U Nebraska revived

[hoosier]

Lutheran frat undergoing rejuvenation of campus chapter

By Maria Scarpello / Daily Nebraskan
November 01, 2004

Beta Sigma Psi, a Lutheran- based fraternity, is slowly rebuilding itself as an established fraternity on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

Beta Sigma Psi is unique because it is the only religious fraternity registered with UNL’s greek system, said Justin Peterson, a sophomore broadcasting major and president of Beta Sigma Psi.

However, Beta Sigma Psi is not a full-fledged fraternity yet.

Beta Sigma Psi was founded in 1925 and was active on the UNL campus from 1929 through 1995, said Chad Pfister, National President of Beta Sigma Psi.

The fraternity was disbanded for several years because of dwindling membership.

This year, the alumni of the fraternity are attempting to reestablish Beta Sigma Psi as an established fraternity on the UNL campus. A Colonization Ceremony for Beta Sigma Psi was held at the Lutheran Student Center on Sunday.

“The purpose of the ceremony is to establish a colony at the school as recognized by our national fraternity, with the goal of chartering a chapter within the next two years,” said Neal Thomsen, alumni adviser for the Delta colony, in an e-mail.

A morning worship service and an afternoon luncheon preceded the hour-long ceremony.

The colony must maintain 18 members over the next 18 months in order to become an official fraternity.

As of now, Beta Sigma Psi has 14 members.

“It’s hard to find guys who want to be in a religious-based fraternity,” Peterson said.

The group is promoting several recruitment activities this year and has gained five new members this fall.

Beta Sigma Psi aims for its members to succeed spiritually, scholastically and socially, Pfister said.

The fraternity is involved with spiritual, campus and greek communities.

Members are given opportunities to participate in Bible study, pizza parties for recruitment and interaction with other fraternities.

Skyler Cornish, a sophomore civil engineering major, joined Beta Sigma Psi this year. He said he enjoys the religious aspect of the fraternity.

“We’re all Lutherans,” he said. “There are always other guys to talk to in order to strengthen my faith and back up my beliefs.”