12 Days of Foundation Impact

Sons of the Dragon Club

Collegiate brothers make the difference — and not just when it comes to recruitment. Nearly $28,500 was raised for the Beta Leadership Fund by 1,335 collegians in 2024 — the highest membership in four years. That’s enough to fund Men of Principle Scholarships for 28 chapters. There’s value in investing in the Beta experience and advancing the Fraternity’s mission.

“One of Beta Theta Pi’s core values is mutual assistance. There’s no better way to provide that assistance than by supporting an organization that has poured so much time and devotion into its members to further their leadership talents.” — Landon Robinson, Arkansas ’25

DEA Grants

While the stately Bedford stone at Kansas State reminds passersby of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter’s proud history, new renovations and an important addition usher this classic Beta house into its next century. In all, nearly 6,400 square feet of space received updates to support the 88-man chapter, thanks to the chapter’s Building on the Legacy Campaign and Beta Foundation’s Designated Education Area Grant Program. New dining room, new study rooms, updated bathrooms, personal wardrobes, upperclassmen living spaces — about $4 million in total went into the renovations and new addition. This house will continue to be the epicenter of brotherhood development for Gamma Epsilon!

Over the last 15 years, 35 chapters have benefitted from DEA Grant Program. More than $10 million has been raised through the program in the last five years to improve and maintain educational and study spaces in chapter houses.

Son of the Stars

It was a successful year for chapter recruitment AND new member education. Supported by the Beta Leadership Fund, 87 chapters utilized the Son of the Stars New Member Orientation Program this fall. The Son of the Stars (SOTS) New Member Orientation Program has significantly expanded since its launch in 2018, this year seeing a 23-chapter increase.

Through the program, new members have formed more meaningful relationships in their classes, found the experience safe and fulfilling, and seen personal growth. Recent data shows that over 96% of participants formed meaningful relationships within their new member classes.

2023-24 Post Initiation Survey Results

• Relationships: 96.8% felt they built meaningful connections with brothers.
• Appreciation: 97.8% felt valued for who they are.
• Fun: 96.2% described their experience as enjoyable.
• Fulfillment: 96.2% found their experience fulfilling.
• Personal Growth: 92.5% felt they grew personally.
• Safety: 97.3% felt safe and comfortable in all activities.
• Campus Involvement: 96.8% were encouraged to participate in other campus activities.

Merit Scholarships

Did you know the Beta Foundation provides roughly 100 scholarships to brothers (and sons and daughters of Betas) every year? These can be for both undergrad and graduate programs!

Among last year’s recipients was Arman Kian, Johns Hopkins ’26 (right). “I joined Beta because I was inspired by the respectable and ambitious brothers, along with the strong impact Beta has on campus.”

He’s proof of personal and leadership development through Beta — a former chapter president and two-time vice president, twice attending Beta’s General Convention in addition to other Fraternity programs, and has shown academic success. Arman is one of the eight Founders Scholarships to allow him to keep making an impact at Johns Hopkins.

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Parent Perspectives

The Beta Leadership Fund has helped Beta expand to new campuses across North America. At Samford, Will Boals ’26, found the right fraternity experience for him with Beta, becoming a founding father in 2022. His parents saw how much personal growth Will experienced with his new brothers, socially to philanthropically.

“Going through recruitment and then pledging provided Will with a group of brothers who became his best friends,” says Foundation Parent Co-Chair Chris Boals, Chi Phi. “These young men have fun and support each other academically, emotionally and spiritually. Beta Theta Pi has had a profoundly positive impact on our son, and we can clearly see that he and his brothers are truly men of principle.

“Our message to other parents considering a donation to the Beta Leadership Fund is simple. There is no doubt that your son’s development has been enhanced by his membership, and your support will allow Beta to thrive and provide countless other young men the opportunity to reach their potential in the future.”

