Beta Theta Pi - University of Kansas

3 E verything for Tom Babb '19 changed in an instant while on a family vacation in Hawaii during winter break. Tom was injured in a body surfing accident, breaking his C5 vertebrate, and was instantly paralyzed. However, this life- changing accident isn't going to hold him back. Despite being held up in a hospital near his hometown of Evergreen, Colorado, for several months, Tom was determined to recover so he could to make it back to his home at the Hutt and be initiated. at was going to take more time than Alpha Nu wanted to spend, though. With the rest of Tom's pledge class already initiated, they felt that the experience was incomplete. ey knew what they had to do: go to Colorado and officially make Tom a Beta. "Aer we received the green light from his doctors and parents, it was like 'ok we're going to do this,'" says Joe Simmons '17. "It was an immediate commitment. We didn't have to think about it." On February 20, 50 Alpha Nu's boarded an overnight bus and headed 600 miles west to Evergreen. By the time the brothers decided to visit Tom, he was at the point where he could move around and leave Craig Hospital. e 50 brothers and six Alpha Nu alumni surprised Tom with initiation at a small local brewery and stayed to watch the Sunflower Showdown game against Kansas State. "When we first saw Tom, everyone was so uplied by his positive attitude," says omas McCormack '18. "He was the same kid we all got to know over the past several months. His strong character reaffirmed everyone's commitment to our brotherhood." Now that it's more than six months aer his accident, Tom has returned to Lawrence for the fall semester on the Hill. ings at Usher Mansion will be a bit different. e chapter has already taken measures to ensure that Tom is comfortable and has the needed accommodations. In April, the TomStrong 5K raised more than $40,000 for a student accessibility scholarship. With this awareness and part of the proceeds, the chapter was able to create a first-floor bedroom and bathroom for Tom and even had enough room for one of his pledge brothers to be his roommate. e TomStrong 5K brought awareness to people with physical disabilities not only at Beta eta Pi, but also within the Greek community and general KU communities. "At the end of the day, the majority of the chapter house is inaccessible Home on the Hill to people with mobility disabilities," Joe says. "is awareness opens us up to the thought of it. When men go through recruitment, the first thing we look at is a reference and resume, which usually don't speak to their disabilities. We let people speak for themselves, and if they are the kind of person we think that fits with us, then we'll welcome them to Beta, regardless of disabilities." e only thing le to do now is for Tom to continue life as a Jayhawk. "We are most excited about seeing him every day," omas says. "e energy he brings to the chapter house when he visits has been so encouraging. Having him around throughout the academic year will be inspirational for everyone in the chapter house. e work he has put in to achieve this impressive milestone is inspiring to say the least." Fiy active brothers traveled to Evergreen, Colorado, to initiate Tom Babb '19 aer an accident that le him paralyzed in December. Brothers Help Tom Babb Adjust to His New Life Andrew Litzler '16 Major: Finance Andrew will work at the Guggenheim in New York City. Alex McInerny '16 Major: Mechanical Engineering Alex will work at Honeywell FM&T in Kansas City. Madison Myers '16 Major: Finance Madison is working for KEA advisors as an analyst in Lawrence. Evan Nichols '16 Major: Computer Science Evan is continuing his education. John Nigh '16 Major: Finance John will work at CEB in Chicago. Will Nye '16 Major: Strategic Communication Will is still undecided but is living in San Francisco. Austin Ogrady '16 Major: Petroleum Engineering and Geology Austin is continuing his education. Robert Peare '16 Major: Accounting and Finance Robert will work in equity development at Koch. Sam Plank '16 Major: Finance Sam will work as a consultant at Protiviti. Drew Schaefer '16 Major: Economics and Political Science Drew will work at Fig Chicago. John Schmank '16 Major: Mechanical Engineering and Finance John is continuing his education. Brent Stump '16 Major: Accounting and Finance Brent is working at NISA Investment Advisors in St. Louis. Collin ompson '16 Major: Accounting Collin is completing his Masters in Accounting at KU. Jon Volkin '16 Major: Chemical Engineering Jon hopes to attended medical school.

• Cover