Lambda Chi Alpha
Florida State University • Zeta-Rho Zeta Alumni Newsletter
A Letter from Our High Pi
High Pi Bob Gerzel (ZP 879)
Greetings My Zeta Rho Brothers!
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bob Gerzel, ZP 879, and I am honored to be the current High Pi for our beloved Zeta Rho brothers here at Florida State. As most of you are aware, we returned to FSU in the Spring of 2025 and thanks to the amazing dedication and hard work of Randy Guemple, Doug Mannheimer, and Larry Lopez, we returned this Fall to our Warner Peacock Hall house in Heritage Grove! The Brothers and Associate Members have worked hard to make this our new home and have committed to filling both Warner Peacock Hall and Ron Hobbs Hall for next year so that we will have full, unrestricted access to both buildings and the common areas including the basketball court and courtyard.
I am looking for all local alumni to assist and support me with these fine young men. I am specifically looking for a local alumni to assume the High Pi (Alumni Advisor) role next fall and would welcome that support sooner than later. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this role, please have them contact me as soon as possible. Additionally, if any of you are in Tallahassee this year, please stop by the house and introduce yourselves to our new Brothers and Associate Members, they are truly an impressive group! I believe it is important that they see what True Zeta Rho Brotherhood is all about! Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions, comments, or concerns. GO NOLES!
In ZAX,
Bob Gerzel
Control Board Chair/High Pi
Florida State University
ZP 879
904-610-5102
bgerzel@comcast.net
Back Home at Heritage Grove
Alex den Boggende (ZP 2709) putting the letters back up at the house
In late August, the chapter moved back into our house at 1944 Heritage Grove Circle for the first time in 15 years. The letters are back up over the front door, and Zeta-Rho has a house to call home again.
We currently occupy Warner Peacock Hall, one half of the house, where 16 brothers are living this year.
We are now in the process of securing the leases for the other half, Ron Hobbs Hall, which has space for 45 more brothers.
Life at the House
Having our chapter house back has opened up a lot of opportunities for the chapter. Here is some of what it has made possible so far this semester.
We hosted a trivia night at the house with the sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi, with teams of brothers and sisters filling the tables in the chapter room.
Trivia night with Alpha Omicron Pi at the house
Brother Gary Huff (ZP 576), former Florida State quarterback, joined us at chapter to talk about what Lambda Chi Alpha meant to him. We are grateful to him for taking the time to come.
Gary Huff (ZP 576) speaking to the brothers at chapter
We have also been holding tailgates at the house for every home game, and each one has been more successful than the last.
Parents Weekend tailgate at the house
Thank you to all of the alumni who came to our Alumni Cookout at the house on Labor Day, September 7, before the Seminoles took on SMU. Coming so soon after we moved back in, it meant a great deal to have you there. The brothers loved getting to talk to each of you, hear about the chapter in your day, and show you the home we are building at Heritage Grove. We hope it is the first of many alumni gatherings at the house, and our door is open any time you are in Tallahassee.
Fall 2026 Rush
If each of these associate members reaches initiation, our brotherhood will stand at 93 brothers.
All Fraternity Revue with Pi Beta Phi
In past semesters, the chapter entered several sorority philanthropy competitions and spread its fundraising thin. This semester we have chosen to focus solely on Pi Beta Phi, given our strong historic connection with them.
We are partnering with Pi Beta Phi for FSU's All Fraternity Revue, a dance competition on October 28 benefiting Read > Lead > Achieve, a philanthropy supporting children's literacy locally and internationally. Together we are putting together a great dance team, and we believe we can win the competition.
If you can make an individual donation, you can send it on Venmo:
If you would like to sponsor us, there are three sponsorship packages:
- Platinum ($250+): event screen advertising, event page, flyer, and verbal recognition
- Gold ($100–$250): event page, flyer, and verbal recognition
- Silver ($1–$100): event page and flyer
Sponsorships are made through Eventbrite. On the event page, click Get tickets, and you can make your donation from there. After completing your payment, please select Lambda Chi Alpha so your contribution is credited to the Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi team.
Lambda Chi and Pi Phi would be most appreciative of your help for this worthy cause.
