After a 14 year absence from Western Illinois University located in Macomb, IL, Zeta Psi Chapter was reinstalled on October 25, 2014. The recent expansion effort was led by the International Headquarters field staff and the entire project was successfully completed in a little more than 13 months. Zeta Psi was reinstalled just one day short of the anniversary of their colonization. Theta Chi's proud legacy is re-established at WIU and, based on the evidence thus far, Zeta Psi members will continue to make a positive mark at their alma mater.
Expansion and Colony History
In September 2011, Western Illinois University reached out to Theta Chi requesting that the fraternity return to the campus. In the fall of 2013, then-Recruitment and Expansion Specialists Jeffrey Draluck and Scott Turk went to the campus to begin establishing an interest group, successfully recolonizing Zeta Psi on Oct. 26, 2013.
In the following year, the Zeta Psi Colony participated in brotherhood events, and became involved in the campus and community. They first participated in the Zeta Turtle Tug which inspired them to stay active in the campus and community. After that came the Alpha Sigma Tau challenge, homecoming, picking up trash for Lake Argyle, and participating in a food drive at a local church. Zeta Psi Colony also participated in events such as Chi Omega Walk for Wishes, and by holding events to benefit the USO and American Hospice.
In April 2014, the new Zeta Psi Colony participated in its first Greek Week and teamed up with Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Upsilon, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The team won the following awards:
- 1st Place – Theme (Rocket Power from Nickelodeon)
- 1st Place – Best Spirit
- 1st Place – Variety Show
- 1st Place – Overall Greek Week
- Zeta Psi was also recognized with an award for Outstanding GPA
For Homecoming in fall 2014, Zeta Psi Colony was paired with Chi Omega and Alpha Gamma Sigma and won the following awards:
- 1st Place – "Deck the Campus"
- 2nd Place – Boat Regatta
- 2nd Place – Yell Like Hell
- 3rd Place – Parade Float
- 3rd Place – Overall Homecoming
The men also worked at becoming leaders on campus by sending their leaders to National Convention, Deranian President’s Conference, Recruitment Boot Camp, Initiative Academy and the AFLV Leadership Conference.
Western Illinois University Assistant Director of Student Activities for Greek Life Nick Katz commented in his letter of recommendation, “…they have been an integral part of the fraternity community at WIU. They have been nothing short of a positive influence among the fraternal community…The Colony has made significant progress in the areas of involvement, scholarship, leadership development, and in service/philanthropy since their colonization. The colony proudly earned over a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters.”
Reinstallation
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, 34 men were initiated into the Zeta Psi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity during a reinstallation ceremony held at the Wesley Foundation in Macomb, IL. Past National Treasurer Eric Raasch presided. Director of Volunteer Development Bill Russo and Field Executive Corey Esquenazi represented the International Headquarters.
Zeta Psi recharter members include: Connor W. Bostedt, Andrew F. Bratek, Joseph P. Buch, Austin J. Buss, Austin J. Cinotto, Don R. Doolin, Tommy H. Dymon, Brian T. Evers, Patrick R. Fallon, Michael W. Famiglietti, Arthur Fernandez, Jacob W. Fiala, Luke C. Foster, Steven M. Fulton, Jamie L. Jakubowski, Jacob P. Klepk, Andrew R. Marterie, Michael J. Martinez, David J. Meister, Randy Moore, Patrick M. Morrissey, Drew A. Moss, Dominic F. Nardi, Brandon M. O'Connor, Matt R. Peterson, Samuel G. Phelps, Daniel J. Pruchnick, William E. Robertson, John C. Ross, Nick M. Rubino, Michael W. Shriver, Joshua S. Smith, Luke R.T. Snodgrass, Justin Thinger, Derek J. Wagner, Jacob A. Winters, and Trevor J. Wolf. (Note: Unfortunately, Tommy Dymon and Luke Snodgrass missed the reinstallation as they were involved in an auto accident on the way to the ceremony; both are fine.)
More than 10 Zeta Psi Alumni representing the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s attended the Reinstallation Ceremony. This list includes original Zeta Psi Charter Members William R. "Randy" Fritz (1971) – Roster Number 6; Ralph G. Hinkle (1970) – Roster Number 15; and Thomas W. Stern (1972) – Roster Number 19.
