Beta Theta Pi - Indiana University

B rother George Earl Bledsoe '62, age 74, passed on to Chapter Eternal on December 27, 2013, after battling lung cancer. He was born on March 30, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Amos and Georgia (Stateler) Bledsoe. Surviving family members include sister-in- law Alice E. Emmy Bledsoe; niece Cynthia C. Cueto (husband Francis) and her three children, Olivia, Alexandra, and Francesca; and nephew Kenneth W. Bledsoe (wife Kelly Jo) and his two children, Emma and William. George was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Arthur W. Bledsoe. Pi Chapter operations have benefited from contributions of many brothers over the years. As much as we endeavor to put forth a good spin on chapter leadership affairs, we all stand upon the shoulders of those who preceded us. We salute George's multiple years of contributions. George graduated from the IU Music School in 1962 and successfully completed a post-graduate master's degree in 1971. Brother Bledsoe's Bloomington presence allowed him proximity to influence the Pi Chapter over not merely years but decades. George was a major leader in the sesquicentennial celebration of Pi Chapter of 1970. He was a witness to several of Beta's bigger achievements, such as the Little 500 wins in 1964 and 2000. His work as a development officer with the Indiana University Foundation provided major facilitation with alumni communication. Bledsoe was spearheading a renovation plan for 919 East 10th Street prior to the chapter's loss of charter in 2001. Did you know he brought Pi Chapter's "Indiana Plan" eligibility before the Indiana University Board of Trustees? Once approved, this enabled the 1100 N. Jordan renovation to begin. Brother Bledsoe organized and led the feasibility study that led to the five-year Heritage of Pi campaign supporting the realty purchase and renovation of 1100 N. Jordan, known as The Castle. George was in the huddle with Pi Chapter's real estate committee, seeking bids with architects and contractors for Pi Chapter's new home. He was an exceptional leader, mentor, and anchorman for Beta Theta Pi at IU for 50+ years! Thanks to George's vigilant and consistent service to Beta Theta Pi over several decades, a Loving Cup was approved and dedicated to George in November 2010. May we all endeavor to give back to Beta some of what we have taken. Pi Chapter will sincerely miss the service, loyalty, and dedication of George. Remembering Brother George Earl Bledsoe '62 kai from Pi B e t a T h e t a P i • i n d i a n a U n i v e r s i t y inside: 2 Beta Pi Welcomes New Chapter Counselor • 3 Thank You, Annual Donors • 4 Alumni Update sPring 2014 Pi ChaPter www.betaiu.org *Member directory password: 1845 Bike teaM www.betacycling.com twitter @_kai_fromPi I a m excited to write to you in my first report as president of the Pi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. I am pleased to announce that as a chapter we ranked fourth among fraternities at Indiana University with a 3.26 G.P.A. during the fall semester, and 13 of our brothers received a 4.0. In addition to academic excellence, the Pi Chapter underwent another very successful recruitment. At the conclusion of winter break, the chapter came back to Bloomington to initiate 25 new brothers; 22 bids were handed out, and all were signed. We are very excited about this group of new members. The chapter currently has 143 active brothers and a new advisor, Seth Walker '12, who was initiated alongside the fall '13 pledge class. On March 1, the Pi Chapter took on rival Fraternity Sigma Chi in the annual Dropping the Puck on Cancer hockey game. While they lost in overtime 5-6, they have raised over $30000 for the American Brain Tumor Association. Last Pi Chapter Initiates 25 New Members and Continues Academic Excellence Former Purdue Chapter House President and Conclave Director Davey Neal '92, Scott Fussell, Robert Gallant '83, and R. Ethan Braden, Willamette '02. (Continued on page 2)

• Cover