Originally installed during the 124th Anniversary Convention held at New Orleans in August 1980, Eta Upsilon was an active chapter for nearly 13 years – closing its doors in March 1993.
In January 2013, an inquiry was received at Theta Chi’s International Headquarters from Paul Kelsch at Texas A&M. He was interested in knowing what steps must be taken in order to become a part of Theta Chi Fraternity. Kelsch and his group were seeking a brotherhood that they had not experienced to the extent they desired.
Over the next few months that group would receive advice from Doug Miller (then-National Chaplain, now National Secretary) and then-Counselor Philip Thornton (now Senior Director for Development). Leadership and Education Consultant (LEC) Kyle Griffis also paid a visit in March 2013 to help the group get organized.
On Aug. 26-28, Senior Director of for Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford visited the group and was pleased with their progress and sent Expansion Specialist Jeffrey Draluck to work with the group from Sept. 8-15.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, 13 Texas A&M students pledged Theta Chi in a recolonization ceremony held at Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus.
After the colonization, the men began their push into Greek life participating in events such as Delta Tau Delta’s new philanthropy, Theta 5K, AXO Paint War, Kappa Kook-out, and more. In an attempt to foster good relationships with the sororities on campus, the members started a program on campus to deliver flowers to each sorority house on their founding date. Eventually the Colony hosted its first mixer with Delta Sigma Phi and Alpha Delta Pi.
In January 2014 the colony attended Recruitment Boot Camp in Indianapolis. Later, in March 2014, then-Assistant Director of Recruitment and Expansion, Joe Macko visited the colony to talk about recruitment. According to Macko, the group was quick to learn.
“With the 2014 Executive Board in place, our staff started work to create a strong platform for rush. In order to separate Theta Chi from the slough of other fraternities, we knew we had to be different. In the weeks preceding rush, we modernized our brand and prepared talking points that focused on leadership, true brotherhood, tradition and the chance to create something new,” said Chapter President Cole Ziegler.
“With this plan in mind we focused our efforts on “grass roots” recruiting. Our men hit every major forum on campus and searched for the “never joiners” - the guys that did not see themselves as Greek. We then addressed and sold this audience on the chance to redefine fraternities at Texas A&M,” Ziegler continued.
Indeed, Eta Upsilon Colony is represented on Texas A&M's campus. Members were involved in Student Senate, American Society of Civil Engineers, Energy Club, Aggie Disc Golf, Aggie Transition Camps, Aggie Recruitment Committee, Pre-Vet Society, E-Sports Club, Fish Camp, Geology & Geophysics Society, Professional Association of Industrial Distribution, University Orchestra, Texas State Teachers Association, American Medical Student Association, Pre-Med Society, Leadership Learning Community, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Freshman Leaders in Progress, Aggie Shields, Aggieland Yearbook, Horticulture Club, Christian Engineering Leaders, Honor Council, Off Road Club, Sports for Kids, A&M Water Polo Team, Fishing Team, Powerlifting Club, Freemasons, Future Farmers of America, as mentors and tutors, and in A&M's Corps of Cadets and ROTC.
As the Eta Upsilon gained momentum and additional members, they completed their petition and submitted it to the Grand Chapter for a vote. The decision from the Grand Chapter was unanimous. The time had come to reinstall Eta Upsilon Chapter at Texas A&M.
On Nov. 22, 2014, 53 men were initiated into Theta Chi Fraternity as Eta Upsilon Chapter was reinstalled in a ceremony held at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex. National Secretary Doug Miller presided and was assisted by Senior Director for Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford, Senior Director for Development Philip Thornton, Field Executive Chris Barker, and former IHQ staff member Brad Vance (Zeta Beta/Adrian 1998).
