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Transcript of Rush Booklet
Beta Theta PiFraternity
If you are interested in learning more about Beta please contact us.
239 Kiefaber Street
Dayton, OH 45409
email: [email protected]
University of Dayton
BQPBeta Theta Pi
On behalf of Beta Theta Pi, we are pleased you have chosen to take the time to learn more
about Greek life here at the University of Dayton and in particular Beta Theta Pi. College is a
great transition time for all students and at UD they will provide you with the academic educa-
tion you will need to succeed in life. However, Greek life can offer many rewarding experiences
that can lead to an even greater college experience. The University of Dayton’s Greek system
is an excellent outlet to help young college men and women grow socially, morally, academi-
cally, and spiritually.
Founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where it is part of the Miami Triad which
includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. Beta, as it is nicknamed, was the first college fra-
ternity to be founded west of the Allegheny Mountains, and it has 118 active chapters and
colonies in the United States and Canada. Over 180,000 members have been initiated world-
wide and currently has more than 5,000 active undergraduate members. As Betas we pride
ourselves in excelling in the following categories: academics, athletics, social life, spiritual
growth, and brotherhood.
Our own colony here at UD was founded only a few short years ago in the Spring of 2007
with the goal to seek out the very best young men on campus, dedicated to building men of
principle for a principled life. We take good men and make them better.
This balance between academics and social life provides an environment which has proven
to attract the very best leaders on campus. Beta consistently holds prominent positions in
all aspects of student life on Dayton’s campus. Recent positions held by Beta’s include SGA
president, IFC president, Davis Center for Portfolio Management, and many more.
We appreciate you taking the time to read through this booklet to gain a better idea of what
Beta Theta Pi is all about. Hopefully we can offer you a better view of our great fraternity, the
men that we surround ourselves with daily, the values we strive to uphold in our lives, and why
we love being members of this amazing organization. Again, we thank you for your time and
hope you find interest in Beta. We look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Sincerely,
The Brothers of Beta Theta Pi
Beta FaithBeta Faith Spiritual Life
Beta Theta Pi at the University of Dayton is dedicated to incorporating Marianist traditions
and Christian faith into our brotherhood. Each weekly chapter meeting begins with a prayer
devotion prepared by our chaplain. Although many of our brothers practice the Catholic or
Christian faiths, we are by no means a Catholic fraternity, we simply offer spiritual and faith
based outlets for all those who wish to strengthen their specific spiritual lives. Spiritual life
means something different for everyone so at Beta Theta Pi we help our brothers grow in as
many ways possible, whether it be religiously through retreats or campus groups, personal
discovery and growth, or through relationships with others.
Beta Life Life at Beta
A focal point of the fraternity is the house. It is a place where brothers come daily to eat
meals, hang out between classes, and host the many events thrown each year. Our house
accommodates 5 people and features a large living space, full kitchen, and a study/meeting
room. On any given afternoon, you will see brothers playing games in the front yard, grilling
out in the backyard, and you may even catch them serenading sorority women on the porch.
Pledgeship
In order to truly appreciate an organization, a person must learn the history, traditions, and
rituals of that group. The first months of college are a time filled with change and excitement
and this is no different for a Beta Theta Pi pledge. The pledge program, or new member edu-
cation program, is set up to help our pledges with this major transition. So what makes our
pledge program unique? Beta Theta Pi does not participate in any form or hazing whatsoever.
In line with our men of principle initiative, we treat our new members with the same respect
as our brothers. We look to battle the typical frat stereotype by committing ourselves to be
gentleman and scholars on campus and in the community.
During the pledge program not only do we learn about our organization, but we also setup
programs to promote academic excellence. Study hours are provided and strongly encour-
aged which help build valuable time management skills. Pledgeship is also filled with excit-
ing activities that can only be offered by this unique experience. Our pledges are encouraged
to participate in other social functions including formals, sorority socials, date parties, and
other campus events. We feel that a combination of these things create a well rounded leader
and brother. Lastly, our colony here at Dayton has the distinct privilege and honor to have
won a national award for ‘Most Outstanding New Member Education Program”, so you can
be sure that we provide one of the very best, fun and rewarding pledging experiences here
at UD and around the country.
Beta Brothers Brotherhood
The most important aspect of joining any fraternity is without a doubt, the brotherhood. The
bonds you form as a new member with your pledge class to the relationships you form with
the older members of the fraternity are friendships that will last long after your collegiate ca-
reer. Without brotherhood in a fraternity all of the other aspects cannot exist. In Beta Theta Pi
we like to say that a brother is a brother for life. It’s an incredible experience when you meet
Beta alumni that have been Betas for 40, 50, and even 60 plus years. These men have long
past their undergraduate lives yet continue to show support and love for their fraternity. The
short time spent as an active brother of Beta consistently produces large groups of lifelong
friends. This not only helps with networking, but can also provide a great support group to
help us in the growing times as a college student and even years later. Our mission statement
best summarizes the importance of brotherhood, “Bonded by mutual obligations, oath and
ritual, Betas form lifelong bonds of trust and friendship, the foundation of the Fraternity’s
mission”.
