Beta Theta Pi - University of Minnesota

PAge 3 betA thetA Pi BQP In February, longtime Housing Corporation volunteer Mike Loehrer, University of South Dakota '68, was presented the Outstanding Greek Advocate Award by the U of M Greek community. Nahom Tsegaye '15, Alex Jobin '16, Ben Hacker '16, and Mike Swenson '16 at Light the Row 2013. Charlie Burton '17 with his big brother, Brian Doherty '14, at initiation in Oxford. G reetings, brothers. This is my third year studying at the University where I am pursuing a BFA in graphic design. Coming from the town of Moorhead, Minn., and not knowing much about Greek life, I joined Beta my freshman year. The main reason I chose Beta was because I was told that it focused on leadership and developing men of principle. In the past three years, I've seen this organization grow and cannot wait to see what the next year will bring. Academics on the Rise With the help of a new program we deemed Study Buddies, I'm happy to report that last fall Beta Pi had a GPA of 3.18, which is an increase from last year's 3.16. This put Beta above the all-Greek average and seventh among all IFC fraternities. The fall 2013 pledge class alone earned an impressive 3.42 GPA. Great job! Chapter Membership Remains Strong This semester we initiated 13 new brothers from the fall 2013 pledge class in Oxford, Ohio. With the addition of these men and another 11 this spring, our active chapter sits at a healthy 70 members. We had a lot of success in recruitment this spring and we hope to continue that momentum into the fall. Beta Pi Hosts Successful Parents Day We recently held our annual Parents Day with close to 60 parents and grandparents in attendance. The event took place at the Campus Club, where guests were treated to a delicious meal and a few words from one of our advisors, Adrian Gonzalez '11, and me. Afterward, parents were invited to spend time at the house and enjoy desert. Spring Events Raise Awareness In April, we hosted our very first Beta Bash Week. This is a philanthropic-focused week were both sororities and fraternities compete in various challenges. There was a change challenge where the chapter that gathered the most change won and donated all collected funds to the Special Olympics. We also spent a day picking up trash along University Avenue with other chapters on campus. The week concluded with our annual spring Beta Theta Pies. This year we pushed the event back a few weeks due to inclement weather. This event brought in a lot of money that we donated to the American Cancer Society. Spring Jam is approaching and we are paired with Sigma Nu and Alpha Omicron Pi. This year there is a competition between the pairings to collect the most pop tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. We have collected pop tabs to support this amazing cause. We are also practicing for the Ballyhoo dance competition and the Greek Beats band competition. With strong recruitment, rising academics, and a house full of excellent men, I would say our chapter is in great shape. That being said, nothing is perfect and we will always strive to be better. I'd like to thank our alumni for your support and extend an invitation for you to stop by the chapter house at any time. In _kai_, Nate Wong '15 Chapter President (701) 212-7017 betapi1814@gmail.com Beta Pi Raises the Bar in 2014 Chapter Excels in Academics, Philanthropy, and Recruitment Initiation in Oxford, Ohio. From top: Cameron Holl '17, Chris Page '17, Matt Schalow '16, Jake Woll '17, Hunter Sager '16, Alex Jobin '16, Ty Leech '17, Neil Nelson '17, Trey Johnson '17, Charlie Burton '17, Stuart Schumacher '17, Matt Brooks '17, Mason Williams '17, and Pledge Educator Noah Reetz '14. Desmond Cariveau '14 with his parents at the Campus Club on Parents Day.

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