CORAL GABLES, FL. - Theta Chi Fraternity returned to the University of Miami with the establishment of Delta Epsilon Colony on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. EDT.
The 28 recolonizing members include: Bender Al Awwad (2026), Jacob Aragon (2026), Davio Badalamenti (2025), Anthony Bonadonna (2025), Aidan Burdo (2026), Giuseppe Butera (2026), Jack Conroy (2027), Raymond Graceffo (2026), Michael Grecco (2026), Michael Grippa (2026), Shad Joseph (2026), Kyle Haas (2026), Kosta Houvardas (2026), Jack Kaplin (2026), Bennett Miller (2026), Rafferty Mowle (2027), Joseph Nicolosi (2026), Isaac Ostad (2026), Alex O’Sullivan (2026), Raymond Owens (2026), Michael Palagonia (2026), Elias Panageas (2026), Matt Penny (2026), Joseph Piazza (2025), Peter Radovich (2026), Munir Reyes (2026), Jonah Savitz (2026), and Riley Yee (2025).
The colony has also added an additional 14 new pledges since their Recolonization Ceremony.
The Colony Advisory Board includes Chris Hixon (Iota Theta/Central Florida 2014) and other CAB members are still being identified for the fledgling group.
During spring 2023, Alexander Hall (2026) reached out to then-Sr. Director of Growth, Zack Brown and shared that a group of 12 men had come together with an interest in exploring the possibility of reviving Theta Chi at Miami. Impressed with the virtual conversations with the group, Zack invited Davio Badalamenti (2025) and Riley Yee (2025) to attend Theta Chi’s Initiative Academy during the summer of 2023 (Badalamenti and Yee will both be officially recognized as Resolute Men upon initiation and the reinstallation of Delta Epsilon Chapter). Despite initial challenges obtaining recognition from the University of Miami IFC, the interest group persevered and continued to grow and reached 28 men by the time of recolonization. Since then, the group has continued to recruit and is now a recognized member of the IFC.
The men are excited to be an active and contributing member of the Miami Greek community and have a strong passion toward philanthropy and community service. Since colonization, the men have organized activities benefiting Miami’s homeless population and have raised nearly $2,000 for the USO in an online campaign.
With momentum in their favor, this group of interested students was approved by the Grand Chapter for colonization.
On March 23, 2024, the Interest Group and several brothers gathered near Coral Gables, FL, for what turned out to be a first in terms of a site for an official Fraternity ceremony. The men had reserved the ceremony venue off campus at a photo studio, and humorously, it included an unmovable display of hanging roses. International Vice President Toby Roth served as the Presiding Officer and was joined by Director of Growth Sam Terry, who commented, “So far, it’s been a pleasure just getting to see these men organize themselves the way they have. After meeting with them, I can tell that they’re not only passionate but excited for this journey they’re about to start and I can only see great things coming from Delta Epsilon in the future.”
Several Iota Omicron/FIU collegiate and alumnus brothers were also in attendance including Joshua Campos (2025), Samuel Grossman (2019), Dean Krauser (2024), Chris Molina (2020), Sergio E. Molina (2016), Adrian Morera (2014), Draiden Neidige (2027), Stephen Nuñez (2013), Brandon Paz (2015), Patrick O’Brien (2015), and Oscar Vinces (2025). Representing the west coast was Chistopher Oprison (Beta Alpha/UCLA 1994).
Additional special guest attendees included a group of men interested in Theta Chi from nearby Florida Atlantic University: Shiraz Bardakjian, Cassius Caraguilo, Benjamin Cartwright, Chase Reyes, Jacob Sacks, Luis Schrenk, and Micah Titcomb.
Iota Omicron’s Stephen Nunez was very familiar with the events of the day. More than 10 years ago, he and Aaron Bethencourt (2014) led a group of men from FIU on the same path. He expressed, “As a native Miamian and a Charter Member of Iota Omicron Chapter at Florida International University, it brings me a tremendous sense of joy and pride to be a part of the recolonization process at the University of Miami. During the phases of my personal journey in bringing Theta Chi back to South Florida, having taken similar steps back in 2011, I often wondered how things would have been if we had a fellow chapter just eight miles down the road. This is now close to becoming a reality! This is an incredibly unique opportunity for both Theta Chi groups at both universities to perpetuate our Fraternity’s ideals through collaboration and friendly competition. I hope to serve as a resource to facilitate this, along with our network of alumni here in the local community. There’s no denying the pivotal roles both universities play in our city. Both the individual and collective success of these chapters will only make Greater Miami a better place to call home.”
Congratulations to the new colony members and Go Canes! If you’re interested in volunteering with this group, please contact Director of Engagement Erik VanDenBerghe at erikv@thetachi.org. You can follow this group and their exploits via their Instagram.