Heights High B.A.T. Holds 77TH Anniversary Celebration
Nearly half the living members of Beta Alpha Tau - over 200 men aged 26 to 90 - gathered at the Marriot East Hotel on Saturday, August 9, to celebrate the 77 years that have passed since its founding a month before the stock market crash of 1929. Though the active fraternity no longer exists, having ceased in 1997, a group of "passives" decided a year ago to attempt a roundup of members now spread out over 30 states and four countries. The roundup was so successful it exceeded attendance expectations by double.
(PRWEB) September 15, 2006 -- Nearly half the living members of Beta Alpha Tau - over 200 men aged 26 to 90 - gathered at the Marriot East Hotel on Saturday, August 9, to celebrate the 77 years that have passed since its founding a month before the stock market crash of 1929. Though the active fraternity no longer exists, having ceased in 1997, a group of "passives" decided a year ago to attempt a roundup of members now spread out over 30 states and four countries. The roundup was so successful it exceeded attendance expectations by double.
Emotions ran high as some members hadn't seen each other in as much as 60 years. Keynote speaker for the evening was Albert Ratner '46, CEO of Forest City Enterprises.
"I spent just 3 percent of my 78 years as an active B.A.T., but they represent the very best years of my life," said Ratner, his words drawing nostalgic tears from many audience members. Other notable B.A.T.s attending were community activist Vic Gelb '44, entertainment moguls Jules '49 and Mike '53 Belkin, Ohio Savings President Robert Goldberg and Heights High Hall of Famers Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman and Ronald Sharp, author and former president of Kenyon College.
"Presiding officer" of this "3,947th meeting of B.A.T." was Saul Isler '52, who also wrote the 170-page history of B.A.T. distributed at the event. Among Co-chairs were Kevin Goodman '81, and Jules Belkin '49 Program Chair. The oldest in attendance was 90-year-old Paul Milner '34, the 20th member of the fraternity; the youngest, at 26, Jake Lohser '97.
For further information contact Kevin Goodman at (216) 990.8903 (kjg @ bbnllc.com) or Saul Isler at (415) 456-4591 (saulisler @ comcast.net).
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