On December 3, 2021, Phi Delta Theta formally inducted the Florida Theta Emerging Chapter at the University of Tampa (UT). Originally founded in 1979, Florida Theta has initiated 440 men into the chapter but has not had an undergraduate presence on campus since 2003. Phi Delta Theta is very proud to return to UT with a rapidly growing thirty-two-man group that is searching for enhanced meaning in their college experience and lasting connections beyond.
The Florida Theta expansion project was spearheaded by Phi Delta Theta Recruitment Specialist Matthew Theut, Arizona ’21, throughout the fall term. The circumstances of the past year-and-a-half left students yearning to make up for lost time during their undergraduate years. What they found in Phi Delta Theta was an organization dedicated to their growth and development. Committed to upholding a safe environment to develop future leaders, the Florida Theta Emerging Chapter will become an incubator for future professionals at the top of their field.
With bonds forged in the sweltering Florida humidity, the Florida Theta founders sought wisdom and camaraderie from each other as they individually bought into the Phi Delta Theta vision. Possessing a strong outlook on the future and buttressed by plenty of upperclassmen leaders paving the way, Florida Theta has developed a high probability for sustained future success. When asked to recap the semester in one word, Theut stated, “family.”
The founders are supported by an engaged group of Florida Theta alumni who attended meetings, provided guidance, and offered financial support to the emerging chapter as they developed. Chapter Advisory Members Brian Malison and Dean Koutroumanis guided the induction ceremony and provided the founders with a strong welcome to the organization.
The Florida Theta Emerging Chapter of Phi Delta Theta now joins a strong Greek community at the University of Tampa and hopes to immediately contribute to its success.
Phi Delta Theta congratulates the founders of Florida Theta and looks forward to championing their efforts toward installation as a chapter.
