THE BETA MU STORY

A charter was granted by the Put-in-Bay convention on July 18, 1903 to twelve petitioners. On September 26, 1903 nine students signed an agreement with the Purdue faculty under which a chapter was to be permitted. On October 27, 1903 the chapter was installed by Betas from DePauw and Indiana, among them: Lewis Terrell DePauw '04, Roy Shackelton Indiana '05, and Harry H. Baugh Indiana '06. The name Beta Mu was given to the new chapter. Purdue is the sixth Hoosier chapter of Beta Theta Pi, not the fifth, as one might suspect, for we had a chapter at Northwestern Christian University, now Butler, from 1878 through 1881. Purdue is the 88th chapter of the fraternity. Purdue first had a chapter house in the college year, 1910-1911. The present house was dedicated on April 9, 1927. On January 29, 1912 the Purdue chapter adopted its chapter coat-of-arms. In addition the fraternity's coat-of-arms, the chapter has added a gear wheel, and on the scroll our motto: Machinery is King.

   
NOTABLE PURDUE BETAS

Stanley Coulter

While there are many memories of Purdue's Betas, none is warmer in our hearts than Stanley Coulter Hanover 1871, and his long association with Beta Mu. As a faculty member Dean Coulter advised many Beta Mu men, and as a host he was known for his dinners for the chapter.

John Wooden

Perhaps the most famous Beta Mu alumni would have to be John R. Wooden Purdue '32. The "Wizard of Westwood" went on to become the winningest coach in college basketball, leading UCLA to 16 conference championships.

George Peppard

The most recognizable face to come out of the Beta Mu chapter was actor George Peppard Purdue '52. Brother Peppard was best known for his work on the series "The A-Team" and his roles in such films as Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Blue Max, and The Carpetbaggers.

Beta Theta Pi at Purdue University
Established in 1903
www.purduebetas.com