Beta Theta Pi - University of Kansas

AlphA Nu ChApter of BetA thetA pi CurzoN fAmily mAkeS CommitmeNt to AlphA Nu'S future Tom '76 and Peter '08 Are Proud of Their Beta Bond J ust one visit to the Hutt "sealed the deal" for Peter Curzon '08. "As an out-of-stater and now living on the West Coast, I am often asked why I attended the University of Kansas. I usually explain that my parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents attended KU and leave it at that. But the truth is that I moved to Lawrence to become a Beta, and it just happened to come with KU." After listening to his father, Tom '76, talk fondly of his time at KU and his pledge brothers, Peter was instantly impressed with Beta during his first visit. "Spending time with Rush Co-Chair (and my future pledge dad) Zach Renn '05 and his roommate, Will McCollum '05, helped me see a future as a Beta. It didn't hurt that they introduced me to The Wheel pizza that weekend, too." Tom's introduction to Beta was similar. "Dad (the late Jim Curzon, Colorado School of Mines '53) wanted me to go to KU, thinking it was less radical than Stanford or Berkeley (ha!). Todd Johnson '75 and Rob Fletcher '74 visited me, and I was intrigued." Alpha Nu members were not only smart but also accomplished on campus. "I went to a rush party or two, and that was that." Peter and Tom are both proud to have joined a fraternity known for academic and athletic excellence, as well as the long list of impressive careers alumni have built. Peter believes Alpha Nu "contradicted the negative stereotypes (or realities) that plague many fraternities. And I'm proud of my pledge class, the Iron Class, for everything we've done together." Tom says, "Peter has it exactly right. Learning that excellence was within reach and obtainable while having fantastic friends and a rich life—what a great experience that was." The bond as fraternity brothers means a lot to this father and son. "It's pretty cool. I lived in the same room that Dad lived in 32 years before me," says Peter. And the legacy of Beta membership goes all the way back to Tom's grandfather, Eugene C. Curzon, CSM '22, and includes father-in-law Bill Halverhout '52, uncle Eugene C. Curzon Jr., M.D, USC '53, brother-in-law Winn Halverhout '75, brother John Curzon '79, and nephew Dustin Curzon '08. "Needless to say, initiation and graduation were terrific family occasions for Dustin and me," says Peter. The memories of their undergraduate years are many. Peter watched KU's 2008 Orange Bowl win in Miami and Final Four championship at The Wheel. "Yes, we had the best senior year ever." He also met his wife, Caroline, in Rock Chalk Revue. Peter graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and BSB in finance. Tom says he can't top Peter's football and basketball championships, "but like him, Rock Chalk was a romantic event. Anne and I may have spent a little time together between her being in the cast and me slopping paint on sets." He also fondly recalls sliding on trays down the snowy slopes to Potter's Lake with Anne—"when one of us may have gone all the way in"—and the trip Mike "Bony" Beeson '75 took with Woody Grutzmacher '76 and other PBs to Colorado. Tom earned a bachelor's degree in history and economics. Since graduation, both have had opportunities to reconnect with Alpha Nu. Tom and Anne were involved with the Parents Club after Peter pledged the fraternity and have stayed engaged with KU and the Hutt. Tom keeps in touch with his pledge brothers, "which has been great fun. This fall eight of us got together at a wedding, and it was like we'd never been apart." Peter says the campaign "gave me a great excuse to reach out to my pledge brothers and buddies from other classes. It was fantastic to speak with guys I hadn't spoken with in years, and yet it was like no time had passed." He encourages alumni to call their brothers. "Do it this week. It's tremendous fun, and I bet the other guy enjoys it just as much as you do." Crediting their experiences in Alpha Nu for their successes and relationships after college, Tom and Peter were inspired to make commitments to the capital campaign. "My experience at the Hutt wouldn't have been possible without the generous donations of alumni before me," says Peter. His contribution is a thank-you to those alumni and an investment in the long- term future of the fraternity. "I have already seen firsthand the benefits of the campaign. Having a wheelchair-accessible chapter house is fantastic for keeping pledge classes together, as well as a public demonstration that we support our pledge brothers." Tom agrees. "I saw how Alpha Nu Betas had been able to contribute mightily to their communities and families. I also had the privilege of witnessing my son and nephew enjoy the same experience. Contributing now is a way to let the actives know that we care—and that we have very high expectations of them." Both men have visited campus and the Hutt recently and remarked on the quality of the members and the chapter house. Peter and Tom Larkin '08 "mistakenly stumbled into the Hutt during initiation this year. I was thoroughly impressed with the senior lounge and ADA-compliant infrastructure. I even got a few minutes to chat with Tom Babb '19, who was enjoying his sophomore year like any other student; no different aside from his newfound wheels." Tom was given a tour of the house by "a sharp freshman who is the son of a fella in the Hutt while I was there. The Hutt is looking good." To alumni who haven't made a pledge to the campaign, Peter stresses the importance of supporting Alpha Nu with any amount. "Everyone can afford to donate. If you care about your pledge brothers (and I expect you do), help a kid have the opportunity to gain friendships and experience college like we did." Peter lives in San Francisco with Caroline and their son, Brody—"future member of PC 2039." He is senior director, business development at Yelp. His spare time is spent with family and "golfing (poorly)." Peter can be contacted at ptcurzon@gmail.com. Tom and Anne live in Phoenix and have another son, Danny. Tom is a senior partner at the law firm of Osborn Maledon. He is active in his entrepreneurial community, enjoys golfing, mountain biking, snowboarding and sailing, and loves to FaceTime with grandson Brody. He can be reached at tcurzon@gmail.com. Jim Curzon, Colorado School of Mines '53, Bill Halverhout '52, Peter Curzon '08, Winn Halverhout '75, Tom Curzon '76, Dustin Curzon '08, and John Curzon '79. Peter, Caroline and Brody Curzon

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