Dr. Eric Buller, Miami ’19

“My journey with Beta started here at Miami, so it’s apropos to be receiving it this year,” Brother Buller said, upon receiving the award at the 185th General Convention.

Eric has been a steadfast advisor at the Alpha Chapter for over a decade. His tenure started as a faculty advisor before transitioning to chapter counselor in 2016. A graduate of West Point, he first advised the chapter as a Friend of Beta. In 2019, the chapter welcomed him as a brother, initiating him into the chapter and penning him as No. 2886 on the official roll.

“What I had learned is that, when fraternity is done right, it’s incredibly powerful, and the research I had done at the time was that Beta does it right.”

His nominators said, “Eric’s extensive leadership development background and experience was instrumental in the successful return of our Alpha Chapter to Miami’s campus as once again one of the top fraternities on Miami’s campus.”

Brother Buller has shown what it means to earn his badge every day. Following his time as director of leadership and education at Beta’s Administrative Office, Eric continued to provide guidance to collegiate brothers across the domain by volunteering to facilitate at Keystone Leadership Conference and, most recently, at the John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle.

“Award ceremonies aren’t really about the individual,” Brother Buller went on to say in his remarks. “We appreciate the work that they do, but award ceremonies are more about the organization because the organization has to stand up and recognize its own excellence within itself.”

The NIC to only named seven advisors among over 6,000 fraternity chapters across North America to receive the Advisor of Distinction Award in 2024.

Beta Omicron Chapter at The University of Texas at Austin

The Chapter of Distinction Award recognizes exceptional fraternity collegiate chapters demonstrating excellence in operations, involvement in their campus community and a commitment to a positive fraternity experience. The Texas chapter is one of only seven internationally to receive this award — among the 6,000 recognized by the NIC — and the 10th chapter of Beta Theta Pi to be recognized with an award of Distinction since 2004.

The Beta Omicron Chapter is well-recognized as a community builder. Within the city of Austin, the chapter has a tutoring partnership with Garza Independence High School. In terms of community health advocacy, it collaborated with NMDP (formerly Be The Match), Movember and “Texas 4000” in the fight against cancer. The 119 brothers in the chapter are quite active across campus activities, as well, including IFC, student government and more.

The brothers are highly engaged with the General Fraternity, some 40 have attended Beta’s leadership programs over the last three years including 11 graduates of the 2024 Wooden Institute. The chapter’s commitment to leadership culminated in two brothers named collegiate commissioners over the last two years: Max Gauger ’23, and Chris Cardenas ’24. Not to mention, the chapter received two consecutive Knox and Sisson Awards — and anticipate a third at the 185th General Convention.

Alex Houlton, George Mason ’23

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

In his first year with the Board, Brother Alex helped ensure the continuous improvement of the Beta experience by adding his insights to several committees including Membership Status Review, Stakeholder Engagement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees.

“Beta is fortunate to have so many dedicated collegiate leaders within its ranks. By influencing decisions and fostering leadership, we work to ensure the Fraternity’s dynamic growth, connectivity and sustained access, demonstrating the commitment to each chapter’s prosperity across Beta’s Broad Domain.”

Alex, a native to the Manassas, Virginia, earned a degree in psychology while at George Mason. When first appointed to his role, he served as chapter president, after previously seeing time as vice president of brotherhood. Going on to graduate from the 2022 Wooden Institute, Alex was a member of the George Mason delegation at the 183rd Convention petitioning to recharter as the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Nicholas Zingales, Sacred Heart ’24

Serving January 2024 to December 2024

Brother Nick, a psychology student from Easton, Pennsylvania, recently finished his term as IFC president at Sacred Heart, and previously served the Theta Beta Chapter as the vice president of education. This isn’t his first go with organizational leadership as a collegian; he also worked on the Mission and Culture Project with the Sacred Heart Board of Trustees. Nick came to Beta after winning the Men of Principle Scholarship shortly after arriving onto campus.

Christopher Cardenas, Texas ’24

Serving January 2024 to August 2025

Brother Chris studies advertising at The University of Texas at Austin and hails from Houston. He joins newest slate of commissioners after overseeing chapter communication as the Beta Omicron Chapter’s vice president of administration. Chris also attended the 184th Convention, working behind the scenes as an intern.

