Beta Theta Pi - University of Minnesota

How You Can Help Donate! We are so close to our end goal but we must keep up the momentum to reach it. Please take advantage of our online giving form and schedule your one-time gift or recurring payment plan today at btpbetapi.kintera.org/ donate. A pledge form and reply envelope are also enclosed for your convenience. No matter how you choose to give, just do it! And remember, all donors who have contributed $2,500 or more will be honored on a formal plaque. Check out the list of current donors on page 3 and consider where you'd like your name to fall. We also encourage you to share potential partners for renovations. Please e-mail betathetapi.minnesota@gmail.com with recommendations. House Corporation Makes WaY (Continued from page 1) PAge 2 Joel Livingood '11 Encourages Beta Pi Brothers to Give Back Alumnus Asks You to Answer, "How Did Beta Theta Pi Impact Your Life?" W hen Joel Livingood '11 stepped onto the University of Minnesota campus, he had no intention of joining a fraternity—until he visited Beta Theta Pi. Only then did he realize that Beta was a perfect fit. "I wanted to surround myself with successful people and develop lifelong friendships," Joel says. He simply cannot imagine his college experience without Beta. The chapter helped him become who he is today. "It challenged me to be a better student, it made me a better leader, it set me up to be successful in my career, and it led to friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life," Joel says. Because of his strong experience with Beta, he feels passionate about giving back to The North Shall Increase: Building a Bridge to Beta Pi's Future and challenges alumni to also join the campaign. He asks them to look back on their college experience and think about how Beta Pi positively impacted it. "Living in the chapter house greatly enhanced my Beta experience and I want living in the chapter house to be an attractive option for our members," Joel says. "We need to be sure we are providing safe, comfortable, fun, and modern accommodations for our chapter members to ensure we attract and retain the best the University of Minnesota has to offer." There were many memories that he looks back on with pride, such as his time spent serving as recruitment chairman and president. However, the biggest thing that stands out was living in the chapter house. The spontaneous conversations, energy, and lessons that came with living with 35 close yet diverse friends were simply unsurpassed. "One thing that really sticks out is the experience it provided me working with a diverse group of people in opinions, leadership style, and thought process," Joel recalls. Joel is the general manager of North Oaks Golf Club in the Twin Cities. However, golf is more than just work for Joel—it's a hobby and a means to keep up with his brothers. He took an annual golf trip in September with Ken McDonald '09, Avi Sethi '09, and Alex Hill '11 to Whistler, Vancouver, and Seattle. Joel lives with his girlfriend, Greta, in downtown Minneapolis. Aside from golf, he enjoys traveling; exploring new restaurants, wine, and craft beers; and spending time outside on the lake, biking, and running. You can contact Joel at jlivingood@northoaksgolfclub.com. Joel Livingood '11, Avi Sethi '09, Ken McDonald '09, and Alex Hill '11 on their annual golf trip to Vancouver. "We need to be sure we are providing safe, comfortable, fun, and modern accommodations for our chapter members to ensure we attract and retain the best the University of Minnesota has to offer." J. Mark Walker '63 keeps Beta theta pi ConneCtions Close Alumnus Gained Numerous Life Lessons From Beta Pi B eing a Beta Theta Pi member is not something that you become—it's something that you already are. For J. Mark Walker '63, that statement couldn't be truer. "It gave me a place to belong at a large university, and a place to live with young men with whom I had values and interests in common," Mark says. "I was a very head- strong guy, and the Beta brothers accepted me anyway." Some of his fondest memories include skits that Doug Lyson '63, Bill Valentine '63, Bill Milota '63, and others performed when they had dinner with a sorority. He also recalls the IFC song fests when the tenor voice of Dick Ogle '63 carried the men to consistently place in the top three. Alongside the great memories, the fraternity provided him with lasting friendships. He still keeps in touch with John Mayo '63, Bill Valentine '63, Alan Eliason '62, Mark Sawyer '63, and many others. The fraternity taught him a surplus of life lessons. "I learned how to disagree agreeably, how to meet my commitments to others, and my self-confidence grew," Mark says. "I learned the value of friendship and of keeping up with people who have had an influence on your life." (Continued on page 5) Mark and his wife, Judy.

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