Eickhoff extended bid to join Eta Epsilon
Chapter Counselor initiated onto newly installed chapter's rolls

November 20, 2010

OXFORD, OHIO -- Two weeks ago, Ric Eickhoff got a very pleasant surprise in front of more than 200 people at the Beta Theta Pi Cleveland Area Alumni Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by the General Fraternity's Board of Trustees as part of the JCU chapter's "Installation Weekend." Ric was extended an invitation to become an official member of the Eta Epsilon Chapter.

At the conclusion of his remarks billed as a 'chapter update' to those in attendance, chapter president Andy Lane '12 asked Eickhoff to join him on stage. "Without question, Ric, you have been one of the most crucial elements in our chapter's success," Lane said as his voice began to crack. "You have invested your time, your talents, and your treasure; even some of your blood, sweat, and tears for our chapter." Lane then offered the written bid of membership to Eickhoff. As the two embraced, they were greeted by the evening's only standing ovation.

"When Andy called me to join him at the podium at Canterbury [Golf Club], the first thought that went through my mind was that he was thanking me for my involvement that weekend," Eickhoff reflected. "When he extended the invitation to me to become part of Eta Epsilon, I was both honored and humbled...I have in many ways always felt that I was part of the Chapter but now that I am a member of Eta Epsilon, it gives me a true Beta home at the local level. I cannot think of anything that would have meant more to me."

Ric Eickhoff is the father of Eric Eickhoff, Ohio Wesleyan '00. Ric, who was never involved in the Greek Life system during his own collegiate career, met many of Eric's chapter brothers and really identified with the mission and values of the organization and how its members lived out those principles. Eric went to work for the General Fraternity and in 2002, extended an invitation to his father to become a Beta. Ric was initiated in the Hall of Chapters, located on the grounds of the Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio, and became #30 on the General Fraternity's roll. As such, Ric never had a 'home' chapter.

When a colony formed in 2007 at John Carroll University, Ric had his first opportunity to become engaged with the fraternity at any level. He volunteered for the position of Ritual Advisor and after one year, took on the role of Chapter Counselor, a position he has held ever since.

"Being initiated into the Eta Epsilon chapter was not only a huge surprise for my father, but a wonderful honor as well," remarked Eric Eickhoff, who was present at the dinner on November 6 to witness the surprise firsthand. "I remember that when the chapter was established, he was concerned that he would not have the ability to connect with the current members as he did not have a true collegiate experience while attending Cleveland State. He worked his way through college and therefore had little opportunity to get involved with campus activities. I can remember talking with him about the JCU colony and his involvement as then ritual advisor and his reservations. My main point to him was that he had the ability to connect and relate to the men so long as he was willing to open himself up to it. It is an understatement to say that he has connected with the men and the chapter. From my perspective, he is everything an advisor should be...a friend, a brother, and a mentor. I am so happy that the men of Eta Epsilon have brought my Dad fully into their fold."

"We thought it'd only be fitting for him to have a home with the newly installed Eta Epsilon Chapter," Lane said.

To complete the surprise, Eickhoff traveled with the chapter to the Administrative Office today (November 20) to be initiated once again, this time alongside the nine undergraduate members of the Zeta Class. Eickhoff, who was given Roll #59, became the first initiate of the Eta Epsilon Chapter, as all members before him were technically initiated while JCU was still a colony.

"I was again honored at the Hall of Chapters to have Brother Nick Orlando, a founding father, be my guide. The initiation brought back so many memories of my first visit to Oxford when my son was my guide and I signed the General Fraternity Roll," Eickhoff exclaimed. "To me, the more one hears the ritual, the richer it becomes. The Ritual of Beta Theta Pi means more to me now than ever."