This April marks a historic milestone forour Beloved Fraternity—150 years of

Brotherhood. This famous quote fromMargaret Meade could not be more appropriateto mark the occasion:

“Never doubt that a small group of thought-ful, committed citizens can change the world;indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

To think that what our eight FoundingFathers started during the Civil War, and after the internal civil war of the Sigma DeltaFraternity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,

would last for 150 years and evolve into such a meaningful experiencefor more than 65,000 initiated members of Theta Xi, is truly inspiring!

I often marvel at the unique concept of fraternities, and how they areone of the rare institutions in North America where each member hasthe ability to be a part of the history, as well as the future, of the organi-zation. Most important, it is an organization where each member canleave a positive mark that can last a lifetime and span generational andcultural changes, even 1, 5, 15, and 50 years after initiation. In fact, eachof our eight Founding Fathers are still positively impacting the lives ofthe most recent initiates—and the rest of us—through the Ritual, values, and traditions they established in 1864.

Upon initiation, we were each given a badge and an initiation number to denote and mark our place in the Fraternity. How we havepersonalized our own experience in Theta Xi and chosen to make ourinitiation number mean something has been an individual decision. But through Theta Xi, there is no limit to where our Quest for Theta Xiwill go and there is literally no limit to how bright our star can shine.Many Brothers have left their mark by starting new chapter traditions,establishing a culture of chapter excellence through academic achieve-ment, community service or athletic prowess, or starting a new chapter,among others. Later on in life, many Brothers have chosen to serve asan alumni mentor, chapter advisor or alumni association officer, set upa scholarship fund, support a chapter house renovation, donate to theTheta Xi Foundation, and so much more. The beauty of Theta Xi isthat membership is for a lifetime and we can always enhance our mem-bership through more Fraternity involvement and support at any pointin our lives.

This issue of The Unicorn highlights much of the history and mile-stones of our Fraternity. I hope it will also cause you to relive the manymilestones of your membership in Theta Xi—the day you got your bid,the day you wore letters or the Coat of Arms for the first time, initiation,a special social event or homecoming activity, a road trip, graduation, orattending a national convention. Even remembering when you sharedthe important moments in life with Fraternity Brothers, such as a lava-liering, wedding, or birth, to the trials and tribulations of needing a

Brother’s help through an accident, a medical issue, divorce, or thedeath of a loved one.

More than the history and milestones, I hope you will think about the Brothers who have been, and are, in your life—Big Brothers, Little Brothers, roommates, pledge/associate Brothers, past chapterpresidents and membership educators, notable alumni, and Fraternitybest friends. For it is our Brothers, our membership, that has survivedand thrived to help us see this day of our 150th Anniversary. Somethingmillions of groups and organizations cannot say they have achieved.

Our 150th celebration will be a year-long affair, starting with the April 29th events and the August 150th Anniversary Convention, asdetailed in this Unicorn. I hope you will consider joining us for an April 29th event or the Convention, as these will be once-in-a-lifetimeopportunities to share our Brotherhood in a special and memorableway. However, if you can’t attend one of these events, you certainly havethe ability to, as I call it, “Party in Place” on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.That is, reflect on your Theta Xi experience, to date, no matter where you are— at a chapter location, gathering with a small group of Brothers, meeting a Brother at a bar, texting, going on Facebook,calling another Brother, or just sitting around wearing the letters orwearing your membership badge. Whatever you do, make Tuesday, April 29 a day to celebrate your membership—and to celebrate Theta Xi reaching the 150th milestone.

And if you really want to celebrate our history, hopefully you canremember a few lines from any one of our many Songs of Theta Xi,such as a verse from Amici, Over Smokes and Coffee, Rounders Song, or simply use the standard, A Toast to Theta Xi:

Lift the glasses, lift them highHere’s to her boys Theta XiWe pledge to thee fidelityTo thee, our fair Fraternity,Theta Xi boys, Theta Xi.

Happy 150th Brothers!

Yours in the Bonds,

Dennis E. MarstallNational PresidentAlpha Iota 587, Kansas State ’91dm6294ksu@gmail.com

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 2 www.thetaxi.org

National President Dennis Marstall

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Happy Anniversary Theta Xi–150 yearsApril 29, 1864—A date no Theta Xi will ever forget, for it has shaped what each one of us has becomeand who we will be in the future.

www.thetaxi.org 3 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

Gather with Theta Xi Brothers and their honored guests at banquets

across the country on the evening of Tuesday, April 29, 2014, as we

come together to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of

Theta Xi on the date that eight young men gathered in Troy, New York,

to form our beloved Fraternity. United across the country and linked by

a video feed, those attending the celebratory

banquets held in cities throughout the

nation will honor that legacy and

celebrate 150 years of Theta Xi as

a nationwide Brotherhood.

• New York, NY

• Pittsburgh, PA

• Chicago, IL

• St. Louis, MO

• New Orleans, LA

• Denver, CO

• Los Angeles, CA

For more information, or to sign up for city-specific emails, visit

www.6294.org.

DON MERINGER: A Profile in Service to Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Theta Xi on the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Theta Xi Foundation Annual Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centerfold

Chapter Eternal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

FRATERNITY SHOULD BE MEANINGFUL: Brother Lives Motto Every Day . . . . . 14

Looking Towards our Future: Growth in Theta Xi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Theta Xi April 29 Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Grand Lodge Nominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Celebrate With UsApril 29, 2014

CO

NT

EN

TS

The official magazine of Theta Xi Fraternity

Mailed to more than 20,000 Brothers.Distributed electronically to 18,675

SPRING 2014, Vol 106, No 1

Executive DirectorRon J. Trucks

Managing EditorCori WallaceCommunications Consultant

Magazine DesignJody Toth/Becky Otte, Art Director at Large

PublisherMaury Boyd and Associates, Indianapolis, IN

The UNICORN is published under the direction of the Grand Lodge of Theta Xi, P.O. Box 411134, St. Louis, MO 63141. Phone: 314-993-6294. FAX 314-993-8760. Email: txhq@thetaxi.o rgWebsite: www.thetaxi.o rg

Theta Xi is a member of the North-AmericanInterfraternity Conference and the CollegeFraternity Editors Association. Theta Xi and theGreek and English lettering of “Theta” combinedwith “Xi” are registered trademarks of the Theta XiFraternity. Permission to reprint articles granted onrequest.

Current contact information on all chapters,colonies, alumni associations, and alumni clubs isavailable by contacting Fraternity Headquarters orby looking online at www.thetaxi.o rg

On the Cover:We asked and you answered. As we

celebrate 150 years of Theta Xi Fraternity,

we took a poll on social media requesting

“one word” descriptions of your Theta Xi

experience. With many responses and a

variety of insights, we’ve created this cover

that includes your contributions.

North-AmericanInterfraternity Conference

UNICORNTHE

Service to others is a choice. We often are

inspired to act by the service and selfless work

of other men in our Fraternity, and one key

example is the inspiring commitments of Don

Meringer, Iota 1093, a former National President,

Rensselaer Society Donor, and current 150th

Anniversary Celebration Chairman. Hallmarks of

Don’s work include consistency of commitment,

work on varied and diverse projects, and a focus

on the success of the larger Fraternity, in addition

to his support of specific Fraternity Brothers.

In December, we had the opportunity to have a relaxed conversation with

Don Meringer, where he provided The Unicorn with his personal story, and his

insights on the past, present, and future of Theta Xi.

