennessee (∆Κ)

Delta Kappa is moving forward. After a serious financial campaign by the undergraduates and the alumni, we have secured a house on the fraternity row. With this new facility, Delta Kappa hopes to move to the top of the Greek system at UT. Three members of Delta Kappa have been initiated into the Order of Omega. We have the highest GPA on campus among all fraternities. This spring we helped raise over $3,300 for St Jude Children’s hospital. The annual Orange and White cookout was attracted about 20 alumni who came to the house fellowship, and to see the football team in action. — Paul M. Chinetti ’08, president,

865-522-0070, pchinett@utk.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 11 Academic: 3.00 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Texas (ΒΟ)

Beta Omicron celebrated two momentous occasions this semester: the 120th anniversary of The Chapter, and a national championship for the Longhorns football team. We extend our gratitude to the brothers of Gamma Nu (UCLA) for their hospitality towards those who made the trip to Pasadena.

After a successful spring rush, Beta Omicron built momentum with a strong social, athletic, and philanthropic calendar. One of our largest events of the semester was the Second Annual Texas Beta Golf Classic, which was well attended by more than fifty participants.

We hope this brotherhood event becomes a tradition for The Chapter. Finally, thanks to our Alumni Association for their ardent support and involvement with the active chapter. Hook ’em Horns! — Jess P. Randall ’08, secretary,

512-391-0370, jessrandall@mail.texas.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 39 Academic: 2.67 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $2,222.38 Ritual: Yes

Texas A&M (ΕΗ)

At the Texas A&M Greek Gala, John Zimmer ’06 received the Greek Man of the Year Award and Todd Hunter Jr. ’08 received the Emerging Leader Award. Hunter was elected to the postion of Off-Campus Senator.

Madison Marceau ’08 is the newly elected Director of Philanthropy/Community Service for the IFC. The Chapter participated in the Big Event, the largest student-run service project

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Zeta Rho continues to strive for excellence on the Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Campus.

Several highly regarded leadership positions have been held by members during the past year including: IFC President, IFC Vice President ofgtf Recruitment, IFC Vice President of Fiance, Student Government Vice President and Senator. The Chapter gained recognition by the University for their support of the Jared Holt ’07 and the Islander basketball team. During the spring semester, Zeta Rho partnered with the Junior League of Corpus Christi to participate in upcoming community service events. Throughout the year Zeta Rho has worked to attain its first Sisson Award. This goal was met at the 167th convention. — Josh

L. Machicek ’06, president, 512-395-5675, joshualaynemachicek@hotmail.com Advisors: 5 Members: 20 Academic: 2.60 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Texas-Arlington (∆Ρ)

We began the spring semester with strong recruitment, adding 7 new members to our ranks. Scholastically, we attained a GPA above the All-Fraternity, all-men’s, and all-undergraduate GPA. In an effort consistent with the principle of Commitment to the Community, we have set a minimum “one-philanthropy-a-month” goal. In our first annual Beta 500 we raised more than $2,000 for the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and collected 2,200 articles of clothing for Mission-Arlington. This summer we sent 9 members to leadership opportunities, a record for The Chapter. In addition, Ryan Hoopes ’07 was voted “Mr. UTA,” and three members were inducted into the Greek honor society, Alpha Gamma Sigma. With an increasing record of involvement, leadership and excellence, you can expect great things from Delta Rho. — Nicholas T. Chappell ’07, secretary, 713-301-

6622, ntchapp@yahoo.com Advisors: 3 Members: 38 Academic: 2.63 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Texas Tech (∆Μ)

We finished above the AllFraternity Average for the 20th consecutive semester.

During the Relay for Life, we paired with the Delta Delta Delta sorority and raised more than $4,000 dollars.

Summer 2006

47

Adam Lawlis ’07 was elected as the president for Order of Omega and two other officer positions were filled by Betas. Delta Mu has two brothers joining the Homecoming committee, and two more joining the highly competitive FOCUSlubbock steering committee. Carson Runge ’07 and Ronald Racho ’07 both joined Mortar Board this spring, recognizing the top 50 seniors on campus. Eight brothers joined Student Government. The Chapter finished third in the intramural chase but won the All-Greek basketball championship. Fifteen alumni joined us for our annual spring formal and more than 300 people were in attendance.

— Thomas R. Todd ’07, president, 512-415-

4841, rtoddbeta@hotmail.com Advisors: 4 Members: 113 Academic: 2.82 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Toronto (ΘΖ)

Led by the excitement of a class of nine men and the leadership of an experienced executive, the Theta Zeta chapter continues to thrive. The Chapter sent four representatives to the first Keystone Leadership Conference in St Louis. The brothers were thrilled to learned many new ideas, which were implemented upon their return. The spring finished a strong philanthropic season with the MS Walk in April.

Theta Zeta welcomed four new brothers in the spring, three of whom are varsity athletes. With strong alumni support, the Theta Zeta chapter eagerly anticipated hosting the annual convention this summer. The convention marks the 100th anniversary of Beta in Canada, and will include hundreds of Canadian Betas. — Dimi-

trios J. Mylonas ’07, secretary, 416-807-5736, Dpgc_33@msn.com Advisors: 6 Members: 22 Academic: 2.83 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $824.02 Ritual: N/A

Utah (ΓΒ)

We initiated 17 new members during the fall and finished our spring semester adding another nine individuals to the rolls. The chapter maintained a 2.9 cumulative GPA for the fall semester, led by Neel Limaye who holds a 3.93 cumulative GPA. Other accomplishments include IFC Vice President Mike Halverson 08’ receiving the Perry Stanford Darger award, presented annually to the most distinguished sophomore.

Gamma Beta raised $5,000 to support the Lindsey Morris Cancer Foundation honoring the life of a daughter, sister and niece of brothers from Gamma Beta. — Nicholas Macey ’07,

president, 801-694-0844, nick@the801.com Advisors: 5 Members: 76 Academic: 2.78 RM: Excellent

Villanova (ΖΕ)

We initiated 12 new members with three in the fall and nine in the spring.

Zeta Epsilon finished with a 3.22 average GPA, which ranks first of any fraternity.

Our Beta Rose Pageant in the fall and Ducky Race in the spring both raised more than $1,500, which was donated to the Cerebral Palsy Research Center of Delaware County.

In addition to those philanthropic events, the brothers of Zeta Epsilon put together an event with Kappa Delta sorority, in which all proceeds were used to assemble CARE packages for troops stationed in Iraq. John Von Euw ’08 was elected president of the Student Government Association, and Steven Noto ’08 was elected IFC vice president of relations. — Joseph R. Monani ’07, president,

551-404-3172, joseph.monani@villanova.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 40 Academic: 3.22 RM: Excellent

Truman State (ΖΞ)

The men of Zeta Xi continue to enjoy great success. Last fall, The Chapter posted a 3.41 GPA, which was first among fraternities. Recently, we were named most outstanding fraternity for the second consecutive year. We proudly celebrated our second consecutive intramural championship. This comes after Zeta Xi placed first in Greek week, and after Clay Sanger ’07 was elected the Greek Week King. We are proud to report that the current IFC president, Order of Omega president, homecoming king, and outgoing student body president are all brothers of Zeta Xi. We sent nine brothers to leadership opportunities over the summer. — Grant D. Tower ’07, secretary,

660-785-4949, gdt630@truman.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 95 Academic: 3.41 RM: Excellent

48

The Beta Theta Pi

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Convention: Yes Finance: $2,137.26 Ritual: Yes

Virginia Tech (ΑΦ)

In Toronto over the summer, Alpha Phi became the first chapter in Beta Theta Pi history to win a Sisson and Knox award during their charter year. The “Triple Crown” was a tremendous achievement. Alpha Phi was ranked #1 in grades for the fall and spring semesters, reviving a historic precedent of academic achievement. In their first year of eligibility for the IFC Greek Awards, Alpha Phi was a finalist for 22 of the 24 awards. Among the seven awards won, Steve Brylski ’06 was recognized as the Greek Man of the Year.

Alpha Phi was connected to such community service organizations as the Special Olympics, the Big Event, a local food bank, and Relay for Life. The Chapter was proud to initiate 10 new members. A silver seal banquet was held to honor those who have been members of Beta Theta Pi for 25 years or longer. — William Hung

’07, secretary, 718-662-6178, whung@vt.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 61 Academic: 3.07 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Wabash (Τ)

The Tau excelled in both academics and campus leadership.

The Chapter won the scholarship award for all living units in the fall with a 3.23 GPA and in the spring they placed second overall with a 3.17 GPA. Betas hold positions in over 15 campus organizations. Josh Coons ’07 was elected to replace Josh Owens ’07 as the IFC president for the next year. Adam Kirsch ’07 is the president of the College Democrats and Barron Hewetson ’08 is the president of College Republicans.

Seven Betas hold positions on the Student Senate. Sean Clerget ’09 won the Wabash College Freshman All-Around Achievement Award.

