Jeff Ireland ’76 chose Beta Theta Pi back in 1973 both because of the personalities of the guys as well as the diversity. There were members there from all walks of life.
“We were a very fun group,” he says. “Yet, we were a strong house academically, and many of the brothers have gone on to great success in their careers.” His fondest memories of those days, he says, are all connected to life and activities in the Beta house. “The Christmas party with Santa and an elf, our formals in the living room with the house decorated, our water slide down the back hill, the Beta war, hell week, and many late nights in the bar,” he recalls.
After Denison, Jeff attended law school at the University of Dayton, where he earned his J.D. in 1980.
“Law school was hard at times, but never as hard as some of the things we did as pledges,” he jokes.
He has now been working in private practice law for nearly 40 years and is a partner of Faruki Ireland & Cox P.L.L. in Dayton. Jeff has received many accolades in the legal field throughout his career, including several Lawyer of the Year distinctions from Best Lawyers. In 2010, he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Dayton School of Law. He has also been extremely dedicated to community service through the years, having been involved in over 25 non-profit initiatives, boards, committees, and other community activities. Alpha Eta still receives his support to this day. “Beta Theta Pi influenced my life in a positive way,” Jeff says. “I support it for that reason, and so it can hopefully have a similar influence on others.” The fraternity experience in general, he says, is something he advocates. He is proud that two of his three nephews followed in his footsteps by joining fraternities.
“It forces you to live with and get along with others,” says Jeff. “While that certainly occurs in a dormitory, fraternal bonds are very strong. I can still recite the full names and home towns of most of the actives and the pledge class from when I was a pledge. ”
Jeff has two daughters, one who will be graduating from Denison in May. He has been able to visit Denison regularly over the past few years for that reason, but making it back for his 40th reunion last summer was especially memorable.
“Nearly all of our pledge class was back,” he says, “and we had an excellent time catching up on memories, our families and post-Denison adventures.”