July 13 – 15 Riley Keffer attended Theta Chi Fraternity’s Initiate Academy as a guest of Theta Chi Fraternity. The alumni of the no longer existent Zeta Alpha Chapter provided $200 to cover travel costs for Riley to attend. Riley’s recap of the July 13-15, 2017 Theta Chi Initiate Academy Event included the following comments:
I just wanted to get that short recap to you about the Initiative academy this past weekend. I went to Indiana University Bloomington to stay at the Alpha Iota Chapter house alongside Brothers from all over the country.
Once there, we were divided into small groups to engage in leadership training activities which emphasized self-awareness, communication, and leadership styles.
My small group included members from Kentucky, California, New Hampshire, Minnesota, West Point, and myself from Pennsylvania. Our facilitator was alumni Dustin Bartley from Nebraska.
On Saturday morning we set out for what they call the “Hoosier hustle”. Similar to the amazing race we set out to complete in 6 challenges all across the Indiana campus.
My team was the Green Team and finished in second place to a first place team who set a new “scoring” record. This was a great bonding experience with the other members of my small group.
On Sunday, I set out to return to Pennsylvania but I came back with a sense of urgency and eagerness to start the year strong. I gained a lot of ideas for the way Theta Chi should be run overall and in day to day details. I did so by just getting to know and talking with Brothers of Theta Chi. It was great to experience the brotherhood and mentality of Theta Chi members. I appreciate the opportunity to attend the academy provided by the Zeta Alpha Alumni and the Fraternity for having such an event.
Mitch Nolan
Delta Psi
University of Kansas
Patrick Zurn
Iota Lamda
Farmville, VA
On August 14, 2017 Field Executives Mitch Nolan and Patrick Zurn arrived at Slippery Rock and took up residence at the Apple Butter Inn and began their efforts to begin recruiting the charter members of the new Zeta Alpha Chapter.
They began with instagram posts about Theta Chi Fraternity.
This semester, Theta Chi is looking to recruit Resolute Men at Slippery Rock! Are you up for the challenge?To learn more about the Resolute Man, visit http://www.thetachi.org/resoluteman
Join Theta Chi and their partnership with the United Service Organizations to support our men and women in the armed forces
Theta Chi’s Sacred Purpose is our commitment to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of our brothers and our community. Learn about Sacred Purpose by visiting https://www.thetachi.org/sacred-purpose
Classes begin three weeks from today! We are looking forward to a new school year and becoming a part of the campus community at Slippery Rock.Meet our field executives, Mitch Nolan and Patrick Zurn! They will be working on campus to recruit for the next two months. Look for them on campus if you have any questions about Theta Chi!
The members of the Chapter Officer Advisors meet with Mitch Nolan and Patrick Zurn Field Representatives from IHQ about responsibilities.
Brother David Price and colony member Riley Keffer on the patio at Alumni House pointing out Theta Chi display memorializing brother from Zeta Alpha who have passed onto the Chapter Eternal.
The Original Dozen! In the last 2 weeks of August, 2017 the following 12 individuals accepted bids to begin the process to recolonize Theta Chi Fraternity on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
The Field Executives developed a complete social media marketing campaign for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through at least October 14th to release as the recruiting process is unveiled. Initiated biweekly meetings with the Greek Life Advisor Jayne Piskorik. Met Dr Wilson Associate Provost. Participated in Campus WOW Carnival with signed PNMs. Assisted with Freshman Move In. Sorority presentations with AOΠ and ΔZ for prospective members and cold calling those referrals. Initiated setting up regularly scheduled Theta Chi Table in Student Center. Began regular 7 p.m. Sunday meetings with PNMs. Their plans include at least 30 personal meetings with 30 PNMs during each week.
17 More! During the month of September 2017 recruiting continued and 17 more Potential new members accepted bids!
During the recruitment process Patrick, Mitch and the PNMs continued to meet with the sororities on campus.
Recolonization!
On September 30, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. the efforts of Field Executives Mitch and Patrick and the PNM’s were successful and were rewarded by the recolonization ceremony held at the Alumni House on Campus at Slippery Rock University.
