Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Spring 2011 Newsletter
Spring 2011 Newsletter
SPRING 2011
ΘΧ ΒΚ
Greetings from Beta Kappa Words from Alumni
Relations Chairman Joe
to a! of our invaluable alumnus members Muchlinski
From a homecoming reunion
prompting reminiscence of years
past to a bowling-turned-billiards
salvaged get-together, this
semester has seen a number of
memorable and constructive
alumni events. I consider myself
fortunate to act as the
coordinator of these activities,
and I am moreover appreciative
that I have been reappointed to
continue doing so for the next
year. This semester’s initiation
was marked by record-high alumni
attendance, and was closely
preceded by two occasions
wherein new members had the
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY NYLES BREECHER opportunity to meet alumni—the
When you think back on Theta Chi, what do you think of ? You may Night Out, and the Candle Hunt.
remember fun events or experience you gained, but more than likely you As always, I am excited to
remember your brothers the most. Great stories with them or times a compile the new issue of our
particular brother was there for you probably come to mind. In chapter’s newsletter; I hope you
different ways every member contributes to our brotherhood. The find this semester’s edition
individuals may change, but the brothers are always Theta Chi. amusing and enlightening. Enjoy,
As I look forward to this year, as Beta Kappa’s new President, I and I’ll see you at Red Carnation
see the strength of every brother. I am always astounded by what we do. on April 16th! (p.5 for details)
When Beta Kappa needs to get something done it gets it done. jmuchlinski01@hamlineuniversity.edu
Whether we rally to perform massive amounts of fundraising or work (715) 781 - 8103
together on a great philanthropy event, we always go above and beyond.
There are always ways for us to improve, both as a chapter and as
individuals, but I know that we will succeed because of each other.
Theta Chi is for life. Beyond all the experience that you may get
or the fun you might have, there is an inherent power in our
brotherhood. Nothing replaces knowing that somebody is always there
for you and always will be. It amazes me how much we accomplish
together as brothers, and we are what make Theta Chi strong.
Never forget that Theta Chi is for life, and never forget that
your brothers, new and old, are always there for you. -Joseph D. Muchlinski
Nyles Breecher
612-396-2840
nbreecher@gmail.com
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THETA CHI, BETA KAPPA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2011
OFFICER REPORT BY DAN stellar Fall 2010 fundraising We also purchased new, high-
SHUMAN, ASSISTANT season, the chapter earned quality couches for the living
TREASURER enough money to significantly room, and an outdoor bike rack
upgrade our information to improve security. These plans
2010 was an eventful technology infrastructure by are just a few of the ones that
year for Theta Chi’s Chapter installing our own internet Beta Kappa brainstormed over
House, which saw many major server! This exciting the course of this year, and we
upgrades and the implementing development was joined by a have many more that we would
of plans for several more. Chief new plan to create a digital like to implement in the future!
among them is the new fire catalog of the House Library, If any alumni are interested in
escape which was installed, which will allow us to finally assisting, please contact us! Help
thanks to our Alumni organize and keep track of the in the form of alumni resources
Corporation. Also, thanks to a vast amount of material we have is always greatly appreciated!
available for the Chapter’s use.
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THETA CHI, BETA KAPPA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2011
A MESSAGE FROM FORMER suspension hearings, poor don't tell them or show them is
MARSHAL AND NEWLY- communication and degenerating that, to achieve this greatness and
ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT inter-Greek relations? If yes, then receive this benefit, we must
A.J. MEULEMANS your chapter went from twelve to endure growing pains. It is the
It may seem obvious, that a forty in four years. These things strain of growing through these
chapter changes. Everything could spell doom for some groups; challenges, like a katana folded a
changes, except death and taxes. would a residence hall council thousand times to obtain its lethal
But when a small chapter at a have an eleven hour election edge, that makes us strong. The
small school, where almost meeting or a Vice Presidential perseverance of our officers and
everyone knows each other impeachment? No. They would members is that which propels us
already, triples in size in a matter buckle and throw up their hands to persevere in the future. Though
of four years, the growing pains in favor of the easy way out. Why it saddens me at times to know
are reminiscent of a fifteen year then? Why do the men of Theta that the chapter is not what it was
old boy's knees. Does your Chi, Beta Kappa Chapter deal, when I joined, I am happy to see
chapter suffer from officer failures, hold resolutely and drive on? It is that we are on a trajectory to
fifty percent attrition rates of a synergy of this chapter, an ability succeed for another one hundred
initiation classes, giant accounts to draw in people and show them years. This is not where I wanted
receivable, a plethora of the greatness of our cause and the this article to go, but I am happy
benefit of our strife. What we with were it went.
le': Nyles Breecher makes a break for the upper deck of the
laser warfare complex, and brothers enjoy a rousing game of
minigolf amidst painted waves at Grand Slam. This was one of
numerous enjoyable activities included in Fall Semester’s
Brotherhood Week.
