This year’s Stag is going to be one to remember!

We’re having a Mortgage Burning Party!

Our mortgage is paid in full! To celebrate we will be having a special meal prepared by Upper Crust and will be burning the @#$& mortgage at some point in the evenings events.

Because we are having a special meal prepared we need all alumn’s to preregister so we can get a head count and know how many to prepare for. Please register at Stag 2020 Registration.

We hill have a social hour at 4:00 and dinner at 5:30.

More information will be coming!

Times are changing at Gamma Theta 12/2019 Gc
Year-end summary 2019 1 of 3

The news of change is in the air at Gamma Theta. After many meetings, discussions and thought out decisions, our Chapter is moving forward with new ideas, with new, younger alumni.

Our Chapter has had strong leadership by President Connor Cummings and House Director, Nick Yarbrough. With their leadership this semester/year…many issues have been addressed with positive results and new direction has been set. Presently there are 25 men living in the Shelter with 18 new initiates. We anticipate approximately 30 men next fall, 2020.

Over the many, many years we all have experienced having an employed cook in the kitchen. Our Chapter has made a financial decision to upgrade the meals and select Upper Crust services. With a team of HC members offering various alternatives, our Chapter voted to accept a new arrangement and contract. We are happy to report, the “reviews” are great! Meals and kitchen services have been a hit! ***And the House Corporation members involvement has been reduced dramatically.

Academics is another priority our Chapter continues to address. With HC Jim Carr ’71 assistance, he was able to arrange a special meeting with the Baker Director of Student Academic Support Specialist, Kathy Wilson, to meet with our new pledges. She was very helpful to introduce university life and offered advice on study habits, etc. Presently our Chapter GPA 3.2 (spring 2019). It will remain a top priority for our Chapter.

Socially, our Chapter works directly with Randy Flowers the Asst. Dean/Director of Student Life along with Josh Doak/Asst Director and IFC handling safe, responsible social events. With proper advance planning, monitoring and education, The Delts are committed to a safe place to gather socially. It has been announced at our last meeting, the Chapter has agreed to only having closed parties at the Shelter or limited 3rd party events conducted outside the House.

If future students wish to be a part of our social scenes, they will need to be a Delt member.
 
2 of 3

Our House is financially healthy. Thankfully, with a well executed plan by Mike Farmer ’68 and Bill Pardue ’69 over these many years, The Baker Delts are in a very strong position. All taxes are up to date, there is NO LONGER a mortgage debt, and all Chapter monthly expenses paid on time, via Omega Financial Services. The state of our Shelter is the best it’s been in 60 years!

Moving forward, our Hartley Cornerstone Fund will continue to grow with monthly automatic Chapter deposits. This fund is for capital investments that may be needed in the future, IE… HVAC, roof, fireplace repair & appliances. Thankfully, many alumni contribute to this fund over these past years to help us get to this point for purchases of ice maker, stove, washers, hot water heater, freezer, HVAC, back staircase and plumbing needs. By sustaining this yearly buildup of funds, we are hopeful the Hartley Cornerstone will be a major asset for future capital investments, with watchful eye of Gary Sollars, Gary Coleman, Andrew Dare and Mike Farmer.

In early December 2019, our Chapter and House Corporation had leadership roles selected and voted on. The Chapter elected Calvin Ball as President. Jake VanDaele as VP, Jace Johns as Treasure, Seth Burroughs Member Development, Sam Huckabee Sergeant-at-arms, Brock Hollingsworth Secretary and Co-Academics-BJ Harvey & Braden Griffiths. These men were among many who spoke up, that wish to lead Gamma Theta for the next year.

Also, the House Corporation has celebrated the addition of new and younger alumni to serve in various roles. Mike Hobbs our New HC President; Andrew Dare Financial; Jesse Bennett House & Grounds; Eric Conaway; In addition to these 4 new members, the HC is reviewing and will be seeking 3 additional younger alumni to join them. In addition, we are seeking a new Chapter Adviser.
 
3 of 3

Also, as per our By-Laws, it was presented and voted by the HC to
reduce the number of HC members from nine (9) to seven (7) members. With only 3 meetings a year, the role of the HC has been reduced dramatically with the help of emails and limited texting.
(This By-Law change will be presented & voted on at Stag Night, 2020.)

Past Gamma Theta House Corporation Members that have served over these recent years with steadfast loyalty: Bob Andrews, Gary Coleman, Mike Farmer, Justin Lane, Craig Leitnaker, Bradford Oliva, Bill Pardue, Jeff Skillman and Chapin Deel-Westminister.
Jim Carr, Gary Coleman, Mike Farmer, Don Rogers and Bob Selzer will assist in the transition over the next year w/ our talented new HC members.

