BETA T H E B E TA T H E TA P I M A G A Z I N E
Researchers. Artists. Clergymen. rhodes scholars
philanthropists. nobel prize Laureates SUMMER 2015
medal of honor recipients. Preservationists
athletes. astronomers. educators prime minister. Engineers. Policemen. inventors
Soldiers. Pilots. Editors. Ambassadors Illustrators. Senators. Professors. Doctors
Designers. Beyond the Legends. poets
premiers. CEOs. Archeologists. Scholars. Botanists. Teachers
Physicists. Judges. Composers. Musicians Speakers of the House. Actors. Soldiers. Journalists. BETAS OF ACHIEVEMENT YOU’VE LIKELY NEVER HEARD OF
Governors. bankers. CEOs. authors
Olympic medalists. Reporters. Astronauts
14 CONTENTS 2 THE BETA THETA PI
How Are We Now? When 12-year-old Kylie lost her 10-month battle with cancer in February, she left her family with two missions: take care of her kitten and kill cancer so no other child has to die. While her family works hard to fulfill their promises, her Beta father, Mark Myers, Eastern Kentucky ’90, reflects on the family’s first month without her.
CONTENTS CONTENTS
FEATURES
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26
35
Since March, Beta’s new campaign has grown as fraternity supporters react and add their own voices to the conversation.
We’ve all heard of the Beta Legends whose contributions have advanced society. But have you heard about these Betas . . .
Check the pulse of Beta through this objective end-of-academic-year report about the General Fraternity.
I AM A FRATERNITY MAN
BEYOND THE LEGENDS
STATE OF THE FRATERNITY
DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Letter .......................................... 4
You Asked..................................................16
The Inbox.................................................... 6
Promises to Keep...................................18
Newsworthy............................................... 8
Chapter Reports....................................36
Installations.............................................. 10
Chapter Eternal..................................... 49
Alumni News.............................................11
Bridge Builder..........................................51
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
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In the song, “Let All Stand Together,” written by David H. Moore, Ohio 1860, he proclaims, “Honor shall come to the badge that we wear, And every true Beta that honor shall share.” Asserting that the achievements of one reflect good on the whole, Beta has long prided itself on the character of its members who have not only brought credit to a good and noble fraternity, but also of those who have built businesses, run for public office, aided the impoverished, explored space and pioneered lifesaving medical devices, just to name a few. Fortunately, while the Fraternity has always been proud of those alumni whose successes have made them (and the Fraternity) a household name – such as EDITOR’S LETTER
Walmart Founder Sam Walton, Missouri ’40, UCLA Coaching Legend John
Wooden, Purdue ’32, acclaimed Composer Stephen Sondheim, Williams ’50, and
Nike Co-founder Bill Bowerman, Oregon ’33 – there are literally tens of thousands of Betas whose contributions to society, while not as widely known, are just as
THE BETA THETA PI L. MARTIN COBB EASTERN KENTUCKY ’96 MARTIN.COBB@BETA.ORG
EDITOR’S LETTER
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unique and significant to that particular industry and the lives impacted therein. Men like... Lucien Charles Wheeler, Iowa 1902, who served as the Chief of
White House Secret Service for Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson and Harding. C. Scott Riley, Cincinnati 1930, who became a nationally renowned
landscape architect and designed the gardens and grounds of the Harvard Business School, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Cathedral and Jefferson Memorial in D.C. Walton B. Roberts, Nebraska 1923, who served as the president of the American Institute of Funeral Directors.
And the inventors of Pepsodent toothpaste, the stretcher on wheels, and the round bank vault door; the builder of the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington; the foremost authority on the Underground Railroad; and the professor credited as the father of “marketing” and case studies as a method of instruction. In 1913, a Beta even saved “LifeSavers” from near death! Thanks to the herculean efforts of Editor Emeritus Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53,
a new 578-page honor roll documents the last 100 years of Beta success stories – including 5,000+ Betas from 160 chapters. Here’s to learning more about, and drawing inspiration from, Betas of achievement – name recognition or not.
Sincerely and yours in ___kai___,
ANOTHER BETA CLASSIC
ARCHIVES 5
THE BETA THETA PI The oldest continuously-published college fraternity magazine, The Beta Theta Pi was founded on December 15, 1872, by Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869.
EDITOR L. Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE Issue Deadline Winter 2016 October 15 Spring 2016 January 15 Summer 2016 April 15
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION Kyle A. Grand, Wabash ’11
Mail Date December 15 March 15 June 15
SEND PICTURES, STORY CONCEPTS AND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administrative Office Brennan Hall 5134 Bonham Road PO Box 6277 Oxford, Ohio 45056 800.800.BETA or beta@beta.org
MANAGING EDITOR Michael J. Roupas, Iowa ’10
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sarah Shepherd CONTRIBUTORS Mark W. Myers, Eastern Kentucky ’90; Joseph W. Bruno, President, Marietta College PHOTOGRAPHER Christopher K. Cone, Denison ’80
WHO GETS THE MAGAZINE? Upon initiation, each Beta is guaranteed a lifetime subscription to The Beta Theta Pi. That commitment by the Fraternity remains, although for a variety of reasons some no longer wish to receive the hard-copy version. So, who automatically receives the Fraternity’s magazine? All undergraduates and parents, active Beta volunteers, donors to the Beta Foundation, and any alumnus who documents his preference to receive the hard copy with the Administrative Office in Oxford. One can easily do so at 800.800.BETA, beta@beta.org or my.beta.org. HOW DOES ONE GET PUBLISHED? Content submissions for the magazine are always encouraged and certainly welcomed. While space constraints naturally make it difficult for the editorial staff to include every idea presented, a fair evaluation process is exercised in order to publish the greatest variety of chapters, age generations, geographical regions, events, and unique member achievements and stories. Pictures should be submitted in high resolution at beta@beta.org.
The Beta Theta Pi, (USPS 052-000) official magazine of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, is owned by the Fraternity, edited and published under the direction and control of its Board of Trustees, published winter, spring and summer for a $30 one-time pre-paid subscription. Standard non-profit 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, 2015. Produced in the USA. WANT INSTANT ACCESS TO A PAST BETA MAGAZINE? Every issue of The Beta Theta Pi since its founding on December 15, 1872, can be accessed in Beta’s online, keyword-searchable digital archive: magazine.beta.org.
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
During the Fraternity’s 75th anniversary in 1914, William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878/Columbia 1882, issued his historic volume, “Betas of Achievement.” Now, 100 years since that singular anthology, Editor Emeritus Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53 (above), offers a 578-page follow-up to that highly respected first edition. Chronicling more than 5,000 brothers’ successes from 160 chapters, and serving as a final bookend to an incredible contribution of authoring five Beta books in just 13 years (2002 – “Son of the Stars”; 2010 – “Beta Statesmen”; 2011 – “Beta Heroes”; 2012 – “Betas in the Arts”), Johnson has certainly secured his place alongside Baird and Francis W. Shepardson as one of the greatest authors of Beta history to have ever lived. (The book can be purchased online at BetaSpirit.com beginning September 1.)
THE INBOX To the Editor . . .
THE INBOX 6 THE BETA THETA PI
“I just received my copy of the latest Beta magazine. This issue as well as the last one was OUTSTANDING! The format, size, paper stock and content are so improved. Great job!!” — Pete Parker, Miami ’56
“I just spent an hour reading through the recent edition of The Beta Theta Pi magazine. Well done. From the interesting stories of undergrads and alumni working together at Cornell, to the “Pushing Back” pieces to “Life Lessons” with Charlie White, it was a great Saturday morning drinking a cup of coffee and reading about my brothers and seeing [the Fraternity] standing up for all of us.” — Kenny Meixelsperger, Texas Tech ’97
betathetapi.org/linkedin
“Like many people, for years the Beta magazine would arrive in my mailbox, I would look at a couple of pictures, check out what was going on at my chapter, and then immediately throw it away. But over the past couple years, I have noticed a remarkable change and in fact, a dramatic improvement in the relevance and importance of the subjects covered. Whether it has included the very interesting article on “modern day addictions” or the stereotypes which exist about our fraternity and our members, I really think you are doing a good job of creating something that illuminates and challenges and brings more understanding.” — Marshal McReal, Whitman ’84
“I took the dog out and got the mail, and the Beta magazine was in the mailbox. As I was waiting for the dog to find the perfect spot, I was reading. By the time I got to the end of the “Like Father, Like Son” article I was in tears. I had to read the rest of the issue once I came into the house. Terrific theme and great layout! I especially liked the shout out to other fraternities. We are all in this together and I am proud, as the mother of two Betas, that Beta is meeting the media attack by pushing back.” — Fran Becque, Beta Mother
facebook.com/betathetapi
“[The “Pushing Back” article was] a thoughtful, compelling and exceedingly timely communication … But I wouldn’t stop there. Every Beta has to clearly understand that one dumb SAE-like escapade at a chapter house or event, no matter what social accolades have been earned, no matter what GPA has been achieved, could prompt drastic actions leading to the demise of all fraternities. Period.” — Eric Peterson, Michigan State ’64
twitter.com/betathetapi
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I’m moved by the sincere response by Beta Theta Pi on behalf of all fraternity men whose reputations are not defined by or associated with those individuals who choose to live in opposition to their professed values. Let us not dwell on the few, but rather celebrate the many.
”
—Steve Brylski, Virginia Tech ’06 (See page 20 for an update on Beta’s new “I Am a Fraternity Man” campaign.)
instagram.com/betathetapi
FRATERNITIES IN THE MEDIA
“Naturally, our advisors are counseling our members to take heed of the many important lessons offered by this sad situation. But I do like to think that our men have the character and maturity to readily grasp these lessons without prompting. I’ve already heard many of our members expressing anger and disappointment at how this behavior tarnishes the reputation of the OU Greek system in general and overshadows their good deeds. It’s a shame. I’ve also taken this occasion to encourage our men to more assertively seek racial diversity among each of our pledge classes. We’re proud to have several black Betas on Gamma Phi’s rolls, and we’ve generally had at least one or two black active members at any given time over the last 15 years. But I suspect we can do better. There are many good reasons for having a culturally diverse membership. Not the least of these is cultivation of cultural appreciation and sensitivity among our members.” — Zach Allen, Oklahoma ’85 Gamma Phi Chapter House Corporation President
“It was an utter travesty on so many levels. Here’s a quick list of why I think the word “travesty” is appropriate (in rank order): 1) It will most likely discourage future sexual violence victims from reporting assaults; 2) Phi Psi and UVA were unjustifiably dragged through the mud; 3) The unfortunate (and unnecessary) aggressive posturing following the article caused a further erosion of trust among higher education and Greek life; and 4) society has yet another reason not to trust the media, especially considering the fact that no one from Rolling Stone was held accountable for their gross negligence. This story also highlights the difficult position fraternities have to embrace moving forward. We must be an active leader in stomping out all forms of sexual violence on campus while simultaneously ensuring our chapters and members are afforded their rights of due process should they be involved in a very complex, opaque and stressful Title IX campus judicial process.” — Administrative Secretary Jud Horras, Iowa State ’97 See “You Asked” on page 16 to read the Administrative Secretary’s answers to more questions posed this quarter by Beta undergraduates. “Fraternity controversies nationally in recent months (rapes, hazing, destruction of property, drinking, out-of-control partying, etc.) have shed a bad light on Greek life in general. Beta Theta Pi got well ahead of these controversies, avoiding lawsuits and additional chapter closings. Although it was a blow hearing that Purdue and Miami’s charters were revoked, it was a message sent by [the General Fraternity] that behaviors not reflecting integrity will not be tolerated.” — Roger B. Bishop, Purdue ’75
“I would urge Beta to report within these pages the Fraternity’s disposition of serious behavioral charges that involve Beta chapters. By doing so, we tell a suspicious public that Beta is on top of these issues and we tell our chapters: ‘This is not a list you want to be on.’ Emphasis on accomplishment is heartwarming and fulfilling of our mission; exposing our flaws is a powerful deterrent and is equally important.” — John M. Kunst, Jr. Wittenberg ’63
7 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
In response to the video that surfaced of University of Oklahoma SAEs singing a racist chant, Beta’s House Corporation President Zach Allen, Oklahoma ’85, shared some important sentiments on March 9 with Administrative Secretary Jud Horras.
— Cärrick Pörter, Stevens ’16 THE INBOX
HOUSE CORP PRESIDENT REFLECTS ON SAE CHANT
“Can Beta comment on the false Rolling Stone article depicting a fraternity at UVA as an enabler to rape? If this was a Beta chapter, how would you respond? As a chapter, we feel as if we are automatically being scrutinized by the General Fraternity or the university without a fair process. Can this be fixed?”
NEWSWORTHY
200,000 BETAS!
NEWSWORTHY
In May, Beta initiated its 200,000th member: Warren Nitz, San Diego ’19. As a special tribute, Warren received a personalized brick in the Beta Walkway in Oxford.
TO BETA MOTHERS
What happens when you ask Beta brothers to talk about their moms? Find out by watching this special Beta Mother’s Day video: beta.org/ mothersday.
FRATERNITY EXPANSION
During the 2015-16 academic year, the Fraternity will be expanding to five campuses across North America (below). To recommend a Re/Founding Father or see how you can get involved with the new colonies, contact Director of Expansion John Hubbard at john.hubbard@beta.org. (Above, Refounding Father Ryan Hayes, Ohio State ’16.) UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Omega Colony | Berkeley, California
8 THE BETA THETA PI
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Beta Omicron Colony | Austin, Texas TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY Delta Mu Colony | Lubbock, Texas
176TH IN ORLANDO
Mark your calendars for this August 6-9, and plan on attending Beta’s 176th General Convention in the Sunshine State. Learn more at beta.org/ programs/general-convention.
AUTOMATE IT
The Auto-Kai Club is the Beta Foundation’s new giving club that recognizes those who establish recurring electronic gifts to the BLF. Learn more at beta.org/auto-kai-club.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER New Colony | Rochester, New York LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY New Colony | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
INTERFRATERNALLY SPEAKING Alpha Phi’s Foundation awarded $100,000 to the Geisinger Health System to fund a personalized medicine and education program focused on keeping women’s hearts healthy.
Sigma Nu and Zeta Tau Alpha joined forces to develop a new program for college students aimed at sexual assault prevention and bystander intervention.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon announced an initiative to eradicate racism and discrimination from the fraternity, in response to the behavior of its former Oklahoma chapter: sae.net/response.
UPCOMING EVENTS JULY 07
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN MONTHLY ALUMNI LUNCHEON Birmingham, Mich. rmcaras520@aol.com
AUGUST 6-9
176TH GENERAL CONVENTION Orlando, Fla. dan.fogle@beta.org
OPENING OF THE DOOR This spring, the Fraternity re/colonized at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and UC Davis in Davis, California, adding 36 and 21 Re/Founding Fathers, respectively, to the official rolls.
SEPTEMBER 25-26 CINCINNATI 175TH ANNIVERSARY Cincinnati, Ohio msimon88@gmail.com 26 TRUMAN STATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY Columbia, Mo. kwb8343@truman.edu
NOVEMBER 07
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY SALEM, OREGON 36
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GAMMA SIGMA COLONY
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DID YOU KNOW? Willamette’s Refounding Fathers are involved in more than 75 different student organizations, and eight of the men are varsity athletes. Learn more about the colony at facebook.com/WillametteBeta.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 30TH ANNIV. Mt. Pleasant, Mich. jdsterba12@gmail.com
DARKENING OF THE HALL
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MIDDLETOWN, CONN. Mu Epsilon Chapter Founded: 1890 | Initiates: 1,754
Since 2010, the chapter’s culture repeatedly fostered high-risk behaviors including kegs and common sources of alcohol, personal injury of chapter guests and multiple allegations of sexual assault.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 21
3.38
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NEW COLONY 0
DID YOU KNOW? The Founding Fathers at UC Davis represent a wide range of organizations and interests, from entrepreneurs to fencers to software developers and, yes, even a couple of boxers. Learn more at facebook.com/BetaThetaPiUCDavis. nn nn
REFOUNDING FATHERS # OF ADVISORS
nn nn
GPA # OF HOUSE CORP VOLUNTEERS
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
03 KENTUCKY 25TH ANNIVERSARY Lexington, Ky. elijah.zimmerman@beta.org 09 MISSOURI “ZETA PHI SOCIETY” GOLF OUTING Columbia, Missouri bbuckley@owwlaw.com 17 WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH PIG ROAST Oshkosh, Wis. turnee69@gmail.com 23-24 EASTERN KENTUCKY HOMECOMING & HALL OF FAME INDUCTION Richmond, Ky. jba323@gmail.com
NEWSWORTHY
OCTOBER
INSTALLATIONS CENTRE Brothers of the Epsilon Chapter and their guests gathered in Danville, Ky., on April 18 for the historic group’s rechartering. Led by General Secretary David Schmidt, South Florida ’92, Epsilon’s status as a chapter was made official.