— Joshua D. Owens ’07, president, 317-902-

5740, owensjo@wabash.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 59 Academic: 3.23 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Washington (ΒΩ)

After another quarter of academic success, intramural performance, and philanthropic participation, morale is high for Beta Omega. The Chapter had the highest GPA among fraternities with over 30 members. In addition, our intramural teams outperformed and out participated every fraternity in the Greek system with more than double the intramural points of our closest competitor. Beta Omega is looking forward to the upcoming year, recruiting another new member class, planning alumni events for the summer, and building upon last year’s success. — Russell E. Ettinger ’07, 206-526-7311,

rett5@u.washington.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 95 Academic: 3.37 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Washington & Jefferson (Γ)

It has been an exciting spring semester at W&J. Gamma was above the All-Men’s GPA Average. In the spring we had a blood drive that went well, and we sold pretzels to help raise money for a high school scholarship. We initiated nine new members at the end of April. This coming October is when homecoming will be held. During the spring Gamma Chapter won AnchorSplash for the fifth year in a row. We started living in the new house, and it has gone well so far. — Jef-

frey C. Steiner ’08, secretary, 724-503-1070, steinerjc@washjeff.edu Advisors: 7 Members: 40 Academic: 2.87 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Washington-St. Louis (ΑΙ)

Alpha Iota has enjoyed a prosperous spring semester.

We continue to strive for academic excellence, rank-

ing second among all fraternities with a fall GPA of 3.43, and with four brothers receiving a 4.0. Our brothers remain extremely involved on campus and continue to excel in high ranking leadership positions such as President and Treasurer of Student Union. We continue to do well in Greek events, winning Kappa Kappa Gamma’s philanthropic event, Kappa Karaoke. We held our annual faculty appreciation dinner and the Fraternal Fifties reunion. Alpha Iota again partnered with Chi Omega sorority for the annual Thurtene Carnival. Together, we raised more than $5,000 for St. Louis Scores, an after school program for underprivileged children. Additionally, we were awarded Best Production for our originally scripted, scored, and choreographed musical. — David J. Phillips

’08, secretary, 314-608-9404, djphilli@artsci. wustl.edu Advisors: 4 Members: 75 Academic: 3.44 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Washington State (ΓΘ)

Gamma Theta has been working hard towards the Sisson Award while maintaining strong alumni relations. Gamma Theta held a formal dinner to which the Mayor of Pullman, the president of Washington State University, and Guy Perham ’50 were all present. The dinner was a tremendous success and we will make it an annual event. We will initiate the spring pledge class of five over the summer. The Men of Gamma Theta are looking forward to recruitment and the start of the fall semester. — Nicholas R.

Antich ’04, 509-333-5052, nantich@wsu.edu Advisors: 6 Members: 51 Academic: 3.02 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

West Virginia (ΒΨ)

The Beta Psi chapter has enjoyed large significant growth and improvement this spring semester. We welcomed eight promising young men into our numbers, making it the second largest pledge class on campus. This semester we made it our goal to become more active in the community by participating in programs such as Relay for Life, an overnight campout for Habitat for Humanity, and our successful philanthropy, which raised money for Mario Lemieux’s breast cancer foundation. Lastly, we sponsored a golf tournament where alumni and undergraduate brothers enjoyed the afternoon together. We are planning an alumni tailgate during homecoming weekend in October. Please contact the Chapter for further information. — Dustin D. Harrison ’08, secretary, 507-398-2435, dharri13@mix.wvu.edu Advisors: 0 Members: 50 Academic: 2.75 RM: Excellent

Convention: No Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Western Ontario (∆Α)

Delta Alpha is poised for future growth. The chapter looked forward to a strong showing at the General Convention in near-by Toronto.

One of the highlights of the year was a valiant effort in the Interfraternal Hockey Championships. After a strong season, we placed second, losing in the finals in a shootout. With much of the team returning next year, we have our eyes set on nothing but the championship. — Ryan T. McLaughlin ’05,

519-630-6116, ryantmclaughlin@hotmail.com Advisors: 1 Members: 39 Academic: 3.00 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Westminster (Α∆)

Alpha Delta has ended the year on a high note. Greek Week 2006 was a complete success, with the Chapter taking home the overall victory. We held a BBQ for the American Cancer Society, which has contributed more than $4,500 during the past five years. Joseph E. Eichacker ’07 was named to the highly prestigious Skulls of Seven Society. The Chapter came away with a championship in intramural football. The nine members on the varsity baseball team have had significant playing time, helping the team compete for a spot in the national tournament. Finally the Westminster alumni weekend was a success, with many of the alumni returning for a fun filled weekend. — Brandon

A. Schafer ’09, secretary, 573-592-5722, schafeba@westminster-mo.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 49 Academic: 2.75 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

William & Mary (ΖΥ)

Zeta Upsilon celebrated its best recruitment this spring since the colonization in 2001, initiating 13 new members. The Chapter anticipates great things from this talented group of men. At the Greek Awards ceremony, Zeta Upsilon proudly received three awards; Excellence in Membership Recruitment, Excellence in Member Education and Judd Kennedy ’08 was recognized with the Outstanding New Member Award. This spring, Zeta Upsilon launched a new philanthropy holding the First Annual College Charity Bowl, a basketball tournament at the varsity stadium involving fraternities to promote the theme of “interfraternalism.” The Chapter sold wristbands and raised money through sponsorships for the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation. — William

C. Jernigan ’08, public relations chairman, 757-221-4537, wcjern@wm.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 49 Academic: 3.11 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: Yes

Wisconsin (ΑΠ)

After a smaller-than-usual fall new member class, we rebounded with a spring class of that was our largest in a decade. The Chapter GPA was once again above 3.0, making this the 10th straight semester we have achieved that pillar of success. Alpha Pi have excelled outside of the classroom as well, taking second in intramural basketball. After our alumni generously got a new roof for our house, we decided to give back to the community in that same manner, logging more manhours towards philanthropic endeavors than usual. — Jon A. Gaynor ’08, gaynor@wisc.edu Advisors: 3 Members: 48 Academic: 3.04 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

WisconsinOshkosh (ΖΖ)

Zeta Zeta completed their quarterly highway clean-up and helped organize the Roseanne Hoefel 5K Diversity Run/Walk. The Chapter has one member on the IFC exec board, two Senators for the Oshkosh Student Association, and the newly appointed Director of Greek Life, Korie Mertens, Oshkosh ’08 on the Oshkosh Student Association.

This summer the Chapter house will undergo some significant remodeling with the help of parents and alumni. Housing Corporation and the undergraduate chapter are working to improve the annual Alumni/Active Softball Outing, which everyone is earnestly looking forward to for this coming fall. — Benjamin D.

Thornsberry ’07, president, 651-269-8983, thornb82@uwosh.edu Advisors: 5 Members: 19 Academic: 2.32 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Yale (ΦΧ)

Phi Chi ended the year having initiated eight new members to the fraternity. We showed a strong commitment to the community by participating in Relay for Life as well as other small philanthropy events. The current president Adam Clark-Joseph ’07 continued the Chapter’s history of academic achievement by being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society. The Phi Chi chapter had a successful year in athletics with Drew Marticorena ’08, Paul Harvey-Weiner ’08, and James Pollack ’09 led the way in rugby. Kevin Pudas ’07, Louis Krasenics ’07, and Colin Stalnecker ’08 scored points for the Yale Swim Team. Coxswain Alfred Shikany ’07 was instrumental in the success of the heavyweight crew team. — Kevin J. Pudas

’07, pledge educator, 401-261-1003, kevin. pudas@yale.edu Advisors: 1 Members: 37 Academic: 3.35 RM: Excellent

Convention: Yes Finance: $0.00 Ritual: N/A

Summer 2006

49

GENERAL FRATERNITY OFFICER REPORTS Reaching New Heights

In 2005-06, our Fraternity reached new heights in many areas. While some of these milestones are just steps along the way to our goals, others are truly remarkable.

Beta’s reputation as “The Leadership Fraternity” continues to grow. Collegiate member participation in General Fraternity-sponsored leadership programs is on track to increase more than 32% this year. More than 96% of our chapters and more than 20% of our collegiate members will be represented.

The new Keystone Regional Leadership Conference was piloted successfully in two regions this year. Chapter presidents were able to share much of their work from the Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy with their executive boards at a professionally-facilitated weekend program focused on chapter operations. The program will be expanded in the coming year and each year thereafter until every chapter has an annual session within reach.

This was the first full year of the Fraternity’s new Risk Management Rating System. Fully 86% of our chapters completed 200506 with a rating of “Excellent.” Eleven percent more had a rating of “Satisfactory,” leaving only three percent in the “Unsatisfactory” category. Our good record of reporting and reputation for follow-up has been enhanced by this system — and it has helped us keep our per member insurance fee among the lowest of all fraternities.

For many years now, it has been the goal of the General Secretary and the Board to recruit five-person advisory teams for each chapter. While there is still much work to be done, I am pleased to report that, at the end of this academic year, 75% of Beta chapters had reached this goal. This represents a 12% increase over last year, and 40% over the year before.

David W. Wright Ohio State ’67

General Secretary Brother Wright (left) with former Canadian Prime Minister John N.W. Turner, British Columbia ’49.

Following on the heels of last year’s success, four new colonies were established: Iowa, Florida International, Bethany and Eastern Kentucky. In 2006-07, we will expand to six locations: Southern California, Iowa State, Kettering, Dayton and Miami (Florida.) Our Fraternity’s growing reputation as an organization with quality men in quality chapters means that, more and more, Beta Theta Pi is the fraternity of choice on college campuses.

Traditionally, Beta Theta Pi has held itself to the highest standards. It is rapidly becoming the expectation that our Fraternity will meet or exceed all standards, whether established on an interfraternal level by our peer organizations or by the administrations of our host institutions. Regretfully, we found it necessary to withdraw from five campuses this year because of our failure to perform. However, we know that our proven recruitment and expansion model will provide a strong return at the appropriate time.

Beta’s volunteer structure is an awesome thing. Including chapter advisors, district chiefs and assistant chiefs, regional directors, board members, Foundation directors and General Fraternity officers, more than 1,000 volunteers are at work helping Beta achieve success.