Q: Don, we’re thankful you could takesome time out of your busy schedule tochat with us. Can you tell us a little moreabout your experience as an undergradu-ate at Washington University in St. Louis.What brought you to Wash U?

A: I grew up in New Jersey, andWashington University, or “Wash U”came onto my radar screen. At that time,I was coming from more of a sciencebackground, and had heard great thingsabout their sciences program. We decid-ed to look outside of the East Coast, andI visited Wash U in April of my senioryear. That visit clinched the deal. I hada fantastic experience, and it has contin-ued to be a good relationship even aftergraduation.

Q: How did the rush/joining processlook for you? Anything unique or memo-rable about your choice to join Theta Xi?

A: The recruitment system was a prettyformal rushing process. I wasn’t lookingto join a fraternity at all. Some of the new-ness of hanging out at the dorm had wornoff, and in the winter, around late Januaryor early February, I met four guys at aTheta Xi event in the house. One becamemy pledge father. They were very good atrecruitment, because these men werefriendly and fun. They came by the dormall the time, and we went to dinner andlunch, and they really recruited me.Because of that initial introduction, mysemester turned into so much fun. I wasinitiated on Easter Sunday in 1979. I wasChapter Treasurer the following semester.

Q: What was unique about being in ThetaXi in the late ’70s? Is there any particularpart of the experience that stands out toyou as being especially beneficial?

A: One of the things that reallyimpressed me about the Greek sys-

tem and Theta Xi specificallywas that we were in charge ofour own operation. Therewas a cook, and the chaptertook care of the house, ranour own bank account,took care of tax withhold-ing, filed tax returns, dida budget, etc. We wereessentially running alittle business, and wewere very autonomous.To contrast the auton-omy of that, I waselected president ofmy dorm, and we hadto ask for purchase

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 4 www.thetaxi.org

DON MERINGER:A Prof ile in Service to Others

Jeff McCarthy, Kappa Phi 288, WCU (left)and Brother Meringer.

www.thetaxi.org 5 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

orders to host a small party with cookies.Self-governance was the rule of the day.There was also a major event held in thespring at Wash U, called Thurtene.Thurtene in the spring was a whole otheroperation, and we worked hard to buildsets, cast a story, etc. We were the mastersof our own destiny.

Q: When did you first realize that ThetaXi was larger than just your chapter? Youwere in the city with the FraternityHeadquarters, so how did that influenceyour chapter?

A: We would go to Headquartersand meet with Jim Hall and JimVredenburgh, and we always felt like wecould work independently, but that theywere there if we needed them. We did afew trips to other chapters, visitedWestern Illinois, but other than that, westayed pretty close to Iota.

Q: You are a former National Presidentand have visited many, many Theta Xichapters during your long service as avolunteer. What do you believe is themost pressing issue that confronts theFraternity?

A: For Theta Xi, right now, our biggestpriority is growth. There are certainthings that are great about sitting at 50 or60 chapters. There is a certain reality tofraternities in the 21st century. Thenational organization plays a much largerrole than we did 20 or 30 years ago. Mostcampuses have a refined perspective, andlook for leadership opportunities, pro-gramming, expect local alumni to beengaged, etc. The economies of scale aresuch that you need to have a seriousnational presence to demonstrate effec-tiveness. We would be much better suitedto have 75, or even 100 chapters. Thegood news for us in the last 10 years isthat we have improved the quality of our

operation. Average chapter size is wayup. Average chapter size used to be inthe 20s, now it is in the 30s, and we havedeveloped robust quality operations. Ourstability has improved. We need realisticbut aggressive goals. Invigoration is key.About 137 chapters have been opened,and it would be great to reopen somedormant chapters.

Q: Why is Theta Xi still relevant to you?What keeps you coming back to volun-teer in so many capacities?

A: The main reason is the people. I’malways amazed by the talented, incredi-ble, wonderful people I meet as a resultof the Fraternity. When I sit down andthink about the Fraternity people whomI know, they are all over the country,younger guys, older. . . it doesn’t seem tomatter. I’ve also learned a lot due toTheta Xi. I did one of the first risk inves-tigations for Theta Xi. Once I gotinvolved in doing that, I was invited backto explore problems and determinesolutions. On the course of that, I wasasked to be on the Grand Lodge. Whenyou do that, you’ve seen a whole otherside and cycle of a chapter. It is a wholenew challenge and an incredible thing.You are never done. Now the challenge isto bring in new alumni to take over.

Q:What are you most proud of?

A: I’m most proud of our work leadingup to the 150th anniversary. I happenedto be National President leading up toour 150th anniversary, and I’m glad wehad the good sense to start planning itbefore the milestone was upon us.

Q: What most impresses you aboutundergraduate men in Theta Xi?

A: I’m always amazed at their energy andenthusiasm, and not just for Theta Xi.I’m motivated, because, by-and-large, our

men are really smart. In order for ourcollegiates to get and stay involved, ThetaXi has to be something that matters tothem. The work will get done if they areengaged. I’ve noticed that parents are somuch more involved with their kidsencouragement than they were in thepast. At the Shippensburg installation,for example, the parents in attendanceoutnumbered the collegiates! Parentswho come up to you and thank you forwhat you are offering/creating in thechapter present a wonderful kind offeedback on their son’s experience.

Q: How will you be celebrating theupcoming 6294 event? Where will you be?

A: I’m pretty sure I’ll be in New York!Everyone has a right to celebrate thebirthday of Theta Xi. If they are able tomake it to one of these dinners, we wantto make sure we give an opportunity foreach Brother to reaquaint himself withwhat Theta Xi is right now, and whyTheta Xi matters. We’re doing thingstoday that in the late ’70s and ’80s noone would have dreamed of. Peopleshould come to take pride in the celebra-tion of 150 years of Theta Xi. Theseevents should be about reengagement.We thought it was important to providethe structure for men who wanted tohost a party, and we’re glad to see menwanting to host events in their communi-ties. We’re hosting a hybrid-style event,because we want to make sure that localgroups are hosting events with our sup-port, but with a sense of local identity.

Q: If you had a crystal ball, what do youthink you would see in Theta Xi’s future?

A: We would like to roll out alumni lead-ership programs, placing the emphasison skill building and not just member-ship. We’re (the national Fraternity) notjust the record keeper and rule enforcer.We’re there trying to really provide aphenomenal leadership experience.We’re doing very well at expansion, atgoing to new campuses in a quality fash-ion. I think we’ve done that. The expan-sion committee really has done a greatdeal of work on smart expansion. Let’snot wait for the phone to ring.”

We’re thrilled to have Don’s leader-ship, as we prepare for a spectacular cele-bration of Theta Xi’s 150 years ofFraternity. For more information onthese events, or to participate in one ofthe city-specific celebrations mentionedin this issue of The Unicorn, please visitour website at www.6294.org. n

Brother Meringer (center) with Dr. Scott Reikofski of the University of Pennsylvania (left) andDoug Sieg, Omicron 1033, Penn.

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 6 www.thetaxi.org

ALUMNI NEWS

Randy Tozzie, Beta Sigma 289,Receives the W.S. JackmanAward of Distinction

On Saturday, June 1,the California Universityof Pennsylvania’s AlumniAssociation presentedits 2013 Awards ofDistinction. This year’sW. S. Jackson Award ofDistinction was present-ed to Brother RandyTozzie, Beta Sigma 289.