Christopher “C.J.” Fovozzo, John Carroll ’23

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

Brother C.J. has led efforts to increase engagement with and membership in the Sons of the Dragon Club – the exclusive, collegians-only giving club – during his first year with the Foundation Board. On top of continuing these efforts, he looks forward to working on new strategies increase young alumni involvement in the Fraternity.

“Being a Collegiate Commissioner has changed the way I view our Fraternity and has allowed me to gain numerous connections. Our Fraternity feels stronger and more united when we have insight from brothers of different backgrounds and experiences.”

C.J. graduated from John Carroll with a degree in management and human resources, marketing, leadership development and biology, and is from the greater Cleveland area. His extensive Beta leadership includes chapter president and vice president of education. C.J. has graduated from three Keystone Conferences, Presidents Academy and the 2022 Wooden Institute, and represented the Eta Epsilon Chapter at the 183rd and 184th Conventions.

Phillip Miavelstück, George Mason ’25

Serving January 2024 to August 2025

A native to the D.C. region, Brother Phillip is pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science. While a Collegiate Commissioner, he leads the Epsilon Mu Chapter as its president as well. Phillip’s leadership resume also includes a stint as the vice president of recruitment, along with attendance at two Keystone Conferences, 2023 Wooden Institute and 184th Convention.

Nazar Abbas, Miami ’24

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

Brother Nazar is the lone commissioner serving the General Fraternity House Corporation, and is a political science student from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. For the Alpha Chapter, he served as the vice president of recruitment in 2022 and oversaw 36 new members join the chapter roll. Nazar also attended the 2022 Keystone Conference in Indianapolis and the 184th Convention in Dallas.

Jacob Polzin, Minnesota ’25

Serving January 2024 to August 2025

Jake rolled off his term as Beta Pi Chapter’s president to take the next step in his fraternal leadership journey as a Collegiate Commissioner. He concurrently serves his chapter as the vice president of finance as well. Jake has attended five of Beta’s leadership programs as a collegiate brother, including the 2022 Wooden Institute and 184th Convention.

Brother Jonathan Brant then enjoyed his first opportunity to serve on Beta Theta Pi at the Administrative Office in Oxford, initially as administrative assistant and then serving as Administrative Secretary (now the chief executive officer) from 1977-1982. He later transitioned to the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana as their Executive Vice President. Jonathan returned to Oxford as Chief Fundraising Officer of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation, retiring in 2021. During his second stint on staff, Beta Theta Pi benefitted from more than $60 million in total gifts for the Beta Leadership Fund. Brant remains active in alumni activities in Central Indiana and serves as delegate at General Conventions for the Indianapolis Beta Alumni Association.

After serving in countless officer roles for his chapter, Scott Fussell joined the Administrative Office staff after graduation, serving as a chapter management consultant, now known as chapter development consultants. While on staff, he elevated our recruitment strategies and tactics while also leading the original draft of the Knox Award criteria. He also coordinated the Convention Model Initiation in 1995 and 1996, a ceremony he would continue to coordinate as a volunteer for roughly a decade. After his time on staff, Scott served as Assistant District Chief of District 18 (Tennessee). After moving to Indianapolis, he became a District Chief and was later appointed Regional Director. His contributions to the Fraternity earned him the Regional Director of the Year Award for 2002–2003. Professionally, Scott serves as the Director of Education for CSL Management, a facilities management firm focused on fraternity and sorority housing. He is also the co-founder of The Shift Initiative, a mental health and wellness nonprofit organization.

During his term on the Board of Trustees, Nick Sexton has served on the Performance Monitoring & Finance Committee and Stakeholder Engagement Committee. He also serves as the Chair of the Education Subcommittee for the Fraternity’s Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Prior to his Board service, Nick volunteered in numerous roles for the General Fraternity including District Chief, Risk Management Advisor, Foundation Ambassador, and Lead Facilitator for programs such as Keystone Conferences and the Wooden Institute.

Joel Stern seeks his second term on the Board of Trustees. He previously joined the Administrative Office staff in Oxford upon graduation, first as a chapter management consultant (now known as a chapter development consultant) and then as director of expansion. He had the honor of consulting with new chapters and helped start the Truman State and Southern Illinois chapters, and the reestablish the Clemson and Washington in St. Louis chapters.

