Theta Chi Fraternity installed Iota Pi – its 222nd chapter – on April 21, 2012, at the Valley of Baton Rouge Scottish Rite. Forty-three Founding Fathers were initiated into the chapter. National Counselor Thomas G. Tinnin presided as installing officer.
Joining him was Chapter Advisory Board member Joseph Thomas, Regional Director Allen Carter, Regional Counselors James Guillory and Jared Lognion, and former Leadership and Education Consultant Zach Smith. Representing the International Headquarters staff were Director of Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford, Director of Standards Jason Handberg and Leadership and Education Consultant Eddie Higginbotham. Brothers representing nine different chapters showed their support as well. The weekend’s festivities concluded with an installation banquet at the Drusilla Seafood Restaurant.
Two freshmen- Alex Mouhot (2013) and Alex Harvey- separately came up with the idea of bringing Theta Chi to LSU. However, plans were not seriously set into motion until the two were introduced to each other by Leadership and Education Consultant Jimmy Cox in early 2010. Recruitment began on a small scale but was disrupted when Harvey withdrew from the University.
Mouhot and the remaining undergraduates pressed on. On April 29, 2010, he and nine other students met to draft a petition requesting recognition from the International Headquarters. The petition was approved on June 9 and the group grew to 27 members over the course of the fall. Three members – Mouhot, Ethan Gremillion (2013) and Matt Darouse (2012) – represented the interest group at the 2010 National Convention in Orlando, FL. Gremillion would become the group's first president. A colony was formally recognized on Jan. 15, 2011.
The modern Louisiana State University (LSU) opened its doors in Pineville, LA, on Jan. 2, 1860, as the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana. Gen. William T. Sherman served as its first superintendent but resigned his post to take up arms in the Union Army. The school remained closed for much of the Civil War. In 1865, it reopened but burned to the ground four years later. The seminary was moved to its current location in Baton Rouge in 1870 and renamed Louisiana State University. It remained a small-time county school for the next several decades until Gov. Huey P. Long, Jr., implemented a number of initiatives to grow the university.
Today, LSU is consistently ranked as being among the nation’s top state universities. It boasts an undergraduate enrollment of more than 23,000 students and an active Greek system comprising 19 NIC-affiliated fraternities and 10 PHC-affiliated organizations.
As LSU’s newest fraternity, Iota Pi boasts an energetic group with diverse interests and campus activities. Brothers are members of the American Society of Engineers, Honors College, Volunteer LSU, ROTC, STRIPES and a variety of intramural sports. Chapter President Justin Jones serves as LSU’s Relay for Life chairman.
Interested in bringing Theta Chi to a new campus? Contact Director of Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford for more information about how you can get involved in starting a new chapter. Or, visit our Expansion Page.