INSTALLATIONS 10
CREIGHTON
THE BETA THETA PI
April 11, 2015 is a day that will go down in history for the men at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Beginning with initiation of the spring pledge class at the Alpha Tau chapter house in Lincoln, it soon became time for the main event: the official Installation of the Eta Iota Chapter. With General Fraternity President Bob Schnese, Wisconsin ’83, serving as the presiding officer, the formal ritual was conducted, and then brothers and guests celebrated Eta Iota’s achievements at the Livestock Exchange Building in Omaha. The speakers for the night included IFC President Jairo Chavez, Creighton ’17, all four past chapter presidents, Greek Advisor Margaret Zimmer, President Schnese, parents Brian and Patty Carlson, and Colony Development Coordinator Michael McPhee, Furman ’10. Special gestures included presenting former Chapter Counselor Mandi (Hulme) Dilling with letters and honoring her as a Beta Rose for the chapter, as well as bestowing the honorary initiation of McPhee onto the official Eta Iota roll.
176TH CHARTER PETITIONS
Arkansas, Baylor, Ohio and Pittsburgh will petition for their charters in August at the 176th General Convention in Orlando, Fla.
CHAPMAN The Eta Theta Chapter at Chapman University was officially introduced on May 2. Presiding officer General Secretary David Schmidt, South Florida ’92, welcomed the group into the Fraternity. More than 150 undergraduates and guests gathered in Beckham Hall to celebrate the young chapter’s accomplishments. CHARLESTON On February 21, nearly 75 initiates at the College of Charleston celebrated becoming the Eta Lambda Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Vice President Ted Haile, Georgia Tech ’75, was the presiding officer. Brothers and their families came together at the Charleston Harbour to celebrate the grand affair. PACIFIC The men at Pacific became the Eta Kappa Chapter on April 18. Board Vice Presidents Ted Haile, Georgia Tech ’75, and Mike Kokkinen, Minnesota ’00, were the presiding officers. Some 200 brothers and guests enjoyed the celebration at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.
Kaben Smallwood, Oklahoma ’07, is working to make Native American tribes self-sufficient. His company Symbiotic specializes in aquaponic farming and builds nontraditional farming systems designed to recirculate water to raise fish and grow produce. So far Smallwood, a member of the Choctaw tribe himself, has made progress with the Seminole, Choctaw, Cheyenne and Arapahoe Nations. Currently, Symbiotic has contracts in place to build two different aquaponic systems in Oklahoma.
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! Congrats are in order for Steven Knapp, Middle Tennessee State ’06, as “Nashville in Harmony: Ten Years of Using Music to Build Community,” the documentary he produced and directed, was accepted into the Nashville Film Festival. A prestigious festival, as less than 10 percent of all submissions from around the world are accepted, it is one of only 24 festivals in the world whose winners are automatically considered for an Academy Award. It debuted on April 18. Learn more by contacting Steven at steven@knapptimecreative.com.
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ALUMNI NEWS
WORLD CHAMPION In the Advanced Senior category at the ITF Taekwondo World Cup, Toby Fox, Purdue ’93, won Individual Male Sparring, Colored Belts and Individual Male Patterns, Colored Belts. Congratulate him at tobyfox1@yahoo.com.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE FARMER ALUMNI NEWS
SUPREME COURT BOUND On March 5, David Barber, Eastern Kentucky ’76, was appointed by the Governor to Kentucky’s seven-person Supreme Court. His appointment follows the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Greg Stivers ’82, to the federal bench last fall. Including Louisville Judge Barry Willett ’80, and Madison/ Clark County Judge Earl-Ray Neal ’91, four EKU Betas currently hold judgeships in Kentucky.
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR Congratulations are in order for Phillip J. Adler, Central Michigan ’98, as he was recently appointed to the Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Adler is the manager of sports medicine for Spectrum Health. Connect with Phil at phatpkts@gmail.com.
20 YEARS AT VILLANOVA
ALUMNI NEWS
In late March, Beta’s chapter at Villanova celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Villanova Conference Center with more than 60 brothers and guests in attendance. The honored guest was Shepardson Award recipient Bill Hahn, Lehigh ’49. When the chapter was installed in 1995, he was given a roll number, so it was very special to have him back with the brothers of Zeta Epsilon. One of the event’s highlights was the presentation of memorabilia from the chapter’s 20-year history. The founding father composite and charter petition were just a few of the meaningful items on display for brothers to view. The Fraternity is proud to wish the chapter congratulations on a great first two decades.
12 THE BETA THETA PI
OUTSTANDING CAREER RECOGNIZED On April 13, former federal judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit John Tinder, Indiana ’72 (standing, orange tie), was honored with the 2015 David W. Peck Senior Medal for Eminence in the Law. Presented by Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., the Peck Medal has honored achievements in the field for more than 40 years. Tinder, who recently retired from the bench after more than 30 years of service, is pictured with Beta alumni and undergraduates from Wabash’s Tau Chapter, who were there to offer some strong Beta support. Congratulate him at jdt@ ca7.uscourts.gov.
$2,000,000 IN 24 HOURS Wanting to make a sequel to their hit movie Super Troopers, the comedy troupe Broken Lizard, consisting of Colgate Betas Jay Chandrasekhar ’90, Kevin Heffernan ’91, Steve Lemme ’91, Paul Soter ’91, and Erik Stolhanske ’91, set out to raise the $2MM needed for production. They raised the funds in just 24 hours, so the movie is a go! More than $4MM has been donated to date.
INNOVATIVE BETAS In April, Georgia Tech’s Alex Roe ’14, Will Sweet ’14 (left), and Scott Schroer ’14 (right), took first place at the InVenture competition for their new invention, the FlameTech Grill Defender. Designed for gas grills, which alerts users when gas levels are unsafe, the creation generated a $20,000 award, including a patent for the product.
“WAR EAGLE” BETAS A couple of Auburn Betas continue to bring credit to our Fraternity!
Col. John Hughes, Auburn ’77 (above), was awarded the Grant C. David Outstanding Fraternity Advisor Award by the University for his work with our Delta Zeta Chapter. Congratulate John at hughes80@hotmail.com.
A YEARLY GATHERING Since the 1980s, eight Ole Miss brothers who all lived together in the chapter house in the 1960s, have met every year for a reunion. The group consists of former Governor of Mississippi and current U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus ’69 (far left), Jesse White, Jr. ’66, Michael Harrison ’68, Robert Hauberg, Jr. ’65, James Peden, Jr. ’66, John Waits ’69, Robert Lewis, Jr. ’69 and George Woodliff III ’70. This year, they visited Seattle and went to the naval base at Everett, Wash. There, the group toured the nuclear aircraft carrier U.S.S Nimitz. What a trip and what a tradition for these Beta Beta Chapter brothers!
ALUMNI NEWS
Trey Ragsdale, Auburn ’96, was elected to People to People International’s Board of Directors. Connect with Trey at trey@ purepolitics.com.
13 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
FRATERNAL FIFTY
SUCCESSFUL EVENT IN D.C.
BETA ROAD TRIP
Son of Beta’s first Administrative Secretary Ralph N. Fey, Miami ’40, Tom Fey, Miami ’68, was recently presented his Fraternal 50 in person at Skyline Chili by Administrative Office staff members. Third generation Fey-family Beta Brian Fey, Miami ’00, congratulated his father on the milestone achievement that has included decades of service to the Alpha Chapter.
The Washington Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association held its annual Spring Reception at the University Club on April 30, and it was a big hit because of keynote speaker U.S. Congressman Joe Heck, Penn State ’84. Learn how to get involved in the nation’s capital by contacting Ryan Counihan, George Washington ’14, at counihan@gwmail.gwu.edu.
Fraternity Historians B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68, and Zac Haines, Miami ’05, recently hit the road to see some Beta sites. Departing from Louisville, the pair stopped by Washington in St. Louis, Mizzou and finally Westminster for the Alpha Delta Chapter’s ceremony of being recognized as the oldest chapter (of any fraternity) in continuous existence west of the Mississippi.
HOW ARE WE NOW?
A Beta alumnus reflects on life after his daughter’s 10-month battle with terminal cancer. by Mark W. Myers, Eastern Kentucky ’90
A
nother Friday the 13th. Is it truly possible that it has been a month? It seems so long ago sometimes, and sometimes it seems like yesterday. Then there are brief interludes of fantasy when I dream it never happened and life is normal. My rational brain won’t allow those glorious moments to last nearly long enough.
The last Friday the 13th – the bad one. I carried her. I had carried her frail body so often over the past 10 months, it seemed natural. Only this time, she didn’t wrap her arms around my neck or tell me where to go. This time, our destination wasn’t the couch or the kitchen table. On that dark evening, I carried her to the hearse waiting in my driveway. I did it because I didn’t want anyone to see her loaded onto a stretcher inside my house. How could we ever recover from that sight? It was the longest walk I’ve ever made.
So how are we doing? I asked Robin that very question and was given what I thought was an incredibly simple yet insightful answer. “Everything feels wrong, all the time.” Wrong. Off. Askew. Like staying together in a hotel where a home used to be. Wrong like when I had to drive my truck after it had been broken into a few years ago. Wrong. Stolen from. Unsettled. Yes, we have played games, shared laughs, and had fun, but everything always settles back into this amissness. The tears come and go. None of us try to force an end to them, we just huddle and wait them out. Nothing specific triggers them — just a Kylie-sized hole. Sleep is a game that Robin and I play differently. She can’t find it, I can’t keep it. So she stays up and reads or hangs out with our nightowl teens until she gets exhausted. I fall out at my usual time. But when my eyes open at 3 or 4 a.m., I am awake for the day. As time has moved on, the rules of the game have relaxed for both of us. She gets to bed sooner and I rise later. Still not normal, but better. We have thought about getting away for a weekend, just the two of us. Maybe it would be good to
“WE “WEWILL WILL FIGHT FIGHTTHIS THIS DISEASE DISEASE FOREVER FOREVER
. .. .. .and andtreat treat her herkitten kittenlike like aaqueen.” queen.” reconnect. Funny thing is, we’ve been connected throughout this horrible experience. We’ve been on the same page the entire time and are hesitant to give up a moment with the girls. Jenna is nearing the end of her freshman year, and from experience, we know that the rest of high school will fly by. Kendall will be a senior next year — we will be emptynesters soon enough. Then she will have nothing but my mug to look at and my guess is that she will feel way too connected with me. I know, it’s only a weekend, but we’ve learned just how precious a few hours can be. If I haven’t said it enough, my wife is incredible. She gets out of bed every day and pours love over the four of us. Taking care of her girls is what gets her up and she is laser-focused. After a year of being somewhat on their own, they are over-loved, over-conversed, and over-mothered right now. They might not admit it, but I think they are enjoying it. Robin gets out of the house a little now — not a ton, but more. She doesn’t like
long trips or long visits. Short is good, short doesn’t require a lot of preparation or conversation. For me, I have loved seeing pictures and videos of Kylie from before cancer came to stay. I don’t want to forget the past year, we had some great times of joy amidst the suffering. I would, however like to minimize the final couple of days. I feel the shift happening, but not nearly fast enough. As a father, my principle job is to protect. While my head knows cancer was out of my control, my paternal instinct at times whispers accusations. I still lack focus. Things seem to happen around me and sometimes I can almost detach from a conversation and watch myself participating in life like an eerie third party. It is so weird. A year ago, I prided myself in being able to keep a dozen balls in the air without dropping any. My first few days back to work I dropped everything like an amateur juggler. I might be up to four now. So, how are we? It’s still a pretty dumb question. We are parents living in the aftermath of the loss of their daughter. We are about as good as you’d expect. We miss her every minute. Still, we have hope and faith that we will see her again. We have each other, and we have you friends who have read this far. If you want an honest answer, we aren’t doing well but we are better than we were a week ago and certainly better than the last Friday, the 13th.
“GOD MUST HAVE A GREAT BIG PLAN FOR ME.” — Kylie Myers, after learning of her diagnosis with Ewing’s Sarcoma on April 9, 2014.
15 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
Left: Mark Myers comforts 12-year-old Kylie in September 2014, five months after her diagnosis. Mark can be reached at mayorofportsong@gmail.com.
The visitation and funeral are a blur. Pictures and video tell me they happened. I remember seeing so many friends. There were times I was almost happy, except for the specter of grief that always pulled me back into its dark bosom. We spent another 10 days with very little activity and a great many tissues. The void created by the passing of a relatively small child is disproportionately large.
YOU ASKED 16 THE BETA THETA PI
YOU. ASKED. Beta undergrads recently had a chance to ask Administrative Secretary Jud Horras some hard-hitting questions. Here’s how Jud replied . . .
What are we as an entire fraternity doing to make sure we foster an inclusive culture that makes sure people from all backgrounds feel welcome?
What do you think is the single most important area of the General Fraternity that needs to be improved and how can chapter presidents work to improve it?
— Aaron Murray, Oklahoma ’16
— Salvatore Leone, Creighton ’16
Short answer: not enough. Long answer: we are implementing everything from tracking member demographics, actively recruiting a more diverse membership onto our boards, highlighting inclusivity in our magazine and on social media, intentionally soliciting a diverse faculty for our student leadership programs, encouraging chapters to do programming in this area on their campuses, and ensuring that our volunteer and staff leadership role model respect and inclusivity in their daily lives. But, again, this isn’t enough as we need to better prepare our brothers to successfully lead our diverse, global world. I very much welcome your input in this area (jud.horras@beta.org).
Relationships. Relationships. Relationships. The Fraternity doesn’t work if we don’t trust each other, and trust can only be established by investing time in the relationship. Fairly or unfairly, the General Fraternity often comes off as “too strict” or “risk averse” instead of being compassionate, trusting and having the chapter’s back. We have to work harder to foster stronger relationships with our chapters, so we can better support our brothers in their development. One of the most important roles of a chapter president is ensuring that a trusting, open relationship exists between his chapter, the General Fraternity, the alumni and his university.
“
YOU ASKED
It really does take a village to help our chapters thrive over the long-term. And, we definitely appreciate all of the help we can get.
”
17
— Jud Horras, Iowa State ’97
Understanding the importance of professionalism, what is the best way to use social media for Beta?
Why are there so many Friends of Beta who volunteer for the Fraternity if they’re not Betas?
— Gus Gochnour, Utah ’17
— J.D. Sterba, Central Michigan ’16
— Logan Godby, Florida State ’17
Simple. 1) Keep being a model of fraternal excellence in Salt Lake City. 2) Work very, very hard to recruit men who aren’t going through rush but should be. (In other words, don’t just rely on freshmen who walk through your door during rush.) 3) Choose the right men to carry forward the chapter’s tradition of excellence. 4) Repeat numbers 1-3 . . . 365 days a year.
Always be “urbane in deportment and courteous in expression,” since people will oftentimes think your post is a reflection on Beta and the types of men who belong to it. If you want to be funny, master the fine art of dry humor. Your new Chapter Counselor Tom Olver, Central Michigan ’98, is an expert in this area.
Friends of Beta are some of Beta’s strongest advocates for what a great fraternity experience does for the development of our brothers, and I’m inspired by their dedication and optimism about Beta’s potential. FOBs often express to me their appreciation for how Men of Principle is helping all fraternities focus on what really matters, and they often cite our interfraternal leadership as a reason they support the cause.
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
How can we continue to recruit quality members with all the current issues facing fraternities?
CAMPAIGN UPDATE “THOSE WHO ARE HAPPIEST ARE THOSE WHO ”
DO THE MOST FOR OTHERS. — Booker T. Washington
GOAL $20,000,000 by August 2016
PROMISES TO KEEP
GIFTS & PLEDGES RECEIVED $12,676,121 (63.4% as of May 1, 2015)
18 THE BETA THETA PI
A few Ohio State Refounding Fathers snag a group pic during their spring formal, April 3, 2015.
Believing it is always the appropriate time to invest in the character development of young men, the Trustees and Foundation Board continue to call on alumni for financial support that will strengthen and expand Beta’s support of all chapters. The overarching goal? To inspire young men’s hearts, help them build lasting bonds of love and brotherhood, and open their minds and attitudes toward life – and all of mankind.
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
“Represented symbolically by the diamond in the badge, Beta undergraduates need the cutting of education and the polishing of experience. These, too, are our promises to keep.”
PROMISE I
PROMISE II
PROMISE III
Expand and endow student participation in award-winning Men of Principle leadership programs.
Launch a new online training platform for all undergraduates, advisors and Beta volunteers.
Build a state-of-the-art learning laboratory and archive preservation center within the Administrative Office.
F U N D ING NE E D: $ 1 3.4 MILLIO N
FU NDING NE E D: $3.7 MILLIO N
FU NDI NG NEED: $2.9 MI LLI ON
JAN & TODD BLEAKLEY Kansas State ’77
DAVE WRIGHT Ohio State ’67
$250,000
$100,000
$25,000
$25,000
Although living miles away in the UK, Ken’s commitment to Beta is astonishing. Recently accepting appointment to serve on Beta’s Foundation Board, Ken quickly made a generous estate provision of $250,000 that will have a resounding effect on young Betas for years to come.
Harry Mack made a lead gift to his chapter’s historic house campaign three years ago, but not one to underestimate the value of investing in young people, the retired CEO and Chairman of Leggett & Platt is also providing a $100,000 cash gift to keep Beta’s charactershaping programs on the move.
Working as a real estate developer in Kansas City, Todd understands the need to pay for today while investing in tomorrow. Pledging to maintain JRK Club status for the Beta Leadership Fund ($1,500 annually), he and Janice are also endowing the new Todd & Janice Bleakley Leadership Development Fund.