Together, we have moved Most, but not all of them are Betas. There are also parents, school administrators, Greek closer to our vision: to make affairs professionals, coaches and community members who see the value in what Beta provides and they are stepping forward to help.

Beta Theta Pi the standard by which all collegiate frater- As I enter my last year as General Secretary, I am truly in awe of all that we — collegiate and nal societies are measured. alumni members, friends of Beta and the Fraternity’s many friends — have accomplished.

Together, we have moved ever closer to our vision — to make Beta Theta Pi the standard by which all collegiate fraternal societies are measured.

Contact General Secretary Wright at aoffice@wooglin.com.

50

The Beta Theta Pi

A Great and Good Fraternity

It is a great privilege and honor for me to serve on the Board of Trustees and to be associated with talented and dedicated individuals who play such a significant role in the operation and management of our Great and Good Fraternity. Each member of the Board of Trustees oversees specific areas of operation for the General Fraternity.

John V. Conway South Dakota ’56 Vice President

Brother Conway (left) presents the Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award to Virginia Tech’s David Campbell ’07.

The Men of Principle Task Force has been working to define the process to align Men of Principle with all chapters.

In his first year, President Tom Purinton has been the Keynote speaker at six Beta and non-Beta functions. He attended NIC conferences and various Beta alumni receptions, awarded the Shepardson Award to three outstanding Betas and has been a facilitator at The Institute for Men of Principle each summer since its inception in 1999.

Dave Wright completed his fifth year as General Secretary. He continues to devote countless hours and boundless energy to the day-to-day operations of the Fraternity.

His dedication to the development of a volunteer corps has resulted in a significant number of volunteers to assist chapters in their growth. These volunteers consist of both Betas and non-Betas.

John Stebbins completed his sixth and final year as General Treasurer of Beta Theta Pi. During that time he has been a member of both the Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the financial condition of Beta Theta Pi has considerably improved each year. He has been instrumental in the success of the largest fund raising campaign in fraternal history.

Over the past two years, Vice President Marty Haskell has taken on the responsibility of guiding the Board of Trustees through an in-depth review of the manner in which the Board fulfills its obligations to the General Fraternity. This has included improving the understanding of its role, planning its succession, beginning the adoption of a strategic plan and documenting and cataloging its procedures and decisions.

“Successful” is the word to describe last year’s efforts with regards to expansion for Beta Theta Pi. Under the guidance of Vice President Charlie Warner, Beta returned to three campuses where we once had proud chapters: Iowa, Bethany and Eastern Kentucky. We also expanded onto the campus of Florida International, an institution that will add greatly to our beloved fraternity.

Under the direction of Vice President David Schmidt, the Men of Principle Task Force has been working to define the process to align Men of Principle with all chapters. A presentation will be made to the Board of Trustees at the fall meeting in Oxford that will include the proposed timeline, challenges, communication plan, staff requirements and resources needs.

The Board of Trustees continues to meet quarterly in various regions of the U.S. and Canada. This year we met in Oxford, Dallas, Boise and Toronto. At each location, highly successful alumni receptions were held to promote life-long brotherhood and keep our cherished alumni informed regarding the activities and state of our fraternity.

The Board of Trustees looks forward to another productive and progressive year in 2006-07. We encourage all alumni to visit Beta’s web site at www.betathetapi.org.

Contact Vice President Conway at john.conway@cox.net.

Summer 2006

51

The Diamond and Three Stars

Beta Theta Pi lost her beloved and dedicated Archivist H.H. Stephenson, Miami ’39 this year. Better known as “Hi,” Brother Stephenson dedicated the latter part of his life to the maintenance, growth and preservation of Beta Theta Pi’s archives. In his 30 years of volunteering, Brother Stephenson touched thousands of Betas’ lives, most noticeably through his guided tours of Harrison Hall and the Beta Campanile at Miami University, and the Administrative Office and Museum. He was always willing to assist brothers in their research of Beta and Fraternity-related history. On a personal note, H.H. was a dear friend and mentor to me. When I was an undergraduate, he helped me research my own chapter history and gave me my first Beta tour of Oxford when I was a junior. His smile, helping hand and love for Beta Theta Pi will be missed for many years to come by all who were fortunate to know him.

Eric J. Eickhoff Ohio Wesleyan ’00 Assistant Archivist

125 Beta badges and sweetheart pins, complete the Beta, Theta and a part of the Pi on the Wall of Badges.

Beta Theta Pi will carry on the work and legacy of Brother Stephenson. The Wall of Badges in the Museum will be an area of focus. Since the creation of the Wall of Badges in 1994, we have placed 125 Beta badges and sweetheart pins, allowing us to complete the Beta, Theta and a part of the Pi. We are still in great need for more badge donations. One of the goals for the Wall of Badges this year is to complete the Pi section, which will require approximately 28 more badges by the 2007 Convention.

We hope to finish the diamond and three stars within the next three years. As a way to better organize the Wall of Badges, we developed a system to catalogue and diagram each of the badges on the Wall. It was a lengthy process, but will allow us to know approximately how many badges we need to finish the Wall as well as identify the badges we have been given.

Recently, we rediscovered Francis W. Shepardson’s journal of historical notes. It is in beautiful condition and contains a great amount of information about all aspects of the Fraternity’s history. In an effort to preserve it and allow others to learn from one of Beta’s most influential members, we will be copying it into a word document. This will be a lengthy process as there are more than 400 pages of notes. Another long term goal that we have for the archives is to begin to digitize important documents, photographs, chapter coats of arms and allegories contained in the fireresistant vault. It is our hope that by digitizing such documents, we can increase the access that brothers have to tangible aspects of Beta Theta Pi’s history. It is our ultimate goal to create digital archives for each chapter for use in chapter histories, new member education programs and chapter newsletters. The first steps are being taken toward this process as we are scanning each of the allegories found in the Beta Theta Pi catalogue of 1882.

With the passing of Brother Stephenson, we do not have a full-time archivist to tend to the needs of the museum and archives. Efforts to ensure that the archives receives the attention it deserves have been made but no long-term solution has been identified. We hope that during the period when there is no full-time archivist that the work of other volunteers and the archives intern can provide the needed attention to the preservation of Beta Theta Pi’s cherished history.

Contact the assistant archivist at cadmus1641@msn.com.

52

The Beta Theta Pi

Thomas C. Olver Central Michigan ’98 Editor

Brother Olver (left) with former General Treasurer John Stebbins, Emory ’92 and Dr. Ferd del Pizzo, Washington in St. Louis ’58.

State-of-the-Art Communications

When beginning this endeavor nearly five years ago, I shared the following goals for my term of service as editor: 1) to maintain balance in the composition and selection of content, 2) to increase the number of contributing writers and 3) to ultimately raise the collective consciousness of our members on issues of importance to the growth and development of the Greek movement. My team and I continue to strive toward these ends.

Steven M. Brylski, Virginia Tech ’06, joined the department in May, assuming responsibilities as associate editor, and will serve as a liaison for the Chapter Services department, focusing on volunteer development. We are pleased to welcome Steve to our Communications team.

The magazine budget for FY ’06 was $170,090, which included all aspects of prepress operations, printing and mailing of four issues. I am pleased to report that actual production costs for FY ’06 were under budget by approximately $14,000.

Our goal is to enhance the The 56-page summer 2005 issue cost integration of the magazine $32,381.93 to publish and had a circulation of 50,562. The cost-per-book was $0.64 and the with the web site.

cost-per-page was $505.97. The 80-page fall 2005 issue cost $64,985.54 to publish and had a circulation of 99,397. The costper-book was $0.65 and the cost-per-page was $812.32. The 56-page winter 2006 issue cost $30,333.84 to publish and had a circulation of 51,080. The cost-perbook was $0.59 and the cost-per-page was $583.34. The 48-page spring 2006 issue cost $29,577.63 to publish and had a circulation of 48,875. The cost-per-book was $0.61 and the cost-per-page was $616.20.

In the coming months, our goal is to enhance the integration of the magazine with the web site. We intend to create a truly on-line magazine using state-of-the-art software that will allow members to review and comment on articles, view additional photos, download audio interviews, and much more. E-Subscribers will continue to be notified when a new issue is available on-line and, of course, all Betas with good addresses will continue to receive the fall issue via postal mail.

In the past four issues, we have written 22 feature articles, providing insight into the lives of prominent Betas, detailed coverage of the Fraternity’s remarkable leadership development programs, highlights of chapter successes and in-depth analysis of issues important to the Greek community. In this issue, we are piloting a new department, Center Stage (p.12), which features members in the entertainment industry. More than 3,889 Betas have been included in the past four issues and the magazine published text and stories from several hundred contributing writers.

B. Hume Morris Centre ’60 Historian

A Story That Should Be Told

Your historian has continued work on the history of the Fraternity from 1960 to 2000, to augment and supplement that contained in the Faithful Home.

Between speaking engagements, I have been working on and researching the role of Beta Theta Pi in the founding of other Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. It is, I believe, both amazing and instructive that our Great and Good Fraternity was, in demonstrably major ways, provably instrumental in the founding of Alpha Chi Omega (originally Alpha kai Omega), Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Psi. My recent research leads me to conclude that she was also instrumental in the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha.

If so, that would mean that we are, in meaningful ways, connected to two of the best traditionally black fraternities.

If so, that is a story that should be told, and I am preparing to tell it. I continue to be honored to be the historian of our cherished Beta Theta Pi, and I hope to be able to continue to tell her story, her wonderful story, in the future.

