Theta Chi Wins Prestigious National Award for Third Time posted 7/23/09
Zeta Beta chapter at Adrian College receives The Howard R. Alter Jr. Award

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College Zeta Beta chapter of Theta Chi was awarded The Howard R. Alter Jr. Award on Saturday, July 18, 2009. The Howard R. Alter Jr. Award was created in 1984 and is presented to Chapters of the Theta Chi fraternity who display excellence in all areas which include Ritual, Scholarship, Recruitment, Philanthropy/Community Service, Finance, Standards, Social Events, Brotherhood and Chapter Involvement. This is the highest honor which the fraternity can bestow upon a chapter.

Rob Magyar, vice president of Adrian’s chapter, and Mike Miller, the chapter’s secretary, were both present at the conference on Saturday and accepted the award on behalf of the entire fraternity.

“This award is named after Howard R. Alter Jr., a man who lived the ideals of Theta Chi until his death in May of 2009,” said Miller. “This was the first time the award was presented without Mr. Alter present.”

Eight chapters out of 130 across the United States were presented the award at the Chapter Leadership Conference at Villanova University. This conference is held annually by Theta Chi IHQ and the Grand Chapter for members of all Chapters of Theta Chi fraternity who demonstrate or are interested in leadership qualities and improving upon thus.

“Our chapter has been working extremely hard and has devoted ourselves to winning this award,” said Magyar. “We initiated 19 new brothers into our fraternity, started up our annual philanthropy, ‘Walk for HOPE’, where we raise money for the HOPE center in Adrian, and have the highest GPA of all fraternities on campus to name a few things that we have done. We strive to be true gentlemen and live by the law of the helping hand.”

Magyar went on to comment on the legend of Howard R. Alter Jr. and what he strived for.

“He will always be remembered for all the work that he did for our fraternity, and for his friends and family. He often said, ‘a glorious past is ever telling of friendship that shall never die; within us peace and union dwelling while honor crowns the Theta Chi.’”

Theta Chi at Adrian College celebrates its 45th anniversary on campus this year. The Zeta Beta chapter has won this award three times in the last 10 years, an accomplishment only six chapters can claim. The other five chapters are from Division I and II schools, leaving Adrian as the only Division III school with this achievement.