In the Spring of 2012, San Diego State University student Cody Rominger, a family friend of National Vice President Bill Palmer, decided that Theta Chi Fraternity needed to return to his campus. Cody recruited hall-mates in the Maya Residence Hall, and eventually had a interest group totaling 23 members.
The group would gather for meetings to discuss Theta Chi and the possibilities of creating a chapter from the ground up. Soon, several men in the interest group were able to raise the funding to attend Theta Chi’s 156th Anniversary Convention held in Palm Springs, CA in July 2012. The National Convention turned out to be a monumental experience for the interest group. Not only was the interest group exposed to Theta Chi at a national level, but this experience of brotherhood also reinforced the idea that these men were near the point of embarking on a great journey together.
For the duration of the summer, the interest group had online meetings to insure preparation for the upcoming semester. This would be their first semester being recognized by San Diego State University.
Things continued to move forward with the interest group. Even the obstacle of deferred recruitment didn’t slow them down. In spite of having to recruit a week after the other IFC Fraternities, Gamma Theta was able to gain 23 new members – doubling the size of their group.
The interest group was formally colonized on October 13, 2012. Forty-nine men were pledged to the new Gamma Theta Colony.
Next on the Agenda for Gamma Theta was participation in their first philanthropy. They placed first in Kappa Delta’s White Rose Classic! After that, they went on to place third in Delta Gamma’s Anchor Slam and placed third among all fraternities.
In November 2012 elections of new officers were held. Kevin Nguyen was elected as the new president of Gamma Theta Colony. Soon after Nguyen and the new recruitment chair, Cody Rominger, were off to Indianapolis to attend the Deranian Conference and Recruitment Bootcamp.
With spring of 2013 came the Gamma Theta retreat. Over a two-day period, the colony planned their calendar for the entire semester. Recruitment week brought 14 new members – bringing the membership to 57, and the colony one step closer to realizing its dream of becoming an official chapter of Theta Chi.
Gamma Theta Colony didn’t stop there. They continued to strive for the highest GPA and total number of community service hours on campus. Their hard work paid off. At the end of the semester, Gamma Theta Colony was awarded “Most Inspirational Chapter” among all IFC Fraternities at San Diego State University. Additionally, they were third among all fraternities for the highest GPA and averaged 50 hours of community service per year for each man.
The initiation of 51 men into Gamma Theta Chapter was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center on the San Diego State University campus. Theta Chi’s National President, Dick Elder, Gamma Theta 1971, presided. Also in attendance were Theta Chi’s National Vice President, Bill Palmer, Beta Alpha/UCLA 1985, Past National President, Dave DeVol, Gamma Theta 1959, Past Grand Chapter Officer Ron Ramos Gamma Theta 1968, Past Norwich Housing Corporation Officer Jeff Anderson, Beta Alpha/UCLA 1989 and Past Foundation Chapter Officer Herb Morgan, Theta Iota/UC-Santa Cruz 1988. Representing the International Headquarters staff were Executive Director Mike Mayer Epsilon Phi/Central Missouri 2004, and Assistant Director of Recruitment and Expansion Joe Macko, Zeta Tau/Michigan-Flint 2012.
A banquet followed the ceremony at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. The Gamma Theta Chapter presenoted several awards. Two major announcements were also shared during the banquet:
First, The Grand Chapter presented a formal resolution to Dave DeVol, recognizing him as "The Grand Old Man of Theta Chi," a distinction last used in 1931 to honor Past National President Dr. Robert L. Irish. You can read more about Brother DeVol and his contributions and achievements by clicking here.
Secondly, The Gamma Theta alumni recognized Cody Rominger for his dedication and efforts in bringing Theta Chi back to San Diego State with a $5000 scholarship.
Congratulations to the undergraduates and the alumni of Gamma Theta Chapter!
Founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, San Diego State University (SDSU) is currently the largest and oldest higher education facility in San Diego County. It is the third-oldest university of the 23-member California State University (CSU), and has been named one of the top 50 most affordable universities in America.
The university opened on a 17-acre campus with seven faculty members, 91 students, and the goal to educate women as elementary school teachers. In 1923, San Diego Normal School became San Diego State Teachers College. In 1931 the college moved to its current location on a mesa on the eastern edge of San Diego. In 1935, after expanding its curriculum beyond teacher education, it became San Diego State College. In 1960, San Diego State College became part of the California College System (now known as California State University System), and finally in 1970 changed its name to San Diego State University.
San Diego State University currently has a student population of more than 34,000, and is home to 35 sororities and fraternities.