Beta Theta Pi - Oklahoma State University

Big Red Island NEWS 2 Alumni from 1964 and 1989 Celebrate Milestone Years W e asked alumni from the classes of 1964 and 1989 what they gained from being members of Beta Theta Pi and how, 50 and 25 years later, it has changed their lives. 1964 "The main thing was that I was from a very small Oklahoma town and forcing me to integrate into a house full of men and a pledge class with a variety of talents really helped me. I was athletic and that's really all I thought about, but a lot of my friends turned out to be non-athletes, so that was a very positive aspect for me. I made some very close friends in that time. The most important part of pledging was that it helped me make my grades. Through the discipline of study halls and the emphasis Beta put on academics, I was able to adjust from my poor study habits from high school. Beta was a prominent fraternity at OSU and we won a lot (athletics, Spring Sing, etc.), so we had an attitude of let's finish first, but let's do it as gentlemen. The experience rubs off on you and builds into your expectations later in life." – Chuck L. Hensley, Dallas, Texas "I'm pretty wide open and straight forward and probably more inclined to look to people's needs and enjoy the life that we have. It was one of the very best things that I was fortunate to be involved with. I got together with some of my pledge brothers earlier this year and it was really nice to see everyone again. It's important to stay connected. Sometimes we spend too much time doing other things, but we try to keep up if we can." – James L. Reynolds, Cedar Grove, N.C. "I had a very good time in the chapter and had a great experience. It was very much oriented in making good grades and excelling in every activity we did. One of the biggest impacts on my life to come from Gamma Lambda was meeting my wife, Jeanie." – James "Harmon" Smith Jr., Wayne, Ark. "Friendship forever. I've been able to stay in contact with many of my pledge brothers and other alumni over the years. Beta Theta Pi was a blessing to my life, and attributed to some great times at OSU." – Ted J. Purdom, Clarksville, Tenn. 1989 "I made a lot of good friends from Beta, and since my dad, John Groom, Miami University '58, was a member, being a legacy strengthened our bond." – Mike M. Groom, Lewisville, Texas "My Beta experience was very constructive. The negative perception of fraternities was the exact opposite for me. It was a life-changing event for me complete with a great group of guys and lifelong friends, some of whom are as close as family." – Bobby P. Shanaham, Charlotte, N.C. ALUMNI NEWS Robert W. Byerley '36 is 98 years old and lives in Wilmington, N.C. He has fond memories of his time in the Gamma Lambda Chapter and remembers being in the head of his academic studies through the School of Business. He was president of the chapter in 1935-36. E-mail: bobbyerley@aol.com James B. Waterfield '56 lives in Canadian, Texas, with his wife, Sandy. He is proud that two of his daughters and two of his grandchildren have attended OSU. E-mail: jimbw416@att.net L. Terry Brewer '63 owned the Patio Restaurant at 3rd and Washington from 1963 to 1968. He later co-founded Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, retired in 1992, and moved to Santa Fe, N.M. In 2000 he, along with Stuart Reeves '61 and three other Gamma Lambda brothers, hosted 70 brothers and their wives for a three-day reunion in Santa Fe. Terry travels extensively, golfs, skis, and is active in non-profit activities. E-mail: ltbrewer@comcast.net Ralph W. Lantz '68 and his wife, Jana, live in Boise, Idaho, and have been married for 44 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. E-mail: rlantzid@msn.com Robert D. Woods, DDS '82 lives in Milton, Ga., with his wife, Shelly, and their three sons. Bob has practiced dentistry in Atlanta for 27 years after a residency at Emory University.

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