Beta Theta Pi - MIT

3 B rothers of the Beta Upsilon Chapter are budding with excitement aer a full year of growth and we are excited for the Chapter to continue to grow into its full potential. With the largest recruitment class in recent Beta Upsi- lon history, focused executive members, and the support of advisors, the Chapter is making sub- stantial progress toward reclaiming its charter. Fall started on a high note, with a successful re- cruitment and academic honors. e Chapter achieved a GPA of 4.53, making the FSILG spring honor roll, and placing 10th among the 27 frater- nities on MIT's campus. is is a result of broth- ers holding each other accountable in the class- room and helping tutor each other when needed. More specifically, older Brothers helped the new members adjust by hosting review sessions for general education classes and designating nights for brothers to study together. Altogether, this helped create a community that supported each other both inside and outside the classroom. UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTER WORKS TO RECLAIM CHARTER Brothers Maintain High Standards of Success While GPA is an important requirement for char- tering, so is chapter size, and the Chapter needed a large pledge class aer losing a large senior class last year. Fortunately, we planned and executed a very successful recruitment resulting in the larg- est class since recolonization. e pledge pro- gram taught Brothers about the history and val- ues of Beta as well as what it means to be a Man of Principle in the current fraternity climate. e Chapter successfully initiated 11 new members, who will grow into great leaders on campus and eventually in the world. e semester was also filled with a lot of fun. Brothers participated in Pi Beta Phi's annual philanthropy, Arrowspike, a volleyball event on campus that raised money for children's literacy. Beta ended up placing fourth overall. Later in the semester, we went on a retreat to Bear Brook, New Hampshire. is provided a good chance for Brothers to connect with each other, reflect, and relax. Sprinkled throughout the semester, the Chapter held mixers with a few organiza- tions, including the women's crew team and the Northeastern Beta Chapter. e semester concluded by honoring three se- niors, Matthew Mellor '17, Jonathan Zdasiuk '17, and Jack Erdozain '17, who graduated at the end of the term. e Chapter gied the seniors full-sized, laser-engraved swords to thank them for all they have done for the Chapter and individ- ual brothers. e seniors also reflected and shared A Beta Upsilon family line. about their time at Beta, giving a little bit of wis- dom to the younger members of the organization. In January, I had the privilege of attending the Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy and it became apparent to me that the MIT Chapter has a rich history dating back to 1913. Aer talking with advisors and other chapter presidents, I believe the colony has the tools and people nec- essary to reach the level of excellence the MIT Chapter previously held. My executive team and I are very excited to make progress toward re- claiming the heritage of the Beta Upsilon Chap- ter, as well as having fun, making memories, and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. We will be hosting Beta Upsilon's 105th anniversary weekend from April 27-29 and we are excited to meet and learn from alumni. If any alumni wish to stop by the house during the semester, feel free to e-mail me. Beta will always be your home. Yours in ____ kai ____, Michael Castillo '19 Beta Upsilon Chapter President mac0124@mit.edu Brothers at the fall retreat. T he Beta Upsilon Chapter first met Tyler during CPW and is proud to announce that he has decided to pledge Beta as part of our 2021 pledge class. Born and raised outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tyler had his sights on a career in technology from an early age, starting when he helped jailbreak a friend's iPod Touch in fih grade. He now hopes to major in Course 6-2 (electrical engineering and computer science). Due to a difficult family background, Tyler was forced to grow up quickly. From helping his mother with the taxes in elementary school following his parents' divorce to helping raise his young- er siblings and doing significant home and car maintenance, Tyler quickly became the man of the household. is also meant working 15 hours a week during the school year on top of competing on the track team and taking a heavy AP course load, as well as working 40-65 hours a week over his summers as a painter, landscaper, and tutor. Borrowing imagery from his summer cross country camps, Tyler said, "At the end of the day, I could either stare at the large hill in front of me, or I could pick up the pace and start running." is attitude re- sulted in him being named the Valedictorian of his class of 435, graduating with 14 AP classes. It also helped him be one of only two to scale the 14-foot warped wall (as seen on American Ninja Warrior) during one of our recruitment events. is work ethic and aggressive spirit has already begun to serve Tyler well at MIT, getting him through Maker Lodge training before the semester even started and landing him a UROP, building a cell incubator capable of utilizing and testing the effects of optogenetics. Aer a conversation with Will Fox '20 during CPW convinced him that MIT fraternities could be a place where real growth took place, Tyler said he decided to pledge Beta because he "wanted to join a family where knowledge was passed down to not only widen my academic scope and abilities, but also learn wisdom to make me into a better man." Excited to have a man with his spirit join our ranks, I look forward to see how Tyler will grow as part of our chapter and in turn will help shape our trajectory for years to come. New Member Spotlight: Tyler Schoulte Written by Taylor Craig '18

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