(Photo: Phil S. Randall, Alpha/Norwich 1885)
Theta Chi is pleased to announce the second round of 2012/2013 recruitment award recipients. The James M. Holland, Phil S. Randall and Henry B. Hersey awards were created to recognize and honor the Fraternity’s top recruiting chapters for the previous academic year. Eight chapters were present and recognized at the Awards Ceremony held during the Delta Class of Initiative Academy.
Phil S. Randall Success in Recruitment Award—
Presented to chapters that initiate 25 or more new members during the previous academic year
- Rho/University of Illinois—26 initiates
- Alpha Delta/Purdue University—35 initiates
- Alpha Iota/Indiana University—33 initiates
- Beta Alpha/UCLA—36 initiates
- Beta Delta/Rutgers University—40 initiates
- Gamma Xi/San Jose State University—27 initiates
- Delta Phi/University of North Texas—30 initiates
- Eta Omega/CSU-Chico—40 initiates
Psi/Wisconsin, presented with the Randall Award during the Gamma Class of Initiative Academy, also had a representative present at Delta Class.
Winners were determined based on the total number of newly initiated members according to the International Headquarters files between May 15, 2012 and May 15, 2013. All active chapters are eligible for consideration for one or more of these honors.
Additional winners of recruitment awards such as the Holland Award and the Hersey Award, along with additional Randall Award recipients will be announced at each of the two remaining sessions of this summer's Initiative Academy. This is done in order to accommodate the unique format of The Initiative Academy. In doing so, the Fraternity is able to ensure that a representative from each winning chapter is present to receive the award in person.
Theta Chi Fraternity's recruitment awards are named in honor of the undergraduate members who saved the Fraternity from extinction. In 1881, Theta Chi found itself with one undergraduate member, James Michael Holland. Holland did not quit, but struggled to find a solution. Fortunately for Theta Chi, one new cadet, Phil Sheridan Randall, felt strongly that Theta Chi was worth saving. Randall convinced his friend Henry Blanchard Hersey that they should become members of Theta Chi. Randall and Hersey approached Holland to join Theta Chi, and he agreed to initiate the two cadets, enlisting the help of local alumni. Randall and Hersey were initiated on Nov. 19, 1881, saving Theta Chi at Norwich University, and securing the future of the entire Fraternity.
Today, the Holland, Randall, and Hersey Awards recognize the recruitment efforts of Theta Chi chapters and their dedication to maintain and preserve Theta Chi Fraternity for the generations of brothers to come.