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How does one remember a leader and a friend? That is the daunting question before the brothers of Beta Theta Pi.
On July 1 the fraternity’s president, Andrew McMillan, died in a summer accident. Topsham Police Lt. Christopher Lewis said in a July 3 article of the Portland Press Herald that McMillan worked as a house painter for College Pro Painters. McMillan was carrying a 40-foot aluminum ladder with Brett Dumont, of Bailey Island, when they lost their balance and the ladder came in contact with a set of power lines near the Topsham home they planned to paint.
McMillan was set to begin his third year at the University of Maine as a engineering major. He was known to many of his friends as “Drew Guy.”
Acting Beta Theta Pi President Zach Moody said the fraternity is now trying to find a way to remember McMillan. He said they plan to create a committee because various ideas are floating around. He said some of the ideas they have mentioned are a scholarship, collage and plaque in their chapter room or a bench outside their house bearing McMillan’s name. He said they want to make sure he is remembered and what is chosen will stand out.
“He was a huge part of our chapter,” Moody, who was McMillan’s roommate, said.
Eileen Wachtl was McMillan’s girlfriend for the past three years. She said has been working the fraternity to help with ideas to remember McMillan.
Moody said there are numerous emotions that still exist even two months after McMillan’s death. He said as everyone returns to school they are readjusting and regrouping.
Moody and McMillan were roommates, he said McMillan would do anything to help someone out. Moody said when he got sick last year, McMillan was the first person to offer to help and get his class assignments. Moody added that McMillan had a great sense of humor, one of the things most people knew him for.
“He was an unbelievable friend,” Moody said. “He was one of those guys who would do anything for anyone.”
McMillan was Cabinet Member Jason McCluskey’s big brother, who is assigned as a mentor figure to a pledge. He echoed Moody. The two said he was a very good student and would work with other brothers who had trouble in classes.
“He was such a great person, he was always there for whatever you needed,” McCluskey said. “He was the kind of Beta I wanted to be.”
Wachtl said he had a magnetic personality, was a loyal friend and an incredible student.
Treasurer Warren Kennen remembered his intelligence and unique sense of humor.
“He had a good spirit and the qualities of a great leader,” Kennan said.
On July 6, a wake ceremony was held for McMillan. Moody said 50 of the 54 active brothers attended the wake. He said everyone made it to the wake or funeral service held on July 7. He said on the night of the wake the fraternity walked to McMillan’s parents home with lit candles. He said they placed the candles on his parents porch and sang three songs to remember McMillan, including the “Beta Parting Song.”
“It was very moving for them [McMillans parents],” Moody said.
He said six of the fraternity brothers were pallbearers at the funeral services. The fraternity held a grave site ceremony following the funeral service. Watchl said that hundreds of people attended both the wake and funeral services.
“I can never express how difficult it was for everyone to do that,” Moody said
Kennan said the death of McMillan has set in, but there still remains a emptiness to the Beta house.
Moody said the fraternity will have elections to fill McMillan’s vacated position.
“Hes irreplaceable,” Moody said.
