Convention Overview

When the Fraternity was founded in Oxford, Ohio, in 1839, The Republic of Texas was still an independent nation encompassing parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming, and was only three years removed from the historic battle of the Alamo.

Beta Theta Pi’s first president, John Holt Duncan, made Texas his home and now rests in the State’s most honored cemetery along side many former governors, U.S. senators, Congressmen and Medal of Honor winners.

Today, more than 7,000 Betas live in Texas, with some 1,770 residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The Lone Star State is also home to chapters at Texas, Texas Tech, Texas-Arlington, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and the soon-to-be recolonized Gamma Omega Chapter at Southern Methodist.

It is said that “everything is bigger in Texas” and the 169th General Convention was no exception. Nearly 1,000 undergraduates, alumni and guests gathered at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, August 7-10, making this year’s Convention the third largest event in Fraternity history. Only the Centenary (1939) and Sesqui-centenary (1989) conventions drew larger audiences.

From the young undergraduates who infuse life into the experience . . . to the dedicated volunteers who provide leadership and support . . . to the Silver Grays who offer perspective with entertaining stories of days gone by, participants are forever changed by the Convention experience.

Legislation

Three changes to The Code (Beta Theta Pi’s Constitution and Bylaws) were considered during the 169th General Convention. Delegates from across North America voted on several proposals, including code changes, the granting of charters and Board of Trustee elections.

Delegates established the H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award, which will recognize chapters for the efforts they make in preservation and education of their own local history while adding to the collective knowledge of the Fraternity. The award honors H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39 who passed away in 2006 after serving as the Fraternity’s archivist for almost 30 years.

Changes to the Trial by Chapter procedure provide for a simple majority vote to assess any penalty within the trial by chapter process following a conviction by the chapter. The change allows chapters to adopt automatic penalties within their local constitutions. Various changes to the online reporting system eliminate the requirement for district chiefs to approve temporary inactive status requests and allow for online submission. A proposal regarding academic standards for initiation was not passed.

Six chapters were returned to good standing at Convention including Central Michigan, Denison, Hampden-Sydney, Iowa, California-Irvine and Southern California. Members from each chapter were led separately into the Convention Hall to an emotional homecoming and the joyous sounds of There’s a Scene. The University of Miami (Fla.) colony received its charter as the newest chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Delegates elected three members to the Board of Trustees. Dr. P. Thomas Purinton, Kansas State ’63, and David E. Schmidt, South Florida ’92, were re-elected to three-year terms as president and vice president, respectively. Scott J. Allen, Minnesota ’95, was elected to a three-year term as vice president.

Each year, all members of the Fraternity are allowed and encouraged to review The Code. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the administrative secretary no later than March 31.

Purinton Profile

On Saturday, August 9, Dr. Tom Purinton, Kansas State ’63, was re-elected to a second, three-year term as General Fraternity president.

Purinton says he will use what he has learned during his past three years as president to help guide him through his term. “I am learning a tremendous amount about how not-for-profit boards are structured and best practices for responsibilities and operation,” said Purinton. “Whatever recommendations come out of this work, I am confident that I will be in a much better position to fulfill my role as chairman of the Board.”

Prior to his election to the Board of Trustees, Purinton served as the Fraternity’s volunteer development commissioner and chapter counselor at the University of Georgia. He facilitated multiple advisory team conferences and has served as a small group facilitator for a session of The Wooden Institute each year since its inception in 1999.

Purinton says the reason he has continued to stay active with Beta Theta Pi is because he believes in its mission. “Every Beta has the obligation to give mutual assistance in the honorable labors and aspirations of life. One of the ways that I can fulfill this obligation is to participate in our outstanding leadership programming, which contributes to the fulfillment of our mission,” said Purinton.

Dr. Purinton resides in Watkinsville, Ga., with his wife Molly. Grandfather to eight grandchildren, he sings in his church choir and enjoys fly-fishing.