Contact the historian at humemorris@aol.com.

Contact the editor at tolver@wooglin.com.

Summer 2006

53

Mystic S [Mystic Shrine]

company practices including an open-door policy with employees and emphasis on research. He later founded venture capital firm Doan Associates and Doan Resources Corp., an investment company. Survived by wife Anna Junia; daughters Alexandra Anne, Christine and Ruth, and sons Jeffrey and Michael.

Alabama

McNeff, Dr. Joseph C. Jr. ’68, May 15

In Loving Memory

Amherst

Chapman, G. Brainerd III (Bray) ’33, Feb. 16, 2005. His military career included serving in the JA’s section of the Army Air Force as an executive officer attached to General Eisenhower’s command. He won the Bronze Star, three Battle Stars and the Italian decoration of Knight Officer of the Crown, retiring as a colonel. He practiced law in Chicago for 50 years. A senior partner and on the management committee for three law firms, he was an avid sailor and skier. He remained active as Amherst volunteer, serving as chairman of the Alumni Fund committee, and he received the Amherst Medal for Eminent Service in 1969. Survived by wife (of 50 years) Martha.

Maras, Robert B. ’55, Oct. 24. Majored in fine arts and had a career in design.

Reppa, Dr. Robert B. ’41, Aug. 23, 2005.

Served in the Army during WWII, he was captured by Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and sent to prisoner of war camps where he finally escaped after a year. He remained in the Army and was a staff officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. Upon retiring, he earned a master’s degree and PhD in government and politics, and was named assistant vice chancellor to administer the University’s statewide activities. Survived by wife Jane, daughter Katherine and two grandsons.

Bowdoin

MacDermid, John S. ’53, Jan. 5

California-Berkeley

Steckmest, Francis W. ’38, Jan. 9

California-Los Angeles Moore, John M. ’49, Jan. 31

Cincinnati

Fite, Dean P. ’35, April 9. Served in the Army as first lieutenant during WWII, receiving the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. He worked for Proctor and Gamble, and became vice president and a member of the Board of Directors. He received the Great Living Cincinnatian Award and was in “Who’s Who in America.” Wife (of 66 years) Norma passed away in 2002.

Survived by daughter Nancy Stockmann, son David, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Kraushar, Robert P. (Bob) ’47, March 15. Served in the Army during WWII. He was a teacher and administrator for the Cincinnati Public Schools, and co-founder/ owner of Camp Wildbrook. Survived by wife Florence; daughters Gayle Lucas and Karen Barnes; Beta sons R. Gary ’75, Dr. B. Scott, Ohio State ’76, and Dr. David J., Ohio State ’86, and 12 grandchildren (including Beta grandsons Matthew S., Purdue ’07 and Rob M., Purdue ’03.)

Colgate

Blanchard, Warren C. ’46, Sept. 12, 2005. Served in Army Air Corps during WWII, retiring as a major from the Air Force Reserves. He owned and operated Culligan Soft Water with his brother. Survived

54

Beta Theta TheThe Beta Theta Pi Pi

Davidson

Ted Doan, Cornell ’45

by children and Beta son Warren C. Jr. ’67.

Mugler, Milton W. Jr. ’50, April 23, 2005 Thomas, John K. ’38, Aug. 21, 2005. He was an executive director of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce.

Colorado

Brown, Richard E. ’43, May 30. Served in the Navy during WWII as a gunnery officer.

He had a career in building products and was sales manager with Steves Sash and Door Co., and then as regional sales manager for the Visador Co. During retirement, he enjoyed genealogy. Survived by daughters Cynthia and Susan, son Richard, six grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

Colorado College

Rivers, Geoffrey A. ’65, April 3. He was a prominent local attorney, starting out with the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

Moved back to Muncie and joined the firm of Hampton, Robinson, Quirk and Rivers. He practiced law for more than 30 years as a public defender and in private practice. He was active in several professional organizations. Enjoyed family travel, snow skiing and scuba diving. Survived by wife (of 30 years) Sara, daughter Susan Mulanax, sons Gregory and Mark, and three granddaughters. Beta brother Thomas A. ’62.

Colorado School of Mines Stennis, Samuel Y. ’38, Dec. 7. He joined ASARCO zinc smelter as a chemist and later was plant manager, then became an assistant to the copper refinery manager.

He was active in a variety of organizations. In 1982, he was named the Texas Volunteer Industrial Developer of the Year.

Survived by wife (of 63 years) Elsie; sons Sudie, Sam and Robert; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Cornell

Doan, Herbert D. (Ted) ’45, May 16 (pictured above). He was a businessman, scientist, venture capitalist and philanthropist. The last Dow family member to serve as chief executive of Dow Chemical Co., he served as president and CEO from 1962-71. Remembered for setting a goal of 10 percent earnings growth per year early in his tenure, he implemented

Blackstock, Jerry B. ’66, April 1. He was one of Atlanta’s most respected lawyers, having amassed more than 35 years of trial experience and litigated some 200 trials. Senior partner and chairman of the litigation practice at Powell, Goldstein, Frazer and Murphy until 2002, he later joined Hunton and Williams. His list of awards and accomplishments are extensive, and his expertise in intellectual property was recognized internationally.

He appeared in various listings of the states top 10 lawyers. The Georgia Bar Association named him Defense Attorney of the Year for 2002 and the Atlanta Bar Association presented him its Leadership Award in March 2006. Survived by wife (of 39 years) Margaret; sons Towner, Michael and Kendrick, and one granddaughter.

Duke

Larsen, Kevin J. ’02, Nov. 6 Ray, Jack L. ’49, March 1. He was a proud alumnus and loyal supporter of the Duke chapter. In early 1959, he and his friend Senator James Allen purchased controlling stock of the First State Bank of Altoona.

His management and promotion style made the bank a major contender. He later bought another bank, merging and naming The Exchange Bank of Alabama.

He was very active in community affairs.

In 1993, he was inducted into the Pillars of Gold, and in 1996, he was awarded the Spirit of Citizenship Award. A family park was named after him by the City of Gadsden. Survived by wife (of 57 years) Jeannie, sons Daniel, Alabama ’74; J. Ricky, Alabama ’71, and Allen; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Emory

Holliday, Dr. William B. ’55, Oct. 23

Florida

Cassidy, Frederick S. ’39, Nov. 25. He worked 45 years with Southern Bell Telephone, beginning as an installer and retiring as general manager in So. Florida.

Obtained real estate and brokers license after retirement, working with his wife.

He was an avid reader and football fan.

Survived by wife (of 57 years) Henrietta, son Frederick A., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Hanover

Cox, Charles R. ’37, Aug. 4, 2005

Idaho

Gneckow, James L. ’59, March 31.

Survived by wife Doris; daughters Tami, Deanna and Teresa; son Mike; Beta son Steven J., Cal. State-Chico ’88; Beta brother Gerald E. ’60, and nephew Michael J. ’82.

Rosenheim, Dr. Gustav E. ’41, May 26.

Past president of his chapter. He passed

Shrine away after a long stoic battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Following a year of internship he spent two years in the Air Force. He took specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology, and was associated with the Women’s Clinic in Boise. He was active in civic and charitable organizations. Hobbies included skiing, golf, fishing and hunting. Survived by wife (of 53 years) Alyce; daughter Leslie Kadison; sons Gustav A. and Mark, and four grandchildren.

Indiana

Birr, James O. ’38, June 8. An All-American college football and basketball athlete, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1938 and also formed the “Jim Birr All Stars” pro basketball team that played the Harlem Globetrotters, New York Celtics and other professional teams. He was recognized as one of the first one-handed shooters. He served in WWII as a lieutenant and received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He established the New York Titans AFL football team, created and published the magazine “Movie Digest,” participated in the development and was part owner of the Daytona International Speedway, managed thoroughbred race horses and was a real estate developer in South Florida. His life was filled with athletics, business pursuits, politics, community service and family. Survived by wife (of 65 years) Virginia; sons James, Stephen and Jeffrey, and seven grandchildren.

Schoelch, John W. ’37, July 24, 2005

Iowa State

Heller, William E. (Bill) ’76, March 28. He was president and CEO of Heller Lumber Co. where he had worked since 1968. Was an avid tennis player, skier, tri-athlete and an Eagle Scout. Survived by wife (of 28 years) Winifred, daughter Jane and son Robert M. Beta father Robert L. ’52 and Beta cousins Stephen B. ’77 and Richard P. ’79.

Johns Hopkins

Parisette, Francis M. (Frank) ’51, April 13. Served in the Army during WWII. He was a world traveler and had his own fine hardwoods business, F.M. Parisette Assoc.

Inc. He was active in community affairs, serving on many boards, and was a volunteer high school Lacrosse coach. Survived by wife (of 55 years) Doris, daughter Margaret Gundersen, sons Peter and Sam, and four grandchildren.

VanLennep, Hector N. ’59, April

Lawrence

Smith, Donald J. ’49, April 15. During WWII, he served as a weather observer in the Army Air Force. He worked for Wallace Silversmiths and later, Lunt Silversmiths.

Survived by wife Elaine, daughter Lynn Jackson, son Stephen and five grandchildren.

Maine

Jones, Frederick S. Jr. (Boxcar) ’44, May 17, 2005. Served with Army Corps of Engineers in WWII. He worked as an engineer with Dupont Co. in Delaware before moving to Japan and then on to Hawaii, where he was in charge of building airstrips

and housing in the Far East. He traveled around the world, sailed on a private vessel across the Indian Ocean to South Africa and was even shipwrecked on the way. Survived by wife Bette, five children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Beta father Frederick S. (dec.)

