On Sunday, March 24, 37th National President Tom Morgan, Phi’ 85, presented the Beta Theta charter to 92 men at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The ceremony marked the return of Beta Theta Chapter to campus, which was originally chartered on October 8, 1959 and was active until 1965. Beta Theta was then re-chartered on April 5, 1986 and was active until 1998.

Expansion Counselors Derek Kaimann, Beta ’10, and Paul Manly, Epsilon Rho ’11, began on-campus recruitment efforts during the spring of 2012 with assistance from Phired Up Productions. The Beta Theta expansion project was the third project that Kaimann and Manly conducted together and their initial recruitment efforts resulted in 62 men accepting bids. Since the establishment of Beta Theta, the collegiate members have participated in numerous community service and philanthropy events. They have also participated in many other fraternity and sorority fundraisers and have received numerous accolades for their support.

The collegiate members of Beta Theta are very impressive. Since their founding last spring, they have continued to recruit many high performing student-leaders. They are focused on living the principles and values of Sigma Tau Gamma and this has been demonstrated by their involvement and leadership on campus and in the community. They are also focused on leaving a positive, lasting legacy on campus,” said Director of Expansion Michael Smoll, Delta ’03.

On Saturday the collegiate men participated in a chartering retreat that was held on the Purdue campus and was facilitated by Clint McCurry, Delta ’01, who serves as the Beta Theta alumni advisor, Morgan, Director of Chapter Development Addison Schopp, Beta ’08, and Smoll.

On Sunday afternoon, the Installation Ceremony welcomed more than 170 people to the Purdue campus, which included parents, advisors, significant others, Sig Tau alumni along with members of the Purdue University fraternity and sorority community and other campus leaders. Also in attendance was the chapter’s faculty advisor Michael Loeffelman, who is the Associate Dean of the Honors College of Liberal Arts at Purdue. Notable Sig Tau alumni in attendance included: National President-Elect Alyx Parker, Alpha Chi ’97, Lakeland District Director Erik Kahl, Beta Kappa ’10, McCurry, Schopp, Smoll and Morgan.

James Hintz, who serves as the Associate Dean of Students at Purdue gave the keynote address. Other featured speakers included Zachary Campbell, Beta Theta ’14, who is the current provisional chapter president, McCurry, Kahl, and Smoll. National President Morgan delivered the Installation Address, which highlighted the many accomplishments of Beta Theta and encouraged them to continue building an excellent chapter.

In addition, the collegiate members presented several awards based on the six principles of the Fraternity to several outstanding brothers. Morgan also made a $100 donation to the Beta Theta Heritage fund by recognizing Bobby Egan, Beta Theta ’15, with a CSM. Egan is currently running for Student Body President at Purdue University. In recognition of their chartering, the collegiate members also presented Sigma Tau Gamma a custom designed brick that displays the Purdue University logo and chartering date. The designed brick will be displayed at the Headquarters in Warrensburg, Mo. for visitors to see.