After four years without an official recognition, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity is regaining its status as a chapter.

The fraternity had its charter taken away in 2004 because “some of the guys weren’t acting Phi Del. material” said Zac Sarcyk, Phi Delta Theta president.

The chapter has been in colony status, meaning they have only 25 members, just shy of chapter status, which is 35 members, among other requirements.

Their initiation ceremony will be held tomorrow at the Masonic Temple on West Main Street in Kent and will be open to members of the organization. Later, members, along with alumni and other chapters, will celebrate their newly acquired status with a formal dinner at Tangier restaurant in Akron.

Sarcyk said they are glad to once again have official recognition for their chapter.

“It really is exciting being able to really get the meaning out of being a Phi Del,” Sarcyk said.

“It’s an exciting leap they can now make,” he said. “Brotherhood’s something we hold very sacred here, and I believe that’s something they want to be a part of.”

For some students, it’s been a long, hard journey.

“For me it’s definitely been a rough trip, when I pledged in the fall of 06 we didn’t have many guys, no house and no alumni support,” said senior justice major Jeff Kowalski. “I came in as a sophomore and had to immediately go out and recruit guys – it was a lot of pressure to put on me but I did it, and I’m glad I did because these are great guys.”

Other members are pleased to finally see change.

“You put a lot of time and work into it,” said Johannes Benninghoff, Phi Delta Theta secretary. “It’s good to see all the hard work pay off.”

Contact Greek life reporter Elizabeth Rothman at [email protected].