When it comes to Beta, Dave Wright is “all-in.” Former district chief and General Secretary, he now serves as chairman of Ohio State’s chapter house capital campaign. Despite it all, Dave continues to give generously and has even increased his estate gift by $25,000 to benefit The PTK Campaign.
MYRNA & KRIS SWANSON Lawrence ’87
ANONYMOUS
PAUL WINTERBOTHAM San Diego ’12
KARLA & BRIAN PEMBERTON Oregon ’04
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
$2,500
Kris caught the Beta Spirit at Lawrence 30 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Serving as chapter vice president, he went on to become district chief, and eventually, regional director. Knowing how important this campaign is to Beta’s future, Kris and wife Myrna have made a generous $10,000 cash gift.
An anonymous $5,000 gift was recently committed by a graduate of GMI-EMI (Kettering) after learning of the incredible success of the Men of Principle initiative. At about $500 per student, this gift will sponsor roughly 10 young men to a leadership program who otherwise couldn’t attend.
As a graduate and facilitator of several Beta leadership programs, Paul knows first-hand the impact they can have on a young man’s life. Maybe that’s why he has pledged a cash gift of $500 per year for the next five years to make sure others have the same opportunities afforded to him.
Hailing from the Great Northwest, Brian’s Beta enthusiasm continues as he helps organize the Portland Alumni Association’s quarterly luncheon. Not surprisingly, he and wife Karla have also made a $2,500 pledge to ensure the Men of Principle initiative remains relevant in the lives of our young Betas.
L E A R N MO R E BY WATCH ING T H E PRO MIS E S TO KE E P CAMPAIG N V IDEO:
BETA.O RG/P TK
19 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
HARRY MACK CORNELL JR. Missouri ’50
PROMISES TO KEEP
KEN BRYAN MIT ’88
I am a fraternity man. [Is Growing].
In March, Beta Theta Pi launched a public relations campaign called “I Am a Fraternity Man” in an effort to bring into focus the vast majority of young men whose fraternity experiences are positive and nothing like the negative ones portrayed in the media. Viewed as a small contribution by Beta to help the interfraternity cause, the campaign has been met with overwhelming endorsement by the Greek community and its supporters. In the months leading up to the campaign launch, Beta produced videos with 10 of its undergraduate members whose personal stories combat the wide-sweeping generalizations often tied to fraternity (and sorority) members. Additionally, the campaign launched a standalone website and social media accounts to continue the important conversation. It is Beta’s aim that, through the humanizing of fraternity members at large, this multidimensional campaign will take proactive steps to help offset the negative media attention and Hollywood’s portrayal — and more accurately depict the norm of fraternity men across North America. — Mike Roupas, Iowa ’10
BY THE NUMBERS 26,384
individuals have visited IAAFM’s website, totaling 80,296 page views.
136,262
Facebook users saw the campaign’s first three posts on Facebook.
9,192
people watched the IAAFM video testimonials of the first 10 men.
150+
men joined the campaign with their own picture or video messages.
282
IAAFM supporters own the official “I Am a Fraternity Man” T-shirt.
3,808
people follow IAAFM on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
SPEAKING UP In March 2015, “I Am a Fraternity Man” launched with 10 men whose stories sparked these reactions . . . “GENERALLY SPEAKING, I’M ALWAYS PROUD to be part of Beta Theta Pi, but today I am especially proud of my fraternity for being a leader in the Greek community and taking the first steps to move forward and progress, not just react. A passion for leadership and progress is the reason why I chose Beta at UK, but that same passion spans nationwide into all of the undergraduate chapters and Beta alumni. #IAmAFrataernityMan stands not just for us, but for the good things that the entire Greek community stands for.” — Gammon Fain, Kentucky ’18
“GOOD, POSITIVE, proactive campaign. It’s not new for Beta Theta Pi to be ahead of the curve.” — Joe Floyd, Emory ’68
“THIS IS AN AMAZING opportunity to share the story of fraternity membership and the student learning associated with it. Thanks for leading the way!” — Byron Hughes, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Virginia Tech
“I SHARED SOME of the videos with a few of my chapter sisters and we’re all encouraged by the work that you have done. We also find it important to show that Greek life goes beyond the stereotypes and would like to do similar work. If you have any advice or would like to partner, I would love to hear back from you. Thank you so much!” — Adriana Smith, Gamma Phi Beta undergraduate from Loyola University New Orleans
# IAMAFR AT ER NI T Y M A N
“I STUMBLED ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE today and I am floored! It’s very well done, and a great thing to find, especially when things in the media are so bad lately for Greek men and women! I am the president of the Chicago Delta Zeta Alumnae Chapter, is there anything that we could do to support your endeavor?” — Erin Donovan, Delta Zeta alumna
“LOVE THE campaign!
“I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF SIGMA PI and also the president
My boyfriend and friends who belong to fraternities always treat me with the utmost respect.” — Danielle Kelley, Sorority Woman
of my university’s Interfraternity Council. I just wanted to say that this is such an awesome thing that you all have started! I would love to help and support you all. If you could send me any more information I can share, please do.” — Nick San Angelo, Sigma Pi undergraduate from Bridgewater State University
“THE ‘I AM A FRATERNITY MAN’ CAMPAIGN that Beta has rolled out is AMAZING! I just watched all of the personal testimonies, and am now even more eager to be working with Beta men this summer at Wooden.” — Rachel Wilhelm Lamey, Chapter Development Specialist for Delta Delta Delta
“IT’S ABOUT TIME someone set the record straight. Facts about the amount of good Greeks perform are never discussed. I’ve seen the data — they are happier during school and afterwards, they make lifelong friends, they are loyal alumni, they are more successful ... this is the part that never gets told because it’s not sufficiently salacious. Keep up the good work!” — Douglas Kim, a fraternity man and co-founder of Dovecote ad agency
BE TA .ORG | S UMME R 2 015 [ 21 ]
“All too often, the actions of a few tarnish
and there’s no attempt to set the r — Adam Boyer, Penn State ’12
CANDID VIDEO TESTIMONIALS When “I Am a Fraternity Man” launched, it included produced video testimonials of 10 Betas across North America. Since then, the campaign welcomed all fraternity men and supporters (universities/colleges, fraternity and sorority headquarters, parents, significant others, alumni and friends) to join the conversation with their peers. More than 40 men have sat behind their own cameras WHITE BOARD DECLARATIONS to speak candidly about the positive effects their fraternity “I Am a Fraternity Man” sparked engagement memberships have had with a white board campaign in April featuring in their lives. To watch fraternity men who held signs describing how some of their messages, they are the true fraternity norm. Numerous visit iamafraternityman.org/ chapters and IFCs supported the effort, resulting supporters. in more than 100 white board photos of fraternity men published on social media.
“#IAmAFraternityMan because there is no organization that gives me a greater drive to #HelpOthers and #FollowMyDreams.” — Ian McCain, Alpha Sigma Phi from Central Michigan University
[ 22] THE BETA THETA P I | S UM M ER 2 015
the reputation of many
e record straight.”
VIDEOS
Nine men from Pi Kappa Phi joined together to film an IAAFM video testimonial which documents their personal experiences as fraternity men at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Watch the video at: iamafraternityman.org/supporters/PiKappQU.
“Fraternity is about learning, friendship and development of character. I am not a stereotype. #IAmAFraternityMan #ProudSigmaChi” — Michael Conan
“I’ve never felt so much love and acceptance in my life,” says Phi Mu Delta’s Ian Endresen in his IAAFM video. Ian discusses his experience coming out to his chapter brothers. Watch his video at: iamafraternityman.org/supporters/ian.
Truman State Betas fully integrated the campaign on social media this month with a daily post to their Facebook page. Their campaign included a powerful 2-minute video message: iamafraternityman.org/ supporters/BetaTS.
# IAMAFR AT ER NI T Y M A N
BE TA .ORG | S UMME R 2 015 [ 2 3 ]
By Joseph W. Bruno, President, Marietta College
Get past the myth:
[Greek Life] Has Plenty to Offer Campuses
There are a number of challenges facing college campuses today, and certainly the impact of Greek life on campus is one of them.
RESOURCES “I Am a Fraternity Man� exists to shed light on the positive perspectives of fraternities that often go unheard. Visit IAmAFraternityMan.org to read our compilation of opinion articles from authors who support young fraternity men across North America.
[ 24] THE BETA THETA P I | S UM M ER 2 015
In recent years we have heard much about the culture of drug and alcohol abuse on some campuses, and the disproportionate contributions made by Greek organizations in recent weeks have brought shocking examples of anti-social and even racist behaviors. In the most notorious of these, the university promptly discontinued the chapter, and one of the perpetrators issued an open apology for his actions. In other cases, national organizations have disbanded chapters that fail to live up to fraternity or sorority standards. Lost in all of this appropriate outrage is the recognition of the positive contributions and daily acts of good citizenship exhibited by many Greek organizations, and that is the topic herein. I would never have imagined myself as an apologist for, or even supporter of, Greek life. I, myself, was never a member of a fraternity. As a first generation transfer student, I was unaware of, and uninterested in, the opportunities Greek life afforded. And to be sure, no Greek organization showed even a modicum of interest in seeking me out. During my time as a student, faculty member and administrator in higher education, I periodically witnessed some of the negative behaviors constituting an affront to institutional community values. And so, I was occasionally prone to align my thinking with the negative reports.
When I interviewed some three-and-a-half years ago for my current position, I was asked about my views on Greek life. I said then that I had no particular opposition, and would only ask members to seek opportunities to build community on campus rather than serve as the exclusive domain of a select few. In truth, however, my skepticism ran deeper than that answer designed to avoid giving offense, and it was based on my earlier observations. What a pleasant surprise it has been, therefore, to see the frequent positive contributions of Greek life at Marietta College. Most national organizations have a designated charity or cause, and it has been gratifying to see the degree to which our students give their support in the form of on-campus fundraisers for their organization of choice. I have been particularly surprised at the frequency with which I am offered the chance to throw a pie or other dessert at a student, or to smear them with paint (washable, I hope), or to inflict some other embarrassment. I’ve told the students that I have a policy against throwing objects at them, lest they should be encouraged some day to return the favor. However, I do make it a regular practice to offer the requested contribution, even as I forego the opportunity it provides. And in a more local initiative, a fraternity on our campus staged a solid week of cycling on a stationary bike to raise pledges to defray the medical expenses of a friend (not a member of the fraternity!) on campus. They asked me to ride the closing hour of the week, a week that had begun early one morning. This had me cycling in the early morning darkness, even as the local news station had a camera crew there for an interview.
I also witness the extent to which our fraternities and sororities seek to include professors and administrators in their activities. My wife and I are invited to join one of our fraternities for an annual Thanksgiving dinner, an event featuring a stunning amount of food prepared entirely by the brothers and an eveningending musical performance featuring well-dressed members with more musical talent than I might have expected. And a local sorority invites us annually to a solemn celebration of the founding of their organization. Finally, we have been
“Our system is surely not perfect, but, based on what I’ve seen, I would be happy to see membership rolls expand.” delighted to attend a number of events and dinners designed to celebrate outstanding academic performance by chapters and individual members. Those evenings are obviously closely aligned with our foremost institutional value and are thus particularly gratifying, and we never turn down an invitation if we are in town. If we are as successful as I maintain, what leads to these positive contributions to our campus? We have, within our student life office, a staff member who does a wonderful job as the advisor to the Greek community, but I suspect many other institutions do too. Another key factor, from my perspective, is the influence of College and chapter alumni. Each organization has a local alumnus/a who advises the chapter, and this influence cannot be
overestimated. I have seen examples at other institutions of alumni who justifiably value the experience they had 30 years ago, but who are apparently unable to realize that times and standards have changed. It has been shocking to see the negative impact they have by urging the current members to oppose the college administration as it seeks to establish community conduct expectations. This is what makes me so appreciative of the impact Marietta alumni/ae have on the organizations they advise. At homecoming last year, my wife and I were invited to a dinner and roast put on by one of the fraternities in honor of their alumnus advisor, who was retiring from his “day job.” This was to be our last event in a long day of events, and we were scheduled to drop in, make a few remarks, and then head home. Instead, we ended up staying for a late dinner, enjoying many conversations, and witnessing the inspiring interactions of the current members with the many, many alumni who had returned for the event. Many in attendance clearly appreciated our willingness to stay with them at the end of a long day, and I appreciated the positive tone of the event and the strong bonds between alumni and current students that I seek to foster across our institution. Is our experience so different from those at other institutions? I suspect not, but it isn’t the “man-bites-dog” story that normally captures our attention. What it shows, and what must be acknowledged, is the positives Greek life can bring to a campus, and the contributing influence of strong mentors. Our system is surely not perfect, but, based on what I’ve seen, I would be happy to see membership rolls expand.
join the movement. Add your voice to the #IAmAFraternityMan conversation online at the campaign’s official channels.
iamafraternityman.org | facebook.com/iamafraternityman | twitter.com/iaafm
# IAMAFR AT ER NI T Y M A N
BE TA .ORG | S UMME R 2 015 [ 2 5 ]
Researchers. Artists. Clergymen. rhodes scholars
philanthropists. nobel prize Laureates medal of honor recipients. Preservationists
athletes. astronomers. educators prime minister. Engineers. Policemen. inventors
Coaches. Pilots. Editors. Ambassadors Illustrators. Senators. Professors. Doctors premiers. Archeologists. Scholars. Botanists. Teachers
Physicists. Judges. Composers. Musicians
Beyond the Legends. Actors. Soldiers
Betas of Achievement You’ve Likely Never Heard of
bankers
Coach John Wooden, Beta Theta Pi is home to Beta Greats who
CEOs. authors
Governors Olympic medalists
From Walmart Founder Sam Walton to Legendary Basketball have largely impacted society. But with more than 200,000 initiated brothers since 1839, the stories of many influential Betas beyond these Beta Legends have been left untold. Adapted from Editor Emeritus Erv Johnson’s new “Betas of Achievement II,” these are the inspirational stories of brothers you likely don’t know about.. Until now.
Speakers of the House. Reporters. Astronauts
Founders & CEOs
Ghirardelli Chocolate D. Lyle Ghirardelli, Stanford 1903, is the grandson of the founder of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, the oldest chocolate-making firm west of the Mississippi. Brother Ghirardelli served as the company’s president from 1920-45 and chairman from 1945-55.
The Big Three Automakers Beta has strong ties to the three largest car companies in North America: Walter Chrysler, Dartmouth ’33, was the son of Chrysler Corporation’s founder and Lynn Townsend, Michigan ’40, was Chrysler’s president 1961-75. Donald Petersen, Washington ’46, was the CEO of Ford Motor Company from 1985-90, and Charles Wilson, Carnegie Mellon 1909, was the president of General Motors from 1941-53.
Adobe Almay Cosmetics AT&T Wireless Bank of America Bechtel Group Bethlehem Steel Boeing Cargill Dairy Queen Deloitte/Touche Dollar General Dow Chemical Dun & Bradstreet DuPont Eli Lilly Folger Coffee General Electric General Foods Georgia-Pacific Honeywell IBM Johnson & Johnson K-Mart Koch Industries Leggett & Platt Lifesavers Mary Kay NCR Nike Nationwide Nordstrom Paine Webber Pennzoil Pillsbury Pizza Hut Red Lobster R.J. Reynolds Serta Mattresses Shell Oil Sprint Wachovia Wyndham Hotels
Business
Most Betas know that Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, Missouri ’40. But you likely didn’t know . . . Beta businessmen and visionaries were responsible for the introduction of the stock market ticker, coin-operated laundry, your mother’s nail polish, Charm’s Blow Pops and the touchpad on your microwave oven:
Samuel Laws, MiAmi 1848: Former president of the New York City’s Gold Exchange, Laws invented the stock market ticker in 1867. He also hired a young, would-be inventor named Thomas A. Edison as mechanical supervisor.
Judson S. Sayre, Ohio Wesleyan ’21: President of the Norge Division of Borg Warner Corporation, Sayre pioneered coin-operated laundry and automatic dry-cleaning machines.
Northam Warren, Kansas 1899: A widely known toiletries manufacturer, Warren founded Northam Warren Corporation and introduced the first liquid nail polish in 1916.
Walter Reid, Lehigh ’38: The chairman of Charms Candy Company from 1960-88, Reid developed the famous gum-centered lollipop, Blow Pops.
Steven Sample, Illinois ’62: More than 300 million home appliances have been built as a result of Sample’s inventions and patents in digital appliance controls. Sample would eventually become President of USC in Los Angeles.
T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 2 7 | B e ta .o r g
Arts &
Entertainment
Most Betas know that Batman was portrayed in the 1960s by Adam West, Whitman ’51. But you likely didn’t know . . .
National Geographic A member of the first American team to summit Mount Everest, Barry Bishop, Cincinnati ’54, was an author and photographer for National Geographic from 1959 until 1994.
Cuckoo’s Nest A counter-cultural figure who considered himself a link between the Beat Generation and the hippies, Ken Kesey, Oregon ’57, wrote the famous novel,“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in 1962.
From classic television sitcoms to award-winning compositions, the talents of Beta men have affected the hearts and minds of many generations:
Phillip Brown, Stanford ’37: The founder of New York City’s Group Theatre and Hollywood’s Actors’ Laboratory, Brown is most known for his role as “Uncle Owen” in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.”
