Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity at MIT Completes Record Recruitment Period

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation, the alumni association of the Phi Beta Epsilon fraternity at MIT, today announced its undergraduate body recruited a record of 27 New Members (of 31 bids, or offers to join) during the traditional fall Rush period recently completed at MIT. This figure represents a record for the fraternity, and is the highest number achieved by any MIT fraternity in the 2012 recruitment season.

“It is designed to appeal to students who not only are high achievers, but also regard investing in quality relationships as an essential part of their undergraduate experience.”

As is the case with its existing membership, PBE's New Members exhibit a wide range of interests and come from a diverse set of geographic and ethnic backgrounds. Seven hail from the U.S. east coast; eight from the west coast; five from the midwest; two each from Texas and Puerto Rico; and one each from Korea, Argentina, and New Zealand. The New Members have a wide range of predominantly technical and premedical majors, and continue PBE's high interest in entrepreneurship; participation in varsity athletics; and leadership in campus clubs and ROTC.

"We are excited by the enthusiasm of MIT undergraduates for PBE's vision of a modern fraternity experience," said Steven Carhart '70, President of the Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation. Unlike most traditional fraternities, Phi Beta Epsilon makes its New Member Education available to prospective members in the same manner as MIT's open coursework. In addition, each new member is assigned an upper class mentor as well as an alumni mentor to support his adaptation to MIT and beyond. "We view membership in Phi Beta Epsilon as becoming part of Lifelong Social and Professional Network," added Carhart. "It is designed to appeal to students who not only are high achievers, but also regard investing in quality relationships as an essential part of their undergraduate experience."

Phi Beta Epsilon, established in 1890, is MIT’s oldest local fraternity founded exclusively by and for MIT students. Phi Beta Epsilon is a member of the MIT Interfraternity Council. The Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation is the association of the house's alumni which owns and maintains the fraternity house at 400 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, MA, and provides the undergraduate body with strategic support and mentoring. Additional background may be found on the fraternity’s website, http://pbe.mit.edu