In the spring of 2013, a handful of friends at Rochester Institute of Technology were talking about how they wanted to contribute more to their alma mater than the average student. They decided that they wanted to start a fraternity that would allow them to leave a lasting legacy at RIT.
After reviewing the different national organizations, the group decided that Theta Chi’s traditions and beliefs closely matched their own. They decided to approach the organization and ask to be recognized as an interest group.
RIT student Ian Bixby submitted a form on the Theta Chi Fraternity website and stated:
"After extensive research, the national recognition, alumni network and philanthropic opportunities that come along with being a part of this historic fraternity are the major reasons why our interest group is attracted to Theta Chi. With help from [the national organization], it is a very attainable goal to become the best fraternity on this campus, as well as upholding the values of a Theta Chi chapter."
Soon after, then-Director of Recruitment and Expansion, JD Ford, met with interest group members Ian Bixby and Ankit Prasad. After this meeting, the group knew that Theta Chi was the right organization for them.
By the fall semester, the group had grown to 17, and then-Assistant Director of Recruitment and Expansion, Joe Macko, visited the campus and provided recruitment and executive board training to the group.
Soon after, the interest group submitted their application for colony recognition with the help of RIT faculty member and Theta Chi alumnus, Michael D’Arcangelo (Zeta Lambda/Westminster 1978). Though the group ran into some difficulties with the universities and policies, the group persevered.
On February 22, 2014, 19 RIT students pledged to join Theta Chi Fraternity during a ceremony held at TJ Connor Elementary School in Scottsville, NY. From that point, the colony began to hit its stride. The colony was able to carry out the second most successful fundraising campaign by a Greek organization. Their “Shave for Cancer” even raised nearly $3,000 for the Wilmot Cancer Center.
Through the work of RIT's Associate Director for Greek Life & Departmental Assessment, Eric Pope (Eta Zeta/Edinboro 2003), the school administration drafted a probationary measure for the colony to complete in order to receive full recognition. The colony was tremendously motivated to prove themselves and to achieve a positive image at RIT, so members worked together and held another event for the USO under the guidance of Paul Levesque (2017), and through the work of Zane Grasso (2017), the colony was able to recruit 9 additional men bringing the total to 30.
Having completed the probationary checklist by the end of the fall semester, hopes of being installed in the spring of 2015 became a possibility. The colony worked hard to recruit new members and each member worked to put forth a positive image for Theta Chi and RIT. Justin Jones, Theta Chi's new Director for Recruitment and Expansion, soon provided the final push the colony needed for full recognition.
Gaining momentum, the RIT Colony petitioned the Grand Chapter for a charter and received the decision for which they had been waiting.
On the morning of April 25, 2015, 35 members of RIT colony were initiated as brothers of Theta Chi Fraternity and united together as the Iota Psi Chapter at the Rochester Institute of Technology, at the Fairport Masonic Lodge in Fairport, New York. National Marshal Tait Martin presided. Representing International Headquarters were Senior Director for External Relations JD Ford and Field Executive Darien Key.
Seven chapters were represented on the Installation Committee including Alpha Zeta/Rochester, Beta Lambda/Akron, Gamma Theta/San Diego State, Epsilon Psi/NJIT, Zeta Lambda/Westminster, Eta Zeta/Edinboro, Eta Omicron/Northwestern State. Epsilon Psi/NJIT continued their streak from Fall 2014 of attending (re)installation ceremonies by following up on their trip to Iota Chi/Binghamton from the previous weekend.
The following men were initiated as Charter Members of Iota Psi Chapter: Austin Bartlett, Ian Bixby, Derek Briggs, Nick Carbone, Tommy Cheung, Kyle Ciaravino, Nathan DeFranco, Carl DeRollo, Max DeSousa, Austin Gardner, Cameron Games, Zane Grasso, Sandeep Gupta, James Hahn, Dominique Hall, James Herubin, Ryan Hudson, Toby Hull, Zachary Hunter, Ian Jack, Tyler Kalka, Paul Levesque, Jordan Lichtsinn, Justin MacDuff, Jonathan Maranga, Shaun McConnaghy, Rob Mejia, Pete O’Neal, Ankit Prasad, Evan Signor, Kevin Song, Keagan Turner, Angelo Vitelli, Steven Weber and Sami Yousef.
Ahmed Alzaabi and Isaiah Lewis were participating in co-op, and could not attend the ceremony. They will be initiated during the fall 2015 semester.
A reception followed the ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Wishing Well Party House in Rochester. In attendance were Dean of Students, Vicki Goldstein, Associate Director for Greek & Departmental Assessment, Eric Pope, Director of Diversity Education, Mike D’Arcangelo, parents, siblings, friends and members of Delta Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Alpha. Also in attendance were Academic Advisor and Assistant Professor at RIT, Reginald Rogers, and RIT IFC President, Juan Lachapelle (Sigma Chi).
During the reception Chapter President Ian Bixby spoke about how proud he was of his brothers for chartering, and former Vice President, Zane Grasso, spoke about how the chapter could not have achieved its goal without the hard work of Ian Bixby.
