The Beta Theta Pi - Winter 2026

industry giants Who “went Beta,” Bringing Remarkable Credit to the Fraternity Experience

Campus Life

Betas at Central Michigan donned custom dragon jerseys and raised the letters high at the 2025 Sigma Freeze hockey tournament. Read similar stories from campuses across North America in this issue’s edition of Campus Life.

16 An Eye to the Future

lifelong brotherhood Volunteer Vacancies making a difference

Warby Parker CoFounder and CoCEO Dave Gilboa, UC Berkeley ’03, a Beta brother turned industry disruptor, bets big on AI glasses in a game-changing partnership with Google.

20 Notes on Being a Man

Scott Galloway’s new book is a brutally honest guide for parents raising boys – and any Beta who may feel lost, unmotivated, lonely or unsure of his role in the world.

28 The Ones That Didn’t Get Away

Last fall’s magazine nodded to industry giants of the Fraternity’s interfraternal peers. Beta certainly has its fair share, too.

46 Strategic Architect

Business and board governance guru E.B. Wilson, St. Lawrence ’53, is remembered as a primary influencer of Beta’s historic Men of Principle initiative.

| Cut and Polished refining men of principle

| Proud to Be a Beta heartfelt fraternal pride

The Beta Theta Pi

On the Cover Industry leaders represent the quality of Beta’s membership through the years.

The first college fraternity magazine, founded December 15, 1872, by Charles Duy Walker, VMI 1869, and published continuously since.

Publication Schedule Issue Deadline Mail Date

Winter Jan. 15 Feb. 15

Spring April 15 May 15 Fall Oct. 15 Nov. 15

Who Receives the Beta Magazine?

All Beta collegians and parents, current and former volunteers, Foundation donors, and anyone who requests to receive it in print. Update your subscription and contact info at my.beta. org, 800.800.BETA or officemanager@beta.org

How Does One Get Published?

Content submissions and photos can be sent to beta@beta.org or:

Beta Theta Pi Administrative Office 5134 Bonham Road Oxford, OH 45056

While space constraints make it difficult to include all submissions, a fair evaluation process is exercised to publish a variety of unique content. Want Instant Access to a Past Issue? All issues since 1872 can be accessed in Beta’s digital archive: magazine.beta.org.

The Beta Theta Pi, (USPS 052-000), official magazine of Beta Theta Pi, is owned by the Fraternity, edited and published under the direction and control of its Board of Trustees, and published fall, winter and spring for a $30 one-time, prepaid subscription. Standard nonprofit class postage paid at Oxford, Ohio, and additional points of entry. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0397474. Copyright Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Produced in the USA.

historical throwback

Highest Ranking Fraternity Man in Abolition of Slavery Remembered on 160th

The legal end to slavery in the U.S. took effect on December 6, 1865, when Georgia became the 27th state to ratify the 13th Amendment, achieving the required three-fourths of states necessary for constitutional adoption. Consistent with most national institutions of the day, Beta Theta Pi had members on both sides of the issue. Proudly, however, Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax, DePauw 1855, was a Beta and became the highest ranking fraternity man to fight for slavery's abolition.

An ally of President Lincoln, on January 31, 1865, Colfax departed from speaker protocol of only voting to break a tie and directed the clerk to call his name after the roll call vote had been taken. He then cast the final vote in favor of the amendment, a deliberate moral statement for history's sake that was met with thunderous applause. While not legally necessary, Lincoln also signed the resolution. In 1868, Colfax was elected vice president alongside President Ulysses S. Grant.

foreword

editor’s note

Editor Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 martin.cobb@beta.org

Chief Communication Officer Justin Warren, SMU ’10 justin.warren@beta.org

Creative Director Sarah Shepherd sarah.shepherd@beta.org

Director of Brand Marketing Mike Roupas, Iowa ’10 mike.roupas@beta.org

Director of Digital Media Sutton Jacobs, Wittenberg ’18 sutton.jacobs@beta.org

Publication Printer Royle Printing Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Even before last fall's magazine went to press, our editorial team questioned who would make the "industry giant" cut if the same criteria used for our interfraternal peers in last issue's "The Ones That Got Away” were applied to members of our own Fraternity.

Men like President Ronald Reagan, Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., billionaire investor Warren Buffet and NFL great Jerry Rice cast large shadows. And that just scratches the surface of how influential fraternity men have been in their professions.

But Betas are not intimidated by the pursuit of excellence, either. So, we nod to our friendly competitors, and in this issue take stock of the achievements by those who have worthily worn the badge and borne the name:

• 17th Vice President of the United States

• 17th Prime Minister of Canada

• Nearly 200 U.S. Senators and Representatives, including 2 Speakers of the House

• 8 U.S. Supreme Court Justices

• Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada

• 56 U.S. Governors and 2 Canadian Premiers

• 32 Ambassadors

• 6 Congressional Medals of Honor

• 7 Presidential Medals of Freedom

• 4 Astronauts

• 34 Olympic Gold Medalists

• 12 Pulitzer Prizes and 2 Peabodys

• 3 Nobel Prize Laureates

• 7 Oscars, 10 Tonys, 15 Grammys, 81 Emmys

• 85 Rhodes Scholars — more than any other fraternity

Of course, a magazine feature like this can't possibly be all-inclusive since, at its core, it's symbolic. Thankfully, Beta editors through the years have helped document our brothers' historic successes, and they're all available for free at beta.org/books and beta.org/magazine.

Take a look sometime. You'll be reminded of the amazing things Betas have done.

Sincerely and in ___kai___,

"But Betas are not intimidated by the pursuit of excellence, either. So, we nod to our friendly competitors, and in this issue take stock of the achievements by those who have worthily worn the badge and borne the name."

the inbox

unfiltered feedback

“Our executive director shared the Beta magazine article ‘The Ones That Got Away’ with our key volunteer leadership group. I love the article for many reasons, especially its interfraternal tone.

Whoever took part in the decision-making process deserves some applause. The article’s graphical treatment is also impressive. Thanks for including our distinguished brothers.

Just one more comment: I wish we had thought of it! Nice work.”

— Tim Kilduff, President Phi Gamma Delta

“What an awesome piece to show the value of the fraternity experience. Thanks for including Sigma Chi! Fraternally,” — Leo Fackler, Senior Director of Engagement & Communications; Sigma Chi International Headquarters

“Excellent story. Inspiring to see y’all take on such a fun project. Great work!” — Christopher Brenton, Director of Communications; Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.

“Thank you for publishing my ‘Parent OpEd’ in the recent issue of The Beta Theta Pi magazine. I’ve had an outpouring of love from my pledge brothers—one of whom took and shared this photo of Lucas and me after the OSU-OU football game. I had never seen this picture until now and thought I’d pass it along. As you can see, the hug I wrote about really did happen! Yours in _kai_,” — K. John Lee, Oklahoma State ’84

magazinefeedback

“Thanks for running the story about Brother DeVet on the back cover of the fall magazine. It was a well-deserved tribute. His selfless contributions make me proud to be his brother and are an inspiration for all to be proud to be a Beta. -kai-” — Del Johnson, Minnesota ’62

“Sorry to hear about Erv Johnson. Very nice tribute.” — Jesse Lyons, Assistant Executive Director & Editor of The Kappa Alpha Journal

“Erv’s tribute and his parting words are a ‘Top 10 of all time’ magazine inclusion. Wow.”— Don (Dipper) DiPaolo, Michigan ’78

“Having just seen the announcement of Erv’s passing, I’ve spent a few moments sharing with my wife the impact he had on me.

Back in the mid-90s as Beta was trying to map out the future of ‘the internet,’ Erv chose Jay Dent, GMIEMI ’96; Jason Bennett, Georgia ’96; Adam Carson, Toronto ’97; and me to represent the undergraduates in planning and strategizing the path. Over a few trips to beautiful Oxford, great times and thoughtful dialogue, we were able to shape the early days of our Fraternity’s online presence.

I stayed in touch with Brother Johnson for a few years while he still worked in Oxford and loved seeing him and Ginger at Conventions. He had such a wonderful way with understanding the history and future of Beta Theta Pi; it was worth listening to for hours.

I’m very grateful I was able to experience this time in our history with someone so capable, kind and knowledgeable.

Erv, you made a mark of epic significance on so many of us. Thank you. __kai__” — Ryan O’Donnell, Wichita State ’98

“Here we go again ... Erv Johnson and Bob Kurz — two more fellow Beta journalist-communicators entering the world of no further deadlines. It has been a truly tough year and alas, a couple more chapter mates are on deck for their ‘last at bats.’

Convey my heartfelt condolences to Ginger. Their wedding celebration [during Convention] at Mackinac was truly unforgettable, dancing on the beach in the moonlight with garbage cans filled to the brim with Green Goddamits ... Drinking age was 18 then. As ever in _kai_,”— Tom Lipton, Western Reserve ’63

so cool

“Meadowbrook Hall is a National Historic Landmark near my house in metro Detroit. Built in the late 1920s by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto company Co-founder John Dodge, and her second husband Alfred Wilson, Beloit 1906, the once massive private home is now a museum and event space that is beloved in the area. There is an abundance of history surrounding the people, buildings and grounds. I’ve been several times, but my most recent trip revealed Beta’s badge hand carved into the woodwork of Alfred’s personal study. So cool. ___kai___,”

— Hayden McNeil, Kentucky ’13

beta barn

“Starting in January 2025 under the stewardship of Brothers Steve Keller, South Dakota ’69, and Tom Parliman ’69, an idea was hatched: a 60-year reunion of our (in)famous class. Spending countless hours they managed to track down the vast majority of the fall 1965 pledge class and solicit interest. The response was typical of Betas: ‘YES.’

