Phi Delta Theta - Butler University

Page 5 Φ Δ Θ A s a military man, Josh Bedel '11 knows the importance of brotherhood. The invaluable brotherhood he found in the military was an experience he wanted to recreate in college, which he was able to find through Phi Delta Theta. "I wanted to become part of something greater than myself," Josh said. Indiana Gamma gave Josh leadership skills, enduring friendships, and a sense of pride that would only grow as an alumnus. Phi Delta Theta left a powerful imprint on Josh as an undergraduate member, instilling great honor to have been part of the refounding class at Indiana Gamma in 2008. "The historical significance and legacy that Phi Delta Theta holds on the Butler University campus is one sense of pride," Josh said, "But the real pride I gained from Indiana Gamma was that my Brothers and I walked the walk and talked the talk. We were gentlemen and scholars. A lot of fraternities preach how they're the best, but our track record simply speaks for itself. How we treat our house and each other speaks for itself. We really are a cut above the rest. We know that, and Butler University knows that." Many alumni impacted Josh and his membership in Phi Delta Theta, particularly Stan Cuppy '78, John Cooke '62, and Hugh Diehl '75. "John, he's a retired Air Force pilot, has been through where I've been and he has a lot of good advice," Josh said. These alumni gave Josh guidance both as an undergraduate and in his military career. "These are folks that I would model my future involvement in Phi Delta Theta after," he said. Though Josh is now far from Indiana Gamma, his mentorship with members of the Florida Mu Chapter of Phi Delta Theta keeps him connected to Phi Delta Theta. "I didn't really realize the true value of Sharing the Phi Delta Theta Brotherhood Josh Bedel '11 Bond #1850 Gives Back through Mentorship being a member of Phi Delta Theta until after I graduated. I missed having those connections with my Brothers from Indiana Gamma, and because of that, I became involved with mentoring current members in chapters wherever the Air Force has sent me," Josh said. Keeping in touch with his Indiana Gamma Brothers has been a difficult task for Josh. "For a while after I graduated, I lost contact with most, if not all, of my pledge class," Josh said. "But as time went on, I've reached back out to a few folks, and now we're good friends again." He hasn't been able to return to the Chapter House since graduation, but has plans to visit Indiana Gamma later this year. While Josh looks forward to reconnecting with his Indiana Gamma brothers, he said he "cannot emphasize enough the brotherhood and networking aspects of being a brother in Phi Delta Theta. Through his work in the military he has met Phi Delta from many different chapters. "When I was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, our base commander, a Brigadier General, was a Phi Delt. I asked him the 'questions' at a Thanksgiving reception we had, and he ended up buying me a couple beers, and giving me some good career advice as well! Josh works as a search and rescue duty officer at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and is currently serving in a special duty assignment at Tynall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida. His job is to coordinate all federal assets for inland Search and Rescue. Josh and his colleagues have worked some pretty high-profile searches, to include a the F-15 crash in Virginia last August, and flying medical supplies 900+ off the coast of California and dropping PJ's with the supplies to give medical care to a sick 1-year old girl on a yacht. At Butler he earned a Bachelor's Degree in German, and am currently working on my M.S. in Leadership from Liberty University. When he isn't working or mentoring Phi Delta Theta actives, he enjoys traveling and is working on his personal trainer certification. You can contact Josh at joshua.bedel@outlook.com. Josh Bedel '11 (middle) with Andres Martinez, Joe Piscopo, Hunter Wade, and Doug Carcamo, who are all Air Force ROTC cadets and members of the Florida Mu Phi Delta Theta Chapter in Florida

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