Chartering Convention Reflections

The 171st General Convention provided a lot of memories for each of Eta Epsilon's attendees. Continue reading as undergraduates, alumni, and advisors reflect on their time in Washington, D.C.

Nick Orlando, John Carroll '11
Founding Father

"Convention was a great opportunity to interact with brothers from other chapters to learn how they're succeeding, and to offer advice on how they can improve. It was also an unbelievable experience to be recognized for all our hard work by receiving our charter."

Greg Sloat, John Carroll '12
Beta Class

"Convention was an AMAZING experience! Being in a room filled with hundreds of Betas from around the country was awesome! Receiving our charter and the six awards handed out by the General Fraternity was excellent but that's not the end - we're going for the Knox next year!"

Bill Worms, John Carroll '12
Beta Class

"It was the most amazing Beta experience of my life because I was in the same room with men of all ages that I can call my brothers. It gave me such a rush to meet these guys who share the same values and principles as me and be able to partake in a sacred initiation of four new brothers!"

Andy Lane, John Carroll '12
Beta Class

"The John Carroll University Colony of Beta Theta Pi's journey to become an official chapter began before I even arrived at Carroll. After the first few weeks of my freshman year and going through formal recruitment, I saw that my personal beliefs paralleled the fraternity's beliefs. Then, after I had been given a bid, accepted, and officially joined the bonds of brotherhood in the colony, I realized how much it meant to be a member of Beta at JCU. I also began to realize what I would have to do to help the colony accomplish its goals.

The primary goal of the colony during my freshman year was to become an official chapter of Beta Theta Pi -- a goal that would take three years to accomplish. As a freshman, I had no idea how much work it was going to take to accomplish this and that I would have a primary leadership role in seeing that the goal be accomplished.

When I became the chapter president of Beta during my sophomore year of college, I did not know how much I was taking on and how much needed to be accomplished during my term. This would be the year our colony would petition to charter at the 171st General Convention. Long story short, after countless hours of preparing documents, PowerPoints, and speeches, we presented in front of a panel of voting Beta delegates from across the U.S. and received our charter. The moment that our charter was announced, so many thoughts were going through my mind; I could not help but to think of all of the other brothers who had helped to make this goal become a reality. It was a special moment for all of the brothers who attended. Not only did our new 'chapter' make a name for itself by chartering, but we also stood out by the numerous awards that we had earned throughout the awards banquet. If someone didn't know about the John Carroll Betas going into the Convention, they definitely knew who we were by the time they left."

Brian Pestotnik, John Carroll '12
Gamma Class

"Convention was an absolute eye-opening and amazing experience. Walking into a room knowing Betas from across the country and from different decades were all there for the same reason and understanding is truly a wonderful feeling and quite the sight to see. I am proud to be a Beta!"

Christopher Shaheen, John Carroll '12
Gamma Class

"The weekend was truly a pinnacle of brotherhood bonding and leadership development. With inspirational words from Beta senators, astronauts, and journalists coupled with motivational music videos and one-on-ones from members of the Board, the 171st General Convention fostered a stronger, confident, and more understanding leader within me, with ever more friendships and awesome experiences with my brothers of Beta. We were recognized with a handful of awards, had brothers speak in front of the whole convention, and soaked in the rich history and architecture of a city one can never visit enough!"

John Jackson, John Carroll '13
Delta Class

"Convention in Washington, D.C. was a great experience. Not only were we surrounded by the history of our nation, but we were also making our own history. The feelings of accomplishment, gratitude, and pride upon receiving our charter were great."

Nathan Catalano, John Carroll '12
Delta Class

"I was so proud at Convention to hear John Carroll University announced no less than six times at the awards banquet the afternoon we received our charter. It was a proud moment to be a Beta."

Dan Imfeld, John Carroll '13
Delta Class

"It was incredible to see all of the amazing things Betas from around the country have done. I am happy to say that I am a Beta and a brother to all of these amazing people."

Mark Ehrbar, John Carroll '12
Delta Class

"Convention gave me a higher respect for the fraternity as a whole. It is very encouraging to see other Betas (alumni and students) and Friends of Beta so passionate about the organization."

Chris Saniuk, John Carroll '12
Epsilon Class

"Convention was a great time. It gave me an opportunity to see how great the fraternity is as a whole. Getting our charter and touring D.C. made the trip very enjoyable!"

Spencer German, John Carroll '13
Epsilon Class

"I felt that Convention was a great opportunity to meet other brothers from around the country and see how they run their chapters in comparison to ours. I felt that it showed me personally that our new chapter actually runs very smoothly in comparison to some other chapters that have bigger issues on their campuses. I was still able to learn a lot though about how to run our chapter and fix any issues we may have and I enjoyed the experience of being around so many brothers and being able to learn from one another as well as explore downtown D.C."

Enzo Miceli, John Carroll '13
Epsilon Class

"An experience like no other, I was able to meet Betas from all over the country and explore Washington, D.C. for the first time."

