Magazine Article - "Father Knows Best" (Spring 2010): When I joined Delta Gamma, started working at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and first served as a volunteer for Beta Theta Pi, the constant conversations about living a life of principle were not new concepts to me. Growing up with a mother who is a Delta Gamma and a proud Beta Theta Pi father (Bruce W. Levering, Oregon State ’76), I have realized fraternal values were instilled in me at a very young age. It is not an exaggeration to say that The Beta Stars was on the Levering lullaby song list. It was recognized 25 years later when I was standing in the middle of 85 men at The Wooden Institute this past summer, as I was one of a few women being serenaded.

 
I recently spent a long weekend at the birthplace of Beta Theta Pi, serving as a facilitator for The Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy. The experience gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on my life and ensure that I remain principled and purposeful. My mother and father always said, “Do what you love and it will be like you never really have to work.” I have a wonderful job as a fraternity and sorority life professional that challenges and rewards me every day, and I serve as a volunteer for two outstanding organizations: Delta Gamma and Beta Theta Pi. I am able to help students aspire to lead a principled life on a daily basis.

That weekend in Oxford reminded me of why I decided to go into the field of Student Affairs, how students inspire me every day and why I love to be challenged by undergraduate men and women. Some students are as lucky as I am to have been raised with strong principles and values illustrated everyday in their home. However, I know I am the minority, and many others are relying on Beta Theta Pi to build them into men of principle. 

It is up to us to make sure undergraduates everywhere know what it means to be principled. For me it means to make sure my actions match my values. That my choices reflect integrity and my life has a positive impact on others. What does it mean to you? 

 
Undergraduate Betas, are you recruiting and building men of principle?

Beta alumni, are you supporting and guiding men of principle? 

Beta fathers, are you inspiring and raising children of principle?

Remember to never underestimate the power of a role model, a parent, a mentor, an advisor, an advocate, a friend or even a simple lullaby, for we can be taught principles when we least expect them.

Jennifer Levering is a 2004 graduate of Loyola Marymount University who serves as the assistant dean of students for fraternity & sorority life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.