The Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at NDSU has won the Howard R. Alter, Jr. Award for Chapter Excellence from Theta Chi’s international headquarters for the third year in a row. The national honor is presented annually to active chapters that demonstrate excellence in areas such as scholarship programming, community service and philanthropic programming, alumni programming, ritual operations, campus involvement and public relations.
The Alter Award is the highest honor the fraternity bestows upon a chapter. Phi Chapter has received the award 11 times total since the award was created in 1985. This leaves Phi Chapter with more Alter Awards than any other chapter in Theta Chi Fraternity.
“Our members strive for academic excellence and also plan and participate in a number of events aimed at bettering the community and the men of our fraternity,” said Kyle Sebesta, a junior majoring in civil engineering and the Phi Chapter vice president. “The Alter Award is a great honor for Phi Chapter. It reinforces our efforts to become better men and serves as motivation to continue extending the helping hand to our community.”
Theta Chi is one of the oldest and largest men's social fraternities in North America with philanthropy being one of its greatest missions. Its members at NDSU have volunteered locally at the YWCA, Days of Giving, highway cleanup and the flood fight. This year, members are taking on a new challenge, hosting a Special Olympics to give more than 70 children an opportunity to compete. They also hope to raise money for the state organization. “We feel like this is an area in the community that deserves more service, and we are proud to be able to help,” Sebesta said.
For more information about the Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, visit www.phionline.org or contact chapter president Joseph Heruth at joseph.heruth@ndsu.edu.