Gamma Pi/University at Buffalo Recolonized
Buffalo, NY – On September 10, 2017, the Gamma Pi Chapter at the University at Buffalo was recolonized. The ceremony saw 42 collegians become pledges in an effort to re-establish Theta Chi in northwest New York. Theta Chi Fraternity has been absent from the University at Buffalo since 1995.
The journey back to Buffalo started with an interest group inquiry from Jack Welsh (Eta Chi/George Mason 2019), who transferred schools to be closer to home. In February 2017, he contacted the International Headquarters in regards to re-establishing the Gamma Pi Chapter, stating that he currently had an interest group of five men. By the time Director of Recruitment and Expansion Taylor Dahlem arrived to meet the group in March 2017, Jack had managed to build the interest group to 30 collegians.
After working with the university to secure official recognition, the group entered the summer as an organized interest group, ready to take on the fall semester. By the time they recolonized in early September, the group had grown to 42 collegians.
The September 10th colonization ceremony was held at Harriman Hall on the University at Buffalo campus. It was a unique ceremony, one that saw the interest group at SUNY Geneseo become a colony as well. Executive Director Mike Mayer presided over the ceremony that included assistance from Director of Recruitment and Expansion Taylor Dahlem, Field Executives Mitch Nolan and Patrick Zurn, and alumni from Gamma Epsilon/Western State and Gamma Pi/Buffalo.
After the ceremony, Jack Welsh spoke on reigniting the legacy of Gamma Pi and remarked on the impact the fast start has had on the Buffalo campus, which he attributed to the support from local alumni and the International Headquarters. Executive Director Mike Mayer congratulated the colony on their efforts thus far and stated that this is a starting line to something great on this campus. The group’s main goal for the school year is to continue growing and making a positive impact to the Buffalo campus.
“Ever since I received the call from Jack Welsh about starting something at Buffalo, I knew we were in store for something special,” stated Dahlem. “I never imagined the way the group would take off like it did on a large campus like this. Since day one, their mission and message have been perfect and it is obviously paying dividends for them.”
