On Oct. 13, 2012, Theta Chi welcomed two new colonies to the Fraternity on opposite coasts, San Diego State University (SDSU) in San Diego, CA, and Towson University at Towson, MD.
On Saturday, Gamma Theta formally pledged 49 new members to Theta Chi at Andres Cuban Patio. National President Dick Elder, also a Gamma Theta alumnus, served as the presiding officer.
SDSU undergraduate Cody Rominger is credited with bringing Theta Chi back to the University. After speaking with National Vice President William Palmer, Rominger was introduced to other Gamma Theta alumni and was impressed by the brotherhood that Theta Chi had to offer. An honors student, Rominger began recruiting other members from the Honors College. Gamma Theta had been inactive since 2008.
San Diego State University, founded in 1897, is the largest and oldest university in the San Diego area. The college moved to its current location in 1930, and in 1960 it became part of the California State University system, and officially known as San Diego State University in 1970. Today the university has a population of more than 35,000 students, and is home to 45 social fraternities and sororities. Gamma Theta had been inactive since 2008.
National Secretary Joe D'Amore served as the presiding officer in Towson where 42 new members formally pledged to the Fraternity. The group came about after several members, who had been pledging a different fraternity at the time, withdrew their membership. Understanding what Greek life could provide in terms of academic, professional, and personal growth, they decided to try again. After depledging from their former fraternity, they began investigating other national organizations for a new fraternity. Ultimately they selected Theta Chi.
Founded in 1866, Towson University has encountered four name changes throughout its history Towson State College, State Teachers College at Maryland and Towson State University. With a population of more than 21,000 students, Towson is the second largest public university in Maryland. The university has one of the fastest-growing Greek systems in the Maryland system. It is home to 34 fraternities and sororities.