Last September the reunion took place. The vast majority of the class plus a few Betas from prior and post years gathered for a special weekend back where it all started: the ‘Beta Barn’ in Vermillion, South Dakota. (In 1969 the chapter moved from the Beta Barn to a new house and the beloved Barn fell into the clutches of Sigma Nu — then a local businessman turned it into a bed and breakfast. Kudos to this entrepreneur who refurbished our home while maintaining its fundamental traditions — including acknowledging its Beta origins.)

Joined by former pin-mates and fiancées who became Beta wives, the reconstituted class reconnected at the Barn to start the war stories — followed by a trip to a local pub where one of our members who led a band was playing — followed by an informal dinner and the obligatory pictures. The next day the group toured the ‘new house’ [now over 50 years old] to admire its condition and how well the current young brothers maintain it. Then, all returned back to the beloved Barn for ‘refreshments,’ more war stories, post-graduation histories and a BBQ dinner the new inn keeper prepared.

Our journey to reunite came to an end: happy to see each other after 60 years and sad to separate again. But to all our brothers across Dragon land who read this memoir — remember, it’s about all Betas everywhere knowing that pledging Beta is but a beginning–and starts a never-ending journey.

_kai_”

Jim Mahacek, South Dakota ’69

“Please note that William H. Graff, Bowdoin ‘53, has passed. I was very fortunate to have dad in my life for so long, and he was wise and himself right up until the end. He loved his Beta brothers at Bowdoin — I recently found his detailed notes about all of them made earlier in his life. They were a fascinating bunch, and he was an exceptional observer of people. He sang until his death, often songs learned at the Beta house. All appropriate!”

— Kathy Graff Low

newsworthy

fraternity updates

From New York to Texas, Five Expansions Set for 2026-27

Expansion plans for next academic year have been confirmed, and the Fraternity is excited to announce the reestablishment of chapters at Dayton, Rutgers and Syracuse, with new chapters being founded at NYU and Texas State. To recommend high-caliber young men as re/founding fathers, submit an online referral at beta.org/recommend. Learn more about volunteering as an advisor or house corporation member at beta.org/volunteer.

Update: Single Largest Gift to Beta Foundation Grows

First reported in the winter 2025 issue of the Beta magazine, the estate of Helen and Jerry Davis, Williams ’56, added to its $1.8 million bequest to the Beta Foundation with an additional distribution of $259,574 this past December. Per policy, Foundation directors established an endowment fund in Helen’s and Jerry’s memory to protect their generosity and ensure its impact on the Fraternity in perpetuity.

Recruitment Record Broken (Again)

With the number of chapters flat year over year, the Fraternity broke its all-time recruitment record last fall, having pledged 2,701 young men into 127 of its 139 chapters. Prior records were achieved in fall 2024 (2,590) and fall 2015 (2,546).

Chapter Closure

Following a pattern of incidents related to hazing, substance-free housing and breaching its probationary status with the college, on February 6 General Secretary John Stebbins, Emory ’92 , announced closure of Zeta Upsilon Chapter at William & Mary.

beta events greek headlines

A | D.C.’s Press Club Hosts Symposium on Young Men

Citing “mental health crises, declining college enrollment, digital addiction and social isolation,” a first-ever Symposium on American Young Men convened November 3 at the Press Club in Washington, D.C. Represented interfraternally by NIC Chairman Wynn Smiley, Alpha Tau Omega, panelists included lawmakers from both major political parties, health care experts, researchers and education leaders.

B | First Sorority Alumna to Serve as Governor Passes at Age 88

Former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins, Chi Omega — the first sorority woman ever elected to such office — passed away on November 1 at the age of 88. A high school teacher prior to her political career, Collins is credited with the Kentucky Education Reform Act and for luring Toyota to Georgetown where it remains the company’s largest manufacturing hub in the U.S.

C | Texas Tech KA Wins $500k With College GameDay Kick

Surrounded by his chapter brothers, Texas Tech’s John Machtolff, Kappa Alpha , was tapped for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s College GameDay on November 8. Missing the first attempt, McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit taunted, motivating Machtolff’s line drive and the securing of $250,000 for a Lubbock charity, as well as $250,000 toward his dental school tuition.

D | Oscar-Winning Robert Redford Remembered

March 2026

24 University of Florida Chapter A lumni Association Dinner Orlando, Fla. FLBetaAlumni@gmail.com

28 Illinois Installation Champaign, Illinois jacobmv2@illinois.edu

April 2026

10 Samford Installation Homewood, Alabama aguill@samford.edu

18 L SU Installation Baton Rouge, La. raucla1@lsu.edu

19 Boise State Installation Boise, Idaho jzazzara188@gmail.com

24-25 Board of Trustees Spring Meeting Denver, Colorado jeff.rundle@beta.org

June 2026

6-9 Wooden Institute #1

13-16 Wooden Institute #2

27-30 Wooden Institute #3 O xford, Ohio beta.org/wooden

July/August 2026

30-2 187th General Convention O xford, Ohio beta.org/convention

Learn more at beta.org/calendar. Upcoming alumni event? Email specifics to alumni@beta.org!

Alumni Survey Results

A 1970s heartthrob, Robert Redford, Kappa Sigma, passed on September 26 at the age of 89. Known for leading roles in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Way We Were,” Redford won the Oscar for Best Director in “Ordinary People.” In 1978 he founded the Sundance Film Festival.

Building upon the international Fraternity and Sorority Alumni/ae Engagement Study initiated by Beta Theta Pi in 2010, and continued in 2015 and 2020, Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. once again conducted the 2025 effort and recently published its findings. Reflecting perspectives of more than 70,000 graduates from 51 organizations, dive into the collective and Beta-specific data at beta.org/cygnus2025.

lifelong brotherhood

Jerry Lucas, Ohio State ’62, won championships in high school, college and the NBA, as well as an Olympic gold medal.

NBA Champ Honored by Ohio State

Basketball great Jerry Lucas, Ohio State ’62, was recently honored with a new bronze statue outside the campus Schottenstein Center, celebrating his legendary impact on the sport. Depicting his signature hook shot, the life-size sculpture was revealed at a ceremony on November 14, where the 85-year-old called it the “highest honor” of his life. The event highlighted his place among Buckeye icons including track star Jesse Owens, football head coach Woody Hayes and two-time Heisman Archie Griffin.

Lucas is revered not only for his collegiate achievements — three-time All-American, two-time National Player of the Year and leader of Ohio State’s only NCAA men’s basketball championship in 1960 — but also for his decorated career, including the 1973 NBA title with the New York Knicks and 1960 Olympic gold medal where he helped the United States defeat the then-Soviet Union. His No. 11 jersey hangs in the rafters at Value City Arena in Columbus.

For his athletic achievements and extraordinary memory, a talent he turned into books and teaching methods on memory training, he was awarded Beta’s highest honor for professional achievement, the Oxford Cup, at the 169th General Convention in 2008.

A | Arizona Beta Named to Football Playoff Committee

University of Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan, Arizona ’91, was appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee for the 2025-26 season, replacing Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades after his departure. Harlan, who also served on the committee in 2023, represented the Big 12 Conference in deciding College Football Playoff rankings and selections.

B | UNLV Alum Spins the Wheel With Vanna and Seacrest

Former chapter executive officer and 2000 graduate of Beta’s John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle Greg Swiszcz, UNLV ’02 , (right) secured a spot on “Wheel of Fortune” this past November. Coming up a little short in the Bonus Round, which would have resulted in a new Toyota RAV4, Brother Swiszcz raked in more than $12,000 thanks to his efficient puzzle-solving skills. He brought his young son on stage at the conclusion of the show to meet Co-hosts Ryan Seacrest (left) and Vanna White.

C | Shad Khan’s Jaguars Go 13-4, Make NFL Playoffs

Becoming the official owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2012, Shad Khan, Illinois ’70, saw a return to the NFL’s postseason this year after a two-year hiatus. With star quarterback Trevor Lawrence (right) at the helm, the Jaguars secured their playoff spot with a key win over the Denver Broncos, finishing the season 13-4, the franchise’s best since 1999. Capturing the AFC South title and earning home game advantage in the Wild Card round as the No. 3 seed, the Jaguars suffered a heartbreaking 24-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

A Perfect Fit

Growing up as a BMX biker with self-described “skater style,” Victor Netland, Northeastern ’22, has built a growing reputation as a menswear stylist and social media influencer. Towering at 6’5” with GQ looks, and after early work at the Ralph Lauren Boston flagship store, he now creates menswear videos and style guides that spotlight classic American prep and sportswear. Learn more about Brother Netland’s style recommendations in Ralph Lauren’s September 2025 magazine interview at ralphlauren.com.

D | FIU Beta Wins Big in Shark Daymond’s “Pitch Night”

Past Chapter President Rob Vasquez, Florida International ’23, (centerright) won “Shark Tank” star Daymond John’s Big Pitch Night startup competition in Miami last October, taking top honors for his AI-powered nutrition company Sail Wellness.

Redefining wellness by linking purchasing behavior to disease prevention, Sail Wellness’ mission is to reduce the occurrence of cancers, neurological diseases and infertility by providing information and direction in consumer purchasing cycles.

Learn more about Brother Vasquez’s startup and technological invention at sailwellness.app

E | Conrades Namesake of New OWU Engineering School

Ohio Wesleyan University recently named its new engineering school in honor of George Conrades ’61, following his and his Beta Sweetheart’s $13 million endowment gift to support its creation. Conrades served as longtime CEO of Akamai Technologies and spent 30 years as a senior executive with IBM.

