Beta Theta PiFraternity

If you are interested in learning more about Beta please contact us.

239 Kiefaber Street

Dayton, OH 45409

email: info@udbeta.com

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