New frat looks to grow leadership
September 28, 2010
A new fraternity with a mission to cultivate leadership is coming to UK.
This year, Beta will be welcomed as the newest fraternity to join the University of Kentucky. With a history of integrity and prestige, Beta hopes to extend their success at UK.
According its website, Beta’s mission is “to become the exemplary standard for all collegiate fraternal societies.” With deep roots in service and leadership, the fraternity has values it takes seriously. The fraternity values mutual assistance, intellectual growth, trust, responsible conduct and integrity, a press release said.
The modern “Men of Principle” leadership initiative ensures all members actually follow the parameters set up by the fraternity, the release said. A standard of accountability is present among Beta’s members, who are challenged to be responsible leaders at their respective schools.
This tradition of leadership has lasted for decades, starting with the founding of Beta Theta Pi in 1839 at Miami University. Since then, the fraternity has spread all around, with 122 chapters across the United States and Canada, including four in Kentucky, the release said.
Beta Director of Expansion Allen Hardin believes that the word fraternity too often has a negative implication. He said when Beta looked at how fraternities acted nowadays, the organization didn’t like what it saw.
“We wanted to challenge the fraternity stereotype,” Hardin said. “We wanted to call out alcoholism. We wanted to call out drug use. We wanted to call out hazing.”
Hardin said the fraternity seeks UK’s top students. Having over a 2.9 GPA is mandatory for prospective members, but higher is preferred, Hardin said.
Students interested in joining can contact Allen Hardin at [email protected] or 513-255-1090, or stop by the Beta table outside White Hall. This information table will be up from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every weekday until October 15.
