Page 1 - Kai from Pi - Fall 2015

KAI FROM PI

Pi Chapter of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Indiana University ★ Fall 2015

Housing Indiana Beta Chapters

Corporation Reconvene Annual Conclave

update

Pi Chapter members returned
to campus rested and invigorated
to resume studies and brother-
hood work. Summer quarter was
the most active in our nine years,
with multiple caretaking initiatives
to the house property.
Most troubling was an HVAC failure in the
north wing, which generated a mold remediation
project. Several aspects of this included cooler
pipe insulation repair, added dehumidification
air exchange capacity, lintel reconstruction to
accommodate our common-space area, and
water storage tank replacement. Now complete,
our chapter can enjoy common space for chap-
ter meetings, initiations, and social functions. Hoosier members of Beta Theta Pi recon- ship skills via training events are realizing better
A parent club outreach was initiated in July vened on November 19, 2015, for an evening leaders, better members.
with an introductory letter identifying and detail- of brotherhood, storytelling, dining, and educa- Former Indiana Pi Chapter President Dylan
ing several of these property improvements. tion when 130 active and alumni members of Rochon ’17 received the Lugar Leadership
Although a bit rough around the edges, our
hope is that integrating our parent group into Indiana, Wabash, DePauw, and our Purdue Award for his efforts to increase Pi members’
communications will be a welcome presence for colony gathered at Union Station in downtown contributions to social initiatives and to the Sons
extended Beta interests. Indianapolis. of the Dragon Club, Beta Foundation’s annual
The Beta Upper Network, a networking/rela- Members from Columbus, Bloomington, giving program exclusively for pledging or initi-
th
tionship coaching initiative, is proceeding into Crawfordsville, Louisville, Chicago, and Lafay- ated undergraduates. Indianapolis’s 48 May-
its third year. Student members are assigned an ette conducted an inter-chapter meeting with or, Greg Ballard, also a Greek alum, delivered
alumnus with whom to grow a relationship. The updates on our general fraternity, featuring a an inspiring, heartfelt address calling for opti-
common bond of fraternity living, though a gen- keynote address by Indianapolis Mayor Greg mism in life, broadening one’s scope of reading
eration apart, can enhance students’ awareness Ballard. resources, and engaging the competition for tal-
in the Broad Beta domain and rekindle alumni Former Purdue Chapter President Davey ent and capital within life and business.
interest. Millennials are proud multitaskers, but Neal ’10 continued a multi-year passion of lead- Mayor Ballard retired from the Marine Corps
growing a relationship with coaching oversight ership by aligning resources to provide a warm with a lieutenant colonel officer’s commission. A
is not a classroom taught skill. This is yet another brotherhood experience. Jonathan Brant, Mi- graduate of the Marine Corps Command and
benefit to engagement in the living laboratory of ami ’75 delivered an administration summary, Staff College, he attained a master’s degree
campus Greek life. discussing a developing “golden era” of Greek, from the Marine Corps University and has re-
Please make a point of visiting the Castle on values-driven growth on college campuses. ceived multiple awards. He also authored “The
North Jordan whenever in Bloomington. Our Chapter census growth, improved GPA among Ballard Rules: Small Unit Leadership.”
brotherhood connections extend throughout our chapters, and investing in our members’ leader- (continued on last page)
lifetimes, yet are nurtured rather infrequently. I
invite you to spend some time volunteering with
our advisors and our house corporation, or
dialing in for an executive teleconference via
WebEx. Gifts to Pi chapter are always welcome
through our Marching Along Educational Foun-
dation, P.O. Box 5782, Bloomington, IN 47407.
Yours_in_kai,
Dr. Charles McCormick III ’72
President, Marching Along Educational (L-R) Charles McCormick ’72, President Dylan
Foundation (L-R) Will Gorgol ’18, Joey Chamness ’19, Aaron Rochon ’17, Treasurer Andrew Gjertsen ’17, and
Hackett ’19, and Nick McCormick ’06. Ben Richter ’17.