Beta Theta Pi - Michigan State University

THE DRAGON'S WAGON G A M M A P S I C H A P T E R O F B E T A T H E T A P I Fall 2017 THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR GAMMA PSI Alumni Support Needed for Continued Success W e have much to be proud of with today's Gamma Psi Chapter. Our undergraduate executive board members are sharp and strong leaders. They are doing an excellent job of managing the chapter from finances to risk management and campus leadership to recruitment. Recent fall recruitment brought in 22 new members plus the chapter stands with more than 81 active brothers in membership. We have a large and popular house at MSU! This summer, Chapter President Daniel Moltz '18 represented Gamma Psi Chapter at the 178th Beta Theta Pi National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. He said, "It was an experience I will never forget. It was great to see Betas from all around the continent come together." Gamma Psi earned a Sisson Award and Daniel had the opportunity to meet several of our national officers and other influential Betas in professional leadership positions around the country. He also learned plenty of new ideas and strategies to further improve chapter operations. On the heels of our Pride in Our Past, Legacy for the Future fundraising campaign, it is imperative that we stay committed to our pledged commitments and our values. As alumni, it is our responsibility to support the chapter with financial contributions and by staying involved. One way we stay involved and connected is through our newsletter, The Dragon's Wagon, and alumni events. In order to keep these events and communications funded, we need your support. Please remember to pay your annual alumni dues of $50 by sending a check to: BTAC, P.O. Box 1894, Clarkston, MI 48347. We continue to want to avoid taking funds out of the Housing Fund to finance events and communications. Thanks again to the alumni that are closely involved with the chapter for your willingness to stay connected. If you are interested in volunteering your time to the chapter, please let me or another board member know. We will find a role for you to fill. Finally, we hope as your travels bring you close to East Lansing you'll go by the chapter house and say hello. By doing so, we know you'll agree that as Gamma Psi alumni, we have much to be proud of. Yours in _kai_, Keith Loch '86 BTAC Treasurer btac860@gmail.com Bonded by Brotherhood Spotlight on John D. "Jack" Collins '70 O ne of East Lansing's most beautiful times of the year has arrived—fall: a season filled with Homecoming, football games, and for Gamma Psi alumni, visits to the chapter house. When John D. "Jack" Collins '70 thinks back to his time at Michigan State, he immediately thinks of these fall days spent with Beta Theta Pi brothers. "Our house was right on the river across from an undeveloped area full of trees. I always looked forward to the fall as the leaves turn colors—especially football Saturdays when we would host alumni at the house and slosh through leaves to the stadium." For Jack, joining Gamma Psi was an easy decision because he says the Betas were different from the rest. "Fraternities on campus lived by their stereotype, but the Betas weren't your run-of-the- mill fraternity guys. They were genuine and diverse. This group of individuals could be who they wanted to be and still fit in. I felt comfortable there," he says. "The other part of my decision was the physical house—it wasn't the traditional brick Victorian. It was more like a modern ski chalet, which was so unique." For these reasons and countless others, Jack makes staying connected to the fraternity an inherent part of who he is, and nearly 50 years later, still gets together with Chuck Lindsley '70, Gay Finkbeiner '71, Vince Ferris '69, and others. "We all have different favorite memories, but when we get together we laugh about them all. It's been almost 50 years, but we remember it like it was yesterday." Looking to the future of Gamma Psi, Jack believes that in order for the fraternity to be valuable for future generations, it is incumbent that alumni stay involved. "As an undergraduate you give a whole lot to the fraternity for a short period of time. This helps prepare you to become alumni and give a little bit for a long time," he says. "Paul Pfeiffer '64 has been involved in the fraternity for many years and is the epitome of giving back. Joe Czarnik '70, who passed away a few years ago, was another shining example of a true leader, and the glue that connected so many of us. Both lead by example in showing that alumni should all chip in—either financially or with your time." Jack and his significant other live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they work as the chief financial officer and dermatologist, respectively, for McDonnell Dermatology, a company they started in 2010. Traveling, fishing, and spending time with their children and grandchild are just a few of their hobbies that top the list. To contact Jack, e-mail him at jdcollinsiii@yahoo.com.

• Cover