Ernest L. “Ernie” Schmidt ’41 was the first and thus far only recipient of the Ohio Alpha Beta Lifetime Achievement Award. A grateful chapter bestowed this award on Ernie on April 20, 1991, just shy of 50 years after we joined what was then Phi Kappa Fraternity.
Ernie was a member of the alumni trustee corporation that helped arrange the mortgage necessary to reclaim ownership of 11016 Magnolia from the National Fraternity in January 1972. Many brothers from the 1970s report that Ernie stepped in to make the occasional mortgage payment when the chapter’s funds were not sufficient, and some believe we might have lost the house entirely without Ernie’s timely financial support.
Ernie has entered the Chapter Eternal, but his spirit lives on. The Ernie Schmidt Club is a group of brothers who have committed to making a monthly recurring donation for the benefit of the Ohio Alpha Beta Alumni Association. By joining the Ernie Schmidt Club, you will help ensure that 11016 Magnolia continues to house the brothers of the Ohio Alpha Beta chapter of Phi Kappa Theta for many years to come.
Thank you in advance for choosing to “Give, Expecting Nothing Thereof.”