April 2013 Newsletter

The brothers of the Eta Zeta Chapter send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tragic events that took place at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. It is a difficult time for the city of Boston, but together as a city and as a brotherhood, we will continue to stand strong together. Here is our Brother Kevin’s reflection from his experience volunteering that day:

Marathon Monday is a great day in the city of Boston. For over a century, it has been provided an opportunity for the world to come together in the spirit of friendly competition and unspoken unity. This spirit was shaken this year when explosive devices were detonated in the crowd, both killing and wounding nearby spectators.

During this time I was working in Medical Tent B, just a block away from the finish line. The explosions shook our tent and as news reports trickled in, runners whose families were waiting for them in the crowds began to panic. Some of the victims with minor wounds came to our tent to be seen by EMS teams while the volunteers continued to treat the runners to get them back on their feet and away to safety. As runners stopped coming into the tent, our focus shifted to helping many get back in touch with their loved ones as many of the runners had come from far away and did not know their way around Boston. As I ventured through the streets, trying to reconnect families and loved ones, I saw that all around me people were doing the very same. What I had expected to be a warzone of fear and chaos was instead one of support and strength. The people of Boston and the people of the world were there for each other almost instantaneously. Knowing not if danger or death was afoot, these people were living testaments to the notion that human nature is one of compassion and selflessness. This is one lesson which I will not soon forget.

Reflecting on the events that unfolded I am proud to have been a part of it. I am not referring to having been in the medical tent, I am referring to being a part of the human race. Every morning, I wake up to experience the miracle of another day and know that I am part of a species which dauntlessly looks after its own. We will ever believe in a brighter future and that will never cease to fill my heart with joy and gratitude for the memories and love I share. I am proud to be a Beta and sign my name to values like mutual assistance, cultivation of the intellect, responsible personal conduct, trust, and integrity. But events like these make me proud to be human and thereby sign my name to these same values with countless more of my brothers and sisters across the globe.

When stars are hiding, and the moon is nowhere in the sky;

And clouds are riding, and there’s no light to guide you by;

If you’re a Beta all along the way, the Beta stars will make your darkness day;

For light or darkness, shine the stars of Beta Theta Pi.

No matter how much the evil, cowardly people who did this like to think they don’t, the values of the righteous will forever shine through the darkness and bring with them the day. As the years go by and the Boston Marathon continues to be run, Marathon Monday will forever remain a day when people of the world gather together in the spirit of friendly competition and unspoken unity; and yet another day that I was proud to be a Beta.

Kevin Goldthwaite, Northeastern ‘14

This spring’s initiation was particularly important, as the close of this semester will carry the vast majority of the chapter’s founding fathers with it. For the chapter’s alumni in attendance, this ceremony was a welcome to the men to whom they will trust to carry the torch of this fraternity into the future. Undoubtedly the chapter is in good hands thanks to the hard work of all of its members, and it is truly all of its members who should celebrate their brotherhood tonight.

Initiation is a time for both reflection and aspiration. The eight men who tonight signed their names to the rolls of Beta Theta Pi have taken another important step towards enlightenment through the teachings of Beta Theta Pi. These men are:

On behalf of all Betas everywhere we wish them well and hope that each may discover in time the true meaning of brotherhood in Beta Theta Pi. With the whole of their lives before them and the light of the Beta stars to guide them they will surely achieve greatness in their time.

- Kevin Goldthwaite, Pledge Educator Eta Class

Spring Newsletter 2013

This past October, I flew to the Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio for an interview to become a consultant for the Fraternity. After a six-hour day that involved a presentation of my own choosing, a case study and several interviews later, I left with a head full of swirling thoughts about what had just transpired.

Several weeks later, I received a phone call that drastically changed my life. I distinctly remember the phrase, “If you want it, there is a spot on staff for you”. Holy life decisions, Batman. After weighing the pros and cons, I accepted their offer and come this May, I will be moving to Ohio for the next two years.

Though it is a major life decision, I could not be more excited for this opportunity. The chance to help implement change in chapters and provide the rising leaders of the fraternity with the tools to succeed will forever excite me. Having benefited so much from my own experience as a Beta, I view this as an incredible opportunity to pay it forward. In addition to getting the chance to work with a region of chapters, I will also be afforded the chance to work with undergraduate Betas at some of the fraternity’s leadership development programs.

I know this journey is going to have its ups and downs, but what job doesn’t? The skills and relationships that I will be able to cultivate will benefit me and my fellow Betas for the rest of our lives. As Tom Cochrane once sang, “Life is a highway, and I wanna ride it all night long”. For the next two years, life will be a highway and I’m ready for anything headed my direction. Life is all about the journey.

Matt Crimmins, 2013

For many this night brings a welcomed close to another recruitment season, and a successful one at that, thanks to Recruitment Chairman Tom Viccaro and his committee. Because of the hard work and determination of these men, the future of our fraternity here at Northeastern is bright and promising. As the chapter continues to march ever forward it is exciting to think that the men inducted on this night will soon become those inducting other new members for years to come, and with any luck they will add to the gallery of alumni present at inductions long after they leave Northeastern.

The following are the names of men who will soon write their names on the roll of Beta Theta Pi:

Ryan Jacobs

William Johnson

Kaho Lam

James Larisch

Jordan Larson

Ryan Nutile

Dave O’Sullivan

Jason Toby

Kyle Wolkwitz

In congruence with our core values, Betas are always there to help each other and promote intellectual growth.  It is a strong support network unlike any other.  By maintaining this mutual assistance and cultivation of the intellect, brothers of Beta will continue to succeed in their academic pursuits.  This is what makes achieving our goals possible.  It is also what makes me so proud to be a Beta.

Update, January 8: A new grade report was released and Beta went up from 3rd to 1st place overall!

Matthew Schmidt
Leadership/Scholarship Development Chair

Brothers and attendees enjoyed hot chocolate and treats while listening to holiday songs performed by brothers of the Eta Zeta Chapter and one of Northeastern’s own a capella groups, Distilled Harmony.

The organization that we raised money for this year, Camp Sunshine, supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Families with a child diagnosed with diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, lupus, solid organ transplants, and other life threatening illnesses attend one of the week-long camps. Families have an opportunity to rebuild their relationships together and meet other families facing similar challenges. The chapter was excited to be able to support Camp Sunshine after several of the brothers had volunteered there earlier during the semester.

We’d like to thank Distilled Harmony for their fantastic performance, Rebecca’s Café for providing refreshments for the event, and everyone that attended and donated in support of Camp Sunshine. We look forward to making next year an even bigger success!

For more information on CampSunshine, visit http://www.campsunshine.org/.

Brothers Joe Skoniecki and Korbin Shuffleton designed our flyers, which were posted across campus as soon as the semester started. We also offered free hot chocolate outside in our student quads, to let students know of our upcoming events. We were able to meet a lot of potential new members and had a blast hanging out at all of our events!

Our rush event schedule started off with a “Winter Welcome” and continued with a card night, game night, brunch, a wings and football night, and dodge ball. It was a busy week to say the least, but with lots of planning, went off without a hitch! One of the events that brothers and potential new members alike enjoyed the most was Friday’s game night. This seemed to be everyone’s favorite, because it was the most fun and gave everyone a chance to hang out with and get to know the brothers.

With Spring Rush 2013 now winding down, the Eta Zeta chapter is looking forward to inducting our new members at the beginning of February and welcoming them to start their Beta experience.