Alumni Mentors Wanted
Our brothers are asking for alumni mentors, and we need more of you, whether you are currently working or retired. A single conversation with someone who has done the job can mean a brother's first internship, a stronger interview, or a clear answer on grad school. That kind of advice is not taught in a classroom, and passing it on is one of the most lasting ways to give back to Zeta-Rho. The form is short, and once it is in we will introduce you to a brother headed into your field.
Eternally in ZAX,
The Active Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State
Lambda Chi Alpha
Florida State University • Zeta-Rho Zeta Alumni Newsletter
To our Alumni Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State,
Formal Weekend — New Orleans
From April 17–19, the chapter traveled to New Orleans for our spring formal weekend. We rented out a private space at Bourbon Heat on Bourbon Street to celebrate the semester together, and it was easily one of the most memorable weekends of the year.
Brothers and dates at Bourbon Heat during formal weekend in New Orleans
Beyond the events themselves, the weekend was a reminder of why brotherhood matters. Sharing a city, a venue, and a few unforgettable nights brought our actives, new initiates, and dates closer than ever, and set the tone for a strong finish to the semester.
Service at Boys Town
On April 25, the chapter spent the day volunteering at Boys Town North Florida, a nonprofit that provides residential care, family support, and behavioral health services for at-risk youth and families across the region. Their mission is centered on giving kids who've faced difficult circumstances the structure, mentorship, and stability they need to thrive.
Brothers gathered after a day of volunteering at Boys Town North Florida
We spent the afternoon playing sports and doing arts and crafts with the kids, and the day turned out to be one of the more rewarding service events we've put together this year. The chapter is already looking forward to building a longer-term relationship with Boys Town and returning for more events in the semesters ahead.
Brother Accomplishments
Congratulations to Brothers Daniel Scruggs (ZP 2679) and High Theta Anthony Felichio (ZP 2669) on being selected as Movember Ambassadors. Movember is one of Lambda Chi Alpha's national philanthropic partners, focused on men's health—mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer—and being chosen as ambassadors puts Daniel and Anthony at the front of that effort on our campus. It's a meaningful recognition of their leadership and a strong reflection of what the chapter stands for nationally.
Tarokh presenting at IEEE WAMICON 2026
Brother Tarokh Baniadam (ZP 2701) presented his published paper, "Physical-Layer Authentication of Aircraft via Radio-Frequency Fingerprinting of ADS-B Transmissions," at the IEEE WAMICON 2026 conference. His research focuses on improving the cybersecurity of aircraft by using their unique radio-frequency signatures to verify identity in the air—a real contribution to a fast-moving area of aerospace and defense research.
Brother Lucas Landman (ZP 2688) co-authored a published paper applying machine learning to a class of materials called perovskite oxides. His team analyzed thousands of variations to identify what makes them most effective in real-world uses like EV batteries and solar panels, with the broader goal of designing a new, more efficient material from the ground up.
High Rho Joseph Goyette (ZP 2677) was awarded a $1,200 grant from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship for his startup SailMatch, a platform that connects cruise shoppers with competing travel agents to help them secure the best deal on their trip. SailMatch is set to launch later in 2026.
Looking Ahead
April brought the chapter together in some of the best ways possible—through service, brotherhood, and individual achievement. As we close out the spring semester and look toward our return to Heritage Grove this fall, we're grateful for the alumni who continue to invest their time, energy, and support in Zeta-Rho. Thank you for being part of what we're building.
Eternally in ZAX,
The Active Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State
Lambda Chi Alpha
Florida State University • Zeta-Rho Zeta Alumni Newsletter
To our Alumni Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State,
Chapter Update
The brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha Zeta-Rho are proud to share another exciting month of growth, achievement, and brotherhood. March brought a milestone initiation class, strong showings in campus involvement, and continued momentum as the chapter moves through the spring semester.
Spring 2026 Initiation
The Spring 2026 initiation class following the ceremony on March 7
This is a tremendous step forward for the chapter, and we are excited to see the contributions these new brothers will make to our fraternity. Their dedication throughout the associate member process has already shown great promise for the future of Zeta-Rho.
Professional Development
Congratulations to Brothers Matthew Brunelli (ZP 2672) and Alex den Boggende (ZP 2709) on securing 10-week summer internships with Power Design, one of the nation's leading electrical contracting firms. Their success reflects the chapter's commitment to professional growth and career readiness, and we are proud to see our brothers pursuing meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom.
