Theta Chi - Drake University

PAGE 2 Theta Chi T here have been large changes at the Gamma Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity the past six months: the ongoing mold problem, a new house director, a new chapter VP, and we are being sued. We have had some changes on the ΘX Building Corp. with Mitch Torborg '18 moving to Oklahoma for a new job. He was replaced by our longtime board member and new Des Moines resident Al Kopec Jr. '79. Al's place on fundraising is being filled by John Felsenthal '19 who is leading our brick campaign. Please agree to purchase a brick. The Helping Hand Foundation has several new board members; Joe Eilers '85, Al Kepler '85, and Davis Heck '19 have joined Joe Fink '16 and Matt Harding '17 on this crucial philanthropic board. MOLD REMEDIATION UPDATE After discussions with Story Construction, our general contractor, and Wycoff, our mechanical contractor, we cleaned and repaired the HVAC system. Next we had our testing company, Building Works USA, retest the property for negative pressure and other factors that might have caused the mold. We are still waiting for the engineer's report, but we are hopeful that the findings will provide grounds to recover some of our losses and implement any needed repairs from Story Construction. In general, our alumni have been very supportive and have started to write checks. One brother has agreed to underwrite our legal expenses on this front. We are implementing plans to get the house back into pristine condition, but it has been expensive and complicated. I am glad to speak with any brothers that want to learn more about this issue. OUR UNDERGRADUATES The undergraduate Theta Chi men have suffered from the construction at the fraternity house much of this school year. However, we have sturdy and resolute men who have proffered few complaints. Our solid new member class from the fall continues to develop into exceptional young members. Our fraternity is currently filled with bright and motivated undergraduates, so I highly encourage all alumni to reach out and get to know these young men. One of these brothers just might be your next best new graduate hire. Our new chapter president is Tom Wrigley '21 and he is a great point of contact. Please see his email below. A real bright spot has been our new house director. With enthusiasm and excitement, I introduce to you Mom Christine "Chris" Miller. Chris was a direct referral from super-daughter Cathy Erickson. Chris takes over for Sandi Moran, who was recently married and has moved on to full-time retirement. Sandi has been terrific the past four years, but with change comes a new opportunity to try things differently with new skills and abilities. A few apparent differences are that Chris will not live in the house but has her own home in West Des Moines. We have agreed to work on an hourly basis, invoicing ΘXBC for hours worked, which may save us some money. More importantly, Chris has a professional marketing and communications background and is highly motivated and efficient. She hopes to create a new positive outward appearance for Theta Chi and possibly all of Greek Street. In less than a month, she has: • Fired our cleaning service and brought in Clean It, which should save us $300 per month and promises to provide better performance and function. • Identified a dizzying array of house repairs. ° Rust-proof support poles to the basement bathrooms ° Fixing the sagging floor area around the upstairs bathroom shower floor ° Finding sturdier air-intake covers for the basement • Set up training about emergency preparedness, first-aid, shooter and violence awareness, drug and alcohol awareness, and fire safety, working with the Drake Office of Public Safety and Student Life. On a less positive note, as many of you have noticed from local TV or the Des Moines Register, Drake University, Theta Chi Fraternity, ΘX Building, and some of our individual members who lived in the fraternity house in 2018 are being sued for negligence. There isn't much I can say about the situation at this point other than none of our volunteer board members are at risk. We have asked Theta Chi National for a statement and will share it once we get something. Everyone is vigilant to see that nothing like this happens again. Any brother who needs to know more details should feel free to call me. Finally, Todd Elverson '78 was honored with the George T. Kilavos Alumni Award on February 20. The award is given to an alumnus who, because of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, has made meritorious contributions to their local chapter and general welfare of Theta Chi Fraternity. There is no one more deserving of this award than Todd. I am so glad that Al Kopec and Jim Dornfeld '75 were able to present the award. Love and Respect, Chris Swan '86 President, ΘX Building Corporation chris.swan@transearchusa.com Turning a New Leaf for Theta Chi President Tom Wrigley '21 Frankfort, Ill. thomas.wrigley@drake.edu Vice President Charles DeMerit '21 Snoqualmie, Wash. Vice President of Health and Safety William Krane '22 Minnetonka, Minn. Secretary Alex Klosterman '21 Bloomington, Ill. Treasurer Adam Albright '22 Shawnee, Kan. Vice President of Recruitment Alex Reznicek '22 Dallas, Texas alex.reznicek@drake.edu Marshal Jacob Sabella '20 Algonquin, Ill. Theta Chi Chapter Officers

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