Xi Lights – April 2018

I hope all of you are doing well, and that the sting of the ‘Hoos opening-round tournament loss is wearing off. Since our last Xi-Lights during the holidays, the undergraduate chapter has completed yet another successful rush, resulting in 20 accepted bids from the next generation of Xi-men. The undergraduate chapter is thriving – see the Rush Update below for more details.

The board has also been hard at work. As I mentioned in the holiday newsletter, in 2018 we commemorate 50 years in our house at 600 Preston Place (Theta Chi was moved from Carr’s Hill to our current house in 1968). To celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to announce an extended Homecomings celebration during the weekend of October 12 – 14, 2018, in Charlottesville. In addition to our annual tailgate and the football game where UVA hosts Miami, we are also planning a special Friday cocktail party at the Paramount Theater on the downtown mall and other events throughout the weekend. Please see the Homecomings 2018 information below for planning details.

In addition to Homecoming, we are also planning our annual reunions weekends barbeque at the House the weekends of June 2 and June 9. You’ll find additional class information and other details below under Reunions Weekends 2018.

Since the beginning of the year, we have updated our website with the active support of the UVA Alumni Association, and we hope you enjoy the new look we’ve given Xi-Lights. Please visit our much-improved website at www.thetachiuva.com to stay updated on 2018 events, updates, and of course Xi-Lights.

---

Reunions Weekends 2018

On June 2 and June 9, 2018, we will host our 5th annual Reunions Weekend barbeques at Theta Chi for alumni celebrating their reunions. This is a popular and free event we host for returning alumni on Saturday afternoon before the reunion class dinners that evening. We’ll have barbeque and sides plus a selection of favorite beverages for alumni and their families. Click the link for class information and to RSVP to the barbeque.

---

Homecomings 2018
50 years at Preston Place

To commemorate our 50 years at Preston Place in 2018, we’ve put together an expanded Homecomings agenda for the weekend of October 12 – 14. Block this weekend, and start planning today – in addition to our annual pre-game tailgate at the house, on Friday, October 12 we’re planning a golf outing and evening cocktail party at the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall! Click the link for more information and a weekend planning calendar.

---

House and Grounds

We have a number of upcoming projects for the spring and summer.

• We are replacing the four front main level windows and plan to begin the project in May.
• The Willie Alexander Room was professionally painted in March and we will repaint the rest of the main level this summer.
• We are replacing the wall mounted sinks in the party room with durable pedestal sinks.
• We are evaluating replacing the main level flooring this summer if funds permit. Read more house projects here.

---

Spring Rush 2018 for Theta Chi was a massive success, leading to 20 new members being added to the fraternity.

Rush interest this year was very high, with over 400 students attending our Open House.

Following the Open House, we had a full Rush calendar that included cookouts and basketball watch parties, Top Golf in Northern Virginia, bowling, and a catered dinner at the Rotunda. After careful deliberation on new members, we delivered 25 bids and 20 new initiates accepted. See new members here. 

---

Fundraising & Financials

Thanks to your generous support, our 5-year annual fund campaign is driving capital improvements outside the scope of our 2013 renovation.

To date, over 160 alumni have pledged $155,000 to this annual fund with $118,000 already collected – the campaign ends at the end of this year.

Financially, the house is on solid footing. The undergraduate rent is adequate to fund our mortgage and operating expenses, ensuring our annual fund donations can be applied to capital projects. Read more here. 

---

In Remembrance of Mary Alexander

January 6, 1925 – March 15, 2018

Mary Alexander, widow of Jesse Willard “Willie” Alexander, passed away on March 15 at age 93. Mary’s service was held on March 31 and several Xi Chapter alumni attended and spoke at her funeral.

Many of us stayed connected with Mary for many years, well beyond Willie’s passing in 2009. We were able to serve Mary in a number of ways including monetary support from the Willie Fund that so many Xi Chapter alumni supported.

In a very real way, our contact with Mary helped sustain the loving memory of Willie and his significance in our lives. Read more about Mary here.