Thursday's Wooglin Daily News - 183rd General Convention

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BETA THETA PI // 183RD GENERAL CONVENTION // TOGETHER WE RISE

WOOGLIN DAILY NEWS ATLANTA, GEORGIA // THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

EDUCATION EXPANDED FOR ADVISORS AND COLLEGIANS

BETA WELCOMES YOU TO PEACHTREE PLAZA! Beta Theta Pi is proud to host hundreds of brothers, Sweethearts and friends traveling near and far to be here for the 183rd General Convention. It’s the second time in history this Frathernity has held its annual Convention in Atlanta, the last time being the 165th in 2004.

Atlanta is a perfect setting to inspire all attendees. Beyond the unique cultural hotspots just minutes away from this weekend’s host hotel, the Beta Spirit is woven into the Atlanta metro area’s fabric with three of the Peach State’s four active chapters calling it home. Excursions to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame will surely make this a Convention to remember.

This weekend, Beta is excited to present

the Oxford Cup to lauded country music singer-songwriter Rivers Rutherford, Mississippi ’89, for his professional accomplishments, and the Francis W. Shepardson Award to Bill Lowry, Kenyon ’56, for his dedication to the Fraternity and Foundation. Additionally, by Convention’s end brothers and friends will come together to recognize chapter and individual achievements, consider a number of historic legislative proposals, participate in hallmark educational programming, and more.

As the Fraternity holds its first full General Convention since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 183rd aims to bring the event’s theme, “Together We Rise,” to life with a weekend spent celebrating Beta brotherhood and the perseverance of this Great and Good Fraternity.

Critical chapter officers are attending this year’s Convention, with Keystone tracks added for recruitment and new member education. Beta is committed to helping volunteers better prepare for the academic year as well, with the all-new Advisor Academy. Plus, the Greiner Leadership College returns for young Betas to focus on career preparation and job readiness.

CHANGES PROPOSED TO BETA’S RITUAL AND CODE Collegiate and alumni association delegates voting in this year’s legislative sessions will address several key matters on Friday and Saturday. In addition to considering the granting of two charters and electing new trustees, they will vote on 17 proposals slated to hit the legislation floor, including revisions to The Code and Ritual of Beta Theta Pi.

EMCEES AND SPECIAL GUESTS // THURSDAY Fraternity Vice President Justin Foster, West Chester ’11, serves as master of ceremonies for this afternoon’s 183rd General Convention Kickoff, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Peachtree Ballroom.

Though he suddenly lost his sight at 19 years old, he soon became known as a world-class golfer. Hear Jeremy Poincenot’s keynote address at the 183rd General Convention Kickoff.

The Ritual connects all brothers of the Fraternity. Former General Treasurer Ben Swartz, Connecticut ’05, leads the reflection session of Beta’s Ritual following Model Initiation tonight at 6:30 p.m.

DAILY AGENDA THURSDAY AUGUST 4

This agenda is abbreviated. Scan the QR code to view the full schedule in the Convention Guide.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. // The Overlook

BOARD MEETINGS

10:00 a.m. // Various, See Convention Guide

GENERAL FRATERNITY OFFICER LUNCH AND MEETING 11:45 a.m. // Chastain 1

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 1:00 p.m. // Various, See Convention Guide

JOINT BOARD MEETING 2:15 p.m. // Chastain 2

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING 3:15 p.m. // Chastain 2

CONVENTION KICKOFF AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS

4:00 p.m. // Peachtree Ballroom

DINNER

5:30 p.m. // Peachtree Ballroom

MODEL INITIATION CEREMONY AND RITUAL DISCUSSION (BETAS ONLY) 6:30 p.m. // Peachtree Ballroom

WELCOME RECEPTION

8:00 p.m. // Main Lobby and The Overlook

INTEREST SESSION: WORKING FOR THE FRATERNITY 9:00 p.m. // Peachtree Room

CONVENTION CHORUS PRACTICE 9:30 p.m. // Piedmont 7

Left: Centre chapter commissioned a portrait of hall of famer Bo McMillin 1922, and Norris “Army” Armstrong 1922, for the 100th anniversary “C6H0” game. Top: Three-person keelboat crew Jeff Madrigali, Jim Barton and Kent Massey, Oklahoma ’74. Bottom: Georgia Tech new chapter house dedication in 1995.

BROTHERS IN ACTION ON THE GRIDIRON There are more than 1,100 inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame, and among them are 19 players and coaches who wore the Beta badge. Convention attendees are invited to learn more about these brothers during Friday night’s excursion to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Pat O’Dea, Wisconsin 1900 Bill Sprackling, Brown 1912 Ray Morrison, Vanderbilt 1912 Guy Chamberlin, Nebraska 1916 Earl “Red” Blaik, Miami 1918 Bob Higgins, Penn State 1918 Matty Bell, Centre 1920 Bo McMillin, Centre 1922 (above) Mal Stevens, Yale 1924 Homer Hazel, Rutgers 1925 Johnny Kitzmiller, Oregon ’30 John Orsi, Colgate ’32 John Tavener, Indiana ’44 Pete Pihos, Indiana ’45 Don Coryell, Washington ’47 Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice, North Carolina ’51 Dave Maurer, Denison ’54 Bob Stein, Minnesota ’69 Jim Mandich, Michigan ’70

BETA’S CONNECTIONS TO THE 100TH OLYMPIAD

Just down the street from Peachtree Plaza is Centennial Olympic Park, a lasting legacy of the 1996 games that took place right here in Atlanta. Qualifying for the Olympic games is a crowning achievement for amateur athletes. To date, it’s a feat fewer than 100 Betas have ever realized. These brothers, who over the years have represented teams from across the globe, such as the United States, Canada, Sweden and Australia, are unquestionably among our order’s most elite competitors.

SETTING SAIL TO THE PODIUM

It was over 250 miles away on Wassaw Sound — off the coast of Savannah — where our own Kent Massey, Oklahoma ’74, made Beta’s mark at the 1996 Olympics. A member of the threeperson keelboat crew (above), Brother Massey brought home a bronze medal for Team USA. His Gamma Phi Chapter Roll Number, 1492, is quite poetic for a sailing Olympian.

HOUSING OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

Around the site of the games, new dormitories were built for the 1996 Olympic Village. Despite this, there was still a shortage of accommodations for all the athletes. Fittingly, Beta’s Gamma Eta Chapter at Georgia Tech opened the doors of its new chapter house to 46 athletes from Jamaica to stay within their halls. The Olympians won six medals that year, Deon Hemmings famously winning Jamaica’s first women’s gold.

REMINDERS SHARE YOUR CONVENTION EXPERIENCE USE #BETA183 ON SOCIAL MEDIA VISIT BETA.ORG/CNV183 TO VIEW THE CONVENTION PHOTO ALBUM

• Convention attire is resort-casual (i.e. collared shirts, shorts, jeans or khakis).

• Name tags should be worn at all times during the General Convention.

• Attire must be in good taste and represent Beta Theta Pi appropriately.

• Convention staff are in white Beta polos today, and they are eager to help with any questions you may have.

• Saturday’s Celebration Banquet is coat and tie; equivalent attire for guests.

• Friday’s breakfast is on your own.