Theta Chi - University of Florida

TAU CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA TAU TOPICS Srping 2023 T he 2022 school year ended fantastically for Tau Chapter, and although we faced a new set of challenges, we were able to continue the amazing legacy of our great brotherhood. Our brothers remain extremely active on campus and are involved in Student Government, SGP, Florida Blue Key, Florida Cicerones, and many other campus organizations. In fact, Tau Chapter continued its tradition of involvement in the spirit of "Theta Chi for Alma Mater," with the most Florida Blue Key actives of any other Greek Chapter in the spring 2023 semester. Plus, Jared Weingard '19 served as the Executive Producer of Brothers and guests with headline act Flo Rida during Gator Growl 2022. Over the past year, our philanthropy committee raised over $40,000, which was donated to 11 different organizations. In addition, our Chapter was one of only two IFC fraternities to obtain the Chapter of Excellence designation from the University's Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life. In August, Tau Chapter reopened for collegiate brothers after a summerlong renovation. The Chapter House received a new paint job, restored flooring, improvement to the kitchen facilities, a new exterior lighting package, and updated dining room furniture. Sixty-three brothers moved in and fully occupied the house for the first time since COVID-19 began! Throughout the Fall semester, our Chapter safely hosted brothers, alumni, guests, and Panhellenic women at seven different Gators football tailgates. In addition, we traveled to Nashville for the Gators' bi-annual away game against Vanderbilt, hosted a successful Homecoming week with Tri Delta and partnered with Alpha Phi Alpha (an NPHC, historically black fraternity) to host our annual Chicken and Waffles fundraiser. With all these great accomplishments, we look forward to what the rest of the Spring semester and 2023 has in store. Over the next year, Tau Chapter hopes to raise over $45,000 (including $10,000 from our annual SandbOX beach volleyball philanthropy), successfully "court" Kappa Delta for Homecoming 2023, initiate our new spring 2023 pledge class, defend our intramural basketball and soccer championship title, improve our 3.7 GPA, and earn a Theta Chi Alter Award from the Grand Chapter. I would like to thank all of Tau Chapter's amazing alumni. Without your continued support, the chapter would not be able to continuously excel. It is because of each and every one of you that our Chapter is able to continue to lead the next generation of resolute men. Fraternally, Justin Jones '21 Chapter President oxtaupresident@gmail.com Maintaining a Brotherhood of Excellence Tau Recognizes Accomplishments and Looks Forward Jared Weingard '19, Executive Producer of Gator Growl 2022, and his executive team, including Brother Aaron Lazar '19, with Gator Growl 2022 Headline Act Flo Rida. Brothers bond during a ski trip. LEADING WITH A HELPING HAND Garrick Harding '08 Continues to Grow with Theta Chi T he concept of "servant leadership" intrigued Garrick Harding '08 from a young age. He decided in middle school that he wanted to be a lawyer, and he knew he wanted to be an involved UF student before even arriving on campus. That pedigree of campus involvement drew Garrick to Theta Chi when he showed up—but beyond that, it was the brotherhood itself that made Theta Chi the right choice for him. "The brothers described themselves as 'Great Guys Living in a Great Country,'" Garrick said. "Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!" The diverse backgrounds and points of view Garrick found at Tau Chapter made him into a more rounded person, and his brothers encouraged him in his many extracurricular pursuits. He served as both recruitment and social chairman, and his undergraduate UF activities culminated with serving as Homecoming general chairman in 2011. Along the way, he always enjoyed spending free time with his brothers—especially on game days. "I will never forget watching the Gators win the 2008 national football championship from Stonehouse (our off-campus house), and then rushing to midtown with my fellow brothers. It was pure chaos." (Continued on page 2)

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