Rah Rah !!!

Blessings to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Andrew Dare is from Olathe, Kansas and graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas in 2013. Upon graduation, Andrew was drawn to Baker for its strong community and cross country and track programs.

When Andrew arrived on campus, he decided to rush Delta Tau Delta based on the close friendships he made and the strong culture of the house. In Andrew’s years at Delt, he served as Treasurer for his pledge class, Ritual Chairman, Treasurer, and Chairman of Risk Management. He majored in Accounting and Finance, and ran cross country and track all four years. Finally, he was named Delt Senior of the Year in 2017.

Andrew graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017 and went on to work at KPMG while he obtained his CPA license. Currently, Andrew Dare is a Senior Associate in the audit practice of KPMG and resides in Leawood, Kansas.

Stag Night the Delt alumni welcome two new House Corporation members.
As time slips by, we all look back onto the days at the Shelter creating a lifetime bond with our Brothers.
The House Corporation members over these many, many years have contribute in time, provided influence and leadership. We are looking forward having both Eric and Jesse join us again.

We are wishing to continue to build our HC membership with younger alumni. In today’s environment the method of addressing plans, issues and goals…have been accomplished much easier since text messages, emails…and just a couple meetings during the school year. With strong leadership of our Chapter, HC has been able to devote it’s time on the Shelter and capital expenditures.
If your interested…either afar or nearby, Gamma Theta needs your help.

Jesse Bennett graduated in 1999 with his B.A. in Business Management. He came to Baker from Gladstone, MO and attended North Kansas City High School. Aspiring to play college athletics, Jesse received scholarships to be a member of both the football and baseball teams. After going through Rush, he knew Gamma Theta was the house for him and it has not been a mistake. During his time with Gamma Theta, he was Vice President for his pledge class of 1995, Rush Chairman ’96-97 & President “97-98.

Jesse has done his best to be involved with Gamma Theta and Baker U over the past 20 years, having received alumni of the year in 2001.

In 2002, Jesse had a busy year getting married and starting his MBA studies through Baker’s Overland Park campus, graduating in 2004. He’s been a resident of Olathe, KS since 2002, and has three beautiful daughters, Ainsley 13, Brynn 11 & Brooke 10, who keep him on the go. You will see him running his girls to either violin lessons, acting classes, church youthgroup, Basketball, volleyball and even coaching two softball teams. When he finds the time, he will spend weekends at his family lake house fishing(not catching), boating and teaching his girls to ski, playing golf and staying active outdoors. Because of his affiliation with Gamma Theta, Jesse has developed a strong group of friends who he remains very close to, to this day.

Following graduation from Jefferson West HS, Meriden, Kansas in 1991 I attended Baker University. This
made me the seventh member of my family to attend Baker following my mother, uncle, grandfather, as
well as 2 great uncles and 2 great aunts to Baldwin City.

I was an active member of Delta Tau Delta, baseball letterman and the work study programming, serving
the final two years within the admissions office.

I received a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting in 1995 and subsequently passed the Certified
Public Accountant exam.

Most importantly I met my wife, Wendy, who is a member of Delta Delta Delta and came to Baker from
Denver, CO.

I am currently a Vice President at Providence Strategic Growth (PSG). PSG targets investments in middle
market software and technology-enabled service companies, a key part of the $50B Providence Equity
Partners investment strategy. In this capacity I work with PSG portfolio companies to enhance various
financial related activities. I have over 20 years of experience in finance largely in the planning and
treasury space. Prior to joining Providence in 2019, I was Vice President of Finance at Ascend Learning,
a leading provider of educational content, software and analytics. During my six years at Ascend
Learning, I lead the financial planning and analysis team through tremendous growth, doubling revenue to
over $500M and completing numerous acquisitions. Prior to Ascend Learning, I spent eighteen years at
Sprint Telecommunications playing a key role in the $22B merger transaction with Softbank prior to my
departure.

Wendy and I live in Overland Park, KS and are the parents of three boys. Alec, 19, is a freshman at
Westminster College in Fulton, MO; Braydon, 18, will graduate from Blue Valley Northwest in a few short
weeks and plans to attend Baker in the fall. Finally, Reece is 13 and an active seventh grader at
Harmony Middle School.

In what is left of my free time, I coach youth baseball, enjoy fly-fishing and hunting primarily with lifelong
friends I made at Baker.