The History of the Gamma Mu Chapter

In December of 1989, a small group of individuals at Montclair State College(It was not a university then), organized a meeting in the hopes of creating a new fraternity on campus. Having been left dissatisfied with the fraternal choices at MSC, it was the intention to bring into being a fraternity whose standards and beliefs were higher than those organizations already established. During the Spring of 1990, the group petitioned several fraternal organizations for the opportunity to meet and discuss the potential for establishment of a chapter at MSC. Two fraternities were under heavy consideration, Sigma Chi and Theta Xi. After discussion and debate, Theta Xi was chosen due to it's beliefs and committment to excellence. Having been granted an interest group status by the Campus SGA, the Theta Xi interest group was born. In the following months, the organization rushed prospectives, increasing their number to 25 members. Following this task, Theta Xi National Fraternity established the interest group as the Montclair Colony of Theta Xi.

The following semester for the Colony was one which proved very trying and counter-productive. Internal problems seemed to crop up all too often: Brotherhood suffered, dissention occurred and pressure was brought to bear. The Colony was being torn at the seams, establishing a discernable rift in the fraternity. From this, two distinct groups formed: Those who believed in Theta Xi and expressed true brotherhood, and those who were not truly interested in Theta Xi, but rather the egocentric glory of their own creation. Unfortunately, it was the latter group which was in the majority. During the second week of March, through hearsay and undisclosed coversations, word spread of an uprising which would occur at the Sunday meeting, thus spliting the fraternity and causing calamity. In preparation of this event, those who stayed true to Theta Xi met behind closed doors in Blanton Hall Dormatory(Uncle Bob's Room) and discussed the events which were to occur at Sunday's meeting. Having discussed all possibilities, it was decided that at the beginning of the meeting we would ask those who wish to stay a part of Theta Xi to remain, and the rest to leave in an orderly and non-confrontational manner.

On March 17th, 1991 the meeting convened as usual, and it was clearly apparent what was about to occur. The room was split, with the supporters and opposition of Theta Xi on separate sides of the room. Carl Zeitz, Colony President explained the situation and requested that each person discuss their feelings about the situation and state whether they wished to remain a part of Theta Xi or not. Alex Ricardo, Gamma 1086, who served as the Colony's advisor, assisted in the proceedings. During the statements, the clan which opposed Theta Xi argued that they were dissatisfied with the current status and activity of the Colony, however it was these same individuals who neither contributed to nor advanced the organization at all. One disafilliate comented that he "Refused to participate" in the discussion that evening, but more importantly, it revealed the problem all along, the disaffiliates refused to participate in the organization itself. After each member stated their intentions, those who wished to leave were instructed to leave the room, while those wishing to stay, remain. Of the 24 members of Theta Xi, 15 members disaffiliated that night, leaving 9 who remained true to Theta Xi. The nine members which remained were:

Gamma Mu Brothers:

David Cohen (Gamma Mu 5)
David Cozzi (Gamma Mu 3)
Edward Daniel (Gamma Mu 4)
Gregg Spitzer (Gamma Mu 6)
Darryl Trowbridge (Gamma Mu 7)
Carl Zeitz (Gamma Mu 2)

Those who remained but are not Gamma Mu brothers were:

David Blacker
Scott Friedman
Russel Hymowitz

That evening marked the rebirth of Theta Xi National Fraternity at Montclair State, and has been appropriately named "Genesis Night".

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