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Path to Colonization
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After being disappointed with another Fraternity’s recruitment event, Ryan Sokoloski thought of a way to change his college experience and life at Penn College. It was the summer of 2005 when he started contacting other fraternities and campus administration. He quickly realized that Sigma Pi Fraternity was the best choice.
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A group of about fifteen men was formed with help from some friends including Brian O’Donohue, Ian Thomas, Christopher Fariss, and Justin Kovaleski. Soon, the group was having structured meetings, participating in local community service events, and gathering for social and brotherhood activities. It was not long before numbers rose to thirty-four exceptional students and the group became an official colony on October 21, 2005. Past Grand Sage Frank Fryburg lead the induction ceremony with the help of Alan Moore, Province Archon Kevin Stone and George Siegel.
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Post Colonization
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Prior to the end of the semester, members participated in a Red Cross event to help advertise an upcoming blood drive and were also participating in many brotherhood events. Fundraisers were held to help with some of the financial burden. Members left for Christmas break with high ambitions and eagerness for the new year.
The New Year started with problems for the Colony. Many members had lost interest and other burdens dampened the spirits of its members. After a few weeks, membership dropped to twenty men and morale was very low. A boost by the colony’s Province Archon, Kevin Stone, kept the group together. Rush events helped membership jump back up to twenty-five men and many more were interested.
The colony’s President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Secretary all attended the Mid Year Conference in efforts to help educate themselves in leadership skills and bring new ideas back to the colony. Regular brotherhood gatherings continued the bonding of members. Hosting a Red Cross blood drive was completed with the help of the majority of the colony’s members and an ACE Project done at a park in the middle of off-campus housing helped spread great news about the new fraternity.
Our letters were worn around campus with pride. The colony acquired great success. Before the end of the school year, the colony initiated three more men, leaving the membership total at twenty-eight men for the summer. Overall, the losing of the members over Christmas break only strengthened the bond of its remaining members.
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Chartering
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Upon return from summer break, the colony recruited many men and reached its goal of thirty-five men that was required for chartering. The colony worked hard to meet its chartering goals, continuing to participate in many community service, brotherhood, and social events.
Finally, on November 18, 2006, the colony was chartered and became the Theta Phi Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl.
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