Theta Chi - Drake University

Endeavors PAGE 5 BROTHERHOOD This spring brought another difficult recruiting period at Drake. Despite those challenges, Gamma Tau hosted open-house recruitment events under the planning and leadership of Recruitment Chairman Joseph Joswiak '27. We were allowed to offer bids after February 15, after which our new members will be guided through the pledge process by Marshal Will Kloos '27. We look forward to their initiation on April 12. One of the fall semester's highlights was brothers' participation in intramural sports. We fielded teams for almost every sport offered and were the champions of both men's volleyball and co-rec basketball. Our most fun brotherhood event is always our annual Colorado winter break trip. This year, 16 brothers headed west for several days of hiking, sightseeing, attending sporting events, and more. PHILANTHROPY Last semester, former Community Service Chairman Joseph Joswiak did a phenomenal job of consistently scheduling service events, ensuring all brothers could participate and prioritize serving the Des Moines community. Gamma Tau continued its partnerships with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Central Iowa Shelter and Services Soup Kitchen. We even hosted an event in collaboration with Alpha Mu Chapter of Iowa State University in which we picked up trash around Ames. This semester, our new community service chairman, Griffin Kohl '25, is maintaining this momentum with multiple service events already completed. The spring philanthropy for our house, as many may know, is fundraising for the James Arthur Albert Foundation. We will be holding our Belize Dance Marathon event, where people can participate in activities like competing with brothers in games and entering silent auctions. This year, each class is competing to raise the most money ahead of the event; class leaders have presented incentives to keep everyone motivated. We are also hosting individual fundraising events such as a home run derby and a golf driver competition. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT In the early fall, our academic advisor, Jim Albert, hosted his annual workshop at the house. He assisted brothers in revising their résumés and prepared them for first-round interviews for upcoming summer internships. During winter break, five of our members, Jaxon Hicks '27, Magnus Keswani '26, Joseph Joswiak, Will Kloos, and me, attended the annual Theta Chi leadership conferences in Indianapolis. We returned home with new knowledge on how to best serve the fraternity in our leadership roles and with many new connections to brothers across the country. ALUMNI CONNECTIONS Near the end of our fall semester, our new Executive Council met with the Chapter Advisory Board to transition into their new roles and discuss strategies and goals for the upcoming year. After lots of brainstorming, the meeting was adjourned, and the alumni board joined us back at the house for dinner and a keynote speech from David Schulte '83. LOOKING FORWARD Gamma Tau has one of the biggest reputations to uphold across Greek life at this university. I am confident that whether it be in the classroom, the intramural fields, or the internship office, our members will continue to display the ideals of our fraternity. With 75 percent of our brothers involved in at least one other organization on campus, our conduct and actions will uphold our legacy at 1320 34th Street. This spring, we hope to outdo our fundraising efforts from last year's philanthropy. You can also meet our newest members during relays. I look forward to seeing you and hopefully sharing more stories from our chapter. Love and Respect Connor Spencer '26 Chapter President BROTHERS EXEMPLIFY OUR VALUES Another Leap FORWARD Brothers finish a day of construction with the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. They are standing in front of a future home they helped build for someone in need. Brothers Liam Nugent '25, Clayton Rey '27, Connor Spencer '26, Joseph Joswiak '27, and Gabe Howard '25 celebrate the intramural co-rec basketball championship with teammates from Alpha Phi and the crowd that came to watch the game.

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