Beta Delta Turns 95!
We are planning a 95th Anniversary Celebration along with Homecoming the weekend of October 13-14. Planned are Contemporaries Gatherings on Friday evening and a Banquet/Dance on Saturday night.

The 40s and 50s groups assembled by Al Cochrane, Jack Jourdonnais, Doc Reynolds and others did such a fine job at the 90th Anniversary Celebration that we hope they will pull off a repeat performance. Who'd like to step up for the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's? While a chance meeting at a downtown bar is fine, don't we deserve better than that! And who'd like to join us for 9 holes at the Highlands Golf Course on that Friday afternoon! .

Beta Delta Online
www.BetaDelta-SigmaChi.org is now a reality. The web site carries a wide variety of information and features like an Alumni Database, News, Renovation Update, Fundraiser Tally and Chatroom. Recently, a Music section was adding featuring audio and lyrics of Sigma Chi’s favorite songs like The Sweetheart and many more. The songs are downloadable so you can enjoy them any time. (Ain’t technology grand?)

We are gathering email addresses to reduce the $1000 cost of each newsletter mailing. Please send your current email address to info@betadelta-sigmachi.org

House Renovation
Due to the diligence of brothers Brad Colberg '82, Bob Rowe '80 and Mark Peterson '76, a significant number of safety and deferred maintenance projects got done this past winter in grand style including:

Projects Completed
Boiler Room Firewall. Fire walls and doors were installed to enclose the boiler.
Basement Stairs Rebuilt. The steps leading to the old Pool Room, now the TV Room, were totally rebuilt.
Pool Table Renovation. After many years of disrepair, the pool table was stripped, refinished and new pockets, felt and bumpers were installed. Rack’em! Fire Escape Stair Repair. New non-skid treads were added as well as new handrails on the back porch steps leading to the parking lot.
Sanctuary. The wood floor was removed and a new concrete slab poured.
Back Porch. The crumbling brick columns holding up the concrete deck were shored up with steel supports and the lattice work replaced with redwood panels.
Music Room. Due to water damage from a leaking steam heat pipe, the ceiling and walls have been refinished. New wallpaper is being installed by Joe Ford ‘71 in time for Homecoming.
Windows. New storm windows were install in the Music and Living Room and the north side of the garage.

Work in Progress
Tile Roof. After two years of research, cussing and discussing, work will begin soon on the tile roof. Ken Miller Roofing of Missoula gave us such a favorable proposal that we are not only replacing the House roof but also the Garage roof. [Note: The Garage has sported an asphalt shingle roof for the last 28 years due to having to "borrow" its tiles to repair the House roof.]

Gladding McBean brand field tile will be used to substantially reduce cost although it comes with a 75 year warranty. Existing Ludowici brand hip and ridge tiles will be reused to retain the distinctive "Chink House" flavor. Combining new and old tile will replicate the original look very closely.

The roofing project will cost nearly $100K but, believe it or not, this is less than half of the other bids received. Ken Miller comes well recommended and has done all of UM’s tile roof repairs plus a major tile installation at the State Capitol Building in Helena. The work will also be overseen by local historical renovation architect Jim McDonald and John Rimel ‘79.

Summer HouseWorks
The now annually Summer Houseworks is scheduled for Saturday, September 1. Besides the usual yard and debris clean-up, we will be performing recommended repairs on the brick wall and other assorted projects deemed worthy by the House Maintenance Committee. We could use all helping hands of available alumni. Come down, pitch in and get to know the actives.

Scholarship Endowment Fund
After a year of negotiations with the Sigma Chi Foundation (National), we have been approved to move $140,000 of Beta Delta assets to Montana to seed a scholarship endowment. Under direction of brother Walt Kero ‘73, the transfer should take place this summer. The goal is to produce at least $10,000 per year to academically qualified actives that live in the House.

Fall Fundraiser Auction
We are gathering items for an online auction this fall as part of our continuing fundraising efforts. Several brothers have already donated items to the venture: RJ Brewer ‘74 is donating a limited edition bronze called "Griz Family" and Brian Kurth ‘82 is donating a limited edition Kevin Red Star print. Steve Vielleux ‘76 is developing a laser etched Beta Delta Christmas ornament for the fundraiser.

Fundraiser Update
We are excited to report that we have made a substantial dent in our goal of $350,000. 241 brothers have pledged money totaling $254,984 leaving only $95,016 to go. For details on who has pledged, see List of Contributions.

For those that have not pledged yet or would like to increase a previous pledge, it’s still not too late! We’ve included a handy pledge form just for you. Do it because your heart’s in it or do it just because it’s the right thing to do. As one brother put it, "Just have them pledge enough money to cover what they broke when they lived here!" (

Seriously, to accomplish what is needed (and believe me the list is long), we need every bit of the $350,000 goal. Join in and help perpetuate the legacy of Sigma Chi at 1110 Gerald.

Lost Brothers
Keeping the Alumni Database current is a never ending task. We still have over 200 brothers that are LOST or have joined CHAPTER ETERNAL. You can help! Please go to Member List and review your listings and others you know about, especially the LOST listings. Forward information to info@betadelta-sigmachi.org

News from Active Chapter
Past Consul Ben Fjosne has accepted a position as a Sigma Chi Leadership Consultant. Ben will begin training this summer, learning how to put all of his leadership skills together with his achievements through Sigma Chi.

Upon completion of training, Ben will travel throughout an assigned Province delivering ideas and goals to help improve each chapter. "This opportunity couldn’t come at a better time, I‘m looking forward to experiencing another opportunity that Sigma Chi has to offer." Ben will represent Beta Delta well!

New active Cory Miller has been selected as one of 96 Sigs nationally to represent Beta Delta at this summer’s Sigma Chi Horizons Program. He will attend this week long leadership conference held in Snowbird, UT July 8^th-14^th. "I can’t wait to see what I’m all about," said Cory. "Many Sigs say that it is the second best week of their lives!"

Past Quaestor Jeff "Bird" Burchette has been selected as the Big Sky Province Balfour Award winner. "I didn’t know that I was in the running, but miracles do happen," Jeff remarked. Brother Burchette is an Information Systems major who will graduate with overall 3.5 GPA who works hard at making his own "luck". Congratulations Jeff!

Jake "Happy" Wetherington will be attending Grand Chapter in New Orleans June 27-30 as an active chapter voting delegate for Beta Delta. A special presentation will be made to the new Grand Consul and International Sweetheart.

We are joining with the alumni to offer several thousand dollars in Rush Scholarships to academically qualified pledges. This has proven success in attracting serious minded candidates and keeping them focused on school work.

Homecoming 2001. We have begun preliminary planning for Homecoming on Saturday October 13^th. As all of you should know, this year will be the Beta Delta’s 95th Anniversary. We are currently requesting all ideas and suggestions.

Saturday Morning we will once again host a tailgate party preceding the game. After the game there will be an open house for all family and friends.  On Sunday morning we would like all brothers to attend a presentation of the Ritual.

I would greatly appreciate any and all comments. You can reach me at: Cory Miller (406)240-7530 or coryjmiller_999@yahoo.com