Theta Chi - Drake University

CELEBRATING BROTHERHOOD An Overview of the 2021 Theta Chi International Convention T his past July, undergraduates Evan Del Carmen '22, Logan Hock '24, Michael Cummings '24, Matt Glazier '24, and William Krane '22 traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, for the International Convention along with alumnus Chris Swan '86. These brothers spent the long weekend meeting brothers from across the country, learning best practices for improving our own chapter, and celebrating what it means to be a Theta Chi. They were also able to witness the initiation of four brothers from different chapters by the Grand Chapter (who had to have their initiation moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions). The educational sessions throughout the weekend took a deep dive into chapter operations, recruitment, crisis management, and various other topics. The brothers were able to pick the brains of current members, alumni, and members of the IHQ staff and Grand Chapter about local concerns of Gamma Tau Chapter. They left feeling confident that they have the tools to improve both the operations and brotherhood of the chapter from the strong place we are at now. The chapter, as well as two alumni from Gamma Tau Chapter, won awards at the celebration. The undergraduate chapter won the Chapter Achievement award, which is based on the Alter Award application and recognizes those chapters that fulfill most of the requirements for the Alter Award. Chris Swan won the George T. Kilavos Alumni Award for exceptional service to the fraternity throughout the years. John Felsenthal '19 was awarded the Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Award for exemplifying the motto of extending an assisting hand in the Ultra Marathon he ran to raise funds to send children to school in Belize. The weekend was rounded out by informal events to bond with brothers through exploring the city of Lexington and a send-off celebration at the Keeneland Horse Track. The undergraduates are thankful to the Helping Hand Foundation and Grand Chapter for providing scholarships for them to attend this event and look forward to implementing everything that they were taught to help the chapter continue improving. Fraternally, William Krane '22 Gamma Tau Chapter President william.krane@drake.edu PAGE 2 Theta Chi Tough Times Never Last— Brotherhood Does Recapping Chapter's Successes A s a chapter, we've made strides toward success over the past few months. We ended spring semester with the third-highest fraternity GPA of 3.45, which is above the all-men's and all-fraternity averages. Given the academic tribulations brought on by the ongoing pandemic, we are so proud of our brothers for staying motivated and pushing through! This past spring and summer, we conducted our annual philanthropy for the James Arthur Albert Foundation. This foundation raises money to send children in Belize to high school. Through social media campaigns, reaching out to friends and family, donating plasma, and other creative outlets, our members raised just under $24,000. In July, we sent five undergraduates and Chris Swan '86 to the National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. We learned how to be the most influential leaders, we made connections with Theta Chis across the country, and we honored brothers who displayed exemplary service to what it means to be a Theta Chi, including Chris and Johnny Felsenthal '19. We had a strong formal recruitment this fall with 13 bids signed on bid day, and we are working diligently to informally recruit more members with a goal of 18 members initiated this semester. Last spring, we were honored to receive multiple awards from Drake's Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). As a chapter, we won Chapter of the Year as well as the Outstanding Community Service Award; Michael Cummings '24 won the Outstanding First Year Award; William Krane '22 won the Outstanding Drake Spirit Award; Carson J.S. Reichardt '21 won the Outstanding Campus Involvement Award; and Calvin Blume '21 was inducted into the FSL Hall of Fame. We also had many other members who were finalists for various awards. As my term as president draws to a close in November, I am proud of the resilience this chapter has shown over the past year. We have had our fair share of challenges and setbacks, but we have stood resolute. I am confident in the younger members to continue the rich legacy of this chapter. Fraternally, William Krane '22 Gamma Tau Chapter President william.krane@drake.edu

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