Delta Tau Delta - Butler University

Page 3 BUTLER UNIVERSITY To donate, please visit www.butlerdelts.com. BETA ZETA WINS 14TH HUGH SHIELDS AWARD O n February 10-12, Beta Zeta attended the Northern Division Conference in Indianapolis, where we proudly received our fourth consecutive Hugh Shields Award for Chapter Excellence. "The Northern Division Conference was an incredible opportunity. It was such a privilege to see the size of the fraternity—and we are just one of the regions! Seeing the success of the chapters around our region filled me with pride and made me even more proud to be a Delt." – Tyler Thatcher '19 "Northern was incredible. I really appreciated the opportunities for learning during the various seminars. The variety of the sessions showed just how involved, diverse, and complicated the process can be to run a successful fraternity. I felt that the seminars thoroughly equipped us with the knowledge and tools we need to continue to grow and succeed as a chapter. Following the conference, I am even more proud to be a Delt and a Beta Zeta." – Piotr Parol '19 Tyler Goodrick '19 Takes Advantage of Overseas Opportunities I t didn't hit me when I stepped off the plane. It didn't hit me when I arrived at our apartment. It didn't hit me when I completely failed at using chopsticks at a traditional Chinese restaurant. It didn't hit me until I woke up the next morning. My jet-lagged body ached from the lack of leg room from the plane ride as I walked out onto my balcony. The city was surprisingly quiet. As I looked down from my 19th floor balcony, life was slowly stirring. An elderly man was practicing his Tai-Chi skills in the park, stray cats were scavenging for food, and few cars were making their trips down the road. As I looked up at the overcast sky (like almost every day here), clouds were nowhere to be seen. All that was visible was a dense layer of smog. It surrounded the city—engulfing everything below it. I finally thought to myself, "Wow. You're actually in Shanghai, China." Overall, the trip was awesome. I ate food I never would have found in the U.S., interacted with people, and saw landmarks and structures I only would have seen on the Discovery Channel (the Great Wall was actually great). I interned at a financial service firm in the city for six weeks and worked 40 hours per week. I learned quite a bit of financial information at my internship and gained some international business experience. Despite the trip being an awesome experience, it was also the most difficult thing I've ever done. There were several instances where homesickness consumed me. Since popular social media sites in the States are banned in China, it was difficult keeping in touch with family and friends back home. Fortunately, I had two fraternity brothers, Jack Boudreau '17 and Sam Thomas '17, to help alleviate some of that homesickness. Whenever something went wrong, I couldn't just phone home and ask for help. Instead, I had to gain a sense of independence and solve many problems by myself. I grew up in a small town, so coming to Shanghai was quite a huge step outside of my comfort zone. Culture shock engulfed me for a while, and there were many times that I questioned my motives for coming. However, this trip was a life- altering experience—one that I'll most likely never have the opportunity to partake in again. I wouldn't trade this endeavor for anything, as it helped mold me into a more independent, self-reliant individual. And that's something that a class will never teach you. Follow the Leader Alumnus Finds His Leadership Style from Brothers I t was Beta Zeta where Andy Wiersma '12 first discovered and honed in on his leadership skills. The qualities he saw in the upperclassmen and Randy Claybrook '88 and the involvement Delta Tau Delta held on campus all influenced the techniques Andy used serving as chapter president and continues to use today. "Delta Tau Delta helped me develop my leadership style. It pushed me academically and socially as well, but most importantly, it equipped me with lifelong friends. I know that I can call any of my pledge brothers and they will be there for me whenever," he said. When Andy first started considering fraternity life, he was looking for members who were similar to him but also a version of who he wanted to be in the future. He watched the older members of Delta Tau Delta and observed how they conducted themselves and was not only impressed, but could see himself becoming one of them. Once joining Beta Zeta, Andy developed a great sense of pride in not only the chapter leadership, but the philanthropic success as well. All four years, the chapter exceeded expectations with their philanthropy efforts, and the ability to complete an endowment ahead of schedule. He sees the same high standards in the active chapter today. "Continue to hold each other to a high standard," he advises. "The reputation of the Shelter is the reputation you hold. If you have a high standard chapter, then people will hold you in a high regard." Since graduation, Andy has stayed involved with Beta Zeta by serving on the house corporation, attending alumni events, and mentoring brothers about life and career advice. He also remains in frequent communication with members of his pledge class. "At our age, we're in prime wedding season, so every wedding is like a small reunion," he said. Andy is earning his MBA at Duke through a sponsorship with Eli Lilly and Company. Aside from studying, he enjoys spending his free time outdoors, traveling, or spending time with friends and family. Andy lives in Durham, N.C., and can be reached at a.wiersma@gmail.com. DTD

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