Chapter Advisory Board Update
This summer, the chapter received another Gold Star Award at the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute in Oxford. Although I felt we deserved the award, we came up short on the Oxford Trophy. The Oxford Trophy recognizes the most outstanding Phi Delta Theta chapter at a large institution with over 20,000 students. Alabama Beta is doing what it needs to win, so we will keep trying. The spring semester grades were outstanding; we came in third among fraternities with a 3.45 GPA.
Other than football, it has been an outstanding fall semester at Alabama Beta. The chapter had an outstanding fall recruitment that produced a great group of Phikeias. The chapter has grown significantly over the past two years; we currently have 148 dues-paying members and Phikeias. Parent’s Weekend and Alumni Reunion were well attended. We are grateful to the parents who have become involved with the chapter and to the alumni who donated to the house corporation’s lighted sign project. We raised more than enough money to install a lighted sign on the rear of house. The chapter is academically and financially sound. Our young men are admired on campus for their academics, philanthropy, and leadership. These guys have come a long way since we were dismissed from campus, and we should all be proud of them. Any support from our alumni is appreciated, and we would love to see some
involvement from the thirty- to fifty-year-old age range. Please continue to send outstanding potential new member recommendations to recruitment chair David Taylor at Dmt0043@auburn.edu.
The chapter recently held elections (see page 4 for list of new officers). The current group of officers has been exceptional, and we appreciate their service to the chapter.
Dwight Bassett 1644 Chapter Advisory Board Chair
2024 Fall Phikeias
Callan Baldwin, Jackson, MS
Will Barber, Columbus, OH
Max Barber, Fort Worth, TX
Thomas Beverly, Thomasville, GA
Brooks Billingsley, Forrest City, AR
Cole Blackwell, Mobile, AL
Drew Bodnar, Mountain Brook, AL
Thomas Burns, Fairhope, AL
William Chambliss, Mountain Brook, AL
Carsten Davison, Fairhope, AL
Gabe Farrow, Auburn, AL
Harrison Faust, Vestavia Hills, AL
Will Ferguson, Vestavia, AL
Nathan Garrett, Huntsville, AL
Luke Gilbert-Smith, Houston, TX
Cody Glover, Auburn, AL
Mason Goodloe, Mobile, AL
Will Green, Mobile, AL
Houston Hart, Hoover, AL
Harrison Heath, Vestavia, AL
Dylan Ingram, Auburn, AL
Aarya John, Vestavia, AL
Mark Jones, Mobile, AL
Chase Jones, Jasper, GA
Smith Knapstein, Daphne, AL
Will Langston, Gulf Shores, AL
Brodie Loupe, Seaside, FL
Wil Lucas , Mountain Brook, AL
George Mange, Mountain Brook, AL
Matthew McPhillps, Mobile, AL
Cooper Middleton, Fairhope, AL
Carter Miller, Montgomery, AL
Alex Nolfo, St. Louis, MO
Nate Phung, Montgomery, AL
Grant Pierce, Fort Worth, TX
Marshall Porter, Auburn, AL
Dylan Reeves, Valley, AL
Max Reynolds, Dallas, TX
William Sands, Atlanta, GA
Hank Shumate, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Greer Smith, Vestavia Hills, AL
Andrew Tancredi, Memphis, TN
Jason Thompson, Mountain Brook, AL
Burke Volkmann, Atlanta, GA
Conrad Wade, Nashville, TN
Miles Zachary, West Point, GA
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Joseph Fimiani, William Banks, Michael Hawkins Jr., Blake H. Adams, and Wilson Thrift with Alabama Beta’s awards at the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute.
2024 Reunion Weekend
Brothers from the past seven decades attended our 2024 reunion weekend, which was held in conjunction with the chapter’s Parents Weekend. Alumni kicked off the weekend with lunch and golf at the AU Club.
Friday evening featured a dinner at the chapter house with a live band. Alumni and spouses gathered in the library for two ceremonies and the presentation of our Alumni of the Year Award. Brothers Jeff Lawhead 1505 and J.R. Wright 1560 conducted a Chapter Grand Ceremony to induct six deceased brothers. Greg Harris 1558 placed Palladian Legion pins on Brothers Frank Feagin 1255 and Kelly Linch 1270 and a Golden Legion pin on
Ken Clark 1364 (pictured below), and Brothers Jimmy Webb 1509 and Booth Malone 1392 presented the Alumni Brother of the Year Award to Benton Betbeze 1608. Of note, the pledge brothers eligible for Golden Legion pins this year have deferred until next year to enter as a class with the spring pledges from 1975.
Saturday’s pre-game gathering included lunch, a band, and the unveiling of Buck Marsh Digital History Museum. This kiosk features an interactive screen displaying searchable photos, history, and annual composites, capturing our chapter’s rich history. The chapter also welcomes physical articles of history, including the handsomely framed
coat of arms with the chapter crest presented by Greg Harris to CAB chair Dwight Bassett 1644.
