Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI A L U M N I N E W S L E T T E R F A L L 2 0 1 8 Generations of Brothers Gather for Alpha Chapter Alumni Reunion and House Dedication Forever Alpha Campaign Still Needs Your Support T he dedication ceremony for the Alpha chapter house was held October 19-21. More than 275 individuals attended to celebrate Alpha's 100th year at 200 East High St. and completion of our chapter house reno- vation. It was a weekend full of Beta events and those who attended were overwhelmed with chapter pride. The house positions Alpha to thrive at Miami University for decades to come. The weekend kicked off when alumni brothers and Beta sweethearts joined for lunch and the Alpha Dragon Classic golf scramble coordinat- ed by Mark Flanighan '81 at Indian Ridge in Oxford. With each team getting three mulligans appropriately called "Beta," "Theta," and "Pi," eight foursomes battled the true golf elements when sunshine turned into wind, rain and cold. Celebrating Brotherhood On Friday evening, Jeff Anderson '75 hosted a cocktail reception for more than 100 alumni and guests in the Arbor of The Elms Hotel. It was a huge success and a great way to kick off the reunion weekend and to rekindle and reconnect with brothers. In addition, Jay Ellis '77 created an amazing slide show with accompanying music from the '70s and '80s. It brought back the great memo- ries and emotions of our times at 200 East High Street. Snaps to both Jeff and Jay for creating a special event to kick off an awesome weekend of brotherhood and celebration. In the words of Jeff Anderson, "This weekend was totally awe- some. I didn't know what to expect, but it greatly exceeded my expectations. We opened our own time capsules this weekend, spilling out memo- ries we hadn't thought about in 40-plus years." Thanks again to Brother Anderson for hosting and paying for this wonderful reception. Donor Wall Unveiling and Reception Brothers gathered at the renovated chapter house for the donor wall unveiling and dessert reception honoring those who have contribut- ed to the Forever Alpha campaign. Our deepest thanks to the 322 brothers who have supported this historic effort by committing $3,852,289. Please see pages 2-3 for a full list of names. A crisp, Saturday morning began with alumni weekend participants and undergraduate broth- ers returning to the house where they shared coffee and broke bread together in the form of Miami University-classic Tuffy's Toasted Rolls. They did so in an appropriate setting: the new chapter kitchen and dining room. New members and undergraduates hosted tours of the refin- ished chapter house, unveiling the finished reno- vation to returning alumni. In the afternoon, brothers gathered in the court- yard of 200 E. High St. to officially cut the ribbon and dedicate the house and a time capsule. We were honored to have Brother Fred Brower '50 attend; he was also present for the dedication of the 1950 time capsule (discovered in the re- construction). The dedication was followed by a great Beta barbecue. Marching Along Prior to the Saturday banquet, attendees gath- ered at the Beta Campanile, the iconic campus bell tower presented as the centennial gift of The General Fraternity in 1839. Brothers gath- ered for a symbolic Beta Marching Line to kick off the Saturday celebration banquet. Arm to shoulder, brothers marched down Slant Walk ringing the air of campus with "Marching Along," arriving at the Armstrong Student Center where once again members of the "Singing Fraternity" announced their presence on campus with the songs of Beta Theta Pi. Celebration Banquet The celebration banquet included remarks from Masters of Ceremonies and Forever Alpha Cam- paign Co-Chairmen Phil Fernandez '06 and Bill Haywood '74. Miami University President Greg Crawford, his wife, and University Ambas- sador Renate Crawford were also in attendance. President Crawford addressed attendees with a message of support for the return of Beta on campus, provided that the undergraduate broth- ers hold themselves accountable in living up to their values which mirror those of Miami Uni- versity: education and "Love and Honor." Lasting for an Age President of the North-American Interfraternity Conference Judson Horras, Iowa State '97, served as the keynote speaker. He offered a unique perspective having served in roles of recruitment advisor to the Alpha Chapter in the early 2000s (Continued on page 8)

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