A Chapter Visit to Beta Delta -- Cornell

Cozy up to the Beta Delta chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Cornell, for they have a story for the entire Fraternity, one that can inspire both alumni and undergraduates. The central unifier is an 8-year fundraiser, the Castle Campaign, run from 1992-1996 by a talented leader named Doug Onsi '90. The most important part of the story is how the Campaign changed the men in the chapter.

Full of Beta Fire

"As the exterior and interior of the house changed, so did the brothers," said Mike Perera '97, former chapter president and current IFC president, one of many strong Beta Deltas full of Beta fire to emerge from the thick of the Castle Campaign, which raised more than $650,000 from 284 alumni.

"We all just got tired of the condition of the house," said Rick Banks '72, financial advisor for 11 years running and Castle Campaign treasurer, about the major repairs needed a decade ago.

Start with One Visionary

"There has to be at least one person who believes in the dream enough to make it a major priority in his life," Doug said, "and for us this person was Eran Gartner, ('88) who began the Campaign, then spent his final year as chapter president and two additional years running it."

Doug took over as chairman of the Campaign following Eran, and began a far-reaching public relations effort to involve both undergraduates and alumni as the quest for funds continued, even through negotiations with the IRS to make donations tax-deductible.

An Actives/Alumni Partnership

"We alumni have worked to develop a true partnership with the undergraduates and to add value to their lives and development," Doug said. Jon Lindseth '56, who donated the Lindseth Climbing Wall to Cornell, the largest such indoor structure in the U.S., has been leadership chair of the Campaign and a generous donor, mentoring Doug Onsi and inspiring loyalty from alumni.

Rushing in Winter Coats

"My first year of rushing," Bill said, "construction was under way in the Great Hall. We rushed in winter coats with plaster falling, windows broken, and we had those jet engine-looking heaters. It was wild. But we took a fantastic class of 17, young men who could see through the plaster dust that we would be a greater chapter."

Make It Fun

"We planned four formals a year (Beta Delta formals are tradition) to coincide with house corporation meetings and Cornell football and hockey games. We made it fun for alumni to spend a weekend with us. They could bring their wives. Sunday mornings the house corporation would meet, and we'd have many alums there. Over the years, the actives become the alumni and get involved for eight years instead of four."

The Dividend: Campus Leadership

"Beta Theta Pi has been a leader in the movement to strengthen all Greeks and remains a model for alumni unity and dedication," said Greek Affairs Director Randy Stevens, boasting of Beta's current leading role on campus.

"Increasing upperclassman leadership has transformed the house," Eric Sophir, current president and a former rush chairman said, another Beta schooled at Castle Campaign University. "We've found that when the house is treated better, the better people treat each other," he added.