Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI PAGE 3 Jay Foran '76 In memory of Grant Hartung '78 J. Scott Jamieson '76 Steve S. Retzsch '76 In honor of The BullPen James H. Ellis III '77 Peter '77 and Kathy Van Zant Jeff Walker '77 James A. Whaley '77 Glenn J. Pryor '78 In memory of Dayton E. Pryor, Bethany '52 Timothy A. Sando '78 E.S. Sondles '78 In memory of Lana's Greenbeans George P. Wick, D.D.S. '78 Mark W. Haller '79 Robert L. McIlvaine '79 Mark F. Stephan '80 Vaden W Fitton '82 William E. York '82 John E. Czyzycki '87 Martin P. Dixon '90 Edward J. O'Reilly '90 Craig L. Cimoroni '92 John J. Rock '92 Ben Beshear '01 Justin R. Beck '02 William E. Rutledge '05 T. Calloway Robertson IV '08 Steven S. Bernet '12 The 1839 Society ($2,500 to $4,999) Brian Breittholz Judy and Ken Pierce In honor of Tom pierce '77 Roger D. Fields Associates, Inc. Jack L. Fryman '51 Donald A. Gerber '51 Charles E. Teckman '51 Harold E. Kelch, M.D. '52 Melvin A. Baker '55 James F. Sommer '57 In memory of John M. Sommer '53 Barry H. Kent '58 and Jim Cushman '58 Jack R. Saidel '59 James R. McClanahan '60 K. Michael Foley '61 In memory of Richard F. Fryman '61 In honor of Robert D. Wertz '61 Harlow W. Gregory Jr. '62 Philip G. Kuehl '65 James R. Robertson, M.D. '66 In memory of Terrence C. Greaves '67 Andy Bell '67 John C. McClure '67 Fey Family Gift Thomas C. Fey '68 Brian D. Fey '00 David J. Kenley '68 E. Phillips Knox '68 Christopher Blatchford '69 Chip Hunter '69 James L. Kotschwar '69 Thomas O. Moorhead '69 Dennis C. Myers '69 J. Michael Perez '69 In memory of Terry Graves '67 Thomas H. Edwards '74 In memory of Steven Collins '74 P.J. Evans '78 In honor of "The Bull Pen" Noel A. Follrath '78 David S. Gilreath '78 Louis R. Mohn '78 Thomas P. Semans '78 David J. Alexander '79 James M. Bugel '79 N. Richard Nelson '79 Dave Pawlicki '79 Michael J. Curran '80 Mark C. Smith '80 Mark E. Flanigan '81 John C. Hart '81 Barry Shields '81 John B. Weimer '81 William K. Frain '82 Peter H. Gilreath '82 Thomas K. Merrell '82 Robert I. Rowan III '82 James R. Geuther '85 Albert E. Davies III '86 Jeffrey I. Wood '86 Michael J. Flynn '89 Lawson E. Whiting '90 Jon Gould '92 Jack Weston '02 Philip S. Fernandez '06 Alexander M. Tipton '09 Returning Home Brothers Tom Converse '73 and Randy Kirschner '74 Lead Historical House Renovation A fter losing touch with the Alpha Chapter and many of their brothers over the years, Randy Kirschner '74 and Tom Converse '72 were given a chance to reconnect with their beloved fraternity through the Forever Alpha campaign. When the chapter closed in 2014, Randy shares, "It was so sad to see the house shuttered and the building in need of refurbishment. I wanted to help bring the Alpha Chapter back to life. When Bill Haywood '74 asked me to oversee the physical improvements for the house, I saw it as an opportunity to make up for my prior lack of participation since graduation." Once he became the head of the Alpha Chapter House Improvements Committee, Randy reached out to Tom's architectural firm, Renouveau Design, to see if Tom would be interested in helping the chapter plan for an expansion and improvements to their old home. Tom shares, "My firm was eager to help, but too busy at the time. So, I was surprised two years later when Randy called back and wanted to know if we were interested in being the Architect of Record for the project. This timing was a better fit, and we prevailed over a couple of other firms to secure the opportunity." RECOLONIZATION, CONSTRUCTION, AND RECONNECTION At the first recolonization and construction meeting Tom attended, he expressed how impressed he was with "the quality of men involved" with the project. He adds, "My first meeting with the Recolonization Committee reminded me of why I became a Beta. The room was full of men driven toward excellence, mutually supportive, and grace in difficulty. After 45 years it was inspiring to be in such a group again." Throughout the project, the house presented several challenges for Randy and Tom, including varying construction techniques across the properties and several structural issues. However, they prevailed. Now, the young men living in the house have a home that beautifully blends its elegant, historic character with features that college students will find welcoming. MORE THAN A HOUSE In the end, simply having the opportunity to participate in this significant moment for the Alpha Chapter has meant a lot to Randy and Tom. Randy (Continued on page 5)

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