10,354 days after the last day Theta Chi ceased to exist on campus it’s presence was again felt with over 130 interested friends, Alumni Brothers, Little Sisters, Daughters of the Crossed Swords, brothers from other chapters, representative of other fraternities and sororities on campus IFC and Greek Advisors and guests were in attendance. Theta Chi Fraternity International COO Ray Vanlanot conducted the ceremony.
At 7:30 p.m. that same day in front of approximately 3,000 football fans Reilly Keffer and 3 other SRU students were presented the Theta Chi Resolute Man Scholarship by SRU Interim President Dr. Phillip Way.
Members of the colony participated in helping others including the Special Olympic events held at Slippery Rock.
Homecoming 2017 including the glow party pictured above but also participated in the
Homecoming parade. The overall theme was musical artists and their theme was Pink Floyd.
Their partners Phi Sigma Sigma/Sigma Tau Gamma thought this was a good pick especially
since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Pink is the color for that cause
Members of the colony participated in Post Homecoming campus cleanup!
Colony Vice President Riley Keffer on October 6, 2017 attended the quarterly business meeting of the Slippery Rock Council of Trustees. At that meeting, two candidates were being considered to be sent to the Board of Governors for consideration as SRU’s next President. Brother Riley who is also the Vice President of Finance for the Student Government Association spoke during the open forum session. In his remarks he said,
“To state simply, we are not entirely confident in one candidate being the best decision for the presidency of Slippery Rock University,” Keffer said. “In our opinion, a president should possess a strong academic background, experience with a residential campus and the student culture it promotes, experience elevating a university that is already successful in the areas of enrollment, academics, finances, athletics and more. We also believe that they should be proactive in promoting an inclusive environment, knowledge about issues that students face and the related policy, they should also have a strong presence to communicate with the Board of Governors and lastly, passion for SRU. While there are some of these characteristics in the three candidates, we did not see a desirable number in just one candidate.”
Keffer called on the council to vote against sending the two candidates names to the board of governors.
With a five to five vote, the motion failed and the recommended candidates will not be passed on to the Board of Governors for consideration. Click here for more.
Five More!
The colony recruited five more PNMs in October, 2017.
November 4-5. They had a great time hanging out with people from other Greek
organizations and learned some valuable information to better Greek life as a whole on
campus! They also got to meet Eric Pope, a Theta Chi alumni from Edinboro. He was a lead
facilitator at the event and did a great job!
Colony member Chris Pagley conducted a session for the colony on Mindfulness.
Colony members Mack Bestine and Ben Richards spent the night in the Theta Chi cardboard hut in support of SRU Nonprofit Alliance cardboard village event.
We had so much fun hanging out with our alum for homecoming today! We would also like to thank them for the very generous gift! Nothing could be done without their support. Happy homecoming everybody!
Leadership Development Center on Campus.
Theta Chi raised money on November 21st by selling pies to benefit the USO as
students prepared to leave campus for Thanksgiving.
The inaugural Zeta Alpha Colony Thanksgiving!
Sky Pederson has been elected with the other members of the executive Board to lead the colony through the colonization process. He will attend the Sasser Conference at Theta Chi Headquarters in January.
President Sky Pederson is enjoying his time in Switzerland this Christmas ❄️ the Zeta Alpha Colony of Theta Chi wishes everyone a happy Holiday Season.
Colony pledge Mack Bestine was seen on campus presenting to SRU President Philip Way information on how Theta Chi is helping to create Resolute Men on Slippery Rock Campus.
Colony pledge Marshall Tuten was able to organize a trip in conjunction with SRU to Bolivia for 2 weeks during the winter break. While there, he was able to to immerse himself in the culture and figure out exactly the help that people in the area need. He and 9 other SRU students dedicated 2 weeks to help people in need. Good job Marshall!
Colony pledge Mack Bestine was seen on campus presenting to SRU President Philip Way information on how Theta Chi is helping to create Resolute Men on Slippery Rock Campus.
Congratulations to colony pledge LaMorie Marsh for graduating from SRU on December 17! We can’t wait to see what you do in the future.