News Archive - Fall 2009
Here you will be able to find and review any news items that occurred during the Fall 2009 semester, in reverse chronological order.
Happy Holidays!
December 18, 2009
During this time of year when we surround ourselves with friends and family, the gentlemen of Beta Theta Pi would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes throughout 2009, particularly our parents and families, JCU Beta alumni, fellow JCU Greeks, faculty/staff/administrators, and General Fraternity Officers. To watch a short holiday message, please click here.
Lane sworn in as president
December 8, 2009
Andy Lane '12 was sworn in this evening as the third president of the John Carroll Colony of Beta Theta Pi. The remaining members of the executive board also officially assumed their roles after a brief officer installation ceremony. The rest of the executive board is as follows: Vice President - Brian Pestotnik '12, Secretary - Nathan Catalano '12, Treasurer - Ben Rossi '13, Risk Manager - Andrew Vogel '11, Recruitment Chair - Anthony Barile '13, Member Educator - John Jackson '13, Ritual Chair - Nick Orlando '11, and Scholarship Chair - Bill Worms '12. Congratulations to all, and we look forward to the year ahead!
Four Betas set for January immersion experiences
December 6, 2009
Four Betas will be commissioned at the 10pm Mass this evening in St. Francis Chapel for their upcoming immersion experiences in January 2010. Brandon Sheil '10 is serving as one of the student coordinators of the Immokalee, FL trip, while Andrew Kolupski '10 will make his way to New Orleans, LA. Jamie Ott '10 is headed out of the country to Reynosa, Mexico, as is Jurell Sison '10, who is destined for Nicaragua. Thank you, gentlemen, for taking it upon yourselves to live out our JCU and Beta mission to serve others while participating in these immersion experiences.
Betas take part in "Through the Eyes"December 5, 2009
Continuing our commitment to the community, twenty Betas took part today as "buddies" or volunteers in "Through the Eyes of a Child" as part of our partnership with Circle K, the presenting organization. Through the Eyes of a Child is an annual event that brings 100 Cleveland children to JCU's campus for several hours of holiday fun and activities, including cookie decorating, story time, arts and crafts, lunch in the dining hall, and a visit with Santa. Volunteers helped to set up, clean up, greet and direct guests, and run the cookie-decorating station, among other things. Special thanks to "big buddies" Kurt Hauber '10, Andrew Vogel '11, and Andrew Kolupski '10, and also to service chair Andy Lane '12 and president J.J. Kuczynski '10 for their help in organizing the volunteers.
Worms takes on OOO leadership role
December 3, 2009
Bill Worms '12, recently inducted into membership of the Upsilon Rho chapter of Order of Omega, was elected tonight as the group's next treasurer. He succeeds fellow Beta Andrew Kolupski '10. Congratulations Bill!
Romeo, Worms elected to IFC
December 2, 2009
Junior Chris Romeo and sophomore Bill Worms were elected this afternoon to fill two of the five positions on the Interfraternity Council (IFC) Executive Board for the 2010 term. Romeo will take the helm as Vice President for Programming while Worms will act as the next Vice President for Membership. Congrats, Chris and Bill!
Next Exec Board elected
December 2, 2009
After an exhaustive six-hour session that began in the evening and lasted well into the wee morning hours today, the 2010 Executive Board has been elected. Andy Lane '12 and Brian Pestotnik '12 will take the helm as president and vice president, respectively, along with the other seven elected brothers during an Officer Installation Ceremony on December 8th. Congrats to the next executive board!
Colony welcomes 13 new brothers
November 21, 2009
The thirteen members of the Delta Class officially became active brothers of the colony during a spirited Initiation Ceremony today in the Hall of Chapters on the grounds of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation & Administrative Office in Oxford, OH. Following the ceremony, all active members explored the Beta museum and walked around Oxford and Miami University's campus before departing for home. Congratulations and welcome to the brotherhood, Delta Class!!
Oczypok elected Class of 2013 President
November 19, 2009
Freshman Trenton Oczypok received the highest number of votes in the Student Union Senate election for the Class of 2013, which took place online over the last two days. This automatically makes Trent the Class President. Congratulations!
Kolupski competes in Mr. University
November 19, 2009
Senior Andrew Kolupski was a contestant in this evening's "Mr. University," Kappa Alpha Theta's annual philanthropic effort to benefit CASA. Although Andrew did not advance to the finals, his comedic routine as Harry Caray in "Space: The Infinite Frontier" (with the assistance of colony president JJ Kuczynski) entertained the whole crowd and left everyone laughing.
Three inducted into Order of OmegaNovember 18, 2009
Andy Lane '12, Nick Skiviat '12, and Bill Worms '12 were inducted this afternoon into the Upsilon Rho chapter of Order of Omega. This brings the total number of inducted Betas to 9, equaling one-fifth of the honor society's membership. Read more about Order of Omega by clicking here. Congratulations Andy, Nick, and Bill!
Beta maintains Top Fraternity GPA
November 18, 2009
During this afternoon's Greek Life Scholarship Banquet, Beta Theta Pi was recognized for earning a 3.30 grade point average this past spring, maintaining the organization's standing as first among all fraternities for the fourth consecutive semester.
