Theta Chi - Drake University

PAGE 3 Endeavors Jim Collier '60— Patron of the Arts and Education A teacher and philanthropist, Jim Collier '60 has made a mark on lives and institutions around the country. Growing up in Des Moines, Jim attended Theodore Roosevelt High School and began to grow his interests in music, a pursuit encouraged by his father, Leo, and education, a passion supported by his mother, Mary. When it came time to attend college, Drake felt like home to Jim and he began working toward a degree in English, which he completed at the University of Iowa. He returned to Drake to earn a master's degree in education. During his freshman year at Drake, Jim explored the options of a fraternity to round out his college experience. "I went through recruitment and liked the guys in the Theta Chi house. It seemed like it would be a good fit. The parties, social events, and camaraderie of the brothers still stand out to me," said Jim. "Theta Chi taught me how I am happy to announce that since the first of the year we have welcomed two new members to the Gamma Tau Chapter. I would like to congratulate these new members, Rory Packerd and Will Wright. We are also happy to report that last semester our grade point average was 3.16. For yet another semester, our grade point average was above Drake University's all-men's average. This success is due to solid scholarship programing and our New Member Mentorship Program. This program matches each new member with an upperclassman that is in the same field of study. The mentor is responsible to study with the new member each week. We have found the support and advice of mentors to be beneficial for new members. Over winter break, members made improvements to the chapter house basement. Signs have been hung on the walls, carpet has been installed, and the biggest change was the creation of a DJ booth. The new house is feeling more and more like our home with the start of our second semester. Not having Chef Carl and the cleaning crew for six weeks over winter break really reminded everyone how much we appreciate their great service. This spring, the Gamma Tau Chapter will host the 2016 Theta Chi Mid-Year Leadership Conference. This conference is a great opportunity for members to learn more about the National Fraternity. We will host members from chapters all across the central United States here at Drake University. We are excited to have the opportunity to show other Theta Chis all the great accomplishments we achieved in just a few short years. to work with a group, how to give and take, and allowed me to have a more well-rounded social life. I had a rich experience during my youth in Iowa and the experience of Theta Chi helped to mold me. The fraternity was very significant at the time that I pledged." Jim went on from his schooling, serving in the Army for three years and working as a teacher for 35 years. In his retirement, Jim has continued to give back to his communities through his generosity as a philanthropist. In Des Moines, Jim has supported his high school, as well as Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Des Moines Symphony and Opera. He has given back to Theta Chi and to Drake, particularly in the areas of fine arts and education. With his brother, John, he has established multiple scholarship funds and a professorship in the Drake School of Education in memory of their mother. Among numerous contributions, Jim has endowed a faculty development fund in the School of Education and supported the Collier Heritage Room in Cowles Library. Reflecting his abundant support for the students and faculty of Drake, the new School of Education building will bear his name. Jim now makes his home in Medford, Oregon, where he is a patron of the arts, making an impact on many organizations, including their performing arts center, symphony, opera, and chorale. "Right after college, I was making small donations to Drake and other organizations. Later on, when I could give more, I did so. It's not about how much you give, but that you give a little. I've chosen to give back to the areas where I have a great interest. With Drake, in particular, it was a worthy institution that taught me how to make a living." To those brothers just getting started in their lives after college, Jim advises, "Persevere, pursue your dreams, stick to your goals, and keep on keeping on." Work on the basement is nearly complete, with just a few small projects remaining. A DJ booth, seen to the left, livens up the space for social functions. Brothers show their Theta Chi pride during a fall break trip to Las Vegas. Left to right: Max Lasko '16, Adam Sickley '16, Mitchell Torborg '17, Andy Nitz '16, Thomas Rossley '16, Joe Fink '16, Josh Cain '16, Adam Graves '16, Nate Self '17, Eric Lanning '16, Austin Stremlau '16, Nick Briscoe '16. New Mentorship Program Pays Dividends Chapter GPA above All-Men's Average (Continued on page 4)

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