In the fall of 2011, when a group of students formed a local fraternity, Kappa Alpha Beta, at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., they knew it would be a temporary step before affiliating with a national fraternity. In the span of a year and a half, the group became a formally recognized interest group, and then a colony, and then reached their goal of receiving a charter from the Grand Chapter.
On Saturday, April 6, 2013, over 30 undergraduates and alumni members of SPSU Colony were initiated into the brotherhood of Theta Chi Fraternity. The Installation Ceremony was held at 10 a.m. at Powers Ferry United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ga. National Counselor Joseph Couch, Chi/Auburn 1996 served as the installing officer. Past National President Jim McEachern III, Beta Psi/Presbyterian 1982 was also on hand.
In attendance were: Theta Chi Counselor and Colony Advisory Board Chairman Joshua Wilson, Delta Kappa/Ball State 2003, and fellow Counselors James Black, Gamma Rho/Florida State 2008, Jarid Ison, Theta Epsilon/Kennesaw State 2006, and Dan Wheeler, Theta Epsilon/Kennesaw State 1998. Director of Member Service Joel Wendland, Zeta Beta/Adrian 1996 and Leadership and Education Consultant, Jeffrey Draluck, Epsilon Zeta/Tampa 2012 represented the International Headquarters staff.
“The Gentlemen of SPSU have been working hard to reach their Chapter status,” said Josh Wilson. He added, “With the highest GPA on campus, multiple campus leaders like RA's and club Presidents, they are starting to be a young powerhouse on campus.”
LEC Jeffrey Draluck thinks the gentlemen of Theta Chi are the best the campus has to offer. “They have a certain drive about them. They are a diverse group that is in it for the right reasons and want to continue to grow and be the best chapter and men on their campus.”
Founded in 1948 as The Technical Institute in Chamblee, Ga., Southern Polytechnic State University endured two more name changes – Southern Technical Institute in 1949, Southern College of Technology in 1987—before becoming Southern Polytechnic State University in 1996. The university is located 203 acres of naturally wooded landscape in Marietta, just 20 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, and has a student population of 5,500.