From 1991 to 1993, Theta Chi had attempted to establish a colony on a campus in San Marcos, TX known as Southwest Texas State University. Unfortunately, the timing just wasn't right and the colony didn't achieve the requirements for installation.
Flashforward 20 years:
In 2011, after hearing about Theta Chi from a member at Sam Houston State University, Roman Peterson decided Theta Chi was the fraternity for him. He soon started talking about the fraternity with friends about the prospects of bringing Theta Chi Fraternity to what was now known as Texas State University. Soon an interest group was formed, and in 2011 the group petitioned to become a colony of Theta Chi. In April 2012, Texas State Interest Group became Texas State Colony.
Despite numerous challenges and obstacles, the men secured campus recognition and membership in the IFC. The colony worked to help reform Greek Life at Texas State University by participating in community events like the Bobcat Build and the San Marcos River Clean-up. They were also active in campus events winning Greek Week and placing first in the Spirit Award in 2013. They placed second during Greek Week in 2014, were the winners of the Greek Knowledge Bowl in 2014, and won the Greek God competition two years in a row.
On May 31, 2014, 41 pledges were initiated into Iota Upsilon Chapter during a ceremony held in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom on the Texas State University Campus. National Marshal Tait Martin was the installing officer and was assisted by National Chaplain Doug Miller. The International Headquarters staff was represented by Senior Director of Development, Philip Thornton, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Expansion, Joe Macko, and former Leadership and Education Consultant, Jason Howeth. Counselor Clarence Frank, Jr. was also in attendance.
Brothers from other chapters were also in attendance: Spencer Cardwell, Epsilon Tau/Stephen F. Austin State 2017, Kevin Silva, Theta Kappa/Texas Tech 2016, Philip Spaulding, Delta Phi/North Texas 2011, Timothy Rye, Theta Rho/McNeese State 2010, James Puglisi, Beta Chi/Allegheny College 1984, Donald Hawkins, Theta Eta/Sam Houston State 1989, and Rayburn A. Fulks, Delta Phi/North Texas 1963. Richard Gassman, Delta Phi/North Texas 1980, pinned his son, Tim Gassman.
Alumnus initiates included Iota Upsilon Faculty Advisor Corey Wheeler, a Residence Director at Texas State and Mark Chambers, father of Iota Upsilon initiate Marshall Chambers,
“As the President who finally got Texas State Colony to installation I feel elated and honored,” said Chapter President, Travis Medlin (2015). “While many credit me with the entire thing, I cannot take credit for all of it. My past two predecessors, Founding President, Roman Peterson (2014) and Reese Swincher (2013), laid the foundations that I built upon. Truly it was the effort of all our brothers and the help of local Alumni and the National Fraternity that got us to this great moment,” he said.
A luncheon followed the ceremony at Railyard Restaurant. Chapter President, Travis Medlin and Founding President, Roman Peterson, both spoke briefly about the achievements of the colony and how far they had come in the past couple of years. Jason Howeth, Tait Martin, Doug Miller, Ray Fulks, and Joe Macko all said a few words as well.
“The strides made by our men at Texas State over the past year have been nothing short of outstanding,” said Joe Macko. “In the face of adversity, they worked tirelessly to overcome multiple obstacles and achieve their goals. I am proud to finally be able to call them my brothers,” he continued.
Located in San Marcos, Texas, Texas State University was established in 1899 as Southwest Texas State Normal School. The school opened its doors in 1903 as a teaching school with 303 students, and has since grown to the fifth largest university in Texas with more than 34,000 students. In 1930, Texas State’s most notable alumnus, President Lyndon B. Johnson, graduated from what was then known as Southwest Texas State Teachers College. The university underwent two more name changes before becoming Texas State University in 2003. Texas State University is home to 21 fraternities and 12 sororities.