JCU Beta Alums return for wings
November 16, 2009
All four JCU Beta alumni who remain in the Cleveland area returned to Pizzazz and joined with the undergraduates for the first "Alumni Wing Night." It was great to reunite with these alumni and for them to meet some of the new members who will continue to carry on the Beta legacy at JCU. Based on the event's success, look for more in the future!
Delta Class grows closer
November 15, 2009
The Delta Class returned today from a weekend retreat at Carrollodge where they were given the opportunity to grow closer as a class. Through various activities building teamwork and trust led by Member Educator Jurell Sison '10 and Assistant Member Educator Andy Lane '12, the new members left feeling refreshed and ready to begin Initiation Week, the final steps toward becoming an active brother. To read one participant's reflection on the retreat, visit our JCU Betas Blog.
Betas are top cheering squad
October 25, 2009
As part of Gamma Phi Beta's annual philanthropic Powder-Puff Football tournament, fraternities were invited to be the "cheering section." Beta Theta Pi was recognized as the top cheering squad, complete with flips and lifts!
Parents & Family BBQ a Hit
October 24, 2009
Roughly 150 members of the Beta extended family came together this evening for a Beta Family BBQ in the Jardine Room on the JCU campus. Brothers and new members welcomed their parents and families to a feast that featured home-cooked side dishes and desserts from each family. The event was highlighted by a "How Well Do You Know Your Son?" game that entertained the whole crowd.
Worms appears on "The Price is Right"
October 21, 2009
Sophomore Bill Worms made his television debut today on "The Price is Right." While on vacation in California this summer, Bill and his family attended a taping of the show, and lo and behold Bill was told to "come on down!" The show's final contestant, Bill won a stainless steel gas stove with double oven but unfortunately did not win his game for more prizes. He did, however, offer a "shout out" to his friends at JCU and Beta Theta Pi!
Sison crowned KingOctober 10, 2009
Senior Jurell Sison was crowned the 2009 Homecoming King during pre-game festivities this afternoon at Don Shula Stadium. This marks the third consecutive year that a Beta took home the honor of Homecoming King, following Patrick Carpenter '08 and Peter Niro '09, who was back to crown Jurell. Andrew Kolupski '10 also made it to this year's homecoming court. Congratulations, Jurell and Andrew!
iDance defends "Carroll's Got Talent" title; $1,000 raised for philanthropy
October 2, 2009
After a very successful second annual event, Beta Theta Pi raised $1,000 for its philanthropy, the Center for Autism at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. Travis Haycook, the Center's assistant director, opened the show explaining where money would be going and also served as a guest judge. Twelve acts put their talents on display, and for the second consecutive year, iDance (formerly known as TKU), took home the title of "Carroll's Best Act." For more information and a list of perfomers, click here. Thanks to all who attended!
Scholarship Recipients Announced
October 2, 2009
During an afternoon reception recognizing the accomplishments of those who interviewed for the Men of Principle Scholarship, Thomas Weinandy '11 and Dominic Carlini '13 were awarded this year's scholarships, each worth $250. It was a difficult process and there were many deserving men in this year's candidate pool. Congrats Tom and Dominic!
Delta Class Inducted
September 28, 2009
Thirteen members of the Delta Class were officially inducted as new members of Beta Theta Pi during an evening ceremony. They were officially "handed off" from recruitment chair Kyle Sobh '10 to member educator Jurell Sison '10. The new members begin an eight-week education program leading up to their Initiation in Oxford, OH.
Pestotnik elected Treasurer
September 20, 2009
Brian Pestotnik '12 was elected to be the new colony Treasurer, filling the vacant seat. His term begins immediately. Congrats, Brian!
Skiviat elected Ritual Chair
September 2, 2009
Nick Skiviat '12 was unanimously elected tonight as the Ritual Chairman of Beta Theta Pi for the remainder of the 2009 term. The seat was vacated by the graduation of former chair Peter Poznako '09. Skiviat begins his tenure as Ritual Chair, which is an executive board position, effective immediately. Congratulations, Nick!
Audition today for Carroll's Got Talent
August 31, 2009
If you're interested in being a part of the second annual "Carroll's Got Talent" on Friday, October 2, then we want to hear from you! The event is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Contact Jamie Ott at jott10@jcu.edu if you'd like to audition to perform - don't delay!
Scholarship deadline looming
August 31, 2009
The deadline for the Men of Principle Scholarship is quickly approaching in less than two weeks on Friday, September 11. Two $250 scholarships are available to any non-Greek-affiliated male at JCU. Click here for more details.
JCU departs Convention a winner
August 2, 2009
JCU delegate and Beta Theta Pi president J.J. Kuczynski '10 happily accepted three awards on behalf of the colony during the Loving Cup Luncheon, held during the 170th General Convention at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ on July 31. The colony was one of 16 chapters to receive the 2009 Excellence in Risk Management Award, one of 23 recipients of the Virginia Tech Award for Academics, and one of 24 winners of the Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award. All three awards come in the form of engraved plaques. The Excellence in Risk Management Award recognizes chapters whose Risk Management Program best reflects the policies, goals, and ideals of the Fraternity, while the Virginia Tech Award is based on the chapter grade point average for the calendar year relative to the all-undergraduate grade point average. The Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award is awarded to chapters that exemplify a commitment to participation in leadership experiences; this is the second consecutive year the colony has earned this honor.