Theta Chi Fraternity Announces Executive Transition

April 28, 2010: Theta Chi Fraternity Executive Director Dale Taylor (Alpha Phi / University of Alabama ’69) has announced his plans to retire from the International Headquarters Staff effective August 31, 2010. He will vacate the Executive Director position on April 30 and will remain on staff through the summer to facilitate a smooth executive transition.

Since his appointment as Executive Director in 2007, Brother Taylor has worked tirelessly to improve the operations of the International Headquarters. His commitment to fraternity growth, undergraduate academic performance, and alumni involvement are evidence by increased undergraduate membership, improved scholarship programming, and a larger volunteer base. Brother Taylor’s friendly demeanor and genuine commitment to improving every member’s Theta Chi experience have been a hallmark of his time on staff.

Brother Taylor brought a great deal of Fraternity experience to the International Headquarters Staff. He has previously served on the Grand Chapter, Norwich Housing Corporation, and Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc. He is one of only two men in Theta Chi history to have served as National President in three different decades. In addition to his involvement on the National level, Brother Taylor served as the long-time Chapter Advisor for his own chapter at the University of Alabama. He is the recipient of Theta Chi’s Reginald E.F. Colley Memorial Trophy, the Earl D. Rhodes Theta Chi for Life Award, and The Distinguished Service Award.

Theta Chi Fraternity expresses its sincere gratitude for Brother Dale Taylor’s leadership and wishes him the very best in all of his future endeavors.

The Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity has appointed Michael Mayer (Epsilon Phi / University of Central Missouri ’04) to succeed Brother Taylor as Executive Director effective May 1, 2010. Brother Mayer currently serves as Associate Executive Director at the International Headquarters, a position he has held since 2007. Prior to joining the staff in his current role, he was employed by Pennington & Company as a Capital Campaign Consultant. During the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 academic years, he served the fraternity as a Leadership and Education Consultant, specializing in expansion.

Brother Mayer has been a volunteer on both the local and regional level. He is the 2004 recipient of Theta Chi’s Reginald E.F. Colley Memorial Trophy and a 2005 recipient of the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Award of Distinction.

Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a successful men’s collegiate fraternity with over 160,000 initiated members and is a leader in the fraternal movement. Throughout its 154+ year history, it has developed lasting relationships with the colleges and universities it serves. Leadership development, personal development, and scholarship are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s success.

Contact:

Theta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters

3330 Founders Road

Indianapolis, IN 46268-1333

Phone: (317) 824-1881

FAX: (317) 824-1908

E-Mail: ihq@thetachi.org

Beta Lambda/Akron and Kappa Kappa Gamma Win Songfest

The Beta Lambda Chapter at the University of Akron took home the first place trophy for ‘Best Combined Act’ at this year’s Songfest competition on Sunday, April 11. The men of Beta Lambda joined together with the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma to create a rich tale about an average young guy who transforms into the ideal man, thereby winning the lady of his dreams.

This year’s Songfest theme was ‘Bringin’ Back the 90s’ and included competition from five of Akron’s sororities and seven of Akron’s fraternities. The Beta Lambda Chapter and Kappa Kappa Gamma performed to the songs ‘We Like to Party’ by the Vengaboys, ‘Pretty Fly (for a white guy)’ by the Offspring, ‘No Scrubs’ by TLC, and ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ by NSYNC.

In order to prepare for the act, Brother Jeff Matheny and Abbey Gaugher worked over the month of March to rigorously choreograph and train the dance team for six intense minutes on-stage. This year's win represents the first time since 2000 in which the Beta Lambda chapter has placed in Akron’s annual Songfest, and exemplifies the strong dedication and work which the chapter has been putting into re-invigorating their commitment to Theta Chi.

Thanks to Brother Jon-Michael Durkin for passing along this article.

Tau Brother Wins National College Fishing Championship

Brother Jake Gipson of Tau Chapter/Florida (on left in photo) along with friend Matt Wercinski won first place at the the first-ever National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship on Monday, April 12th.

For their efforts, Gipson and Wercinski walked away with a $100,000 total prize package – $50,000 for their university, $25,000 for their bass club and a brand new, fully rigged Ranger 177TR bass boat wrapped in their school colors.

The three-day tournament took place in Knoxville, Tenn., on Fort Loudoun Lake and featured the top 25 teams in the country. Gipson and Wercinski's recorded a three-day stringer weighing 29 pounds, 10 ounces.

National Guard FLW College Fishing is the country's largest tournament circuit for college bass clubs, where clubs compete for lucrative awards plus a chance to fish against the luminaries of the sport in the Forrest Wood Cup.

You can read more at the National Guard FLW College Fishing website.

(Photo by Gary Mortenson)