Alex Houlton, George Mason ’23

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

Brother Alex, a psychology major from Manassas, Virginia, currently serves his chapter as president in addition to his term as Undergraduate Commissioner. Before elected to his current role, he served as vice president of brotherhood and went on to graduate from the 2022 Wooden Institute. Alex was a member of the George Mason delegation at the 183rd Convention petitioning to recharter as the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Liam Traynor, Lawrence ’23

Serving January 2023 to December 2023

Brother Liam, an economics and jazz trumpet student from greater Minneapolis, recently finished his term as president of the Gamma Pi Chapter at Lawrence and sees his time as Undergraduate Commissioner as the next step in his lasting fraternal leadership. In addition to chapter president, he has served as vice president of brotherhood, vice president of recruitment and vice president of education. Liam is a winter session graduate of the 2020 Wooden Institute for Men of Principle, and has attended two Keystone Leadership Conferences, Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy and the 183rd Convention in Atlanta.

Max Gauger, Texas ’23

Serving January 2023 to December 2023

Brother Max studies civil kinesiology and health, applied movement sciences, professional sales and business development at The University of Texas at Austin and hails from Denver. He joins newest slate of commissioners after overseeing new member education for the Beta Omicron Chapter. Max also attended the 183rd Convention.

Jack Corby, Elon ’22

Serving January 2022 to August 2023

Brother Jack was one of three brothers to be the first Undergraduate Commissioners to serve with the Foundation Board of Directors when the role was expanded in 2022. His first year in the role saw him working directly with two different Foundation committees and give input on legislation brought to the Convention floor. Previously, Jack has been a Foundation ambassador for the Giving Day Challenge and Sons of the Dragon Club.

“Most of the leadership experiences I’ve had beforehand worked on small changes and events,” Jack said, “but the UGC position is truly looking at the long-term impact and overall picture of the Fraternity experience.”

Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Brother Jack graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s in policy studies, and is currently in Bulgaria teaching English as a second language as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. While a student at Elon, he served as the executive president of the Student Government Association and earned membership into several honor societies. Jack led his chapter four two years as vice president of finance and vice president of programming.

“I’ve been able to meet Beta brothers I never would have,” Jack said. “I have grown professionally by attending board meetings and listening to the discussions there, and I have kept my Beta Spirit alive and well even after leaving my local chapter.”

Christopher “C.J.” Fovozzo, John Carroll ’23

Serving January 2023 to December 2023

Brother C.J. is pursuing a degree in management and human resources, marketing, leadership development and biology at John Carroll, and is from the greater Cleveland area. His extensive Beta leadership includes chapter president and vice president of education. C.J. has graduated from three Keystone Conferences, CPLA and the 2022 Wooden Institute, and represented the Eta Epsilon Chapter at the 183rd Convention.

Steven (Collin) George, Embry-Riddle ’22

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

Brother Collin, a native to Daytona Beach, Florida, graduated from Embry-Riddle with a degree in aerospace engineering and is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration. He helped establish the new chapter on campus in 2020, and later served as vice president of finance. Collin’s Beta Foundation experience includes being an ambassador for the Sons of the Dragon Club.

Nazar Abbas, Miami ’24

Serving January 2023 to August 2024

Brother Nazar is the lone commissioner serving the General Fraternity House Corporation, and is a political science student from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. For the Alpha Chapter, he served as the vice president of recruitment in 2022 and oversaw 36 new members join the chapter roll. Nazar also attended the 2022 Keystone Conference in Indianapolis.

Nathan Satterfield, Michigan ’23

Serving January 2022 to August 2023

As one of the first collegiate brothers to serve alongside the General Fraternity House Corporation, Brother Nathan offered the student perspective on housing strategies. Through the rest of his term, he plans on continuing to advocate for students to ensure chapter members feel safe and comfortable in their homes.

A senior from Chicago, Brother Nathan is graduating this spring with a degree in business administration and plans on working in equity research at Jefferies Financial Group in New York City. He is a former chapter president of the historic Lambda Chapter, and was the third-consecutive Beta to be named IFC president in 2022. His leadership has not only been highly sought after but also highly recognizable at Michigan, being named 2020-21 FSL Emerging Leader and 2021-22 IFC President of the Year.

“Being an undergraduate commissioner has pushed me to think from greater perspectives and has pushed me to understand the fraternity experience from not only the undergraduate perspective, but from the perspective of Beta alumni, other peer organizations, and the greater public,” Nathan said. “The role has also pushed me to think more broadly about various issues that I never had the chance to tackle during my time in chapter and IFC leadership roles.”