University of WI-Oshkosh
Mutal Assistance
Betas believe that men are mutually obligated to help others in the honorable labors and aspirations of life.
Intellectual Growth
Betas are devoted to continually cultivating their minds, including high standards of academic achievement.
Trust
Betas develop absolute faith and confidence in one another by being true to themselves and others.
Responsible Conduct
Betas choose to act responsibly, weighing the consequences of their actions on themselves and those around them.
Integrity
Betas preserve their character by doing what is morally right and demanding the same from their brothers.
The General Fraternity
The Founding of Beta Theta Pi
At nine o’clock on the evening of the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839, eight earnest young men, all students at Miami University, held the first meeting of Beta Theta Pi in the Hall of the Union Literary Society, an upper room in the old college building (known as “Old Main”). The eight founders in the order in which their names appear in the minutes were:
John Reily Knox, 1839
Samuel Taylor Marshall, 1840
David Linton, 1839
James George Smith, 1840
Charles Henry Hardin, 1841
John Holt Duncan, 1840
Michael Clarkson Ryan, 1839
Thomas Boston Gordon, 1840
“of ever honored memory”
Collegiates: 10,441
Chapters & Colonies: 140
Average Chapter Size: 79
Living Alumni: 133,151
Lifetime Members: 206,227
Beta Firsts
First college fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains (August 8, 1839)
First fraternity to have a General Convention (1842)
First to host an interfraternal event and meeting (1848)
First fraternity to establish a chapter west of the Mississippi River (1866)
First fraternity to create alumni chapters (1867)
First and oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine (1872)
First fraternity to have general officers (1872)
First college fraternity to publish an open constitution for public distribution (1879)
First fraternity to be founded in 15 states – more than any other fraternity
First fraternity established on more than 35 campuses – more than any other fraternity
First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for a chapter (1984)
First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for each member (1997)
First fraternity to adopt a 2.7 minimum GPA for a chapter (2006)
First fraternity to adopt a 2.8 minimum GPA – or the campus All Men’s Average – for a chapter, whichever is greatest (2012)
Chapter History
The Zeta Zeta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi colonized on December 4th, 1991, and received its charter on April 8th, 1995. Currently there are 26 active members and over 275 chapter alumni. The Zeta-Zeta chapter has a wide variety of alumni willing to give back to their beloved chapter. They range from the head of the Business-Economics department and members of the band "Old Mil" to financial planners and accountants from all over the Fox Valley, Milwaukee, and Chicago areas. Even the undergraduates have a history of achievement and growth, consistently being one of the larger fraternities at UW Oshkosh. The chapter has members on the executive board on many of the different student organizations on campus; in fact, our chapter has contributed more student government presidents and vice-presidents than any other organization on campus since we were founded.
Philanthropy
The men of Beta Theta Pi - Zeta Zeta are proud partners of the Christine Ann Center for Domestic Abuse Services Inc. Every year we spend countless hours working to raise awareness regarding the topic of domestic abuse and violence. In the fall of 2014, the brothers put on the very first "Miss UWO" pageant with all proceeds going toward the Center. This year we will be putting on our 4th annual event.
Contact the Christine Ann Center
Phone Numbers (No Caller ID)
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(920) 235-5998 - 24-Hour Helpline
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(800) 261-5998 - (Wisconsin only)
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(920) 729-5727 - Fox Cities office
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(920) 235-5998 - Oshkosh Office and Shelter
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(800) 261-5998 - Green Lake County office
Oshkosh Office and Shelter
206 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901