Beta Theta Pi - University of Minnesota

Fall 2017 Newsletter

Beta Pi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Minnesota

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the betA Piper PAge 2 B eta Theta Pi entered the life of Stanley Thompson '59 with impeccable timing. He was new to the University of Minnesota, and spent much of his time studying for his dual degree in biology and natural science. The brotherhood was robust with diverse membership and Stanley valued his exposure to people of varying backgrounds, beliefs, and ambitions. Once he became an official member of Beta Pi chapter, Stanley realized just how significant the fraternity could be. He befriended John "Jay" Enghauser II '59, William "Bill" Westerdahl '59, and Jon Albrightson '60—men who remain fixtures in his life today. "Beta provided me with the opportunity to make new friends at a turning point in my life," Stanley shared. "Several Betas became my lifelong friends." After completing his undergraduate studies, Stanley worked for the Pillsbury Company as a process control chemist, and other training-related jobs, in Los Angeles, California, from 1960-63. For nearly the next three decades, he was a food broker, and served as Pillsbury's president in his final 25 years with the company. After becoming "burnt out" and dissatisfied with his work, Stanley left the company in 1991, doing startup work for several years before fully retiring in 2002. Stanley's start up work was challenging and invigorating, with the highlight of his career being his trips to Moscow and Budapest, where he helped reestablish Rotary after it was banned for many years by the communist governments. One of the best things you can do for your career and overall wellbeing, says Stanley, is to "do what you really love." He emphasizes the importance of being productive and giving back to the brotherhood, the community, and to causes that matter. No matter where his career took him and what surprises life presented, Stanley says that his time with Beta Pi will forever be the "best four years of my life." You can connect with Stanley at sat4880@gmail.com. Enhancing Security and Paying Down Renovation Debt For our alumni society and housing corporation volunteers, the two top priorities this year have been improving security and paying down the significant renovation costs incurred in 2016. We are approaching an important loan deadline on December 31, which may be challenging to meet. The society needs to find approximately $15,000 by December 31 to meet the deadline. Alumni Society volunteers are actively working to solve the funding gap. Over the summer, new custom steel security screens were installed to the first-floor windows facing the parking lot. Due to the unique window sizes, wide ranges in costs/quality, and unique safety requirements of our chapter facility, we carefully evaluated many options. The new screens allows for emergency evacuations from bedrooms if needed, yet are difficult to penetrate from outdoors. In October, we installed hinged and lockable security grates to protect the window wells around all sides of the property. They are expected to help prevent a potential fall by members or visitors. Through both efforts, we hope to address areas of the facility that are most susceptible to theft or break-ins. The two initiatives cost approximately $7,366, paid for by the Beta Theta Pi Society of Minnesota. While continuing to pay down our mortgage and construction loans from the summer of 2016, the society currently has a debt level of $664,795. We carefully manage our monthly cash flow to service debt payments on time. Alumni donations to support these security enhancements and fulfill pledges for the North Shall Increase capital campaign are critical. Please consider making a gift to Beta Pi if you have the ability. Any and all donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible options are available (please contact me for details). We thank you for supporting Beta Pi. In _kai_, Branden Peterson '05 bp1681@gmail.com / (612) 963-2989 Do What You Love Stanley Thompson '59 Offers Tips for a Prosperous Future

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