Kyle Sobh, John Carroll '10
Founding Father

"Joining the ranks of Beta Theta Pi as a Founding Father of the JCU Colony, now Eta Epsilon Chapter of this fine organization, was the best decision I made in my undergraduate collegiate career. Serving the colony as recruitment chairman for nearly three terms, being a part of the chartering presentation team, and watching one's vision for this organization become a reality are just a few highlights of my Beta experience. Beta has given me so much; I have developed as a leader and I have made bonds of friendship that will last until we are old, but most importantly, Beta has paved the way for all of my future endeavors. Receiving our charter was an indescribable experience that filled each of us with overwhelming joy. Knowing that the Eta Epsilon chapter will remain on campus as the model fraternity we intended it to become is most gratifying. Every day I thank God for my brothers and that I'm a Beta."

Andrew Kolupski, John Carroll '10
Founding Father

"Convention meant the culmination of hard work and dedication for a group of great men at JCU. As an alumni attendee, I felt a 'proud father' moment as we not only received our charter but proceeded to win six national awards and be the only chapter highlighted at the awards luncheon. I see a very bright future for the Eta Epsilon Chapter at JCU on account of its fine men now and the ones yet to come and I am grateful that I was a stepping stone in this life-changing organization."

J.J. Kuczynski, John Carroll '10
Alpha Class

"Although I have attended a past Convention and plan to attend more in the future, the 171st General Convention forever will have a special place in my heart. Being a part of the chartering presentation team was an absolute honor, but receiving the charter with nearly all of my brothers present was an even greater honor. As the sole member of the Alpha Class, this moment was the most rewarding capstone I could have asked for to complete my time as an undergraduate. Being recruited by this organization, meeting lifelong friends, serving a term as colony president, and being there for the most exciting moment in our chapter's young history is a timeline of events which seems nothing but surreal. Being a Beta is a blessing which I'm thankful for every day of my life. I can only hope that more deserving young men get this rare and fulfilling opportunity."

Ric Eickhoff, General Fraternity Rolls '02
Chapter Counselor

"I wish all of you could have shared in all the compliments that I received at Convention! Some of them were: 'You must be proud,' 'What a great group of men,' 'This is what Beta is looking for,' 'Can we clone John Carroll 120 times?' My responses were: 'I am proud,' 'They are great,' 'We need more like them,' 'I wish we could clone them too.' The weekend was filled with comments like these...I tried to remain humble...at times it was difficult! Well done men...VERY WELL DONE!"

Benjamin Lupica, Bowling Green '71
Alumni Relations Advisor

"What a great experience to witness the reception of the Eta Epsilon charter after seeing the beginning of our colony over three years ago! The fruition of JCU Beta Men of Principle was totally evident with such national recognition and acclaim for this great achievement! Each time I met a Beta undergraduate and alumnus from around the country they were always so impressed, pleased, and very eager to compliment our fine delegation to the 171st General Convention. It was also a great honor to represent the Northeastern Ohio Beta Alumni Association for this momentous event which had locally supported the JCU Beta colony since its inception in 2007."

Joel Mullner, John Carroll '07
Member Education Advisor

"Attending the 171st General Convention was such an amazing and - at times - indescribable experience, and I am thrilled I had the opportunity to be with my brothers for such a momentous and memorable occasion in our chapter's history. It was hard not to feel a sense of overwhelming pride throughout the four days as John Carroll earned its charter, received a handful of awards, and was highlighted during the awards luncheon. The Convention served as a great way to not only celebrate our successes, but to introduce Eta Epsilon as one of the premier young chapters in this Great and Good Fraternity."

Dr. Scott Allen, Minnesota '95
Faculty Advisor

"Eta Epsilon was the star of the show and the stage is set for the next chapter in the story of Beta Theta Pi at John Carroll University!"

Joe Chinnici, Jr., Ohio State '64
Financial Advisor

"The chapter's presentation team was outstanding in its early morning presentation to the Charters Subcommittee. I have attended many of these chartering review sessions over the years and there have been none better. Not only did the committee give swift approval of its recommendation for chartering but the convention delegates also acted quickly without anyone raising any objections. Putting it in perspective, this was not the case with any of the other three colonies applying for charters. What may have seemed like an eternity - 3 years - was well worth it for all John Carroll Betas who worked hard to achieve this ultimate goal. And for those of you who worked on the Chartering Petition, it was a knockout.

An hour or so [after we received the charter] the Awards Luncheon was held and Eta Epsilon received 6 awards which was great recognition for the newest chapter of Beta Theta Pi. J.J. and Andy were the featured speakers and their presentations were excellent. The 'Reserved JOHN CARROLL' table signs told the story - no other chapter had that. All in all, Eta Epsilon was the talk of convention. And why not! I have worked with several chapters over the years and - without a doubt - Eta Epsilon has been the most rewarding. There is excellent rapport with advisors, a great deal of enthusiasm, outstanding undergraduates, and a desire to "just do it" and be the best. Congratulations to the entire chapter!"