Intellect Academics
The main purpose of the University of Dayton is to provide students with an education that
will help them succeed in life. Beta Theta Pi never loses sight of this. We provide our mem-
bers with the environment and encouragement to excel academically both in and out of the
classroom. Since our founding in 2007, our colony has continually held the highest grade
point average of all Greek fraternities and expects all members to maintain a 2.89 G.P.A., the
highest standard on campus. Betas are Honors students, Dean’s List members, and we have
had at least one 4.0 student every semester since our founding if not more. With many of our
members pursuing graduate degrees, academics is an area that we pride ourselves in, and
we make every effort to help our brothers succeed and to cultivate the mind in many ways.
Beta Service philanthropy
One of the great joys of being a member of Beta Theta Pi is our commitment to the values and
traditions of the University of Dayton and Marianist philosophy of community and service to
others. We find giving back to our school as well as the greater Dayton community both an
honor and a responsibility. We look to make a lasting difference in others lives. Furthermore,
we encourage our brothers to get involved in service events on an individual basis but we as a
fraternity also host our very own philanthropic event every spring. The Beta Beach Brunch is a
summer themed all you can eat breakfast buffet for students, faculty, families, and everyone
in between. Every year our event raises thousands of dollars that are then donated directly
to St. Vincent De Paul, a local organization in Dayton that we have done numerous service
events with in the past. Beta also participates in other campus service events throughout
the year to show our support to other organizations on campus. With continued effort from
brothers and alumni, the Dayton Colony of Beta Theta Pi will continue to be successful in
reaching out to help others and set the bar for Greek organizations when it comes to giving
back to our community.
Beta Spirit Athletics
One of the great ways Betas build the bonds of friendship is through athletics. Our brother-
hood participates in intramural sports year round. We hold athletics as a valuable aspect of
our brotherhood as we look to always be competitive but also recognize that competing in
sports is one of the best ways to build friendships within the fraternity. Because of that we
field teams year round in nearly every intramural sport Dayton offers.
Beta History
At nine o’clock on the evening of the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839
History
At nine o’clock on the evening of the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839, eight
earnest young men, all students at Miami University, held the first meeting of Beta Theta Pi
in the Hall of the Union Literary Society, an upper room in the old college building (known
as “Old Main”). The eight founders in the order in which their names appear in the minutes
were:
John Reily Knox, 1839
Samuel Taylor Marshall, 1840
David Linton, 1839
James George Smith, 1840
Charles Henry Hardin, 1841
John Holt Duncan, 1840
Michael Clarkson Ryan, 1839
Thomas Boston Gordon, 1840
“of ever honored memory”
In mentioning the Founders, full names are always used, and they are referred to as “of ever
honored memory.”
Beta’s pioneering spirit: * First college fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains (August 8, 1839)
* Oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine (1872)
* First college fraternity to publish an open constitution for public distribution (1879)
* First fraternity to be founded in 15 states – more than any other fraternity
* First fraternity established on more than 35 campuses – more than any other fraternity
* First fraternity to establish a chapter west of the Mississippi River (1866)
* First fraternity to create alumni chapters (1867)
* First fraternity to have a General Convention (1842)
* First to host an Interfraternal event and meeting (1848)
* First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for a chapter (1984)
* First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for each member (1997)
* First fraternity to adopt a 2.7 minimum GPA for a chapter (2006)
It’s no coincidence that Betas make great leaders for Beta is known as the “Leadership
Fraternity”. In order to facilitate building Men of Principle for a principled life, Beta
Theta Pi is the envy of the Greek world in terms of its offerings of leadership devel-
opment opportunities. These wonderful programs help our men become responsible
leaders, one of the ideals of the Fraternity’s mission. Beta Theta Pi is dedicated to
developing leaders of integrity who enable positive action, accountability, and per-
sonal development among members of their chapters, Greek communities, and the
General Fraternity.
It’s the dedication of undergraduates and alumni working together to provide the high-
est quality leadership opportunities for the members of Beta Theta Pi. Simply put,
Beta’s leadership development are second to none. Headlined by the John Wooden
Institute for Men of Principle, these opportunities are offered free or at minimal cost
to any active brother wishing to participate. Beta Theta Pi offers numerous leadership
programs which provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet and learn from under-
LEADERSHIP