Members of Iota Phi Theta fraternity, the latest to be included into the National Pan-Hellenic Council, celebrated their one-year anniversary as a fraternity on Ball State's campus Sunday.
Juniors Jarrod Dortch and Richard McClelland, who became members on March 3, 2001, and junior Brandon Smith, who joined the fraternity on Aug. 5, have been friends since their freshman year. McClelland said their year as a fraternity forced the brothers to mature quickly and accept the challenges responsibility carries.
"When we came here we didn't have any older fraternity brothers to really guide us," he said. "We had to grow up really fast."
Smith said he gives much credit to Dortch and McClelland for having the motivation to start something new.
"They laid the foundation," Smith said. "They stuck it out through all the adversity."
Robert Turning, assistant director of Leadership and Service Programs, said he is pleased with the efforts of the fraternity.
"They bring a lot of new ideas to the greek community," he said. "They're just as concerned with the entire (National Pan-Hellenic Council) as they are with their chapter. They want the whole community to succeed as well as themselves."
According to McClelland, the fraternity has accomplished much during its first year.
He said, however, their efforts did not go unnoticed.
"Even though we're small in numbers our presence does not go unaccounted," Dortch said.
As a new fraternity, the main goal of Iota Phi Theta was to make a positive impact not only on Ball State but on the community as a whole, McClelland said.
Along with their triumphs, however, have come minor setbacks, and there is still room for improvement, McClelland said.
"We don't get the same respect other organizations get for doing the same work," Smith said. "A lot of people thought it was a joke at first, and now they realize we're going to be here and we're going to make an impact."
Dortch said there were a few negative reactions, but the fraternity generally received a high degree of support from faculty, staff and students.
"Luckily, several members of different organizations looked beyond our differences and extended a hand in helping us develop," Dortch said. "Many times we felt overwhelmed, but there has always been someone to help us get through it."
The fraternity members want to continue its progress in Ball State and Muncie, help bring positiveness to the greek community and add some diversity.
"It's been the same routine for so long," Dortch said. "It's time to shake things up a little bit."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