The award was named in honor ofWilbur Samuel Jackman (1877), profes-sor, author, and administrator, who wasinternationally known as the “Father ofElementary Science.” It is awarded tomembers of the university family whohave gained regional, state, national, orinternational acclaim. Upper Saint Clairnative and chef, Randy Tozzie, is a 1989graduate of Cal U, where he was active inthe Greek community and in studentgovernment. During his collegiate days,he served as Student Body President in1988 and 1989 and earned his bachelorof science in business administration.

Tozzie began his career in sales, work-ing for Guinness, USA, and others in thebeverage industry. Although he enjoyedsuccess working in sales, Tozzie decided toreturn to school to pursue his love of foodand dream of a culinary career in 2003.

He studied at the PennsylvaniaCulinary Institute in Pittsburgh. Duringhis training, Tozzie competed on theJunior Hot Foods team, winning thePennsylvania State competition in 2003and attaining a Silver Medal in theNorth East Region. He was alsoPresident of the Student Council at thePennsylvania Culinary Institute. Upongraduating in 2004, Chef Tozzie washonored with the Brilliat Savarin Tozzieand continued his training in classicalFrench cuisine at the renownedDuquesne Club. He now works at thepremier regional grocery chain, MarketDistrict, supervising chefs.

In 2011, Tozzie was inducted into theinternational culinary group, the Chainedes Rotisseurs. Twice nominated, ChefTozzie won the prestigious AmericanCulinary Federation Chef of the Year titlein 2012 for the Pittsburgh chapter.

Brother Tozzie has contributed to sev-eral cookbooks and makes regularappearances on the local CBS news sta-tion. His engaging personality and culi-

nary talent makes him a favorite amonglocal TV hosts.

An avid cyclist, Chef Tozzie is activewith the Leukemia and LymphomaSociety, Team In Training. He is proudto raise money for cancer research bytraining and riding in century bicyclerides with the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Chapter.

Bryan Jeansonne, Alpha Alpha1692, Selected for Greater BatonRouge’s Business Report 40 Under 40 for 2013

After being involvedin student governmentand Theta Xi at LSU,the experiences as astudent leader havehelped to developBrother Jeansonne’sinterest in law, while hisinvolvement in otherorganizations also has helped shape whohe is today. Jeansonne’s list of volunteerand leadership activities stretches thenotion that each day has only 24 hours.

We are all proud of Bryan’s personalaccomplishments and are thankful forhis service to Theta Xi as our AlphaAlpha Chapter Advisor. CongratulationsBryan.

Alpha Zeta Chapter BrothersBring Boba Truck to WestwoodVillage

Recent UCLA graduates DavidMangold, Alpha Zeta 1509 and Vince Ho,Alpha Zeta 1526 spent the past severalmonths in the comfort of their kitchen,perfecting the Boba Tea recipes for theirlatest business venture—Koala Tea.

Each Saturday, Mangold and Hu hitthe streets of Westwood, CA, in a bobotruck to put their teas to the test. Theyhope to expand their budding businessinto a shop on Weyburn Avenue soon.

“Boba brought us together. It was theone thing we could always agree ongetting despite our differences,” saidTom Dang, one of Mangold and Ho’sBrothers and social media director forKoala Tea. Dang said he thinks KoalaTea is part of an effort to support momand pop shops and revive local business-es in the Village.

Mangold and Ho are assembling ateam of close friends to help manage theproject in preparation for the shop’sopening and said they have beenapproached by many friends seekingemployment opportunities.

“We want students to feel like it’s theirfriends who are making the tea,” Ho said.

317 Years of Theta Xi Experience Gathered in Los AngelesLate last year, Joe Cottrell was contacted by Theta Xi Brother and former National

President Barry Breen, AZ551. Barry said that he was going to visit Los Angeles for afew weeks to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Barry currently lives in Florida andasked if Joe would be available for brunch during his visit. Joe surprised Barry by invitingthe Alpha Zeta alumni board members to attend as well!

The Alpha Zeta board members pose with Barry Breen AZ 551. Left to right: Mike Zee AZ486(1959), Tony Plaia AZ378 (1952), Barry Breen AZ551 (1965), Bill LeClear AZ664 (1975), PhilBeamish AZ682 (1975), Jim Pike AZ550 (1965), and Joe Cottrell AZ698 (1977). Barry is a formerTheta Xi National President and a member of the Order of the Unicorn. Tony, Phil, Jim, and Joe areAlpha Zeta Distinguished Alumni.

www.thetaxi.org 7 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

Colonel Paul Gillespie, Sr. - Beta Zeta 59, featured in year-end Theta Xi Foundationcampaign

This information was originally pre-sented to the Foundation donors in ouryear-end message, but this family was socompelling, we wanted to feature themagain. We’re inspired by the story of thisincredible demonstration of Theta Xicommitment.

Colonel Paul Gillespie, Sr. (Beta Zeta59) could not have known that when hebegan to support the work of Theta Xi in1954, he was beginning a remarkable fam-ily legacy. After serving as Beta Zeta’sChapter Advisor at Auburn University,and supporting the men as they workedtoward full campus recognition, thecollegiates invited the respected ROTCinstructor to join Theta Xi’s Brotherhood!

Now Retired Air Force ColonelGillespie can look back on the full reachof his legacy. In 1997, 42 years after Paul,Sr. was initiated into the Fraternity, hisgrandson, Joshua Gillespie (Beta Alpha513) decided to follow in his grand-father’s footsteps and begin his ownTheta Xi journey with Georgia Tech’sBeta Alpha Chapter.

Within a dozen years, the Gillespiefamily legacy had come full circle.Joshua’s two younger brothers, Matthew(Gamma Phi 1) and Ethan (Gamma Phi18), became Brothers (and ChapterPresidents!) at Theta Xi’s GeorgiaSouthern University Chapter.

Their dad, Paul, Jr. (Gamma Phi 15),like his father, was initiated as anHonorary Alumnus in 2007. EachGillespie has continued to demonstratePaul, Sr.’s commitment to service, self-reliance, and honorable duty. OnNovember 27, 2013, Brother Gillespie,Sr. marked his birthday and looked backon a number of achievements: distin-guished service to his country in theUnites States Air Force, leadership aspresident of the Brick Institute ofAmerica, and beloved patriarch amonghis sons and grandsons. Countless ThetaXi Brothers have had their lives andfraternal experiences positively impactedby what Joshua calls “a life story ofdevoted service for the protection of ourcherished freedoms.”

Our History Unfolds in New Book:All True Men: The History of Theta Xi FraternityThe Fraternity’s 150 year history is chronicled in this hard-cover, 160-page

illustrated book. More than 230 images, many never before seen publicly, bringthe Fraternity’s history to life from the earliest chapters’ sepia-toned images to thecontemporary images of recent decades.

This unique collection brings the rich history of the last 150 years to life, fromthe original founding at RPI, through the emotional years of World War II, intothe turbulent times of the 1960s, and to the incredible success of the LeadershipInitiative and more.

This commemorative keepsake, All True Men: A History of Theta Xi, is availablenow and is ready for distribution! Get your copy today to commemorate the historic 150th anniversary of the Fraternity’s founding on April 29, 2014.

A perfect gift for a special Brother, mentor, or for your family library.

