Ronald Beadenkopf '93 - Alumni Profile
Click Here to Fill Out Your Own Alumni Corner ProfileRonald Beadenkopf - 1993
Big Brother: Chris Bartnik
OX: Why did you join Theta Chi?
Ron Beadenkopf: To be part of something bigger than myself.
OX: What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
RB: I learned a lot about the value of participating in an organization and that leadership roles can make a difference. Also learning to work as a team with peers towards a common goal.
OX: What is your favorite Theta Chi memory or story?
RB: The night we were supposed to find out who our big brothers were, we were told to dress warmly and plan to be out all night. Somehow the rumor got out that we were going to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and have to find our way home; if were caught between where we were dropped and the house, we would be in big trouble..after traveling around in the back of a van for what seemed forever, we were dropped in the middle of the woods where we could see a large fire in the distance and figures walking around it. This was in winter, and there were several inches of snow on the ground. We were told to walk toward the fire, but somewhere in the middle we decided that the best course of action was to take off running. I had an idea where we needed to go, and led every one on a wild goose chase for a long time. We almost made it back to town after running through woods and fields, but were spotted on the first road we came to...we found out later that the brothers freaked when we didn't show up to the fire and were worried stiff until they found us again. We were just supposed to drink a lot of beer around a big fire and meet our big brothers - instead we had run through the woods in the middle of the night. I won't forget it.
OX: What is your nickname? How did you get it? Did anyone in particular give it to you?
RB: Don't remember.
OX: Who were your roommates?
ST: Andy Brey - does anyone remember the tradition of "playing through"? I think someone did that to Andy.
OX: With whom do you stay in contact?
RB: Twenty years in the Army will do that..but I live vicariously through the news - website and Omegaphone.
OX: Anyone with whom you’ve lost touch that you would like to find?
RB: My pledge brothers.
OX: Where did your pledge class go on their bolt? What brothers did you take? Any funny stories you can tell?
RB: Went to VA Tech - I remember someone broke a pool table there - none of us, of course - and there was a traveling beer keg....
OX: What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
RB: Yearbook photographer for LaVie.
OX: Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
RB: Divorced, no kids - married to the Army..just kidding
OX: What do you do for a living?
RB: Major in the Army, have deployed twice to Iraq, also to Korea, Bosnia Herzegovina.
OX: What hobbies do you enjoy?
RB: photography, writing and cycling.
OX: What are your goals for the next few years?
RB: Retire and spend more time visiting old friends.
OX: What organizations are you involved with in your community?
RB: not enough.