F | Another Beta Governor

Much like recently learning and reporting in last fall’s issue that Congressman Frank Mrvan, Ball State ’91, is a Beta and now serving his third term, it recently came to the Fraternity’s attention that former Mayor, Congressman and Delaware Governor John Carney, Dartmouth ’78, is also a Beta. This pushes Beta’s tally of U.S. governors to 56.

alumni news

G | Haines Runs for Office

Current Miami University Trustee and General Fraternity Archivist and Historian Zac Haines, Miami ’04, is running for Ohio’s State Senate. Learn more at hainesforohio.com

H | Cornhusker Appointed Exec

Last July, Greg Walklin, Nebraska ’06, was appointed executive director of the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

I | Agricultural Achievement

Renowned global agribusiness executive Dr. Bob Trogele, Wichita State ’78, was honored in December with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Agricultural Retailers Association.

J | Berkeley Beta Named CEO

Prior Petco CMO and leader of Walmart’s e-commerce entertainment arm, Darren MacDonald, UC Berkeley ’00, was recently named CEO of Tonal strength training company.

K | CMU Honors Kobel

Dave Kobel, Central Michigan ’15, was named to CMU’s “10 Within 10” program last fall for being a highachieving graduate of the past 10 years.

L | Truman State Star

Mike Heckman, Truman State ’99, was honored as one of three Alumni Fellows by his alma mater last fall, which included meeting with students and sharing professional insights.

alumni news

M | Leila’s Rose

Formed in 2021 at the South Dakota Beta house, Omaha indie band Leila’s Rose performed their brand new single, “What’s My Name?” on October 26 at the office of the Daily Nebraskan, headquarters for Nebraska’s student newspaper. Consisting of Easton Ritz ’23, Connor Drahota ’24, Micah Hansen ’24, Adam Kays ’25, and Kadin Williams ’25, the men named their band in honor of the Fraternity — for Leila McKee, the woman who suggested in 1889 that the rose become Beta’s official flower.

N | Hotel Titan Documentary

Bruce White, Purdue ’75, left West Lafayette upon graduation and built one of America’s largest privately held hospitality companies. Following his passing in 2023, his company, White Lodging, authored his biography and a documentary that records Bruce’s entrepreneurialism, including interviews with Beta brothers and footage from the Purdue Beta house to which he was enormously generous. Narrated by voice phenom Mike Rowe, watch the documentary on Amazon Prime and view the book at whitelodging.com.

O | Early ’00s Beta Staff Reunion

The Oregon Ducks hosted Minnesota on November 15, but also in town were six close, former Administrative Office staff members who served in Oxford between 2000-07. Traveling in from D.C., Phoenix, Portland and San Francisco to enjoy a weekend of phi kai phi, stories were embellished and new memories were made. Proof positive Beta brotherhood can go well beyond one’s chapter, snaps to (left to right) Patrick Carr, Oregon ’00; Brad Kiesling, Westminster ’01; David Rae, British Columbia ’00; Casey Gomes, Maryland ’02; Mike Kokkinen, Minnesota ’00; and Corey White, Southern Illinois ’04

Live, From New York!

His comedic aspirations emerged during high school, but Jeremy Culhane, TCU ’14, likely never imagined being tapped as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” That dream became reality on September 2, however, as he was named to the 51st season. A feat achieved by only four rookies since the show’s 1975 debut, he was featured in the cold open in last fall’s premier. A California native, Culhane was a founding father when Beta established its TCU chapter in the fall of 2011.

An Eye to the Future

Warby Parker Co-CEO Dave Gilboa Sees New Partnership With Google as an Eyewear Revolution

by Justin Warren, SMU ’10 designed by Sutton Jacobs, Wittenberg ’18

By the time Dave Gilboa, UC Berkeley ’03, began talking publicly about the “third act” of Warby Parker, the eyewear company he co-founded 15 years ago, the market had already made up its mind about him: The former chapter treasurer and public relations chairman was now one of the rare consumer-brand CEOs who’d managed to go public without losing the plot.

But that reading misses something essential about Gilboa, a softspoken engineer-turned-entrepreneur whose path from the Beta house to the C-suite of a public company reflects less a straight line than a series of calculated, often contrarian bets. And now, as Warby Parker partners with Google to build AI-powered glasses — a move that could redefine the company as much as the industry — Gilboa is making his biggest gamble yet.

The Pattern Others Missed

Gilboa didn’t set out to disrupt anything. He studied bioengineering at Berkeley, imagining a future in research or medicine. That training mattered: it taught him how to deconstruct systems, identify failure points and look for solutions hiding in plain sight. At Bain & Company and later Allen & Company, he added another tool — understanding how capital flows shape business behavior.

It’s an unusual mix, and perhaps that’s part of what makes Gilboa difficult to pin down. He’s not the “move fast and break things” type. He’s more methodical, asking questions that seem obvious only once he’s asked them.

Warby Parker itself began that way. Gilboa had lost his eyeglasses on a backpacking trip, and the $700 price tag to replace them struck him as bizarre. Why should a product made for tens of dollars retail for hundreds? Why was one company, EssilorLuxottica, effectively controlling the market? Why had no one challenged the model?

The insight wasn’t that the eyewear industry was overpriced; rather, it was that almost everyone knew and accepted it.

Leading With a Different Playbook

People who knew Gilboa in his college years describe him as the steady one, always measured and strategic. He was the guy who didn’t speak often but, when

he did, moved the room. It’s a pattern that has followed him into his professional life. He rarely makes sweeping public pronouncements, preferring the incremental reveal, the careful framing, the question behind the question.

Some might say that’s a reflection of a Beta’s devotion to the cultivation of the intellect. Not simply developing a thorough understanding of the numbers and trend lines, but group leadership, interpersonal dynamics, how to build trust quickly and maintain it slowly. The kind of soft skills companies declare they want but rarely cultivate.

At Warby Parker, those instincts became part of the firm’s cultural architecture: transparency, unusually high internal communication and a willingness to question best practices. When the company introduced its Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, which promises that for every pair of Warby Parker eyewear purchased, another is also distributed to someone in need, it wasn’t a marketing tactic. Rather, it was baked into the corporate DNA. Another message in alignment with the Fraternity’s was clear: growth and mutual aid are not competing ideas.

The Company as a Platform for Larger Ambitions

Gilboa is now co-founder, co-CEO and co-chair of the company’s board, as well as a board member of the Warby Parker Impact Foundation — titles that read less like résumé fodder and more like the structure of someone building a company for the long haul. His selection as a Henry Crown Fellow within the Aspen Global Leadership Network only reinforced his status as a rising corporate statesman.

Still, even admirers must concede that the public markets haven’t always rewarded purpose-led companies. The post-IPO years were choppy. Investors asked hard questions. Would Warby Parker remain a direct-to-consumer darling, or could it scale into something more durable?

Gilboa’s answer came in the form of a pivot, or more precisely, an expansion.

The Google Moment

In 2025, Warby Parker announced a partnership with Google to co-develop AI-powered intelligent eyewear, backed by a significant investment from the tech giant. It was the kind of deal that raised eyebrows across Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Google, after all, has had a famously complicated relationship with glasses. Warby Parker, meanwhile, had built its reputation on demystifying eyewear, not electrifying it.

But Gilboa framed it differently. Glasses, he argued, were the most natural on ramp to AI. They were already worn on the face, already part of identity. They offered a line-of-sight interface no phone could match.

Analysts noted that unlike earlier “smart glasses,” this effort was focused not on spectacle but on utility: navigation, translation, contextual assistance. These features strive to enhance instead of distract. A product that reflects Gilboa’s characteristic restraint.

Coined within the company as “Act III,” the initiative is being talked about as a move from retail innovation to technological leadership. It is a risk, certainly. But it is also consistent with Gilboa’s career-long pattern of betting on the future slightly before others see it.

The Long View

It is tempting, with companies like Warby Parker, to cast the founders as disruptors first and business leaders second. Gilboa resists that narrative. His worldview is more pragmatic, shaped by engineering,

Above: Dave (left) with Co-founder and Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal. Opposite Page: Dave rings the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 29, 2021, when Warby Parker opened public trading for the first time.

informed by capital markets and grounded, in part, by early lessons learned far from any boardroom.

The hallmarks of Beta’s Three Great Principles are ever-present in how he thinks about culture, loyalty and the responsibilities of leadership. Those ideas matter now more than ever. As AI begins rewriting the rules of consumer technology, the leaders who guide the next wave of innovation will need more than vision. They will need judgment.

And judgment, in Gilboa’s case, didn’t emerge from a single insight or a single product. It emerged from a lifetime of looking closely at systems and asking why they work the way they do. Warby Parker may be entering its third act, but under Dave Gilboa’s leadership it’s clear the show is far from over for this budget-chic eyeglass upstart.

What's in a Name?

Warby Parker takes its name from characters created by Jack Kerouac, a favorite novelist of the founders whose spirit of exploration and quiet rebellion fit a company built to challenge the status quo.

Book Summary

NOTES ON BEING A MAN

Path Forward for Men and Parents of Boys

S ynthesized by ChatGPT (Open AI) Adapted/Edited by Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96 Designed by Sarah Shepherd

Scott Galloway’s new book, “Notes on Being a Man,” is a brutally honest, practical guide for any Beta who may feel lost, unmotivated, lonely or unsure of his role in the modern world.

Rather than romanticizing masculinity, however, the zeta beta tau fraternity alumnus defines manhood as responsibility, service, discipline and reliability. And his central claim is simple:

Men don’t need more pleasure; they need more purpose.

Manhood Is About Reliability

In his 10-chapter new book, “Notes on Being a Man,” Scott Galloway, Zeta Beta Tau, begins with a blunt redefinition of masculinity. He argues masculinity is not something you announce or perform — it is something you demonstrate.

In essence, to be a man is to be dependable. It means people can count on you. As he puts it, a man is someone who shows up. Not when it’s easy. Not when it’s convenient. Always.