To find out the latest information aboutthe 150th Anniversary Celebration, or tosign up for an event, go to www.6294.org

Alpha Chapter, 1868. Front row: A.E. Boardman and J.H. Marks. Middle row: W.P Greene,M. T. Endicott, E.H. Morrison, L. Bartlett, and N.H. Starbuck. Back row: F.L. Tinker, T.H. Aldrich, W.L Baker, G.T. Hall, and E.C. Trimble.

Now onSale!

Purchase yours at www.6294.org.

Recently, the Theta Xi Fraternity and

Theta Xi Foundation staff traveled to

both Chicago, IL and the University of

California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

for events where Brothers and friends

gathered in celebration of our

150-year milestone.

THETA XIon the road

www.thetaxi.org 15THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

www.HJGREEK.com

www.thetaxi.org 11 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

ALPHA (RPI) 783 John W. Tencza, 1015 Frederick E. FritschiBETA (YALE) 641 Frederick Whiting CurtisGAMMA (Stevens) 501 Edward Schumann, 553 B. Victor Pfeiffer, Jr., 566 Richard MeadDELTA (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)341 Jarvis M Hazard, 391 RobertJ. Kingsbury, 398 Wadsworth L Hinds, 400 Philip D. Umholtz, 413 Stephen B.Hazzard, 452 Gunnar M. Oleson, Jr., 454 Dexter Mead, 472 Gerard F. Kunkel, 536 Thomas S. Roberts, 544 John H. NebikerZETA (Cornell) 549 Harold L. Wilson, 684 Carlo R. BrunoriETA (Lehigh)329 Roger F. Kleinschmidt, 438 Edwin F. Compton, 444 Robert H.KendallTHETA (Purdue) 440 Donald R. Fischer, 844 R. Terry Harrison, 1389 Rev.Timothy Randall Bryant, USMC, 394 John William CahillIOTA (Washington University) 540 Robert R. Waites, 556 Rev. James T. Adams,MD, 639 Don K. Kuhn, 683 Jack T. Davison, 703 R. Don Higginbotham, PhD, 712 Richard L. Niebling, 805 John A. Pranter, 835 James J. Johnson, PhDKAPPA (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)314 John P. Wehle, 336 WilliamR. Hunter, 456 Robert E. Rader, 484 Lewis A. Marshall, 553 Dwight A. Sweet, USAFLAMBDA (Penn State) 438 Russell F. Taptich, 456 Donald E. McManigle, 469 Thaddeus A. Olszewski, 504 Joseph J. Musial, 561 Richard D. Kohler, 569 William J. Bush, 600 Leroy Warren (Shag) Fetterman, 757 William A.Schweitzer, Jr., 771 Garth D. Avery, 773 Barry L. KratzerMU (Iowa State University) 197 Reuben E. Sell, 208 Keith W. Dorman, 209 Thomas J. Carpenter, 234 Dr. Curtis F. Gerald, 246 Lester D. McMillin, 265 William S. Holmes, 276 Jack A. Wagner, 288 E. Barton Geer, 294 Edwin F.Klouda, 299 Carl R. Thrun, 304 William VandeKieft, 329 Kenneth R. Karr, 369 Calvin L. Jacobson, 394 Donald B. Hicks, 453 Myron V. Jepsen, 526 Richard S.Skeels, 569 Richard K. Smith, 690 Walter (Walt) L. Casson NU (UC Berkeley) 423 Wilbur E. Gomes, 429 Russell H. Green, 435 Donald M.Carpenter, 515 John F. StaplesXI (Iowa)287 Kenneth W. Reid, 317 Phillip E. Norris, 373 Richard K. Guthrie, 532 Eugene W. HipplerOMICRON (University of Pennsylvania) 315 Morris H. Sheer, 500 Charles C.McClellandPI (Carnegie Mellon) 488 Edward E. Koos, 491 Paul D. Frock, 688 Charles A.Gallagher, 826 Jay S. BlosserRHO (Texas) 414 Dr. Max James Allen, USNR (Ret.), 542 Robert T. Adams, Jr.,711 Hollys D. Heasley, 790 Hulon T. WebbSIGMA (Michigan) 245 Robert J. Beuhler, 252 Whitney M. Prall, Jr., 314 Philip H.Conley, 376 Robert (Bob) F. Beadle, 434 Donald E. Stuart, 873 Robert L Spangler,873 Robert L. Spangler, 901 Kenneth E. PettyTAU (Stanford) 266 William Richardson Mitchell, 324 Kenneth G. Harris, 404 Lawrence P. Bates, 411 George V. Denny, III, 482 Nathan L. TopolUPSILON (University of Washington) 391 Orhan Kocak, 507 Leonard W.Edwards, 509 Nils W. KnappPHI (Wisconsin) 135 Gordon H. SnowOMEGA (Washington State) 354 Linden K. Virgin, 513 Kenneth C. CrockerALPHA ALPHA (Louisiana State University) 336 George H. Perry, 419 Jasper A.Melilli, 596 Jesse C. Kline, 759 Lt. Col. John H. Tabony, Jr., 779 Rev. Craige R.Gates, 1175 John T. Culotta, 1986 Joe Buddy BrousseauALPHA BETA (University of Illinois) 270 William James Shive, 374 Stephen JohnVan Clay, 567 Richard L. Christopher, 726 Paul D. Benisek, 927 Paul A. GebhartALPHA GAMMA (IIT) 495 Warren T. Miller, 526 Clark G. LowryALPHA DELTA (Oregon State) 165 William Harold Hampton, 274 EdwardBrandon De Groot, 384 Donald M. HallALPHA EPSILON (University of Nebraska) 410 Robert Atchison, 978 David P.MoessnerALPHA ZETA (University of California-Los Angeles) 150 Myron H. Mull, 223 Robert E. Hanson, 309 Morris A. Peelle, 321 Edward G. Hill, Jr.ALPHA ETA (University of Colorado) 115 Harold G. Degitz, 186 Clair H.Iverson, 280 William C. Iverson, Jr., 325 Robert W. Greyer

ALPHA THETA (Lafayette) 150 L. William Lease, 277 Rev. James D. Bracken

ALPHA IOTA (Kansas State University) 80 Neil L. Adams, 106 H. HaroldDunlap, 119 Maurice E. Arnold, Jr., 158 Philip M. Garrison, 166 Loren E. Wiens,182 Walter G. Willis, 259 Wayne O. Sheets