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THETA CHI, BETA KAPPA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2011
HISTORIAN’S CORNER – MITCH KNAJDEK 2007, 2008, and 2009), a biography of Reverend
Paul Rader, and a picture of Peter Fugina. We are
As historian, I have spent the semester looking looking for pictures of famous alumni from our
backwards into the history of our chapter, as well chapter to place in the chapter room, as well as
as preserving our accomplishments this year! Last their stories. If you have any suggestions or any
year we purchased a camera for the historian, so we memorabilia that used to decorate the chapter
can document our activities. Many of our pictures room please let us know!
are up on Facebook at the Theta Chi at Hamline
University group. We will have a yearbook by Mitch Knajdek
year’s end to add to the photo albums we already 823 Sne!ing Avenue North
have. Saint Paul MN, 55104
I was drawn to this position due to my Mknajdek01@hamlineuniversity.edu
research into fraternities and sororities at Hamline
for my Honors Project in history. Last issue, I sent
out a questionnaire for alumni about their
involvement in Theta Chi. I received many great
responses from Alumni of Theta Chi. Thank you
for all the stories! I will be sending out copies of
my research when it finishes in May. If you have
not responded, my contact information is below. I
would love to hear from you!
There have been many new (or rather old)
items that have been added to the chapter room,
including class pictures from Red Carnation (2006,
Beta Kappa History: below is an article that appeared in May 15, 1942. The point is that this is still the
the 1947 edition of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Theta Chi same fraternity; part of the name has been
Newsletter, Volume 1, Number 2. It details some of the changed, but the house is still here and the
early chapter’s stru+les a'er the merger with Theta Chi personnel are still your brothers.
in 1942 as we! as reorganization a'er World War II, and
Secondly, our house was vacated during the
it reminds us of how far our Chapter has come! war and when we began to reorganizing the
Chapter last Fall we had a big task ahead of us. A
Dear Brothers: $2000 mortgage was contracted in 1941 with the
To those of you who received the first issue school for some repairs that were made on the
of Alum Time and to those who it is reaching for house. We are organizing the Chapter on a sound
the first time, we would like to state a few of the financial basis, and we need the support of each of
facts that lie behind the reorganization of this you in order to wipe out the debt. Also, many
Fraternity. repairs are needed on the house; the people who
used it during the war showed very little respect
Firstly, we want to re-state the situation
for our property.
that ultimately led to the merging of the Beta
Kappa Fraternity with the Theta Chi Fraternity
Most of all we need your support, we need
back in 1942. In 1941 both Grand Chapters of the to build up the Alumni organization. The
two fraternities agreed on the merger of all the fraternity is made up of two groups, the Actives
Beta Kappa Chapters with Theta Chi. (Our and the Alums; we must work together to build
Chapter here was given the privilege of retaining this Fraternity up to its pre-war standards.
the Beta Kappa chapter name because it originally
was the Alpha Chapter of Beta Kappa) The actual - 1947 Newsletter
merging of our chapter with Theta Chi took place
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THETA CHI, BETA KAPPA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2011
The fo!owing two articles, composed
“It is sort of a Red Carnation – Spring 2011
by Brother Kyle Lewis, are segments competitive process to have your
in Hamline’s newspaper The Oracle project selected,” Andersen
that concern our chapter. The first explained. “You want to make
quotes Brothers Wyatt Andersen and sure that you have some good
Dan Shuman, whereas the second sources, a good outline, a
mentions Beta Kappa’s involvement timeline, explain your research
in the Jules Thompson fundraising method, and make sure that
event held recently. you’re committed to the work.”
Students can also receive
hands-on experience assisting Date: April 16th
Fall semester has begun, but some
with the research projects of Time: 6:00 pm
students have been busy
conducting academic research for faculty members. Place: The Lexington Restaurant
months
“In the physics
department, you can just talk to 1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN
While many Hamline
your professors and let them (Intersection of Grand Ave and
students are heading back to class
know you’re interested in their Lexington Pky; a parking lot can
as fall semester begins, others
projects,” senior Dan Shuman be found behind the restaurant.)
have been hard at work for the
explained. “If they can use help
past several months exploring
over the summer, they’ll contact
questions and making discoveries
the students they think will do
through academic research.
the best job. Collaborative
Collaborative research is
research is a really cool
an opportunity that Hamline
experience."
students can pursue over the
Regardless of the project
summer. Research projects are
or academic area, undergraduate
typically self-styled, but require a
research opportunities are truly
great deal of time and
collaborative processes. Students
commitment. The program offers
are not assistants, but leaders and
a stipend and free housing, as well
partners in projects. The results
as the opportunity to gain So Much Depends Upon a
of their work are often so
relevant job experience. Yellow Dartboard
distinctive that students are
“There is fantastic Thanks to the efforts of
asked to present their findings
professor-student interaction,” Brothers Mitch Knajdek and
both at Hamline and at
junior Wyatt Andersen said. “It Joe Muchlinski, our chapter
prestigious conferences around
speaks to the quality of professors house’s basement now sports a
the country.
we have. They’re volunteering, new dartboard, complete with
coming to Hamline over the chalkboard and necessary
summer. They’re here all day accoutrements. Currently,
working with students for the there is also a Nintendo 64
sake of the students, helping setup; remarks have been made
them gain experience. We’re very concerning a desire for billiards
fortunate." and other non-electronic game
In some academic areas, options. This appeal to
applying for collaborative recreational entertainment is a
research may require that sign of greater emphasis on
students propose projects and gaming, which may eventually
explain why those projects merit lead to the addition of other
research. games in the basement.
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THETA CHI, BETA KAPPA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2011
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