Galloway rejects the idea that masculinity is about dominance, swagger or control. Instead, he frames it as reliability. If your family, coworkers or friends can rely on you, you are living as a man. He warns many men today, however, delay adulthood by avoiding responsibility, often blaming parents, women, systems, the economy or politics for their struggles.

But he insists no one is coming to save you. You are not entitled to a good life. You are charged to build one.

This Beta value — personal responsibility as the foundation of meaning — runs through the entire book.

Discipline Is Freedom

From there, Galloway moves to one of his most repeated themes: Discipline is not punishment, it is freedom.

Without discipline, he argues, men drift. They sleep late, scroll endlessly, avoid difficulty and numb themselves with food, porn, alcohol, games or social media. He warns that comfort is the most dangerous addiction because it slowly shrinks your life.

Structure, on the other hand, creates peace. Routine is not restrictive in an oppressive way — it is stabilizing. Exercise, sleep, work, learning and real social connection form the scaffolding of a good life. Men without structure often selfdestruct, mistaking chaos for freedom until it ruins them.

SCOTT GALLOWAY

is a serial entrepreneur and professor of marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business. He was named one of the world’s best business professors by Poets&Quants and has founded nine companies, including Prophet, RedEnvelope, L2 and Section.

He is the New York Times bestselling author of “The Four,” “The Algebra of Happiness,” “Post Corona,” “Adrift” and “The Algebra of Wealth.” Scott has also served on the boards of directors of the New York Times Company, Urban Outfitters, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Panera Bread and Ledger. He has won multiple Webby and podcast awards, and his books have been translated into 28 languages.

Scott is married and, with his wife, raises his two sons pointedly: flying economy and their working low-wage jobs.

Work Is the Best Antidepressant

Work, for Galloway, is another essential pillar of male well-being. He believes men need something to build, protect or improve. Work is the best antidepressant, he suggests, not because it guarantees happiness, but because it gives structure, dignity and identity.

A man’s job does not need to be his passion, he contends, but it does need to be meaningful enough to demand effort and growth. Men who lack purpose often chase pleasure, and pleasure, he warns, never satisfies for long. Men don’t need more fun. They need more direction.

Work teaches patience, frustration tolerance, humility and resilience — traits that no motivational quote can replace.

Money Buys Options

Galloway is equally direct about money. He does not romanticize struggle or poverty. Financial instability, he argues, creates anxiety, shame and dependence. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does buy options. It removes fear.

He encourages men to prioritize stability before image. Social media, he warns, distorts reality and convinces men they are failing when they are not. Ultimately, comparison becomes the thief of joy. Instead of chasing shortcuts or validation, he urges steady, consistent progress.

Status Is A Hungry Ghost

One of Galloway’s sharpest critiques is aimed at status. He defines status as applause, power, admiration and visibility, and he warns that it is a trap. Status is a hungry ghost, and it is never full. There will always be someone richer, fitter, younger or more admired. Chasing status leaves men anxious, bitter and insecure.

What actually lasts, he argues, is competence, service and reliability.

Loneliness Is Lethal

The book becomes especially emotional when Galloway addresses loneliness. He calls it a silent crisis among men. Yes, loneliness is lethal, as men are more likely to isolate, suppress emotion, avoid vulnerability and die by suicide.

He warns that independence, taken too far, becomes isolation. Many men, he contends, do not have a single person they can call when everything falls apart. A radical statement for many is simple: Strong men ask for help.

He follows this with a reflection on friendship. Male friendships, he explains, don’t usually end in dramatic fashion, they fade from neglect. Men often prioritize careers over relationships and then wonder why they feel empty.

Galloway urges men to initiate, check in, apologize, show interest and be emotionally present. Friendship, like everything else in life, requires maintenance.

Love Is A Verb

When Galloway turns to love, he challenges the Hollywood version of romance. It is not a feeling — it is behavior. Love is a verb. It means showing up, being patient, listening, staying and choosing someone every day.

Unfortunately, many men chase novelty instead of depth. He reminds readers that boredom is often just peace in disguise. Long-term relationships are not built through fireworks, but through consistency.

Self-Absorption Is A Dead End

One of the book’s strongest claims is that men find meaning through service. Galloway cautions that selfabsorption is a dead end. Men become happier when they are useful — to their families, friends, communities and coworkers. Many feel hollow, however, because they focus too much on themselves. In essence, you don’t find yourself. You build yourself. Masculinity, in this framing, is not about dominance. It is about contribution.

Stability Is Sexy

Pushing back on recent trends, he reframes traditional masculine roles not as outdated, but as misunderstood.

• To protect does not mean to control — it means to provide emotional and physical safety.

• To provide does not only mean money — it means stability.

• To create stability, one builds skills, systems and people.

Stability is sexy, he explains. Not chaos. Not drama. Stability.

Rethink Aging

Galloway also challenges men to rethink aging. It is not a failure. It’s a privilege. With age comes perspective, emotional regulation and wisdom — if men are willing to learn.

He urges investing in long-term health, not chasing short-term pleasure.

is the thief of joy.

You are not entitled to a good life. You are obligated to build one.

Focus on Becoming Useful

Throughout the book, Galloway draws a clear line between character and image, as reputation is what people say, while character is what you do.

He urges men to focus on becoming useful rather than impressive. Building an image is hollow. Building a life is not.

Lighten Others’ Loads

One of his most profound ideas is that a man’s role is to reduce suffering — his own and others’. In essence, a good life is a life that makes other lives easier. Meaning emerges when you become someone who lightens the load.

Masculinity Is Not An Identity

In the final pages, Galloway delivers his closing message: Masculinity is not an identity — it is a practice. Ultimately, you don’t become a man. You behave like one. Daily.

“Notes on Being a Man” is certainly not flashy or soft. It is grounded, honest and demanding. Scott Galloway argues masculinity is not about power, ego, pleasure, status or avoiding pain. It is about responsibility, service, discipline, stability and purpose.

As is also learned in Beta Theta Pi, meaning does not arrive. It is built. 

BOOK BACKGROUND

Boys and men are in crisis. Rarely has a cohort fallen further and faster than young men living in Western democracies.

Boys are less likely to graduate from high school or college than girls. One in seven men reports having no friends, and men account for three of every four deaths of despair in America. Even worse, the lack of attention to these problems has created a vacuum filled by voices espousing misogyny, the demonization of others and a toxic vision of masculinity.

But this is not just a male issue: Women and children can’t flourish if men aren’t doing well. And as we know from spates of violence, there is nothing more dangerous than a lonely, broke young man.

Scott Galloway has been sounding the alarm on this issue for years. In “Notes on Being a Man,” Galloway explores what it means to be a man in modern America. He promotes the importance of healthy masculinity and mental strength. He shares his own story from boyhood to manhood, exploring his parents’ difficult divorce, his issues with anger and depression, his attempts to earn money and his life raising two boys. He shares the sometimes funny, often painful lessons he learned along the way.

With unflinching honesty, Scott Galloway maps out an enriching, inspiring operator’s manual for being a man today.

Beta has long been known for its deep bench of volunteers who tirelessly serve the Fraternity they love. It's a hallmark characteristic of one of North America's greatest college fraternities.

Yet, the need to enlist talented individuals to coach Beta collegians is constant.

As of February 15, some 98 chapters have at least one core advisor opening, totaling 214 volunteer vacancies.

Visit beta.org/volunteer to view the full list of vacancies and discover more ways to get involved.

Arizona

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Auburn

Member Education Advisor

Baylor

Risk Management Advisor

Boise State

Member Education Advisor

British Columbia Recruitment Advisor

Butler Recruitment Advisor

Chico State

Chapter Counselor

Financial Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Carleton Recruitment Advisor

Central Michigan

Risk Management Advisor

Cincinnati

Financial Advisor

Clemson

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Colorado

Financial Advisor

Colorado Mines

Financial Advisor

Connecticut

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Cornell

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Creighton

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Denison

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Denver

Risk Management Advisor

DePauw

Financial Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Embry-Riddle

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Emory

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Florida

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Florida State

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

George Mason

Recruitment Advisor

George Washington

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Georgia

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Hanover

Risk Management Advisor

High Point

Financial Advisor

Iowa State

Member Education Advisor

James Madison

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Johns Hopkins

Member Education Advisor

Kansas State

Financial Advisor

Kenyon

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Louisville

Risk Management Advisor

Loyola Marymount

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

LSU

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Maine Recruitment Advisor

Miami

Member Education Advisor

Miami (Fla.)

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Michigan State

Member Education Advisor

Mississippi State

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Missouri

Chapter Counselor

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

New Hampshire

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

North Carolina

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

North Dakota

Financial Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Northeastern

Financial Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Ohio

Financial Advisor

Ohio State Recruitment Advisor

Oklahoma State

Risk Management Advisor

Pacific

Financial Advisor

Pennsylvania

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Pittsburgh Chapter Counselor

Purdue

Risk Management Advisor

Saint Louis

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Samford Recruitment Advisor

San Jose State

Member Education Advisor Recruitment Advisor

South Carolina

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

South Dakota

Recruitment Advisor

Southern California

Risk Management Advisor

St. Lawrence

Financial Advisor

TCU

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Temple

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Texas Tech

Recruitment Advisor

Toronto

Member Education Advisor

Tulane

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

UC Berkeley

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

UCLA

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

Utah

Risk Management Advisor

Villanova

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Virginia Financial Advisor

Virginia Tech

Recruitment Advisor

Washington & Jefferson

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Washington in St. Louis

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

West Virginia

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

Wichita State Recruitment Advisor

Wittenberg

Financial Advisor

Member Education Advisor

Risk Management Advisor

WPI

Financial Advisor

Recruitment Advisor

"I cannot emphasize enough how blessed I consider myself because of the personal growth and development I've experienced through reengaging with the Fraternity after I graduated. The relationships I've built with brothers, staff and Friends of Beta, literally from coast to coast, give me one of the most diverse and valuable families of choice anyone could ever imagine. "

— Fraternity Trustee

Nick Gilson, Utah ’03

cut and polishedrefining men of principle

Pack Like a Pro

You’ve booked the flight. You’ve RSVPed “yes.” Now comes the real challenge: Getting your suit to the wedding without it looking like it lost a bar fight. In this edition of Cut and Polished, learn how to fold every piece of a suit so it lands wrinkle-free and photo-ready.