Michigan State

Newberry, William C. ’50, Jan. 2. A Navy veteran of WWII, he was a lifetime resident of Michigan and a manufacturer agent, representing many hardware companies throughout the Midwest. Survived by wife (of 54 years) Winifred, three children and several grandchildren.

Siegmeier, Gary F. ’59, May 1. He was the owner and operator of Flowerwood in Crystal Lake. He was a lifelong Cubs fan. Survived by wife (of 45 years) Anne, daughter Sandy Koretos, sons Brett and Scott, and six grandchildren.

Minnesota

Goodsill, Marshall M., Jr. ’40, July 24, 2004. With a law degree from Harvard, he was nationally recognized as an expert in corporate securities, public utilities and tax law. In WWII he served as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserves, earning several service medals including the Bronze Star. He was a partner in one of the top law firms in Hawai: Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifel for 40 years and has established scholarships at Harvard Law School and at the University of Hawaii.

Survived by wife Ruth, children Curt, John, Kay and Jane and granddaughter Annie.

Beta brother Stanley C. ’40.

Missouri

Lay, Dr. Kenneth L. ’64, July 5. (Obituary to be included in the fall issue.)

Young, James C. (Jim) ’61, April 25. Was a first lieutenant in the Missouri National Guard. He was associated with his father in the operation of Tommy Young Motor Sales, and in the last several years, operated the Boat and Yacht Brokerage. He was an avid fan of Mizzou sports. Survived by soul mate Janet Morris; daughters Kimberly Jeske, Natalie Hartgrove and Ginger Green, and eight grandchildren.

MIT

Schwartz, Kenneth B. ’76, Oct. 2005.

Survived by wife Barb, and sons Nicholas and Jamie.

Nebraska

Emmett. Roland E. ’49, May 19, 2005.

Served in the Navy during WWII. He was in commercial banking and insurance business. Survived by wife Grace.

North Carolina

Claud, Joseph G. III ’52, July 28, 2005.

He began a banking career in1954 with the American Trust Co. and retired in 1995 from NationsBank of Tryon and Columbus as senior vice president. He was active in civic and arts organizations throughout his life. He was named Rotarian of the Year and received the Joseph Wells Award. Survived by wife Mary Ann, daughter Elizabeth and son John.

Horton, Hamilton C. (Ham) Jr. ’53, Jan. 31. (See sidebar.)

Ham Horton North Carolina ’53

For more than three decades, Hamilton Cowles Horton Jr., North Carolina ’53, made his mark on his state as a legislator, orator and advocate for North Carolina history and culture.

During his nine terms in the N.C. General Assembly, Horton earned a reputation for his gentlemanly demeanor as well as his eloquent speeches on everything from preserving the state’s natural resources to protecting its country ham market to the continuation of North Carolina history courses in public schools.

Horton died on January 31 in Winston-Salem, where he had lived most of his life. He was 74.

“Ham was a great senator and a great North Carolinian, but first and foremost he was a great American,” said N.C. Senate Leader Marc Basnight in a statement after Hamilton’s death. “He could debate an issue more articulately than anyone I’ve seen in my 22 years in the Senate.”

Horton studied history at Carolina and earned his law degree from UNC in 1956. He was elected student body president, was a Morehead Scholar, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of the Law Review. After law school, Horton served four years in the Navy before beginning a career as a lawyer in Winston-Salem.

At a memorial service, the Rev. Lane A. Sapp recalled Horton’s dedication to his profession. Sapp said that Horton once told his wife, Evelyn Hanes Moore Horton, that “in law, perhaps I can help just one person,” and when he entered politics his attitude was “perhaps now I can help more people.”

Horton, a Republican, entered politics in 1969 and served three consecutive two-year terms in the N.C. General Assembly. In 1977, he was tapped by U.S. Senator Jesse Helms to be chief of Helm’s Washington staff. Eighteen years later, Horton returned to the legislature, where he was elected senator from Forsyth County for six consecutive terms.

Horton’s passion for North Carolina and his commitment to his community reached beyond the Senate floor. He enjoyed camping, backpacking and gardening, and was an active member of the Calvary Moravian Church. He loved Moravian music and began playing Easter services in the church band when he was seven years old.

“I will never forget one of the first times I saw Ham playing his tuba,” Sapp told the crowd at Horton’s funeral. “Because of his small stature all I could see were legs, the large silver bell of the horn and no head!”

An avid historian, Horton wrote a history of the church in 1993 and updated it during the weeks just before his death.

Horton was inducted into the N.C. Republican Party Hall of Fame in 2005. — Laura Thompson, University of North Carolina Alumni Review.

Summer 2006 Winter 2006

55

Mystic S Ohio

Pry, Morton C. ’41, March 4 Steiner, James Ray ’48, Nov. 11. Survived by wife Betty, daughter Barbara, sons James and Edward, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ohio State

Adams, John A. ’65, April 8, 2005 Bowers, John F. III (Buck) ’82, May 2. He was a past president of his chapter. He had a longtime battle with juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and many complications.

An avid golfer and sports fan, he helped coach basketball. Survived by parents John and Barbara, sister and brothers.

Beta brother Joseph T. ’89.

Roberts, James O. ’52, May 13, 2005. He was chairman emeritus of Management Planning Inc., advising business owners on tax law and corporate planning. He wrote training workbooks for accountants, penned articles for financial publications and spoke at trade-association conventions. Survived by wife Georgianna; daughters Susan and Ellen; sons Stephen and J. Timmons, and six grandchildren.

Ohio Wesleyan

Cramer, Dr. H. Leslie (Les) ’52, Aug. 13, 2005. Served in the Navy at the end of WWII. Taught elementary school and later founded Cramer Oil Inc. During his studies, he served as a research assistant on various projects at Harvard Computing Center. In 1967, he was appointed assistant professor of educational psychology at the Graduate School of Education of Northeastern. In 1969, he went to Washington as research director for the Peace Corps as project director, consultant and evaluator on a number of government and private research projects. He started Cramer Assoc., consultants on speech enhancement of audio tapes. Survived by wife (of 37 years) Roxanne; daughters Cynthia, Martha, Joan and Kathryn; three step-sons; five grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. Beta brothers Dr. Earl H. ’50, Henry L. ’62 and Chester D. ’63.

Oklahoma

Brown, Matthew O. III ’73, April 7 Hallren, John M. Jr. ’53, March 29. Served in the Army as first lieutenant. He went into business with his father in the Hallren Poultry and Creamery Co. Moved to Oklahoma City and joined Parker, Welch and Hadden as a broker and worked at Quinn and Company. Later, he worked for Capital West as a stockbroker until his death.

He was active in the Republican Party. Survived by sons Mitchell and Martin, and two grandsons. Beta brother T. Patrick ’57.

Stuart, Louis V. ’37, April 5. Served as president his senior year at college.

Served in the U.S. Navy in WWII at the rank of lieutenant JG. He and his brother purchased the Fullerton Stuart Lumber Co. founded by his father. Had a great interest in Sapulpa civic affairs, earning him the Distinguished Service Award and the Outstanding Sapulpan Award by the Chamber of Commerce. Survived by wife Ruth; daughters Anna, Sarah and Jan;

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The Beta Theta Pi

Beta son Louis V. Jr. ’72; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Beta brother John F. (dec.)

Turpen, James B. Jr. ’68, April 12 Welsh, Albert L. II ’53, Jan. 24. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Ford Motor Co. in California and Michigan. He returned to Oklahoma City as a partner in the investment firm of Parker, Bishop and Welsh. Served on his chapter’s housing board. Survived by wife Carol, daughters Elizabeth and Nancy, Beta son David ’79 and seven grandchildren. Beta father Francis R. ’19 (dec.)

Oklahoma State

Pritchett, Newton J. ’41, Feb. 6

Oregon State

Baxter, C. Lynn ’64, March 7. He received honorable mention all-state as a senior basketball player, and was part of four straight winning basketball seasons from 1961-64. He taught and coached the varsity boys basketball team at Cascade High in Turner, and later, went into real estate and became a golf pro. He purchased Battle Creek Golf Course in Salem.

Survived by daughters Debbie, Julie, Kimber and Dawn; son James, and eight grandchildren.

Penn State

DeVos, Robert W. Jr. (Bob) ’68, Jan. 3

Purdue

Harmon, George C. ’49, Jan. 6. Beta son Jeffrey S. ’76.

Neese, Elbert H. Jr. (Ebbie) ’44, March 10.

Served in the Army and was a lieutenant JG in the Navy during WWII. He worked in the family Beloit Iron Works that became the world’s premier paper machinery manufacturing business. Over a 40 year career, he ultimately became president and then CEO. He was an active member in his community and civic-minded. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Rock River Valley Business Hall of Fame in 1993, and he and his wife Peggy were inducted into the Haskell Hall of Fame in 2002. Predeceased by wife (of 55 years) in 2003. Survived by daughters Laura, Mary-Jane and Margaret; sons John, Bob and Walter; 11 grandchildren, and a greatgranddaughter.

Senour, Robert A. ’48, April 20. He served as first lieutenant in the Army. He worked for Inland Steel as the superintendent of plant one for 36 years, and was involved in his community and with the Scouts.

Survived by wife Marilyn; daughter Sarah Lapinski; sons Keith and Scott; four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Beta relative Larry P. Marshall, Hanover ’63.

