News from the Beta Phi Chapter

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News from the Beta Phi Chapter
Greetings Brothers, Fall 2001 I hope this
letter finds you in good health and even better
spirits. I am Steven Hain, Master Alchemist for
the fall semester, and I present to you the 2001
Alumni Letter. In these pages, your curiosity as
to the goings on of our humble chapter will be
peaked, but hopefully not satisfied. Therefore,
I invite you all to our Greek Week activities,
beginning on Sunday, February 24 and ending
Saturday, March 2. If you cannot attend, I urge
you to stop by anytime at your convenience and
see our progress for yourself. Last year, we
strove to uphold the second object with great
vigor. Our Boy Scout merit badge program was a
huge success, and a troop of Girl Scouts was even
involved. Needless to say, all involved had a
great time. On top of that, the chapter held
chemistry demonstrations for one of the local
elementary schools. Also last year, under the
direction of VMA Tony Tegels, we were proud to
welcome ten outstanding individuals into our
order. These men and women have already begun
making their marks on the chapter, and will
continue to do so through their college tenure.
This year, along with rushing, the chapter has
undertaken a few projects to help distract them
from the rigors of homework. After the tragic
events in New York and Washington D.C., we
promptly decided to find a way to help. A
fundraising effort was started, first on campus
and currently out into the community, with all
proceeds going to the American Red Cross.
American Flag decals are given to those who
donate 5 or more, so not only is money being
raised for a good cause, but also a feeling of
patriotism is being promoted. There is some
other excitement being generated this semester as
well. Our chapter is exploring the possibility
of colonizing a chapter at the University of
Washington in Seattle. Even after realizing the
great amount of dedication this project will
entail, the chapter is still eager to try. The
committee is still in its early stages, so any
input you might have would certainly be welcome.
As MA, I am proud of the achievements my
brothers and I have made this semester. There
are twenty actives, so no project is too tough as
long as we work together. Looking ahead, I would
like to see the successful things we have done
continue, such as chemistry demonstrations. I
envision the chapter being more involved in
activities on and off campus. I know the
motivation is there it is just a matter of
finding the right outlets. Enjoy the rest of
this letter I think you will be pleased with our
development. And again, feel free to visit us
anytime you are forever welcome. Yours in the
Double Bond, Steven Hain Master Alchemist
The Beta-Phi bunch on M-day 2001
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Raising Funds for the Red Cross
On September 11, 2001, we were all shocked
at the destruction caused by terrorist acts. The
Beta Phi Chapter decided to lend a helping hand
by collecting donations for the Black Hills
Chapter of the American Red Cross. We thought in
Americas time of need that it would be best to
promote patriotism also. With these ideas in
mind, our chapter purchased 400 American Flag
static-cling decals. We are giving a decal away
with every 5.00 donation. Setting our
booth up on the SDSMT campus, we collected 260.
Since the response on campus was varied, we are
collecting at local grocery stores. Hopefully,
before the end of the semester we will be able to
collect over 1500 for The American Red Cross.
Amber and Jed fund raising
Eric and Jason in action
The American Red Cross is an organization
familiar to us all. However, until we are
directly affected by disaster, we tend to forget
about these types of organizations. The Red
Cross helps to shelter and feed those evacuated
or displaced by a disaster. They also work one
on one with disaster victims this includes
mental and physical assistance. If you
would like to donate to our drive for The
American Red Cross, please feel free to contact
us. Remember, for every 5.00 donation, you
receive an American Flag decal while supplies
last. We will continue collecting donations
until January 9, 2002.
J. Haworth Jonte Hall of Fame
As many of you will know from reading your
Hard Rocker this spring, we started something
new The J. Haworth Jonte Hall of Fame. The Hall
of Fame was started to remind us collegiate
members of what our professional members have
done for us. Also, it is to thank those
professional members for their contributions to
the Beta Phi chapter over the years. Professor J.
Haworth Jonte received the honorary plaquette
from the Beta Phi chapter on March 25, 2001 and
became one of the first members of the Hall of
Fame, together with Professor Heckmann (deceased)
and Professor Gilbertson (deceased).
Professor J. Haworth Jonte
House Improvement
Webpage
As you all know we are always improving the
house in any way possible. This summer the member
of our chapter installed a new deck on the west
side of the house where the old stairs used to
be. They also reinforced part of the foundation
that was starting to crumble.
http//www.sdsmt.edu/student-orgs/axe/axe.html is
the internet address of the Beta Phi chapters
homepage. Rene Aldrich did an awesome job with
our web-page, so be our guest to check it out.
M-week parade 2001
The M-week parade turned out this year for us.
For our float, we were awarded Best Overall in
the parade.
???, Fun and Chemistry
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Alumni Professional Activities
The next year will be quite exciting for us.
We are planning to start a quarterly email
newsletter for alumni and friends of the Beta Phi
chapter. The idea is to improve the
communication between us and to keep you folks
updated about current events here at our chapter.
If you are interested in subscribing, please
contact me at mercury_at_sylvan.che.sdsmt.edu.
