Theta Chi Colonizes at Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego – Just west of downtown San Diego sits the Point Loma peninsula. It is a place that offers picturesque views given its location along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. This part of San Diego is where Point Loma Nazarene University sits, home to one of Theta Chi’s newest colonies.
What makes the Point Loma Colony unique is that the university currently doesn’t have any fraternities or sororities. Joe Bravo, the colony President, recognized the importance and value of the fraternity experience in developing men. Joe and several of his friends decided to take it upon themselves to be leaders and start the first fraternity on campus. These men realized that college can be a formative time for men, and that having a support system that a fraternity offers provides a commitment to the betterment of each other in academic, athletic, spiritual, and social life.
Joe and the other members of the interest group reached out to friends on campus to gauge their interest in starting the first fraternity on campus. Meanwhile, they also reached out to friends at other universities who were in fraternities. Theta Chi was one of the fraternities which they found multiple connections to. Upon researching the history and ideals of Theta Chi, the members realized it was a great fit to their aims and what they were looking for in a fraternity. “The values of true friendship and the usefulness of the Fraternity spoke to the vision that we had for ourselves”, stated Bravo. “The military background of Theta Chi appealed to many of our members as well. Three of our executive board members are currently apart of ROTC, and others either plan to or are considering a future in the military”.
Once the group amassed to ten, they reached out to Chief Operating Officer Ray Vanlanot about their interest in starting a new chapter of Theta Chi. After flying out to San Diego to meet with the men, Vanlanot recognized they were a great fit to help the Fraternity grow.
On April 2, 2017 the Point Loma Nazarene University Colony was officially colonized. The ceremony took place on the outdoor waterside veranda at the Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station hotel. The colonization was presided over by International Marshal Herb Morgan and saw 13 men become pledges of Theta Chi. Those in attendance included past International President Dave DeVol, Ray Vanlanot, Counselor Jim McMahon, brothers from Theta/Massachusetts, Eta Rho/Centenary (LA), Kappa Alpha/Spokane, and members from the CSU San Marcos Colony.
The banquet that followed was held at the Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station as well. Attendees included those that were at the ceremony as well as family members and significant others of the colony members. Dave DeVol, Ray Vanlanot, and Jim McMahon gave congratulations to the new colony members.
“What an impressive group of pioneering leaders,” stated Vanlanot. “Their impressive campus involvement, academic prowess, and willingness to foster a positive Greek experience at PLNU prove their worth to the campus.”
The men are involved with numerous clubs including Student Senate, Air Force ROTC, Naval ROTC, Young Americans for Freedom, Rugby Club, and Dive Club. Looking towards the future, the colony’s main goals include becoming formally recognized by the campus administration, have each member fundraise $250, and to raise the colony’s cumulative grade point average.
Located in western San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college that was founded in 1902 as Pacific Bible College in Los Angeles. The school moved to Pasadena, California before it settled on its currently location in 1973. Today Point Loma Nazarene is one of the preeminent faith-based liberal arts colleges and is home to approximately 3,500 full-time collegians.
