Beta Theta Pi - Westminster College

BQP Dragon Speak Beta Theta Pi at Westminster College Fall 2013 Alumni Weekend 2013 at Alpha Delta T he Beta house was among the focal points of the annual spring migration to Fulton by Westminster College alumni. Traveling from California, Virginia, and many points in between, sons of Alpha Delta visited the chapter's grand new home of four years during the weekend of April 19-21, 2013, which featured not only scores of fraternal reunions but also a number of memorable events. Two graduating classes had large representations. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of their pledge class graduation were John Elrod '68, Dr. Stephen England '68, Dr. Erik Hewlett '68, Bill Lange '68, Jim McDonald '68, Bob Monroe '68, Ted Planje '68, Colin Stahlhut '68, and Tom Weil '67. Joining the class of 1968 were old friends Rusty Bennett '67, Jim Middleton '67, and Eric Tremayne '67. "It's phenomenal that, after not seeing each other for years, we can reunite in minutes," said Bob Monroe, a partner in the Kansas City office of the law firm of Stinson Morrison Hecker. Bob recently retired from the Westminster Board of Trustees after 16 years of service, including a term as president. "These times when we are able to get together are always entertaining, fascinating, and inspiring," said Jim McDonald, a retired Hallmark Cards Inc. executive whose son, Kevin, is a University of Kansas Beta. Another pledge class reunited and celebrated the 30th anniversary of its graduation. These Alpha Delta Betas were Kevin Bradley '83, Troy Burgess '83, Chris Hogan '83, Jeff Lacy '83, Brent Powell '83, and Steve Wells '83. "Of course, it's always good to see my pledge brothers," said Troy Burgess, who's with Bank of America Merchant Services in Kansas City. "These reunions remind us that, even though we live different lives now, a part of us will always feel that bond that only four years of brotherhood can give you." On Friday afternoon, the actives met with the house corporation to review the chapter's operations according to the standards of the General Fraternity's Men of Principle philosophy. House Corporation Vice President From left: Jim Middleton '67, Ted Planje '68, Rusty Bennett '67, John Elrod '68, Dr. Steve England '68, Bill Lange '68, Jim McDonald '68, Bob Monroe '68, Dr. Eric Hewlett '68, and Colin Stahlhut. Kirk Carpenter '65 pursued wide-ranging discussions with the undergraduates, led by Chapter President Myles Donnelly '14. Topics included academic performance and recruitment effectiveness, as well as participation in Beta's Wooden Institute training programs. Joining Kirk at the head table for this review was House Corporation member and Alpha Delta Chapter Advisor Dr. Bryan Foote '94, whose long-time service to the Westminster Betas has been crucial to hundreds of undergraduates. Other house corporation members in attendance were Secretary David Woosley '81, Treasurer Matt Wideman '06, John Kay '73, Tom Lankford '81, Jim Middleton, and Ted Planje. On Saturday morning, two Betas were honored at the Alumni Honors Convocation. Jim Bennett '92 received a 2013 Young Alumni Achievement Award. A few minutes later, Mike Esser '70 became a recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award. (See article on page 3.) Later, the Alpha Delta actives hosted a lunch at the house attended by many alumni. On Saturday afternoon, a number of Beta alumni attended the ceremony in which the street on the north side of the SAE house was renamed in honor John Marshall, the longime Westminster t administrator who was a friend of many members of Alpha Delta. Later, the legendary former Westminster history professor William Parrish delivered a lecture on the history of the college's departments of science. During his time at Westminster, William challenged a generation of Alpha Delta undergraduates. Then about 40 Alpha Delta alumni and actives gathered to sing Beta songs and "pass the loving cup around." Although neither the chapter nor the College's records of Alumni Week attendance are comprehensive, those who returned to Westminster in late April included Peter Peck '60, Dr. Bill Hervey '61, Tom Hervey '62, Dr. George Hubble '77, L. Kenton Theroff '88, Ryan Partee '99, Shawn Manning '07, Nick Diefenbach '07, Nicholas Farris '08, Sterling Brown '11, Justin King '12, and Gavin Magruder '12. 2014 Alumni Weekend Reunions: Who Will Make It Happen? Y es, it's easy to think about the best of your college years with your Beta brothers. It's easy to muse about the fun, the learning, the growing, and the ups and downs at Alpha Delta. But who in your class will take the initiative to assemble pledge classes or other clusters of brothers for the 2014 Alumni Weekend scheduled for April 25-27, 2014? Please consider gathering Wooglin's boys for another great time together.

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