Theta Iota

Theta Iota is the University of Arizona, Tucson chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.

History

The following is a history derived from one written by members of Theta Iota Chapter:

1949-1985

The Theta Iota Chapter at the University of Arizona was founded in 1949. The petition to charter was submitted to the National Office on May 17, 1949. The Eta Eta Chapter at Arizona State University sponsored the U of A Petitioning Group. The group met the requirements set forth by the National Office and the Theta Iota Chapter was officially founded on November 8, 1949. The first president was Edwin C. Jones, of Buffalo, New York. He was a sophomore in Education at the time. Brother Jones later returned in 1956 as the chapter's advisory chair. A slight scandal involved the first member of the chapter, Benno W. Biesemeyer, who was removed from membership by chapter request on October 25, 1950. No facts are known on why this was done. This makes Gareth Hunt Black, formerly member #2, the first member of the chapter.

The chapter continued, as a small organization (compared to today) through the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Unfortunately, the chapter ran into some problems in the early 1980s. Its last pledge class was in Spring 1981. Their last major project was in sponsoring the recharter of Eta Eta Chapter on August 29, 1982. Their last member was Renée Hale Summers, member number #417. After struggling for a couple more years, the Theta Iota Chapter went Inactive in 1985 due to a "lack of member interest".

1994-95 Rechartering

The rebirth of the Theta Iota Chapter began in 1994. Steve Goldsmith, Section 2 Vice Chair and a graduate student at ASU, met a commissioner in the Teddy Roosevelt Council whose son was a student at the University of Arizona. Steve contacted the student, Matt Bafaro. Steve started asking Matt and his friends if they were interested in reviving the organization on campus. Matt and his friends were interested and in Spring 1994 the Eta Eta Chapter came down and did a service project with Matt Bafaro and Matthew Troth, a University of Arizona graduate student and APO alum.

In Fall 1994, the two tabled on the University of Arizona Mall. Matt Bafaro was able to recruit his friends and an interest group was formed. Stacey Tannenbaum, a grad student and alumni from Duke University, was appointed Sponsor of the Petitioning Group by Alpha Phi Omega. Stacey remained a chapter advisor throughout the rest of the 1990s. The rechartering effort was also boosted by Michael Tarle who helped lead the chapter for the first few years.

A petitioning ceremony was held in January 1995. The major project of that semester was Spring Fling, for which the chapter won an award. New officers were elected for fall, and Michael Tarle became Petitioning Group President. The petitioning group went on to meet the rechartering requirements set forth by the National Fraternity. The hard work was rewarded in November 1995 when the Theta Iota Chapter was officially recognized by the National Office.

1995-Present

The chapter remained rather small (20-40 members) from 1995 through 1999. Membership slowly grew to about 60-80 members by early 2001. Membership has exploded since 2001, and the chapter has become a very recognizable organization on campus. The chapter has participated in numerous service projects in the Tucson community. It has worked with organizations such as the Life Care Center of Tucson, Boys and Girls Club, Southern Arizona Aids Foundation, Special Olypics, Womens Shelters, and many other organizations.

As of 2006 they had around 150 active members and were one of the largest APO chapters in the United States.

External links

Alpha Phi Omega - Theta Iota Chapter