Southern California

Steele, William G. Jr. (Bill) ’49, May 24. He was president of his chapter and stayed active as an alumnus, rarely missing a football game. During WWII, he served as a B29 pilot in the Army Air Corp.

Worked for the Burroughs Corp and later with two friends formed Tower Realty Co.

specializing in the sale of mobile home parks, collectively owning home communities in more than 25 states. He received the PTA Founders Award for community service and was a recipient of the Republican Womens Club’s Outstanding Citizen of San Marino award. He was active in the community and had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. Survived by wife (of 57 years) Barbara; daughters Jennifer and Jill; son William G. III, and six grandchildren.

Southern Methodist

Jensen, Bryant P. ’63, April 23. He worked with RCA in the early computer division and won several national sales quota awards. Later, he established Houston Land Development Inc., and launched a successful 30-year career in commercial land development. For 10 years, he and his wife produced a popular European performing arts tour showcasing American pre-professional dance companies. His great passion was his ranch in the Texas Hill Country. He served on several Houston area banks and municipal utility districts.

Survived by wife (of 20 years) Gail, daughter Courtney Aberle, step-daughter Jacqueline, son Regan and three grandchildren.

Stanford

McClatchy, James B. ’46, May 26. A patriarch of a newspaper family, the McClatchy Company was founded by his great-grandfather. He started out as copy boy becoming a reporter, publisher and chairman. It was the second-largest newspaper chain.

Active in the community (especially Valley Vision), helping children of immigrants learn English. Survived by wife Susan, and sons William and Carlos. Beta brother Charles K. (dec.)

Swearingen, Robert G. Jr. (Trip) ’66, March 24. Survived by wife Carol, daughter Ashley, sons Andrew and Benjamin, stepchildren and two granddaughters.

Stevens

Ryan, William R. ’34, April 3. He was an all-American lacrosse player. For more than 50 years, he designed and manufactured advanced electronic mechanical systems with Edo Corp., where he retired as chairman and CEO. He loved flying, boating and traveling. Survived by wife Joan; daughters Susan and Christine; son Richard; step-children; 11 grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Beta nephew James H., California ’55.

Syracuse

Caswell, Don N. ’63, Dec. 2005. He had a career on the New York Times editorial staff.

Texas

McCoy, Michael D. ’73, March 16. He had a career in the oil and gas industry. During his tenure in the petroleum field, he held a variety of positions including the chief operating officer at Rutherford Moran and General Counsel at Rutherford Oil. Survived by life-long companion Denise, and loving daughters Natalie and Jessica

Shrine McFarland, H. Russell ’42, March 18. He was president of his chapter while earning a degree in petroleum engineering. He served in WWII as a lieutenant Navy pilot, receiving unit citations and Air Medal with two gold stars. He had a successful career in the oil business more than 50 years.

Founder of Beacon Petroleum Co. in Tulsa, he opened a branch office in Houston.

He was vice president of John’s Island Enterprises, an oil exploration company.

He and his wife co-founded the Pediatric Metabolic Research Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to aid all children with metabolic disorders, in memory of their son Scott. He was active in community and civic associations.

Survived by wife (of 62 years) Virginia and daughter Virginia. Beta brother John D. ’45 (dec.)

Sternberger, Robert G. ’48, April 20. He was a mechanical engineer and project manager for DuPont. He was a member of Church of the Palms and active in its tutoring program for many years. In earlier years, he was a Presbyterian Elder, Friendship Force member, world traveler, regular blood donor, golfer, bridge player and a sailor. Survived by wife (of 56 years) Joan; daughters Marion, Sara and Lee; son Robert Jr., and seven grandchildren.

Toronto

Banfield, Alan W. ’50, May 17. Beta brother Harry S. (dec.)

Tulane

Flowerree, Robert E. Jr. ’42, May 1. He served as Navy lieutenant during WWII and was awarded seven Battle Stars.

He started his business career with C.D. Johnson Lumber Co. where he was general manager. The company was later purchased by the Georgia-Pacific Corp. He was promoted to vice president of Western Lumber and Plywood, and moved from Toledo to Portland. He was later elected a director of Georgia-Pacific and president of its paper subsidiary, then president of Pulp and Paper and later, executive vice president, then president and chief executive officer of the company, ultimately serving as chairman and CEO. Survived by wife Elaine, daughter Ann, son John, Beta son David R. ’74, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Vanderbilt

Hammond, Eugene W. III ’74, Jan. 5. He was a senior executive manager of technology for American Dinamics in San Diego. Interests included tennis and running, including marathons especially for St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital while living in the Chicago area. Survived by wife (26 years) Carol, daughter Elizabeth and son Griffin. Beta brother Joseph J. ’78.

Wabash

Kostanzer, Raymond E. Jr. ’33, March 8. He was in business with his father at Kostanzer’s Pharmacy for almost 30 years, then owned Kostanzer Electric until

he retired. Survived by daughters Caroline Gentry and Mary Poynter, and a granddaughter.

Washington in St. Louis

McReynolds, Dr. Ralph B. ’46, Sept. 29

Washington & Jefferson Crew, Roger H. ’46, Feb. 1 Wilson, Dr. James R. ’45, Nov. 7

Wesleyan

Dyer, Howard C. Jr. ’50, March 15.

Ingleheart, Kimball ’49, March 15. He had a building contracting business. Enjoyed traveling and was always active in local education. Survived by wife Margaret, daughter Katherine Wood, sons Kim Jr. and William, and six grandchildren.

West Virginia

Blair, Maj. General Jack W. ’39, March 9.

During WWII, he served with Aviation Engineer Units and was engaged in the Sanitation Engineering Business and remained active in the Reserves and National Guard. He was a registered professional engineer and Adjutant General State of West Virginia and State Director of Selective Service. He received the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal and the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal. Survived by wife Cora, daughters Claudia Stowe and Carol West, son Jack W. Jr., seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Western Ontario

Kissack, Robert A. ’51, April 27, 2005

Westminster

Gregory, James G. (Jamie) ’57, Dec. 28.

He worked several years in private practice in criminal defense and corporate civil law and was a veteran St. Charles County prosecutor known for his gravelly voice, dogged determination and soft heart. He was known throughout the region as an expert on criminal law and handled several high-profile cases. He was Montgomery County district attorney for 10 years and most recently, was chief assistant district attorney for St. Charles County for nine years. Survived by daughters Lisa Lyons and Gina Bowders; sons Brad and Craig, and 10 grandchildren.

McCullough, Lt. Col. Overton H. (Mac) ’59, Dec. 2005. He had a 23-year career as an Army lieutenant colonel and later flew commercial jets for UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. Beta relatives: nephew Thomas H. McCullough, Missouri ’90; uncles Augustus O. Harris, Cornell (dec.) and Richard A. Wilks, Missouri (dec.); cousins John C. Harris ’39, Overton T. Harris ’50 and Tyree C. Harris (dec.)

Stierberger, Edward A. ’55, Oct. 2005. He practiced law in Wisconsin. Survived by wife Sandy.

tions. Even after retiring, he continued with forensic psychiatric consultation for several years. He was involved in many community organizations, and received the A.S.V. Carpenter Distinguished Citizen Award in recognition of civic contributions and was honored by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for service to the people of Jackson County. Survived by wife Norma; son David; Beta sons Douglas R. ’84, and Dr. Andrew D. ’85, and nine grandchildren.

McCord, Ernest E. ’34, Feb. 15 Potter, James B. ’57, March 8. He had his own consulting business, Planned Giving Industry, for more than 20 years. He did an enormous amount of volunteer work.

He was awarded the NCPGC Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He spoke and was published extensively thorough out the U.S. and Canada on charitable gift annuities, and was chairman of the State Regulations Committee for the ACGA for more than 29 years. Survived by wife Patsy, son Lee and five step-children.

Wichita State

Yoder, Col. Donald A. ’51, March 2.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and in Vietnam with the rank of corporal. He was in the Army ROTC program as second lieutenant. He attended the National War College in Washington, earning a Masters of Science in Management and Natural Resources.

He was named Post Commander at Fort Huachuca. Survived by wife Jean; daughters Cynthia and Jill; son Steven and four grandchildren.

Wittenberg

Strawn, James R. (Jimmer) ’73, Oct. 1. A law partner with Black, McCuskey, Souers and Arbaugh LLC in Canton, Ohio, where Jim was a lifelong resident. He was a very active member of his church and had extensive involvement in other community organizations. Jim graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and spent the next 29 years practicing law with an emphasis in the areas of negotiation, arbitration, equal employment and wrongful discharge. He enjoyed returning to Wittenberg for its annual golf outing and was an active member and participant in the Stark County Beta Alumni Association.

Survived by wife Barbara and daughters Cynthia, Catherine and Christine. Beta brother Scott ’76, nephew John ’07, grandfather Clarence A. Portz ’13 (dec.) and great-uncle Harvey O. Portz ’13 (dec.)

— compiled by Phyllis Bowie

Whitman

Luther, Dr. Robert C. ’55, Feb.13. He served two years in the Army. He had a private practice in psychiatry in Medford, holding numerous administrative posi-

Summer Winter 2006

57

Sports R [Sports RoundUp]

BASEBALL

Returning to the mound after missing 2005 with an injury was Scott Goetz of Eastern Kentucky. He posted two victories, ranked second on the staff with 13 starts and innings pitched, and struck out 43 batters. Playing in his second straight National Club Baseball Association World Series was third baseman Travis Brown ’06 of the 29-7 Oregon squad. He was the third-leading hitter with a .378 average (34 of 90), drove in 25 runs and stole 14 bases. Seeing mound duty for Colorado Mines was Skip Davis ’07.