ALPHA KAPPA (Northwestern) 172 Frank C. Skiles, Jr., 308 Frank F. LeackfeldtALPHA LAMBDA (Alabama) 331 Joseph V. FerrelliALPHA MU (Amherst) 310 Donald H. Powers, 324 William Alfred Bauer, 402David B. Durk, 85 Dr. Charles E. Gregg, 93 William L. Detrixhe, 103 Charles B.Carper, 133 Carl R. Waldeck, 260 Clyde O. Boothe, 333 Glen P. SchnieppALPHA XI (Mississippi State) 78 Jasper F. Galbreath, 82 Frank S. SwalmALPHA OMICRON (University of Louisiana- Lafayette) 2 J. Burton Angelle, 7 Frank D. Beaullieu, 8 Charles T. Beaullieu, 17 Edmond T. Lemmon, 34 WilburnR. Angelle, Jr., 78 Hampden S. Edrington, Jr., 87 Zachary T. Gallion, 109 Paul A.Digiovanni, 136 Cesir J. Decareaux, 192 Francis B. Delhomme, 213 Ernest J.Alexander, 234 Roy T. LeBlanc, 328 Woodrow L. Prejean, Jr., 341 Herbert V.Fackler, 364 Joseph H. DiCarlo, III, 435 Wade T. Bergeron, 439 Paul F.Richardson, Jr., 465 Harold B. Coco, 476 Patrick M. Welsh, 484 Tommy L. Joyce,545 Anthony Brian Papania, 616 Leon Moncla, 687 Emile C. Lotz, Jr., 776 GeorgeA. Klink, 841 Mark W. Bazar, 841 Mark W. Bazar, 905 Michael S. SmithALPHA PI (Connecticut) 186 Russell R. Dutcher, 240 Frank L. Van Wagnen, 245 Robert M. Smibert, 310 Dr. Philip J. Connell, USN (Ret.), 313 Herbert V.Nordholm, Jr., 392 Thomas N. Smith, PhDALPHA SIGMA (Bradley University) 4 Robert H. Zobel, 46 Jules C. Gits, 149Ronald C. Forfar, 187 Lowell Richmond, 197 Donald E. Lindstrom, 367 William A.CarleALPHA TAU (Indiana) 30 Robert N. Weaver, 302 James W. GierhartALPHA UPSILON (Louisiana Tech) 44 James L. Caldwell, PhDALPHA CHI (Trinity) 26 Robert A. Krogman, 117 Eugene H. LockfeldALPHA PSI (Missouri University of Science and Technology) 213 Virgil G.Moulton, 270 Robert E. WrightBETA BETA (San Jose State) 164 Thomas P. O’NeillBETA DELTA (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale) 3 Carroll D. Cox, 173 Donald L. Halbert, 359 Larry T. PorterBETA EPSILON (University of California-Davis) 74 Leo Paul StringfellowBETA ETA (Northern Colorado) 1 Michael PappasBETA THETA (Western Michigan) 4 Willard T. Gocha, IIBETA KAPPA (Clarkson) 9 Allan Stevens Davis, 28 David Alan Maurer, 28 David Alan Maurer, 227 Craig M. GoodenowBETA MU (Central Arkansas) 5 Lanny J. Brannon, 50 Dr. Earl B. Riddick, Jr.BETA XI (University of New Orleans) 96 Edward Joseph Falgoust, Jr., BETA OMICRON (Clarion University) 106 William Lewis HeckathorneBETA PI (Southeastern Louisiana University) 155 Rickey Anthony LoescherBETA SIGMA (California University of Pennsylvania) 32 George F. Brunton, III,158 Ronald Harry Weaver, Jr.BETA TAU (SW Texas State) 171 George Edward GriesBETA UPSILON (Slippery Rock University) 10 John James Wolfe, 22 Kenneth L.Mincer, 26 Robert Allen Read, 27 Robert Eugene FasanoBETA OMEGA (Virginia Tech) 288 Allan Beryle Mandelstamm, PhDKAPPA BETA (Arkansas) 249 Jimmie Lincoln TuckerKAPPA GAMMA (Fairmont State) 284 Philip Ross GreenKAPPA DELTA (Indiana Tech) 60 Ronald John AntoniukKAPPA THETA (Western Illinois) 190 James Michael John JoyceKAPPA IOTA (Henderson State) 13 F. Gene Harrelson, 137 Tommy AllenGreenKAPPA KAPPA (Ball State) 151 Alvin John HaasKAPPA LAMBDA (Old Dominion) 11 Samuel H. HowardKAPPA MU (RIT) 33 Joseph Peter ZigadloKAPPA XI (Detroit) 129 John L. SeibertKAPPA PI (Wayne State) 14 Robert Allen Law, Jr., 163 Robert George MerchelKAPPA SIGMA (Kettering University) 45 Ron Freeman Elwood, 142 Garth E.Rymer, 413 James Mark French, 573 Terry Joseph KellyKAPPA TAU (West Virginia Wesleyan College) 648 Brian David Caynor, 664 Theodore Nicholas ThomasGAMMA EPSILON (Southeast Missouri State University) 463 Matthew JosephSchrempThis list includes Brothers who have passed away and joined the Chapter Eternal reported to Theta Xi Headquarters from February 1, 2013 through February 1, 2014.

We honor these men who have passed on to the Chapter Eternal

CHAPTER ETERNAL

CHAPTER NEWS

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 12 www.thetaxi.org

Alpha Beta/University of IllinoisThis semester, Alpha Beta held several

philanthropy events, including a blooddrive in which the chapter exceeded thechapter’s fundraising goal, a Habitat ForHumanity volunteer event, a fundraiser“Casino Night” to benefit the LukeHeeman Memorial Scholarship TrustFund, and multiple “cleanups” throughthe Adopt-A-Highway Foundation. AlphaBeta also participated in several philan-thropic events of other fraternities andsororities on campus.

Alpha Iota/Kansas State UniversityBrother Chance Berndt, Alpha Iota 974

was elected KState’s Student Ambassador.The last Theta Xi Student Ambassador wasDennis Marstall, current NationalPresident. Chance will serve as the malerepresentative for the university and will betraveling frequently this semester recruitingfor K-State. Alpha Iota Chapter is also hon-

Kappa/RoseHulmanOver the past year, the Kappa Chapter

of Theta Xi has participated in several com-munity service projects, including BrushUp for Homecoming and the Rose-Hulman Day of Service. The chapter hasalso been putting an emphasis on organiz-ing campus-wide events to better con-tribute to the Rose-Hulman experience.

Upsilon/University of WashingtonUpsilon Chapter is currently focused on

reinstating service as a highly valued com-ponent of their chapter experience. Theyhave identified a goal of giving back totheir community as well as to Theta Xi.

Most notably for fall quarter, the men atWashington followed through on some-thing a few of our chapter’s members havebeen calling for for years, a serviceexchange with a campus sorority. This pastDecember, they had the first serviceexchange, during which the chapter andtheir guests made approximately 250 carepackages containing sandwiches, granolabars, and fruit, which we passed out down-town to the homeless before the holidays.This was an exchange with Sigma Kappasorority, and one that Upsilon hopes toreplicate and expand on with other sorori-ties in the near future.

ABOVE LEFT: Upsilon Brothers at theUniversity of Washington give back to their community during the service exchange withSigma Kappa Sorority. LEFT: Alpha BetaBrothers help at a Habitat for Humanity site. ABOVE: Brother Gordon Harton, Alpha Iota968 competed in an international competitionfor food product development through theAmerican Association of Cereal Chemisty.

www.thetaxi.org 13 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

ored to be ranked second on the NorthAmerican Interfraternity Council rankingfor fraternity grades.

The chapter enjoys watching StantonWeber, Alpha Iota 977 (#12) play on theKansas State University football team.Stanton walked onto the team as a fresh-man and is listed as a wide receiver, but hestarts on both kick-off teams and both puntteams. Stanton has also managed to main-tain a 4.0 cumulative GPA, even while play-ing football all three years.

Two Undergraduate Chapters “Make Their Mark”as Campus Award Winners

Two of our chapters, Kappa Tau at West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Alpha Eta at

University of Colorado, Boulder, were recipients of significant accolades during the past

semester.

Kappa Tau Chapter received

the prestigious West Virginia

Wesleyan President’s Cup.

