INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity is proud to announce the initiation of our newest colony at the College of Charleston.

This fall, 24 men were initiated into the ZBT Brotherhood by Director of Organizational Growth Brian A. Hoffman, Sigma (Tulane University) 2009, Chapter Development Consultant Robert (Bobby) F. Smith, Delta Omicron (University of Tampa) 2017, and the colony’s advisory board.  This is the first time ZBT has had a group at the college.

“To be a Founding Father is an opportunity that is both uncommon and groundbreaking. To create an experience as opposed to joining one which has been around for years or decades shows we are capable of raising the standard. It’s unreal, there’s nothing quite like it,” Brother Traxler said.

Please welcome our 24 new initiates: Holden Armor, Class of 2021; John P. Astudillo, Class of 2021; Alexander P. England, Class of 2021; Andrew G. Godfrey, Class of 2021; Daniel M. Gray, Class of 2021; Charles B. Havens, Class of 2021; Robert O. Herbert, Class of 2020; Anthony E. Intrieri, Class of 2021; Benjamin S. Kanter, Class of 2020; Jordan T. Kochman, Class of 2020; John R. Long, Class of 2020; Tate C. Macdonald, Class of 2021; Angel G. Martinez, Class of 2021; Zachary B. Odessa, Class of 2022; Donovan J. Pate, Class of 2021; Joseph F. Rinaldi, Class of 2021; Kory G. Roberts, Class of 2019; Adam R. Robertson, Class of 2021; Ben D. Shamah, Class of 2020; Grant D. Stadler, Class of 2021; Alwyn B. Strange, Class of 2021; Tanner Tolson, Class of 2021; Philip L. Traxler, Class of 2019; and Spencer D. Wolmark, Class of 2021.

The colony is continuing to recruit additional men and is planning for a strong first year. ZBT legacies among the new group include Brother Charlie Havens, grandson of Jerry Ginsburg, Sigma of Phi Sigma Delta (Pennsylvania State University) 1962.

The ZBT family was represented at the Initiation Ritual by advisors Dr. Judd B. Adelman, Alpha Omega (University of Miami) 1992, Petar Lemajic, Zeta Epsilon (Pennsylvania State University) 1998, David J. Woodstein, Delta Iota (University of Central Florida) 2014, and Brothers Hoffman and Smith. We thank the staff and chapter advisors for their hard work and dedication in growing our organization both in new groups and within our existing chapters and colonies.

Also attending the public Pinning Ceremony were campus representatives including Carson Lance, Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life; sisters of Sigma Delta Tau, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa and Alpha Delta Pi sororities; students from Charleston Miracle; and friends of the new ZBT brothers.

“I am thrilled with the addition of Zeta Beta Tau at the College of Charleston. Not only does this organization provide a unique experience for its members, but it has a well-positioned opportunity to lead the Interfraternity Council community in the prevention of power-based violence, hazing and bias-related incidents,” FSL Assistant Director Lance said. “In addition, I am thankful for the flexibility and maturity of the ZBT staff members who had to pivot around Hurricane Irma and other unforeseen circumstances.”

ZBT looks forward to providing a safe, non-pledging option to the fraternity community that will benefit students at the College of Charleston who are passionate about our Mission. These men truly represent the ideals of our Fraternity and will make you proud to call them your brother. Follow the colony on Instagram.

In addition, as the colony grows and additional undergraduates are recruited and become brothers of ZBT, it will be important that they be provided leadership training opportunities and academic scholarships. Leadership opportunities such as the Fraternity’s annual International Convention, the James E. Greer, Jr. Presidents Leadership Academy and Israel Advocacy Summit all help to better ensure a successful colony. One we can all be proud of. Academic scholarships will provide for brothers in need and make sure we attract and keep the best and brightest within our Brotherhood. Gifts in honor of the College of Charleston brothers may be made to the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation by visiting zbtfoundation.org/donate. Please complete the in honor tribute information section when making your gift.

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity was founded in 1898 in New York City as the world’s first Jewish fraternity, ZBT is a Brotherhood of Kappa Nu, Phi Alpha, Phi Sigma Delta, Phi Epsilon Pi and Zeta Beta Tau. ZBT is represented on 90 campuses across the United States and more than 140,000 undergraduate and alumni brothers in North America.