UK Wildcat Selected for Theta Chi's Top Collegiate Honor
Christian Z. Tan Named 2022 Reginald E.F. Colley Award Recipient
CARMEL, IN - Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce Christian Z. Tan (2022) of Zeta Rho Chapter at the University of Kentucky as the recipient of the 2022 Reginald E.F. Colley Award. Brother Tan is Zeta Rho’s first Colley Award recipient. The Colley Award is Theta Chi’s most prestigious collegiate honor and annually recognizes distinguished service to alma mater, Fraternity, and community.
Brother Tan served his chapter as Treasurer, Vice President, and President. Beginning as Treasurer, Tan worked to create a budget for the chapter as transparently as possible and headed fundraising efforts to raise nearly $5,000 for the United Services Organization (USO). As Vice President he aided in guiding the chapter through COVID restrictions, and as President he succeeded in leading recruitment efforts, ultimately growing his chapter to more than 110 members. He also provided leadership for the chapter’s two main philanthropy events: An “Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk,” partnering with three other Greek-letter organization to raise more than $30,000 and a cookout and concert to raise over $6,300 for the USO (which was later awarded the USO Fundraising Award at Theta Chi’s 165th Anniversary Celebration held in Lexington, KY.
On campus, Chris was a member of the Finance Society and served as a committee member for the University of Kentucky’s Dance Blue – an annual dance marathon event (both UK’s and the SEC’s largest philanthropy event) – by organizing the event’s silent auction for two years. He also participates in the university’s IFC.
Off campus, Chris participated in a gleaning program which gathered and redistributed excess produce; he transported meals from the university to food shelters each week; and volunteered at a local tennis clinic. He also organized a blanket-making event for the local homeless shelter called “Fleeces for Hope.”
Brother Tan completed four internships at investment banks including two in Kuala Lumpur, one in Nashville, and another in Chicago. He also had another two-year internship working at his alma mater on his University's Endowment Fund.
As a freshman, Chris placed third in the University of Kentucky's annual Stock Pitch Competition and was chosen as the only freshman for a 10-person experience to visit Wall Street to learn and network. He later served as a Teaching Assistant for a finance professor and a peer mentor for the Wall Street Scholars program – and would place First in that Stock Pitch Competition.
Brother Tan was a member of his University’s Honors College and their Global Scholars program and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in accounting and finance. He is currently working as an Investment Banking Analyst with William Blair in Chicago.
Zeta Rho Chapter President Joshua Bugg (2023) wrote, “Brother Tan was an essential part of our chapter during his time at University of Kentucky and also played an important role in a number of organizations on campus and across the Lexington community.” He continued, “As Vice President, he played a major role in sustaining and improving brotherhood and alumni relations for Zeta Rho during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris later proved to be one of the best Presidents our chapter has seen since our reinstallation in 2012. Under his leadership, the chapter thrived in many aspects including recruitment, philanthropy, social, and improved academics.” He added, “While we received many accolades during his term, I believe the best part about his presidency was the overall chapter morale. There seemed to be a heightened level of effort given by the executive board and, in turn, the rest of the chapter which resulted in a great experience for all our brothers.” Brother Bugg concluded, “Chris is considered by all to be exemplary of what it means truly means to be a Resolute Man. His campus involvement, academic success, and love for our chapter is nothing short of an inspiration. The Zeta Rho Chapter will forever be grateful for the hard work and sacrifices put forth by Chris Tan during his term as President and there is no doubt in my mind that he will continue to contribute to the chapter long after his graduation. On behalf of the Zeta Rho chapter, I would personally like to thank Chris for the great brotherhood he has left behind and can think of no one more deserving for the Reginald E.F. Colley Memorial Trophy.”
Zeta Rho Chapter Adviser Blake Whitley (Zeta Rho/Kentucky 2017) wrote, “Chris Tan is a respected and trusted leader not only within the Zeta Rho Chapter but more notably on campus at the University of Kentucky and in the community around the state. While working with Chris as Chapter Adviser, I was able to watch him grow as a brother and collegian into one of character and merit. He was essential in the continued success of the chapter over the last four years.” He added, While Chris was instrumental in the operations of the chapter, he was also able to be a leader within the Dance Blue Executive Committee, the Finance Society, and the Lewis Honors College.” Blake also noted, “Chris truly exemplifies our motto and has always been a brother who is one of the first to extend a Helping Hand. I am confident Chris is the gold standard of our beloved Fraternity. He is a concrete example of the amazing value that the collegiate experience within Theta Chi can provide and would be a great addition to the impressive list of Colley award recipients.”
In her letter of recommendation, Dr. Wendy Liu, the University of Kentucky’s Director of Undergraduate Studies – Finance and Director of Wall Street Scholars said,
Over the past 15+ years, I have taught and mentored around 9,000 undergraduate students of various majors at four universities. Chris stood out in intellect, energy, and service to the community. In the past few years as a student at the University of Kentucky, Chris has been an invaluable resource to fellow students by providing tutoring, resume editing, interview prep, networking help, and career advice. He has not only exceled academically and professionally, but also made impressive contributions to various extracurricular organizations across campus. I cannot think of any person more deserving of the recognition than Chris Tan.”
Chris Tan remarked, “I am very grateful and honored to be this year’s recipient of the Colley Award. I loved my time as a collegiate brother of the Zeta Rho Chapter at University of Kentucky and I’m proud to represent them with this award. This award means a lot to me because it is a representation of the hard work that I, as well as my chapter, put into bettering our brotherhood. As a Theta Chi, I learned many valuable lessons. I learned the value of being genuinely interested in the people you work and spend a lot of time with. I was lucky to build great relationships with my brothers and will always appreciate my college experience because of them.”
He also added, “My advice to younger active brothers is to truly buy in to whatever role you are given or take within your chapter. Whether it be Chapter President or serving on a committee, your fraternity experience becomes so much better when you get to take ownership of some part of the organization. Over my four years, I learned that the special thing about Theta Chi is not the houses, social events, or gear but, instead, the people who make up the active chapter are what makes it special. I hope other members can enjoy the fraternity experience like I did because I will always be appreciative of the time I had as a collegiate brother in Theta Chi.”
Brother Christian Tan reminds us that it is our greatest calling to serve our Alma Mater, our chapter, and our Fraternity. His example is one that represents the very best of our brotherhood. He truly is a Resolute Man.
First presented in 1929, the Colley Award is named for Reginald E.F. Colley, a World War I veteran and past member of Theta Chi’s board of directors, the Grand Chapter. As a member of Phi Chapter, Brother Colley developed a celebrated reputation as a campus, community, and civic leader. He graduated in 1915 and eventually headed overseas to fight for the U.S. Army on the Western Front. Brother Colley died at the age of 39, but his legacy of leadership continues to inspire future generations of talented Theta Chis. Today, the Colley Award is treasured as the Fraternity’s most prestigious collegiate honor.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 200,000 initiated members and has established 245 chapters. Theta Chi’s mission is to develop college-age men into successful students, good citizens, lifelong brothers, and resolute leaders.