Robert Reed, Northwestern ’55: A prolific television, film and stage actor for Editorial four decades, Reed was nominated for three Emmys for his portrayal of “Mike Cartoonist Brady,” the father on the “The Brady Bunch” (above).
One of the most famous political Leigh Harline, Utah ’29: A four-time Oscar-winning composer and conductor, cartoonists of all time, Harline is best known for the music to “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Jay (Ding) Darling, Beloit 1899, created Disney’s “Pinocchio.” more than 12,000 H. Richard Hornberger Jr., Bowdoin ’45: Under the pen name Richard Hooker, editorial cartoons, drew the design for Hornberger authored the book “M*A*S*H” which was later adapted to a film the first Federal Duck and record-breaking TV series. Stamp and was the primary founder and president of the National Wildlife Federation. T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 2 8 | Sum m e r 2 0 1 5
CBS News A television news correspondent, journalist and author, David Martin, Yale ’65, works for CBS News as the network’s National Security Correspondent reporting from the Pentagon. Martin also contributes regularly to the CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes and 48 Hours.
Academia
Longest Serving University President
Most Betas know that Dale Mortensen, Willamette ’61, was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. But you likely didn’t know . . .
Not only was James K. Patterson, Hanover 1856, the first president of the University of Kentucky, but he was also the longest serving university president in U.S. history, serving from 1869 From leading humanitarians to university presidents, Betas have embraced until 1910 — a total of 41 years. the Fraternity’s principles in their lifelong pursuits of intellectual growth:
Y. C. James (Jimmy) Yen, Yale 1918: Known worldwide as a leading humanitarian and educator, Dr. Yen (above) made possible the education of more than 60 million Chinese, bringing functional literacy to the common man for the first time. In 1943, a distinguished body of scholars and scientists described Yen as “one of the ten greatest revolutionaries of our time,” alongside Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Orville Wright, Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison.
Rhodes Scholars Charles Colson, Brown ’53: While labeled as one of the “Watergate Seven,” The Fraternity boasts 84 Rhodes Scholars – more than any other fraternity – including Richard Tsien, MIT ’65, who founded and became the first chairman of the department of cellular and molecular physiology at Stanford University.
Colson was indicted for his part in the Nixon Administration Watergate scandal. As a result of his incarceration and personal repentance, Colson took up the cause of prison reform, founding Prison Fellowship, 1976, which has grown to 50,000 volunteers ministering in U.S. prisons.
T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 2 9 | B eta .o r g
Health & Medicine Nobel Prize Laureate
During World War I, Laurence Myers, Bethany 1908, was ordered to give injections of typhoid vaccine to 500 men. Learning the size of the dose, he refused. The next officer ordered to administer the vaccine From medical research to first aid inventions, the contributions from Beta men followed the orders, to the medical world have helped advance modern day health and medicine. and within 12 hours, 87 of the men died.
Most Betas know that the portable defibrillator was invented by Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Missouri ’43. But you likely didn’t know . . .
The joint winner of a 1934 Nobel Prize (Beta’s first of three) for his contribution to the cure for pernicious anemia, George Whipple, Yale 1900, was dean of Earle Dickson, Yale 1913: An employee of Johnson & Johnson, Dickson develthe University of Rochester School of Medicine for 32 years. oped a home-made solution to help his wife Josephine bandage her own cuts
and burns that she frequently received while cooking. Passing his idea on to his employer in 1920, Dickson went on to produce and market his invention as the Band-Aid, and before his retirement in 1957, rose to become Johnson & Johnson’s vice president.
Jonathan Letterman, Washington & Jeferson 1845: Known as the “Father of Battlefield Medicine” while an army doctor in the Civil War, Letterman is credited as the originator of the modern methods for medical organization in armies and on the battlefield. His system enabled thousands of wounded soldiers to be DNA Repair treated during the Civil War. (Fun fact: In 1852, his brother, William, co-foundA Canadian geneticist and ed Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity at Washington & Jefferson.) biophysicist best known for his study of DNA repair and mutagenesis, Robert Haynes, Western Ontario ’53, also helped invent the term “ecopoiesis” which is widely used in the field of space exploration.
Refused Orders
Loyal Davis, Knox 1916: A famous brain surgeon, neurologist and president of the American College of Surgeons (1962-63), Davis’ research with the brains of animals established a safe method of treatment for brain tumors by directly implanting radium into the brain. (Fun fact: Davis was the father of First Lady Nancy Reagan.) T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 3 0 | Sum m e r 2 0 1 5
Beta’s Six Medal of Honor Recipients Terrence Graves, Miami ’67 (Vietnam War) Thomas McGuire, Georgia Tech ’42 (WWII) David Waybur, UC Berkeley ’42 (WWII) Everett Pope, Bowdoin ’41 (WWII)
Military
Most Betas know John Dolibois, Miami ’42, was on the team that interrogated topranking Nazis at the Nuremberg Trials. But you likely didn’t know . . .
Dropping the Bomb
A World War II pilot who flew one of the three planes involved in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Frederick Bock, Chicago 1939, rose to the rank of major. Awarded the Distinguished Whether in the air shooting down enemy aircrafts or serving as a spy on the Flying Cross and the Air Medal, Bock later ground, Betas have protected the freedom of citizens in their countries. returned to the University of Chicago to earn Matt Quay, his doctorate, specializing in genetics and Washington & Thomas McGuire, Georgia Tech ’42: Considered America’s “Second Leading mathematical statistics. Jefferson 1850 Emory Pike, Iowa Wesleyan 1898 (WWI)
(Civil War)
Air Ace” in World War II, McGuire shot down three Japanese aircrafts in his first engagement, and by age 24, had shot down 38 enemy planes in his P-38 fighter. The actions of Major McGuire were considered so heroic that he was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously and New Jersey’s McGuire Air Force Base was renamed in his honor.
Eric Erickson, Cornell ’21: A Swedish businessman who worked for American intelligence during World War II, Erickson pretended he was a Nazi and visited Germany more than 30 times during the war, making friends with Nazi leaders and becoming disowned from his family and friends who believed him to be a traitor. Gathering information about synthetic oil Selfless Sacrifice plants, his efforts allowed the U.S. to plan bombing raids and, thus, was Five Beta pilots all made the ultimate sacrifice by flying their disabled planes away from populated invited to meet President Truman immediately after the war. areas, dying during their crashes: Paul Gowen, William Dawson, Ohio Wesleyan 1914: Armed with only a pistol in the Idaho ’30, Donald Stewart Jr, Nebraska ’49, Wayne Bartley, Iowa State ’55, and Washington Argonne, Dawson captured five German prisoners without firing a shot. in St. Louis Betas John Wikeen ’54, and During World War II, Dawson served as Beta Theta Pi president. Matthew Hawley ’80.
T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 3 1 | B eta .o r g
Politics
Long-Serving Arizona Congressman
The first Republican congressman ever elected by Arizona, John Jacob Rhodes, Kansas State ’38, served for 30 years. The longest in House of Representatives tenure in Arizona, he was credited with the Central Arizona Project, which brought water for agriculture to the region. In 1974, Rhodes led the Congressional delegation to the From the fathers of First Ladies and a Queen, to the son of a U.S. President, Beta White House to advise President Nixon that the House would vote brothers have strong ties to prominent political figures: to impeach and the Senate would Fathers of First ladies: The daughter of Marvin Pierce, Miami 1916, is Barbara vote to convict, setting the stage for Nixon’s resignation.
Most Betas know that the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada was John Turner, British Columbia ’49. But you likely didn’t know . . .
Assassinated Bush. Loyal Davis, Knox 1914, is Nancy Reagan’s father. President Taft’s fatherAmbassador in-law is John Herron, Miami 1845.
The United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs, Beloit ’42, was assassinated while traveling to his office in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1979. Characterized by newspapers as “a near-perfect example of American statesmanship,” Dubs was eulogized by Dr. Seth Brooks, St Lawrence ’22: “No sacrifice for his country was too great; in the end, it meant his life.”
Father of the Queen of Jordan: Queen Noor of Jordan (above) is the daughter of Najeeb Halaby Jr., Stanford ’37.
Father of U.S. President: Joseph Wilson, Washington & Jefferson 1844, is the father of President Woodrow Wilson, Phi Kappa Psi.
Son of U.S. President: Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Charles Taft, Yale 1918, is a Beta legacy and the son of President Taft.
Distinguished Presidential In-Law: Beta’s first U.S. Senator, James H. Harlan, Government Service
Beta’s first Rhodes Scholar, Stanley
DePauw 1845 (Iowa), was close with President Lincoln and First Lady Mary Hornbeck, Colorado/Denver 1903, Todd. Fittingly, Harlan’s daughter married the President’s only surviving son, was chief of the State Department Division of Far Eastern Affairs Robert Lincoln. (1928–37), a special advisor to Secretary of State Cordell Hull (1937–44), and ambassador to The Netherlands (1944–47).
T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 3 2 | Sum m e r 2 0 1 5
Olympic Champion One of a few athletes who have competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, Eddie Eagan, Denver/Yale ’20, is noted as the only person to win a gold medal in both Olympics in different events: boxing (1920) and bobsledding (1932).
PGA Tour Winner After joining the PGA Tour in 1994, Scott McCarron, UCLA ’88, went on to achieve three PGA Tour victories in 1996, 1997 and 2001, and has been featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Athletics
Most Betas know UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden, Purdue ’32, led his team to 10 NCAA championships, and Bill Bowerman, Oregon ’33, co-founded Nike. But you likely didn’t know . . . Whether Olympic athletes or Baseball Hall of Famers, Beta men have contributed both on the field and behind the scenes:
Bill Veeck, Kenyon ’36: Considered “baseball’s great innovator,” Veeck invented the first exploding scoreboard and was the first to place players’ names on the back of uniforms. Owner of the Cleveland Indians (1947-49), St. Louis Browns (1951-53), and Chicago White Sox (1959-60, 75-79), Veeck signed the first African-American player, Larry Doby, in the American League, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Charles (Choo Choo) Justice, North Carolina ’50: Considered one of the top
Baseball Hall of Fame
runners in college football history, Justice (above) is a folk hero whose skills as a runner, passer, return specialist, defensive back and punter earned him All-American status. Twice runner-up for the Heisman Trophy (1948 and 1949), he was also featured on the cover of Life magazine (1949.)
A Baseball Hall of Fame executive, Larry MacPhail, Beloit 1910, introduced night baseball, secured the first radio coverage contract and pioneered television coverage of games. T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 3 3 | B eta .o r g
Coaches for Cancer A highly successful Missouri Tigers basketball coach and survivor of colon cancer, Norman Stewart, Missouri ’55, founded the nationwide campaign known as “Coaches for Cancer” to create awareness for colon cancer.
Philanthropy
Most Betas know that restaurateur Jim Collins, UCLA ’50, is a humanitarian and benefactor of the Wooden Institute. But you likely didn’t know . . .
Supporting Study Abroad Students A leading art critic, Bernard
From forest fire prevention campaigns to Peace Conference representation, Beta men have Berenson, Boston/Harvard 1887, lived in a 40-room done their part to give back to the community through service and philanthropy:
villa outside Florence, Italy. Kester Flock, Idaho ’26: A supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico, Flock Berenson donated the villa warned against the dangers of forest fires. Upon rescuing a black bear cub whose paws were and its superb collection of art treasures to Harvard University blistered from the heat of a charred tree, he flew with the cub to D.C. where it became the as a study abroad center.
original “Smokey the Bear.”
John Blair, Wabash 1893: A Presbyterian minister, Blair believed that his mother, Jennie Johnson Blair, was one of three women initiated into Beta Theta Pi (1867) in order to keep the ritual and chapter records safe during the Civil War. The other two female initiates were sisters Emma and Celia Bennett (initiated in1861).
Ernest Coluter, Ohio State 1893: A clerk in New York Children’s Court in 1904, Coulter spoke to a local men’s club on behalf of the children appearing before the court. Forty volunteers responded resulting in what would become Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, an organization for which he is credited as founder, lifelong leader and advocate.
T h e B eta T h e ta Pi | 3 4 | Sum m e r 2 0 1 5
Representing Albania A Congregational minister, Charles Erikson, DePauw 1891, helped Albania form its first independent government in 1912, and represented Albania at the World War I Peace Conference in Paris.
:STATE OF THE
FRATERNITY
“AND WE CANNOT DOUBT THAT IN THIS, AS IN OTHER RESPECTS, OUR ‘FUTURE WILL COPY FAIR OUR PAST.’” — WILLIS O. ROBB, OHIO WESLEYAN 1879
BETA-AT-A-GLANCE *All-time Beta record! Collective GPA
Undergraduate Members
Leadership Program Graduates
Core Advisor Positions Filled
SELFGOVERNANCE
RECRUITMENT : Membership Beta’s undergraduate membership reached an all-time record of 9,590 young men.
: Beta’s Collective GPA For all 129 chapters, Beta achieved another record breaking milestone of 3.204 — among the highest in the fraternity world.
: Average Chapter Size Among the highest in the fraternity world, Beta’s average chapter size climbed to 74.4 (129 chapters). : Expansion This year, 2014-15: NC State, Ohio State, Purdue, UC Davis and Willamette. Looking forward to 2015-16: LSU, Rochester, Texas, Texas Tech and UC Berkeley.
Hazing – UC Santa Barbara – Washington – West Virginia Risk Management – Wesleyan EDUCATION
Above, 11 newly initiated brothers at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles pose together, as the Eta Alpha Chapter now boasts 79 enthusiastic and loyal brothers.
: Leadership Programs Some 2,127 young men attended one of Beta’s leadership programs this fiscal year, totaling 17,720 since inception of the Men of Principle initiative in 1998. : Capital Campaign Thanks to the Foundation’s capital campaign, a fifth session of the Wooden Institute has been added, as has capacity (approx. 100 more students) to the Greiner Leadership College.
HISTORIC YEAR OF REFLECTION AND CONCERN Beta certainly has every reason to celebrate this year, as the organization crossed the 175-year-old milestone, a feat shared by only 5 (of 75) national fraternities since Phi Beta Kappa’s founding in 1776. Complete with a record-breaking attended General Convention (1,684), an all-time undergraduate membership peak of 9,590, the historic surpassing of the 3.2 GPA mark, and the highest levels on record of adults volunteering to mentor our young men, the underpinnings of the Fraternity rest on absolute bedrock. Yet, the cultural concerns plaguing young people these days give all of those who care about the future of the continent’s youth — and our Fraternity, therein — serious concern. Is Greek life worth it? What is Beta’s role in it all? How does our Fraternity balance its longstanding commitment to relationships and brotherly love with the reality that sometimes our young men’s behaviors warrant discipline and require correction? Yes, the Fraternity continues to impact the lives of its members positively. But the challenge to continue proving its relevance across the land must remain front and center.
VOLUNTEERS : Chapter Advisors Of 645 core advisors required (5/chapter), 616 (96%) are filled by loyal volunteers. A record average of 8 advisors per chapter are volunteering at the local level. : House Corporations Of 129 chapters, 101 occupy a facility; 63 are Beta-owned. 68 (67%) are alcoholfree. 69% of Betaowned facilities are sprinkled; 77% have joined Beta’s Cornerstone Housing Program. 653 Betas serve as house corporation volunteers, a record.
35 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
: Chapter Closures While most chapters exercise diligent peer accountability, some chapters remain defiant after repeated attempts to redirect and support course corrections:
STATE OF THE FRATERNITY
3.204* 9,590* 2,127* 96%*
ARKANSAS
BETHANY
Colony | Fayetteville, Ark. Kevin Dunavan ’16 kwdunava@uark.edu
CHAPTER REPORTS
Ψ | Bethany, W. Va. Dakota Maravelis '16 dmaravelis@bethanywv.edu
This semester has been one for the books! We have looked at how to contribute to our community in a way that sheds light on the positive aspects of Greek culture. We have over 1,000 service hours and have participated in all fellow Greek philanthropy endeavors through participation and financial contribution.
This semester, we will be graduating a great group of senior Betas that will be dearly missed. It is one of the largest graduating classes in our recent history, however, we are looking forward to coming semesters with our great group of new initiates that is also a big class.
S 3.08 | 3.06 E
S
ALABAMA
53 | NA
R 70/128 | NA V
10 | NA
AUBURN
ΔΘ | Tuscaloosa, Ala. Will Green ’17 wbgreen@crimson.ua.edu
CHAPTER REPORTS
S 2.99 | 2.94 E
S
9|7
2.93 | 2.84
E
11 | 10
R
55/141 | 45
19 | 16
16/28 | 12
R
V
9|6
ΓΟ | Vancouver, B.C. Devon Willitts ’15 devon.willitts@gmail.com
We’ve had a great year! We have focused on food this year, providing support to our community through volunteering at food pantries, soup kitchens and canned-goods drives. Beta loves to lend a helping hand! We also would like to congratulate our brother Kip Winslow on his marriage!
