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.

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.

Theta Chi's Inducted Into The Order of Omega

2009 marks a milestone for the National Order of Omega. The organization is celebrating its 50th year as a leadership honor society for fraternity and sorority members.

Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the university.

Order of Omega’s purpose is to recognize fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of scholarship and leadership in interfraternal activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment. It unites outstanding fraternity men and women to help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.

Since its humble beginnings, Order of Omega has chartered over 500 Chapters throughout the United States and Canada; initiated over 200,000 members; and awarded over $800,000 through its Scholarship, Fellowship, and Outstanding Chapter Award Programs.

Congratulations to the following Theta Chi members were initiated into the Order of Omega during the 2008-2009 academic year:

Riley Adams, Centenary College of Louisiana
Corey Allard, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Marlon Alvarado, Florida State University
Demar Amacker, Ball State University
Jay Anderson, Ohio Northern University
Ryan Andrews, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael Arguello, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Dustin Baker, Drake University
Stephan Bandini, University of Virginia
Ryan Becker, Florida State University
Justen Beffa, University of The Pacific
Mike Bell, Susquehanna University
Daniel Berson, University of California, Berkeley
Vincent Biancamano, East Stroudsburg University
Ryan Bishop, Ball State University
Andrew Bizub, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Brad Boccaccio, University of North Texas
Sam Bone, University of Alabama
Kyle Borkowski, Illinois Wesleyan University
William Bradford, University of Central Florida
Joseph A. Brown, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Spencer Cameron, East Stroudsburg University
Rustin Dakota Carter, University of North Texas
Adam Cooper, Ball State University
Aaron Crespin, University of Florida
James Kenny Crow III, University of Alabama
Taylor Donner, Wake Forest University
Bradley S. Dupay, Valparaiso University
Zachary Enos, Ball State University
Timothy Hartzog, University of Central Florida
Will Hermens, Linfield College
Christopher Hewitt, University of The Pacific
Eddie Higginbotham IV, Northwestern State University
Daniel R. Hightower, University of Alabama
Robbie Hinz, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Colin Hutchison, Susquehanna University
Warren Jackson, University of Central Florida
Naveen Jayaraman, University of California, Berkeley
Jason Joerling, Drake University
Ben Jones, Birmingham-Southern College
John Klebba, Drake University
Jeff Kline, University of North Texas
Gerald Latasa, University of The Pacific
Andrew Learned, University of Tampa
Clay Looney, University of Alabama
Anthony LoVullo, University of Akron
Troy Magrini, Youngstown State University
Michael Marks, Wake Forest University
Timothy Mason, University of Central Florida
Tom McArdle, Longwood University
Ryan McCarthy, University of Florida
Sterling McLean, University of Tampa
Brendan McNickle, Wake Forest University
Mark Moehle, Centenary College of Louisiana
Steven Mote, University of Alabama
Alex Ochoa, University of California, Berkeley
Nick Olm, Northern Arizona University
Joseph Olympio, University of Central Florida
James Park, University of Central Florida
Spenser Peterson, University of Maryland, College Park
Jason Ram, California State University, Long Beach
John Ramsey, Centenary College of Louisiana
Shawn Rigger, Missouri State University
Ben Roberts, Birmingham-Southern College
Adam Rosenfield, University of North Texas
Devin Salinas, Linfield College
Brian Smith, Birmingham-Southern College
Zach Smith, Missouri State University
Marc Sohayda, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Joseph Styers, University of The Pacific
Richard Thompson, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Vincent Turregano, Centenary College of Louisiana
Cory Vaughn, University of Alabama
Garrett Vick, Centenary College of Louisiana
Benjamin Wallinger, University of Central Florida
Macklin Warrington, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Blake Weihs, Drake University
Brandon White, University of Florida
Philip Yeung, University of Virginia
Joseph Zieman, University of Alabama
Stepheno Zollos, Old Dominion University

Theta Chi Fraternity Health Advisory for H1N1 Influenza Virus

Many colleges and universities across the United States are already reporting cases of the H1N1 virus, formerly known as the swine flu. It is likely that some of our members and others in our Greek community will become ill with the H1N1 virus during the fall semester. For this reason, we want to let you know what you do as returning members arrive on all our campuses and/or our chapter house and we been are recruitment season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes our undergraduate (ages 19 through 24) population as a high risk group. Many if not all of our colleges and universities have been preparing for an increase in the H1N1 flu virus as well as the seasonal (common) flu. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with your institutions H1N1 guidelines.

The majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor’s treatment and will fully recover after a brief period, according to the CDC. However, students may wish to call student health services at their campus for further assistance if they develop flu-like symptoms.

A vaccine to immunize against the H1N1 virus has been developed and is in production. Current information suggests that the vaccine will be available for distribution in late October. When your college, university or state receives the vaccine, they will most likely initiate a vaccination program for college students. In most cases, the vaccine will be distributed free of charge. The vaccine will be administered by two injections 21 days apart.

We must do our best to prevent and minimize the virus’s impact to our fraternal community and assist our host institutions.

Prevention:

Several steps can be taken to keep from getting sick and spreading this virus:

• Members should be encouraged to practice good hand hygiene. They should wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Members should practice good respiratory etiquette. The main way flu spreads is from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it is important they cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. If a tissue is not handy, they should cough into their shoulder or elbow, not their hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs are spread in this way.
• Members who are ill should restrain from shaking hands. If you believe someone is ill be polite and avoid contact if possible or wash your hands immediately after contact.
• Avoid sharing eating and drinking utensils. Sharing cups and glasses is never a good idea, especially during flu season.
• Members also should be encouraged to get vaccinated for seasonal flu.

To help reduce the chance of spreading the H1N1 influenza virus, the CDC recommends frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces in your shared rooms (i.e. keyboards, remotes, counters, bathrooms, desk, utensils, micro-fridges, etc). The chapters can also take precautions to prevent members and their guest from becoming ill. Some of these steps include:

• Provide soap, paper towels, and alcohol-based hand cleaners and making them readily available.
• Provide tissues and no-touch wastebaskets and making them readily available.
• Establish schedules for frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, including: Doorknobs, handrails, tables, telephones, chairs, sofas, bathroom surfaces, and providing disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down prior to each use.

Many commercially available household cleaning and disinfecting products are adequate to kill bacteria and viruses, like the H1N1 or other influenza viruses. Products include, but are not limited to, Lysol, Mr. Clean, Pine Sol, Windex, or Clorox cleaners and disinfectants

Other cleaning recommendations:

• Wash sheets, towels, and other linens using household laundry detergent and dry on a hot setting.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and water.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those with flu-like illness do not need to be cleaned separately, but these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• All cleaning and disinfecting products must be utilized according to directions on the product label.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius when taken with a thermometer. Look for these possible signs of fever: if he feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

Fever-reducing medications are medicines that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin). These medicines can be given to people who are sick with flu to help bring their fever down and relieve their pain.

It will be very hard to tell if someone who is sick has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu. Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should stay home and contact their student health services.

Care:

The CDC recommends self-isolation for individuals with flu-like illness, those with flu-like illness should stay away in their room and limit interactions with other people, except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Some people with influenza will not have fever; therefore, absence of fever does not mean absence of infection. They should stay away from others during this time period even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu.

• If possible, members with flu-like illness who live relatively close to the campus should return to their parent’s home to keep from making others sick. These members should be instructed to do so in a way that limits contact with others as much as possible. For example, travel by private car or taxi would be preferable over use of public transportation.
• Members with a private room should remain in their room and receive care and meals from a single person. Students can establish a "flu buddy scheme" in which students pair up to care for each other if one or the other becomes ill. If possible, healthy roommates should be provided alternative accommodations.
• If close contact with others cannot be avoided, the ill members should be asked to wear a surgical mask during the period of contact. Examples of close contact include sharing eating or drinking utensils, or having any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets.
• Instruct members with flu-like illness to promptly seek medical attention if they have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from flu, are concerned about their illness, or develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or rapid breathing.
• Promote self-isolation at home for not living in the chapter house. Non-resident members with illness should be asked to self-isolate at home or a family member’s home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

For more information, please go to www.flu.gov, a website created by the Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.