The Kappa Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, a registered student organization here at the University of Arkansas, won several awards, announced at the Theta Chi Theta Chi convention at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fraternity gets together every two years to elect new members to their grand chapter, discuss fraternity business, train brothers and alumni through its fraternity school of practices, and also to give out awards to outstanding chapters of Theta Chi Fraternity. For their first convention, the Kappa Zeta chapter was awarded two major honors for their work in the 2017-18 school year. Chapter President Jared Pinkerton and Recruitment Chairman Aaron Banuelos were there to represent the group.

The U of A group first colonized in December of 2016 and quickly got to work. After a period of historic and unprecedented growth, the group ended up earning their charter on Nov. 11, 2017, formally becoming the Kappa Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. Their hard work and dedication to building a chapter paid off. The brothers of the chapter excelled in all operations, putting a determined focused on practicing altruism, academics, recruitment, their sacred purpose, and offering the assisting hand to those in need in their community.

The group was formally recognized at the bi-annual international convention and was awarded two major honors. They were first awarded the Theta Chi Fraternity "Chapter Achievement Award" for the 2017-18 school year. This award is given annually to chapters that demonstrate distinction in chapter organization and operations in the most recent academic year. Specifically, the chapter was commended for "outstanding achievement" in 11 different areas, including: Scholarship Programming, Recruitment Programming, Pledge and Member Programming, Community Service and Philanthropy Programming, Alumni Programming, Ritual Programming, Internal Cooperation, Campus Involvement, Risk Management Practices, Social Programming, and the integration of the Resolute Man.

The group was also awarded the "Grand Chapter Scholarship Award" and the accompanying "Stanford Scholarship Trophy." The award is given annually to an active chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity that demonstrated the best scholastic record out of all chapters of the fraternity in the most recent academic year. The Kappa Zeta Chapter believes in their fraternity's motto "Alma Mater First and Theta Chi for Alma Mater." The chapter champions positive academic habits and their hard work has been rewarded by placing first in scholarship out of 161 active chapters across the North American Continent.

The Kappa Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi is far from done and are committed to returning to the convention in two years in an even better place than they are now. The chapter is always looking for impressive and qualified men to join their chapter. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the group, they are encouraged to reach out to Recruitment Chair Aaron Banuelos at abanuelo@uark.edu.

About Theta Chi: Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men's collegiate fraternity with more than 185,000 initiated members and has established 235 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity's mission. The Kappa Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi was established in 2017 and continue the positive benefits of Greek Life. Although they operate outside of their campus' Interfraternity Council, they are a member organization of the IFC's parent organization — the North American Interfraternity Conference. The group is a social and values-based fraternity at the University of Arkansas and is always looking for qualified men interested in being a part of the life-changing experience that is Greek Life.