Florida Theta Chapter History
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Florida Theta Chapter
University of Tampa
Florida Theta: History, Milestones, and Achievements
1979-2026
The Beginning of a Journey to Brotherhood
Fall 1977 - At the start of his second year at the University of Tampa (UT), Guy Euliano and Dr. Robert Kerstein, a professor of political science at UT, participated in an event hosted by the Hillsborough County Young Democrats. During the event, they met Tal Bray, a real estate agent in Tampa and the province president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity (PDT) in Florida. One of PDT's strategic expansion goals was to establish a chapter at the University of Tampa. Tal wanted to know what Guy thought about life on campus, the administration, and the university's pros and cons. In that conversation, Tal also learned that Guy was the sophomore class representative in the UT Student Body, Rivershore's resident adviser, and had established contacts across many levels of university administration and staff. At the conclusion of their discussion, Tal invited Guy to an exploratory meeting to discuss the details of starting a chapter of an international collegiate fraternity. Tal requested that Guy extend invitations to four students he knew and who excelled academically and demonstrated leadership qualities to participate in the meeting. During that week, Guy extended invitations to Tom Slaymaker, Larry Baratta, and Ron Garon, all of whom, in Guy's assessment, fulfilled Tal's criteria.
ΦΔΘ
February 9, 1978 - Guy, Tom, Ron, and Larry participated in a presentation conducted by Brothers Tal Bray and Bob Morresy, Phi Delt alumni, in Room 2 of the Student Union. The presentation was compelling and offered an inspiring opportunity to join a distinguished international fraternity. At the conclusion of the meeting, Tal requested that we deliberate on the opportunity over the following week and reconvene one week later.
ΦΔΘ
February 16, 1978 - We reconvened in Room 2 of the Student Union and unanimously agreed to accept the responsibilities and challenges that come with this unique opportunity, informing Tal and Bob of our decision. The Phi Delta Local Fraternity was founded on February 16, 1978. Once the local fraternity had enough members, we could apply to become a Phi Delta Theta colony. Once the colony met all requirements, we petitioned Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters to establish the Florida Theta chapter at UT. The officers of the Phi Delta Local Fraternity were selected.
The Phi Delta Founders and Officers
Guy M. Euliano, President
Larry G. Baratta, Vice President
Ron "Corky" Garon, Secretary/Treasurer
Thomas E. Slaymaker, Activities Chairman
ΦΔΘ
March 23, 1979- The charter brothers of the Florida Theta chapter, representing Bond #’s 1-47, were initiated at the Hillsborough Masonic Lodge in downtown Tampa. The initiation was officiated by Brother T. Glen Cary, president of the Phi Delta Theta General Council. Brother Tal Bray, province president, was also a member of the initiation team.
ΦΔΘ
March 24, 1979- The installation of the Florida Theta chapter of Phi Delta Theta was held in the ballroom at Plant Hall.
ΦΔΘ
The charter of the Florida Theta chapter was established in 1979.
ΦΔΘ
The charter is being held by Ron "Corky" Garon, Bond #3, chapter president, who is surrounded by the charter brothers of the Florida Theta chapter. The photograph was captured on the front steps of Plant Hall.
ΦΔΘ
ΦΔΘ
ΦΔΘ
1980- The Florida Theta chapter won the Kansas City Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Phi Delta Theta chapter at a small institution.
Featured L to R: Jerry Thomsen, Bond #17; Fred Stribling, Bond #16; Ed Hill, Bond #37; Kevin Cauley, Bond #36; Rusty Richardson, Bond #12; and Tal Bray, Bond #2, Florida Epsilon, Univ. of South Florida.
ΦΔΘ
The Phi Delta Founders’ Cup Established
1990- The Phi Delta Founders’ Cup was established to honor an undergraduate, active member in good standing who exemplifies the same qualities as the Phi Delta Fraternity's founding brothers and Phi Delta Theta's Immortal Six in recognition of their friendship, sound learning, rectitude, exemplary leadership, steadfast commitment, and fraternal spirit.
ΦΔΘ
1994- For the second time in the chapter’s history, the Florida Theta chapter won the Kansas City Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Phi Delta Theta chapter at a small institution.
ΦΔΘ
The Rebirth of Florida Theta
Fall 2018- Anthony Koutroumanis enrolled at the University of Tampa and began exploring fraternity life. Unsatisfied with what he observed, he began searching for an organization that truly reflected his values—leadership, integrity, academic excellence, and authentic brotherhood. Anthony began asking more profound questions about what Greek life could and should represent. Along with several fellow freshmen, he approached his father, Dr. Dean A. Koutroumanis, Bond #179, who is a business professor at UT, to learn more about the fraternity’s legacy and guiding principles.