This recognition signifies the

best overall fraternity on

campus. Categories of considera-

tion include academics, campus

involvement, philanthropy,

leadership development, social

responsibility, chapter develop-

ment, and interactive learning.

Former chapter president

Justin McAtee, Kappa Tau 820 (left) accepts the trophy from Director of Greek Life,

John Bohman.

Alpha Eta Chapter also

received significant recogni-

tion on their respective

campus. Voja Vlahovic,

Alpha Eta 791, former

Chapter President, was

named IFC President of the

Year for 2013. Michael

Garramone, Kappa Sigma

761 is Advisor of the Year,

and Alpha Eta is Chapter of

the Year for the University

of Colorado’s IFC organiza-

tion. This is the second year

in a row Alpha Iota has been recognized as IFC organization of the year. The kudos don’t

stop there, as incoming 2014 President of the Colorado IFC is Alpha Eta Drake Duenas!

o

o

Don’t miss out on news all year long. Receive electronic

versions of The Unicorn throughout the year by verifying your

email address with Fraternity Headquarters. Call headquarters

at 800-783-6294 to update your contact information.

Did you know that we recently releaseda 160-page illustrated hard cover coffee

table book entitled All True Men: TheHistory of Theta Xi to commemorate theFraternity’s first 150 years? It has more

than 230 images, many never beforeseen in print. You can order a copy at

www.6294.org.

Brian (left) at the Mt. Meru Summitt, Tanzania with Alpha Zeta Brothers (L–R) Jayme, Tony, and Joel.

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 14 www.thetaxi.org

CHAPTER NEWS

W e all seek to find life’s true pur-pose within Theta Xi, and if youlive an intentional life of service

to others, you have found true purpose.Brian Hengesbaugh, Alpha Zeta 1438,UCLA is an excellent example of aBrother who has used his life to findmethods of impacting the world aroundhim, creating opportunities for others toserve, and purposefully addressing anumber of needs around the world. Hisexperiences as a CORO Fellow, Teachfor America Corps Member/teacher andcoach, as well as his experiences as a stu-dent leader, have all been avenues forservice.

We wanted to capture Brian’s motiva-tions for joining the Alpha Zeta Chapterof Theta Xi, and his choice to continueto serve others as a staff member formany altruistic organizations. Brian hasa unique perspective on the Theta Xi

Fraternity ShouldBrother lives motto every day.

experience, having become initiallyengaged as a sophomore at UCLA, andnot previously being interested in frater-nity life. A group of men in Brian’s resi-dence hall saw restarting Theta Xi as anopportunity to live together in a frater-nity house. A group of men, TonyVorster, 1436, (who would eventuallybecome an Alpha Zeta chapter presi-dent), Dane Nightingale, 1435 (anotherfuture Alpha Zeta chapter president),Jay Sobel, 1439, Joel Aftreth, 1446,Julian Kleinbrodt, 1443 (yet anotherfuture chapter president), and Mike Ma,1437, worked to recruit friends fromclubs and organizations at UCLA, mettheir goals, and moved into 629 GayleyAvenue.

Prior to joining Theta Xi, Brianwould have classified himself as “anti-fraternity.” He was not an easy sell. Ashe continued to explore the Theta Xi

“Fraternity is a place for giving.”

Alpha Omicron/University ofLouisiana Lafayette

We celebrated our car bash fundraiserfrom the spring semester.

Christian Koll, Alpha Omicron 1089and Jack Traver Alpha Omicron 1092, dis-play the letters built by the chapter at theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette foot-ball stadium.

Alpha Sigma/Bradley UniversityThis year, Alpha Sigma started a new

tradition by hosting a brotherhood eventthat took place in Farmer City, IL at awakeboarding cable park called theLiquid Edge. New associate members, cur-rent active members, and alumni all gottogether to spend a day at the lake ridingthe cable, swimming, kayaking, and usingthe standup paddleboards. Everyone hada great time and we plan to do it everyyear the Saturday after formal recruit-ment.

This past fall, the Alpha SigmaAssociation of TX took a much moreactive role in managing the property ofthe chapter, by taking ownership of theproperty rental P&L and hiring a localproperty management firm to be the localpresence for maintenance and emergencycoverage. The transition has gone verywell, and we’ve taken great strides to makethe necessary improvements and put intoplace a long-term plan to improve thequality of the student housing.

The Craig Janus Scholarship is having arecord year of donations to providetuition scholarships to Bradley students inperpetuity. This year it expects to raisemore than $12,000, increasing the expect-ed annual scholarship to be just under$2,000.

Alpha Sigma active members, associate members,and alumni gather at Liquid Edge to enjoy aday of swimming, kayaking, and Brotherhood.

be Meaningful

www.thetaxi.org 15 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

experience, his attitude shifted. The fra-ternity model that he thought he “stoodagainst” was actually right in alignmentwith a lot of his values. He had a strongauthentic connection, he had a strong

encounters with those people in need ofservice.

He found avenues to impact theworld around him by leading “Greenthe Greeks,” which focused on compost-ing, recycling, and environmental stew-ardship. He also developed thePathways Volunteers, a UCLA organiza-tion that is still in existence and thrivingtoday. The Pathways Volunteers isfocused on providing social events andfun activities that help to provide mean-ingful relationships for developmental-ly-disabled adults.

Brian then went to Africa with fourmen and women with One HeartSource, an international nonprofit orga-nization, to build nine traditional mud-huts for needy people in Tanzania.After that transformational experience,Brian continued to work on the UnitedStates’ side of One Heart Source for twoyears. Brian was the volunteer programsmanager for the organization. As theprograms manager, his responsibilitiesincluded recruiting, interviewing, coor-dinating, and preparing the team of col-lege-age volunteers who would travel toWest Africa the following summer. Hisleadership legacy included a 10-weektraining program, during which he pre-pared each volunteer physically, men-tally, and intellectually for AIDS/HIVprevention education in the challengingAfrican environment. He then served asa corps member, or Teach for Americateacher and coach in the MississippiDelta region.

Fraternity, and more specifically, hisexperience in Theta Xi, served as a keypoint of access to service for Brian. Hehas climbed mountains, built orphan-ages in East Africa, taught school in theMississippi Delta, and continues toimpact the world as a participant in theCoro Fellows program. We know hiscommitment to others is a phenomenalreflection of the larger motto and valuesof Theta Xi. n

commitment to collaborative action,and the fact that, to Brian, the “whole isgreater than the sum of its parts.”

He realized the fraternity model, iftaken in the wrong, shallow direction,would not encourage the vast potentialof fraternity men. He decided that thereis more to fraternity than the purelysocial elements, and that most people,when gathered together, are capable ofdoing meaningful, challenging thingstogether.

Brian discovered support for hispassions within the chapter as well.

Brian was very busy while a studentat UCLA. He studied Jiu Jitsu, startedmany significant clubs and organiza-tions, and majored in pre-med witha focus on psychobiology and socialthought. Brian took a chance anddecided not to attend med school.When asked why, Brian was frank. At thetime, he wanted to directly addressproblems he encountered. For Brian,medical school seemed too “downstream.” He wanted to have a moreimmediate impact, with more intimate

“Take Note: Brian Hengesbugh”

Book that changed my life

“ Illusions by Richard Bach”Experience everyone should encounter

“ I’m amazed whenever I watch the skygive way and present the first star ofthe evening. It offers a great reminder

to hold fast to perspective.”Bucket List Goal

“Hike the Pacific Crest Trail”

“You can’t put issues on apedestal. It is importantthat we know we have anentire culture of college-educated people who aresomewhat blind to theissues around them.Fraternity reiterates theissue that we are all interconnected.”