DRESS SHIRT

1. Button all buttons and flip the shirt so it’s face down, then criss-cross the sleeves so the sides are straight from top to bottom.

2. Bring the sleeve bottoms up so the cuffs meet the collar.

3. Fold the sides across the middle in thirds.

4. Repeat from bottom to top, again in thirds. Drop it in the suitcase. Next!

1. Pop the shoulders inside out, then fold the jacket in half so the lapels touch.

2. Fold again in thirds so the top and bottom meet in the middle. But don’t pack it away just yet!

TROUSERS

1. Lay flat, button and belt loops out, with one pant leg neatly atop the other. Tuck in the crotch so the pants are straight on all sides.

2. Place your folded jacket smack dab in the center.

3. Folding in thirds, bring your trouser legs over the top of the jacket packet. Repeat with the waist. Then, bag the bundle. You're all done!

THE FINISHING TOUCH

Done right, your suit should arrive mostly ready to wear. Lingering wrinkles? Hang it in the bathroom while taking a hot shower, and let the steam work its magic.

THE EXECUTIVE COLLECTION FOR MEN OF PRINCIPLE

Shop these styles and more from the Executive Collection — available now at The Beta Store! Take 15% off with code BETA15. Follow @betathetapi_store on Instagram for monthly apparel drops!

store.beta.org

THE ONES THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY

industry giants Who “went Beta,” Bringing Remarkable Credit to the Fraternity Experience

BY MARTIN COBB, EASTERN KENTUCKY ’96

DESIGNED BY MIKE ROUPAS, IOWA ’10

in the fall 2025 issue, the Fraternity’s editorial staff stepped outside its practice of covering mostly Beta-specific storylines and explored the litany of men who, despite joining other fraternities, became icons of industry. Men like U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the first man on the moon, Astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Prior to publishing that issue, however, the team was already questioning, “If similar selection criteria were applied to Beta Theta Pi, who would make the cut? What industry giants ‘went Beta’ and, like our peers, also bring remarkable credit to the fraternity experience?”

Beta certainly has its fair share, too. Welcome to “The Ones That Didn’t Get Away.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Ones That DIDN’t GET AWAY

At least seven Oscars, 10 Tonys, 15 Grammys, 81 Emmys, two Peabodys and 12 Pulitzers have been won by Betas through the years. But it’s only upon digging into the personalities and work behind those accomplishments that one truly begins to understand how profound an impact Beta Theta Pi has had on the arts.

From well-known actors, authors and composers to political cartoonists, poets and painters, it’s not surprising “The Singing Fraternity” has long valued stirring the soul in life outside the boardroom or field of competition.

Sondheim won eight Tonys, eight Grammys, an Oscar, five Oliviers, a Pulitzer Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Burt Kwouk Bowdoin ’53

Cato in “Pink Panther”

Adam West Whitman ’51 “Batman”

Phil Brown Stanford ’37

Uncle Owen in “Star Wars”

Jay (Ding) Darling Beloit 1899

2x Pulitzer Prize-Winning Political Cartoonist

Kevin Heffernan, Colgate ’91, Paul Soter (non-Beta), Erik Stolhanske ’91, Steve Lemme ’91, and Jay Chandrasekhar ’90 “Super Troopers”

James Arness Beloit ’46

Marshall Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke”

Paul Worley Vanderbilt ’72

“You only live once. And you can’t live it for anyone else. You’ve got to follow your own path.”

— Batman, Adam West, Whitman ’50

Grammy-Winning Country Music Producer

Brian White Dartmouth ’95

Emmy-Nominated Actor, TV and Film

Robert Reed Northwestern ’54

Mike Brady in “The Brady Bunch”

Ken Kesey Oregon ’57

Novelist, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

and more

Stephen Sondheim Williams ’50 Composer and Lyricist

Leigh Harline, Utah 1929

Oscar-Winning Composer, including Disney’s “When You Wish Upon a Star”

World-Renowned Painter George Bellows, Ohio State 1905 • Acclaimed National Geographic Photographer Barry Bishop, Cincinnati ’54 • “The House by the Side of the Road” Poet Sam Foss, Brown 1882 • M*A*S*H Author Richard Hooker, Bowdoin ’45 • “Gone With the Wind” Screenplay Writer Sidney Howard, UC Berkeley 1912 • Al in “Home Improvement” Richard Karn, Washington ’78 • “A River Runs Through It” Author Norman MacLean, Dartmouth 1924 • No. 1 Hits Country Songwriter Rivers Rutherford, Mississippi ’89 • Hannibal in “The A-Team” George Peppard, Purdue ’52

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

The Ones That DIDN’t GET AWAY

by the late 1800s Beta was coined the “Pioneering Fraternity” because of its lengthy list of “Beta Firsts,” coupled with the highmindedness of both its General Fraternity and local leaders that pushed the Fraternity beyond self-imposed limitations sometimes accepted by its peers.

That type of critical thinking, determination and entrepreneurial spirit took hold and inculcated within Beta Theta Pi a culture that has produced men who would create or lead some of the biggest brands on the face of the earth.

$1T

billion in annual revenue, it is the world’s

Steve Bechtel Jr. Colorado/Purdue ’47 CEO, Bechtel Construction

John Warnock Utah ’62

Co-Founder, Adobe Systems Inc.

Owen Young St. Lawrence 1894 CEO, General Electric; 1929 TIME Man of the Year

“Living in the Beta house taught me a lot about getting along with people. Betas were always very special to me — they helped me gain confidence, provided encouragement and recognized me as an individual. Their friendship has been constant and their values have carried forward — friendship, fidelity and cultivation of the intellect.”

— Walmart Founder Sam Walton, Missouri ’40

Carney Wichita State ’53

Co-Founder, Pizza Hut

and more

Lyle Ghirardelli Stanford 1903 President, Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.

Shrontz Idaho ’53 CEO, Boeing

North Carolina ’57 CEO, Bank of America

HEROES

The Ones That DIDN’t GET AWAY

it’s not a stretch to suggest Beta Theta Pi may possess among its membership one of the greatest rosters of men interfraternally who have fought to better the human experience.

From defending freedom, advancing civil rights and race relations, exposing corruption and caring for the poor, to educating the masses, exploring space, protecting the environment, inventing lifesaving medical procedures and founding charities to support the needy, Betas have long taken seriously the principle of “mutual aid and assistance in the honorable labors and aspirations of life.”

60M

Jimmy Yen, Yale 1918, pioneered the mass education movement in China, leading to the literacy of 60 million impoverished rural citizens.

Mark Felt Idaho ’35

“Deep Throat,” Exposing Federal Corruption in Watergate Scandal

Earle Dickson Yale 1913 Inventor, Band-Aid

Jonathan Letterman Washington & Jefferson 1845 “Father of Battlefield Medicine”

Doug Jones Alabama ’76

U.S. Prosecutor of Four KKK Members From 1963 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

Ernest Coulter Ohio State 1893

Founder, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

John Marshall Harlan Centre 1850

“The Great Dissenter,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Lone 1880-90s Votes Rejecting Segregation

Dr. Hugh Stephenson

Missouri ’43

Early Developer, Mobile Cardiac Resuscitation Unit

Paul Weitz Penn State ’54

First of Four Beta Astronauts

and more

“When the battle of life, my brother Betas, is about to close for us, may we have the consciousness that in so far as we have led our fellow men, we have led them straight toward that which is right and pure and just.”

— U.S. Supreme Court Justice

John Marshall Harlan, Centre 1850

Mike Malone

Toronto 1918

World War I Hero Killed in Action: “Never mind me; carry on.”

Yu-Chuen (Jimmy) Yen

Yale 1918 Humanitarian

K.D. Flock Idaho 1926 “Father of Smokey Bear”

Beta Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi Kenyon College

Initiated Bill Lowry ’56, Among the First Black Members of Any NIC Fraternity

9/11 FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh, Oklahoma State ’74

Dale Mortensen Willamette ’61

One of Three Beta Nobel Prize Laureates

• Saved Paris From Germany Capture in WWI Gen. Omar Bundy, DePauw 1881 • Watergate Conspirator Turned Prison Ministries Founder Chuck Colson, Brown ’53 • Hegeman-Harris Co. President, Builder of D.C. “Tomb of the Unknowns” John Hegeman, Stevens 1905 • “Father of the Modern Documentary” Pare Lorentz, West Virginia 1926

• Astronaut, NASA Chief and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Florida/Yale ’65 • U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry, Carnegie Mellon ’49

PUBLIC SERVICE

The Ones That DIDN’t GET AWAY

given beta’s age, it’s not surprising it would boast brothers who rose to the upper echelons of political leadership. As current data suggests, Beta touts a U.S. vice president, eight Supreme Court justices, two speakers of the House, 200-plus congressmen, 56 governors, 32 ambassadors and a Canadian prime minister, Supreme Court justice and two premiers.

But it’s only upon digging into what so many of them did while in office that one can fully appreciate how deeply they practiced “To whom much is given, of him much is expected.”

Appointed by FDR, William O. Douglas, Whitman 1920, remains the longest serving U.S. Supreme Court Justice at 36 years and 209 days.