Alpha Beta Scholarship Fund

As the fall 2023 semester wrapped up, the Alpha Beta Chapter at Iowa boasted over $100,000 in their Billhighway account, thanks to former Chapter President Lucas Pieper ’24. The chapter had eliminated debt while enhancing the member experience and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Current Chapter President Ryan Bybee ’24, and his executive board are focused on making the Beta experience more affordable. Also concerned about the surplus funds, Chapter Counselor Robert Alberts, General Fraternity ’20, explored impactful investments and ultimately proposed establishing a scholarship to support upperclassmen who were disengaged due to financial pressures.

In a pivotal meeting, Bybee and Alberts aligned on a $25,000 donation to the Beta Theta Pi Foundation to launch the scholarship via an endowment fund. Recognizing the need for engaged upperclassmen, they aimed to make membership more accessible. Support for this initiative grew among alumni, with Scott Hall ’98, and Robert Bitzer ’17, contributing an initial matching gift of $17,500 for the scholarship as part of the Build the Bridge Campaign.

Beyond financial initiatives, the chapter has excelled academically, ranking #1 among IFC chapters in fall 2023 and spring 2024. Notable accolades include Bybee winning the Andrew Mogni Legacy Award and the chapter receiving the Sisson Award for the 11th time. The Alpha Beta Scholarship Fund aims to award its first $1,000 scholarship this fiscal year, reinforcing the chapter’s commitment to leadership and affordability.

Volunteer Support

Beta is always looking for star volunteers like this Friend of Beta. Ash Spoto has been the chapter counselor at Pittsburgh since 2022 and has also facilitated at two Wooden Institutes, helping transform collegiate men across Beta’s Broad Domain into the necessary leaders of tomorrow.

“I often describe this experience as the most rewarding of my life. As a volunteer, witnessing those ‘lightbulb moments’ and the growth of our members is incredibly fulfilling.

“As a donor, I believe Beta Theta Pi offers educational opportunities unmatched by other fraternities. I’m proud to invest in these transformative experiences because they are providing the groundwork for these young men to be men of principle.”

Wooden Institute

The John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle allows Betas to interact with brothers from across North America. There, participants explore the Ritual, engage in leadership activities, learn about Beta’s history and reflect on its heritage. Most importantly, they build connections with fellow brothers in the Fraternity’s birthplace of Oxford, Ohio.

It was a special milestone year for the Wooden Institute in 2024, celebrating 25 years of the program! In that time, more than 5,800 rising leaders have graduated from the program.

“The magic of ‘Wooden’ lies in its uniqueness, fueled by selfless facilitators and engaged students. It fosters an environment of trust, rooted in shared experiences. The time and money invested in this program yield profound returns, shaping men into better leaders, fathers, professionals and citizens. It addresses an aspect that other Beta programs on officer training and chapter operations do not: This experience tangibly brings our mission to life and fosters the development of principles for a principled life.” — Justin Foster, West Chester ’11

Men of Principle Scholarships

Annually, the Men of Principle Scholarship program allows chapters to recognize non-Greek men on their campuses who exemplify Beta’s values. Some 68 chapters utilized this grant to share the Beta experience with collegiate leaders across North America. In total, $71,154 was awarded to 118 collegians by chapters last year.

Local Chapter Impact

Did you know every chapter benefits from the Beta Foundation? On average, chapters receive more than $35,000 in grants from the Foundation to support officers and volunteers, personal leadership development and overall chapter success.

Leadership and Education

Beta Theta Pi has always strived to develop men of principle for a principled life. When it comes to leadership development, the Foundation invested $1,141,355 in programs for chapter officers, rising leaders and volunteers last fiscal year.

The Fraternity is taking it to the next level in 2025. Beta is gearing up for Winter Leadership Conclave this January, which will bring three premier leadership programs together under one roof.

Beta Leadership Fund

Leadership, scholarship, a positive college experience; that’s what Beta is all about. And, it’s all made possible by the Beta Leadership Fund.  The BLF fuels the Beta experience and ensures the Fraternity is truly a lifelong brotherhood.