Eric Pope talked about how proud he was of the group's perseverance and determination to reach their goal, and how truly excited he was to see Theta Chi come to the RIT Campus. He stated, “From the first time I met the men interested in starting a Theta Chi chapter at RIT, I was completely impressed by their desire to form a brotherhood that would help to elevate the RIT Fraternity and Sorority community. While their journey to become the Iota Psi chapter was not standard by any means, the men of the Iota Psi chapter were able to accomplish a great deal in a very short time despite the obstacles placed before them. I am very proud to call them my brothers and I can’t wait to see what they will do in the future.”
Former RIT President Dr. Albert J. Simone (Epsilon Theta/Tufts 1957) was not in attendance, but did write a letter congratulating the chapter. Mike D’Arcangelo read Simone’s letter to the attendees:
I recall with great fondness my active participation in Theta Chi as an undergraduate at Tufts University. Just a few memories:
- A fraternity brother arranged a blind date, and Carolie and I never dated anyone else since (this is the most memorable memory, of course).
- I was the chairman of the "find a house committee", and did identify and negotiate a sale between the owner and the university (100 Packard Avenue, Medford, Mass., which still functions to this day).
- Batted clean-up on the softball (fast pitch) team, and had my name engraved in the chapter minutes because of a walk-off homer against our key rival.
Currently, I have been in contact with the National President and Executive Director and learned that I have been selected as an inaugural inductee into the Fraternity's newly established Hall of Honor. I am very proud of that. As it turns out, about ten years ago I was asked to take on a national assignment but had to decline because of time constraints.
Thus, as you can see, having a chapter at RIT means a great deal to me. It ties my earliest days in academia to my last days at RIT. In that regard, I feel remiss: Karen Barrows contacted me a few months ago, informing me that Ian Bixby, Finance and Economics major and President of the RIT Theta Chi colony, wanted to get in touch with me to bring me up to date. I told Karen I would get back to Ian, but have neglected to do so. Please, if you would, extend my apologies to Ian. Also, if the opportunity and inclination arise, feel free to expound on any of the points I mention in the paragraphs above.
I am sure a great time will be had by all this Saturday, with unforgettable memories the outcome."
Members of the the recently installed Iota Psi Chapter met with former RIT President Dr. Simone (Epsilon Theta/Tufts 1957) to thank him for his kind remarks contained in his letter read at their installation banquet.
Awards were also presented to the following brothers during the banquet:
- Most Active Brother -- Austin Gardner
- Pham / Sprockett Award -- Ian Bixby
- Assisting Hand Award -- Max De Sousa
- Senior Award -- Pete O'Neal
- Athletic Award -- Jordan Lichstsinn
“RIT in itself is a unique learning experience,” said Iota Psi Marshal, Austin Gardner. “RIT in general is co-op learning, so students often take a semester off to do an internship at a company in their respective fields. This year we had 14 brothers co-op in both the fall and spring semesters at companies such as General Electric, Honda, Wegmans, etc.,” he said.
“We are a group made up of individuals, not individuals defined by our group,” said Brother Austin Bartlett.
“It’s impossible for me to sum up what my brothers and Theta Chi means to me in a single quote,” said Gardner. “Every single one of my brothers helps me in some way become a better man every day. The future is bright for our new chapter, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together,” he added.
Sr. Director for External Relations JD Ford commented, “The day was special for me. Taking the initial phone call to start Theta Chi at RIT and to watch them receive their charter was just absolutely amazing. Many ups and downs, but their story is about persistence…to keep pushing on. I am so proud to call these men brothers.”
National Marshal Tait Martin shared, "The thing that stood out the most for me was the large number of parents and university supporters who came to the banquet to celebrate the new chapter. A fire was lit that day in Rochester in the true spirit of Theta Chi and Iota Psi Chapter is primed for a strong future at RIT."
National Marshal Tait Martin (l) with Iota Psi/RIT's first President, Ian Bixby (r).
As the chapter moves forward, they have set some pretty high goals for themselves, such as winning the Alter Award, the highest award for chapters in Theta Chi fraternity, and the RIT President’s Cup for the best Greek group at RIT.
Iota Psi Chapter will continue to be led by the members of their chapter advisory board:
- Mike D'Arcangelo (Zeta Lambda/Westminster 1978), Alumnus Advisor
Eric Williams, Health and Safety Advisor
Reginald Rogers, Academic Advisor
Greg Van Laeken, Financial Advisor
Congratulations to our new brothers of Iota Psi Chapter!
Notes of congratulations and encouragment can be sent to Chapter President Ian Bixby.
You can visit Iota Psi’s website: thetachirit.com and you can also
find them on Facebook by clicking here as well as
on Instagram: @Theta_Chi_RIT
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university located on 1,300 acres in suburban Rochester. Founded in 1829, RIT has nine colleges emphasizing career education and experiential learning. RIT also has international campuses in Easter Europe and Dubai. The student population at RIT Rochester campus comes from all 50 states and the current enrollment is about 18,000 students. RIT is home to 30 Greek organizations.