Fight Illini, Fight!
Theta Chi Fraternity officially resumed operations at Rho Chapter with the initiation of nine new brothers at the University of Illinois on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Transportation Building on Illinois’ campus.
The chapter’s new initiates are Ezekiel Lopez (2027), Rohan Malani (2029), Haakon Osland (2029), Archit Prakash (2029), Ali Tamburrino (2029), Michael Thiery (2029), Jaxon Womack (2029), Akhil Yerrapally (2029), and Kayden Zimmer (2029). This first wave of new initiates represents a passionate group of men who saw an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through rebuilding Theta Chi.
The Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) consists of Rho/Illinois alumni, including Carl Erikson (2008), Justin Miner (2022), Ted Bodine (2007), Christopher Vetrano (1993), and Drew Kofahl (1996).
Growth Specialists Angel Rodriguez and Josh Schatzel arrived in Urbana-Champaign with a clear goal: identify men who weren’t simply looking to join a fraternity, but who were willing to help rebuild one as historic as Rho Chapter. The Growth Team knew that Theta Chi had a place at Illinois and continued to connect with potential members through Instagram outreach and word-of-mouth referrals from members who had already committed.
Their persistence paid off as a core group began to form. The men ultimately chose Theta Chi because they resonated with Theta Chi’s traditions and ideals, and the challenge of building something unique appealed to them. Brotherhood quickly took shape in simple but impactful ways with music bingo nights, hanging out in residence hall lounges, playing pool and poker, and attending football games together. These early experiences laid the groundwork for a chapter culture centered on genuine friendship and shared responsibility.
Additionally, Rho alumni organized a homecoming gathering during football season to reconnect the Fraternity’s presence on campus and to show the new initiates that they were joining something that truly lasts for life.
At the initiation, Director of Growth Sam Terry served as Presiding Officer and was joined by Growth Specialists Ethan Schultz and Angel Rodriguez, along with alumni Drew Kofahl and Michael Cochiaro (Zeta Psi/Western Illinois 2024).
“There’s a rich history of fraternity and sorority life at the University of Illinois. It reflects our maxim of Alma Mater for Theta Chi, and Theta Chi for Alma Mater.” – Growth Specialist Angel Rodriguez.
“When we first stated our intentions to regrow Rho Chapter, several stakeholders would let us know 'Illinois is a tough campus to crack'. While the University of Illinois—with its significant and long-established fraternity presence— was no easy task for our expansion team to tackle, the challenge of securing a foothold in such a community only made it that much more exciting to eventually initiate new members into the chapter. These men are motivated, intelligent, and act with integrity. With these men directing the future of the chapter, I am confident that Rho rests in capable hands." – Director of Growth Sam Terry
With a committed collection of new brothers, passionate alumni, a clear desire to represent Theta Chi the right way, and a supportive campus environment, the brothers of Rho Chapter are focused on growth, stability, and living out the ideals of Theta Chi in a new chapter of their long history at Illinois.
You can follow the exploits of the new brothers here.