Buck Marsh Digital History Museum Launched
With little fanfare, the Buck Marsh Digital History Museum touchscreen was presented at the recent reunion weekend in September. Forty composites and the museum are now displayed on a new fifty-five-inch touchscreen monitor in the dining hall. The quest to preserve composites in digital format began several years ago and led to the creation of a digital museum of Alabama Beta’s history. A seven-member alumni history committee was formed, and fundraising began with the help and direction of General Headquarters. To date, over $80,000 in donations have been received towards the goal of $100,000 in a Buck Marsh
memorial fund to provide leadership scholarships and the creation of the Buck Marsh Digital Museum. Many generous donations have been received, and with brother Jimmy Webb’s matching offer, the museum is now a reality; however, it is only a start since history marches on. The long-term success of this museum will depend on the desire and efforts of current and future Alabama Beta brothers to add their history and stories to grow the museum.
The provider of this museum, History IT, will update the museum annually to add new composites, but the chapter will have the duty to add documents, newsletters, and photos to capture and preserve their history
for posterity. The museum and the composites are also available to view on the internet. Business cards with the web address and QR codes for both the museum and the memorial fund can be found left next to the
PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Michael Hawkins Jr., Joseph Fimiani, Blake H. Adams. Auburn Phi of the Year Award presented to Joe Fimiani at Spring 2024 Parents Weekend.
PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: David Kennedy, Nick Aiesi
2024–25 Executive Cabinet
President: Cameron MacRae 2561 Cam0237@auburn.edu, 251.243.3029
Vice President: Kase McElwee 2552 Ekm0068@auburn.edu, 678.246.9471
Treasurer: Charlie Wilson 2615 Cdw0072@auburn.edu, 334.744.4939
Secretary: George Pelekis 2593 Gcp0025@auburn.edu, 205.914.7118
Social Chair: Jacob Grant 2599 zg0169@auburn.edu, 334.734.9754
Warden: Jonny Kerns 2616 Jck0093@auburn.edu, 205.790.2144
Phikeia Educator: Jack Sims 2557 Jhs0083@auburn.edu, 251.689.7602
Recruitment Chair: David Taylor Dmt0043@auburn.edu, 251.272.0688
House Manager: Oliver Largue 2594 Ojl0005@auburn.edu, 251.422.9270
President’s Letter continued from page 1
Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056
Address Service Requested
Association and Student Government Association to Beta Alpha Psi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Freshman Forum, UPC, and IFC Cabinet. Brothers Nick Aiesi 2563 and Oliver Salter 2591 have taken on leadership roles within the IFC Cabinet, and their contributions will undoubtedly elevate our chapter’s campus presence. Increasing representation across campus remains a priority for us, and we are eager to build on our progress.
This fall, we hosted the second-ever combined Alumni-Parents Weekend, bringing together the people who support and inspire us most. This event gave our parents an opportunity to meet the men who help guide our chapter, fostering relationships that strengthen our community. We also hosted alumni events in Mobile and Birmingham to reach those unable to visit Auburn. These gatherings were invaluable, and we look forward to continuing them next year. Special thanks go to our chapter adviser, Dwight Bassett 1644, whose tireless dedication has been instrumental to our success. We also extend our gratitude to house corporation members Malcolm Marsh 1519, Bud Powada 1547, Tim Hunt 1570, Russell Cunningham 1938, and Robert Miller 1921 for their commitment to our chapter’s growth. In January, our new Executive Committee will meet with the chapter advisory board and housing corporation for the annual Strategic Planning Meeting to chart our path forward.
I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work of last year’s Executive Committee. It was an honor to serve
as recruitment chairman, a role that taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and collaboration. I want to especially thank Blake Adams 2538, whose exemplary leadership guided our chapter through unforeseen challenges. Blake’s dedication and sacrifice set a standard for us all, and we wish him the best as he graduates and begins his next chapter.
Looking ahead, I am incredibly honored to serve as president of this remarkable Fraternity. This chapter has given me more than I could have ever imagined, and I am committed to giving my all every day to ensure Alabama Beta continues to flourish. With 150 brothers by my side, I am confident that we will continue to uphold the legacy and principles that define us. I am eager to see what the next year holds for Alabama Beta as we strive to make it one of the best chapters at Auburn University and within Phi Delta Theta. Proud to be a Phi and War Eagle!
Yours in the Bond, Cameron MacRae 2561 Chapter President
Buck Marsh Digital History Museum Launched continued from page 3
touchscreen in the dining hall. Presently, any additions to the museum can be sent via email to David Kennedy 1566 at dwkmaine@gmail.com. We are at 82 percent of our goal. Please help us get to $100,000 by donating today at phide.lt/BuckMarshMemorial. Visit the digital museum at https://phide.lt/ALBetaMuseum
