Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Montana

THE BETA BEAT PAGE 2 done, which is something I surely wouldn't have experienced at the age of 19 without being part of our fraternity. While part of the active membership, I attended three leadership conferences and held almost every position in the chapter. It meant a great deal to me to be able to advance the goals of our chapter and to try and leave the place better than it was when I found it, which wasn't easy. It was a real struggle at times, but I believe I learned more by balancing a mix of full- time work, leadership roles within SAE, and a packed social calendar than I ever did in my actual classes in school. I learned a lot about strategic planning within an organization and trying to make the right decisions, even if they were the most difficult ones to make. Again, because of the fraternity, I gained hands-on experience with organizational principles and business dynamics that weren't part of the typical collegiate experience. The young men that were in my pledge class, as well as the active membership, have been a key part of my life since I first pledged SAE. I found true brotherhood amongst the best of friends, in every sense of the word. These men have been partners in past business ventures, best men at my wedding and are still partners in a variety of things today. They have been at my side through thick and thin and, although I didn't realize it at the time, the friendships I forged at Montana Beta would be lifelong. With many of the brothers that I've either lost touch with over the years or just haven't communicated as much with, it's always amazing to me when we reconnect and immediately realize that the friendships we forged in college are still completely in tact and that we can talk and talk, as if we'd just seen one another the day before. The relationships that we've all forged together as a result of our shared fraternal experience are lifelong and lasting. Today, I am blessed and privileged to be a father to a pair of outstanding young boys. As a guiding referencing for myself and them, I have placed "True Gentlemen" plaques on the walls in their bedrooms. Although they're only five and nine years old, and I'm sure they don't fully understand the impact that SAE has had on my life, they do know that SAE means a great deal to me. They understand that my relationships with my fraternity brothers are some of the strongest of any in my life. My sons have toured the house and I've shown them around on campus, always sharing stories and helping them understand the impact that the decision to pledge SAE made in my life and the man that I've become. I hope they'll both join MTBE at some point, but my boys might ultimately choose different directions in their own lives. Whatever they do, at least they'll always know how much being a part of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has meant to me. Brent lives in Highland, Utah, with his wife and two sons. He can be reached at brent@ brentbeckley.com. Brent Beckley '03 (Continued from page 1) O ur chapter has had a very positive and productive year so far. Recruitment this year amounted to 24 new initiates, making our chapter 41 brothers strong. Brothers Enjoy Philanthropy Events We have participated in several philanthropy events in the Missoula community, such as a book drive donating several boxes for local underprivileged children and kickball for the local CASA program and football to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness. The chapter also enjoyed participating in Relay for Life and philanthropy-based Paddy Murphy week at the end of April. Academics on the Rise We are expecting a higher chapter GPA this semester than those in the past and have been using new scholarship strategies in order to motivate ourselves to have high standards. Members Perpetuate Positive Image This semester we have held many very successful social events with every chapter on campus and have been putting more effort into exposure toward the campus and community while keeping a good reputation. We continue to live our days as True Gentlemen and are eager to finish up this semester to prepare for another strong recruitment this fall. We anticipate the highest number of house live-ins we have had since the remodel and are excited to reach capacity. Proud to Be SAE The chapter is climbing higher and higher every year and we are all excited to see where it takes us. Each member in the active chapter is proud to be a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and we strive to have vast improvement within our chapter every semester, especially since we have seen our growth firsthand. We all encourage and hope to see more alumni stopping by the house to reconnect with the chapter; you are all more than welcome home. In the bonds, Nathan Hovsepian '16 Eminent Archon nathan.hovsepian@umontana.edu MONTANA BETA SEES GROWTH Chapter Focuses on Recruitment, Academics, and Philanthropy The chapter is active in the Montana Relay for Life as a philanthropic project. Watch for future Beta Beat issues for results from this year's event and other activities. Welcome, spring new members.

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