Saving the Stories That Made Us. WSU Beta winner of the '26 Stephenson Award

The H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award for Historical Research & Preservation celebrates chapters that understand something important: fraternity history belongs somewhere better than a dusty box beneath the stairs.

Named for former Beta archivist H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39, the award recognizes chapters committed to preserving the photographs, artifacts, awards, documents, and stories that shaped their brotherhood. It’s part history project, part treasure hunt, and part reminder that somebody needs to label those old composites before everyone forgets who is wearing the glorious mustache.

To earn the award, a chapter must demonstrate a thoughtful archival program, including:

• A safe, organized home for historical photographs, writings, awards, artifacts, and memorabilia

• A detailed inventory showing what the chapter owns, what was added during the past year, and what is currently on display

• Written policies for collecting, cataloging, protecting, and preserving chapter history

• A historical education program that teaches members about Beta Theta Pi and their own chapter

• Oral histories featuring interviews with distinguished and elder alums, including their names, roll numbers, and recorded stories.

• Chapter-sponsored presentations, programs, or events that bring Beta history to life

  
  

The application also explores whether the chapter has an archivist or historian, preserves its photographs, maintains a history book or pamphlet, and actively collects the stories of the men who came before.

Because brotherhood isn’t only about what’s happening this semester, it’s about remembering who built the chapter, preserving the lore, and making sure the next generation knows exactly whose shoulders and questionable fashion choices they’re standing on.

A big thanks to Jim Pappas for providing several documents showing WSU's historical preservation progress. His ride for the 12 Members is a great example of the work he puts into house history and remembering our Fallen Brothers.

Ride to Remember our Gamma Theta Fallen Brothers

Gamma Theta has twelve brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country in time of war.  These brothers are remembered in a display in our chapter house dining room so that we do not forget their sacrifice.

The 12 - Ride to Remember

World War I

#45 Logan Wheeler, Corporal, U.S. Army

#49 Willis E. Mason, Sergeant, U.S. Army

#107 Leon D. Palmer, Aviation Student, U.S. Army

World War II

#229 James M. Kilgore, 1st Lt., U.S. Army

#382 William H. Hronek, Jr., 2nd Lt., U.S. Marine Corps

#406 Lloyd Craney, 2nd Lt., U.S. Army Air Force

#428 George A. Davison, Jr., 2nd Lt., U.S. Army

#462 Orman W. Young, Jr., 2nd Lt., U.S. Army Air Force

#466 Clair L. Daniels, 2nd Lt., U.S. Army Air Force

#478 Donald M. Allen, ARM 3rd Class, U.S. Navy

Vietnam War

#619 Donald L. McHugo, Major, U.S. Air Force

#840 Richard C. Worthington, CWO, U.S. Army

A big thanks to Jim for keeping the history alive, submitting all the paperwork, and promoting the WSU Gamma Theta Chapter.