Pictured: Past International President Irving M. Chase, Esq., and Mrs. Nancy Chase accepting the 2025 Heritage Award from International President Barry M. Aarons.

 

ZBT undergraduate and alumni brothers from around the world gathered in New Orleans for the 2025 International Convention, the Fraternity’s 113th Convention, in late July. By all accounts, it was among the best conventions in ZBT’s history.

The location in the Big Easy made for a warm feeling and a program with Southern Charm. Nearly 300 undergraduate and alumni brothers and guests attended a wealth of meaningful and inspirational cultural and social events and educational leadership and fraternity management sessions during the three-day event.

The educational programming at the 2025 International Convention for undergraduates was funded in part by a generous grant from the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation. Learn more about how you can support the Foundation at zbtfoundation.org.

Special Events

All attendees were able to experience ZBT’s heritage at the unique local scale with a private tour and event of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience.

ZBT also was proud to present the 2025 Gottheil Award to MSJE. The award memorializes our spiritual founder, the late Professor Richard J.H. Gottheil, and is awarded periodically to “that individual or group that has advanced human understanding among all people.” Two ZBT alumni, Bernard (Jay) J. Tanenbaum, III, Sigma (Tulane University) 1978, and Morris F. Mintz, Psi (University of Alabama) 1976, accepted the award on behalf of MSJE due to their roles on the Board of Directors.

Brothers and guests enjoyed many tours and trips around “The Big Easy,” such as a jazz luncheon and ghost tour. A special ZBT event was hosted at The Sazerac House, which has historic ties to the Fraternity.

ZBT also is grateful to the alumni brothers from the New Orleans area who joined the undergraduate delegates for a brother-to-brother mentoring reception. Thank you to everyone who participated in that wonderful session.

Featured Speakers, Guests

2025 International Convention was presided over by International President Barry M. Aarons, Gamma Tau (Arizona State University) 1971.

Featured keynote from Dr. Lori Hart educated undergraduate delegates on fraternal risk prevention and accountability. Dr. Hart’s session was the annual Zeta Beta Tau Foundation Sponsored Program, made possible by a gift from Harold and Nadine Davidson. Past International President Harold A. Davidson, Ph.D., is a 1965 alumnus of Alpha Delta Chapter and the University of Southern California. Brother and Mrs. Davidson were in attendance and participated in the session, and Brother Davidson also was honored with the 2025 Stephen P. Ehrlich Award.

A special keynote featured several ZBTs sharing their Brotherhood for a Lifetime story:

• Michael E. Cook, Zeta Lambda (Stephen F. Austin State University) 1993, past Zeta Beta Tau Supreme Councilor and staffer
• Benjamin W. Cook, Epsilon Mu (University of Kansas) 2025, (Mike’s son), Past Chapter President/ Undergraduate Supreme Councilor
• Braydon Repsold, Zeta Alpha (Florida State University) 2027, Chapter President and Undergraduate Supreme Councilor

A strong volunteer contingent helps make International Convention a success each year. The event faculty worked with students in small group settings in a series of education sessions centered around the tenets of the Credo. Thank you to these alumni and interfraternal leaders:

• Corey D. Pevitz, Delta Lambda (Monmouth College) 2023, Past Chapter President; 2024 Phil Goodman Outstanding Campus Leader
• Luke D. Flatley, Alpha Psi (Penn State) 2026, Past Chapter President; 2025 Maine-Heffer Chapter President of the Year
• Thomas K. Reed, Gamma Tau (Arizona State) 2026, Past Chapter President
• James Spry, FarmHouse Fraternity, Assistant Director at the University of Alabama Fraternity/Sorority Life office
• Bonnie Wunsch, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Executive Director, Alpha Epsilon Phi
• Grace Bova, Alpha Xi Delta, Associate Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life at the University of Texas at Austin
• Alison Burke, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Assistant Director, Greek Affairs, University of Rhode Island; 2025 ZBT Campus Partner of the Year

The annual Ronald M. Mankoff Alumni Panel, a leadership program set in a talk show-style format engaged both ZBT undergraduates and alumni through the panelists’ career and life stories and advice. Attendees interacted with the panelists through a question and answer dialogue. Speakers in this popular panel for 2025 were:

• Jack Alltmont, Sigma (Tulane University) 1968
• Stanley J. Cohn, Sigma (Tulane University) 1978
• Jason Williams, Sigma (Tulane University) 1994

Moderator was Devon M. Schad, Beta Alpha Theta (University of Colorado Boulder) 2004.

Top Honors

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity is proud to recognize those who commit to the success of our Brotherhood through our International Awards program. The International Awards celebrate the best of the fraternity, honoring chapters and prospective chapters and brothers for their commitment to brotherhood and fraternal success. Work from 2024 honors were celebrated at 2025 International Convention. ZBT was pleased to recognized 21 accredited chapters.

The 2025 Brummer Cup for Best Chapter was awarded to Eta Xi at University of North Carolina at Charlotte – a second consecutive year for Eta Xi!

The Man of the Year award honors those brothers who stand forth above other brothers and fellow citizens in living the Credo and honoring ZBT’s Ritual from a position of leadership and service. Past International President Harold R. Oseff, Esq., Eta (University of Michigan) 1968, is the 2025 Man of the Year.

For his business excellence and commitment to Intellectual Awareness, Brother Richard Lipsey, Pi (Louisiana State University) 1961, was named 2026 Man of Distinction. This award was created to honor those brothers who reach the apex of their various involvements. Through their life’s work, these men exemplify the Brotherhood of Zeta Beta Tau.

The Edwin N. Sommer Award is presented to a ZBT alumnus for selfless dedication to the ideals of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. For his outstanding devotion, Brother Bruce H. Weinstein, Psi (University of Alabama) 1970, was honored with the 2025 Sommer Award. Brother Weinstein is a past Zeta Beta Tau Foundation President.

Past International President Irving M. Chase, Esq., Alpha Rho (UCLA) 1974, and Mrs. Nancy Chase are champions of social responsibility and diversity causes, especially Holocaust education and survivor advocacy. ZBT is proud to recognize them with the 2025 Heritage Award.

Grand Awards Banquet was enjoyed by hundreds of brothers and guests. Thank you to those who joined us.

A hot time in the Valley of the Sun!

Next up: We hope you’ll relax and reconnect at 2026 International Convention, ZBT’s first convention in the Phoenix area. Save the date for July 30 to August 2, 2026, at a resort in Scottsdale. We are excited to see brothers, friends and guests next summer!

 

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