Alpha Theta Chapter

Alpha Theta Chapter (Founded 11 March 1990; Reactivated 17 April 2006) is located at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Chapter was founded by David Eshelman, Sigma Chapter Alumnus. The Chapter went inactive in 1999 but was reactivated in Spring 2006. The Chapter is a member of the East Region.

Alpha Theta Chapter Inductions, Spring 2011

Chapter History

Inactivity

Recruitment always posed a challenge for the chapter. As membership numbers dropped the challenges increased. In 1999 the chapter did not register as a student organization with the university making it too difficult to operate. The chapter went inactive later that year.

ReColonization

Alpha Theta was recolonized in Spring of 2006 with the help of David Rosengrant, (Chapter Advisor). Paul Turchin, (Alumni Advisor) along with the help of Alpha Iota, later helped strengthened the foundation of the Alpha Theta Chapter. They welcomed the Tau class at the end of the Fall 2006 semester, and Upsilon in 2007. The colony class' hard work paid off immediately for the chapter as they were recognized as one of the top chapters at the school's annual "Greek Awards". Today they are working to build not only the Chapter, but also to establish themselves in the Rutgers community; as well as provide the same dedication to service throughout not only the New Brunswick area, but globally as well.

The Phoenix

The chapter's official mascot is the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythical creature which symbolizes the recolonization of the chapter because of its connotations concerning "Rising From the Ashes". Today the Alpha Theta Chapter continues its' rise as it gains in not only membership, but the quality and quantity of their events, as well as the general spirit of their Brotherhood.

The Active Chapter

Today, the chapter operates under the guidance of the Executive Board as well as the nine committees (the Executive Council guided by the Vice President) that plan events that help foster the growth and development of the chapter either through gaining members or embracing tripod ideals. The chapter is entering its sixth full year since its reactivation in Spring 2006. Since the colony's induction in Spring 2006, there have been 12 classes (Tau through Alpha Zeta). The membership of the Brotherhood after the graduation of some Brothers in May 2012 is currently around 40 Brothers including those who are inactive. The chapter continues to make strides to growth amongst the Phi Sigma Pi nation, the Alpha Theta ranks, and the Rutgers community through events, recognition, and improvements.

Despite previous issues with numbers in recruitment, despite such a large campus, Alpha Theta has found its stride and made a name for the Chapter on campus. As of the end of the spring semester in 2012, potential Recruitment candidates are reaching out to the Executive Board for the Fall 2012 semester, asking when informational sessions will begin and how to increase chances of receiving a bid.

Executive Board

Past Alpha Theta Executive Boards

2012-2013 Executive Board

• Erica Hinson, President
• Salome Zangaladze, Vice President
• Ariane Seto, Corresponding Secretary
• Arthur Reyes, Recording Secretary
• Cait Fuller, Treasurer
• Bryce Gibbons, Initiation Advisor
• Alizea Romero, Recruitment Advisor
• Lauren Galda, Parliamentarian
• Hannah Johnson, Historian

• Elizabeth Walsh, Alumni Advisor (Alph Theta}

Committee Chairs of Alpha Theta

Scholarship Chair

Maryann Andrews (2006-2007)

Tanisha Northcutt (2007-2008)

Jenny Tran (2008-2009)

Anano Zangalzade (2009-2010)

Brittany McGovern (2010-2011)

Yuli Noah (2011-2012)

Becky Choi (2012-2013)

Service Chair

Meredith Graban (2006-2007)

Michael Covin (2007)

Alice Lee (2007-2008)

Krishna Sangani (2008-2009)

Dave Frank (FA 2009)

Ana Avila (SP 2010)

Nancy Misunguzi (FA 2010)

Kinza Akhunzada (SP 2011)

Alycia So (FA 2011)

Ana Avila (SP 2012)

Khalia Goodwin (2012-2013)

Social Chair

Hailey Rassas Bastelli (2006-2007)

Danielle Chimento (2007-2008)

Ash Kulkarni (FA 2008)

Kira O'Brien (SP 2009)

Julia Simon (2009-2010)

Rita Deng (2010-2011)

Hannah Johnson (2011-2012)

Colleen Grimes (2012-2013)

Fundraising Chair

Faby Tony (2006)

Amanda Steeber (2006-2007)

Rachel Mikida (2007-2008)

Lateera Mosley (2008-2009)

Ali Tate (2009-2010)

Julie Burak (2010-2011)

Rachel DeSalvo (FA 2011)

Cait Fuller (SP 2012)

Ximenda Conde (2012-2013)

Public Relations Chair

Bervely Victorin (2006-2007)

Robert Cavezza (2007-2008)

Lara Aunio (2008-2009) (prior to Fall 2009, Public Relations and Alumni was one committee)

Sabrina Strauss (2009-2010)

Amanda Daghli (2010-2011)

Katie Grimes (FA 2011)

Lauren Galda (SP 2012)

Andrew Hicinbothem (2012-2013)

Interchapter Relations Chair

Rachel Jean-Baptiste (2006-2007)

Neha Bhagat (2007-2008)

Frank Curley (FA 2008)

Jeffrey Myers/Melody Furnari (SP 2009)

Mike Swift (2009-2010)

Emily Risner (2010-2011)

Katie Grimes (FA 2011)

