Theta Chi - Drake University

PAGE 3 Endeavors C hris Miller, a former corporate marketing director and vice president, now spends her days as a marketing consultant, as well as Theta Chi's house director. She is a mother of two and grandmother of two. With all the due bragging rights of a parent, she's raised a daughter who is a grants administrator with the Iowa Department of Public Health directing federal grant funding that protects and improves the health of all Iowans, and a son who was a Force Recon Marine, then history teacher, and now works as a government contractor teaching tactical medicine and anti-terrorism techniques to U.S. allies around the world. Q: Why did you become a house director for Theta Chi and how did you find the position? A: Funny as it sounds, I found the Theta Chi house director position through a board member's girlfriend I used to work with in Des Moines. When I asked her if she had any extra event management work she wanted off her plate she said no, but with mystery in her voice said she had just learned of something "much more interesting" than my usual marketing work. After reading the entire job description, I realized I could possibly have a small effect on shaping the lives of young adults, much like I did with my own son and daughter, who are successful in all the ways that really matter: they are whip smart, very successful in their careers, loving, generous, kind, adventurous, creative, faith-filled, and fun. I was drawn to the position because it meant working with smart, fun, perhaps creatively mischievous young men. I raised one of those, and he turned me gray before I was 45, but I also laughed a ton. I knew there was nothing these men could do or say that I hadn't already seen or heard. My hope was that I would laugh more, and that's already happened. Q: What are you looking forward to most in your position? A: Over time, I hope to gain their trust and spend time discussing deeper subjects than fluorescent light bulbs needing to be "fiddled with in order to work." There is so much I'd like to share with them about getting ahead in the workplace and being happy in life that won't be heard in a classroom. But I also realize they didn't go to college so they could still have a mom downstairs dying to give them advice. Q: What do you see in the future for the Gamma Tau Chapter? A: I'm a huge believer in preparedness for any life event, so will first be assisting the internal executive committee with health and safety training. I foresee bringing in more corporate and public service leaders for an ongoing speaker series so members interested in specific professions or industries can get a sneak peek into how they can get where they want to go in their careers while maintaining their integrity. Chris plans to use her PR skills to position Theta Chi in the local Greek and Drake communities as leaders and contributors to a better society. Her biggest strength is her background in the holistic integration of marketing, sales, and customer support teams. Having managed large groups of people in all three areas working toward a common goal, she is adept at assisting with things that really matter to an organization like Theta Chi: teamwork, thoughtful leadership, conflict resolution, fun, philanthropy, and communication. Gamma Tau's House Director in a Nutshell Q&A with Chris Miller Carson Reichardt '21 and Tom Wrigley '21 were initiated into Order of Omega, a Greek honor society. Gamma Tau underGraduaTes BuildinG resoluTe men T he last few months in the chapter house have been quite different from the past, but the chapter is in an excellent place both internally and externally even as we finish the semester from home. Our brotherhood, social, and philanthropy events have grown and improved over the last few semesters. Theta Chi membership has also grown, and we are building Resolute Men each semester. ACADEMIA Academically we are improving and are at the top of Greek chapter GPAs with an overall GPA of 3.29. We are keeping up with study tables and our scholarship chairman is improving the system to make our members accountable for grades. THETA CHIS FOCUS ON GLOBAL EDUCATION Our fall philanthropy project was a huge success and we raised over $1,000 for the USO. Earlier this spring we began our fundraising for the James Arthur Albert Foundation. All proceeds are directed to sending children to school in Belize. Our goal for this year is to raise over $20,000. We will refocus on this initiative in the fall since the COVID-19 crisis interrupted our plans for the spring semester. GAMMA TAU BROTHERHOOD Overall, I am quite happy with what we are doing as a chapter. We are working toward winning an Alter Award this year which hasn't been done since the 1990s. The chapter is always making strides to help the Drake student body and the community. As always, we couldn't do any of this without the support from our alumni, both in the area and across the country. If you have any questions, ideas, or want to stop by the chapter house, please reach out to me! Fraternally, Tom Wrigley '21 President thomas.wrigley@drake.edu

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