Florida State University, Fall 2024 – On October 18th, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) officially established its newest colony at Florida State University. Throughout the past year, the founding fathers, national staff, and the university have worked together to make BYX a reality in Tallahassee.
In only 5 months, the university partnered with BYX to advance through the first three phases of establishing the colony, the fastest in the fraternity’s history. During the final months, the last two phases were completed: Expansion Week & Colony Initiation.
Expansion Week is a weeklong in-person training program provided by national staff that culminates in the formal initiation of a new BYX Colony. George Wall, Expansion Consultant said of the week, “The alignment with the founding fathers and the mission of BYX was a key ingredient to the success of this Expansion Week. They each showed up authentically to one another and to their collective vision.”
After Expansion Week, the colony was initiated by the Executive Director of Fraternity, Gabe McKinney, and a team of national staff. These 21 founding fathers received the gift of BYX for the very first time.
What does starting a BYX colony feel like? Xander Gunning, founding father, wrote on Instagram:
“A year ago, I sat in my dorm and wondered, ‘why do I have to abandon my morals and who Xander is to fit in here on campus?’ I wanted to be a part of a brotherhood-something bigger than myself, but I couldn’t find a solution.
That’s where I found BYX, and from there it was a testing process. From being told ‘no’ at first (by the university) when trying to get BYX on campus, to getting a ‘yes’ come next fall, there was a rollercoaster of emotions and a ton of hard work and prayer from everyone involved.
I just want to take time to thank my family and their friends for believing in me from the get go. There was never a moment where I doubted that there was someone in the corner of FSU BYX. The support was and still is overwhelming and I can feel it. Thank you for your prayers, thank you for encouraging me when it was hard and a seemingly lost cause, and thank you for never leaving my side.
Also, a huge thank you to the BYX national staff for the constant support, weekly phone calls, and the fact that they cared so deeply for not only a future BYX brother and president, but Alexander Gunning at the core. That’s a beautiful thing.
A year later, there is FSU BYX and 21 faithful guys that make up the strongest brotherhood on campus. I vow to live faithfully and lead these brothers courageously. It doesn’t end here, rather the Lord has so much more in store. Love all of you in BYX, supporting BYX, and those wanting to experience BYX.”
BYX advances forward faithfully and courageously.
