Beta Theta Pi - Purdue University

Winter 2015 Campaign Update

Beta Mu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Purdue University

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Beta theta Pi at Purdue university RETURN TO DOMINANCE Generations of Beta Mu Brothers Gather at hoMecoMinG to reconnect and adMire renovated house • Over $3.8 Million Raised to Date • Additional Funds Needed to Complete Project as Envisioned R enovations are nearly complete, and the end result is absolutely spectacular. The Beta Mu house is the envy of campus, and we celebrated our undergraduate successes, Homecoming, and our renovated and expanded Chapter House on November 7. Seeing really is believing and those who attended the rededication ceremony were overwhelmed with pride. More of our loyal alumni made financial commitments on the spot, wanting very much to be a part of the success of this project. Squeezing an extensive top-to-bottom renovation into half a year may sound impossible, but not for us! We knew this was necessary to get it done on time to continue attracting the best and brightest to the new Beta Mu. While a construction project is never without a few hiccups, everything came together. The most gratifying moments as of late were the looks on the faces of the undergraduates and alumni during our Homecoming weekend. What they came home to was an unbelievable home worthy of representing Beta Theta Pi. This project has been a labor of love, with an emphasis on labor. I'm very happy with the contractors' ability to retain the feel and originality of the house while bringing everything up to date and up to code. Despite the scope of the work, the house retains its familiarity to those who haven't been back for decades. This new home will better serve our growing Chapter and better accommodate what today's students need in their living and learning space. By the time of the ceremony in November, the payoff was evident. There is a distinctive sense of pride from the undergraduates in their new house. Of course, renovations like this don't happen without the time, effort, and financial resources of many. And on that note, work remains—we're mostly done building, but not paying. We still need to raise $1.2 million to fully pay for the project without hiking up house bills, which we need to avoid given the price competitiveness of alternative housing. I have a couple of reminders for you. We still have our matching gift challenge happening. We're only about $100,000 away from meeting that challenge. Every $5,000, or more, pledge or gift gets matched. Additionally, we have the opportunity to accept tax-deductible pledges and gifts. The enclosed pledge form will explain more about this opportunity. Brothers, I have two challenges for you: come to the house to see the finished product for yourself, and fill out the enclosed pledge card to support the project financially. You won't be disappointed with the house or the spectacular undergraduate Chapter; they are worthy of your support. Yours in _kai_, Cary Wood '89 Campaign Chairman (248) 613-2888 cwood@sparton.com Distinguished Alumnus Philip E. Nelson '56 Provides for Beta Mu's Future P hilip Nelson '56 grew up a farm boy. His family owned a small tomato canning operation in Indiana, and growing up, the expectation was for him to take care of the farm. By the time Philip was old enough to attend college, he had only been outside of the state one time, so you can imagine the overwhelming feeling walking on Purdue's campus for the first time. Philip was briefly exposed to Greek life by his brother-in- law, a Beta at Indiana University. So when he arrived at Purdue, he sought out the Fraternity. He, along with three others, were the sole members of that spring's pledge class. Later known as "The Mystic Four," Philip and his new brothers became very close and share an experience not many before, or since, can say they have. "Since there were only four of us, we did almost everything together," said Philip. "We were welcomed wholeheartedly by the other Betas and that feeling made my time at Beta Mu extremely enjoyable. My level of confidence increased significantly during those years. Beta was recognized as one of the top fraternities on campus, so that definitely helped. I was a member of Purdue's glee club as an undergraduate, so that took me away a lot, but I always felt supported and like part of a family. I had no idea how much being a part of the Chapter would impact my future." Philip graduated from Purdue with a B.S. in horticulture and later returned to earn his Ph.D. Not long after, he began (Continued on page 4) Campaign Chairman Cary Wood '89 addresses the brotherhood during Beta Mu's house rededication ceremony on November 7. Support Beta Mu today! House Association giving: http://betamu.kintera.org/donatenow; Educational Foundation giving: https://gift.beta.org/purdue.

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