After a major decline in membership, Theta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters staff, with support from local alumni, began the initial steps to rebuild the Alpha Rho Chapter at the University of Washington in December 2012. Director of Recruitment and Expansion JD Ford, Beta Lambda/Akron 2005 and Leadership and Education Consultant Joe Macko, Zeta Tau/UM-Flint 2012 flew to Seattle and met with local alumni, and campus administrators and discussed plans and strategies to rebuild the chapter.
In January of 2013, Joe Macko returned to UW and was joined by fellow LECs Matt Gillis, Beta Iota/Arizona 2012 and Scott Turk, Iota Beta/Missouri State 2012 and the three began the task of meeting and recruiting prospective new members. They obtained referrals for qualified students from UW Faculty, Sororities, Alpha Rho alumni and other Theta Chi members. The vision that the LECs shared with the potential recruits was a dream to revive and re-establish the Alpha Rho Chapter as well as to “redefine the fraternity man” at the University of Washington.
With assistance and support from local Alpha Rho alumni serving as advisers, the recruits became formal pledges and began to learn the history, traditions, ideals, and operations of the Fraternity. They also participated in several brotherhood building events to help them get to know each other. The men elected officers and began to renew the full operation of Alpha Rho Chapter.
On Saturday, April 6, 2013, 32 pledges were initiated into Alpha Rho Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity during a ceremony held at 7 p.m., at the Hotel Deca Grand Ballroom, in the heart of Seattle. Chapter Advisory Board and Alumni President CJ Bowles, Alpha Rho 2006, served as the President during the initiation and installation of officers ceremony. .
Theta Chi’s Executive Director Michael Mayer, Epsilon Phi/Central Missouri 2004 and Leadership and Education Consultant, Joe Macko was also present for the ceremonies.
"I'm beyond excited to now be able to call these fantastic young men my brothers,” said Macko. “They are so talented, driven, and exemplary. With hard work and perseverance, I am certain they will build a chapter of utmost excellence at the University of Washington while truly 'Redefining the Fraternity Man,'" he added.
The University of Washington, one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast, was founded in 1861 by a private gift of 10 acres in what is now the heart of downtown Seattle. The school struggled initially, closing three times: in 1863 due to lack of students, and 1867 and 1876 due to lack of funds. In 1895, the university relocated to its new campus on the shores of Union and Portage Bays. Today the university has a student population of 42,570 and is home to 32 fraternities and 17 sororities.