Theta Chi Re-Colonizing Eta Alpha Chapter at Clemson University

The Colonization Ceremony for the Eta Alpha Interest Group will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 9:30 AM in the Student Sentate Chambers on the Clemson University campus. The Eta Alpha Chapter was active at Clemson from 1970 until 2001.

Past National President Jim McEachern will be conducting the ceremony. There will also be representatives from International Headquarters of Theta Chi in attendance along with Eta Alpha alumnus members and members from other chapters.

Following the ceremony, members enjoy tailgating on the Greek Quad. The Clemson Tigers will be taking on the Wake Forest Deamon Deacons--will any brothers from Gamma Omicron be making the trip down to "Death Valley?"

If you would like to attend, please email Dan Lepper, the graduate advisor at Lepper@Clemson.edu .

Theta Chi is IU's BMOC--Again!

For the second year in a row, a brother from the Alpha Iota chapter at Indiana University is the winner of the Zeta Tau Alpha's "Big Man On Campus" philanthropy event.

Brother Tyler Webb, pictured at left, raised $18,000 in the fight against breast cancer.

The "BMOC" event raises more money that any other event by a single Greek chapter in the United States.

You can read full coverage of the event at the Indiana Daily Student website.

The National Eagle thanks Peter Stevenson of the IDS for the use of his photo above.

Brother Chad Ellsworth Elected President of HazingPrevention.org

Brother Chad Ellsworth, Alpha Upsilon/University of Nebraska-Lincoln ’01 has been elected President of the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.org

"I'm humbled to be the president of the board of directors for HazingPrevention.Org, a group that includes representatives from fraternities and sororities, including three current or past fraternity and sorority international presidents, athletics, marching bands, renowned experts and speakers, and of course our very own brother Dave Westol," said Brother Ellsworth.

"In addition to its Web resources, HazingPrevention.org sponsors the Interdisciplinary Institute for Hazing Intervention, a training opportunity for administrators, coaches, educators, law enforcement personnel, and others; as well as the National Hazing Symposium, which brings practitioners and researchers together to develop a national agenda for hazing prevention," added Ellsworth.

Brother Ellsworth own experience in taking a stand against hazing is actually what led him to Theta Chi.

"Theta Chi brothers extended a helping hand to me - even though I was a member of a different fraternity at the time. Brothers Chris Wegener, Joe Kopp, and Trevor Johnson moved me out of another chapter house in the middle of the night after I stood up against hazing in that organization. They demonstrated true brotherhood, and inspired me to become involved in the anti-hazing movement, said Brother Ellsworth."

Professionally, Brother Ellsworth is the Coordinator of the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Minnesota. In 2007 he was name an "Anti-Hazing Hero" by HazingPrevention.org

Theta Chi Fraternity has long taken a stance against hazing. The Fraternity's policy on hazing states:

Theta Chi is based on the belief that true fraternalism is nurtured in an atmosphere of social and moral responsibility, respect for duly constituted authority, and loyalty to the principles and values of higher education.

Theta Chi is also based on the understanding that while social behavior cannot be legislated, a fraternity without morally sound precepts and practices is not a constructive influence upon college men.

Theta Chi is further based on the belief that a fraternity has a solemn obligation to develop its new members, initiates and alumni, and that this responsibility extends alike to the institutions where the Fraternity is represented. This obligation also extends to parents and others who make possible the education of new members and initiates as well as the communities where chapters are accountable for good citizenship. Finally this obligation is also owed to the college fraternity system of which Theta Chi is a part.

Theta Chi is also based on the firm conviction that one of the most damaging instruments to the fraternity system is the employment of a new member education program which includes hazing, and that this unproductive, ridiculous, and hazardous custom has no place in the fraternity system.

Furthermore, hazing is expressly prohibited by the Constitution & Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity, which states:

ARTICLE V, SECTION 11. HAZING PROHIBITED.

The Fraternity prohibits absolutely all physical hazing, paddling, uncalled-for humiliation, and public display in connection with pledging and pre-initiatory activities, and subscribes to the National Interfraternity Conference resolutions and the Fraternity Executives Association’s “Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-initiatory Activities” which condemn all forms of hazing in connection with pledge/New Member education and pre-initiatory activities. The active chapters shall carry out the Fraternity’s policy and conform strictly to this policy, not only to escape the danger of bringing discredit to the Fraternity and injuring the entire fraternity cause, but also to build higher respect for the chapters and the Fraternity in the minds of pledges/New Members and to instill a finer type of loyalty thereby. The Fraternity prohibits all forms of public initiation, and pre-initiatory and initiation activities shall not be permitted to interfere in any way with the scholastic obligations or class attendance of those involved.

Theta Chi Fraternity is a Gold level sponsor of HazingPrevention.org.

Theta Chi's Growing List of IFC Presidents

These Theta Chi brothers currently serve as the Inter-Fraternity Council President at their respective colleges and universities.

