Page 1 - Marching Along - Spring 2017

Marching Along

A Publication of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Florida | Spring 2017
Gamma Xi Chapter Alumni Relations Office | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987 | www.ufbeta.org

Gamma Xi Beta Family
Welcomes
New Alumni Alumni Spotlight: David Schmidt, USF ’92
President
By Fred Wallrapp ’79
Your Gamma
Xi Chapter at the To some people, Beta is a family, a home away after graduating, an alumnus for the rest of his
University of Florida from home during their college years. We are all life. Funny thing is that he did not realize he was
continues to excel at brothers, have pledge “dads.” We even have a house a legacy until he told his mom he had pledged.
everything they do. “mom,” although technically she is the “house Conversation went something like this. David: “I
After not having a director.” To David Schmidt, USF ’92, Beta Theta pledged Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.” David’s mom:
fall pledge class, they Pi really is a family affair. He has four relatives who “You know, my dad was a Beta at St. Lawrence
made up for it with are brothers of Beta Theta Pi, and his son, Jake University in upstate New York.” David: “Really?”
37 outstanding spring Schmidt, pledged Gamma Xi this spring. David She then proceeded to show him a charm bracelet
pledges. Many of these never attended UF, but he does have a Gamma Xi that had a charm made from her dad’s Beta badge.
young men received Chapter number (1608). More on that later, but it So David had pledged the Zeta Beta of Beta Theta
bids from other houses in the fall but were so sounds like good “paddle talk” trivia for Jake to quiz Pi and his grandfather was a member of the Beta
committed to Beta they waited until the spring future Beta pledges on. David grew up in Sarasota, Zeta chapter at St. Lawrence. And his granddad had
to pledge. On the UF campus, Beta men rank Florida, and started his college career at what was also been a legacy, as his dad had been a Beta at St.
high in both academics and athletics, and are then called Manatee Junior College. Armed with Lawrence. His grandfather was recruited into Beta
prominent in student government and the a freshly minted “AA” degree, Dave went to the by Seth Brooks, Beta royalty and Beta Theta Pi’s
Florida Blue Key leadership honorary. Beta is University of South Florida in Tampa to pursue a most notable St. Lawrence alumnus. He also has a
also one of the largest and most respected houses bachelor’s degree in engineering. Not your typical great uncle who was a Beta from St. Lawrence and
on campus. Yes, it’s great to be a Florida Beta! fraternity man, he did not pledge the Zeta Beta of a brother-in-law who is a Beta from the University
The men of Beta are campus leaders in Beta Theta Pi until fall of his senior year. A pledge of Georgia.
philanthropy as well. The Beta Bring It On for one semester, a brother for one semester, and,
event, held this year on April 3rd, had as its goal When Dave pledged Beta at USF, Zeta Beta was
to raise $50,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association Selfie of David and his daughter in New not yet a Beta chapter, but rather a Beta “colony.” At
of America. The event is a cheerleading York City in December. the time, you can’t be initiated into a Beta colony,
competition that raises the most funds of any and Gamma Xi at UF, being the closest Beta chapter,
philanthropic initiative on the UF campus
each year. Betas are also active in other Greek (continued on page six)
organizations’ fundraisers, including Camp
Kesem and the Dance Marathon.
The active chapter brothers have been busy
with house improvements, including a new
fence by the basketball court in the back yard
and adding artificial turf. Plans include installing
turf in the remainder of the back yard and
getting new outdoor furniture.
Please join me in being proud of what these
young men have accomplished. If you haven’t
seen it lately, please stop by the house the next
time you are in Gainesville. You will receive
(continued on page six)