Theta Chi - Worcester Polytechnic Institute

alumni.oxepsilon.org Chapter Sweetheart Anagha Late '21 (behind the banner). R eflecting on my almost four years here at WPI, I never truly understood the role that Greek life plays in a student's life until COVID-19 struck and forced me to stay more than six feet apart from the Epsilon house. I say that dramatically, but it's honestly quite true; I've probably spent as much of my time at the house and in the company of all the Brothers as much as I could. In my eyes and heart, the Theta Chi Chapter House is my second home and my safe place. There was not a single moment that I can recall where either my friends or I felt unwelcomed, and it was this sense of friendship and belongingness that I longed for, especially since I chose to opt out of joining a sorority. Although the relationship that I had shared with my then-boyfriend did indeed influence the Chapter's decision to vote me in as their Sweetheart, my connection with the Epsilon house, Brothers, and even alumni began well prior. The very first time I stepped foot in the house was on a weeknight during my freshman year, only a couple days before one of my computer science assignments was due. This particular homework was one that I had been struggling with for quite some while, and since my overall grade for the course was lying on the cusp, I had been especially stressed and worried. Adjusting to being away from home and my family was something that I had been struggling with for most of my freshman year, and my inability to adapt relatively quickly to the WPI life reflected on my coursework. In need of help, I reached out to my friend in the class who also had just received a bid. Since it was only early in C term, the incoming Brothers that I was close with were only just going through their new member education process and weren't officially part of the brotherhood yet. However, this didn't stop a single member that I had met that night from welcoming me with open arms. After sitting in the 103 for several hours, there was soon a massive group gathering over my shoulders, consisting of both Brothers and incoming members, all focused on helping me finish my coding project. Every single person that I had met that night put aside their own work and responsibilities to help me. Seeing how open-armed and accepting all of the Brothers were made me want to give back. I took it upon myself to give back year after year, offering all that I could to any Brother who asked for my help. The night that I was told of my nomination for Chapter Sweetheart is one filled with several memorable emotions. Although I had already felt like part of the brotherhood since that one night during my freshman year, the mere concept of making it official heightened all that I had felt toward the organization. Theta Chi gave me a sense of family and community at WPI—something that I will be forever grateful for. A Word from Our Epsilon Chapter Sweetheart Anagha Late '21 Shares What Theta Chi Means to Her

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