Phi Chi Theta fraternity introduced at USD

 

A new professional fraternity available to business students

Amy Inkrott/News Editor/The USD Vista

Throughout the past year, students within the business school have witnessed an ever-changing community. 

In the spring, the Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) fraternity was suspended as a result of a failure to comply with national regulations. This loss left Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) as the only professional fraternity available to business students. In order to foster a sense of community within the school, a group of students came together to start a new fraternity: Phi Chi Theta (PCT). Sophomore Helena Witiw expressed her excitement about being one of 21 students in the fraternity’s founding class. 

“I think that it’s important to get yourself involved in something on campus and that doing so helps to make your college experience more enjoyable,” Witiw said. “Being able to do that through a fraternity that will also be teaching me important life skills and allow me to help others to grow too is a dream come true. Joining Phi Chi Theta, to me, is an opportunity to help create something that will be beneficial to others, beyond myself.”

Built on the values of brotherhood, service, leadership, education, and diversity, PCT strives to prepare its members for life after graduation. The founding class of the fraternity is hoping to place an emphasis on the professional development of each individual.Members will be coached on building resumes, writing cover letters, public speaking, and preparing for interviews so that they will be equipped for a future career. 

“In the future I hope to have a job in politics, either through journalism or working on campaigns,” Witiw said. “Getting a job is getting more and more competitive, but… my skills and network will help me to get a job that I want after college.” 

The fraternity is also looking to establish a welcoming community among its members alongside of the professional aspects. 

“I hope to gain a community of friends that I can lean on and that can lean on me,” Witiw said. “I have already found that with the rest of the founding members, but I hope for it to grow with each new pledge class and for other students across campus to be able to have this sense of community too. The other founding members and I often hang out outside of our official meetings and can always reach out to each other if we need anything.”

Sophomore My Ly Nguyen wants her role as Vice President of PCT to provide her with the opportunity to place an emphasis on brotherhood among the fraternity’s members. 

“I want to be the go-to person for members who have questions, concerns, and ways to make Phi Chi Theta more successful,” Nguyen said. “I hope to forage strong bonds and friendships throughout my time in the fraternity.”

The founding class of the PCT fraternity hopes that the chapter’s future members will become well developed individuals, both socially and professionally. 

The fraternity spring rush will take place during the first week of February when it will welcome its first pledge class of USD students.