It’s not every day that one can find three brothers by Beta and by birth. But that’s what happened in the Cunningham family. All three brothers, Dave, Steve, and Greg, were initiated into Beta within eight years of one another. When classes ended at Iowa State each summer, the Cunningham brothers would return home to work with their father on the family farm. “I remember him saying that we all came back as changed men after our first year at the Beta house,” said Greg ’94.
It was Dave ’87 who first discovered the Betas, finding a fun group of guys and an excellent environment for meeting people and experiencing college to the fullest. Steve ’90 followed, and then it was Greg’s turn.
ISU Cunningham Brothers
“It was awesome to see my brothers also want to be a part of the house,” said Dave. “The environment and fellowship was really something special that is hard to describe to people who have not been a part of a fraternity. Having BTP to share with them is a great bond.”
“Living in the Beta house was one of the top experiences in my life. I often, even today, think back of times at the house and stories from my days there,” reflects Steve.
“I think I knew I was going to be a Beta from about seventh or eighth grade,” said Greg. “I loved going up to Iowa State football games and tailgates at the Beta house when my brothers were in college. As the youngest of three brothers, it was no surprise I received my bid to join Beta right after my high school graduation.”
Each of the brothers walked away from their undergraduate years with meaningful relationships and skills that they took on to their careers and family life. They’ve each remained involved in Beta in unique ways, with Greg spearheading the biannual Beta alumni golf tournament. The event went from 10 attendees in 2014 to more than 75 in 2015. He hopes to have well over 100 attendees at the next tournament in September 2017, the Friday before the Iowa game.
For Dave’s part, Beta taught him how to get along with people, interact with others, and have tolerance. “I am 100% convinced that I would not have had as full of a life for the last 30 years in either my career or my personal life without the experience and friendships I made at Beta.”
Dave, Steve, and Greg have carried their gratitude for Beta into the Preserving Our History, Building Our Future campaign, each choosing to make a financial contribution to the campaign and supporting the construction that is beginning at 2120 Lincoln Way.
“Last fall, I was involved with the reorganization of the chapter and interviewed more than a dozen actives,” said Greg. “I walked away extremely impressed at the quality of young men we have in the house, but to be the top fraternity on campus, we need to invest now in Tau Sigma Chapter. I want to give those men the same opportunities I had, and I hope they will benefit from all of the experiences the Beta house offers.”
“The house needs to be remodeled,” added Dave. “It has been too long and you have to keep investing in the future of your assets. That house is key to recruiting quality men to become a Beta. 2120 is a very important part of my life and I want the house to prosper and flourish going forward.”
“In today’s world, it’s a challenge for organizations like the Beta house to continue to move forward without support from its former members,” concludes Steve. “I wanted to be a part of the support.”
Professionally, the brothers have carved their own paths. Dave went to work in the animal health pharmaceutical business, ultimately becoming president of Teva Animal Health. When the company was sold, he moved into consulting work, giving him more time with his family, including his wife, Meta, and two children, Jackson and Grace.
Steve is also in the animal health industry. He worked at Animal Health International, a national animal health distribution company, for 24 years in various roles. Last year, the company was acquired by Patterson Companies, and Steve now serves as president of the Production Animal Division.
Greg studied agricultural business at Iowa State and is now a sales representative with Midwest Vinyl Products. He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Ella and Katie.