Beta Theta Pi Society of Minnesota
Dinkytown Station-P.O. Box 13225
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Address Service Requested
the
betA Piper
SHAPING A BETA PI'S CAREER
How the Fraternity Influenced Ryan Demmer '99
T
he Βeta Pi Chapter at the University of Minnesota was
intriguing to Ryan Demmer '99, who found the active
members welcoming and good-natured. His initial interest
in the fraternity stemmed from its longstanding traditions
and reputation for being academically rigorous. While
pursuing his bachelor's degree in public health with a
business and life sciences emphasis, Ryan was initiated into
the Beta Pi Chapter.
Ryan befriended his big brother, Ivan "Butch" Weiss '97,
and Scott Allen '95 right away—members who ultimately
proved very influential for him. "They both played a part
in my decision to join the chapter and my engagement in chapter life,"
he said. In fact, it was because of Scott's convincing that Ryan took
an elective public health course during his freshman year—a fateful
choice that played a huge role in Ryan's ultimate career path. "That
course introduced me to epidemiologic research in understanding disease
etiology," he recalled. Soon after, he changed his major from engineering
to public health.
During his active years, Ryan served on Beta Pi's executive council as
house manager, executive-at-large, and chapter president. "My time at
Beta allowed me not only to make lifelong friends, but exposed me to an
array of new ideas and opportunities in life," he recalled. "My ability to
serve in leadership roles within the chapter helped me grow and created
opportunities that have served me well ever since."
Getting to know a chapter's active members should be
something undergraduates do before making a decision to join
a Greek organization, according to Ryan. "The individuals
in the fraternity will shape your values, behaviors, and
work ethic during an important time in your life." He also
encourages students to consider the strength of the national
organization as a whole, paying special attention to potential
leadership opportunities available to the members.
After graduating from U of M, Ryan went on to earn a
master's of public health and a Ph.D. in epidemiology.
Today, he is an associate professor of epidemiology at U
of M, interested in researching microbial etiologies of cardiovascular
disease and Type 2 diabetes. "I am particularly interested in the human
microbiome and how bacteria in the mouth and gut can influence health,"
he revealed. Ryan previously lived in New York for over 10 years,
working in the department of epidemiology at Columbia University.
Though his days of being in the active chapter are behind him, Ryan keeps
in touch with several of his Beta Pi brothers through alumni functions.
"My family recently returned from a vacation in Florida, where we spent
the week with Nick Lampi '98 and his family," he revealed. In his spare
time, Ryan plays golf, pool, and softball and appreciates the occasional
Netflix binge. He and his wife, CloEve, and their children, Ashton,
Makenna, and Addison, also enjoy spending family time at the lake.
You can connect with Ryan at demm0009@gmail.com.
President
David Bock '19
(612) 968-4275 | betapi1893@gmail.com
Vice President of Finance
Adam Long '19
Vice President of Brotherhood
Eric Forester '18
Vice President of Ritual
Grant Zastoupil '19
Vice President of Recruitment
Jake Post '20
(763) 234-4863 | betapi1934@gmail.com
Vice President of New Member Education
Nick Gionet '20
Vice President of Programming
Peter Degroot '20
Vice President of Risk Management
Shane Claffey '19
Vice President of Communications
Will Van Syoc '20
Alumni Relations Chairman
Eric Swenson '19
Chapter Officers
betathetapi
societymn.org
f
Beta Theta Pi –
University of
Minnesota
f
Beta Theta Pi
Alumni – University
of Minnesota
l
@Beta_UMN
i
Beta Theta Pi
Alumni – University
of Minnesota
Save the Date: Alumni
Boat Ride on Lake Minnetonka.
Open to page 3 for details!
