Simeon Beal first became interested in Theta Chi after being around close friends of his back home who were members of the fraternity.
“They are exemplars of the essential qualities that are taught to every Theta Chi, standout gentleman of the highest class. And you could not believe the love they had for their Fraternity, and the undoubted dedication both of them independently expressed,” said Beal.
Beal returned to campus in the spring of 2012 to begin the journey which came to its first critical step this past Saturday -- the Colonization of Theta Chi Fraternity at SUNY Binghamton.
“I reached out to all of my friends groups while at the same time opening dialogue with the University and National,” said Beal. “It was a hectic time, and one which now is quite a blur, but it could not have been possible without the constant support from (Sr. Director for Recruitment and Expansion) JD Ford. Throughout this process JD has made himself readily available not only to myself but to all interested in the group,” said Beal. “(JD) laid out the steps in the process clearly for me,” he continued.
Soon after conversastions with JD Ford began, Leadership and Education Consultant Beau Slayton, Delta Alpha/Linfield College 2011, was sent to visit the campus and the group of students to learn face to face about who was interested in joining Theta Chi and why. During his visit Beau provided additional support and advice. Over the next semester the group worked on becoming better friends and figuring out the intricacies that running a group like this took.
Shortly after the fledgling group formed, Binghamton suspended all fraternity and sorority pledging activities due to several reports of hazing. “Little did I know this same semester would be the start of reconstruction for all of Greek Life here on campus,” said Beal. “It has been a long road for us,” he added. Ultimately, several organizations were held accountable and suspended from campus. The University also experiened turn-over in its Director of Greek Life position.
The men patiently held true to Theta Chi's values and to each other. Simeon and his group saw the opportunity to rise above and share their vision of fraternity with Binghamton's Greek Life community and administrators.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, after countless hours participating in community services, philanthropy and leadership events, 28 members of SUNY Binghamton Interest Group participated in the Colonization Ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in downtown Binghamton. Assistant Director of Recruitment and Expansion, Joe Macko, Zeta Tau/Michigan-Flint 2012, presided. Also representing the International Headquarters staff was Leadership and Education Consultant, Chris Barker, Epsilon Zeta/Tampa 2013. Undergraduate brothers from Alpha Chi/Syracuse, Jacob Mullen (2015) and Ahmed Sabih (2016), were also in attendance.
"Many of these men embarked on the journey to start Theta Chi at Binghamton University nearly two years ago,” said Macko. “They have put in countless hours of work, and are very deserving of the honor of being deemed a Colony of Theta Chi Fraternity. I'm encouraged to see what they will accomplish this academic year,” he added.
Originally located in Endicott, NY, five miles west of the current day campus, Triple Cities College opened its doors in 1946 to serve local veterans returning from service in World War II. Four years later, the college was incorporated into the State University of New York system and was renamed Harpur College in honor of Robert Harpur, a Colonial teacher, patriot and pioneer who was devoted to the settling of the area around Binghamton. Harpur College was one of two public liberal arts colleges in the state until 1953. The campus was moved across the Susquehanna River to Vestal in 1961. In 1965 the campus was formally designated the State University of New York at Binghamton, and in 1992, Binghamton University was adopted as the informal name.
Today, SUNY Binghamton has a student population of 12,356 students, and is home to 53 sororities and fraternities.