Eta Mu Brotherhood Takes Center Stage at 2026 University of Findlay Homecoming
including the Collegiate Pledging Ceremony
University of Findlay Homecoming 2026 brought generations of Theta Chi brothers together for a memorable weekend of fellowship, Oiler pride, and celebration of the bonds that continue long after graduation.
Check out the pictures from Homecoming 2026
The University of Findlay welcomed alumni, students, families, and friends back to campus September 24–27 for its 2026 Homecoming and Family Weekend. For the brothers of Theta Chi Fraternity – Eta Mu Chapter, Saturday, September 26, provided another opportunity to demonstrate what has defined Eta Mu since its founding at Findlay in 1972: lifelong brotherhood and a continuing commitment to the University and one another.
New Collegiate Member Ceremony
Starting the Weekend with Purpose
The festivities started on Friday evening with the Fall pledge ceremony and the Eta Mu chapter welcoming five potential new brothers as pledges. They are as follows:
Samuel Byrd, Chillicothe, OH, Pharmacy
Blake Counts, Marysville, OH, Biology
Na'Khai Satterwhite, Dayton, OH, Accounting
Gary Valentine, Delta, OH, Biology (Pre-Med)
Leland Woeste, Morrow, OH, Finance and Business Analytics
The collegiate brothers, alumni, parents, and sisters of Sigma Kappa sorority were on hand to welcome the new pledges. The evening concluded over dinner together at the Beer Barrel Pizza restaurant.
Eta Mu Alumni Corporation Board meeting with Guests
Saturday began with the Eta Mu Alumni Corporation Board meeting, bringing alumni leaders together to discuss the ongoing work of the alumni organization and opportunities to support the collegiate chapter.
The meeting provided an opportunity to look beyond Homecoming and continue the work of strengthening the relationship among alumni, collegiates, and the University. With Eta Mu's 55th anniversary approaching in 2027, the conversation also reflected the importance of building on more than five decades of tradition while continuing to prepare the chapter for the future.
Lunch, Tailgating and Oiler Pride
Following the morning meeting, the focus shifted from business to fellowship as brothers gathered for lunch and pregame tailgating.
The University held its official Homecoming Football Tailgate Bash at Donnell Stadium before the game, providing a festive backdrop for alumni, students, families, and friends to reconnect. One of the highlights of the Tailgate Bash was the Eta Mu booth manned by collegiates to provide information about the chapter and Theta Chi Fraternity.
For Eta Mu, these informal moments are often what make Homecoming special. Alumni who may not have seen each other for months—or even years—were once again together, while collegiate members had the opportunity to meet and spend time with brothers representing earlier generations of the chapter.
Homecoming Football at Donnell Stadium
At 2 p.m., attention turned to the University of Findlay Homecoming football game, as the Oilers faced Northwood University at Donnell Stadium.
Theta Chi brothers joined the larger University community in supporting the Oilers and celebrating Homecoming. The game also provided a visible reminder of the connection between Eta Mu and the University of Findlay—a relationship that has now spanned more than half a century.
Ethan Lantz - 2026 Homecoming King
The brothers enjoyed the halftime performance of the UF band with brother Pearce Billock on drums. Adding special significance for Theta Chi, Eta Mu brother Ethan Lantz, a senior biochemistry major and past president of the collegiate chapter, was crowned Homecoming King of University's 2026 Homecoming Court.
The Brotherhood Continues at The Fern Cafe
The conclusion of the football game didn't mean the end of the day's activities.
Alumni and collegiate brothers continued the celebration with a get-together at The Fern Cafe, providing a relaxed setting to reconnect, share memories, tell a few old stories, create some new ones, and simply enjoy being together. The evening concluded with the brothers celebrating Octoberfest in downtown Findlay.
Across generations, the conversations reinforced one of Theta Chi's greatest strengths: membership does not end at graduation.
The weekend wrapped up on Sunday morning with the brothers gathering at the Reading Grounds coffee shop for stories about the weekend, sharing memories, and a warm "till-next-time" as the brothers head out.
Many Generations — One Eta Mu Brotherhood
Perhaps the most meaningful part of Homecoming wasn't any single meeting, meal, football game, or gathering. It was seeing alumni and collegiate brothers spending the day together.
Homecoming provided the opportunity for younger members to hear stories about Eta Mu's history while alumni learned more about today's collegiate chapter and its goals for the future. Those conversations help connect the chapter's past, present, and future.
Since 1972, generations of men have shared the Eta Mu experience at the University of Findlay. Each generation has contributed something different, but all share a common bond.
As Eta Mu looks toward its 55th Anniversary in 2027, Homecoming 2026 served as another reminder that our greatest legacy isn't simply the number of years the chapter has existed—it is the relationships created during those years and the willingness of brothers to continue supporting one another, the collegiate chapter, and our alma mater.
Thank you to every alumnus, collegiate brother, family member, and friend who joined us for Homecoming 2026.
We look forward to seeing even more brothers back together as we celebrate 55 Years of Eta Mu Brotherhood in 2027.
Alma Mater First — Theta Chi for Alma Mater.