“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it”
- William James

As Men of Principle, every brother strives to apply their life for “something that will outlast it.” This can be accomplished through all aspects of life, whether it is through Cultivation of the Intellect, Responsible Social Conduct, or Commitment to the Community. Part of being a brother of Beta Theta Pi means giving time and resources to our community. The goal of each brother of our chapter is to commit at least 13 hours of community service each semester. It is through serving others that our brotherhood gains great strength. Our chapter takes great pride in doing our part to make Miami University, the city of Oxford, and the greater Miami-Valley area a better place.

Each semester our chapter participates in a great spectrum of philanthropic and charity events. An exciting new philanthropy has been introduced for the fall semester to replace Chili Cook-off. “Preppy Sports” is a team competition in preppy events such as bad mitten, croquet and bocce ball. Teams dress up in their preppiest attire while waiters serve sparkling grape juice in champagne glasses to all competitors. Our chapter hopes to continue to expand on the success of “Preppy Sports” as it is one of the most creative philanthropies on campus. Our spring semester philanthropy, King of the Wing, hosts a speed chicken wing-eating contest in which a large crowd of Miami students and organizations participate. It has always been an enjoyable time and we are continually looking to make each event more successful. The chapter continues to take a lead in the September 11th memorial by distributing the remembrance ribbons. Other service events have included Greek Move-In, painting pumpkins with elementary children and adopting a family at Christmas time.

For the second consecutive year the Alpha Chapter will be leading Extreme Home Makeover. This project unites the Greek Community in giving back to the Oxford community by donating time and funding to local homes. This year the project will focus on repainting the home of an elderly couple and also landscaping another area family’s home. Extreme Home Makeover has been very popular with the Greek Community and has received great support from Miami University.

The brothers continue to be active in area schools tutoring and mentoring elementary age children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County and Adopt-A-School have been favorite service opportunities for the brothers. A large group of brothers went to the Living Water Program in Hamilton and played kickball, basketball, whiffle ball and football with the school children. This is a project that will hopefully become a tradition in coming years. The brothers of the Alpha Chapter have been involved in their community through service in many ways and are always eager for new opportunities.

Do you have a creative idea that will make an impact in our community or are you interested in helping us? Please don't hesitate to contact our philanthropy chairman, Mike McDonel at: mcdonemp@muohio.edu.

“I shall not walk through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do now for I may not walk this way again”
- William Penn

Brothers of the Alpha Chapter participate in Extreme Home Makeover
Greek Edition.

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