Lugar Denison ’54

U.S. Senator, Indiana

Schuyler Colfax DePauw 1855

U.S. Vice President; Speaker of the House

Mabus Mississippi ’69

U.S. Navy Secretary; Mississippi Governor; Amb. to Saudi Arabia

Turner British Columbia ’49 Prime Minister, Canada

J.J. Robinette Toronto 1926

“Canada’s Premier Legal Authority”

William O. Douglas Whitman 1920 One of Eight U.S. Supreme Court Justices

— Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Aimaro Sato, DePauw 1881

Aimaro Sato DePauw 1881

Japanese Ambassador to the U.S.

Kevin Stitt Oklahoma State ’95 Governor, Oklahoma

Joe Byrns Vanderbilt 1891

U.S. Speaker of the House

and more

Ami Bera UC Irvine ’87

Longest Serving Indian-American, U.S. House of Representatives

John Rhodes Kansas State ’37

Minority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives

Dick Gephardt Northwestern ’62

Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives

• U.S. House of Rep. Majority Leader Hale Boggs, Tulane ’35 • British Columbia Premier, Vancouver Mayor

, British Columbia ’66 • N.C. Governor Jim Martin, Davidson ’57 • 5x U.S. President Advisor and “Architect of the Post-War Order” John McCloy, Amherst 1916 • Ambassador to the United Nations, Mexico and Netherlands Saul Rae, Toronto ’36

• U.S.

Secretary John

,

and

’49 • U.S. Presidential

1916 “Banishing all worldly cares, forgetting our ages, politics, creeds, nationalities, varied or conflicting interests, and laying aside even diplomacy, we come here to have a good time together simply as brothers in the bonds of Beta Theta Pi.”

SPORTS

The Ones That DIDN’t GET AWAY

one’s athletic commitment becomes evident in no better manner than on the field of competition. Fitness, practice regimen and execution say it all in terms of determination, discipline and the ability to overcome adversities as they arise.

That’s probably why Beta Theta Pi is represented so prominently in the world of sports. From players, coaches and 34 Olympic gold medalists to team owners, media producers and sportscasters, Betas haven’t shied away from stepping into the arena and giving it all they’ve got. 

UCLA basketball Head Coach John Wooden, Purdue ’32, won 10 championships in 12 years — seven consecutive — including four perfect seasons.

John Wooden Purdue ’32

UCLA Head Coach, 2x Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Jerry Lucas Ohio State ’62 NBA Champion, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Murray Rose Southern California ’62 4x Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming

Mike Schmidt Ohio ’71 World Series Champion and MVP, Baseball Hall of Fame

Bill Bowerman Oregon ’33

Co-Founder, Nike; Track and Field Hall of Fame

Noah Ohlsen Miami (Fla.) ’13

Elite CrossFit Pro, “2nd Fittest Man on Earth”

Fahnhorst Minnesota ’74 2x Super Bowl Champion, San Francisco 49ers

Shad Khan Illinois ’71 Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars

“I’m glad to be a Beta because the many friendships I’ve made have lasted through the years.”

— UCLA Basketball Coaching Legend John Wooden, Purdue ’32

Don Bowden

UC Berkeley ’58 First American to Break 4-Minute Mile

Geoff Mason Duke ’63

25x Emmy-Winning Sports Producer

Bill Veeck Kenyon ’36

3x MLB Owner, Signed Larry Doby, First Black Player in American League

and more

Rob Weller (Left) Washington ’72

Inventor, “The Wave”

Stan Smith Southern California ’69 U.S. Open and Wimbledon Champion

Neil Everett Oregon ’84 ESPN Sportscaster

Foster Hewitt Toronto 1925 40-Yr Host, “Hockey Night in Canada;” Originator, “He shoots. He scores!”

Eddie Eagan Denver 1920

2x Olympic Gold Medalist, Boxing and Bobsledding

•

Dow Finsterwald Ohio ’52 PGA Champion

campus

life student highlights

Illinois Receives VIP Visit From Jacksonville Jaguars’ Khan

On a sunny afternoon in Champaign, the Sigma Rho chapter hall abuzz. It was the kind of energy that comes when a brother who has walked the path before you returns home. Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Shad Khan ’71, whose remarkable journey from the University of Illinois to global business leadership has inspired so many, sat surrounded by brothers ready to hear his story.

With lots of help from loyal alumni, dedicated volunteers and a safe, sustainable chapter house, Sigma Rho saw a 33% year-overyear increase in new members last fall.

“It’s not every day you get to meet a billionaire,” former Chapter President Carson Katzmann ’28, said. Despite what was scheduled as a 20-minute visit, Khan willingly stayed for more than an hour, answering questions and offering heartfelt advice. “The coolest part,” Katzmann continued, “was hearing him say how being a Beta helped so much in what he’s done.”

After the meeting, Illinois collegians and alumni posed for photos in front of the new chapter house. The home, a revolutionary concept covered by The Beta Theta Pi in 2024, is just one example of the chapter’s renaissance since reestablishment in 2021. Sigma Rho’s success was recognized at the 186th General Convention last August when delegates voted to return the chapter charter.

A | Crossing the Pond

A group of Centre Betas and the chapter’s Sweetheart spent their January term studying abroad in London, diving into a course called Detecting London, which explored the city’s history, identity and hidden stories. Even better, the class was taught by an Epsilon Beta alumnus, Dr. John Kinkade ’95. Flaunting their Beta Spirit in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral and an iconic double decker bus, there’s no doubt this bunch of Epsilon faithfuls made the most of their time across the pond.

B | Honour and Respect

Each year on November 11, Canadians observe Remembrance Day, commemorating the 1918 armistice that ended WWI and honoring all the nation’s veterans and fallen heroes. Betas at Toronto solemnly marked the occasion by laying a wreath on campus outside of Soldiers’ Tower where a nearby stained-glass window donated by Owen Williams ’50, brings light to the bravery and sacrifice of the seamen — including Beta brothers — of the Royal Canadian Navy.

collegiate commissioners

New Voices at the Table

Recently announced by General Secretary John Stebbins, Emory ’92, a new cohort of collegiate commissioners has been selected to provide the student perspective to members of the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors and General Fraternity House Corporation. They hit the ground running this winter, participating in the joint board meetings February 6-7 in Fort Myers, Florida. Learn more about this year's collegiate commissioners at beta.org/2026-cc Board of Trustees

C | Dominik “Dom” Dempsey, Wisconsin-Oshkosh ’27

D | Joseph Kosak, Furman ’26

E | Brenden Mercado, Utah ’26

Foundation Board of Directors

F | Henry Jonas, Appalachian State ’25

G | Curtis McEwen, Toronto ’27

General Fraternity House Corp.

H | Jack Eastone, Kentucky ’27

I | Tyler “T.J.” Hockett, Florida State ’25

J | One for the Record Books

The Gamma Phi Chapter at Oklahoma recruited over 80 men last fall, and in February 76 of them became initiated brothers. This marks the largest initiated class in the chapter’s history, and the cherry on top is the men also distinguished themselves academically with an all-time high 3.59 class GPA. That level of success in the classroom wasn't just by accident; it was modeled by the upperclassmen who scored a 3.48 chapter-wide term GPA, which is also a record achievement.

K | Checks for Charity

Betas at Missouri hit the ice for the fifth annual BeStrong29 Puck Challenge: Face-Off Against SCI, bringing together brothers, friends and supporters for a day of competition with purpose. The event raised over $12,000 to support individuals living with spinal cord injuries, which amounts to real money making a real difference.

L | Chasing Summer

A crew of brothers from the Zeta Omega Chapter at San Diego headed even farther south for winter break — all the way to New Zealand. While so many others in North America braced for the cold, these guys doubled down on sunshine, swapping one warm coast for another. It probably wasn't cheap, but it's an elite strategy for keeping the winter (thousands of) miles away.

ifc awards

Banner Year for IFC Leaders

The North American Interfraternity Conference's IFC Awards Program celebrates and recognizes outstanding interfraternity council communities, student leaders and campus partners that positively impact and advance the fraternal experience.

For council-wide awards, listed winners are those where a Beta brother was elected to serve on the body's executive board.

Outstanding IFC President

M | Charlie Fox, Creighton ’26

N | Cooper Hillman, Kansas State ’26

O | Gabe Phillips, Ohio State ’26

Outstanding IFC

• Creighton

• Kansas State

• Washington State

Outstanding Community Impact

• Creighton

• Kansas State

• Virginia Tech

• Washington State

Outstanding Peer Governance

• Boise State

• Creighton

Is a member of your chapter currently serving as IFC president? Message @betathetapi on social media and let us know!

Art With HeART

In its ongoing partnership with Cook Children’s Hospital, TCU dedicated a portion of its Family Weekend to its annual Giving HeART charity auction — a chapter-favorite tradition showcasing artwork created by young patients. This year’s event pulled in an incredible $26,011, all benefiting the hospital.

STRATEGIC ARCHITECT

THE PASSING OF E.B. WILSON, ST. LAWRENCE ’53

By

ith considerable regret, in December the Fraternity announced the passing of E.B. Wilson, St. Lawrence ’53, major influencer of Beta’s hallmark Men of Principle initiative. Passing on November 15 with his beloved Beta Sweetheart, Betsy, by his side, he was 94.

Born in Albany, New York, E.B. was an Eagle Scout and earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, home to Beta’s storied Beta Zeta Chapter. Earning his MBA from Harvard and serving two years in the U.S. Army, he married Betsy in 1956, resulting in a 69-year love affair.

Brother Wilson was a noted strategist, highly sought in the business world for his keen intellect and disciplined leadership. Those skills helped him rise through the executive ranks internationally for both Kimberly-Clark and Pillsbury, eventually becoming CEO of Almay Cosmetics where he oversaw development of the science known as “hypoallergenic.”

