The Iowa State Phi, Fall 2019

Page 1

FALL 2019

THE

George A Long Jr., Illinois Eta, 6/6/1939 #586

George A Long III, Indiana Alpha 1413

George A Long, Indiana Beta

#539 Theta,

C. Loy,

#332

Edward

10/19/1208

3/18/1937

Indiana Strawbridge,

Indiana

Robert

Theta, 4/5/1934 #504

Strawbridge,

Indiana

Theta, 4/19/1936

#531

Dallas Ryan

Long, Florida

Gamma,

4/22/2007

#1663

Russell

Strawbridge,

Indiana

Theta,

4/27/1947

#749

Herbert

Granville Moody

Jr. Illinois

Eta,

3/7/1914 #232

IOWA STATE PHI Official Newsletter of the Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Iowa State University

ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT A POSITIVE MINDSET LEADS TO SUCCESS

B

ill Beckman 934 still considers himself an “Ames kid”, having lived there from fifth grade until graduating from Iowa State. In 1972, with his ISU bachelor of architecture degree in hand, he moved to San Francisco, California, passing the licensing exams and practicing as an architect there until 1975. With the start of a nation-wide recession in 1975, Bill decided to pursue another degree and entered the master of business administration program at Stanford University in the fall of 1975, receiving his MBA (with a focus in finance) in 1977. That is where he met his future wife, Connie, was also one of his classmates. After a few years in investment banking in New York City, he returned to San Francisco and entered the field of commercial building real estate development, a blend of his design and finance skills. For the past forty years Bill has enjoyed life as a commercial real estate developer, starting his own firm in 1989. In 1993, Bill, his wife, and two children moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego. In addition to his work, he has been actively engaged for many years in volunteer endeavors in California, as well as at Iowa State. Among these has been leading the recent Iowa Gamma house renovation for ten years, as well as serving as one of four capital campaign co-chairs who raised over $1.3 million for the renovation. Outside of Phi Delta Theta, what was your favorite on-campus or volunteer organization to be involved with and why? With strong guidance from Phi Delt upperclassmen, I became actively involved in campus activities, including positions on the Homecoming and Greek Week central committees. This proved to be an extraordinary experience in terms of learning and expanding leadership skills that I’ve used throughout my adult life. How did your Phi Delta Theta experience shape who you are today? It smoothed many of my rough edges. It taught me a lot about connecting with others—how to be an active and contributing

Bill Beckman

part of a greater whole. Although I had always been involved in team sports, being a Phikeia brought the concept of “teamwork” to a whole different level. Through interacting with the bright and talented group of pledge brothers I was given, I learned quickly that there is a time to lead and a time to follow (and which was which). If you could provide any piece of advice to undergraduate members, what would it be and why? Be involved with your chapter brothers, contributing your share to enhancing the experience of all of your Phi Delt brothers. Take a turn at the oar. Engage with Phi Delt alumni. When you see them at the house, introduce yourself and make an effort to spend some time with them. Chances are very good they will share some wisdom and great stories with you if you show interest. Since graduating, have you remained in touch with many Phi Delts? If so, what has been like or has there been anything you’ve done together? Like many of my pledge brothers, “life” interfered with staying close to my Phi Delt brothers in the early years after graduation. Continued on page 4


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The Iowa State Phi, Fall 2019 by Phi Delta Theta - Issuu