Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

A t the beginning of the semester, the alumni association installed new wood blinds for the first floor and shades in the basement. e blinds have a professional look from the outside and provide an extra sense of security for the brothers on the inside. We thank them for this update! We look forward to tackling challenging student research on interesting projects this semester, such as chromatography for pharmaceutical purposes or micro-electronic devices that collect energy from ambient vibrations. e brotherhood is constantly helping each other improve through collaboration. Study groups, resume sessions, and interview practices help improve the academic and professional success of the men. Here at Alpha Chapter, the support systems that both active brothers and alumni provide to our members enables us all to reach our I t is difficult to remember a more challenging time than what the campus community is experiencing now at Rensselaer. Lately, we have seen much in the way of Institute, local, and even national press and communications that seem to generate more queries than answers at Rensselaer with alarming frequency. So many RPI students and alumni, whether Greek or independent, active in the Student Union or at other Rensselaer institutions, RPI donor or not, Renew Rensselaer supporter or not, local to Troy or not, are reasonably concerned and questioning what is happening at RPI and what may come next. In addition, the impending 2019 rollout of RPI's Summer Arch program (requiring all rising juniors to remain on campus over the next summer) may reasonably be expected to add even more tension as programmatic kinks are worked out on the fly. Alpha Chapter, thankfully, is well prepared to navigate the current choppy waters. We've spent the better part of the last decade and a half building a strong and active alumni association that works closely with our robust active chapter. Our finances are strong. Our chapter house occupies the most attractive location on campus, and we have spent the time and money required to transform it from a tired, well-worn facility into a solid, beautiful, historically recognized, and state-of-the-art home for our active brothers. Our path continues toward a total building renovation. We have more alumni involved in critical aspects of the Rensselaer community than any other Greek organization. We are grateful to have a faculty advisor who is a brother, an RPI professor emeritus and our next door neighbor, Dr. Chuck Boylen '64 (A1593); a chapter advisor who is a brother, an RPI professor and board member on the Alumni InterGreek Council, Dr. David Goldschmidt '94 (A1364); a brother on the Rensselaer Board of Trustees, Frank Fischer '64 (A986); and two brothers on the Rensselaer Alumni Association Board of Trustees, Mike Lyden '79 (A1173) and me. We are in a unique position to see and influence what is happening on campus and to help steer Alpha safely through the tempest. While the entire Rensselaer community grapples with many issues at present, Alpha Chapter is among the best positioned and prepared to flourish through our 154th year on campus and beyond. We thank you for your unwavering support and ask you to stand with us as we work tirelessly together to advance the prosperity of our beloved fraternity at Rensselaer. Yours in the Bonds, David Fowkes '89 (A1275) Campaign Chairman dwfowkes@verizon.net ALPHA CHAPTER OF THETA XI FALL 2018 ALPHABET THETA XI STRONGLY POSITIONED TO WEATHER THE STORM AT RPI (Continued on page 5) Alpha Chapter Actives Study, Work, and Contribute Members Focus on Academics, Secure Internships, Gain Professional Experience, Reap Dividends New wood blinds installed in the Formal Room and first floor.

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