Beta Theta Pi - University of Missouri

THE ZETA PHI PAGE 2 President Alex Venturella '24 Vice President Daniel Hartnagel '24 New Member Educator Gabe Harmon '24 House Manager Thomas Briner '24 Risk Manager Tripp Gatch '24 IDE Chairman Jack Buehring '23 Treasurer Ryan Klosterman '24 Philanthropy Chairman Nick Pollite '24 Social Chairman Joseph Morris '24 Scholarship Chairman Clayton Thompson '24 Scholarship Chairman Holden Ave '24 Intramural Chairman Jacob Brase '24 Technology Chairman Jack Burgess '24 Accreditation Chairman Jason Jiang '24 Recruitment Head Recruitment Chairman Alex Danzo '24 alex.danzo@missouribeta.com KC Recruitment Chairman Joseph Thomas '24 joseph.thomas@missouribeta.com STL Recruitment Chairman Max Powers '24 max.powers@missouribeta.com Rural Missouri Recruitment Chairman Joseph Miles '25 joseph.miles@missouribeta.com Alumni can send recommendation letters to alex.danzo@missouribeta.com. Students interested in recruitment can fill out the form on our page: missouribeta.com/recruitment W hether you join a fraternity on a leap of faith or through word of mouth, you don't fully understand beforehand just how impactful the brotherhood can be. From leadership experience to lifelong friends, Beta Theta Pi provides brothers with endless opportunities and memories that can change their life. For Ramon Ward '64, his biggest Beta impact is personal. Through the last five decades, Ray has shared the special Beta legacy with not only his son, but also his grandsons. OVER THE YEARS Ray has had the privilege of seeing the chapter evolve through his son, Timothy Ward '97, and two grandsons, Blake Hoover '16 and Alex Hoover '19. He has watched Zeta Phi weather the storm for over 50 years and enjoys sharing his experience as an undergraduate and comparing stories with his family. He notices the similarities of brotherhood, even decades later, and of course, sees the changes. One difference Ray notes is the chapter house. As house manager in 1963, Ray remembers the original home at 520 College being torn down. He saved a perfect spindle from the staircase and had it mounted and framed, then donated it to the present house. It now hangs as an historic memento in the nook of the living room in honor of Tim, Blake, and Alex. "The new house is just spectacular," Ray shared "They didn't waste money putting in a swimming pool, which would be a cosmetic thing, but instead they put money in areas like the lecture hall. Just a brilliant decision to encourage good grades and studying." THE START OF IT ALL Ray started his legacy when he decided to transfer from Washington University to Mizzou. "My friend Hugh "HR" Autz '64 just pledged Beta and knew I was coming," Ray said. "HR said, 'Oh my gosh. You have to come and look at us. We think we'd really like you.'" So, Ray went through recruitment, and the rest is history. He was able to balance being a Beta with being a two-year letterman playing tennis. He recalls how highly respected fraternities were during his collegiate years. "Greek life was the way to go, and the brotherhood was great," Ray said. "Beta graduates have always had the highest character, which is why I led my son down the Beta path and then 20 years later, my two grandsons." Greek goes beyond just his male descendants. Ray's wife, Joyce Warner Ward, was a Gamma Phi, his daughters joined Gamma Phi and Tri Delta, and he also has Tri Delta granddaughters. "We are a heavily Greek family and believe in the system," he said. "We've continued the tradition of everybody being involved in a fraternity or sorority and are big Greek advocates." LOOKING FORWARD Even though Beta has naturally changed with time, Ray is happy to see that its core values haven't. "We were the same fraternity then as they are now—we pretty much always won grades on campus and were known for high standards. It was the place to be, and I was proud to be there." Ray is eager to return to Missouri this year to celebrate his brother, Bill Morgan '65, who will receive the Beta Medal of Honor this fall. As a season ticket holder for Mizzou football, Ray also tries to visit the house once or twice a year when he's there. You can connect with Ray at a Mizzou football game or at rward@hlkagency.com. Ray presents the spindle from the 1963 house to the new chapter house. From left: Blake Hoover '16, Ray Ward '64, and Alex Hoover '19. Pictured on the bottom is Timothy Ward '97. A Family of Beta Brothers How Ramon Ward '64 Started a Generational Beta Bond Chapter Officers

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