CHAPTER NEWS

achieved the highest fraternity GPA on cam-pus, is striving to achieve the most fraternitycommunity service hours on campus, andcontinues to be successfully competitive inintramural sports on campus. The chaptervolunteered for both Habitat for Humanity,and Multiple Sclerosis, and also assisted theAlpha Xi Delta sorority in a fundraiser forAutism Speaks.

Beta Upsilon/Slippery RockUniversity

Beta Upsilon has been very busy thissemester. The chapter is most proud oftheir participation in the American HeartWalk, held in downtown Pittsburgh atHeinz Field. Most chapter Brothers helpedchapter alumnus, Brandon Berns, BetaUpsilon 367, manage this event. BrotherBerns is responsible for this all-day event,and works with men from the Beta UpsilonChapter to set up, tear down, and supportvarious logistical elements for the entireday. During the walk, Brothers work at vari-ous stations to help educate attendeesabout the American Heart Association, aswell as spread the word about the dangersof heart disease.

Gamma Phi/Georgia SouthernGamma Phi had two great retreats

(brotherhood and big/little), allowing thechapter to further our bonds with eachother, as well as with the newest class ofassociate members. The men had great suc-cess with two major philanthropy events thissemester. Gamma Phi volunteered at aHabitat for Humanity build and held TheTaxi Bash on game day against Furman.

Gamma Iota/EmbryRiddleAeronautical University

The Gamma Iota Chapter has contin-ued to strive for excellence in the commu-nity, as well as at their school. The chapter

Alpha Psi/Missouri University ofScience and Technology

Alpha Psi Chapter brothers have beenworking on chapter unity as they strive forsuccess. Some key events have included anAdopt-A-Highway cleanup. Each semester,brothers get up early one morning to keeptheir adopted highway clear of garbage andrefuse.

Beta Xi/University of New OrleansThis fall, Beta Xi Chapter of Theta Xi

had an initiation class of 23, the secondlargest in chapter history.

Beta Pi/Southeastern LouisianaBeta Pi recently surpassed 800 initiated

members. The 800th initiate is Brett RooksBeta Pi 800.

Beta Sigma/California University ofPennsylvania

The Beta Sigma Chapter recently hosteda dodgeball tournament to benefit the MSSociety, which raised more than $250 insupport of the eradication and treatment ofmultiple sclerosis.

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 16 www.thetaxi.org

Beta Sigma at their recent dodgeball tournament to benefit the MS Society. TOP: Alpha Psi Chapter’s highway cleanup.ABOVE: Alpha Omicron with the travelingTheta Xi flag at UL-Lafayette landmark: “TheSwamp.”

Brandon Berns, Beta Upsilon 367, supports theAmerican Heart Foundation Walk inPittsburgh.

Did you know that more than 250 men have participated in focused leadershipdevelopment programming this year alone?Your support makes all the difference todevelop the All True Men of Theta Xi.

AlphaChristopher Limone Kevin Tang

GammaJoseph Spindler, PEHenry Van Handle

DeltaMatthew Doyle Jr.

ZetaDon Verdiani

EtaSpencer Collmann

IotaEric Eisenberg

LambdaFrederick Heath David Reed

MuTysen Landmesser Andy Montross

NuStephen Copley

PiCharles Gallagher Lynn Trowbridge, PhDMichael McRoberts

TauCharles Shannon

UpsilonPaul Boothe Bradley Parham

OmegaMatt Berry

Alpha GammaMax Willig Glen VanAlkemade

Alpha EpsilonBradley Wolfe Christopher Schaible

Alpha ZetaKent Schoen

Alpha KappaWilliam Edens

Alpha NuJames Rich Peter Kendall Michael Exum

Alpha OmicronGregory Gagnon

Alpha PiCosimo Bosco

Alpha SigmaUriah Monday

Beta DeltaJames Smith Jr

Beta EpsilonJim Erdman Allen Sasaki Michael Kummer

Beta ZetaFred Rounsaville Steven Jordan

Beta ThetaLarry Randall

Beta KappaNorman Curthoys Francis Stoddard

Beta Mu Charles Waldrip

Beta NuFred Lees

Beta XiTodd Hebert Scott Dietrich

Beta OmicronRaymond Lenzi Stephen Pfisterer William Hogue

Beta PiCarl Wampler

Beta SigmaChris Chamberlain Robert Seekford

Beta TauKenneth Jean William Dollar

Beta UpsilonBrian Minteer Ryan Homer

Beta ChiDuncan Kelly

Beta OmegaJames Robertson

Kappa GammaJames Ice Jr.Thomas (TR) Rascon

Kappa ThetaDaniel MacLean Roger Uhe

Kappa IotaTodd Sadowski

Kappa LambdaDavid Futrell

Kappa MuThomas Champion Alan Lanio Erik Carlgren

Kappa NuLarry McCoy

Kappa XiWilliam Campbell

Kappa OmicronRichard Little Adrian Smith

Kappa RhoJohn Brandstatter John Agnone

Kappa SigmaPaul Maudlin Stephen Nypert Daniel O’Brien

Kappa TauRichard Moore Robert Morris Jr.

Kappa PhiKit Battermann

Gamma EpsilonJedediah Wilson

Gamma MuMatthew Corrado

Gamma PiSean Hennebery

Gamma RhoKen Bakalar

Happy Birthday on April 29 to:

Showing Theta Xi Pride

www.thetaxi.org 17 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

April 29 is always a momentous occasion each year as we celebrate Founders Day. However, for these brothers,it holds even more significance. A hearty congratulations to all these men with birthdays also on April 29!

Here’s how our alumni demonstrate “Pride in Theta Xi”

TOP LEFT: Our first Theta Xi license tag is from Mark Doughty, BetaOmega 205.

TOP CENTER: Theta Xi National President, Dennis Marstall, Alpha Iota 587has a Theta Xi license tag!

TOP RIGHT: David Dorset, Beta Omega 449, hangs the Virginia Tech flag,University of Denver triathlon uniform, and Theta Xi flag in his apartment.

LEFT: Greg Spitzer, Gamma Mu 6, submitted his image of a drawing of theFounding Fathers; a similar photo with the Founders of Gamma Mu Chapter,Gamma Mu Founders’ Composite, Membership Shingle, and the 2012Alumni Award hangs on the wall in his office.

Over the past year, the Fraternity dedi-cated time and effort to looking at thegrowth of our brotherhood and possibili-ties for the future. In doing so, theGrand Lodge appointed a special com-mittee to study Theta Xi’s past trends offraternity growth, and those of our inter-fraternal partners. The committee recog-nized the recently increasing chaptermembership and also acknowledged theconsistent number of chapters on theFraternity’s roll.

Chapter Membership GrowthOver the past three decades, the

Fraternity has experienced fluctuationsin the number of men joining chapters.However, in the past 10 years, Theta Xihas seen an increase in the number ofmen joining the Fraternity, as evidencedby the average size of the active chaptersand colonies. This growth can be attrib-uted, largely, to the dedicated recruit-ment of our collegiate chapter membersand advisors.