Eta Upsilon recharter members include: Forest E. Allen, Matthew S. Beckett, Alex C. Borrell, Daniel K. Bosworth, Philip J. Bowie, Cody R. Browne, Travis F. Burdick, Javier Cantu, Calvin C. Cordray, Brady C. Cox, Steven T. Dang Ma, Cuong V. Do, Charles W. Durr III, Matthew B. Dwyer, Freddy J. Espejel, Derrick R. Gelino, M. Dillon Goan, Brad T. Gomez, Isaac D. Gutierrez, Kriby G. Haywood, Jayson C. Hicks, Tyler L. Horn, Heath A. Huffman, Wiatt D. Jamieson, Ronnie Jimenez, Paul L. Kelsch, Jerad T. Loyd, Matt A. Manzer, John R. McDonald, Jared J. McManus, Max E. Meyers, W. Drue Norton, Chandler J. O'Leary, Jeff C. Ott, Corey M. Pursell, Patrick P. Quintero, Scooter Reaves, Mahesh G. Reddy, Dakota R. Relford, Alejandro Rodriguez, F. Miguel Salazar IV, Ryan P. Shaw, Joshua D. Sonnier, Addison T. Symank, Gary M. Tadvick, Jack D. Tadvick, Long Q. Tien, Zachary M. Ungashick, Kyle C. Warren, Dayton M. White, Chris J. Wright, and C. Cole Ziegler, who was installed as Eta Upsilon's President. John McManus, father of Jared McManus, was initiated at the ceremony as an alumnus.
Theta Chi in the state of Texas was well represented; all were present save for Delta Phi/North Texas, whose members were unable to locate the ceremony venue on time, and our colony at the University of Texas-El Paso whose members would not have been able to participate in the ritual work. The other Texas chapter representation included: one brother from Delta Mu/Texas, 10 from Epsilon Tau/Stephen F. Austin, 12 from Theta Eta/Sam Houston State, five from Theta Kappa/Texas Tech and 13 from Iota Upsilon/Texas State. Two alumni, Carl Harding (1991) and Blake Garner (1990) were present and represented the original Eta Upsilon Chapter. They were joined by their former chapter adviser Neeley Lewis, Xi/Virginia 1968
Both coasts of the United States were represented: The west by Kia Sepassi (Beta Iota/Arizona 2001) who serves as chapter adviser for Gamma Theta Chapter at San Diego State and the east by two brothers from Epsilon Psi/NJIT. Diego Jimenez, Epsilon Psi/NJIT 2016 shared, "The reason I decided to attend the reinstallation of Eta Upsilon was the promise I made to Long Tien, one of the coloniy members I met this past summer at Theta Chi's Initiative Academy at Indiana University. He mentioned to me that his colony might get his charter soon. Once he told me that, I replied saying that I've never been to Texas, but always wanted to go. After getting to know him, my group, and our facilitator Justin Jones, I made Long promise that if [Eta Upsilon Colony] gets [its] charter next semester, I will personally fly down and attend the reinstallation."
Diego continued, "[A few months later,] I got a message from Long telling me [Eta Upsilon] was getting [its] charter on November 22nd. After that, I bought my ticket and convinced my chapter brother Alemnehe Lemma (2015) down with me. Not only did I want to be there for Long, but I really wanted to show the colony real brotherhood, not just as a chapter but as an International Fraternity. Once you become a Theta Chi, you don't just get 50 or 60 brothers - you get thousands and they are your brothers for life."
Diego added, "Not only did I get to experience the Texas Culture, but I got to experience how they ran their colony along with their long road to becoming a chapter. After attending their last meeting of Initiation Week, I witnessed how well these men carried themselves, how determined they were to become a chapter, and how much respect and professionalism they had towards one another. Once these great colony members were initiated, I was extremely proud to call each one of those men my brothers. Eta Upsilon has a bright future ahead of them and I wish them all the best."
Other chapters having members present included Beta Lambda/Akron, Beta Nu/Case Western, Gamma Theta/San Diego State, Epsilon Zeta/Tampa, Zeta Beta/Adrian, and Eta Omicron/Northwestern State. Each of the men attending from another chapter became an Honorary Member of Eta Upsilon Chapter and will receive a certificate.
At the reception that followed at Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station, Eta Upsilon Chapter President Cole Ziegler introduced guest speaker JD Ford. Also speaking on behalf of the National Fraternity were National Secretary Doug Miller and Chris Barker. Local alumnus and former Eta Upsilon Chapter Adviser Neeley Lewis gave a moving speech before the chapter recognized and honored those who had helped the colony reach chapter status.
