Beta Theta Pi - University of Oklahoma

Brothers cheer on the Sooners. Page 3 B Q P S pringtime for the Gamma Phi active chapter has long been a time to celebrate the success of our seniors. Due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, our seniors didn't get the proper sendoff or get to experience memorable events like Beta Mom's Weekend, graduation at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and several other great Gamma Phi traditions. Rather than dwell on what they didn't get to experience, our senior brothers showed what Beta is all about and strengthened their bonds in the balance of this pandemic. "Our bond is unlike anything I have ever experienced," Joe Charboneau '16 said. "The fact that I have about 50 people that I can confide in with anything is astonishing. These guys give me the confidence and reassurance that I can do anything I set my mind to." Jackson Girod '16 simply summed up the brotherhood within Gamma Phi senior class as "unbreakable" and Garrett Reynolds '16 described it as "tenaciously inseparable." A majority of the seniors remained in Norman while completing their spring courses virtually. Many of them quarantined together, playing poker four to five nights a week and picking up new hobbies such as golf. The leadership from the senior class has been second to none. Liam Ferrer '16 took Gamma Phi to new heights during his term as chapter president and Matthew Goodell '16 proudly represented Beta as the IFC president. "It got hectic and was incredibly stressful, but I look back on it now and would to do it all again. We have great advisors in Zach Allen '85, Curtis McCarty '92, and Robert Beall '80," Liam said. "If there was ever a problem, they were always there to help the chapter work through it. Serving as president undoubtedly made me grow as an individual. Over the course of my term, I learned how to better resolve complex problems and conflicts, a skill that will serve me well throughout my career." While the seniors will soon embark on their career, postgraduate, or fifth-year plans, they have no intentions of separating their ties from Gamma Phi. They're excited to visit the chapter house in the fall and continue fun traditions like they've made during the Red River Showdown weekend. "Every year the entirety of our class will stay at a brother's lake house the Thursday night leading up to the OU-Texas weekend. The four Thursday night trips we had created stories that are the pearl of our college experience," Matthew said. "Friday to Sunday morning is an expeditious blur that is filled with events that include having a dinner party with our dates at a brother's house in Highland Park, beating up on the next Texas used car salesman [Longhorns' Sam Ehlinger], and many other incredible experiences. We have had this experience every year together, which is unparalleled to any other fraternity experience." Bonds Strengthen Among Beta Seniors in Balance of Pandemic Beta seniors on a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas. Beta seniors on the first day of the fall 2019 semester. Brothers celebrating the birthday of Nikiel Kim '20. Brothers celebrate the birthday of Nikiel Kim '20 while on a bike bar tour in Oklahoma City, Okla. A Glimpse at the Career Plans of Gamma Phi's Seniors • Joe Charboneau: Returning to OU to finish his degree in petroleum engineering. • Liam Ferrer: Having already completed his bachelor of arts in economics, he is returning to OU for a fifth year to earn his bachelor of science in public health before ultimately attending law school. • Jackson Girod: Currently interviewing for jobs in sales. • Matthew Goodell: Working as a project engineer for NorTex Midstream in Houston, Texas. • Garrett Reynolds: Pursuing a juris doctorate and master's in business administration via a dual degree program.

• Cover