Delta Tau Delta - Indiana University

The Shield • Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Tau Delta David Eberly '69 Thankful for Delt Experience L ooking back on his four years in the Shelter, David Eberly '69 fondly remembers them as "the wonder years." "While it provided the academic discipline I needed to survive, it was also filled with unimaginable episodes only hinted at in the movies. Those days at the Shelter with M-Rod, Custer, Bob, Huck, and the bros were a hundred years ago. Pledgeship, blanket parties, serenades, the annual Luau, and always, 'me and my girl from Delta town.'" "Unquestionably, my Delt undergraduate experience served as a strong foundation for my adult life. The rigors of pledgeship, the camaraderie of brotherhood, and the association with the principles of Delta Tau Delta during these formative years were invaluable in my Air Force career." After completing the AFROTC program at IU, David went on to earn his pilot wings at Columbus AFB in Mississippi, served in 18 locations around the world, with three assignments at the Pentagon, and was the United States Defense Representative in the American Embassy Ottawa. During the Gulf War, he participated in the initial air strike into Iraq. On the fourth night of the campaign, he was shot down and, after evading three nights, was captured on the Syrian border. As the senior allied prisoner of war, he was subsequently released on March 5, 1991. His combat awards include: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. Throughout his busy career, Delta Tau Delta has stayed an important part of David's life, and he visited the Shelter prior to the Little 500, and more recently, to see how his donation was being put to use by checking in on the construction progress. David's reasons for supporting the Preserving Our Present, Building for the Future campaign are in line with his love for Delt. "I believe in the tenets of DTD—truth, courage, integrity, and faith—and I want to positively support an environment that will foster those ideals." He is also encouraged that the Beta Alpha leadership has "taken action to bring the chapter back to the ideals and tenets of our founding fathers." He hopes that those who saw their time at Beta Alpha as a meaningful experience will join him in making a gift. "It is a personal thing, and I can only say that because of what Delt instilled in me I now repay in a small way by supporting the bike team and building project." David and his wife, Barbara, live in Williamsburg, Virginia, and have an adult son, Timm. David enjoys golfing, flying, traveling, and work in the yard. He is the author of Faith Beyond Belief and can be reached via e-mail at eberlydsl@verizon.net. David Eberly '69 and his wife, Barbara. Alumni And undergrAduAtes Work together I t is a dubious honor to be invited to write for The Shield when the topic is charter suspension. January 9, 2017, I was sitting in my easy chair reflecting on the day, when a news item on TV announced that our chapter had its charter pulled. As a child of the '70s, I was accustomed to the chapter rarely being in the good graces of the University or the International Fraternity (commonly referred to as "The Nationals" at the local level), but never bad enough to be threatened with closure. How could this happen?! The first call was to longtime friend, Jim Russell, executive vice president of the Fraternity. Contrary to local perceptions of the victimization from the powers that be, no one takes pleasure in closing a chapter, particularly one with the history of Beta Alpha. I have history with the International Fraternity since I traveled as a chapter consultant (some may know the position as field secretary or field rat, or other derogatory term), followed by almost two decades serving as a division vice president and a few stints as chapter adviser and house corporation member. There is an appeal process available for any chapter with a suspended charter. The undergraduates and a few alumni dads asked me to help with the appeal process. Others started a website (friendsofbetaalpha.com) or posted on the Beta Alpha Facebook group. We solicited concerned alumni to stand up and be counted. At the end of January, there were almost 200 alumni offering moral support and more. We had a meeting at the Shelter with more than a dozen present. Virtually all undergraduate freshmen and sophomores attended the meeting following the alumni meeting. At the undergraduate meeting, I learned many things—some very disappointing and others that inspired me. The fine tradition of singing the dinner song is in hibernation. And there is not much to remind us old folks of a chapter room—so sad! On a more positive note, they were attentive, patient, and earnest. One member asked, "What are the chances that any Delt is living at 1431 N. Jordan next fall?" I told them honestly that I thought that was an extreme longshot, but I saw no hesitation when I followed with a question about continuing to work hard even with no housing. Some may be discouraged, but most will not be. Since that initial meeting, we have had three additional meetings with undergraduates and three more for our alumni team. We have 12 alumni who have agreed to be on the front line, committing the time and energy necessary to provide the needed continuity. In that same time, we have met with Arch Chapter members, spent a day in the central office for training, and have the chapter members working to get a better knowledge of Delta Tau Delta while alumni develop retreats and clinics to guide the undergraduates to a more complete Delt experience. On Monday, April 3, we received another setback. The University suspended the chapter for "at least five years." However, fear not!

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