The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/95644
Wπ fraternal It's All Greek to Us WPI welcomes Beta Theta Pi fraternity to its Greek ranks IN MAY WPI announced that Beta Theta Pi will be joining its Greek community, becoming the 15th fraternity on campus. The expansion committee, composed of representatives from current fraternities, alum- ni, faculty, and staff, made the decision after campus visits and presentations by three potential organizations. Beta Theta Pi was founded at Miami Uni- versity in 1839 and has 119 collegiate chap- ters with more than 130,000 members. Its mission statement, "Devel- oping men of principle for a principled life," is one that ties in well with the values of WPI. "We look forward to having an active and involved chapter be part of campus, whose in- fluence will be positive and whose goals and endeavors will reflect positively on the fraternity/sorority community for years to come," says Geordie Folinas '13, Interfra- ternity Council president. The expansion comes a year after two new sororities, Theta Nu Xi and Alpha Phi, were added to the Greek system. Beta Theta Pi will expand a Greek community that already includes over 30 percent of WPI's students. pride We Salute You ROTC commission is all in the family for one WPI graduate T 14 Fall 2012 HE "FIRST SALUTE" of a commissioned ROTC cadet is revered tradition, but U. S. Army 2nd Lt. M. Spenser Brouwer '12 received his from someone very special— his great-grandfather, G. Burton Thompson, of Hartford, Conn. Brower was commissioned along with 22 ROTC cadets from the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, including 13 WPI graduates, during a joint ceremony in Al- den Memorial prior to this year's Commence- ment ceremonies. "This was an amazing day for us," says Brouwer's mother, Debra. "To watch our son swear an oath to defend our country was moving, but to see him salute his 89-year-old great-grandfather was priceless. My grand- father is a humble man who has spent his entire life serving others through his church and community. Like most veterans, he does not brag of his service; as a matter of fact he rarely speaks of it. My grandfather is my hero and I am delighted that my son has chosen