Epsilon Mu Reinstalled
Ypsilanti, MI – On March 25, 2017, the Epsilon Mu Chapter at Eastern Michigan University was reinstalled. The road back Ypsilanti started in the spring 2016 semester with the arrival of Field Executives Bob Eberling and PJ Ricketson. After securing a bid to return to campus thanks in part to Director of Recruitment and Expansion Taylor Dahlem and past International Headquarters staff member JD Ford, Bob and PJ arrived at Eastern Michigan University looking to build a solid foundation for the potential return of the Epsilon Mu Chapter. After being on campus for only a few months the group was recolonized on March 12, 2016 with 20 men.
Upon leaving campus, Eberling and Ricketson implored to the men that they should be reinstalling in no less than 18 months. After recolonizing they faced the difficult task of replacing six members who graduated. Even with this increased recruitment challenge they were still able to achieve success in a short amount of time. Despite their size and being new to Greek Life, they won Delta Zeta’s “Mr. Greek” competition in part by fundraising $2,300 for the Starkey Hearing Foundation and maintained the highest grade point average among all IFC fraternities at Eastern Michigan University.
In a little over a year from the time they recolonized, on March 25, 2017, the Epsilon Mu Chapter was reinstalled. The ceremony, presided over by International Historian Brad Burk, saw the following 34 collegians initiate:
The reinstallation ceremony was held at Genitti’s Little Theatre in Northville, MI and included two legacy initiates: Lee Stevens, son of Robert Stevens (Epsilon Upsilon/Central Michigan 1981), and Nicholas Riley, son of Steve Riley (Epsilon Mu/Eastern Michigan University 1986). Attendees for the reinstallation ceremony included Chief Operating Officer Ray Vanlanot, Director of Volunteer Development Zack Brown, Field Executive PJ Ricketson, Counselors Wade Merrill (Zeta Tau/Michigan-Flint 2007) and Drew Marsh (Zeta Tau/Michigan-Flint 2016), alumni from Epsilon Mu/Eastern Michigan University, Epsilon Upsilon/Central Michigan, and Eta Phi/Oakland, and collegians from Theta Tau/Western Michigan.
The reinstallation banquet that followed was held at Sticks in Ypsilanti, MI. Attendees for the banquet included those who were at the reinstallation ceremony along with family and friends of our newly initiated brothers. Ray Vanlanot congratulated the men on reinstalling the Epsilon Mu Chapter and PJ Ricketson spoke on his experience with the colony from day one and how much they have accomplished in such a short amount of time.
During the banquet, Epsilon Mu presented their chapter awards to the following:
- Outstanding New Member: Nick Riley
- Involvement Award: Peter Walkulski
- Helping Hand Award: Kyle Miller
- Outstanding Senior Award: Theodore Johnson
- Living the Creed Award: Carlos Campos
- Brother of the Year: Jacob Lackey
- Scholar-Athlete Award: Kayne MacCallum
- Scholar of the Year: Joshua Gurwell
- Recognition Award: Nicholas Buehrle
The David E. DeVol award, an international award recognizing above and beyond service of an alumnus member, was presented to Epsilon Mu alumnus members Lawrence Boyd (1986), Steven Cook (1986), Kevin Kelly (1991), Stephen McWilliams (1990), and Kelly Powell (1991) for the unwavering help with the group since their start as a colony.
“This is the most humble and respectful group of men I’ve ever met,” stated Chapter President Jacob Lackey. “It is an honor to be called a brother within the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.”
Moving forward these men will be advised by Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) members Robert Wolfgram (Epsilon Mu/Eastern Michigan University 1989), Steve McWilliams (Epsilon Mu/Eastern Michigan University 1990), and Lawrence Boyd (Epsilon Mu/Eastern Michigan University 1986). They hope to become the best fraternity on campus. This includes being the fraternity with the most members at Eastern Michigan University, having the highest-grade point average amongst all fraternities, and to improve their philanthropic efforts for the upcoming school year.
Situated just east of Ann Arbor, MI, the town of Ypsilanti is home to Eastern Michigan University. The University is comprised of seven colleges and schools: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, College of Technology, an Honors College, and a Graduate School. Founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School, Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university that’s home to over 23,000 collegians.
