BROTHERHOOD WELCOMES THREE NEW CHAPTERS Among the business in front of the delegates at the 179th General Convention was the granting of charters to three petitioning colonies. After committee presentations and a floor vote, three groups of young men who walked into Convention belonging to a colony, walked out belonging to a chapter. Congratulations and welcome to the recolonized Delta Lambda at Florida State, and two new chapters: Eta Tau at WPI and Eta Upsilon at Elon (pictured). See back for additional legislation outcomes.
FORMER GENERAL FRATERNITY PRESIDENT HOUSER ACCEPTS SHEPARDSON AWARD The twenty-fifth Francis W. Shepardson Award was presented at last night’s Celebration Banquet to former General Fraternity President Doug Houser, Willamette ’57.
179TH BRINGS NEW GENERAL FRATERNITY HOUSE CORP. Yesterday, building off of the successful Cornerstone Housing Program, the Fraternity announced the establishment of the General Fraternity House Corporation, managed in good hands by (left to right) John Stebbins, Emory ’92, as house corporation president, Steve Becker, Florida ’68, as secretary and Adam Collins, Wabash ’02, as treasurer.
Houser was initiated in 1954 to the Gamma Sigma Chapter Roll at Willamette University, then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Stanford University. He has served as his firm’s senior counsel for more than 50 years. Considered one of the Fraternity’s most prestigious
awards, the Board of Trustees developed the Shepardson award in 2001 to recognize brothers who embody the spirit and dedication of Brother Shepardson and epitomize the concept of lifelong service to the Fraternity.
a shoe company – you may have heard of it – called Nike. And second, registering the company’s logo, The Swoosh!
Brother Houser more than meets the criteria required for recognition.
But it is his contributions to Beta Theta Pi as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, Foundation Board Chairman, and General Fraternity President that won him last night’s honor.
His successes and great stories count in the thousands, but arguably two notable ones were his filing of key paperwork on behalf of his first cousin, Phil Knight, that launched
Houser’s long-time Beta Sweetheart, Lucy, was in attendance to witness her husband accept the handsome full-lead crystal cup from General Fraternity President Bob Schnese ’83.
CLOSING STATEMENT | GEN. SEC. WAYNE KAY
“We’ve talked extensively this weekend about critical matters being debated in the legislation hall. Regardless of the outcome, one truth is certain: Great challenges face Beta Theta Pi in the near future. We have stared down such threats before, and through courageous leadership, have overcome. I have every faith and confidence that this fraternity is going to do so yet again. Together and united. I want to continue to encourage respectful interactions amongst brothers. While we don’t always agree, it must be acknowledged that we approach these dialogues from a common place – and that is a love for this fraternity that we all call home.” – General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73