Page 2 - Eta Survey - Spring 2016

Chapter News

From the

Consul

The Eta chapter has The chapter at spring 2016 initiation.
seen solid growth
over the past year, potential new members insight as to who we the years to come.
with two semesters of really are and what we stand for. Fraternally,
successful recruitment
resulting in the initiation The image above shows the total membership Joshua Cohen ’18
of 32 new members, 21 in the Fall semester and of our house after Spring rush of this year. Our
11 in the Spring. All of our rush events saw chapter has seen tremendous growth of quality
great turnout both of potential new members and brothers, and we hope to continue this trend in
of brothers. Wing Night and Pass the Candle,
a few of our favorite rush events, are pictured Todd Berkenpas Chapter Wing Night.
below. In addition to a successful year of rush,
we put together both a philanthropy dinner and
a philanthropy sand-soccer tournament which
raised money for the B+ foundation. We hope to
continue to be successful in our recruitment and
philanthropic endeavors in the semesters to come.
The bottom right photo is from our semi-
annual Wing Night, where brothers get the
chance to meet potential new members over a
catered wing dinner. This event really lets us
get to know them on a more personal level.
To the right is Todd Berkenpas speaking
at Pass the Candle, where every brother goes
around and speaks to what KDR means to them,
why they joined the house, or some amusing
anecdote about their experiences. This gives

Chapter Spotlight: Ryan Thier

Editor’s Note: Representing the chapter as Spotlight is graduating senior Ryan Thier. Ryan takes a rest while hiking up
From the hometown of Oak Forest, IL, Ryan will graduate this May with a degree in Mr. Bierstadt in Colorado.
Material Science in Engineering with a concentration in metals. He has served the
chapter as Rush Chair, Philanthropy Chair, and Brotherhood Chair. Ryan has also been
a volunteer for the American Red Cross and is a former lacrosse player. He received
the National Award for Outstanding Recruitment while serving as Rush Chair, and was
awarded Pledge of the Year, Gung-ho, and Man of the Year. Ryan has worked the past
two summers at Illinois Tool Works as an Engineering Intern. He accepted a position
with Precision Castparts Corp as part of the Management Development Program and
will begin work after graduation. For fun, Ryan enjoys weight lifting, and reading.

Ryan standing with current rush What have you enjoyed most about As Rush Chair, how were you able to
chair Sean Doody. being a KDR? revitalize membership?

The most rewarding part about being a Acting as rush chair was an incredibly
KDR for me has been forming a wide range rewarding (albeit stressful) experience.
of strong friendships during my time in the Alongside my co-chair Joey Lagoni, the two of
house. Between receiving help and advice us grew to be very skilled at managing multiple
from older brothers, going through U of I tasks simultaneously, as well as communicating
with brothers from my pledge class, and now to each other about ongoing goals. Besides
as a senior helping out and advising some of our efforts, the entire house came together to
the younger guys, I’ve been incredibly lucky contribute to recruitment in a really exciting
to form relationships which I’m sure will last way, and throughout the process we had
far beyond the end of college. I think it’s the exceptional alumni support, particularly from
small moments – playing catch on the lawn, Bill Paris ’87 and Zach Gooding ’09. The end
getting excited for the drive down to Formal, result was house membership growing from less
laughing together at dinner or chapter – that than 50 at the beginning of Fall 2014 to over 80
I’m going to miss the most. by the end of spring 2015.