Delta Chi celebrates national award

Four years ago, a group of 44 men shared a common goal — bringing Delta Chi back to the IU campus.

Now, the chapter has been recognized nationally as the Most Improved of Delta Chi’s 135 chapters in North America for 2010-11, according to a press release.

“It really is a testament to what a group of individuals can do if they’re all striving toward the same goal,” current Delta Chi President junior Willy Hernandez said. “The traditions and values that began with that first group of founding fathers have been instilled into every single brother in our fraternity today.”

The IU chapter lost its charter in 2002 following a beating amongst members of the fraternity. The fraternity members were forced to vacate the premises and Delta Chi was officially suspended for at least a year after the incident.

In 2007, the 44 IU students joined together to form a Delta Chi colony, meaning they had the potential to be chartered once again should they meet certain criteria. A charter was granted in 2009.

“This fraternity continues to amaze me,” Founding Father senior Will McDermott said.
“From the time I became involved — when Delta Chi was a dream of 44 hopeful students four years ago — to now, there have been so many times when common logic said our dream was supposed to die, but we wouldn’t let it.”

Since the charter was awarded, IU’s Delta Chi chapter has rapidly re-established itself.
Last fall, the fraternity acquired a house, moving into the former Alpha Tau Omega house on Third Street.

The chapter continues to grow as well in terms of recruitment. IU’s chapter of Delta Chi currently has 90 members and 38 signed associate members.

“Our house’s growth has been a huge reason for our improvement over the past few years,” Vice President sophomore Ian Weber said. “In the past two years, our recruitment numbers have been ranked either the best or second-best in the nation for Delta Chi chapters.”  

He said the brothers of Delta Chi share a special connection that makes others interested in the chapter.

“Potential members recognize the unique bond we have here, and that is something I am proud to be a part of,” Weber said. “That bond is something I know will never change.”

The fraternity has also received achievement awards for alumni relations, advising and governance, finance and membership education.

“For all the work that so many have put into this brotherhood, it’s nice to have some recognition for the effort, both past and present,” McDermott said.