Anthony and Christopher Jung saw an opportunity to bring a values-based fraternity back to campus after an 18-year absence. They sought guidance and support from Province President Robert Mehler, representatives from Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters, and many Florida Theta alumni. These included Jim McCarthy, Bond #24; Brian Malison, Bond #251; Kyle Bailey, Bond #283; and a former UT Board of Trustees member, Dean A. Koutroumanis, Bond #179; Dean J. Koutroumanis, Bond #210; and John Koutroumanis, Bond #245.
ΦΔΘ
Early 2020- The global COVID-19 pandemic delayed the planned relaunch for yet an additional year. Despite the setback, the commitment of the alumni and undergraduate leaders never wavered.
ΦΔΘ
Fall 2021- Phi Delta Theta officially relaunched at the University of Tampa with its first Phikeia class, led by Anthony Koutroumanis, signaling the rebirth of Florida Theta.
ΦΔΘ
April 8, 2022- Phi Delta Theta received its charter and was formally reinstated on campus. The re-founding brothers who made this historic return possible were Anthony D. Koutroumanis, Bond #414; Christopher Jung, Bond #415; and Vincent Mora, Bond #416—marking a new era of leadership, integrity, and enduring brotherhood for Florida Theta at the University of Tampa. Upon relaunch, Anthony served as the re-founding president of Florida Theta, with Vincent Mora, Bond #416, stepping into the role of vice president. Together, they worked diligently and with unwavering commitment to elevate Florida Theta back to the forefront of Greek life at the University of Tampa. Through intentional recruitment, strong academic accountability, and a culture grounded in the values of Phi Delta Theta, the chapter quickly distinguished itself on campus. Since its reestablishment, Florida Theta has consistently maintained one of the top Greek Life GPAs at UT, earned numerous awards both at the university level and from general headquarters, and recently achieved the distinguished designation of an Iron Phi Chapter after raising more than $12,000 in just seven weeks in support of the Live Like Lou Foundation. With a strong leadership foundation, engaged alumni support, and a clear dedication to excellence, Florida Theta is well positioned to continue building a legacy of integrity, achievement, and brotherhood.
The rechartered brothers of the Florida Theta chapter. Anthony Koutroumanis, Bond #414, chapter president, is holding the charter. The photo was taken at Plant Hall.
ΦΔΘ
ΦΔΘ
Florida Theta alumni also attended the reinstallation event. It is a remarkable occasion for the alumni to witness this historic event.
ΦΔΘ
The front cover of The Scroll, Phi Delta Theta's official magazine, heralded the historic reinstallation of the Florida Theta chapter.
ΦΔΘ
Anthony Koutroumanis, Bond #414, chapter president, delivered remarks at the reinstallation dinner in the ballroom in Plant Hall. Over 100 attendees, including the General Council President Moe Stephens, Florida Theta alumni, and the newly initiated brothers.
ΦΔΘ
Special recognitions and treasured traditions were reinstated in conjunction with the reinstallation of the Florida Theta chapter. They are,
The Phi Delta Founders' Cup is awarded to an undergraduate, active member in good standing who exemplifies the same qualities as the Phi Delta Fraternity's founding brothers and Phi Delta Theta's Immortal Six in recognition of their friendship, sound learning, rectitude, exemplary leadership, steadfast commitment, and fraternal spirit.
The president of the Phikeia class is donned with a special Florida Theta Blue Blazer.
In recognition for their outstanding leadership, professionalism, alacrity, and steadfast dedication to the Herculean undertaking of the reinstallation of the Florida Theta chapter, the Phi Delta Founders' Cup was awarded to Anthony Koutroumanis, Bond #414; Vincent Mora, Bond #416; and Christopher Jung, Bond #415. The award was presented by Ron "Corky" Garon, Bond #3, and Tom Slaymaker, Bond #4.
ΦΔΘ
Ron "Corky" Garon, Bond #3 and Jim McCarthy, Bond #24, presenting the Pledge Class president with the Florida Theta Blue Blazer.
ΦΔΘ
2026- Florida Theta is the 25th out of 195 Phi Delta Theta chapters and colonies, an Iron Phi Chapter of 2025-26, having surpassed $10,000 raised through the chapter's Iron Phi participants. Florida Theta has raised $11,791.50 since July 1, 2025. This is the chapter's first time reaching Iron Phi Chapter status under the leadership of Kevin Bailey, Bond #513, the chapter president.
ΦΔΘ
Phi Delta Theta's open motto is "One man is no man."
The following Florida Thetans contributed to the creation of
Florida Theta: History, Milestones, and Achievements
1979 - 2026
Contributors
Guy Euliano, Bond #1
Dr. Larry Baratta, Bond #2
Ron “Corky” Garon, Bond #3
Thomas Slaymaker, Bond #4
Dr. Dean A. Koutroumanis, Bond #179
Kevin Bailey, Bond #513