The second big project that we would like
launch is writing a history of our Beta Phi
Chapter. Here we need you, the alumni. We are in
the process of collecting information for a
booklet. I visited the National Headquarters
this April and I appreciated the help of Brother
John Becker. He dug through piles of our old
files with me. I was able to bring some
materials with me but there are still a few white
spots. For example, I need the list of officers
in the early seventies. I would like to find
some information on the 1976 conclave held at
SDSMT. What was it like to be a student in the
seventies, eighties, and nineties? It is your
history, as well as ours, so please help us. Of
course, it is just a start and it will be a long
process, but with your support I think we can
accomplish this goal. A good way of getting in
touch with the history team is the email address
above. The third project is to build a
professional network. This network should include
two big branches a career mentor program and a
professional seminar with alumni guest lecturer.
As a career mentor, you, dear alumni, would
help a student member of our chapter with writing
cover letters and résumés. You could also
prepare him or her for interviewing, or give some
general advice about specific companies or
industry branches. If you are willing to help us
with this project and support our future
professionals, write to the email address above
and include your area of expertise, and we will
make a contact for you. As a guest lecturer
in the professional seminar, you, dear alumni,
would have the opportunity to share your
professional experience with the Beta Phi
chapter. Starting next semester, we would like
to invite professionals with working experience
in industry, research institutes and/or
universities. A cooperation with our local ACS
or AIChE chapters might be possible. The format
can be pretty open, including everything between
scientific presentations and casual talks. We
are looking forward to hearing from you !!!
Bert Liebig, Alumni Secretary
Graduates (Spring 2001) From left to
right Keri Bachmeier, Lori Corth, and Jeremy Day
Rookies
Greek Week was a unique experience that
brought all of the pledges closer together.
Living in tight quarters for a week, the pledges
got to know one another better than they ever
could have imagined. From writing songs until
two in the morning to marching to school
together, the pledges created a bond with each
other that will never be broken.
From left to right Bert Liebig (MES, Amberg,
Germany ), Kathryn Henning (ChE, Tyndall, SD),
Alan George (Geol, Springfield, NH) April Herrera
(Chem., Wright, WY), Heidi Peterson(Chem., Rapid
City, SD) , Heather Merrill (Chem., Scenic, SD),
Bethany Pompy (Chem., Black Hawk, SD) , Sara
Reausaw (Chem.,Lead, SD), Jedadiah Kopren
(Chem./ChE, Bison, SD), and Amber Cain (Chem.,
Rapid City, SD)
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What the officers have to say...
MA Steven Hain
VMA Jeffrey Hartman
My main goal this year as MA is to keep the
chapter together as one motivated force. I would
also like to begin laying the groundwork for
professional seminars to prepare our brothers for
the world beyond college.
Dear Brothers, My name is Jeff Hartman and I am
this semester's VMA. Rushing has gone right on
track, this semester. We have had great times
whether playing volleyball or poker, singing
karaoke, or eating chislic. With a growing list
of prospective, we hope to have a strong pledge
class and continue to uphold AXE's traditions.
All our events have been successful, and were
looking at another solid pledge class. Also, we
are all very excited about the possibility that
well be able to colonize a new chapter at the
University of Washington in Seattle. Im
currently making preparations for our initiation
in the spring, and Ive found several members who
will be potential initiates into the Beta Phi
hall of fame for this year.
MC Eric Sauer
Recorder Heather Merrill
Reporter Amber Cain
My goal for the chapter this year is help those
in need. This is a tragic time in our country.
As a professional /national organization it is
our duty to try to relieve some pain and
suffering of those less fortunate. Lets set a
goal to help/promote as many non-profit,
community serving organizations as possible.
This has been an interesting and busy semester.
Taking minutes at meetings is a harder task than
I first suspected it would be. Im finally
getting the hang of it and Ive even managed to
create my own sort of shorthand language in the
process. YITDB, Heather Merrill, Recorder
Treasurer Heidi Peterson
Hello ACS Brothers, Well, we are already more
than halfway through this fall semester and boy,
have we been busy! So far, we have accomplished
a balanced budget and are presently collecting
donations that will benefit the local American
Red Cross. Additionally, we are working to
someday build a new ACS house. Currently, we
have enough saved for a down payment, but we do
want to remind all brothers that any monetary
help is greatly appreciated. As a rookie, I am
excited to hold the office of treasurer. This
position has allowed me to experience a real
hands-on way of being involved in the fraternity
and learn more about ACS. With the holidays soon
approaching, I hope this letter finds each of you
in great health!
Alumni Secretary Bert Liebig
Upcoming Events
Dear Brothers As current Alumni Secretary, I
would like to launch the following projects -A
quarterly email newsletter to alumni and friends
of the Beta Phi chapter (the address will be
mercury_at_sylvan.che.sdsmt.edu) -A history of the
Beta-phi chapter -A professional seminar and a
mentor program for our students. Therefore, I
will need your help. Please, contact me at the
email address above. Yours in the double bond,
Bert
December 10, 2002 Bid Night Come and meet our
new prospective members. January 14, 2002 Pledge
Night Help us welcome the pledge class of
2002. February 24-March 2, 2002 Visit the house
during Greek Week April 13, 2002 Alpha Chi Sigma
Formal Come join us in Deadwood for dinner and an
evening of fun.