R 44/106 | 42 V
E
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ΔΖ | Auburn, Ala. Matthew Carray ’16 mcarray@auburn.edu
The Delta Theta Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Capstone this past spring. We had a great weekend of events that brought alumni, active brothers and their families together. Moving forward, the brothers anticipate good spring recruitment and chapter-wide philanthropy involvement. 17 | 16
NR | 2.86
V
6|7
This term was a big one for Gamma Omicron. Our chapter won the Interfraternity Sports Cup for the third year in a row, as well as the highly coveted Earl Award, which is awarded to the athlete of the year.
S
NR | NR
E
5 | 10
27/82 | 30
R
V
6|6
36 AMERICAN
BAYLOR
In our first year as a colony, we welcomed 16 amazing new members into our Alpha class. Our new philanthropy, the Floor Project, was founded by one of our brothers and will be sending down a group of brothers to Nicaragua this summer to help rebuild a school.
S
3.25 | 3.04
E
16 | NA
R
16/67 | NA
V
11 | NA
ARIZONA
E
11 | 9
R
51/144 | 54
This semester, the Delta Psi Colony caused a buzz on campus with our All-University Sing performance “The Magic Show.” We also hosted our first university-wide philanthropy event: a sorority volleyball tournament and concert benefiting a local after-school program for underprivileged children. S
3.26 | 3.00
E
5 | NA
R
15/61 | NA
V
7 | NA
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
The Delta Beta Chapter put on a neighborhood barbecue this semester in order to strengthen our neighborhood relations. We are also in the process of adopting a set of expectations for our members. Lastly, we are planning our annual philanthropy, Beta Lei, supporting the Alzheimer’s Association of America. 2.87 | 2.77
ΕΔ | San Luis Obispo, Calif. Jeron Hogan ’17 jeronhogan@gmail.com
V
9|8
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
We had a big increase in our alumni relations this year, including having some of our Founding Fathers come back to visit, as well as meet those brothers who we had lost touch with in previous years. This was a big help from our local alumni reaching out to help.
S
2.89 | 2.90
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
ΔΒ | Tucson, Ariz. Kurtis Childs ’17 kchilds@email.arizona.edu
S
CAL POLY
ΔΨ | Waco, Texas Matt Chelf ’16 matt_chelf@baylor.edu
3.20
E
13 | 8
R
E 3.02
17
25/72 | 24
R 13
28/74
V
3|2
V 26
8
7
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4 rag e Gra Cam de pus Po A l l -Ma int A ver le 20 age Pro 14-1 gra 5 Le ms ade A tten rshi Avg dan p Du . Ann ce ring ual Pre Atte vio 2 us ndanc & T 0143Y ota 15 T ear e lC s hap otal M ter en Siz P e (5 ledg Avg e /13 d Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec r vio us uitme 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5N Act u m ive b Ad er of vis Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio d v us i 3 Y sors ear s
THE BETA THETA PI
Colony | Washington, D.C. Kyle Fick ’16 kf8594a@american.edu
CARLETON
CENTRE
ΕΥ | Ottawa, Ont. Austin Auringer ’17 btpeypres@gmail.com
We improved steadily and consistently this term. Through ongoing excellence in recruitment, increased efforts towards alumni involvement, a greater online presence, improved organization and greatly improved ritual performance, the chapter has continued to refine all aspects of its operations. S
NR | NR
E
10 | 4
R
21/33 | 14
CINCINNATI
Ε | Danville, Ky. Jared Thompson ’17 jared.thompson@centre.edu
V
7|6
ΒΝ | Cincinnati, Ohio Eric Grote ’16 ericgrote11@gmail.com
In the past term, Epsilon has reached the fundraising goals it set for its capital campaign, furnished its new chapter house, and has been successful in setting new philanthropic records. In addition, Epsilon was formally re-installed by General Secretary David Schmidt, South Florida ’92 during a ceremony on April 18th. S
3.17 | 2.95
CASE WESTERN RESERVE
E
19 | 16
R
17/43 | 13
V
9|9
3.31 | 3.19
E 20 | 15 R 32/105 | 51 V
V
6|7
8|5
This spring, we recruited and initiated 11 new Betas into our fraternity. We finished the year with the second highest GPA in the IFC and were above the all men’s and all fraternity average. Our advisor, George Bolen was selected as Advisor of the Year.
S
3.13 | 2.98
E
11 | 11
R
27/96 | 31
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
S
11 | 12
28/77 | 31
ΔΝ | Clemson, S.C. Owen Saul ’16 osaul@clemson.edu
S 3.50 | 3.27 E
V
E 30 | 28 R CLEMSON
We proudly sent seven men to Winter Wooden, along with improving to second overall in fraternity GPA! Furthermore, we took home Best Overall Choreography in Greek Skit. By semester’s end, we will have held our inaugural Fraternity Feud philanthropy, along with our Eta Theta Chapter Installation Ceremony.
17/51 | 15
3.24 | 2.87
HΘ | Orange, Calif. Kyle Mendoza ’16 mendo163@mail.chapman.edu
Our chapter had an outstanding showing at this year’s Greek Week, where true to being the “Singing Fraternity,” we took first place in the Greek Sing event. The chapter also had an event with the Betas at John Carroll where District Chief Zac Haines taught us about Beta’s first 100 years. R
S
CHAPMAN
ΛΚ-Β | Cleveland, Ohio Zack Rooker ’17 zrr2@case.edu
25 | 17
Beta Nu is proud to announce that we were recognized as the Overall Premier Chapter at the University of Cincinnati! We also received recognition for excellence in Recruitment and Chapter Operations. This comes in perfect timing as we celebrate our 175th anniversary at UC.
8|6
37 CENTRAL FLORIDA
CHARLESTON
HΛ | Charleston, S.C. Austin Brackett ’16, brackettag@g.cofc.edu
Zeta Psi hosted our annual philanthropy, Beta’s Best Dance Crew, raising $2,000 for leukemia and lymphoma awareness. Nearly 2,000 people attended. We had our annual Building Our Bridge Banquet, raising money for our leadership development fund to send brothers to Beta-sponsored programs. S
2.87 | 2.83
E
25 | 15
R
50/91 | 36
V
6|7
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Epsilon Gamma has had a fantastic 2014-15 academic year. Our chapter has had great success in philanthropy, pioneering an annual Chili Cook-Off and continuing our Betas ‘n Bowties dinner tradition. We are eager to continue making strides well into the 2015-16 school year with our newly initiated brothers! 25/66 | 20
V
Our chapter has been making strides to branch out into the Greek Community here at CofC. We successfully held our first philanthropy volleyball tournament between all the sororities on campus, which we raised nearly $1,000 for Best Buddies, an organization helping those with physical and mental disabilities.
First, we led a successful campaign for a more diverse recruitment process. We partnered with men’s basketball for the second Alzheimer’s Awareness Game, which set a schoolwide attendance record and reached out to local school teams for the halftime game. It has been a great semester.
S 3.05 | 2.83 E
S
42 | NA
R
11/60 | NA
V
7 | NA
NEVER FORGET
ΕΓ | Mount Pleasant, Mich. J.D. Sterba ’16 sterb1jd@cmich.edu
S 2.90 | 2.83 E 30 | 18 R
BΘ | Hamilton, N.Y. Nick Laub ’16 glaub@colgate.edu
9|7
In a tremendous display of thoughtfulness and compassion, a number of American University brothers in D.C. participated in a 24-hour name-reading of victims of the Holocaust.
3.19 | 3.26
E
0|9
R
23/63 | 21
V
7|8
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
ΖΨ | Orlando, Fla. Ryan Hunihan ’16 rhunihan@knights.ucf.edu
COLGATE
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
17
R 13
26
28/74
DENISON
V 8
AH | Granville, Ohio Steven Hix ’16 hix_s1@denison.edu
7
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
In addition to the 14 outstanding new members we gained this spring and the chapter’s recent record-setting four pinnings, we made great strides in house renovations, scholarship, diversity and interfraternalism. Meanwhile, our intramural volleyball captured its fourth straight championship. S
3.16 | 3.02
CORNELL
COLORADO MINES ΒΦ | Golden, Colo. Jordan Daubenspeck ’16 jdaubens@mines.edu
E
7|9
R
18/58 | 17
V
7|6
DENVER
AZ | Denver, Colo. Logan Bohlender ’16 president.alphazeta.btp@gmail.com
ΒΔ | Ithaca, N.Y. Kevin Coughlin ’17 kmc332@cornell.edu
CHAPTER REPORTS
Did not submit own report: Brothers at Colorado Mines participated in the school’s Relay for Life event. As a chapter, they raised more than $3,000 to support the American Cancer Society. The event as a whole produced $16,000!
This year, we experienced some amazing house renovations including new TVs, a new sign, new letters and a full gym. On top of that, Beta Delta reached its largest size in years and is recognized on campus as a house that is both principled and diverse.
Our annual philanthropy event Date-a-Beta raised a record-setting $14,400 this year, exceeding our goal by over $2,000. Our brothers are also spearheading an effort to create a new philanthropy event that is put on by all of Greek Life in order to unify the community and raise even more money!
S 3.02 | 3.01 E
S 3.46 | NR E
S
23 | 13
R
30/69 | 25
V
10 | 8
17 | 14
18/70 | 20
R
V
10 | 7
NR | 3.17
E 20 | 12 R
24/72 | 25
V
7|7
38 THE BETA THETA PI
ΑΑ | New York, N.Y. Alexander Bernstein ’16 ab3445@columbia.edu
HI | Omaha, Neb. Salvatore Leone ’16 salvatoreleone@creighton.edu
I’ve been most impressed with our brotherhood’s culture of accountability and mutual assistance. With the help of our chapter’s unending support, brothers Ben, Viv, and Sameer got elected to our student council executive board as president, vp policy, and vp finance. The Executive Board is now majority Beta! S
NR | NR
E
14 | 10
R
31/70 | 20
V
6 | 10
The Delta Chapter is such an eclectic, driven, amazing group of men. Students and administrators across DePauw’s campus respect and admire what the Delta chapter exemplifies. We remain a strong foundational piece to the rich and storied history of DePauw, echoing the values instilled in us.
S 3.40 | 3.28 E
S
16 | 18
R
28/73 | 24
R
22/62 | 24
V
6|7
3.31 | 3.11
V
7|8
3.36 | 3.11
E
25 | 12
R
26/63 | 19
17 | 11
R
26/111 | 30
V
9|6
Colony | Philadelphia, Pa. Chris Mateo ’17 President.Beta.Drexel@gmail.com
We planned and held our first annual Olympics within the brotherhood this semester called the Wooglin Cup, and it was a great success. Also, this was our first full semester with our alumni brother Luq Nichols working as our recruitment advisor which is very exciting.
S
E
DREXEL
HΔ | Dayton, Ohio Colin Wilson ’16 wilsonc9@udayton.edu
We started making steps to be more hands on and involved with our local philanthropy. We wanted to build a relationship with them beyond just raising money. A few times this semester, we have sent brothers to help and we are planning a chapter-wide trip for early next semester. E
39 | 14
DAYTON
ΖΧ | Storrs, Conn. Trevor Coley ’15 trevor.coley@uconn.edu
3.28 | 3.07
Δ | Greencastle, Ind. Alex Grissom ’16 thomasgrissom_2016@depauw.edu
We won the Creighton University Lip Sync Competition and raised more than $600 for donation to Completely Kids in the Omaha area. We were officially installed a full chapter in April and held our installation Banquet to celebrate with Friends of Beta and our families.
CONNECTICUT
S
DEPAUW
CREIGHTON
COLUMBIA
V
8|7
With the launch of our website, finishing of our constitution and bylaws, and the roll-out of our first ever Men of Principle Scholarship, the Drexel Colony and its advisors have been busy in the past year! Looking towards the future, we are preparing to form a new, yearly philanthropy event. S
3.33 | 3.11
E
14 | NA
R
16/48 | NA
V
6 | NA
EAST CAROLINA
FLORIDA
ΕΑ | Greenville, N.C. Andrew Diamond ’16 diamonda11@students.ecu.edu
The Epsilon Alpha Chapter has made significant moves this year. We’ve organized a strict Academic Development Plan which holds brothers accountable and the results have been great! We are one of the top three largest fraternities on campus, and we plan to keep leading by example on our campus. S
2.73 | 2.77
E
24 | 13
R
18/56 | 22
V
10 | 12
S
3.27 | 3.23
R
32/38 | 16
V
R 48/154 | 50 V
6|6
S
NR | 3.02
7|9
This past semester, our chapter held “Beta Breakdown,” our annual philanthropy event. It raised approximately $7,000 for the American Cancer Society. For the fifth year in a row, 100% of our members joined the Sons of the Dragon Club. Beta had the second highest GPA out of 12 campus IFC fraternities. S
NR | 2.83
E
24 | 1
R
43/66 | 24
V
7|7
E
14 | 10
R
8/31 | 10
3|5
V
GEORGE WASHINGTON ΖΝ | Washington, D.C. Sean Raymond ’17 seanpraymond@gmail.com
After raising $13,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in our annual Beta Cup philanthropy and receiving top university awards for Fraternity Leadership, Campus Involvement, and Fraternity Housing Operations, our semester has been a great one. Keaton White was elected IFC president in April. S
3.18 | 3.12
E
17 | 15
R
47/95 | 26
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
8 | 14
17 | 12
ΗΓ | Miami, Fla. Hector Cuevas ’15 fiubeta.president@gmail.com
We started out the year hosting our larger philanthropy event, the “Beta Rose Pageant.” Raising more than $1,500 for the American Cancer Society, we also received our new Rose Tara Johnson ’17 (Kappa Delta.) Initiating 19 last fall and three this spring, our roll is up to #745. Homecoming is set for October 23-24! E
E
This year, we won Homecoming with the sisters of Chi Omega, most improved GPA, our brother Nick Richardi was given the honor of Greek Man of the Year, and we began to revamp our Alumni Relations Program to better unite our chapter’s alumni.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
ΔΞ | Richmond, Ky. Andrew Jones ’18 acj060496@gmail.com
2.91 | 2.70
ΖΛ | Greenville, S. C. Connor Roe ’16 connor.roe@furman.edu
The Gamma Xi Chapter had another successful semester, highlighted by the success of its annual philanthropy, Beta Bring It On, which raised over $12,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The chapter continues to be the shining example of fraternity at the University of Florida and looks forward to a successful fall.
EASTERN KENTUCKY
S
FURMAN
ΓΞ | Gainseville, Fla. Scott Strauss ’16 sstrauss22@gmail.com
8|6
39 EASTERN WASHINGTON
S
NR | 3.05
E
8|7
R
23/48 | 20
V
8|7
EMORY
On a campus where Greek Life is rapidly changing, we strive to be a model chapter. This year, we’ve focused on outreach and recognizing our obligation to serve the greater community. We’re happy to have hosted events sponsored by non-Greek organizations and to have participated in campus-wide service projects. 3.26 | 3.31
E
9 | 10
R
14/74 | 28
The Delta Lambda Colony currently holds the highest average GPA in Florida State’s IFC. This past semester, we held a beach volleyball philanthropy to raise money for United Way. We are very close to securing a property near Florida State’s campus for the Beta house.
S
3.10 | 2.90
E
33 | NA
R
32/80 | NA
V
7 | NA
NOW IN CHARGE
ΓΥ | Atlanta, Ga. Griffin Sears ’16 gsears@emory.edu
S
ΕΕ | Athens, Ga. Kegan Baird ’16 kbaird19@uga.edu
ΔΛ | Tallahassee, Fla. Logan Godby ’17 leg13d@my.fsu.edu
V
5|6
Keith Shopa, Florida ’15, was selected to serve as the Overall Director for the 2016 Dance Marathon at the University of Florida. UF’s Dance Marathon is the second largest in the U.S. and raises money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
This year, we have completely revamped our philanthropic efforts. We have hosted multiple events for both Relay for Life and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In addition, we already have plans to co-host two more events with other fraternities in the fall.
S
3.33 | 3.10
E
15 | 15
R 26/108 | 38 V
10 | 8
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
ΕΩ | Cheney, Wash. Brendan Hargrave ’16 Bhargrave@eagles.ewu.edu
The Epsilon Omega Chapter has been working diligently to improve the chapter’s alumni relations, including a fund raising campaign to renovate our chapter house via Fundly. The goal is to reach $100,000.
GEORGIA
FLORIDA STATE
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
CHAPTER REPORTS
19 | NA
R
19/50 | NA
26
8
7
During this term, we have undergone significant growth in our risk management policies. In the last few years, we’ve grown tremendously, and as a result have gotten the opportunity to restructure much of how the chapter is run. Many alumni have taken a higher level of interest in us. 2.95 | 2.92
E
V
9 | NA
3.22 | 3.06
E
19 | NA
R
43/98 | NA
R
40/82 | 30
V
9|7
ΗΕ | University Heights, Ohio Daniel Mascio ’16 dmascio16@jcu.edu
This semester, our chapter held our first philanthropy event since we have been back on campus. The turnout was great, and we raised $5,000 for the Andrew Weishar Foundation! For the summer, we are looking forward to our annual alumni golf outing in early July.