For his success in the corporate world, in 2004 the Fraternity honored E.B. with the Oxford Cup, Beta’s highest honor for professional achievement.

In retirement, E.B. devoted himself to higher education and governance. For 17 years he developed a national reputation as an authority on university and nonprofit boards, forging a twodecade-long relationship with the Association of Governing Boards. He authored numerous publications on effective trusteeship and served as chair of the board and several committees at St. Lawrence, which later awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his impact.

“E.B.’s leadership as the St. Lawrence board chair transformed that body into a model of best practices,” said St. Lawrence President Emeritus and recent Beta Trustee Bill Fox ’75.

E.B. was a master facilitator — an architect of deep conversations. His ability to hold a room of disparate perspectives and chart a path forward was a true act of thoughtful leadership.”

MenofPrincipleStaffDirectorandFormerTrustee ScottAllen,Minnesota’95

In August 1996, E.B. wrote a letter (see pages 46-47) to then-Editor Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53, challenging the nature of a new Beta program he read about in the fall 1996 issue of the Fraternity’s magazine. Believing the tactics were well intended but misaligned in how best to tackle the cultural issues plaguing the Fraternity, E.B. was invited by Administrative Secretary Bob Cottrell, Miami ’54, and General Secretary Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60, to consult the Fraternity’s rank and file on a better path forward.

A yearlong strategic planning process led heavily by E.B. resulted in a framework for what would become known as one of the interfraternity world’s most successful cultural change agents: the award-winning Men of Principle initiative. Beta scholars — young and old alike — have long been unified in the belief that it has been the most significant and pervasive effort ever undertaken by the Fraternity, second only to the founding itself.

“I have many fond memories of E.B. as he helped guide us into a new era that would shape the Fraternity for decades to come,” said former Regional and District Chief and current General Secretary John Stebbins, Emory ’92.

Upon learning of his passing, early Men of Principle staff director and former Trustee Scott Allen, Minnesota ’95, also reflected: “EB was a master facilitator — an architect of deep conversations.

His ability to hold a room of disparate perspectives and chart a path forward was a true act of thoughtful leadership.”

Service was a lifelong calling for E.B., as he held leadership roles with the Boston Conservatory, the Executive Service Corps of New England, the Chatham Historical Society, Eastward Ho! Country Club, San Francisco Ballet and the Central Park Conservancy. In his final decades, he found spiritual grounding in St. Christopher’s Church in Chatham.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, E.B. cultivated an extraordinary range of personal passions. He was a voracious reader of history and biography, a devoted follower of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, an enthusiastic fan of the Red Sox and Patriots, and a joyful cook who loved entertaining a crowd. He embraced the maddening challenge of golf, served on many corporate boards and remained a dedicated runner. Later in life, he embraced new creative pursuits, including the study of oil painting and the competitive intrigue of bridge.

For his lifelong commitment to challenging the status quo and his highmindedness when it came to Beta Theta Pi, in particular, E.B. Wilson will be sorely missed — and long remembered in the annals of Beta lore. 

The Challenge That Sparked a Revolution

On the heels of Administrative Secretary Bob Cottrell, Miami ’54, leading the Fraternity’s chapter management consultants in a summerlong, early morning weekly book review focused on Kouzes and Posner’s bestselling “The Leadership Challenge” –which garnered strong feedback that the values the consultants were studying ran in stark contrast to the behaviors they were observing when visiting Beta chapters across North America – a pointed letter from E.B. Wilson, St. Lawrence ’53, arrived at the Administrative Office also challenging the Fraternity’s focus and direction.

Striking a chord with Editor Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53, he shared the letter with Cottrell and General Secretary Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60.

AUGUST 9, 1996 LETTER TO THE EDITOR

E.B. Wilson’s Original Correspondence to Editor Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53

Dear Mr. Johnson:

I write to express great concern about the editorial material appearing on page 6 of the Fall 1996 issue of The Beta Theta Pi. Specifically I refer to the “Professional Development Program” outlined in the middle column and to “The BETA Leadership Personality Profile” contained in the side bar.

I should first offer my credentials. I am a 1953 graduate of St. Lawrence University and a member of Beta Zeta. I have been a trustee of the university for 12 years and am currently serving as the Chairman of the Board. I have been an active participant in the governance process of St. Lawrence and a student of and interested observer of what one would broadly define as the institution of higher education in the United States.

I have witnessed a steady, general decline of campus influence and perceived value of the Greek system not only at St. Lawrence but on campus after campus across the United States. There are highly qualified students who will not attend a college or university because there is a negative perception that the Greek system dominates student life on campus. Students elect not to join Greek societies because they place personal academic achievement ahead of social experience. Right or wrong, their apprehension is that as a Greek their academics will be degraded and they find repulsive much of the Greek social behavior they witness.

“The Letter” that was instrumental in giving life to the Men of Principle initiative is now memorialized and shared in full.

I have defended the Greek system on numerous occasions in large part because my own experience as a Beta was one of lifelong enrichment. I have been and still am pro Greek not anti Greek. But it is becoming increasingly difficult for me and my fellow trustees across the country to defend the Greek system. Many of the reasons for this conflict are contained in the material found in the most recent issue of The Beta Theta Pi referred to above.

The problem is not with what is articulated for these programs and principles, one can easily accept them at face value. The critical concern is with what is left out or left to unarticulated inference. There are no explicit references

to “responsibility” or “accountability.”

The vocabulary of “academic excellence” or “civilized social behavior” cannot be found. These are qualities of leadership and elements of professional development which, if nurtured, will endure for a lifetime. I am saddened to report that they are lacking in significant measure within today’s Greek system. I concur with the quote from Kirk Little “that the Beta experience should be more than simply group living and academics.” However, the Fraternity must build on those most basic of overarching appeals and commit to academic and social leadership and the connection of those principles to the opportunity for personal growth defined in the article.

I strongly believe that if you ignore the fundamentals of academic performance and the broadest possible implications of membership in a responsible campus social community that the leadership of Greek societies will themselves have sown the seeds for further decay and eventual expulsion.

I would strongly urge that Beta Theta Pi take a position of fraternal leadership with the publicly stated objective of reforming the Greek presence in the academic community. Reform should pursue at least five initial goals:

(1) define in contemporary language the base case for membership in a Greek society;

(2) make academic performance an explicit commitment, find ways to demonstrate that membership in a Greek society enhances academic achievement;

(3) establish and self-enforce a code of conduct which makes Greek societies the paradigm of responsible social behavior;

(4) build a program that encourages broad based opportunity for leadership training, within the fraternity and in service to the community at large;

(5) connect these attributes of Greek membership to the outcomes of professional careers and life long participation in a global society as an engaged citizen.

Others would do a better job than I have of thinking through a comprehensive statement of reform objectives, but the five points represent, I believe, core understandings that can lead to a revitalization and reformation of the Greek system as a responsible and desirable member of the academic community.

If you find these thoughts to be of some general interest, I ask that you pass them on to the national officers of Beta. Finally, I leave you with one last observation: If the Greek system loses the historical broad based support of trustees, most of whom are initially predisposed to defend Greek societies because they themselves were Greek as undergraduates, then you will have lost a crucial constituency. In the end, in most if not all systems of university governance, it is the trustees who will cast the final ballot.

___kai___,

E.B. Wilson

Upon Reflection

On Men of Principle’s 10year implementation anniversary, E.B. was invited to share his observations of the initiative’s impact. Featured in the fall 2008 magazine, it read in part: “[The Fraternity’s] hard work and dedication, while executing one of the most challenging of strategic transformations, deserves the applause and loudest possible kudos from every living Beta ...

That’s worthy of a 10 year celebration! But not an invitation to relax. Men of Principle must be dynamic, not static, constantly evolving, challenged and tested. Sustained leadership at the top is never the easy road.”

chapter eternal in

loving memory

Forever Remembered

Notices of Betas, Sweethearts and Friends of Beta who passed within the last two years and were reported to the Administrative Office between November 1 and January 31 are included in this listing.

Report a Beta’s Death

Please report a Beta’s passing at beta.org/ deceased or contact the Beta receptionist at 800.800.BETA or chaptereternal@beta.org

Donate to the Archives

Ask loved ones to donate your Beta badge and important Beta artifacts to the Fraternity’s Archives and Museum in Oxford.

Memorial Gifts

The Fraternity is often asked how to memorialize a dearly departed Beta. Memorial gifts can be made at beta.org/gift or with Director of Development

Laura Lednik at 800.800.BETA. In lieu of flowers, consider naming the Beta Leadership Fund in your own obituary.

Friends of Beta

Joan J. Bake, Aug. 22, 2025

Marcella S. Clark, Dec. 9, 2025

Martha Foreman, April 3, 2024

Jean M. Richardson, Dec. 1, 2025

Joan P. Schaupp, July 20, 2025

Arizona State

Richard A. Larson ’91, Nov. 10, 2025

Auburn

Charles C. Simmons ’78, Oct. 19, 2025

Ball State

Kerry A. Rose ’81, Dec. 30, 2025

Joan Schaupp

Alpha Chi Omega

July 20

One of the first women in the National Press Club,

Flags indicate Betas who served in the United States or Canadian armed forces.

Joan was a published author with an entrpreneurial spirit. She was married to General Fraternity

President Bob Schaupp, Lawrence ’51, and is the namesake of a garden at the Administrative Office.

Beloit

Fred H. Irwig ’55, Oct. 15, 2025

Bowdoin

David E. Foster ’60, June 16, 2024

William H. Graff ’53, Nov. 3, 2025

Stephen F. Loebs ’60, Nov. 10, 2025

Brown

Joseph D. Matarazzo ’48, Jan. 23, 2025 C

Carnegie Mellon

Thomas J. Mauretta ’67, Nov. 28, 2025 C

Ed Kottcamp

Lehigh ’56

Nov. 20

A member of the U.S. Army and recipient of a PhD from Lehigh, Ed enjoyed an extensive career with the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, retiring as an accomplished leader, scientist and educator with numerous awards and accolades to his name.