In addition, the Fraternity Headquar-ters developed and maintained partner-ships with consultants like Phired UpProductions to provide training,resources, and personalized recruitmentplans to our chapters and colonies.Through these efforts, the averagechapter size has grown from 23 membersto 37.

Despite the remarkable efforts inrecruitment, the Fraternity saw a need torespond to external forces within thehigher education landscape.

The Need for Additional GrowthOpportunities

According to a July 25, 2013 article inThe New York Times, college enrollmentsdeclined significantly for the first timesince 1990. The author cites the recover-ing economic situation in the UnitedStates as the main factor for this declinein undergraduate enrollment. Potentialstudents are opting to enter the jobmarket and forego a college degreedue to financial strain. If this decline isto become a more common occur-rence,Theta Xi must be in front of thetrend with ways to continue our member-ship growth. Another method to contin-ue our path of continued growth is toincrease the number of chapters on theFraternity’s roll.

“80 By 2020”The Grand Lodge received the report

of the special committee, and approved itsimplementation. The special committeecalled for an aggressive plan to increasethe number of chapters from 50 to 80 bythe year 2020. This would be accom-plished by investing headquarters staffand volunteer time on Fraternity-driven

expansion projects. Campuses will beassessed and final selections will be madebased on a set of criteria including: n geographic concentration of

membership and chapters n cost of services n history of previous chapters’ shared

standards between the Fraternity and the host institution

Since adoption of the committee’sproposal, the Headquarters Staff hasbeen increased to accommodate thedemands of the expansion program.Almost every staff member has a role toplay in the success of the expansion pro-gram, the most aggressive plan theFraternity has adopted in at least twodecades. Headquarters Staff are assessingcampuses and forming relationships withfraternity/sorority life professionals inorder to gain approval to establishcolonies. Currently, more than 15 col-leges and universities are being explored.

In this 150th year of our BelovedFraternity, we reflect on our successes asan organization. This time in our historyalso allows all of our members to looktowards the next 150 years. Providing theTheta Xi experience to more men and tomore campuses will strengthen ThetaXi’s national brotherhood and strategi-cally place the Fraternity in the interfra-ternal community.

Looking Toward Our Future: { g r o w t h i n T h e t a X i }

Idaho Expansion: Ways to get involvedServe as an advisorWe are looking for alumni and friends to serve on the Advisory Team, working directly with an undergraduateoffice. Positions include advisors for Risk Management, Education, Finance, and Recruitment. This is a greatopportunity to mentor our collegiates and help ensure a strong foundation for the colony.Refer a brotherDo you know a gentleman attending the University of Idaho who would make a great brother? Let us knowand we will reach out to him. Email all referrals to Idaho@thetaxi.org.Support our eventsAs a new colony, alumni support at events and activities is very important. Let us know if you will be in theMoscow, Idaho, area and want to come to one of the colony events or activities. We would also love to havealumni support at our Associate Member Pinning Ceremony and Initiation.Support Leadership DevelopmentWe want to make sure that our Founding Fathers are participating in our leadership initiatives. Make a donationto the Theta Xi Foundation for the Idaho Chapter Education account and help offset the cost of sending men tothese programs.

Citation: Perez–Pena, Richard. “College Enrollment Falls as Economy Recovers.” New York Times, 25 July 2013. www.nytimes.com. web.

THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014 18 www.thetaxi.org

by J. Tanner Marcantel, Alpha Alpha 1675, LSU

2014–2016We are pleased to present the National Committee on Nominations report below, which

outlines the recommended slate of Brothers to be listed on the ballot for the eight alumniGrand Lodge Officer and Director positions at the National Convention in August 2014. Thetwo undergraduate Grand Lodge positions have a different election process and will be electedat the 150th Anniversary Convention this August in Troy, NY.

National By-Law 22.3 outlines the work of the Nominations Committee, which included arepor ting date of December 15, 2013, which was met. Thanks go out to NominationsCommittee Chairman Don Meringer and the four other committee members for completingtheir work with this difficult task of recommending Brothers to serve on the Grand Lodge. Weare fortunate to have a Brotherhood that encompasses a wide array of skill sets and talents tochoose from to help advance the Fraternity through service on the Grand Lodge.

The terms of the Grand Lodge positions, plus the full election process are all outlined in theFraternity Constitution and By-laws available at www.thetaxi.org.

The Grand Lodge elections are just one more reason to plan now to attend the 150thAnniversary Convention in Troy, NY, August 7–10, 2014. Convention details and registration canbe found at www.6294.org.

Nominees presented for election150th Anniversary Convention, Troy, NY August 8-10, 2014National President (OPEN Term 2014–2016)

Richard P. Rushton (Nu 700, UC Berkeley)

Vice President-Administration (2014–2016 - completing the term of Richard Rushton)Ryan A. Kight (Mu 1197, Iowa State) – Nominated if office is vacated by the election of Brother Rushton as National President.

Vice President-Chapter Operations (OPEN Term 2014–2018)J. Tanner Marcantel (Alpha Alpha 1675, LSU)

Vice President-Alumni Relations (OPEN Term 2014 –2018)Adam M. Schaffer (Iota1538, Washington Univ.)

Grand Lodge Directors (4 seats, All OPEN Term 2014–2016)Jeffrey W. Arnold (Alpha Eta 357, Colorado)Stephen M. Spedaliere (Beta Upsilon 240, Slippery Rock)Jacob A. Bolin (Beta Pi 464, SE Louisiana)Robert A. Olson (Alpha Eta 711, Colorado)

Undergraduate Directors (2 seats, Term 2014–2016)To be elected at Convention per National Constitution

Grand Lodge Candidates

The slate of candidates above has been recommended by the National Nominating Committee. As stated in By-law 20.7 of the Theta Xi Constitution and By-laws, any brother meeting the qualifications of the office may

run for a position but must give notice to the Committee on Nominations no less than ninety (90) days prior to the NationalConvention.

The deadline for submitting additional nominations for non-Undergrad Director positions is Thursday, May 8, 2014.Nominations may be sent to Fraternity Headquarters at txhq@thetaxi.org or Attention: Nominating Committee, PO Box411134, St. Louis, MO 63141.

19 THE UNICORN/SPRING 2014

Theta Xi Fraternity

P.O. Box 411134

St. Louis, MO 63141

PARENTS or GUARDIANS: Your son’s magazine is sent to his home address while he is an undergraduate in college. During this time, we hope you enjoy reading about the activities and brotherhood enjoyed by members of Theta Xi. If your son is no longer attending college or not living with you, please send his new permanent address to: Theta Xi Fraternity,P.O. Box 411134, St. Louis, MO 63141, or via email to txhq@thetaxi.o rg

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 222

Midland, MI

REGISTER NOWto attend the monumental 150th Anniversary Convention

August 7–10, 2014.

Theta Xi is returning to its birthplace by celebrating the sesquicentennial anniversary in Troy, NY, home to Rensselaer

Polytechnic University and Theta Xi’s Alpha Chapter.

Registration is now open and early-bird discounts expire soon!Find out more, including how to make hotel reservations,

at www.6294.org.

Make your plans now! Visit 6294.org to register or learn more.

WE’RE CELEBRATING 150 YEARS

OF THETA XI FRATERNITY.

FOUNDED BY 8 MEN IN APRIL OF 1864,

WE’VE GROWN TO MORE THAN

60,000 ALL TRUE MEN.