Beta Theta Pi - Westminster College

BQP Page 5 Alumni Update Chapter Eternal "The new house is spectacular and was completed in just one year," said Eric Hunt '12, the chapter treasurer during this time of change, who is currently a third-year law student at Duke University. But the new house did indeed create challenges. "The upper classmen took us across a deep valley, but younger actives, who had never known the old house and didn't feel the tug of its memory, took responsibility for making the new house a home," Eric said. The strong leadership of former Chapter President Mitch Erdel '11, the son of Steve Erdel '73, helped the active chapter navigate these uncharted waters. Even with these headwinds, Alpha Delta maintained a strong brotherhood. "Overall, my Beta experience was incredible," said Gavin Magruder '12, a former chapter president who is an analyst with Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. "Beta truly builds leaders and pushes each member to reach his full potential." Gavin's brother, Brendon, was a member of the Alpha Delta Class of 2008. Now well-established in their new house, the Westminster Betas are delivering good results in academics, athletics, leadership, and philanthropy—and continuing to elevate their aspirations. The house is expected to be full during the 2013-14 school year and Alpha Delta is sustaining high levels of participation in Men of Principle training. The chapter continues to build for the future. For instance, after several young men, including Alpha Delta alumni, served the chapter as resident advisors, the house corporation has hired its first housemother since the middle of the last decade. Ms. Peggy George-Morris will live in a first-floor suite specially designed as a housemother's accommodations. In the living room of the new Westminster Beta house, portraits of Gordon Buckner and Kirk Carpenter flank the fireplace. As Alpha Delta prepares for its 150th anniversary in 2018, the benefactor whose generosity was pivotal in the recent Alpha Delta capital campaign and the prime mover in the execution of that campaign can look out on a wonderful home for new generations of Betas guided by the Men of Principle philosophy. John C. Harris '39 entered Chapter Eternal on June 27. He served in the U.S. Navy and later worked for the family business, the Callaway Bank, for more than 72 years. John was a member of the Westminster College Board of Trustees from 1958 to 1995, serving as board chairman from 1984 to 1986. He became a life trustee/trustee emeritus in 1995. John received the Alumni Award for Merit in 1965 and became a Churchill Memorial Fellow in 1994. He was a resident of Fulton, Mo. Walter O. Johnston '42 entered Chapter Eternal on November 30, 2012. He was a resident of San Diego, Calif. Max M. Mason Jr. '49 entered Chapter Eternal on December 20, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army and earned a degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Max worked at The Architects Collaborative in Cambridge and helped found Mason and Frey Landscape Architects before retiring in 1995. He was a resident of Lincoln, Mass. Edmund H. Blum '51 entered Chapter Eternal on January 15. He was a resident of Ballwin, Mo., and served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army. Marvin O. Young '51 entered Chapter Eternal on January 13 and was a resident of Warson Woods, Mo. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Marvin earned a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. He served on the Westminster College Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1990, and was chairman from 1986 to 1988. He became a life trustee in 2003. He received the Alumni Award of Merit in 1972, and received an honorary degree from Westminster in 1990. He served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the Churchill Memorial and Library for nine years. John E. Schultz '58 entered Chapter Eternal on April 20, 2013, at the age of 77. He was a professor of chemistry at Westminster College for 20 years before his retirement in 2007. He was the Kiwanis president, served 50 years as an adult Boy Scout leader, Silver Beaver, and served six years and as president of the Fulton School board. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, and their three children: John, Elizabeth, and Margaret. John A. Grove II '65 entered Chapter Eternal on January 15. He served in the U.S. Navy and went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College. He was a resident of Milton, Fla. John C. Coleman '73 entered Chapter Eternal November 11, 2012. He served as the president of the Alpha Delta Chapter. He lived in Raleigh, N.C., with his wife, Colleen, and they had one child. Alumni News John C. Windle, D.D.S. '48 and his wife, Barbara, survived without injury in their basement during the Joplin Tornado in 2011. They had extensive damage upstairs. At 87 and 75, they are both health and happy in their new home. "We are truly blessed. I would enjoy hearing from Betas of the 1940s." Hugh P. Williamson III '64 is a part‑time newspaper columnist. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Murphy, N.C., and have two children, Hugh and Jacob. Hugh is a Beta at the University of Minnesota. E‑mail: williamsonh@uwstout.edu John R. Elrod '68 is practicing law in Fayetteville, Ark., and is a special chief justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Scott M. Secrest '73 is looking forward to retirement in two years. He is also a hospice chaplain and plans to continue working as a chaplain after his retirement. Scott and his wife, Kathy, live in Hudson, N.H., and enjoy spending time with their five greatgrandchildren. E‑mail: luvhistory2@myfairpoint.net (Continuned on page 6)

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