Four additional Theta Chi chapters were represented at the ceremony: Alpha Upsilon/Nebraska, Gamma Delta/Florida Sout
hern, Epsilon Xi/Clarion, and Iota Theta/Central Florida. Each of the men attending from another chapter became an Honorary Member of Zeta Psi Chapter and will receive a certificate.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held. During the reception a slide show was viewed, and local awards were presented. Past National Treasurer Eric Raasch provided remarks (photo right).
Field Executive Corey Esquenazi, who led the colony through a series of activities for the initiation week, shared some thoughts from working with Zeta Psi over the past year. “It has been a pleasure working with Zeta Psi,” said Corey Esquenazi. “After visiting the colony during the spring of 2014 and really connecting with the men, it was my goal to have them reinstalled in the fall. Working closely with President Nicholas Rubino throughout the next few months, I would give advice and guidance when needed. Taking them through Initiation week and the actual initiation was a pleasure. I really believe the men have worked hard to get where they are. Zeta Psi is on Western Illinois for good,” he said.
“Our chapter is very unique with the relations of our major,” said Chapter President Nicholas Rubino. “Western Illinois is a law enforcement oriented school, and a lot of brothers are majoring in law enforcement. I am also President of the Professional Law Enforcement Fraternity (Lambda Alpha Epsilon) on campus, and that helped us recruit nine quality men,” he said. “When we have (LAE) meetings you see Theta Chi’s spread out everywhere. Also a lot of brothers have the same classes because of our major. That makes homework and studying very nice, and I feel that it enhances our brotherhood tremendously. We see each other in classes, we see each other at chapter, we see each other at side meetings, we see each other at chapter meetings, and we see each other at brotherhood events during the week and on the weekend. I know that’s not what happens at all the chapters, but I love everything about it at ours,” Rubino added.
“Even our adviser on John (Jack) Schafer is involved in law enforcement. He was an FBI agent for many years. A lot of brothers have had him in class, so it was easy to select him as our adviser. He never went Greek but he supports us whole- heartedly and does a great job,” said Rubino.
Schafer was joined on Zeta Psi's Colony Advisory Board by Randy Moore (who was initiated as an alumnus during the reinstallation) and Zeta Alumni W. Randy Fritz (1971) and Zeta Psi Alumni President Dennis O'Connell (1978). Zeta Psi also received fraternal support from Justin Wilson, Gamma Delta/Florida Southern 2013, a graduate student at WIU who serves as an IFC Adviser.
“Bringing Zeta Psi Chapter back to campus means more than words can describe,” said Rubino. “It took a while for all of us to understand the importance of what bringing a chapter back to a university meant. Once we got a grasp on that and knew our alumni base was praying for us to succeed, it motivated us tremendously. As President, I wasn’t going to settle for anything but getting reinstalled. I was confident we were going to reach our ultimate goal. I told the guys from the beginning that it was going to be a hard journey but if we stick together through thick and thin we will reach our goal,” he said.
Though the challenge seemed impossible at times, the members of Zeta Psi pulled together.
“When I received the call from Senior Director of Recruitment and Expansion, JD Ford about our petition being accepted, I was jumping for joy,” said Rubino. “I called for a mandatory meeting and the reaction I got from the guys, I will never forget. We felt like we achieved greatness,” Rubino added.
So what should we expect next from Zeta Psi Chapter?
“Dedication,” said Rubino. “I challenged all of my brothers to always strive for perfection, remain humble, and never rest until we are the very best in everything we do. Theta Chi is back on Western Illinois University’s campus, and we plan on staying. There is a lot more work to be done for us to be the best fraternity on campus, but we have every intention to grow and achieve that goal,” Rubino concluded.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the men of Zeta Psi Chapter! May you continue Theta Chi’s proud legacy at Western Illinois University! (Learn more about Zeta Psi Chapter below the group photo)
You can send notes of congratulations and keep up with Zeta Psi on their Facebook Page: Theta Chi at WIU. You can also follow Zeta Psi Chapter on Twitter: @WIUThetaChi
You can read the article from Western Illinois' The Western Courier by clicking here.