S
67 | 16
JOHN CARROLL
ΣΡ | Champaign, Ill. Raim Izhar ’16 raim.izhar@gmail.com
The Gamma Eta Chapter continued its rebuilding process. We hope to re-charter this August and return to good standing. Several brothers have been selected as Ambassadors for the Institute and our president was appointed head of the Judicial Branch of Student Government. Come out and see us this fall. E
28/74
ΤΣ | Ames, Iowa Dean VanEvery ’16 deanvan@iastate.edu
ILLINOIS
ΓΗ | Atlanta, Ga. Trenton Kilbey ’16 trenton.kilbey@gtbeta.org
3.15 | 3.11
13
IOWA STATE
V
S
GEORGIA TECH
S
17
R
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
V
4 | NA
The spring semester was very successful for Eta Epsilon. We’ve started to focus more heavily on our recruitment process, so that we can bring in higher numbers of quality men. We raised more than $1,300 for our philanthropy, Milestones Autism Resources. We look forward to a strong fall semester. S 3.30 | 3.02 E
26 | 15
R
12/42 | 19
V
9 | 10
40 HIGH POINT
INDIANA
THE BETA THETA PI
Colony | High Point, N.C. Liam Barger ’16 bargel12@highpoint.edu
JOHNS HOPKINS
Π | Bloomington, Ind. Dylan Rochon ’17 dyrochon@gmail.com
ΑΧ | Baltimore, Md. Jason Plush ’16 jplush1@jhu.edu
This semester, the High Point Colony added 13 outstanding men of principle. We have also been very active in Greek life, joining the softball league as well as participating in philanthropy events and winning the first annual Sigma Night Live.
Spring semester was a great success for the Pi Chapter. One of our greatest achievements this semester was surpassing the $43,000 raised last year for our co-founded philanthropy hockey game. Another notable achievement comes from Nick Laszlo, a junior who was elected student body president.
S 2.99 | 2.82 E
S
12 | NA
R
23/44 | NA
V
6 | NA
3.27 | 3.03
IDAHO
E
12 | 20
R 56/168 | 52 V
7|7
IOWA
ΓΓ | Moscow, Id. Jonah Graff ’17 graf2764@vandals.uidaho.edu
S 3.34 | 2.90 E
S
25/86 | 24
V
5|5
2.83 | 2.86
E
15 | 9
R
23/47 | 23
NR | 3.34
E
16 | 17
R
21/73 | 20
V
9 | 10
ΑΝ | Lawrence, Kan. Blake Rose ’17 B462R574@ku.edu
The Alpha Beta Chapter has been busy in 2015! We successfully planned and executed our annual “Voices for Vets” philanthropy, honoring our service men and women. We also had brothers win Greek Life awards, began our newly revitalized alumni relations campaign and held multiple brotherhood events!
R
S
KANSAS
ΑΒ | Iowa City, Iowa Grant Laverty ’17 grant-laverty@uiowa.edu
The chapter received a 3.37 GPA in the spring of 2014 and a 3.31 GPA in the fall of 2014. Furthermore, Beta Theta Pi has held the highest GPA of all fraternities on the UI campus in 11 of the last 15 semesters.
14 | 14
The Alpha Chi Chapter has established a housing corporation for the first time in chapter history. Additionally, our chapter had a strong recruitment season with a pledge class of 20 and raised more than $2,500 at our annual Relay for Life event on campus.
V
7|7
We selected Chi Omega as our partner for Rock Chalk Revue 2016. We also won the Jefferson Intramural Cup in the fall. We will do formal recruitment in late June and will try to round out our 25-member class. Our chapter sang the national anthem in historic Allen Fieldhouse before KU hosted the Baylor Bears (see right). S 3.40 | 2.91 E
14 | 10
R
25/86 | 24
V
10 | 9
KANSAS STATE
KETTERING A
ΓΕ | Manhattan, Kan. Matt Ayres ’16 mbayres@ksu.edu
Gamma Epsilon promoted self-governance by revamping its new member education program and reforming its academic policies. The fall philanthropy, Beta Boo, had its most successful year and raised money in support of The TARC Foundation. Plus, Andy Hurtig ’16, was elected student body president (pictured on page 3)! S
3.27 | 2.88
E
14 | 16
LOUISVILLE
ΔΗ | Flint, Mich. Alex VanTol ’16 vant5174@kettering.edu
R 24/105 | 26 V
6|6
ΔΠ | Louisville, Ky. Reid Haefner ’16 crhaef01@louisville.edu
In addition to effectively doubling our chapter size through recruitment, we held a successful philanthropy event that raised nearly four times what we’ve raised in previous years. We also created a new position, The Chapter Archivist, to keep a record of our events and memories. S
3.55 | 3.02
KENTUCKY
E
12 | 12
R
9/17 | 5
V
13 | 8
This semester has been quite a semester for the Delta Pi Chapter. We began the semester by greatly exceeding our recruitment goals. Throughout the term, we have improved our social aspect immensely and made leaps forward in the organization and brotherhood of our fraternity. S
3.13 | 2.88
KETTERING B
EO | Lexington, Ky. Cole Tipton ’17 cole@tiptoninc.net
E
17 | 13
R
41/76 | 30
V
9 | 10
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
ΔΗ | Flint, Mich. Chase Reames ’17 ream8301@kettering.edu
ΗΑ | Los Angeles, Calif. Casey Sweeney ’16 jsweene7@lion.lmu.edu
We have a new faculty advisor who also happens to be an alumnus from our chapter. We are very excited to have him involved with us on campus! We also have had some awesome Beta signage put up on our apartment building by our housing corps.
Our philanthropy event, Beta Boat Races, was the most successful yet, raising $2,500 for our philanthropy, People Being Just. In addition, we teamed up with Pi Beta Phi to make over 800 sandwiches for the homeless in Skid Row. In sports, our intramural dodgeball team won the championship.
S 3.40 | 2.99 E
S 3.45 | 3.07 E
S
18 | 20
R
59/133 | 40
V
6|6
37 | 24
R
10/38 | 12
V
13 | 12
3.31 | 3.08
E
8 | 13
R
30/79 | 31
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
We’ve experienced exponential growth as we’ve expanded to more than 130 members during our fifth year on campus. All the while, the chapter has experienced continued excellence with its top campus GPA, intramural performance and sold-out philanthropy ‘Bring It On’. EO’s big 25th anniversary is set for October 3, 2015!
8|8
41 KNOX
KENYON
With the initiation of 11 new members this spring, our chapter remains the largest Greek organization on campus with 50 active members, while continuing to maintain excellent standing with the college. We held our annual Save a Puppy Dunk a Beta philanthropy event this April, and it was a huge success. 3.13 | 3.28
E
12 | 9
R
22/53 | 15
V
5|6
BH | Orono, Maine Lucas Ashbaugh ’15 lucasashbaugh@gmail.com
Did not submit own report: The recent pledge class of the Xi Chapter participated in the Polar Plunge. The men jumped into frigid Lake Storey and raised a total of $1,850, with 100% of proceeds going to the Special Olympics of Illinois.
S
NR | NR
E
9|6
R
14/36 | 12
V
12 | 5
At our all-Greek meeting, we were revealed to have one of the highest Greek GPAs (3.1) and we have successfully initiated eight new brothers. We have won many local awards this semester for our service to the community. We have five brothers going to convention.
S
3.07 | 2.81
LAWRENCE
3.17 | 3.08
E
15 | 10
R
14/54 | 19
V
R
23/75 | 25
V
4|9
ΔΩ | College Park, Md. Connor Morrison ’16 president@mdbeta.org
This past year, our chapter achieved our goal of reclaiming the Whitman Choral Cup. Over the past 16 years, Gamma Pi has won the Cup 12 times, including six straight years between 2006 and 2012, before losing to Oklahoma State University in 2013.
S
7 | 12
MARYLAND
ΓΠ | Appleton, Wis. Cameron Davies ’16, james.c.davies@lawrence.edu
Kansas sings the National Anthem before Baylor vs. KU.
E
5|6
This semester, the University of Maryland Delta Omega Chapter welcomed eight new brothers, bringing our total to 51. The Delta Omega Chapter has focused on getting more involved in our local community and campus, participating in a wide range of events such as volunteering at a used home goods store. S
3.14 | 3.09
E
14 | 14
R
18/51 | 20
V
7|7
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
Ξ | Galesburg, Ill. Ian Horne ’16 ishorne@knox.edu
ΒΑ | Gambier, Ohio John O’Brien ’17 obrienj@kenyon.edu
S
MAINE
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
17
CHAPTER REPORTS
9|9
8
7
Our biggest achievement this semester has been the development of our philanthropy event Beta Theta Pie. This involved members of our house and faculty getting pied to raise money for the Shadow Buddies Foundation. We were able to raise $1,750 and hope to build on this progress.
R 35/104 | 38 V
7|7
3.37 | 3.09
E 34 | 22 R
23/69 | 25
R
25/73 | 20
V
6|5
BY | Boston, Mass. Matthew Mellor ’17 mmellor@mit.edu
The Beta Pi Chapter initiated 12 new members at the beginning of this spring semester. We are second in grades, with an average GPA that is significantly above the all men’s average. The chapter is just kicking off its capital campaign, with renovations set to start this summer.
S
9 | 16
MIT
ΒΠ | Minneapolis, Mich. Alex Skoglund ’16 alex.skoglund@gmail.com
The Eta Beta Chapter excelled in philanthropy by raising over $11,000 for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. In addition, we revamped our risk management programs by hosting multiple seminars regarding the safe and responsible conducted expected of a member of Beta Theta Pi. E
26
28/74
ΕΛ | Kansas City, Mo. Josh Gollub ’16 josh.gollub@yahoo.com
MINNESOTA
HB | Coral Gables, Fla. John Miya ’16 umbetapresident@gmail.com
3.32 | 3.01
13
MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
V
S 3.43 | 3.10 E
MIAMI (Fla.)
S
R
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
V
9|8
Brotherhood has improved significantly. We had one terrific mixer earlier in the semester and decorated the house with art made by the brothers. We started a project initiative so brothers could work together on projects and made professional websites together.
S 3.50 | NR E
3 | NA
R
5/19 | NA
V
7 | NA
42 MISSISSIPPI
MICHIGAN THE BETA THETA PI
The Lambda Chapter was pleased to welcome seven new members into our fold this semester, four of them hailing from other countries including Cameroon, Columbia, China, and Taiwan. Inspired by the Betas at Utah, we have been raising money and awareness for sexual assault prevention on campus. S
3.32 | 3.27
E
14 | 16
R
16/51 | 20
NC STATE
BB | Oxford, Miss. Jack Walecki ’16 Jmwaleck@go.olemiss.edu
Λ | Ann Arbor, Mich. Lee Rarrick ’15 lrarrick@umich.edu
V
12 | 10
Colony | Raleigh, N.C. Zachary Verbos ’17 zfverbos@ncsu.edu
We had a successful spring recruitment and are looking forward to our annual alumni rush events in Houston, Dallas, and Jackson. The chapter is striving to help change campus culture by establishing a Beta led campus D.A.R.E. initiative to improve campus and community substance abuse education. S
2.74 | 2.58
E
4 | 11
R
91/118 | 37
V
8|8
Did not submit own report: This spring, the Zeta Phi Chapter lost a great brother in Paul Miltenberger, Missouri ’17. Though it’s been a tough time for the chapter, the men of Zeta Phi and the Fraternity at large will never forget Paul or his spirit.
S 3.30 | 2.99 E
S
V
11 | 10
3.38 | 2.90
E
11 | 15
R 40/149 | 39 V
R
62/56 | NA
V
13 | NA
AT | Lincoln, Neb. Alex Kindopp ’16 alex.kindopp@huskers.unl.edu
Outside of having its best recruitment since its refounding, Michigan State had a trip to the final four in fraternity basketball, won Delta Gamma’s Anchorsplash and ran a very successful community service project with the sisters of Pi Beta Phi.
37/68 | 34
9 | NA
NEBRASKA
ZΦ | Columbia, Mo. Samuel Gerlach ’16 spgqm9@mail.missouri.edu
ΓΨ | East Lansing, Mich. Joe Rusek ’16 rusekjos@msu.edu
R
S 3.03 | 3.01 E
MISSOURI
MICHIGAN STATE
23 | 13
The NC State Colony received an award for being the Outstanding New Student Organization at the NC State Student Leadership, Engagement and Development Awards for Student Involvement. This award was open to any organization across campus that has been founded in the past three years.
6|7
The Alpha Tau Chapter participated in three philanthropies leading to a total donation of $15,000 to various charities. Seven of 26 junior actives were accepted into senior honorary societies. Finally, nearly 40 Alpha Taus participated in the Big Event, a campus wide day of service. S
3.39 | 2.93
E
23 | 19
R 30/102 | 30 V
7|8
KUDOS TO OK STATE Oklahoma State is on fire! Corey Kent White ’16 (left) finished in the top eight on NBC’s “The Voice,” the chapter took home the campus’ trophies for intramurals and scholarship and the group won OSU’s prestigious Spring Sing competition.
NORTHWESTERN
We started the Ish Barbee Classic, a basketball tournament, to promote brotherhood. Chris Jones and Beat Bondurant were recognized as the Vice President of Kenan-Flagler Business School and The Greek Coordinator for One Act, the sexual assault prevention training system at UNC .
Northwestern’s Rho Betas have enjoyed a successful year! On top of the exec board just recently having a proactive Keystone Leadership experience and initiating a hearty 25 member class, we are looking forward to moving back into our renovated chapter house at the start of next term!
S 3.20 | 3.13 E
S
18 | 15
R
24/80 | 19
OHIO STATE
P | Evanston, Ill. Drake Sieber ’17 drakesieber2017@u.northwestern.edu
H | Chapel Hill, N.C. Michael Olson ’17 mrolson@live.unc.edu
V
7|7
3.38 | 3.44
E
14 | 10
R
25/85 | 27
V
11 | 7
ΘΔ | Columbus, Ohio Derek Plautz ’17 plautz.1@osu.edu
We are on the way to applying for our charter. We’ve just had a successful philanthropy event which raised $800. Finally, the colony won Ohio State’s Greek Week. It’s been a great year for Theta Delta!
S
3.25 | 3.02
E
9 | NA
61/52 | NA
R
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
NORTH CAROLINA
7 | NA
43 NORTH DAKOTA
S
NR | 2.91
E
13 | 6
R
21/46 | 19
V
7|6
This past term, our chapter has successfully held our Bowling for Boxers and Beta Sweetheart philanthropy events. Along with a few semesters of strong recruitment, we are now much closer to where we want our chapter to be in order to be as successful as possible.
S
NR | 2.97
NORTHEASTERN
E
13 | 20
R
21/45 | 17
16 | 9
R
16/31 | 10
V
6|6
S
3.24 | 3.00
V
8 | 10
3.12 | 2.77
E
18 | NA
R
44/69 | NA
35 | 18
R 55/204 | 59 V
10 | 12
ΓΛ | Stillwater, Okla. Josh Deibert ’16 joshua.deibert@okstate.edu
Beta Kappa has had a fantastic year. Our chapter GPA is second in campus Greek life, and we had the largest recruitment class. We are excited for this summer’s chartering opportunity and look forward to continuing our growth and success.
S
E
OKLAHOMA STATE
BK | Athens, Ohio Jack Melick ’17 jvmelick4@gmail.com
The Eta Zeta Chapter in Boston survived the blizzardy winds and large amounts of snow this winter and had our semesterly Beta Cook Off, with all of our brothers and new members coming together to make tasty dishes. Most recently, nine of our brothers volunteered at Camp Sunshine in Maine. 3.51 | 3.14
E
In this past year, our chapter was awarded the President’s Trophy for the second year in a row. Our chapter was also the only fraternity on campus to meet every single criteria for fraternity and sorority student life’s standards of excellence.
OHIO
ΗΖ | Boston, Mass. Phillip Van Pelt ’18 vanpelt.p@husky.neu.edu
S
ΓΦ | Norman, Okla. Aaron Murray ’16 aaron.murray@ou.edu
ZM | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Bendik Stenersen ’16 stenersenbendik@gmail.com
V
8 | NA
This semester, we were able to grow significantly as a chapter. We were able to build relationships with the international organization and our university officials. We were able to use these relationships to help bring the chapter into a new and positive era.
S
3.38 | 2.80
E
24 | 8
R
53/157 | 54
V
10 | 7
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
ΓΚ | Grand Forks, N. D. Maxwell Hyberger ’16 maxwell.hyberger@my.und.edu
Did not submit own report: The Gamma Kappa Chapter held its annual Parents Formal. The group had a fun night with their parents and the raffle at the event raised $2,410 for The Wounded Warrior Project!
OKLAHOMA
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
17
R 13
28/74
PURDUE
V 26
8
PENNSYLVANIA
BP | Eugene, Ore. Jack Chalabian ’17 jackc@uoregon.edu
CHAPTER REPORTS
S 2.96 | 2.96 E
S
V
8|9
3.39 | 3.40
E
12 | 9
R
R
59/52 | NA
V
9 | NA
Colony | Hamden, Conn. Eric Grecco ’16 eric.grecco@quinnipiac.edu
This spring, the Phi Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania participated in a campus-wide Relay for Life event that raised almost $30,000 for cancer research. The event involved a number of activities on Franklin Field and lasted well into the night.
