I pledged BETA because of the early persuasion from Bix Newhard and Don Wedge. They visited me in my hometown, McCutchenville, Ohio, a few days after I had spent the weekend at the OWU BETA house as a high school Junior. My high school Principal had arranged for me to visit OWU. He convinced my parents it would be the place for me, and he was right.
Bix and Don planted the Beta Pledge pin on me before I even knew what a fraternity was. Our 1951 Pledge class had 24 pledges and each of them was much more prepared for college than me.
Don Wedge was my Big Brother. He was my idol and I would attend OWU football practices just to see Don play. My goal was to coach and teach math at the High School level. I did well with my math courses my first semester. Second semester I took Analytic Geometry. I thought I was cruising until I got my first test score in that course. I was devastated. My College experience was over, I thought. I decided to leave school and go home. Before I was to leave, I thought it would be the right thing to do to tell Don Wedge. He and his wife, Janice, lived in a campus apartment.
Fortunately, Don was home when I knocked on his door. I explained to him what I was planning to do and why. He said, “YOU PLAN TO WHAT?” He reminded me that I had the reputation of being a good athlete at “Scutch” High. “Now you are going home to be a quitter?” That was one of the key turning points in my life. I immediately returned to my campus room, took a book and began to study harder than ever. I will be indebted to my BIG BROTHER forever. I am proud to be a BETA and a 1954 graduate from OWU. Congratulations to Don for receiving the BOB STRIMER AWARD. Bob Strimer was another personal idol of mine.
Kissy
Paul Kisseberth ’54
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