The Kappa Zeta Chapter of Theta Chi, a Greek fraternity here at the University of Arkansas, was awarded the Howard R. Alter Award for Chapter Excellence for the second year in a row. The award was announced Saturday, July 18, during the Theta Chi Chapter Awards Ceremony. Due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, the ceremony was held over a Facebook Live Premier, where members of Theta Chi tuned in internationally to view the presentation.

The Alter Award is Theta Chi's highest chapter honor and is traditionally presented at the fraternity's summer event. Since 1986, it has been awarded to chapters that have not only met, but exceeded the Fraternity's standards of excellence. It was created by a group of former field staff upon the retirement of Howard Alter as executive director of Theta Chi. Consideration for the Alter Award is based upon application and the chapter's performance in 14 categories of fraternity life, some of which are recruitment, scholarship programming, sacred purpose, the resolute man, and pledge education. The Alter Award may only be presented to those of the 156 active chapters. 

The Arkansas chapter was first colonized in December of 2016, and the group of men quickly grew into a prominent face in the community after chartering on Nov. 11, 2017, less than a year after colonization. The unprecedented growth was then followed by the brothers' excellence and determination leading to the chapter's first Alter Award in the summer of 2019 being awarded to one of the youngest chapters ever. The Kappa Zeta chapter has and strives to continue to focus on academic excellence, leadership, recruitment, their sacred purpose, and offering an assisting hand to those in need in their community. 

The Theta Chi's at the University are dedicated to reach this same tier of excellence year in and year out. Even with the ever changing environment we live in today, this group seeks to hold itself to the highest of standards and has already begun working towards their goals for the upcoming year. They are always looking for impressive and qualified men to join their chapter, so if you or someone you know is interested in being a part of excellence, they are encouraged to reach out to President Jake Carter at ThetaChiPresident@gmail.com.

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 241 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 continues to champion 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.