Theta Chi - Iowa State University

THE TOMAHAWK Alpha Mu Chapter 4 W hen I wrote my first president's report for the previous issue of The Alpha Mu Tomahawk, Alpha Mu was in a much different position than it is now As a small-to-medium house at the university, we were working through many issues of event planning, preparing for summer recruitment, and adjusting to having seven members of the executive team with no prior executive experience While sometimes it felt like we could not quite get to where we wanted to be, spirits were high, and the chapter was strong SETTING NEW GOALS Kode Banwart '25 and I had the opportunity to attend the Theta Chi International Convention in Washington, DC During this time, we learned many new strategies for improving the fraternity and met several brothers from other universities After the convention and much reflection, we came back with new goals and a strong desire to propel Alpha Mu to the top fraternity on Iowa State's campus RECRUITMENT EFFORTS Throughout the summer, Recruitment Chairmen Kode Banwart '25 and Gabe Christofferson '25 met and signed 16 pledges for the fall semester Their willingness to drive many hours to meet with potential new members and ability to bond with high school graduates over a short meal was key to our success Iowa State has changed the formal recruitment process over the last three years, and this year, Gabe and Kode also adapted to the change and signed six more members during this time Living in the house this semester has been different from any other time since I have been at Iowa State The bonding and livelihood we have seen this fall is one of the reasons Alpha Mu is growing in membership With 37 members living in the house, we are close to max capacity; we should have all 39 spots filled next semester As we are reaching the barrier of becoming classified as a "big house" by the university, the chapter is excited to see what new opportunities this will bring ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE This year, we have seen vast improvements in academic performance at Theta Chi We improved to the eighth- highest fraternity GPA on campus, with a chapter GPA of 319 thanks to many new programs led by Caleb Askelson '25 and House Director Brennan Goodman '18 BROTHERHOOD BONDING With our 20 newest brothers, Marshal Justin McKenna '25 has reconfigured the big/little brother program This semester already, we have seen an increase in pledge and member bonding, a great sign for Theta Chi In addition, Kode Banwart '25, vice president of health and safety, has chosen to host three on-campus events to promote three of the five Sacred Purpose Values of Theta Chi, while also continuing the tradition of dinner speakers for the chapter ALUMNI SUPPORT The 100th year ceremony is an experience we will never forget The undergraduate chapter was astounded by the number of alumni who were able to attend and come back to Ames Thank you to all the gracious Alpha Mu alumni who support the undergraduate chapter in numerous ways; the health of our chapter is indebted to you all! Finally, as the end of my term is quickly approaching, I am proud to say Theta Chi is in a great position to build on its success at Iowa State University, and I look forward to the bright future ahead Fraternally, Logan J. Engebretson '23 Chapter President ljenge11@iastateedu A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD Alpha Mu's Continued Growth Brothers prepare to compete in the Green Dot 4K race. Brothers celebrate a dominant intramural flag football victory to start the season 1-0. All 20 of our new members in front of the house after formal recruitment.

• Cover