Case

John H. Detrick ’57, Nov. 18, 2025 C

Raymond J. Shively ’57, Aug. 25, 2025

Colorado Mines

Charles L. Brokaw ’94, Nov. 18, 2025

Columbia

John A. Dickson III ’60, March 30, 2025

Denison

Robert M. Hough ’76, Dec. 11, 2025

David H. Melville ’61, June 16, 2024 C

Bob Haessler

Michigan ’62

Oct. 19

Internationally recognized for developing a widely used computer program to optimize the operations of corrugators, Bob served the Lambda Chapter faithfully as an advisor and house corporation treasurer for 30 years from 1987-2007.

Dickinson

Clausen J. Krzywicki ’76, Dec. 12, 2025

Duke

William J. Griffith III ’50, Dec. 4, 2024

Florida State

Albert J. Lussier ’76, Dec. 7, 2025

Georgia Tech

E. Pat Epps ’56, Nov. 14, 2025 C

Hanover

D. Bruce Magers ’61, Jan. 17, 2025

Idaho

David P. Anderson ’56, May 24, 2025

Bert L. Poole ’53, Oct. 30, 2025

Indiana

G. Edward Curtis ’64, Dec. 29, 2025

William R. Martin II ’62, Oct. 19, 2025 C

Iowa

Larry G. Honeywell ’57, Oct. 27, 2025 C

Joel E. Swanson ’63, Nov. 11, 2025 C

Richard D. Swanson ’55, Nov. 25, 2025

Kansas

John H. Robinson Jr. ’72, Dec. 14, 2025

Kansas State

James L. Mertz Ph.D. ’62, Nov. 6, 2025

Lawrence

Nicholas E. Fairweather ’96, Jan. 5

Lehigh

David A. Jenkins ’63, Dec. 12, 2025

Edward H. Kottcamp Jr. ’56, Nov. 20, 2025 C

Miami

James C. Anderson III ’63, Oct. 3, 2025 C

Robert F. Baldwin Jr. ’56, April 2, 2024 C

J. M. Perez ’69, Jan. 5

Michigan

Dean L. Gilchrist ’56, Aug. 20, 2024

Robert W. Haessler ’62, Oct. 19, 2025

William P. Johnson ’57, May 18, 2025

H. Stephen Kott ’56, Jan. 10 C

Thomas H. Ottenjohn ’53, Nov. 22, 2025 C

Jack Smith

Missouri ’62

Jan. 27

Known as “King of the Jingle,” Jack created memorable taglines like “Fly the Friendly Skies” (United Airlines) and “Good Time for the Great Taste of McDonald’s.” A member of the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame, he won more than 20 Clio Awards.

Minnesota

Hugh P. Williamson IV ’99, Sept. 5, 2025

Missouri

Harold M. Hull II ’69, March 1, 2025

Jack Smith ’62, Jan. 27

Nebraska

John C. Craft ’61, Dec. 2, 2025

Gerald A. Lempka ’58, Aug. 19, 2025 C

North Carolina

William G. Benton ’67, Jan. 22, 2025 C

James C. McColl ’61, Nov. 2, 2025 C

North Dakota

Thomas P. Moran ’59, Jan. 9 C

Ohio

Bruce M. Smith ’77, Dec. 20, 2025

Ohio State

William H. Allen Jr. ’69, Dec. 2, 2025 C

Larry L. Metzger ’55, Dec. 2, 2025

Ohio Wesleyan

Ned A. Myers ’50, Oct. 13, 2025 C

Peter L. Workman ’79, Nov. 10, 2025

Oklahoma

Joe L. Bell ’59, Oct. 27, 2025

John F. Griffith, Dec. 30, 2025 C

Thomas P. Hallren ’57, Jan. 8 C

Richard R. Hefton ’57, Oct. 28, 2025 C

Antony A. Louis ’83, Jan. 13

Oklahoma State

Dawson A. Engle ’64, Dec. 26, 2025

Thomas R. Gardner ’68, May 11, 2025

Gerry L. Grant ’62, Dec. 3, 2025

K. S. Spence ’74, Nov. 2, 2025

Troy D. Wilson ’87, Jan. 3

Oregon

Stephen D. Wasserberger ’76, Jan. 21

Penn State

Thomas W. Briggs ’71, Nov. 19, 2025

Robert C. Galvin ’69, Jan. 2

Rutgers

Richard H. Robinson ’58, Jan. 3, 2025

Jack Craft

Nebraska ’61

Dec. 2

A former chapter president, Jack became a prominent attorney who worked hard for Kansas City. Of his many accomplishments, he was most proud of helping pass an innovative funding source to redevelop the city’s historic Union Station.

Southern California

Stephen L. Siegel ’14, Oct. 15, 2025

Michael H. Smith ’67, Oct. 31, 2025

St. Lawrence

E.B. Wilson ’53, Nov. 15, 2025 C

Stanford

Robert F. Obear ’61, Oct. 30, 2025

Charles Pigott ’51, Jan. 21 C

Texas

Dan M. Caldwell ’80, Nov. 6, 2025

Texas at Arlington

Billy D. Carter ’86, Nov. 27, 2025

UC Berkeley

Michael J. Phelan ’56, Nov. 25, 2025 C

Vanderbilt

Joseph C. Hearne ’61, Nov. 30, 2025 C

Washington and Lee

Stephen T. Carey ’85, Nov. 13, 2025

Washington State

Donald L. Cromer ’59, Dec. 18, 2025 C

Kerman L. Love ’59, Sept. 30, 2025 C

Weber State

Jeffrey L. Lind ’85, Oct. 10, 2025 C

West Virginia

James D. Stump ’77, Dec. 14, 2025

Western Reserve

Rod Kirkendall ’72, Dec. 23, 2025

Westminster

James C. Ketchum ’50, Aug. 7, 2025

Whitman

Albert D. Martzloff ’50, Dec. 19, 2024

Willamette

David E. Judd ’67, Nov. 1, 2025 C

Williams

Gilbert M. Mason ’51, Feb. 6, 2025 C

Charles Pigott

Stanford ’51

Jan. 21

Charles served in the U.S. Navy before leading one of the world’s best-known heavy truck makers, Paccar. Equally well known for his charitable works, including serving as Boy Scouts national president, he was a notable donor to the Beta Foundation.

E.B. Wilson

St. Lawrence ’53

Nov. 15

E.B. was honored with Beta’s Oxford Cup in 2004 after years of success at corporations like Kimberly-Clark and Pillsbury. Read more about this major influencer of the hallmark Men of Principle initiative on page 44.

Donald Cromer

Washington State ’59

Dec. 18

Don attended Washington State before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He graduated in 1959 and was commissioned into the Air Force, beginning what would become a remarkable 50-year career in air and space.

He rose to prominence during his career, including as director of advanced technology, director of the defense meteorological satellite program and director of space systems, where he oversaw the testing, launch and orbital control of vital national security systems. After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, he served as president of Hughes Space Communications, an advisor to the Department of Defense, and chairman of the board of The Aerospace Corporation.

Don embodied the Fraternity’s ideals of integrity, humility and service. He gave tirelessly of his time to support collegiate brothers and strengthen the Gamma Theta Chapter, specifically flying back and forth from Southern California to Spokane as house corporation president during the chapter’s reorganization in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In recognition of his extraordinary leadership and character, he was awarded Beta Theta Pi’s highest honor for professional achievement, the Oxford Cup, on September 18, 2010.

eponyms worldwide tributes

Campus Thoroughfare Named for Loyal Ute

When it comes to the University of Utah, there may be no bigger name across campus than that of the Eccles family. Emblazoned on a litany of endowed chairs, campus buildings and athletic facilities, Eccles is synonymous with one singular notion: giving back.

On September 25, however, it was the university that did the gesturing. On the heels of receiving a $110 million gift to the school of medicine, it unveiled Spence Eccles Drive, the main thoroughfare running through the heart of its health sciences campus — a fitting tribute to Spence Eccles, Utah ’56, who has overseen the gifting of hundreds of millions of dollars to the university he loves.

“There are a lot of famous streets in the world, but this one may be most famous on our campus,” said University President Taylor Randall. “He is a transformative figure, and what’s even more amazing is that now, Spence Eccles Drive leads to Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.” Spence replied,“I was fortunate to be born into a family that believes in the importance of giving back and doing our best to leave things better than we found them.”

BETA THETA PI GIVING DAY CHALLENGE

1DAY . 8HOURS. 39 MINUTES. | APRIL29-30,2026

Scan the QR code or visit beta.org/ givingchallenge to learn more or make your gift early.

the giving day challenge returns

april 29-30

Rally your brothers and friends for 1 day, 8 hours and 39 minutes to support Beta’s commitment to Brotherhood, Personal Growth and Home through the Beta Leadership Fund. Chapters will compete for bragging rights and prizes like catered meals from Upper Crust and Greek House Chefs as well as chapter apparel credits from Campus Ink.

PRESIDENTIAL PILOT

When Col. Brad Harms, Illinois ‘95, landed in Champaign and eventually joined Beta Theta Pi, he probably never anticipated a 30-year career that would lead him to the highest levels of American defense.

He definitely never thought he’d become chief of staff for the White House Military Office or the longest-serving commander of Marine One, leading hundreds of zero-fail missions for Presidents Bush and Biden.

But he did. And how fitting last fall he was recognized with Illinois’ Alumni Achievement Award, epitomizing one of North America’s leading fraternities.