51/73 | 35
8 | NA
QUINNIPIAC
Φ | Philadelphia, Pa. Matt Fiore ’16, mcfiore54@gmail.com
Winter term involved the transition of new officers and the initiation of the fall pledge class. The new officers are excited to further improve on Beta Rho’s already outstanding traditions and reputation. Parents Weekend was a success and the brothers had a blast meeting everyone’s families! R
The colony held its philanthropy event Beta Theta Pi(e) on April 23rd and it raised money for Lafayette Transitional Housing. On top of this, we are involved in the “It’s On Us” campaign here at Purdue which raises sexual assault awareness.
S 3.44 | 2.88 E
OREGON
11 | 13
BM | West Lafayette, Ind. Connor McCarthy ’17 mccart23@purdue.edu
7
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
12/71 | 23
V
4|2
This semester, our chapter has come together in a significant way, and the brotherhood between the brothers has flourished. There are times when people are down or need assistance and the actions seen are undeniably the actions of true men of principle.
S
3.13 | 3.09
E
4 | NA
R
14/48 | NA
V
8 | NA
44 PACIFIC
PITTSBURGH
THE BETA THETA PI
HK | Stockton, Calif. Jordan Carmona ’16 j_carmona1@u.pacific.edu
This semester, we initiated our Zeta pledge class, celebrated our chartering with an installation banquet, initiated the UC Davis Colony and hosted two philanthropy events, Real Men Wear Pink and Beta Theta Pies. We also just completed our senior ceremony for our graduating members. S
3.07 | 2.95
E
26 | NA
R
15/73 | 31
V
5|7
S
3.47 | 3.08
10 | 21
R
20/73 | 23
22 | NA
R
29/70 | NA
V
9 | NA
S 3.40 | 3.04 E
V
11 | 11
3.21 | 3.01
E
16 | NA
R
12/38 | NA
R 40/132 | 40 V
9|8
ΖΩ | San Diego, Calif. Jordan Lemoine ’16 jordanlemoine@sandiego.edu
Our colony was recognized for our excellence in scholarship and service within our Greek community for the 2014 calendar year. Moving forward, we will continue to embrace our identities as Men of Principle by establishing our advocacy for sexual assault awareness with the Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County. S
19 | 13
SAN DIEGO
ΔΕ | Tacoma, Wash. Scott Greenfield ’16 sgreenfield@pugetsound.edu
This year, the Alpha Upsilon boys achieved Chapter of Excellence, a status which only two of 50 fraternities reached. Further, in attempts of bridging the gap between alumni and actives, we held our first wet event since our re-establishment during our Blue/White Alumni Weekend. E
E
The chapter initiated new brothers, had the highest campus fraternity GPA with a 3.44, and put on a new philanthropy event, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, that raised $2,600 and brought members of our campus and community together to combat sexual violence, gender inequality and rape.
PUGET SOUND
AY | State College, Pa. Cameron McClain ’15 ctmcclain93@gmail.com
3.25 | 3.07
ZT | Saint Louis, Mo. Michael Reed ’16 mreed26@slu.edu
We led the entire tri-council in GPA with a 3.483. We came in third place for Pitt’s annual Greek Sing and increased our donations to Pitt’s Dance Marathon by 100% this year. Finally, we were awarded a PittServes Service Grant for high participation in service on campus.
PENN STATE
S
SAINT LOUIS
Colony | Pittsburgh, Pa. Zachary Schaffer ’16 zachschaffer@verizon.net
V
8 | NA
Our chapter began a tradition this semester of hosting a community service event prior to our dance with a sorority to bond with them. At our first community service event with Alpha Chi Omega, we packed over 300 sack lunches and brought them to the homeless shelter before our dance! S
3.33 | 3.04
E
32 | 27
R
27/92 | 33
V
6|7
SAN JOSE STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA
ΖΗ | San Jose, Calif. Previn Wong ’17 previn.wong@sjsu.edu
For spring 2015, we recruited 10 outstanding new members to our growing chapter. We recently were awarded Best in IFC and had the highest GPA in the IFC for the first grade check. We have improved externally and internally, which has increased chapter morale.
S
2.82 | 2.91
E
11 | 8
R
22/40 | 14
V
8|6
The Gamma Alpha Chapter has been nominated for house of the year by USD’s IFC. We finished second in grades and are launching several new philanthropy events to give back to the local community of Vermillion. We are excited to see what next semester has in store for us.
S
3.19 | 2.93
SEWANEE
3|5
R
19/43 | 15
R
22/46 | 24
V
9|9
S
NR | NR
V
5|4
This past semester has been phenomenal for the boys at Gamma Tau. We held a 3.35 GPA and raised more than $18,000 for the Movember initiative. We just initiated 14 great new brothers who are proud to carry the Beta name.
S
3.36 | 3.13
E
11 | 16
R
14/70 | 39
V
6|7
E
5|9
R
32/78 | 23
V
7|4
STEVENS
Σ | Hoboken, N.J. Carrick Porter ’17 carrickoconnorporter@gmail.com
This semester, the Sigma Chapter participated and co-organized the “Not on Our Campus” walk. This walk was to raise awareness for recent hot-button issues in society such as racism and sexual assault. The entire chapter also hosted an educational Title IX presentation in its chapter house. S
3.16 | 3.27
E
17 | 16
R
11/45 | 11
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
E
14 | 17
The Beta Zeta Chapter is proud to announce that it will be moving back into our original house located at 25 College St. in Canton, N.Y. We are also in the final phase of renovations to the Abbot-Young Memorial Temple.
ΓΤ | Los Angeles, Calif. Ari Mandell ’17 ammandel@usc.edu
Our main goal this term was to clear any outstanding debt, which has been accomplished. On top of this, we significantly improved brother participation in all fields, though not to the extent we wanted, so this will be a priority next semester.
NR | NR
E
ΒZ | Canton, N.Y. Matthew Kinney '16 mnkinn12@stlawu.edu
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ΓX | Sewanee, Tenn. Fletcher North ’17 northjf0@sewanee.edu
S
ST. LAWRENCE
ΓΑ | Vermillion, S.D. Austin Klinhagen ’17 austin.klinghagen@coyotes.usd.edu
8|7
45 SMU
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ZO | Carbondale, Ill. Benjamin McGuire ’16 benjamin0708@live.com
Our chapter’s brotherhood is at its best since we rechartered in 2011. We are experiencing increased cohesion amongst all pledge classes from freshmen to seniors. We’re also excited about the growth and expansion of our Advisory Board and can’t wait to see how it will help our chapter improve. S
3.38 | 3.09
E
1 | 16
R
35/124 | 36
V
5|5
SOUTH CAROLINA
We achieved a 3.38 GPA, significantly above the all-men’s average of 2.99. We also had our most successful Beta Lei yet, with proceeds going to No Greater Sacrifice, a charity which awards college scholarships to the children of veterans. Additionally, we added 12 men to our number through recruitment. 3.36 | 3.02
E
26 | 18
R 54/159 | 54 V
S
2.71 | 2.80
E
13 | 10
R
13/23 | 14
V
9|7
“M” AWARD WINNER
Y | Columbia, S.C. Andrew Scheppegrell ’16 scheppeg@email.sc.edu
S
The Zeta Omicron Chapter has seen a significant increase in community service activity. This year, along with the fall of last year, we have participated with the Boys and Girls Club, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and started a program to help clean up the old train station museum.
6|7
Clay Moore, SMU ’15, won the “M” award. Moore is the fourth Beta in a row to win. It is the highest recognition a student can receive. Per SMU, “honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.”
HH | Fort Worth, Texas Hunter Pallasch ’17 h.pallasch@tcu.edu
This semester, we will graduate 30 brothers and say goodbye to the Founding Father and Alpha classes. We want to thank them for the legacy they have left. In addition, we had 46 brothers donate to the Sons of the Dragon Club and have five brothers going to the Wooden Institute at the Administrative Office in Oxford. S 3.49 | 2.98 E
16 | 13
R
43/141 | 60
V
6|8
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
ΓΩ | Dallas, Texas Nick Foster ’16 nfoster@smu.edu
TCU
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
17
R 13
CHAPTER REPORTS
42/41 | 11
7
Delta Sigma celebrates its 40th year on campus. We made a strong push to promote Beta’s award-winning leadership conferences, and we’re excited to see the results. Our chapter also proudly welcomes the addition of two Beta Sweethearts—Liana Nicole Chin from Gamma Phi Beta and Carla Figueroa from Pi Beta Phi. 2.89 | 2.96
V
7|4
E
13 | 8
R
36/58 | 24
V
5|7
UCLA
ΔP | Fort Worth, Texas Tyler Burch ’16 burch94@ymail.com
The men at the University of Tennessee had the top GPA in the IFC. The chapter sent two brothers to Winter Wooden, took home four Greek Awards and placed 5th out of 11 in All Sing. Finally, Delta Kappa initiated four out of five new members and created a new constitution and bylaws. R
8
TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
ΔΚ | Knoxville, Tenn. Jared Long ’16 jlong50@vols.utk.edu
17 | 8
26
ΔΣ | Irvine, Calif. Bryant Martin Fiesta ’16 bfiesta@uci.edu
S
TENNESSEE
S 3.02 | 2.81 E
28/74
UC IRVINE
V
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
ΓΝ | Los Angeles, Calif. Ty Pensa ’16 ty.pensa@gmail.com
Fresh off of doubling our chapter size, the Texas at Arlington chapter has taken great strides in being involved on campus and created a week of fundraising to fund our philanthropy, Heroes for Hope. Looking towards the future, our chapter is working hard to make next semester a great one.
The Gamma Nu Chapter at UCLA has volunteered at Pacific Lodge Boys Home in Compton doing yard work, painting, cleaning and playing sports with underprivileged youth, while also contributing all money raised at their annual philanthropy, Beta Theta Spike, to the home.
S 3.02 | 2.70 E
S
15 | 15
R
30/41 | 13
V
8|6
3.35 | 3.22
E
19 | 17
R
31/101 | 46
V
6|6
46 TEXAS A&M
TORONTO
THE BETA THETA PI
EH | College Station, Texas Kyle Thomas ’16 kylejthomas12@yahoo.com
So far this semester, our chapter was awarded #1 in grades out of 19 IFC chapters, we held the largest mother’s weekend in chapter history, as well as several successful social functions and mixers with sororities and have raised a significant amount of money for renovations on our lodge. S
3.11 | 2.93
E
16 | 12
R
39/116 | 34
UC SAN DIEGO
ΘΖ | Toronto, Ont. Greg Zoub ’15 greg.zoob@gmail.com
V
8|7
ΖΓ | La Jolla, Calif. Wesley Calove ’15 wcalove@ucsd.edu
Building on a foundation of positive momentum and hard work, Toronto Betas were named Greek Week champions for third time in a row! Undergraduate brothers Creag Munroe and Stefan Squazzin were elected as IFC president AND student government president! We are very proud! S
NR | NR
E
4|7
R
18/46 | 14
V
7|7
TEXAS A&M-CC
TRUMAN STATE
We had a great semester strengthening our brotherhood while also displaying a tremendous amount of Greek and school spirit. One of our brothers, Christian Reyes, was able to receive the title of Homecoming King and Greek Man of The Year.
Over the recent academic year, the Zeta Xi Chapter once again held the highest fraternity GPA on campus (including a fall pledge class GPA of 3.6), won the intramural championship, raised the most philanthropy money during Greek week and signed 100% of the bids we extended!
S 2.64 | 2.51 E
S
ZP | Corpus Christi, Texas Christian Reyes ’15 creyes7@islander.tamucc.edu
7|9
R
16/28 | 18
V
3.37 | 3.06
E
27 | 20
R
30/96 | 30
S
3.11 | 3.12
E
18 | NA
R
34/74 | NA
V
3 | NA
UTAH
ZΞ | Kirksville, Mo. Kenneth Bohannan ’16 kwb8343@truman.edu
9|8
We recruited 18 men for our fall class, increasing our membership to 70 men, which puts us around the IFC chapter average for our school. For just being a year old, we have far surpassed our own expectations. We even have top overall GPA in IFC. Zeta Gamma is on track to do even bigger things this upcoming school year.
ΓB | Salt Lake City, Utah Kevin Shields ’15 mitchell.allan.cox@gmail.com
V
5|5
Gamma Beta has enjoyed a historic year for our chapter. We recently received the NIC Chapter Award of Distinction; which recognizes the single best chapter in North America (see picture to the right). We repeated as Greek Week champions and have continued our efforts to prevent sexual assault on college campuses. S 3.42 | 2.91 E
29 | 15
R
42/118 | 47
V
9|9
VANDERBILT
VIRGINIA TECH
ΒΛ | Nashville, Tenn. Theo Richardson-Omamo ’17 theodore.o.richardson-omamo@vanderbilt.edu
The Beta Lambda Chapter held its yearly philanthropy event called Celebration of Life, which honors one of our brothers who passed away. It raises money for mental health awareness in the Nashville area. With the help of some sororities, we raised $30,000.
S
3.27 | NR
E
11 | 9
R
22/64 | 23
V
4|4
S
3.29 | 3.07
R
28/76 | 22
R 34/109 | 35 V
7|7
S
3.16 | 3.02
V
6|5
NR | 3.03
E
19 | 19
R
24/77 | 22
12 | 9
R
11/42 | 16
7|5
V
WASHINGTON AND LEE AP | Lexington, Va. John McBride ’16 mcbridej16@mail.wlu.edu
With 35 alumni present, we had a very successful inaugural Tau Chapter Golf Outing. Four of Wabash’s varsity sports were captained by Tau brothers, and members of the chapter started the College’s Dance Marathon. Finally, Zach Mahone ’15 received full tuition to Indiana University’s McKinney Law School. S
E
V
8|8
The Alpha Rho Chapter at Washington and Lee had another strong term this winter. Along with adding 16 new members and raising our GPA, multiple brothers participated in varsity sports. Eight brothers played basketball, three played tennis and two wrestled.
S
3.27 | 3.34
E
2|7
R
17/69 | 21
V
CHAPTER REPORTS
17 | 8
12 | 14
T | Crawfordsville, Ind. Ryan Gross ’17 rngross17@wabash.edu
On March 14th, the Zeta Epsilon Chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary with over 70 undergraduate brothers and alumni. The anniversary featured a banquet, chapter updates and guest speakers including Bill Hahn, Lehigh ’49, and Mike Okenquist, Villanova ’94, who shared their experiences as advisors to Zeta Epsilon. E
E
This past term, the Gamma Chapter has had a successful spring. We won the annual light-up competition as well as Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash for yet another year. The brothers have been working hard seeking to improve our alumni relations and overall participation with the community.
WABASH
ΖΕ | Villanova, Pa. Dan Kavanaugh ’16 dkavanau@villanova.edu
3.39 | 3.29
Γ | Washington, Pa. Kevin Dunigan ’16 dunigankj@washjeff.edu
The Alpha Phi Chapter at Virginia Tech was very excited to institute its brotherhood points system this semester. Brothers earned points for everything from philanthropy involvement around campus to academic success.
VILLANOVA
S
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON
AΦ | Blacksburg, Va. Jim Lenskold ’16 Jamestl@vt.edu
9|9
47 VIRGINIA
Our chapter put on two successful philanthropies last semester, raising thousands of dollars for local charities. We just welcomed our parents into town for our spring formal, and we are looking forward to our new spring philanthropy, Spike for C’ville.
3.51 | 3.23
E
13 | 8
R
22/83 | 24
AI | St. Louis, Mo. Peter Eivaz ’16 peter.eivaz@wustl.edu
BΩ | Seattle, Wash. Alexander Wu ’18 alexwu25@live.com
V
7|7
For recruitment, we’ve had 15 rushees visit the chapter with five bids given and two signed. In terms of leadership program attendance we are sending six to the Wooden Institute and five to General Convention.
S
NR | 3.19
E
7 | 25
R
31/100 | 33
V
9|8
This semester, we raised more than $23,000 in collaboration with Kappa Delta for Saint Louis Public School’s Aim for Fitness Program. The program looks to provide gym equipment and trained personnel to combat childhood obesity in under-served elementary schools in St. Louis. S
3.47 | 3.46
E
16 | 18
R
32/112 | 33
V
7|8
WASHINGTON STATE ΓΘ | Pullman, Wash. Ryan Kirkpatrick ’16 ryan-kirk@comcast.net
We remained in the top three chapters on campus in grades with a 3.07 all house-GPA. Member Brian Gurney, who fell 160 feet in August, has made great progress and has moved locations to be five minutes away from home. Everyone is hopeful about his recovery. #Gurneystrong The Gamma Beta Chapter at the University of Utah accepts the NIC Chapter Award of Distinction.
S
3.14 | NR
E
21 | 15
R
33/60 | 26
V
10 | 10
SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
O | Charlottesville, Va. Tyler Warnock ’16 wtw5dh@virginia.edu
S
WASHINGTON IN ST. LOUIS
WASHINGTON
S
LEGEND: State of the Chapters
Self-Governance Education Recruitment Volunteers NA: Data may appear unique or may not apply given this school’s re/colonization during the last three years. NR: Data which is not tracked by institutions or was unreported by chapters as of 5/13/15.
3.20
3.02
17
R 13
28/74
WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH
V 26
8
CHAPTER REPORTS
S 3.02 | NR E
S
5|7
3.28 | 3.21
E
8 | 10
R
20/82 | 26
16 | 14
R
13/38 | 17
V
6|5
ΑΓ | Springfield, Ohio David Barth ’16 barthd@wittenberg.edu
At the start of the fall semester, our chapter experienced the loss of a dear member and friend. In response, the men of the Zeta Upsilon Chapter devoted themselves to honoring his memory and through our efforts have raised more than any fraternity on campus in support of suicide prevention.
