ETA GAMMA
University of Southern Illinois

FOUNDED ON
12.12.2015

LOCATION
Carbondale, IL

HISTORY
Coordinator of Expansion and Growth Beau Loendorf, Colorado State ‘11, began expansion efforts at Southern Illinois University in the fall semester of 2013. Fellow staff member Dylan Dunne, Grand Valley ‘10, provided follow up support later on during the expansion efforts. Fifteen men went through the Pledge Ceremony in November of 2014. Coordinator of Expansion and Growth Ryan Kolter, UW - Whitewater ‘12, traveled to campus to provide additional recruitment support and help bolster the group. The men were recognized as a colony in February of 2014.

The men of the Eta Gamma Colony had a cumulative 2.74 GPA in spring 2015. While this was above the required benchmark, the men made improvement in academic performance their top priority in 2015-2016 by developing a detailed plan to raise their GPA to 2.9 by the end of the academic year.

Eta Gamma Chapter was founded on December 12, 2015, in ceremonies in the Auditorium of the Southern Illinois University Library. Undergraduate Grand Councilor Sam Harris, Wayne State ‘12 and Oakland ‘13, presented the charter. CJ Graziano represented the Fraternity Staff. Zachary Rheinecker, Southern Indiana ‘04, gave the Alumni Address. Eric Secrist, Southern Illinois ‘14, was the Founding President. 

The Eta Gamma Chapter has participated in several social and intramural activities since fall 2013. The men have participated in flag football, volleyball and basketball. In the spring of 2016, the men won the prestigious Theta Xi competition with Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, a 65 year old variety show. In the spring of 2017, Eta Gamma won the Greek League Intramural Volleyball tournament. It is reported that consistently over 90% of their chapter either plays or attends the intramural events. As for social events, the men have hosted social events with several sororities on campus, most notably a Pajama Party with Delta Phi Epsilon in spring 2015.

In the summer of 2018, Eta Gamma secured a chapter facility at 505 West Main Street and is one of the largest on campus. It houses 15 men throughout the year. The home is compiled of nine bedrooms with four bathrooms and two kitchens.

CHAPTER AWARDS
Records show award name and year(s) received.