Westminster’s Dailey Named NIC All-American The North-American Interfraternity Conference has announced its 2006 All-American teams from NCAA Divisions I, II and III. Nominations were provided by various fraternity headquarters, Greek advisors, Interfraternity Councils, sports information directors at schools, individuals via the NIC website and through research by Sports Editor Jay Langhammer. A total of 15 NIC member fraternities are represented from 44 colleges and universities.

Representing Beta Theta Pi are: Division II-III First Team Designated Hitter: Ryan Dailey, Westminster ’06 .407 (45 of 111), 23 runs, 11 2B, 3 HRs, 23 RBI Honorable Mention Pitcher: Nic Nottingham, Willamette ’06 Catcher: James Manning, Westminster ’06 First Baseman: Blaise Milburn, Kenyon ’07 Infielders: Neil Magruder, Knox ’06 and Carlin Shoemaker, Kenyon ’07 Outfielder: Bryan Rosen, Lawrence ’08 For the complete listing, visit: http://www.nicindy.org/

58

The Beta Theta Pi

Walter Fenner ’06 and Mark Scholl ’06 each batted .231 as part-time regulars and Joe Hickey ’09 played 14 contests at second base. Also seeing action were first baseman George Canahan ’09 and catcher Eric Brueckner ’07.

Named to the All-Midwest Conference North Division first team for Lawrence was outfielder Bryan Rosen ’08 of Lawrence, who hit .356 (32 of 90) with 22 runs scored and 17 RBI. Willamette pitcher Nic Nottingham ’06 earned All-Northwest Conference honor-

Leading the Kenyon squad to a school record 27 wins was AllNorth Coast Athletic Conference honorable mention first baseman Blaise Milburn ’07, who led with a .425 batting average (54 of 127) and on-base percentage (.516). He also had a co-high 47 runs batted in, led with 23 walks and scored 33 runs. Second baseman Carlin Shoemaker ’07 batted .345 (41 of 119), scored 29 runs and drove in 27. Seeing mound action for the Lords were Nate Fedor ’09 (2-0) and David Driscoll ’08.

The Westminster squad featured nine Beta players. Named to the All-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second team was first baseman-DH Ryan Dailey ’06, the top hitter with a .405 average (45 of 111.) He also led in slugging percentage (.586), scored 23 runs, drove in 23 runs and hit three homers. As a pitcher Dailey had a 4-4 record while leading in innings (62.2) and strikeouts (45.)

Also on the All-SLIAC second team was catcher James Manning ’06, who batted .287 (35 of 122) with 29 RBI and 21 runs scored.

able mention after posting a 4-2 record, 31 strikeouts and 3.57 ERA in a team-high 17 appearances.

Stevens co-captain/outfielder Eric McCormick ’07 batted .314 (33 of 105) and was a solid pitcher with a 4-2 record and 3.31 ERA. Denison pitcher Troy Testerman ’07 pitched in a co-high 14 games and led with six saves. He also had a 3-1 record with 43 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.

Starting 26 games in the Westminster outfield was Chris Clark ’06, who scored 23 runs. Pitcher Brain Kosteck ’09 posted a 3-2 record with a 3.96 earned run average in 50 innings. Outfielders

Knox co-captain/second baseman Neil Magruder ’06 hit .330 (34 of 103) and scored 17 runs. Fellow co-captain Tim Pauley ’06 won three victories and led with four complete games. Also playing for

Blaise Milburn Kenyon ’07

Roundup Knox were pitcher Nick Morris ’07 (1-1) and outfielder Aaron Thorton ’06 (14 games.) Starting in the Hanover outfield was Joe Sanzere ’06, who batted .237 (18 of 75) with 14 RBI. Other Beta players were DePauw pitchers Kerry Frost ’06 and Patrick Henry ’08; Wabash catcher Nick Lyons ’08; Wittenburg pitcher-first baseman Brian Walter ’07, and the Wesleyan trio of third baseman Graham Douds ’08, pitcher Charlie Munzig ’07 and catcher Josh Corson ’08.

Key figures in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim front office are Bill Stoneman, Idaho ’66, vice president and general manager, and Ken Forsch, Oregon State ’69, assistant general manager. Guy Hansen, UCLA ’69, who was Kansas City Royals pitching coach last season, is now the team’s special assistant to baseball operations.

The Seattle Mariners promoted Dave Brundage, Oregon State ’86 to the triple-A level as manager of the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League. He managed the San Antonio Missions in the Texas League the last five seasons. Thom Brennaman, Ohio ’86, is in his ninth year as TV play-by-play man for the Arizona Diamondbacks and continues his role with FOX Network Major League Baseball telecasts.

David Eischeid ’09 of Colorado State was on the third place 400 meter relay at the Mountain West Conference outdoor meet. He also placed seventh in the long jump (22’5.75”) and ninth in the triple jump (46’4”). High jumper Dan Taylor ’08 of Missouri had a best high jump of 6’4 ¾” and teammate Ben Stafford ’07 threw the javelin. Michael Cast ’08 of TexasArlington set a new career mark with a 203’11” javelin throw. At the North Central Conference outdoor meet, Jonathan Gilson ’08 of North Dakota placed ninth in the 1500 and 5000 meter events.

Running the 800 and 1500 meter events for West Chester was D.J. Baker ’08.

Bart Banach ’08 led five Betas on the Wabash squad. At the NCAC indoor meet, he won the 55 meter dash, was on the winning 800 and 1600 meter relays, and placed fourth in the 200. Outdoors, he won the 100 (11.1) and was second in the 200. Banach was on the 1600 meter relay that set a school record at the North Central Invitational. Andrew Rode ’09 was seventh in the high jump and long jump at the NCAC indoor meet. At the outdoor NCAC meet, he was

David Araiza ’07 of DePauw earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors with a third place finish at 100 meters and was sixth in the 400 meter hurdles. Teammate Luis Davila ’07 also competed at the SCAC outdoor meet, ranking 12th in the shot and 17th in the javelin. Mark Davis ’07 of Carnegie Mellon was on the winning 1600 meter relay at the University Athletic Association outdoor meet. Competing at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Con- David Araiza ference meet were three Hanover DePauw ’07 Betas. Bobby Smart ’09 placed fourth in the high jump and was joined by Mike McElrath ’07 on the sixth place 400 meter relay.

Competing in the HCAC 100 meter dash was Noel Somarriba ’08.

Setting a Stevens school record at 400 meters (48.91) was Matt Savary ’07, who placed fourth at the ECAC Division III outdoor meet.

He also placed fourth in the 200 meter run at the Last Chance Meet. Also running for Stevens were Trevor Currie ’09 and hurdler Ryan Oelkers ’09. Knox tri-captain Tyler Swafford ’06 was on the fifth place 1600 meter relay at the MWC indoor meet and also competed at 800 meters. Phil Keith

TRACK

Chosen as a winner of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award was Ibriham Niankara ’08 of Oklahoma State, who was named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team. At the John Jacobs Invitational, he placed 12th in the 100 meter dash and was 18th in the 200. Jason Giuffre ’06 of Idaho concluded a fine career as a middle distance runner.

At the Western Athletic Conference indoor meet, he was on the second place 400 relay and placed fourth at 400 meters. At the outdoor WAC meet, he was on the second place 100 meter relay and was fourth at 400 meters (48.20).

fourth in the high jump and ninth in the long jump. Ben Tritle ’07 placed fifth in the NCAC outdoor shot and eighth in the NCAC indoor shot. At the outdoor NCAC meet, Justin Sparks ’08 was eighth in the shot and ninth in the discus.

Bart Banach Wabash ’08

’07 of Lawrence placed 13th in the MWC 5000 meter run and was a steeplechase runner. Other track men included javelin thrower Summer 2006

59

Sports R Thompson Galetovic ’09 of Centre and Newman Hoffman ’09 of Wesleyan, who threw the shot, discus and hammer.

GOLF

Trent Twaddle ’07 of Missouri averaged 75.0 over six rounds, with a low round of 73. Averaging 76.8 over 20 rounds for Truman State was Jesse Helms ’07, who had a best round of 71. His best finish was a fifth place tie at the Maryville Invitational. Also on the squad was teammate Noah Devine ’07. Skip Clasper ’07 of Maryland shot at a 77.6 clip over seven rounds and had a low of 73. Playing six rounds for Florida Atlantic was Will Cottle ’09, who averaged 78.5 over six rounds. Adam Karger ’06 of Colgate tied for 39th at the Patriot League meet and had a best round of 76. Teammate J. Hlavacek ’07 averaged 80.8 over four rounds and tied for 39th at the ECAC championship.

medalist honors at the Rhodes Fall Classic. He also earned AllSCAC honors with a fourth place tie (146), tied for seventh at the DePauw Small College Classic and tied for ninth at the Transylvania Fall Classic. Over 20 rounds, Voss was the team’s second-leading shooter with a 75.6 average.

Danny Stetson ’09 also saw action for DePauw.

the North-South and East-West Senior All-Star Games. He led the team in points (69) and assists (44) while scoring 25 goals. Adams was named to the All-New England Division III first team, the All-NESCAC first team for the third straight year and won the school’s Ahrens Memorial Award as top senior male athlete. He finished his career with 207 points, fourth in Wesleyan history.