V
E
WITTENBERG
ZY | Williamsburg, Va. Jacob Ramey ’16 jmramey@email.wm.edu
Alpha Delta has made great strides in the correct direction with our pledge education program. We were able to eliminate dangerous traditions of pledgeship and invented a new program that promotes good study habits, campus involvement, and commitment to the community. 17/46 | 15
NR | 2.63
WILLIAM & MARY
ΑΔ | Fulton, Mo. Carson Butts ’16 CButts.16@westminster-mo.edu
R
It’s been a great year for us here at Zeta Zeta. We hosted the Inaugural Miss UWO Pageant spreading awareness and raising over $1,800 for the Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Center. We were named Fraternity of the Year and received the Chapter of Excellence Award from the University. S
WESTMINSTER
32 | 20
ZZ | Oshkosh, Wis. Colby Kasten ’17 kastec28@uwosh.edu
7
2 Po 014 G int Ave rade 201 4C rag e Gra am de pus Po A int ll-Ma Ave l 20 rag e Pro 14-1 e gra 5 Le ms a Att ders Avg end hip anc Du . Ann ring e u Pre al Atte vio 201 n d us anc &T 4 3 1 ota Yea e l C 5 Tota rs hap l ter Men Siz Ple e (5 dg Avg /13 ed Du . Ann /15 ring ual ) Pre Rec vio ruit me us 3 Y nt 201 ear 4-1 s 5 Act Num ive ber Ad vis of Du Avg. ors ring Ac Pre tive A vio us dviso 3 Y rs ear s
Performance Average of All Beta Chapters
E
V
6|6
Our meetings are more efficient and morale is higher than ever before. We have improved relationships with the Greek community, and as a result, were able to raise $1,200 at our philanthropy event this spring. We are looking to continually improve brotherhood and optimize recruitment tools. S
3.35 | 2.74
E
15 | 13
R
17/51 | 18
V
7|6
48 WHITMAN
WISCONSIN
THE BETA THETA PI
ΓΖ | Walla Walla, Wash. Alexandre Vesselle ’17 vesselag@whitman.edu
WPI
AΠ | Madison, Wis. Alexander Lessila ’17 lessila@wisc.edu
Colony | Worcester, Mass. Michael Landry ’17, mclandry@wpi.edu
We are thrilled after initiating an amazing class of freshmen brothers. They are all ecstatic about living in the house next year and becoming more involved in both chapter activities and our governing functions. They are ready to grow the Gamma Zeta Chapter.
This year, our chapter doubled our numbers, held our first well-run philanthropy in years thanks to help from advisors at Keystone, improved our relations with the university and finally had the pleasure of hosting Wisconsin alumni and Fraternity President Bob Schnese, Wisconsin ’83, for initiation.
S 3.09 | 3.38 E
S
4|5
R
14/43 | 16
V
11 | 7
2.93 | 3.18
E
9 | 11
R
23/40 | 8
V
WICHITA STATE
Our chapter initiated a pledge class of 14 this semester. Many of the men initiated are already holding leadership roles in the house and are continuing to grow into effective officers. We also held our first ever Wok N’ Roll Beta fundraising event to benefit our house fund.
32/61 | 33
V
S 3.54 | NR E
17 | NA
R
23/52 | NA
V
8 | NA
HISTORIC RECOGNITION
ΔΓ | Wichita, Kan. Michael Schultz ’16 mike.schultz12@gmail.com
S 2.84 | 2.79 E 54 | 16 R
3|4
We were invited back to AGD’s annual joint philanthropy event “Teeter-Totter-a-Thon” and projected to significantly trump the previous year’s fundraising goal. We are looking forward to increasing involvement, presence, and leadership on campus.
8|6
Photo Credit: Megan Favignano of the Fulton Sun
Alpha Delta at Westminster College is the oldest fraternity or sorority in continuous existence west of the Mississippi River, and the group held a ceremony to commemorate the chapter’s status. Alpha Delta was founded in 1868 by Founder Charles Henry Hardin, Miami 1841, and is still going strong 147 years later.
IN LOVING MEMORY
CHAPTER ETERNAL Flags indicate those who have served in the United States or Canadian armed forces.
Forever remembering these men and the love they had for Beta Theta Pi and their fellow brothers, notices of their passing were reported to the Administrative Office between February 12 and May 6, 2015. For assistance locating an obituary, or to report a brother’s death, please contact Phyllis Bowie at 800.800.BETA or phyllis.bowie@beta.org. Asking loved ones to donate your Beta badge and important Beta artifacts to the Fraternity’s archives and museum in Oxford is always welcomed and appreciated.
John W. Ewen ’57, March 5, 2014 Gustavo J. Vollmer ’42, Nov. 2, 2014
Iowa R. G. Jennings ’50, April 15 C
Arizona State John W. Heffron ’80, Jan. 18
Dartmouth Theodore T. Brush ’44, April 12, 2013
Iowa State David B. Easson ’46, Dec. 21, 2014
Bowdoin Theodore M. Russell ’53, March 28 C Barry W. Smith ’66, April 5
Davidson Roswell T. Mallory, Jr. ’57, March 12, 2013 Benjamin G. McClintock ’40, April 3 C
Kansas John F. Kane ’56, March 22
Brown John M. Volkhardt ’39, Feb. 15
Denison James F. Mason, MD ’51, April 17 Thomas M. Peterson ’68, May 1, 2014
Carleton Michael P. Roche ’05, April 17
Centre James N. Toy ’65, Feb. 15 Cincinnati William L. North ’63, Nov. 16, 2014 Clemson Peter W. Pappas ’72, Feb. 21 C Colgate John R. Brandeis Jr. ’62, Jan. 24, 2014 David M. Ryan Sr ’56, June 15, 2014 David S. Smith ’52, Dec. 23, 2014 Dennis J. Symonatis ’67, Feb. 1 C Colorado Charles H. Loos ’63, March 26 James A. MacCornack ’52, July 1, 2014 Charles D. Monroe ’58, April 4 John W. Travis, MD ’51, March 18 C Cornell William J. Bruckel, Jr. ’67, July 17, 2014 Harry J. Collingwood ’50, June 28, 2014 Dennis G. Collins ’59, March 15, 2014
Emory Craig H. Daniels ’78, April 6 James S. McFarland ’54, April 4 C Florida John W. Chorlog ’70, June 12, 2014 Harry P. Edwards ’45, March 16 Robert G. Hansen ’02, Feb. 9, 2014 Jackson Parmer ’52, Jan. 9 John M. Sinclair ’38, April 1, 2014 Georgia Tech William E. Bird ’43, Oct. 1, 2014 Paul B. Scott, Jr. ’58, Sept. 1, 2014 Hanover Malcolm E. Nygren ’49, Jan. 30 Idaho Robert V. Cree ’44, March 13 C Dudley F. Driscoll, Jr. ’43, May 9, 2014 Jack B. Little ’58, March 13 Indiana John W. Bower ’52, April 10 C Robert L. Gottschalk ’88, Feb. 21 William C. Hurst ’59, March 21 C
Knox James N. Doyle ’44, March 22 C Paul T. Sizemore ’57, April 26 C George E. Stankus ’58, April 17 C Maryland Lowell Ensel ’17, May 11 Miami Robert M. Martin ’48, Dec 5, 2014 John P. Pogue, DVM ’49, March 31 C Herbert B. Wiepking ’41, May 7 C James R. Wilson ’52, April 23 C Michigan Merlin J. Bellinger ’96, March 2 C. D. Ridgway ’53, March 24 C Minnesota Donald M. Anderson ’50, Dec. 1, 2014 James J. Cashman ’50, Feb. 9 C John S. Dean ’48, Aug. 8, 2014 C Donald C. Hoglund ’45, Nov. 8, 2014 C William D. Nordstrom ’51, Nov. 24, 2014 Robert E. Orvis ’43, March 29 Eugene D. Pelletier ’62, Jan. 26 Mississippi William D. Cope ’47, March 23 C Benjamin H. Read ’81, Feb. 13 Missouri Thomas M. Begel ’64, Dec. 18, 2014 C William J. Fenner Sr. ’47, May 1 C
The Foundation is often asked how one can memorialize a dearly departed Beta, while also supporting the goals of the Fraternity. “In Memory” gifts can be made online at beta.org/gift or by phone at 800.800.BETA. In lieu of flowers, consider naming the Beta Leadership Fund in your own obituary: beta.org/gift.
49 SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG
Case LeVar C. Jensen ’51, Jan. 12 Elmer A. Kitinoja ’53, Feb. 20 Richard T. Scantlebury ’44, April 11 C
DePauw David L. Alvis, MD ’56, Feb. 21 C Thomas A. Melind ’56, Nov. 18, 2014
Kentucky Jonathan Krueger ’16, April 17
CHAPTER ETERNAL
Arizona Charles C. Nicholson ’64, Feb. 26 C
Paul Miltenberger ’17, April 5 Robert C. Osher ’59, March 1 C Nebraska Donald D. Geis ’60, April 20 Thomas E. Harper ’53, March 28 George F. Heiden ’69, Nov. 1, 2013 William H. Hein Jr. ’52, March 1 C North Carolina John L. Currie ’64, April 22 Northwestern Alan G. Ingraham ’49, Feb. 5 Stanley K. Paulsen ’57, March 7 William G. Whitney ’52, March 30 C
CHAPTER ETERNAL 50
Ohio Walter J. Maroney ’47, Jan. 1 C. D. Nash ’57, Nov. 5, 2013 Richard C. Purdy ’62, July 24, 2013 Rex W. Roberts ’64, Feb. 8 C Jack H. Schwarz ’49, Feb. 6 Ohio State James S. Boardman ’44, Feb. 23 C Thomas C. Sutphen ’47, Feb. 13 C Ohio Wesleyan Meredith R. Hyatt Jr. ’58, April 5 Karl W. Potraz ’83, Oct. 11, 2014
THE BETA THETA PI
Oklahoma State Robert L. Adams ’47, March 7 David G. Howlett ’88, Dec. 1, 2014 Henry C. LeForce ’63, Feb. 20 C Donald C. McNeill ’73, March 21
Penn State H. S. Lefko ’75, Feb. 19 A. L. Spencer ’48, April 4 C Purdue Thomas G. Adams ’59, March 16 Robert J. Doeppers ’50, Dec. 20, 2014 Robert E. Pocock ’49, Feb. 25, 2014 Robert P. Wright ’49, April 7, 2012 Rutgers Fred R. Huettig ’50, March 22 C South Dakota John R. Eiesland ’63, April 15 Rollie W. French ’63, March 15 C Southern California Gary A. Fisette ’76, Feb. 2 St. Lawrence Wilson V. Marshall Jr ’49, Dec. 28, 2014 Stanford Kenneth S. Ferguson ’57, March 1 C Stevens Robert D. Sullivan ’43, Aug. 16, 2014 Syracuse Cady P. Kepler ’50, April 13 C Texas Larry O. Littleton ’63, Feb. 27 C James R. Templeton ’57, Aug. 14, 2014 Texas at Arlington Ronald C. Brooks ’72, Feb. 1
Oregon Ben R. Clabaugh ’40, Feb. 20
Texas Tech Robert J. Eudy ’70, April 2
Oregon State Jack S. Burri ’55, Sept. 2, 2014 Richard C. Paulsen ’42, Feb. 3 C Frederick L. Siri ’49, March 18 C
Toronto John A. Beament ’48, March 15 UC Berkeley Noble Hamilton, Jr. ’44, March 3 C UCLA Richard W. Ackerman ’55, Feb. 28 Harland B. Johnson ’47, Feb. 3 C
JONATHAN KRUEGER Kentucky ’16
After being out with fellow Beta brothers in Lexington, Jon and Aaron Gillette ’15, were robbed at gunpoint during their walk home Friday, April 17. Aaron was narrowly able to escape, but Jon was shot multiple times and died from his wounds. Three alleged perpetrators are awaiting trial. Known for his infectious smile and a no-regrets approach to life, “J-Kru” was beloved by his chapter brothers and served as the lead photo editor of the campus paper.
Union William A. Boehm ’67, Dec. 11, 2014 Utah Michael D. Blaes ’57, Nov. 17, 2014 Leonard J. Lewis ’46, March 19 C Rex D. Morgan ’50, March 31 C Wabash Charles G. Gudbrandsen ’46, Jan. 24 C Washington Frederick W. Fleming ’60, March 13 Robert O. White ’60, April 21 Washington & Jefferson Michael J. Kinslow ’85, Dec. 26, 2014 Robert C. Waltz, MD ’43, Feb. 28 C Washington and Lee Charles F. Clarke, Jr. ’38, Jan. 17, 2014 Ralph S. Taggart ’43, Feb. 4 C J. A. Vlerebome ’55, Feb. 11 C Washington State George W. Birkhofer ’55, Mar 9 West Virginia William A. Sauvageot ’66, Feb. 24 Ralph E. Spears, Jr. ’41, Nov. 14, 2014 C Westminster Earl C. Lindburg, Jr. ’67, Jan. 1, 2014 Thomas R. Russell ’61, March 22 J. L. Walther ’44, Feb. 27 C Willamette Austin G. Chambers ’55, April 7 Jack W. Kleinke ’68, Jan. 8, 2014 Donald A. Morrison ’54, Oct. 6, 2014 John A. Rehfuss ’56, Oct. 1, 2014 Robert A. Yunker ’60, Jan. 30 Wittenberg John K. Hawken ’56, March 28 Walter L. Kindy ’57, April 17 David T. Lemmon ’60, April 12 Rufus W. Murphy ’52, April 4 C
LOWELL ENSEL
PAUL MILTENBERGER
Maryland ’17
Missouri ’17
Aboard a University shuttle bus early afternoon Monday, May 11, Lowell required medical attention that reported him as being “in critical condition and having trouble breathing.” He passed away within the hour for causes unknown at the time of printing. Described by his brothers as “full of excitement...and the most passionate recruitment chairman the chapter has ever seen...we mourn the loss of a true Man of Principle, friend and Beta brother.”
At home in Dallas for the Easter holiday, Paul was struck by a hit-and-run automobile on April 5 while crossing the street after being out with friends. Described as “extremely popular and an incredible brother,” he had recently been elected intramural chairman by his Mizzou brothers. Following the services, whereby 60 chapter brothers traveled to Dallas, his father remarked, “I just want you to know how incredibly proud Paul was to be a Beta.”
ELROY “EL” BOURGRAF, CINCINNATI ’54 Having graduated from a high school with only 15 men, I was not only attracted to the value of a strong fraternity to help expand my network, but was comforted by the feeling of family that complemented the brotherhood of Beta Theta Pi. I was initiated into the Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Cincinnati in 1950 and immediately felt at home. I identified strongly with the principles the Fraternity stood for, particularly responsible conduct, integrity, mutual trust and entrepreneurship. Early on, I realized the value of a strong fraternity to shepherd the flock, setting values and fostering leadership training that pays dividends throughout one’s career. This served me well when I co-founded Ferno-Washington, a leading developer and manufacturer of cots, stretchers and other equipment for the EMS and mortuary industries. The principles instilled in me as a Beta carried through into the company’s corporate culture, and as Ferno continued to grow, it held true to its culture of integrity, innovation and excellence. Beta has made a positive impact in my life, so even at the ripe age of 83, I try to give back as much as I can. I want to help give undergraduates a similar experience to mine, so my wife Elaine and I included the Fraternity in our estate planning. We hope you do the same to give young Betas across North America the chance to develop as I did.
“
I want to help give undergraduates a similar experience to mine.
”
After Bourgraf earned his BBA from the University of Cincinnati, he received an ROTC commission from the U.S. Army and was deployed to Germany for two years. He returned in 1956 and co-founded FernoWashington, Inc. In 1960, El married his Beta Sweetheart, Elaine. They have three sons and seven grandchildren, and reside in Naples, Florida.
THE BETA THETA PI | SUMMER 2015 | BETA.ORG/BBS
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administrative Office
PAID
Permit No. 1534 Oxford, Ohio
Brennan Hall PO Box 6277 5134 Bonham Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 www.beta.org
0
Leadership Fund BETA.ORG/GIFT
I just wanted to (semi) anonymously send a compliment about your Emory chapter. Being an old man in grad school, I don’t always look forward to playing against younger guys in intramurals, but last night was a different experience. We played your Emory brothers in softball and they couldn’t have been more supportive of each other. They didn’t fight or yell when a guy made an error, but they’re good enough friends that they were able to razz each other and have fun despite mistakes. They were also respectful towards us and the officials, which doesn’t always happen when a team loses. (We nipped them by two runs.) They even brought a crowd, as brothers not playing came out to support and supply good-natured heckling. At a time when people are (wrongly) calling for the end of fraternities, your guys show exactly why we should be increasing participation. It’s been awhile since I was an undergrad (Fiji 2005 grad), so I’m happy to see someone doing it right. I could have seen myself in your chapter.
”
Have an excellent day.
— Emory University Law Student
DEVELOPING MEN OF PRINCIPLE FOR A PRINCIPLED LIFE
Beta
“