Campus Involvement
Brothers after the Alpha Chi Omega Dash for DVA 5K
Our brothers continue to make their mark across campus through competition, leadership, and service.
Brother Davis Head (ZP 2663) placed 2nd overall in Alpha Chi Omega's Dash for DVA 5K, an impressive finish in a competitive field. Brothers Matthew Brunelli (ZP 2672) and Kaden Combs (ZP 2694) also placed in the race, making it a strong showing for Lambda Chi Alpha.
Our High Gamma, Nicolás Lavín (ZP 2675), was selected as one of just 60 FSU students to participate in a mock Constitutional Convention held March 27–28. This prestigious opportunity highlights his academic excellence and leadership within the university community.
High Theta Anthony Felichio (ZP 2669) was elected Vice President of Community and Social Impact for FSU's American Marketing Association, further demonstrating our brothers' dedication to leadership in professional organizations on campus.
Greek Community Recognition
Former High Rho Jack Engelhard (ZP 2670) was inducted into the Order of Omega, a national honor society recognizing outstanding fraternity and sorority members for their scholarship, leadership, and service. This is a well-deserved honor that reflects Jack's dedication to the Greek community at Florida State.
Jack is also running for Pi Phi's Phinest, a philanthropic competition supporting Pi Beta Phi's literacy initiatives. If you'd like to support Jack's campaign, you can make a donation through the link below—after checkout, simply select Jack Engelhard.
Support Jack — Pi Phi's Phinest
Alumni Connection
We are excited to announce the launch of our Zeta-Rho LinkedIn Group, a space for active brothers and alumni to stay connected, share professional opportunities, and support one another's careers. We encourage all alumni to join and help strengthen the professional network within our chapter.
Join the Zeta-Rho LinkedIn Group
Thank you to our alumni for your continued interest, guidance, and support. The chapter looks forward to building on this momentum as we finish out the spring semester strong.
Eternally in ZAX,
The Active Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State
Lambda Chi Alpha
Florida State University • Zeta-Rho Zeta Alumni Newsletter
To our Alumni Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State,
Chapter Update
The brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha Zeta-Rho are proud to share a strong start to 2026, marked by academic achievement, brotherhood growth, and continued momentum for the chapter.
Academic Excellence
The chapter continues to uphold a high standard of academic excellence. This semester, three brothers earned a place on the President's List: Ethan Whitley, Luke Novak, and Parker Flanagan.
In addition, 19 brothers were recognized on the Dean's List:
Tin Long Cheng, Wyatt Prater, Ronan Connell, Anthony Felichio, Gavin Conner, Lucas Landman, Julian Mathews, Davis Head, Matthew Brunelli, William Montfort, Will Morrow, Aiden Southern, James Fuller, Ari Cruz, Julian Bueno, Kaden Combs, Cannon Boyles, Nicolás Lavín, and Jack Engelhard.
These achievements reflect the dedication our members continue to show both inside and outside the classroom.
Spring 2026 Rush
Through strong planning, execution, and brother involvement, this growth marks an exciting step forward as we continue rebuilding and strengthening the Zeta-Rho chapter.
Brotherhood Retreat
Brothers enjoying the Smoky Mountains brotherhood retreat
Brotherhood remained a priority this month. The brothers traveled to the Smoky Mountains for a weekend retreat, staying together in a cabin and exploring Gatlinburg. The trip provided a great opportunity to step away from campus, strengthen bonds, and enjoy time together filled with laughter and shared experiences.
Partnerships & Sponsorships
Brother Tarokh Baniadam worked diligently this semester to secure external partnerships and successfully obtained a sponsorship from Red Bull, which generously supported our Spring 2026 rush events. We are grateful for this partnership and the efforts that made it possible.
Alumni Request
Brother Ari Cruz is currently seeking employment opportunities in the Tallahassee area. If any alumni are local or aware of potential job openings, we would greatly appreciate your support in helping connect him with opportunities. Please reach out to him at ado24@fsu.edu if you can help.
Thank you to our alumni for your continued interest and support. The chapter looks forward to building on this momentum as we move further into 2026.
Eternally in ZAX,
The Active Brothers of Lambda Chi at Florida State