Katie Ruffer (SP 2012)

Veena Rathakrishnan (2012-2013)

Alumni Relations Chair

Bervely Victorin (2006-2007)

Robert Cavezza (2007-2008)

Lara Aunio (2008-2009)

Travis Nunziato (2009-2010)

Anano Zangaledze (2010-2011)

Cait Fuller (FA 2011)

Lauren Galda (SP 2012)

Megan McGlynn (2012-2013)

Spirit Chair

Kristine Cybulski (SP 2009)

Katie McGiness-Grimes (2009-2010)

Recruitment Chair

Vanessa Mattes (2006-2007)

Kira O'Brien (2007-2008)

Elizabeth McGonigle (2008-2009)

Kevin Apodaca (FA 2009)

Stephanie Carney (SP 2010)

Ashling McNally (FA 2010) (prior to Fall 2010, Recruitment Chair had been the Recruitment Advisor)

Rachel DeSalvo (SP 2011)

Initiation Chair

Kristine Nagle (FA 06)

Paulina Grabczak (SP 07)

Krystal Thorburn Farrell (2007-2008)

Michelle Derer (2008-2009)

Hillary Nicoll (2009-2010)

Stella Chu (2010-2011) (prior to Fall 2010, Initiation Chair had been the Initiate Advisor)

Recruitment Co-Chair

Bryce Gibbons (SP 2012)

Alexandra Garay (2012-2013)

Initiation Co-Chair

Heather Wilson (SP 2012)

Lindsay Capone (2012-2013)

Scholarship Co-Chair

Becky Choi (SP 2012)

Jazmin Garcia (2012-2013)

Service Co-Chair

Erika Lezama (SP 2012)

Christa Colinco (2012-2013)

Social Co-Chair

Erika Hinson (SP 2012)

Sydnee Weinberg (2012-2013)

Fundraising Co-Chair

Emmy Fletcher (SP 2012)

Karina Delgado (2012-2013)

Public Relations Co-Chair

Olympia Ida (2012-2013)

Interchapter Relations Co-Chair

Cole Rice (2012-2013)

Alumni Relations Co-Chair

Amanda Simmons (2012-2013)

Past Chapter Presidents

• Cindy Huang (2006-2007)
• Paulina Grabczak (2007)
• Michael Covin (2007-2008)
• Ramona Perry (2008-2009)
• Rachel Mikida (2009-2010)
• Gabriella Hudis (2010-2011)
• Katie McGinness-Grimes (2011-2012)

Initiate Classes

Main Article: List of Alpha Theta Chapter Initiate Classes

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

Alpha Theta celebrates the Chapter's founding each April with a Founder's/Parent's Day Celebration.

AIDS Awareness Week

Alpha Theta began AIDS Awareness week to do simply that: Create more awareness for AIDS and HIV among the younger generation, erase the stigma, and raise money for Alpha Theta's local philanthropy, the Hyancinth AIDS Foundation. Since the introductory week, AIDS Awareness Week has become a campus-wide event lasting typically four days, once a year. In the past, this week has traditionally been planned in the Spring semester. Each of the four days includes a variety of activities, which have included informational panels and discussions, free instant HIV testing, blood drives, bake sales, and more. Brothers and Initiates alike participate to make this event a success, and has helped Alpha Theta and Phi Sigma Pi become known across campus more as the years go by.

Fall Rush 2007

In Fall 2007, the Alpha Theta Chapter launched its "Reason for the Seasons - Rush Phi Sigma Pi" Recruitment Campaign. The Brothers discussed in depth what they were looking for in prospective candidates and the amount of Rushees they wanted to initiate (7-10). The Recruitment Committee planned a 2-week Recruitment with 4 information sessions at 4 out of the 5 Rutgers campuses, as well as 4 social events that reflected each of the 4 seasons; an Oktoberfest meet and greet with rootbeer etc, a Mardi Gras for the winter with a canned food drive for Katrina as well as mask making and Mardi Gras beads, a Spring Fling where prospectives could come throw frisbees etc with the Brothers, and an invite-only traditional Summer BBQ.

Spring Rush 2008

In Spring 2008, the theme was Just Rush It (like Nike's Just Do It). Like the Fall 2007 Rush, there were four information sessions on four of the five campuses. For the social events, there was Just Bet It, an event with games, Just Search It, an event like a scavenger hunt, and Just Play It, a day of just throwing around a football and having fun.

Notable Alumni

• Colleen Dougherty

Vice President of Chapter Development (1992-1994)

National President (2006-2007)

• Stephen L. Johnson

National Secretary (1990-1998)

Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

• 1992 Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award
• 1999 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2008 Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award
• 2008 Outstanding PR and Community Relations Award
• 2009 Outstanding Risk Management Award
• 2012 Best in Region Award
• 2012 Five Star Regional Conference for East Regional Conference

University Awards

• Chapter Excellence Award (2006-2007)
• Programming Achievement Awards (2006-2007)in the areas of: Academic Achievement, Chapter Management, Membership Recruitment

Other Awards

• year AwardName
• None to date

Further Resources

• Alpha Theta Chapter Website
• Alpha Theta Chapter Portal

In the News

• Fraternity aims to boost awareness of AIDS epidemic
• Students walk for literacy