About Zeta Psi Chapter
Originally founded on November 30, 1964 as the “Western Club,” 10 Western Illinois students approved a constitution summarizing their goals and purposes, which included:
- The development of personal potential and the realization of individual integrity
- The building of character and the nurturing of the ideals of humanity
- The establishment and maintenance of a high degree of scholastic achievement
- The growth and cultivation of the high ideals of brotherhood and fraternal living
- The creation and expression of the virtues and measurable demonstrations of personal leadership
- The daily living of a high degree of campus and community citizenship
On April 24, 1968, the Western Club took on the name Phi Theta and began contacting several different national fraternities for affiliation. After speaking with many representatives from various fraternities, the men of Phi Theta unanimously chose to apply for colony status at Theta Chi on February 4, 1969. Colony status was subsequently granted in March of 1969.
After demonstrating a strong recruitment effort and the ability to operate and function as a chapter, the Phi Theta Colony at Western Illinois University petitioned the Grand Chapter for a charter on January 26, 1970. The petition was approved and Zeta Psi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity was formally installed on April 18, 1970.The installation ceremony took place in the Mississippi Room on the Western Illinois University Campus. The torrential downpour did not stop the 54 undergraduates and 22 alumni from being initiated. National President Dr. Marvin Fleming presided. Other alumni serving were Western Illinois’ Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Gerhardt Schwartz (Delta Kappa/Ball State 1943); The Honorable Keith F. Scott (Rho/Illinois 1931); then-Regional Counselor Gil Dorsey (Beta Rho/Illinois Wesleyan 1962); Executive Director Howard Alter, Jr.; and Assistant to the Executive Director Dale Slivinske.
In the spring of 1971, the alumni formed a house corporation and ultimately completed construction on a new chapter house in October of 1971 at 721 Wigwam Hollow Road near campus. Members moved into the new house that fall.
Over the years, Zeta Psi’s membership participated heavily in campus activities and sports. Theta Chis held key leadership positions in WIU football, cheerleading, student government, the Interfraternity Council, Phi Beta Lambda, the Council on Student Activity Funds, the American Marketing Association, the University Union Board, the University Judicial Board, the Student Tenant Union, the Finance Club, the Weightlifting Club, and the Residence Hall Association. Members were also student ambassadors and members of such honorary organizations as Blue Key, Order of Omega, Mortar Board, and Eta Gamma Sigma. In the early 1980s, a Theta Chi was “Rocky,” the WIU mascot. Zeta Psi also competed heavily in intramurals and in Greek Week. Theta Chi had a 9-year winning streak during Greek Week.
Within the National Fraternity, Zeta Psi was known as a strong recruiting chapter, averaging between 20-30 initiates per year. Zeta Psi often nominated members for the Colley Award, the Fraternity’s top undergraduate honor. The chapter was known as a welcoming host, frequently visited other area chapters and always participated in regional conferences and National Convention. Three members of Zeta Psi – John Ward (1975), J. Brian “JJ” Johnson (1980) and Terry Landes (1993) – went on to serve on the Field Staff for the International Fraternity.
In the late 1990s, members of Zeta Psi failed to live up to the standards of the Fraternity and its policies. Despite intervention by alumni and International Headquarters staff members, membership size ultimately declined to the point where the chapter could no longer operate. The charter was revoked by the Grand Chapter on April 15, 2000, with a sincere desire to return to campus when conditions allowed. Zeta Psi Chapter had initiated 776 members since its installation.
Since its closure, Zeta Psi alumni have maintained consistent contact with each other, their alma mater, and the National Fraternity to keep the bonds of brotherhood alive and to ensure the return of Theta Chi to WIU.
Notable Zeta Psi Chapter alumni include:
David Hodnik (1969), Director, Sherwin-Williams Company; Former CEO, Ace Hardware
Frederick Krom (1970), Vice Chairman and partner, ARX Investment; former VP, Morgan Stanley
Brian O'Connell (1987), LiveNation's President of Country Touring; Four-time winner of Promoter of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music Awards
Michael R. Wagner (1971), NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers for 11 years. Wagner played on all four Superbowl championships teams as a starting safety; Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame; NAIA All-American selection in 1969,
About Western Illinois University
Founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School which focused on teacher training for a small body of students, and growing to become Western Illinois State Teachers College, today campus located in Macomb, IL is known as Western Illinois University. Western Illinois University has a student population of more than 13,600, and it is home to 19 fraternities and ten sororities.