Kappa Rho Chapter Installed at FAU

Sam recalled, "Our first contact with the interest group occurred on February 14, 2024. I met several men on the video conference who were interested in starting Theta Chi at FAU. Then a few weeks later, Shiraz Bardakjian, Cassius Caraguilo, Benjamin Cartwright, Chase Reyes, and Micah Titcomb attended the recolonization ceremony for Delta Epsilon/Miami (FL) on March 23, 2024, further deepening their connection with Theta Chi. The next day, I held an interest group meeting and discussed the next steps in the expansion process. Some of these men persevered and continued while others lost interest or walked away over the next several months."

Although initial efforts to launch the group before the summer were delayed, the Fraternity used that time to begin meaningful dialogue with university officials. Key campus partners, Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement Donald Van Pelt and Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life MaryBeth Lockwood, played instrumental roles in coordinating with IHQ staff. In early discussions with Donald, MaryBeth, and 2024 IFC President Jean Luma, it was shared that Theta Chi would be welcomed into the FAU IFC community, but its formal establishment would need to wait until January 2025. However, through continued collaboration and mutual understanding, Theta Chi established its Boca Raton Colony independent of official university recognition, with the understanding that it would formally join the IFC community at the beginning of 2025.

The group was officially colonized on October 26, 2024, during a ceremony presided over by International Marshal Steve Gonzalez and marked a significant milestone in the group's journey. Leading up to colonization, the group steadily recruited new members, and reached 44 men by the time of the ceremony. Throughout the fall, the colony remained active within the FAU community where permitted, focusing heavily on internal operations and sustained recruitment efforts.

On January 1, 2025, the colony was officially recognized by FAU's IFC. Immediately following this good news, the colony’s President, Vice President, Vice President of Health and Safety, Marshal, and Recruitment Chairman attended Theta Chi's January Leadership Training Conferences in Indianapolis. During these conferences, the FAU Colony's leaders learned more about the inner workings of Theta Chi as an International organization and as a fraternity and learned best practices for chapter operations.

After colony leaders returned from Indianapolis, the members of the FAU Colony held their first official rush week in hopes of bringing in new members. The members worked hard to program an engaging and dynamic recruitment schedule that highlighted the strengths, benefits, and opportunities of starting a new fraternity from the ground level. At the end of the rush week, the membership was able to add 20 new members dedicated to pushing the colony toward initiation and Installation.

Next, in February, the FAU Colony was invited to participate in the largest and most important IFC meeting, known as “the Parthenon,” where all fraternities and sororities gathered to discuss the upcoming semester. FAU's Greek community was able to see Theta Chi as leaders as the men of FAU Colony collaborated and participated. 

Five days following their installation, the men of Kappa Rho celebrated their very first Founders Day - Theta Chi's 169th. One day later, April 11, 2025, the men claimed victory during Greek Week:

"After an unforgettable Greek Week at FAU, we’re proud to announce that Team Theta Chi x Phi Mu x Phi Delta Theta has taken home the WIN for Greek Week 2025! Major shoutout to our amazing teammates — your energy, unity, and dedication made this victory possible. This was more than just competition — it was a showcase of what Greek life should look like: collaborative, driven, and full of pride. This is just the beginning. We’re excited to continue building!"