Hi Tom! Last night, (Saturday), Dick and I attended an Alumni Appreciation Dinner at Quail Hollow Country Club. There were 310 Betas, Beta Sweethearts, and Trustees, and Foundation Directors present. It was the largest such gathering ever, and beautifully done. Members from the Trustees and the Foundation served as hosts at tables, and we were fortunate enough to find Marty Haskell, and eat at his table. Marty and Dick were the only Theta Betas present, with Dick proudly wearing his Fraternal Fifties pin. There were 25 or 30 F. F.’s in attendance.
The honoree of the evening was Hugh McCall, North Carolina ’57. And he was presented with the Oxford Cup in recognition of his achievements over the years. The summary notes in the published program spoke of his “legacy of leadership as an executive, citizen,parent and fraternity man”. Known best as chairman and CEO of Bank of America, the nation’s largest bank, he also is widely recognized for his community efforts, from developing art galleries, refurbishing a burned-out church into a residence and gallery for artists, helping with funding for special projects such as United Way, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, our Arts and Science Council, and on and on. Charlotte would not be the city it is without the work and leadership of Hugh, and his wife, Jane. They are members of our church, Covenant Presbyterian, and we have worked with Hugh in the building of Habitat houses. He is a terrific guy — an outstanding Beta! He was truly touched to have been awarded the Oxford Cup, and gave a great acceptance speech with lots of references to his years in ETA chapter in UNC in Chapel Hill, and Beta friendships which have lasted and grown stronger over the years. This was the 62nd Oxford Cup awarded by Beta, since 1984, when the very first one went to our beloved Dr. Seth Brooks, who married Dick and me almost 54 years ago in Washington. Dr. Seth was so thrilled with his first all-Beta wedding — Dick as groom, Dick Davenport as Best Man, and ushers Norm Slenker, Bob Neff, Dick DeVos, and Milt Irvin. Tom, were you one of the crowd of Betas at our wedding, all of whom sang several Beta songs at the reception? The evening started with Jim Martin (our former governor) giving the welcoming remarks and introductions; the singing of “Loving Cup”, then the Beta Doxology which followed a spoken invocation. To close the evening, after much conversation, a few speeches and a great time, we sang “Marching Along”. Such a sound, and such memories, hearing the mass of men’s voices in those great songs! It was a very special evening, and Dick and I were pleased to have been a part of it!
We wanted to share impressions of the evening, and let you know that Beta Theta Pi is still very much alive and well. Best regards to you! Ginger Carter McClintock
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