Beta Theta Pi - Purdue University

3 BETA THETA PI AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY T he quality of the men of Beta Mu Chapter drew Andrew Maner '91 to join the brotherhood that would bring him lifetime friendships and bolster his confidence to succeed. Andy learned many lessons from his time in the Chapter House, including how to make many strong and different personalities work together. "You don't get the right to be unapproachable, or mean, or crass. It's just like the workplace; you can disagree with people but you cannot withdraw—you need to engage in your own positive way." A large part of the Beta Mu experience was the opportunity to connect with alumni. Andy enjoyed meeting brothers who had graduated and were doing well in their careers. "They were in the center of the fairway rather than bouncing off the walls. [Meeting successful alumni] was a big motivator for younger guys," he said. A favorite memory of Andy's time in the Chapter House is the laughter. "As you go on in life, everything seems to get more serious, but when you get together with people from back then the innocence and the laughter comes back like it never left," he said. Andy earned a B.A. in political science and communication and later his MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is now the managing partner of U.S. Federal within IBM Global Business Services. He has had a successful career in government and business including recent positions of CEO at National Interest Security Company, appointed by President George W. Bush as chief financial officer at U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and chief of staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Being a Beta impacted Andy's career path by providing him with a sense of community that helped develop his confidence. He was able to thrive from being around men with leadership potential and a strong moral compass. The brotherhood helped him develop a confidence and sense of purpose. Andy makes a point to visit campus regularly, and he keeps in touch with brothers from several pledge classes. He encourages his fellow Betas to reach out and get back in touch. "I think everyone goes through phases, but it doesn't matter if you've been silent for 20 years as long as there is still some sort of connection to the Chapter." Now more than ever, he sees this is the time to get involved. "The Chapter has had a near death experience and requires some additional activity and help. It doesn't matter where people have been in their journey, hopefully everyone can do something," he said. Andy and his wife, Julie, live in Washington, D.C., with their three sons. He enjoys an active lifestyle playing hockey and golf. You can contact him at andrew.maner@verizon.net. ALUMNUS ENCOURAGES BETA MUS TO RECONNECT Andrew Maner '91 Says Everyone Can Do Something Alumni Update Robert K. Abbett '46 is an artist and illustrator. You can read more about his life works on Wikipedia. Robert and his wife, Marilyn, live in Bridgewater, Conn., where he continues to work at Oakdale Studio. E-mail: oakdaleart@att.net Mac L. Sullivan '46 served on the Beta Mu board for 30 years and lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Mary Ann. Robert L. Harshman '56 designed and built a research facility for the U.S Bureau of Mines, Lake Lynn Laboratory, W.Va. and Pa. He also designed and developed a hazardous waste landfill for U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh, now called Taylor Park. He carried out large diameter shaft sinking for Zeni Drilling Co. in Florida which was used for sanitary waste disposal. Robert also built a hazardous waste disposal sight for Martin County, Fla., now owned by SWA. He is now self-employed as a wood worker and lives in North Palm Beach, Fla., with wife, Ann. They have seven children. E-mail: aharshmann@msn.com James Wagner '56 lives in Muncie where he is active in the state of Indiana cycling programs and Rails to Trails activities. E-mail: jaw1307731@comcast.net Gary F. Shearer '57 has his own executive recruiting company in Florida that specializes in electric utility, natural gas utility, and water/waste industries nationwide. They recruit seniors/executives, senior managers, project managers, and engineers. He has been doing this for over 20 years. Previously, he was president of CBI operation in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He and his wife, Jane, a Purdue Pi Beta Phi, live in Bonita Springs, Fla. They have two children, both Purdue graduates. E-mail: gshearerhsd@comcast.net James E. Corliss '61 gathered with five Beta Mu brothers and their spouses from the class of 1960 at the home of Ingebord and Ralph Mason '60 in Enumclaw, Wash., from June 14 to 18, 2013. The other participants were Kathy and Fritz Schwarz '60, Dian and Bill O'Neal '60, John Stein '60, and Jim Corliss '61. He writes, "The time we spent together was wonderful and unforgettable." Following the gathering Fritz and Jim were entertained in Seattle one day by Marylin and Bill Bumpas '59. E-mail: jascorliss@cox.net Vincent Jones '63 says it was wonderful to see so many of his brothers' pictures in the spring 2014 Beta Mu Link. He wishes he would have been at Homecoming 2013 with everyone but surgery dictated not coming. He asks to be called at (206) 715-6496. Vincent and wife, Fran, live in Emerald Hills, Calif. E-mail: vince.fran@gmail.com W. Jefferson Gault '70 says the central New Jersey chapter of the Purdue alumni association meets at Miami Mikes most football weekends for cold beer and camaraderie. He still keeps up with Mike Tucker '70 in Houston. Golfing and skiing with the boys and their wives is still a major family affair winter and summer for he and his wife, Jill. He writes, "Best wishes for a successful recolonization—Beta Mu is too important." E-mail: wjgault@aol.com Thomas C. Ewing '72 and his wife, Nancy, have three granddaughters: 5-year-old twins and a 10-year-old. Their daughter, Kimberly, who graduated from Purdue in 1998, is an attorney and is an assistant professor at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne. Thomas and Nancy live in Roanoke, Ind. E-mail: tcewing@comcast.net (Continued on page 4)

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