Young Harris, GA Colonized

Young Harris, GA – On November 20, 2017, Theta Chi Fraternity established its most recent colony in Young Harris, GA. Looking to become the seventh chapter to be installed in the state of Georgia, the ceremony saw 20 men become pledges of Theta Chi.

Traditionally, Young Harris, GA has been home to mainly local fraternities. Out of the nine on campus, one is an international fraternity. The decision to try and affiliate with Theta Chi came about after members of the colony went through rush at Young Harris. Upon realizing the fraternities on campus weren’t the best fit for them, they decided to start their own fraternity. The first idea was to start an international fraternity to help the school grow as a whole and to give men another option on campus. They felt that the presence of another large fraternity would only benefit Young Harris’s already flourishing Greek life.

The next choice was figuring out which international fraternity to affiliate with. Upon researching numerous fraternities, and through multiple conversations with Director of Recruitment and Expansion Taylor Dahlem, the men felt that Theta Chi was the best fit. Looking through the ideals of the fraternity, they felt as though the Fraternity’s value of true friendship embodied their group and represented how they came together to begin this journey.

The colonization ceremony was held at the Towns County Recreation and Conference Center in Young Harris. The ceremony was presided over by Chief Operating Officer Ray Vanlanot and included assistance from Director of Recruitment and Expansion Taylor Dahlem, Field Executive Blake Whitley, and members from the Eta Alpha/Clemson Colony.

The banquet that followed was held at Brothers Restaurant at Willow Ranch. Attendees included those listed above along with Associate Professor of Art at Young Harris College Dr. Ted Whisenhunt (Beta Xi/Birmingham-Southern 1995), family members and girlfriends of the new colony members, and various members of Greek life in Young Harris, GA. Banquet speakers included Ray Vanlanot, Taylor Dahlem, Blake Whitley, and Colony President Gabe McConnell, who all spoke to their excitement for the road to a hopeful chartering in the near future.

“We are grateful and appreciative of all of the guests that were able to attend the ceremony,” stated Gabe McConnell. “The colony is excited to have this opportunity and looking forward to the road ahead.” The goals for the colony include doubling in size and installing within six months and to build a chapter that alumni of the Fraternity, and the campus, will be proud of.