Theta Chi’s Iota Beta Chapter at Missouri State University was named one of four recipients of the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s Chapter Award of Distinction. The NIC will present the award at its annual meeting on April 22 in Washington, D.C.
The Chapter Award of Distinction recognizes “the undergraduate chapter which is highly functioning in compliance with NIC Standards, seeks to educate others about the benefits of a values based fraternity experience, and works to maintain a healthy relationship with their inter/national organization.” This is the second time since 2008 that Iota Beta has received the award.
Installed on Nov. 13, 1999, Iota Beta is one of Theta Chi’s most consistently high-performing chapters. It is a nine-time recipient of the Fraternity’s most prestigious chapter honor, the Howard R. Alter, Jr., Award, including six consecutive wins since 2006. For the 2010/2011 academic year, the chapter earned the No. 1 GPA among MSU’s 16 fraternities for both fall and spring semesters. In the fall 2011 semester, Iota Beta initiated 35 new members, the third-largest new member class for that semester.
NIC President and CEO Pete Smithhisler commended the award recipients and nominators saying, "The Awards of Distinction allow the NIC to recognize outstanding achievement and to publicize best practices among its members. This year, we had many qualified nominations and we are proud to honor these individuals and chapters for their accomplishments.”
The other chapters being honored at April’s meeting are:
- Alpha Tau Omega- Theta Nu Chapter, Baylor University
- Kappa Delta Rho- Beta Gamma Chapter, Christopher Newport University
- Sigma Nu- Mu Chapter, University of Georgia
Also receiving recognition in April is former Theta Chi Executive Director and CEO Dave Westol, who is to receive the NIC Gold Medal, the interfraternity world’s most prestigious honor.
Founded in 1909, the North-American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 75 international and national men's fraternities. Through advocacy, collaboration, and education the NIC works to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environment conducive to their success.