| The 1961 Senior Class-Brother Ackerman is sixth from left, first row. |
“Choosing Beta was not an easy decision,” said F. Kenneth Ackerman ’61. ” My father was President of the Sigma Chi chapter at Denison. My older sister married a Sigma Chi from Denison. I used to stay with him in the Sigma Chi House at Denison when I would visit the campus during my high school days. During Rush it became patently clear to me that Beta Theta Pi is what I wanted and needed to be.”
There were several “moments,” that I count as favorites: the day I received my pledge pin; the day I was initiated (my future father in-law a Purdue Beta gave me his Beta pin); and the day I gave my pin to my Beta Sweetheart, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Ohio State University. We were married during my senior year at Denison and celebrating our 57th wedding anniversary this year.
| “I will always have a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of being a member of the Alpha Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.” |
Following graduation from Denison, I enrolled in the Business School at the University of Michigan where I received a Masters Degree in Health Administration. Following graduation, I joined the administrative staff of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and later the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania where I was President of the Geisinger Medical Center. After 31 years at Geisinger I became President and then Chairman of the healthcare division of a publically traded healthcare consulting company in Minneapolis where I continue to have an association. A key member of my administrative staff at Geisinger is a Beta. My brother in-law and father in-law are Betas.
Throughout my career, I had several professional colleagues and friends leading other healthcare organizations who are Betas. When Pat and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary we had many Betas and their wives travel from different parts of the country to join us in our celebration.
I will always have a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of being a member of the Alpha Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
Many of the fraternal bonds you will make in Beta Theta Pi you will treasure for the rest of your days. Some of my Beta brothers are among my closest friends. Enjoy the journey! I am Glad I am a Beta!”