Delta Class Testimonials, Part II

Editor's Note: The following are excerpts from some of the Delta Class testimonials, reflecting on their experience as a new member of Beta Theta Pi.

John Jackson '13
Beta Theta Pi. These three Greek letters meant nothing to me 10 short weeks ago. Now, the letters mean more to me than I ever would have guessed. They stand for comfort, friendship, trust, loyalty, respect, joy, laughter, and brotherhood. The pledge experience for me was a wonderful process. All of the pledge classes, the retreat, and even hearing testimonials of other brothers. I heard stories of friendship, trust, and brotherhood from past and present members as well as alumni from different schools and generations. Everything sounded too good to be true. Everyone who spoke had different stories to tell and different experiences to share but the underlying message in all of the talks was the same: Beta Theta Pi is simply awesome, and if you let it, it can be huge positive force in your life.

I was not skeptical that the fraternity had such a profound impact on the people speaking. You could tell by how passionate they were about what they were saying. I only questioned if it would mean that much to me. I didn’t know any member of Beta that well at the time and I wondered what could create such strong bonds. I now can confidently say those bonds are created through the Beta Spirit. Intangibles are always hard to describe, and I’m sure that the idea and feeling of that Beta Spirit means something a little different to everyone. But for me it is the feeling of loyalty and that ease of friendship with our fellow brothers.

Trent Oczypok '13
After being chosen for the fraternity in which I wanted so badly I was absolutely ecstatic! I was on cloud nine! I found a group of guys here on campus that had the same goals, morals, and beliefs as me. Everyone was a gentleman, a leader, and a scholar; a man of principle. The pledge retreat came along, and I loved it. It greatly influenced the way in which I see all the new members and has allowed me to think more with an open mind. I truly love each and every one of you guys in the Delta class and I respect all that you do. We all have very different backgrounds and lifestyles but have a common goal; to be a man of principle.

I have been asked what Beta means to me, and it’s easily summed up by saying that my backbone at home is my family, but here at school it is you. If anything goes wrong, I have a fraternity of brothers that can help me. I know you would all do anything for me; in return I would do anything for you. We can laugh, cry, see eye-to-eye, or disagree, yet in the end realize that I have the best people here on this campus acting as my friends. You act as a support system and I thank you for that.

Ben Rossi '13
I was the only one from my graduating class of 600 to come to John Carroll, but that’s just how I wanted it. I wanted an adventure and I thought Beta would be the perfect guide through that adventure. These are the type of men I want to associate with. They are the leaders on campus and have a set of morals and interests that are very similar to my own. Immediately, I felt right at home. It was a really cool feeling how older dudes genuinely wanted to hang out with you. This fraternity seems to defy mostly everyone’s expectations when they get a glimpse of what really goes on and what the group truly values. Beta has already provided me with so much here at John Carroll and I’m hoping to give as much back. Something truly special is going on here. You know you haven’t joined a typical fraternity when after the Parents’ BBQ you get a random text from your mother that says, “Honey we are you so proud of you.”