Beta Tau Wins Hugh Shields Award!
Beta Tau Wins its 21st Hugh Shields Award! The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity had an impressive showing at this year’s Western Plains Division Conference. In addition to various awards, the chapter took home the top prize of the Hugh Shields Award for Chapter Excellence. The award is given to the top 10 chapters of the Fraternity. It is based on an annual evaluation of the chapter’s operations, programming, and performance. Chapters who earn the Hugh Shields Award do so because of their outstanding accomplishments in all areas of chapter programming and operations.
I’m really happy at how determined our members have been. Covid was difficult for our chapter. It really hurt our morale to not be able to conduct activities and events. Every aspect of the chapter suffered. Once restrictions were lifted we all made a concerted effort to improve our overall programs and events to make up for the loss in morale. Getting the Hugh Shields Flag means that hard work has paid off. But we will not rest on our laurels. This is just a springboard to continue improving upon what we’ve started. I’m excited to see the chapter get even better.
-Josh Hoins “23”, Beta Tau Chapter President.
Court of Honor
The Chapter was also awarded the Court of Honor. The Court of Honor is given to the top 20 chapters in the Fraternity. Once a chapter receives the Court of Honor, they know they are in contention for the top prize.
After I heard the chapter’s name called for Court of Honor, I was pretty confident that a Hugh Shields Award was not far behind. This chapter has worked so diligently to improve upon past performance. They established a goal and ran with it. I could not be more proud of this group of young men.
-Ryan Caldwell (University of Nebraska-Kearney “02”), Beta Tau Chapter Advisor.
Longtime House Corporation Director awarded Distinguished Service Chapter
Jim Loach (Georgia Southern University, “70”), a longtime Beta Tau house corporation director and the current president was awarded the Distinguished Service Chapter. This is the highest award given to a Delt alumnus. It is awarded to an alumnus who has been actively involved with the Fraternity for more than 20 years, rendered some unusual service to the Fraternity, and evidenced personal characteristics and habits which are worthy of acceptance by the Fraternity and society at large. Only 456 Delts have ever received this honor and only 94 recipients are currently living.
This Good Delt has been actively loyal to Delta Tau Delta for more than 50 years and has rendered more than twenty years of service to Delt chapters other than his own. He serves in order to give back what he has received. He leads not because he has sought leadership positions, but because, through his demonstrated actions, devout loyalty, and unwavering commitment, he has been asked to lead. Despite these positive attributes, he remains humble. During his service as a resident advisor, he said, “I would not presume to say that I help develop character. These men are about my own age. Their characters are already developed. What is good hopefully is strengthened by their Fraternity experience. What I hope to do is help enrich the experience.” Whether he knows it or not, he has enriched the Delt experience for countless undergraduate and alumni Delts. This Good Delt is a walking embodiment of our Delt values and truly lives up to our mission of a life committed to excellence.
-from Jim Loach’s Distinguished Service Chapter nomination.
Other Highlights
Other highlights of the conference included many Beta Tau Chapter alumni in attendance at the awards banquet. Fred Allen “84”, Bob Woodruff “81”, Dan Lindstrom “82, Blake Woodruff “17” were in attendance along with approximately 20 undergraduate members from the chapter. Josh Hoins “23” was awarded Chapter President of the Year for the Western Plains Division and longtime Chapter Advisor, Ryan Caldwell (University of Nebraska-Kearney “02”) was awarded the Excellence in Alumni Service Award.
It is amazing what this chapter has been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. They had many road blocks in their way, but they persevered and the Hugh Shields Flag embodies their perseverance. Jim Loach’s recognition for the Distinguished Service Chapter is so well warranted. He’s been a lasting presence at Beta Tau for over twenty years. It’s very inspiring. I couldn’t imagine anyone else more deserving of an alumni service award than Ryan Caldwell. He has put more man-hours into improving and building up Beta Tau than anyone else and deserves the recognition. What a great night for Beta Tau!
-Blake Woodruff “17”, Beta Tau alumnus and House Corporation Director.
The banquet ended with everyone huddled up to sing “Delta Shelter”. Celebrations continued throughout the night at the hotel. What a tremendous night for Beta Tau and proof of the great positive upward trend the chapter has been on.