Axel Brandt, Ohio Northern University

Dean Caruvana, Wagner University

Anthony Clowe, North Dakota State University

A.J. Dance, Newberry College

Ryan Debock, University of Tampa

Ben Esner, Adrian College

Daniel Gonzalez, Old Dominion University

Chris Hollowell, George Mason University

Anthony LoVullo, University of Akron

Joe Macko, University of Michigan - Flint

Brad Martin, Presbyterian College

Taylor Pearson, Birmingham-Southern College

Ryan Post, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Tyler Samples, Auburn University

Steven Sandlin, Oakland University

Andrew Schussler, Missouri State University

Brandon Steinbrook, Ball State University

Ricky Tessaro, Florida Southern College

Erik Wood, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Some of the name listed are taken from a list provided by the North American Interfraternity Conference; if you see any errors or omissions please report them to the National Eagle NationalEagle@gmail.com. Future National Eagle posts will list student government officers so please send in those names and term dates as well!

NIC Updates Website & Adds Blog

The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) has upgraded its website and added a blog feature.

Check it out at www.NICIndy.org.

Founded in 1909, the North-American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 73 International and National Men’s Fraternities including Theta Chi.

The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience; advancement and growth of the fraternity community; and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. The NIC is also committed to enhancing the benefits of fraternity membership. Today, the NIC has 73 member organizations with approximately 5,500 chapters located on 800+ campuses in the United States and Canada with approximately 350,000 undergraduate members. The NIC is led by a Board of Directors comprised of nine volunteers from member fraternities. The headquarters and professional staff are located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Gamma Zeta Chapter Returning to Oklahoma State

The alumnus members of the Gamma Zeta chapter at Oklahoma State University have launched a sweeping campaign to bring Theta Chi back to campus. Alumnus members labored for nearly two years to coordinate their efforts, began work with the IFC and now have officially brought a group to campus. With the assistance of Thomas "Bo" Tinnin, National Vice President and Andrew Curtis, Regional Counselor, the alumni of this great chapter have swept back onto campus in impressive fashion.

During new student move-in weekend in August, local alumni, along with Andrew Curtis made contact with nearly 30 potential new members. By the following week, with the help of even more alumni, membership in the soon-to-be interest group stands at 23 and growing in numbers. With a recruitment philosophy of quality over quantity, the buzz on campus this fall is deafening. The theme of this recruitment blitz is; "The Legend Returns."

After over two years of planning, the dream is being realized. Recently, the news of the inspired re-colonization attempt has reached all corners of the International Fraternity and IHQ just sent down Corey Fischer as the LEC to continue to help with recruiting and organizing the group this fall for 3 weeks.

An alumni-based effort is an extraordinarily difficult expansion strategy but it has paid off in a big way for this group, no doubt as a result of their passion for Theta Chi. The alumni welcome the support from IHQ and the 2009-2010 school year promises to be a banner year for Theta Chi and Gamma Zeta.

--

Daniel R. Bays, Esq.

Head of U.S. Coast Guard Academy is a Theta Chi

Rear Admiral J. Scott Burhoe, Eta Lambda/Virginia Tech '73 is the current Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

Brother Burhoe assumed the duties of Superintendent of on January 5, 2007. He reported to the Academy after serving as the Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He earned his commission after graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1977.

His first assignment out of OCS was to lead the USCG Ceremonial Honor Guard in Washington, D.C. In his 30 years of public service, he has served in a variety of operational and staff assignments including Executive Officer and Alternate Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Station New London, Connecticut, Commanding Officer, Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Group Commander, Group Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

Rear Admiral Burhoe’s staff assignments have been focused primarily in the human resource specialty at Training Center Cape May, the USCG Academy with the Leadership Development Center, Training Center Yorktown, Virginia, Coast Guard Headquarters, and as the Chief of the Officer Personnel Management Division at the Coast Guard Personnel Command.

He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, earned a Master of Public Administration from The American University in Washington, D.C., and his awards include the Legion of Merit, three Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, and three Coast Guard Commendation Medals.

National Hazing Prevention Week is September 21-25, 2009

National Hazing Prevention Week is observed on campuses and within organizations each year during the last week of September (or another time that is more convenient). Activities range from brown bag lunch discussions among faculty to movie or book discussions with students; training for organizational and team leaders, to the signing of anti-hazing pledges. Some plan an entire week of activities and programs and some simply plan one or two meaningful programs. Whatever you do, the important thing is to DO SOMETHING!

You can learn more about National Hazing Prevention Week at HazingPrevention.org.

Hazing is expressly prohibited by Article V, Section 11 of the Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity:

The Fraternity prohibits absolutely all physical hazing, paddling, uncalled-for humiliation, and public display in connection with New Member education and pre-initiatory activities, and subscribes to the National Interfraternity Conference resolutions and the Fraternity Executives Association’s “Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-Initiatory Activities” which condemn all forms of hazing in connection with New Member education and pre-initiatory activities. The active chapters shall carry out the Fraternity’s policy and conform strictly to this policy, not only to escape the danger of bringing discredit to the Fraternity and injuring the entire fraternity cause, but also to build higher respect for the chapters and the Fraternity in the minds of New Members and to instill a finer type of loyalty thereby. The Fraternity prohibits all forms of public initiation, and pre-initiatory and initiation activities shall not be permitted to interfere in any way with the scholastic obligations or class attendance of those involved.

Remembering The Brothers of 9/11/01

Theta Chi's YouTube Channel

Theta Chi Fraternity now has its own YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ThetaChiFraternity .

The channel will feature information on upcoming Theta Chi activities and video from past leadership events.

You can also find the 3 part "Early History of Theta Chi Fraternity" videos in a new higher resolution format.