A Texas A&M flag signed by all Eta Upsilon brothers was presented to several Theta Chi alumni for their guidance and support throughout Eta Upsilon’s recolonization as a token of appreciation. Those brothers include: Field Executive Chris Barker (Epsilon Zeta/Tampa 2013), Former Recruitment and Expansion Specialist Jeffrey Draluck (Epsilon Zeta/Tampa 2012), Sr. Director for Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford (Beta Lambda/Akron 2005), Past National Vice President Brian Hall (Theta Eta/Sam Houston State 1988), Eta Upsilon Adviser Patrick Lathrop (Beta Nu/Case Western 2014), Former Chapter Adviser Neeley Lewis (Xi/Virginia 1968), Former Assistant Director for Recruitment and Expansion Joe Macko (Zeta Tau/Michigan-Flint 2012), National Secretary Doug Miller (Zeta Beta/Adrian 1990), and Field Executive Tom Sisco (Gamma Rho/Florida State 2013).
Additionally, the Theta Chi Citation of Honor was presented to the following brothers: Chris Barker, Patrick Lathrop, Neeley Lewis, Doug Miller, and Tom Sisco.
"Working with this group was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had since I joined staff,” said Field Executive Chris Barker. “On Sunday's meeting at the start of their I-week, I set expectations and asked the group to put their faith in their brothers throughout the week. I couldn’t have asked for better participation as the guys exceeded my expectations putting their faith in me to lead them through their initiation week and made sure to get the most out of the experience. Not many people get to see and feel the connection of brotherhood outside of their own chapter but that week in College Station, the way the group embraced me, I felt like a brother of Eta Upsilon. I am so proud to call all of them my brothers and can’t wait to see how they flourish on their campus,” Barker continued.
“What a journey it has been from the inklings of a dream in late 2011 to the colonization of our men in the fall of 2013 to the completion and submission of our petition for installation just under a year later,” said Ziegler. “I can still remember the long nights spent in one of our brother’s apartment complex with all seven of us sitting across the table from the Director for Recruitment and Expansion, JD Ford. I vividly recall his blunt but deliberate words: “If you’re not here to make a difference and work together towards the ultimate goal of this brotherhood, then leave this room now.” Not one person got up from that table,” he said.
“It is this devotion and common passion for the dream shared by our founding few that has led Eta Upsilon to accomplish what we have thus far. Not only did recruitment numbers seem to double and then double again, we tried our best to impact not only our campus and our community, but also each other. I believe we have succeeded in those tasks,” Ziegler continued. “We all started as cautious individuals, most of whom never pictured ourselves in a fraternity. This group quickly grew to become friends. Together—through hard work, difficult times and a love for Theta Chi—we have grown to become more than just a group of friends; we are a brotherhood,” he said.
So what should we expect from Eta Upsilon going forward?
“Simply put, the charter was not the “end goal” for Eta Upsilon, but rather the beginning of a great journey,” said Ziegler. “We will continue improving our internal organization and operations by requiring each brother to stand up and lead like the Founding Father they are. Our recruiting efforts will only strengthen and we will continue to ‘recruit someone better than yourself,’” he said.
“We also plan to work on re-connecting with our chapter alumni,” said Ziegler. “At reinstallation we were provided the previous roster book of our chapter. We plan to use this information to work with The Association of Former Students to locate and reach out to our alumni. We will also petition the Texas A&M Interfraternity Council for admission again in this upcoming semester. Most importantly, we will continue to build the brotherhood we have worked so hard to establish,” Ziegler concluded.
In 1871 the Texas Legislature used land grant funds to establish the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the state’s first public institution of higher education. Brazos County donated 2,416 acres for the school’s campus. Enrollment began Oct. 2, 1876 and classes started Oct. 4 with six faculty members and six students. Enrollment continued to increase, and during the first semester had increased to 48 students. By the end of the spring 1877 semester, 106 students had enrolled. Enrollment was limited to white males, and they were required to participate in the Corps of Cadets and receive military training.
Today Texas A&M is the fourth largest American university with a student population of more than 56,000. The university is home to 31 fraternities and 26 sororities.