On March 17th, 2010, two gentlemen by the names of Stephen Nunez and Aaron Bethencourt visited the Epsilon chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, and, for the first time, saw what it truly meant to be a part of Greek life; they experienced a true brotherhood. Lazaro Rodriguez, a good friend and initiated brother of the Epsilon chapter, convinced them to start something new at FIU – this is how the idea was born to start something that would change the face of Greek life at FIU.
The first three founders of the
Iota Omicron Chapter
(From left to right: Aaron Bethencourt, Stephen Nuñez, Adrián Espinosa)
With the help of Brother Lazaro Rodriguez and Phillip Burns, from International Headquarters, we began the process to start a new Fraternity on campus. Soon after, a man by the name of Jonathan Fernandez, an alumnus from the Tau chapter at University of Florida, came into the picture. He came to us and said, “I will help you only if you promise to be the best.” From then on, he helped us in many ways like a true Theta Chi, extending a helping hand.
Brother Jonathan Fernandez (Middle; Tau Chapter) during Theta Chi at FIU’s colonization ceremony
Brother Stephen Koch, from the Epsilon Zeta chapter, having just transferred to FIU, heard of our plans and has extended a helping hand ever since, implementing a New Member educational program that has broadened our view of what Theta Chi truly stands for.