Theta Chi - University of Florida

PAGE 2 TAU TOPICS Role as Chapter Advisor Rewarding for Clay Sweger '97 C lay Sweger '97 came to the University of Florida as a legacy at a different chapter. However, thanks to the friendship of Matt Newberger '95, Clay came by Theta Chi during recruitment and never looked back as he found Theta Chi was the best fit for him. "Many of my proudest moments were associated with Theta Chi. I was involved in campus politics as a result of my affiliation with Theta Chi, which allowed me to achieve many positions on campus, including president of Florida Blue Key." One of his proudest moments was working to get his best friend George Kramer '96 elected student body president in 2000. Thanks to George, Clay was introduced to the urban and regional planning master's degree program, which directed him on his career path. Today he is the co-owner of a civil engineering, land surveying, and urban planning firm in Gainesville called EDA Engineers- Surveyors-Planners Inc., which provided civil engineering and surveying services as part of the construction of the new Chapter House. As an undergraduate, there were many brothers Clay looked up to, including Josh Weingard '90, who was in law school at the time. Clay's favorite Theta Chi tradition as an undergraduate was the 'guest speaker' who would come to the Chapter House to address the new pledges before the annual Bourbon Street party held at the end of recruitment week. "Oh, how Skip Higley '95 loved that!" He would love to relive the entire 1997-1998 UF calendar year including his fraternity initiation and George Kramer's election night and subsequent raucous celebration—"it was one for the ages!" Clay serves as Chapter advisor to give back to the organization to which he owes much. "The role can be challenging as the undergraduate Chapter often looks for help when problems arise. However, helping the Chapter through the tough times reminds me that this work is meaningful and therefore rewarding." His involvement with the Realty Board has allowed him to see many friends on a regular basis. He loves that so many brothers reconnected thanks to the construction of the new Chapter House and hopes more will reconnect at the 100th anniversary in 2016. "There's no doubt Tau Chapter has helped make me the man I am today. My best friends are still guys who lived at 10 Fraternity Row." TAU CHAPTER PREPARED ALUMNUS FOR CAREER, LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS Spotlight on Jason Brodeur '93 J ason Brodeur '93 joined Theta Chi because he wanted a place to play basketball, but he stayed a part of the brotherhood because of the relationships and opportunities Theta Chi offered. "The relationships I had a chance to build at Theta Chi right as I was first growing into adulthood were the most meaningful of my life." Jason still talks to a Theta Chi brother almost every day, including alumni who were influential during his time in the Chapter like Rodney Clements '92 and Ted Upson '92, as well as his brothers Chris Dorworth '95, Josh Weingard '90, Chase Tolle '92, and Mike Fields '92. Theta Chi helped Jason grow by exposing him to various paths of life. "Some of those pathways were for me and some weren't, but at least I got the chance to see them all. From there, I decided what I wanted to pursue." Jason hopes today's undergraduates will take advantage of the unbelievable opportunities Theta Chi provides. "You don't go to college just for academics, but for exposure to everything in life, and it's what you make out of it. Go on every road trip you can." Many aspects of life at Tau Chapter gave Jason a sense of pride, including their success in activities like being sports league champions, having one of the highest men's GPAs, and participating in a number of philanthropic events. He sees that the Chapter is strong today and that the purpose, values, and principles of Theta Chi are still important for folks who want to make it in the world today. Jason pinpoints Theta Chi as the most important determining factor of his career path. Theta Chi's involvement in campus politics was Jason's first exposure to politics and helped him see that he loved it. Today Jason serves as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, where he is the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. Jason joked, "Politically, it's important that I ask Patrick Howell '97 what he thinks, then do the opposite." Jason is also president and CEO of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. In his free time Jason enjoys traveling and reading. He is proud of how successful his brothers have become. Reach out to Jason via e-mail at jason@jasonbrodeur.com. Clay and his wife, Jeanna, associate vice president of IFAS at UF, have twin four- year-old daughters, Scarlett and Savannah.

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