Theta Chi - Drake University

PAGE 2 Theta Chi BROTHERHOOD This fall, we had a total of 21 pledges sign bids, and under the leadership of Marshal Lucas Taylor '24, we initiated 19 brothers in November—the largest class we've had in at least the last five years! As always, family nights and formal were big hits throughout the semester. JJ Bauer '25 and Michael Cummings '24 organized our first Dad's Weekend since COVID-19 began, which drew a great crowd. Over winter break, a group of brothers headed to Colorado for a change of scenery as well as some hiking and shenanigans. PHILANTHROPY The weekend after fall recruitment, our active brothers, who individually raised more than $25,000 for the kids in Belize in our record-breaking 2022 fundraising cycle for Belize Dance Marathon, attended the annual pool party. A quick summary of this pool party was described on a poster Jim Albert gifted the house: "Bus. Food. Drink. Pool. Cake. Bus." Good thing we had the bus! The rest of the semester entailed growing our relationship with Habitat for Humanity in many service events and hosting Tater Chi, in which we raised more than $1,000 for the USO. We also succeeded in the sorority philanthropies, winning Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash competition and receiving the Most Enthusiastic Award for ADPi's ADPiLooza event. ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT We made great progress on professional and academic development this fall. To kick it off, Chapter Advisor Jim Albert came to the house and ran a professionalism/résumé workshop. Many upperclassmen brothers used information from Jim's event to secure internships and jobs for summer 2023. Throughout the semester, we achieved a 3.19 GPA and set a goal to hit a 3.30 GPA this spring. Iowa State celebrated its centennial this fall, and Theta Chi CEO Mike Mayer and International Vice President Toby Roth stopped by our house before heading to Ames. They discussed some current issues regarding collegiate members in fraternities and alumni member duties. Over winter break, Alex Petterson '24, Emmett McMenamy '26, Tyler O'Brochta '26, Tom Olive '85, and I headed to Indianapolis to attend the annual international leadership conferences. It was a long two days, but we came home with goals, plans, and memories to share with the rest of the chapter. LOOKING FORWARD Over the past couple of semesters, Gamma Tau has shown through recruitment, philanthropy, intramurals, and so many more aspects of fraternity life that Theta Chi is the fraternity to be in at Drake. In theory, when your hard work is paying off to the point of leaving everyone else in the dust, it is hard to keep up that same work ethic. One of my favorite quotes is, "Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive." Let me be the first to tell you, I am "the paranoid," and there will be no complacency at Gamma Tau under my guidance. My collegiate brothers are hard-working and determined to stay on top at Drake. We are off to a blistering start with our grades, are staying involved on campus, and are motivated to dominate spring recruitment as well as raise thousands of dollars for the kids in Belize once again this semester. Last semester, the catchphrase, "Winner's Win," spread around campus as a descriptor of Theta Chi, and I can't wait to share the ways in which we have continued to win when I connect with many of you in April for Relays! Fraternally, Ethan Roemmich '24 Chapter President ethan.roemmich@drake.edu (630) 635-8135 Celebrating Our Wins Gamma Tau Determined to Stay on Top at Drake Brothers take a ski trip to Colorado! Gamma Tau's class of 2026. We are so excited to see what these brothers do for our house and the Drake community! Brothers at the Theta Chi National Conference. From left: Emmett McMenamy '26, Tyler O'Brochta '26, Ethan Roemmich '24, and Alex Petterson '24. Al Kopec '79 and Whittaker Friedman '23 with International Grand Chapter members who spoke to our chapter and pledges about the future of Theta Chi and what it means to be a brother of this amazing organization.

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