Epsilon Eta Chapter Resintalls At Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Carmel, IN - On Sept. 27, 2014, 10 members of Epsilon Eta interest group pledged Theta Chi Fraternity in a recolonization ceremony held in Pierce Hall, the ROTC building on the Indiana University Pennsylvania campus. Over 100 brothers, alumni, spouses, family members, ROTC representatives, Provost Timothy Moreland, and university officials were present for the event. Executive Director, Mike Mayer, presided over the ceremony with past Field Executives Tyrone J. Brooks and Alex Nunchuck, assisting. Chapter Adviser Brandon Zimmerman (Epsilon Eta/IUP 2006) also participated. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Citation of Honor was presented to Carl Amenhauser (Epsilon Eta/IUP 1967), who led much of the efforts in getting Epsilon Eta restarted.
Several semesters of hard work and perseverance led to the reinstallation. On April 30, 2016, 41 men reinstalled the Epsilon Eta Chapter at IUP. International Chaplain Darick Brown presided over the ceremony, with Executive Director Mike Mayer and Field Executive Nick Hoke representing the International Headquarters. Members from Beta Nu/Case Western, Beta Chi/Allegheny, and Epsilon Psi/NJIT were present for the ceremony, with friends and family joining for the reception. “The chapter has been able to accomplish what we worked so hard for,” said Chapter President, Dillon Sutton (2018). “There’s a special kind of pride in being able to continue the legacy set by the alumni that came before us.” International Chaplain Darick Brown echoed Sutton’s sentiments, noting the responsibility each member now has to maintain the values and traditions of Theta Chi.
Michael Hanni, Chris Wagner, and Chad Walker were initiated as alumni with the group, being members of the colony but graduating prior to the installation.
A number of awards were given during the reception, both local and international. The chapter awards presented were as follows:
Dillon Sutton (2018) – Most Devoted Brother
Adam Albright (2016) – Most Scholarly Brother
Karl Richter (2016) – Most Helpful Brother
Matt Lewis (2016) – Brother of the Semester
Two David E. DeVol Alumni Awards were also presented on behalf of the International Headquarters to Brandon Zimmerman (2006) and Carl Amenhauser (1967).
Brother Amenhauser played a key role in restarting the chapter through consistently rallying and organizing the chapter’s alumni. He also led the way for the Theta Chi Heroes Scholarship on campus, a $25,000 endowment in memory of James Flannery (1969) and Robert Young (1967), two Epsilon Eta brothers who died in the Vietnam War. The fund is intended to support student veterans on campus. Brother Amenhauser previously received the Citation of Honor during Epsilon Eta’s recolonization in the fall of 2014.
“After working with the group as a colony for the past year, it’s great to see these guys reach their goals,” says Field Executive Nick Hoke. “Given the collegian and alumni involvement, this chapter has the ability to make a great impact on campus.”
Moving forward, the chapter plans to host a successful USO event, establish a chapter point system, host community cookouts to benefit the local and campus police departments, and increase their involvement with the IUP community.
Founded in 1875, IUP is a vibrant, comprehensive, research-based, teaching-focused, student-centered learning community.
IUP combines the academic opportunities of a large university with the highly personalized and intimate learning-centered environment of a small college.
Almost 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in our accredited and nationally recognized programs, enjoying traditional and nontraditional classroom experiences, engaging in research and service activities with their faculty mentors, becoming lifelong learners, preparing for rewarding careers and productive lives, and developing leadership skills for effective citizenship.
