Celebrate Founder's Day: Reconnect with a Beta Brother each year

Jason Hagens
Feb 17
3 min read

Updated: Feb 19

Brothers,

Founder’s Day Celebration started on January 17, 1912. Let us pause in Pullman and across the globe to honor the founding vision of Beta Theta Pi at Washington State University (WSU) and the legacy carried forward here at Gamma Theta.

Our founders believed that young men, committed to principle, could sharpen one another intellectually, morally, and socially. They built more than a fraternity; they built a lifelong brotherhood rooted in character and courage. Today, we are getting close to Chapter Number 2000, currently sitting with Drew Bugbee #1945, so expect a couple more pledge classes to clip this milestone by early 2027.

At Washington State University, those ideals took root on crimson and gray soil. This time of the year, we received a surprise at Tri-Board: Jim Pappas, the Historian of Gamma Theta, gave us a history lesson on Beta Theta Pi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elc4J3eXcco

The History of Beta Theta Pi 1912 to 2026

It's 23 Min long, so grab a cold one and enjoy some Beta Lore without the test. I promise it will shake up some old memories and get you to ask yourself, "What can I do to make Beta durable going forward?"

For generations, Gamma Theta has stood on Linden Street as more than a house. It has been a proving ground where freshmen have become leaders, where roommates have become lifelong friends, and where young men have learned what it means to live up to something bigger than themselves.

Founder’s Day is not just a date on a calendar. It’s a mirror.

It asks us:

Are we living our values as strongly as those who came before us?
Are we mentoring the next generation of Cougs with intention?
Are we protecting and strengthening the legacy entrusted to us?
Are we connecting as Friends and Fidelity, growing together and offering mutual assistance?

We must honor the brothers who built Gamma Theta, those who served as chapter presidents, treasurers, recruitment chairs, cooks during finals week, and steady alumni advisors. We especially remember our fallen brothers, whose impact still echoes in our traditions and stories. Just look at the flags and photos in the dining room at the house.

Let us celebrate the current active members, those who carry our letters with pride, balancing academics, leadership, athletics, and service while representing Beta Theta Pi at WSU with integrity and spirit.

And we recognize our alumni, the men who return for Homecoming, who answer late-night calls from undergraduates, who give financially so the chapter can improve the house, update technology, and remain competitive on campus. You are the bridge between generations.

Founder’s Day reminds us that brotherhood is not automatic. It is built. Protected. Passed forward.

Gamma Theta’s future will not be defined by nostalgia; it will be defined by engagement. So pass this article along and help spread the word about how great it is to be a Beta at WSU.

So whether you are five years out of Pullman or fifty:

Reach out to a younger brother
Come back for an event
Invest your time, talent, or treasure
Tell the story of what Beta meant to you

Because the strength of Gamma Theta has always been this: Men who show up for one another. From the rolling hills of Pullman to wherever life has taken us, we remain connected by something that time cannot erode: our shared commitment to Beta Theta Pi and to each other. I am very proud to be a Beta.

The torch is still burning on Linden Street. Let’s keep it bright!

Fraternally,