Delta Tau Delta - Butler University

DELTA TAU DELTA Page 2 To donate, please visit www.butlerdelts.com. continually placing quality ahead of quantity, as the pledge class has a cumulative GPA of 3.6. Special thanks go out to our dedicated alumni for hosting another amazing alumni night—that likely "sealed the deal" for many potential new members. Kevin Wanzer '89, Lee Rhea '02, and Chad Miller '09 took to the mic to share their memories, wisdom, and advice to potential new members. As for the Hugh Shields Award, it needs no explanation or introduction. We are all well aware of the man, the award, and the honor of being named a top 10 chapter among the Delt ranks. Beta Zeta is consistent, strong, and a leader not only on Butler's campus, but in the fraternity world. This past January at the Northern Division Conference, Beta Zeta brought home our 13th Hugh Shields Award. Out of 138 Delt Chapters, we were ranked eighth overall. All of this—the accomplishments, awards, values, events, campaign, brotherhood—did not happen overnight; it began in Shelter rooms between brothers of the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s. Our dedication to the Chapter began when we knelt at the alter and took the Oath of a Delt…better yet, a Beta Zeta Delt. We are invested in Beta Zeta and this continual growth and success is a testament of what being a Delt means to each of us. We at Beta Zeta carry on the tradition of singing Delta Shelter after special occasions, and I cannot think of a more appropriate time to utter those lyrics than now—as we reflect on our recent accomplishments and milestones: "Delta Tau Delta, Delta You are my safest Shelter Sing we to dear old Delta Oh how I love her Dear Delta Tau." Fraternally, Derek M. Burns '04, BZ #1377 derekburns19@yahoo.com Carrying on the Beta Zeta Tradition of Excellence (Continued from page 1) Help Our Graduating Seniors G o to www.butlerdelts.com to find information about the 42 graduating seniors of Beta Zeta. Each has proven himself a leader among his peers and is looking to connect with Delt alumni in his field or industry. On our website, you will find a profile on each graduating senior with his major, hometown, and contact information. Brotherhood for Life What Beta Zeta Means to Matt White '89 B rotherhood means something unique and different for each of us. For Matt White '89, membership in Beta Zeta has been a journey of unconditional love and support. Several years ago, Matt was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), but the strength and love from his brothers has made all the difference. "From day one, I have received nothing but support (spiritual, emotional, financial) from my brothers who represent the entire spectrum of men. Although I do live with machines that help support my life, my true life support system is the relationships of with my Delt brothers." Each year for the past 13 years, brothers from across the country have made the trip to visit Matt over Super Bowl weekend. "The diversity of this group is extraordinary, but they all have one thing in common: love. Love for the chapter, love for Butler, love for the experience of being a Delt, love for each other, love for me. For three days, brothers suspend their busy and packed lives to come together as one. There are no words to describe what this means to me." Matt's experiences in the fraternity have truly made an impact on his life and the man he is today. "Delta Tau Delta helped me become the man I was destined to be. I believe in the potential of Beta Zeta and the brothers there. The success of ΔTΔ is that the brothers do not see the experience as leaving a legacy, but instead living a legacy; right now, today. It seems to me that today's active members have grasped the idea that although these short years at Butler are fleeting, each semester, each week, each day is an opportunity to better each other, better themselves, better the chapter, the campus, and beyond." During the past several years, Beta Zeta has been working hard to build the Matt White Wing addition to the Shelter. "I am so happy that I was able to live to see a time when the quality of the structure of the house would rise to equal the caliber of the young men who live there." Matt was truly honored to have the wing named after him. "To have it named after me still seems like a dream. The real icing on the cake was having my incredible wife, my angel, Shartrina, travel to the Shelter to be there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony." Matt is the founder of the Matt White Cure ALS Foundation. One hundred percent of the proceeds given to the foundation go toward research to find a cure for ALS. "I love knowing the awareness we create and the funds we raise are making a difference." If you would like more information about the foundation or would like to contribute, please visit www.cureals.wordpress.com. Matt and Shartrina live in Placida, Flordia, and they have two children: Myles and DeAndre. "Many men live their lives and never experience the joy and connection with others that I have been blessed with," shares Matt. He is eternally grateful for the love and support he has found with his Beta Zeta brothers. "This has not been an easy journey, but I would not trade it for the world. Would I choose to have ALS? Of course not. Am I thankful for having ALS? In many ways, yes. I know that is a hard thing for many to wrap their heads around, but it was my diagnosis of ALS that opened my eyes to brotherhood in the truest sense of the word."

• Cover