After several successful reunions of the Epsilon Pi alumni, Fred Cimaglio (Epsilon Pi/Northern Illinois 1963 --- a charter member back in 1961), decided that it was time to pay a visit to Theta Chi’s International Headquarters to determine what would be involved with recolonizing Epsilon Pi at Northern Illinois University. In 2012, Cimaglio met with Senior Director for Recruitment and Expansion, JD Ford.
“JD was most helpful in outlining the steps necessary to first begin the process and then to outline what was involved once the process was underway,” said Cimaglio. “The list of “to do” was quite long but we felt it could be achieved,” he continued. “The most important thing was to have our alumni embrace this since it had been 22 years since a Theta Chi chapter was at Northern Illinois University. In mid-2012, the call went out to form an Alumni Committee to spearhead an effort to get Epsilon Pi Chapter back on the NIU campus,” Cimaglio said.
In October 2013, Recruitment and Expansion Specialists Jeffrey Draluck and Scott Turk were sent to Northern Illinois University to recruit an interest group. Draluck and Turk were successful in recruiting two men, Dan Walsh and Eric Glasby, who in turn, helped by talking to their friends and encouraging them to become members of the interest group.
Over the next few months, the group continued to grow, worked with the school and participated in several brotherhood events to facilitate getting to know their future brothers.
At 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, Abiodun Ayoade, Thomas Bunge, Brandon Clancy, Eric Glasby, Jeffrey Ludwig, Nathan Rankin, Zachary Remmers, Diego Reyes-Alicea, Timothy Szlembarski, Jose Villagomez and Daniel Walsh participated in the Recolonization Ceremony at Holmes Student Center at Northern Illinois University. Colony President, Daniel Walsh provided welcoming comments and an introduction of special guests. Past Grand Chapter member Thomas Van Cleave, Beta Rho/Illinois Wesleyan 1972, presided.
Representing the International Headquarters staff were Senior Director for Recruitment and Expansion, JD Ford and Recruitment and Expansion Specialist, Tyrone Brooks.
Also in attendance were several Epsilon Pi Alumni: Owen Bach (1965), Jorge Carli (1970), Fred Cimaglio (1963), Marc Costanza (1984), Gary Krewer (1968), Mark Lustig (1967), Tim Smith (1966) and David Wolf (1975).
Members of Gamma Upsilon Chapter at Bradley University came to show their support including Ryan Colosanti (2016), Zack Ipema (2015) and Gamma Upsilon Chapter President, Billy Shoemaker (2016).
Members of NIU’s Fraternity Community attended as well. Representing Pi Sigma Kappa Fraternity at NIU were Mike Termena, Brian Bargaglic, Owen Stiff and Eric Serena; representing Sigma Nu Fraternity at NIU were Brandon Maurer and George Shakro; and representing Delta Upsilon Fraternity at NIU were Ed Hansen and Neil Goldberg.
Senior Associate Director for Student Involvement and Leadership Development, Dain Gotto, family members and friends also attended.
Following the ceremony light refreshments were served.
“Now that we are a colony, you can expect great things from this group of guys,” said Colony President Dan Walsh. “We already have the highest GPA out of any fraternity on campus and we are planning many community service events with the school.”
The colony is currently working with Relay for Life and has raised more than $500 in just a few weeks. The goal is to raise more than a $1000 by April.
“We are participating in NIU Cares day this year,” said Walsh. “This is an event where many groups on campus go out into the community and help out. Anything from planting trees, painting houses, and helping out the community in any way we can. We are also hoping to work with the USO this semester,” he said.
Cimaglio hopes that the new colony will continue to pass on the qualities of commitment and dedication to each new member class that is invited to join the fraternity.
“Fraternity has been an important part of my life then and the lifelong friendships that developed and remain to this day,” said Cimaglio. While we (alumni) have talked about this for many years, it is so gratifying to see it finally take shape. JD Ford has been a wonderful inspiration. Our recruiters Draluck and Turk brought a wonderful class of new members to begin the process,” he said. “We are so proud of our new colony participants and their fraternal ambition. Now it will be up to them to carry on and believe that they have good support where and when if needed. Many of us could be their grandparents relative to age, but they will share with their Alumni in a wonderful legacy of brotherhood and friendship that will last their lifetime,” Cimaglio added.
Located in DeKalb, IL, 65 miles west of Chicago, Northern Illinois University opened its doors in 1899 as Northern Illinois State Normal School to prepare college- educated teachers. There were 146 women and 27 men in the inaugural class. Classes were held in a European-style castle called Altgeld Hall, named after then Governor, John Peter Altgeld.
In 1955, the name was changed to Northern Illinois State College, and in 1957 the name changed again to Northern Illinois University. The campus expanded to 755 acres and 60 buildings, and enrollment grew to 25,000 students. NIU is also home to 36 fraternities and sororities.
In 1956, a local fraternity was founded at Northern Illinois called Chi Sigma Nu. Opting to affiliate with Theta Chi Fraternity, Epsilon Pi Chapter was installed on January 7, 1961, becoming the seventh national fraternity at Northern Illinois. In its three decades of history, Epsilon Pi initiated over 500 members before becoming inactive in 1991.