The Chapter President of one of ZBT’s newest active chapters is no stranger to Brotherhood for a Lifetime, even though Zeta Beta Tau hasn’t been on his campus for a few decades.

West Virginia University’s Evan P. Means, 2028, is the son of Paul E. Means, Jr., Gamma Alpha (Washington & Jefferson ) 1991. Evan grew up in Southern Pennsylvania, in between Morgantown and Pittsburgh, hearing about why it’s great to be a ZBT from a young age.

“From the first time I had learned what a fraternity was (ironically, from watching ‘Animal House’ with my dad), I was fascinated with the idea,” Evan shared. “I grew up in a very small town with three older sisters and no brothers.  Once I finally got a little older and started thinking about colleges, I asked my father about his time as a Brother at Washington & Jefferson College.”

“He told me all of these great stories about the good times and special events that they held every year he was a student in undergrad.  Funny enough, it was right around the time we had gone hunting with one of his brothers from his graduating class in 1991.

“Ever since that day, realizing that they were still connected like that over 30 years later, I was fully sold on wanting to join a Fraternity.”

Brother Evan Means has been a driving factor in starting the new Prospective Chapter, recruiting a core group of friends who blossomed to a 14-man chapter that was officially founded and Initiated just before Thanksgiving.

“The reason I decided to ultimately take the leap of pushing to open this new chapter was because I felt the Greek culture at WVU was not what it should or could be.  Luckily, I knew a lot of other guys that I had met at rush events who felt the same way,” Evan said. “Since we’ve gotten the chapter up and running, I’ve realized that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  I went from never having a brother to having 15 who I know I can rely on for anything, and that I hope feel the same way about me.”

“My dad has been my best friend and role model for my entire life, so being able to say that we were finally brothers was a surreal experience,” Evan said. “Following in my dad’s footsteps and the Brotherhood for a Lifetime are just a few reasons why being a ZBT is so special.”

ZBT takes great pride in growing our family. The recruitment of legacies — sons, grandsons and brothers of any ZBT chapter or prospective chapter — helps ensure we identify young men of good character who embody the tenets of our Credo: Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity and Brotherly Love. Recommend a potential brother at ZBT.org/refer!