Beta Theta Pi Shepardson Award

The Board of Trustees developed the Francis W. Shepardson award in May 2001 to recognize brothers who embody the spirit and dedication of Brother Shepardson and epitomize the concept of lifelong service to the Fraternity. Each honoree receives a handsome full-lead crystal cup, featuring the coat of arms and the recipient’s name, chapter and class year.

Often referred to as “Mr. Beta Theta Pi,” Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883 served as general secretary for 10 years and president for 20 years thereafter. While president, he also edited The Beta Theta Pi for 13 years. Shepardson was a dominant force in the fraternity from 1910 until his death in 1937. He is known one of the two most prolific Beta writers with at least five books.

01 – Meid Compton, Indiana ’49* (July 30, 2001)
02 – Richard R. (Misty) Shoop, Denison ’41* (July 30, 2001)
03 – H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39* (July 30, 2001)
04 – Burton W. Folsom, Nebraska ’49* (August 9, 2002)
05 – Paul Van Riper, DePauw ’38* (August 9, 2002)
06 – Robert L. Cottrell, Miami ’54 (August 1, 2003)
07 – Jerry M. Blesch, Centre ’60 (August 9, 2004)
08 – Thomas D. Cassady, Cincinnati ’76 (March 17, 2005)
09 – Richard G. Lugar, Denison ’54 (April 1, 2005)
10 – Shelby L. Molter, Miami ’54* (August 4, 2005)
11 – L.E. (Erv) Johnson, Idaho ’53 (April 22, 2006)
12 – Owen S. Williams, Toronto ’50* (June 28, 2006)
13 – William W. Berry Jr., Vanderbilt ’68* (June 29, 2006)
14 – Frederick F. Brower, Miami ’50 (October 28, 2006)
15 – Ferdinand Del Pizzo Jr., Washington in St. Louis ’58 (August 2, 2007)
16 – James S. Wachs, Cincinnati ’55* (November 8, 2008)
17 – Donald G. (Dipper) DiPaolo, Michigan ’78 (August 1, 2009)
18 – William F. Hahn, Lehigh ’49* (July 28, 2011)
19 – John K. (Jack) Easton, Wesleyan ’58 (July 28, 2011)
20 – Peter W.C. Barnhart, Miami ’66 (August 3, 2012)
21 – James J. (Tiger) Ellis, Missouri ’55* (September 7, 2012)
22 – Ronald P. Helman, Miami ’55 (August 9, 2014)
23 – Lloyd Kirk, Kansas ’55 (August 4, 2016)
24 – David Wright, Ohio State ’67 (July 29, 2017)
25 – Douglas G. Houser, Willamette ’57 (August 4, 2018)

*Deceased