Theta Chi - University of Florida

Social Activities Our Chapter has maintained an impressive social presence, highlighted by several memorable events. We held our formal in Nashville, providing an exciting and elegant experience for members. Our black tie semiformal was another standout event, transforming our house with tables and decorations to create a sophisticated atmosphere where attendees donned black tie attire and elegant dresses. For Homecoming 2024, we successfully courted Zeta Tau Alpha, further strengthening our social connections. Additionally, our Orange and Blue Spring Tailgate was a resounding success, bringing together brothers and friends for a spirited and enjoyable day. These events foster camaraderie within our Chapter while enhancing our standing within the broader campus community. The Path Ahead Our Chapter has exciting plans for the upcoming year. We anticipate welcoming a strong new member pledge class, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to our brotherhood. We are also preparing for seven home tailgates, which promise to be lively and enjoyable gatherings for brothers and friends. One highlight on our calendar is a road trip to Nashville, where we will have the opportunity to bond and create lasting memories. We are also planning our chicken and waffles philanthropy event in collaboration with Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically Black fraternity, aiming to make a positive impact in our community. Fraternally, Ryan Crossan '22 President PAGE 2 TAU TOPICS T homas Wildermuth '19 did not know much about Greek life during recruitment as a freshman when he was invited to the Theta Chi house by some older brothers who wanted to make sure he met as many people as possible. "My parents also took some convincing, but when they found out that one of my older brother's friends, Sean Lanoue '16, was a brother of Theta Chi, they knew it was a good place where I would be supported," he said. During the fall 2019 pledge retreat, Thomas and his new brothers went in as strangers and many emerged as best friends. "I will never forget the pickup football game in the rain, the countless times that "Doses & Mimosas" played on repeat, or some of the hardest laughs I have ever had in my life," he recalled. "That time solidified the foundation of our pledge class and ensured we were prepared for not only our four years of college but for the future beyond." As an undergraduate, Thomas had the opportunity to serve as Chapter president. "I would be lying if I said I enjoyed every moment and it was not a difficult task, but it taught me so much about myself, about leadership, and about the resilience of Tau Chapter." Theta Chi opened doors to countless experiences for Thomas from extracurricular involvement to job opportunities to mentorship. Many of the people he met along the way are the reason he decided to go to law school. Born and raised in Florida, Thomas wanted to experience something new after college, so he moved to Washington, D.C., to attend law school at American University. While a new experience, being in D.C. has allowed him to expand his horizons, and he has enjoyed his classes and professors so far. This summer, Thomas is working on Capitol Hill as a law clerk for the House Committee on Financial Services. "It has been a great experience— I have learned so much about politics, the financial services industry, and the law." Thomas' goal is to join a law firm in D.C. in the corporate transactional space and start as a summer associate next summer. He is in the process of interviewing and often discusses his term as president as his most rewarding leadership experience. Outside of work and school, Thomas enjoys playing golf and cooking. He also loves hanging out with pledge brothers and D.C. residents Josh Gravely '19, Jake Siegel '19, Michael Schweidel '19, and Sher Farooqi '19. Thomas welcomes brothers to connect with him, whether it's to talk about law school, careers, or for fun. You can reach him at tmw1519@gmail.com. Members of the fall 2019 class reunite for a great weekend golf trip to Wintergreen, Virginia. From left: Thomas Wildermuth, Michael Schweidel, Mason DeMichele, Michael Higgins, Chris Gomez, Nick "Pooky" Ely, Zach Roher, Tanner Hilton, Josh Gravely, Jake Siegel, and Dusty Hibbs. Josh hosted the brothers at his family's mountain house, where they played a few rounds, caught up, and reminisced. Our soccer team celebrates winning the intramural soccer title. Poised for Success at UF Prepared for Life T H E T A C H I ' S I M PA C T O N T H O M A S W I L D E R M U T H ' 1 9 (Continued from page 1)

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