The Delta Xi chapter of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Eastern Kentucky University reclaimed its charter this summer.

Two years after being reinstated as a colony on Eastern’s campus, the Delta Xi colony became again an official chapter again at the 170th Beta Theta Pi General Convention, held July 30-Aug. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Six active members of the Delta Xi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi – President Tim Berry, Vice President Ben Gahafer, Treasurer Jacob Crockett, Risk Management Chair Kyle Shaner, Social Chair Kip Mountjoy and Leadership College participant Warren Oliver – along with Chapter Advisor Michael Hay, and alumni Jon Coyle, Martin Cobb, Paul Lanier and Doug Tommie, were on hand to accept official recognition for five awards. The awards included:

• the Alumni Relations Award, which recognizes strong dedication to preserving lifelong fraternal brotherhood by the implementation of a strong alumni relations program.

• the Campus Involvement Award, which recognizes outstanding and sustained participation of members in campus organizations and leadership positions outside of the fraternity.

• the Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award, which recognizes a devotion to attendance of leadership experiences, named after Founder Charles Henry Hardin for his exemplary leadership. • the Dr. Edward B. Taylor Advisor of the Year Award, which recognizes one advisor who embodies continued dedication and service to the fraternity. (The chapter counselor for the Delta Xi Chapter, Hay was officially recognized out of more than 120 active chapters and colonies.)

• and the Virginia Tech Award, which recognizes overall academic excellence.

Among the top 20 percent of college fraternities in size, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity was the first to be founded west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first to locate a chapter west of the Mississippi River. The Fraternity was founded Aug. 8, 1839, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Beta has some 125 chapters and colonies in Canada and the United States.