Wesleyan Lacrosse Team

Mack

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Playing in the NCAA Division III championship again was Tristan Sanders ’06 of Elliott Vice ’06 of Wabash averEmory, who tied for 94th aged 79.7 over 19 rounds; shot a (324). Over eight tourna- low round of 74; and tied for 23rd ments during the season, he at the NCAC meet. Teammate averaged 77.61 per round. Aaron Selby ’06 tied for 20th at the the MWC title with NCAC meet and averaged 81.5 for Foster aWinning 224 total (including a 72) 15 rounds. Seeing action for KenKnox ’06 was Knox co-captain Mack yon were Tyler Williams ’08, who played six rounds, and Foster ’06. He also won Ian Brantley ’07 (two the MWC South Division rounds.) Other golf team title (147), finished secmembers were Raleigh ond at the Prairie Fire Blakemore ’07 of WestClassic and placed third minster and Morgan at the Swede Spring Blum ’08 of Wesleyan.

Invitational (including a low round of 67.) Foster had fifth place finishes LACROSSE at the Illinois Wesleyan Twenty-seven Betas Invitational and Ryerson (out of 39 players on Fall Classic, plus a fifth Jordan Voss the team) helped lead DePauw ’07 place tie at the Duhawk 16-4 Wesleyan to the Spring Invitational.

NCAA Division III championship semi-finals and a 10th place finWinning two tournaments was Jor- ish in the final USILA national poll. dan Voss ’07 of DePauw. He shot Co-captain and MVP Glenn Adams 65 to win the Big Four Classic and ’06 earned All-American second had a two round 141 total to take team honors and was chosen for

The Beta Theta Pi

Goalie Charlie Congleton ’07 of Wesleyan gained All-American honorable mention and was named to the All-New England Division III and All-NESCAC first teams. He played 1,141 minutes, made 270 saves and had a 6.73 goals against average. Third in scoring for Wesleyan was Russell Follansbee ’09, who scored 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists). Mike Vitulano ’06, who was chosen for the East-West Game, was fourth with 35 points (29 goals, six assists) and co-captain Jordan Funt ’06 scored 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) and played in the East-West Game.

Winning All-New England Division III second team honors for Wesleyan was Mike Hines ’07, who scored 23 points (15 goals, eight assists). Defenseman Pete Harris ’07 was named to the All-NESCAC second team. Other key Wesleyan players were Jason Ben-Eliyahu ’09 (29 points, including 21 goals),

Roundup Chris Jasinski ’08 (13 points), Mike Walsh ’06 (12 points), Dan Latzman (seven points); Bobby Goulding ’08, Matt Burke ’07; Jesse Bardo ’07, Nick Hayes ’09, Terrance (Spike) Malagone ’09, Field Yates ’09, and backup goalie Whit Harrison ’06.

Greg Boyle ’08 saw action in goal for the 8-5 Penn State squad.

Attack Danny Rabiolo ’06 was the top scorer for Colorado Mines (30 goals, six assists) and earned AllMDIA Division B honorable mention. Teammate Kevin Schmidt ’06 added 12 goals and five assists.

Co-captain John Conley ’06 of the Vanderbilt lacrosse club received All-SELC honorable mention and was joined by Mike Hamilton ’06, Clarke Nelson ’07, Jaime Palala ’07, Jeff Goldstein ’08, Mark Ledford ’08 and Devon Manfredonia ‘08. Mike Brown ’08 co-captained the Louisville club and was joined

by Phil Dragotta ’08.

Serving as captain at Pepperdine was defenseman Drew Kaspers ’06, who was joined by defensemen Peter Jarvis ’08 and Mark Tarro ’09. Andre Koehler ’08 and Tyler Macaulay ’09 played for San Jose State and Lawrence Boyle ’06 made 28 saves in goal for Illinois.

Co-captain Chris Juergens ’07 led the Whitman club and was joined

by Matt Stenove ’08 and Matt Duncan ’09. Other lacrosse club players included midfielder Stuart Vik ’07 of Cal Poly, midfielder Doug Miller ’09 of Texas A&M and defenseman Justin Klueger ’07 of Cal State-Chico.

for Cal Poly was captain Matt Baca ’07. He had a 16-10 singles record and was 14-9 in doubles play.

Also on the squad was teammate Kyle Ericson ’09. Jay Horrey ’09 of Wabash earned All-NCAC first team selection and was voted NCAC Newcomer of the Year. He had a team best 25-6 singles record at #1 singles and was 17-14 in doubles play. Also playing as regulars were teammates Sean Clerget ’09, who was 15-15 in singles play, and Adrian Starnes ’07.

Mike Frank ’08 of Wesleyan posted a 9-5 singles record. Playing #1 doubles for Missouri-Kansas City was Joe Kane ’07, and Dan Hertel ’09 was 9-8 at #1 doubles for Lawrence. Seeing action for DePauw were Andrew MacDonald ’08 and Eric Kitchell. Other tennis players this spring included Ali Nemazee ’06 of Washington & Jefferson and Jamie Hosmer ’09 of Puget Sound.

Jay Horrey

RUGBY

CREW & ROWING

Twenty-five Betas were members of the 29-1 Cal-Berkeley squad which won its 22nd national collegiate rugby championship. Leading the Bears to a 29-26 win over BYU in the title game was Louis Stanfill ’07, who was named tournament MVP. Also scoring in the title game were Chris Gurecki ’07 and Rob Weedon ’06. Other key players seeing action in the title game were Jim Barrett ’08, Chase Brogan ’06, match captain Andrew Lindsey ’06, Jake Stanfill ’06 and Joe Welch ’07.

Two Betas were key players for the British ColumTENNIS bia squad that gave CalHelping lead Emory to its only defeat Matt Baca Berkeley the NCAA Division III of the season, a 29-15 Cal Poly ’07 national championship win on March 25th. was Yoji Masuoka ’07, who played Inside center Brendan Singbeil ’06 #3 singles. For the season, he was and prop Beau Chapman ’06 con19-2 in singles play and 15-5 in cluded their careers as standouts doubles play. Earning All-Big West for the UBC squad. Other players Conference second team honors of note included flanker Paul Har-

Wabash ’09

vey-Weiner ’07 of Yale, Bryan Minstretta ’07 of Rhode Island, and the Toronto duo of Robert DeFilippi ’08 and Harpo Yu ’08.

Dave Bass ’07 was a member of the Cornell lightweight crew which won the Eastern Sprints title and International Rowing Association national title. A member of the Yale heavyweight crew once again was Alred Shikany ’07. Isaac Jenabi ’09 was a member of the Johns Hopkins novice crew. Members of the Wesleyan crew squad were Nate Caress ’08, Josh Porter ’08 and Ben Roberts ’09.

At MIT, Ben Wasserman ’07 was on the heavyweight crew again and Bill Garthwaite ’08 continued with the lightweight crew. Also competing on their schools’ crew squads were Alex Doucette ’09 of British Columbia and Steven Souvall ’09 of Puget Sound. Competing as members of the San Diego rowing squad were Shane Farmer ’08, Lambert DeGanay ’09, Carson Reeling ’09 and Josh Winters ’09. Matt Alex ’08 was on the Willamette rowing squad.

– Jay Langhammer Summer 2006

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[The Last Word]

FROM THE

ARCHIVES

Can you guess the location, year and significance of this photo?

Spring 2006 ISSUE

Send your answers to: Editor, The Beta Theta Pi 5134 Bonham Road Oxford, Ohio 45056, or tolver@wooglin.com

A number of brothers correctly identified the photo and were entered into a drawing for a personalized brick in the Beta Walkway in Oxford. Congratulations to Dr. William E. Tankersley III, Kansas ’69!

Brothers responding with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing to win a personalized brick in the Beta Walkway in Oxford.

The image at left appeared in the November 1966 issue of the The Beta Theta Pi. This memorable moment of “canoe jousting” was taken during the 127th General Convention at Bigwin Inn, Lake of Bays, Ontario. It was the 60th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi in Canada.

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The Beta Theta Pi

A Lasting Moment Teamwork and family were the essential elements that initially attracted me to the fraternity concept. I had been approached by a professor at Virginia Tech to restart a fraternity with a vast heritage and tradition of excellence. As vice president of the student body and a resident advisor in a freshman dormitory, I wasn’t sure if I had time; however, I made it work and committed myself to a lifelong pursuit of Beta’s principles.

I have been the chief executive officer for a variety of healthcare companies over the past 25 years, and I am constantly intrigued by the possibility of long-term investment for future growth. When I work with an organization, I challenge them to consider where the company will be in five years, not just the next quarter’s earnings.

When I heard that Alpha Phi at Virginia Tech had closed, I was disappointed; I felt like I could have done more. That’s why I recommitted myself for the refounding. At the 166th General Convention, I met these new men of principle for myself; I saw myself in them. They were eager and full of promise in the rebirth of Beta Theta Pi, and they exceeded my expectations.

Once again, I believed in Beta Theta Pi. The level at which our undergraduate brothers are able to challenge themselves is most impressive. As alumni, we must believe in our undergraduates enough to invest the resources in them. The returns on my investment continue to astound me. I’ve seen it at Alpha Phi and I’ve seen it in many of our undergraduates’ eyes.

As long as our undergraduates are living Beta’s principles, it is our responsibility to live the story, “Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

— S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73 is the former president and CEO of Quidel Corporation. A member of the National Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Kay joined the Beta Theta Pi Foundation Board of Directors in July 2006. He and his wife Susan reside in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Because we’re serious about

LEADERSHIP these days . . .

BetaF O UTheta Pi NDATION Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administrative Office Brennan Hall P.O. Box 6277 5134 Bonham Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 www.betathetapi.org