When Carter Bertsch ’26 first arrived on campus, he was certain of one thing: he would never join a fraternity. But within weeks of his freshman year, persistent knocks on his dorm room door changed his mind—and the course of his Wabash experience.
Bertsch, a biology major and global health minor from New Castle, Indiana, lived in a six-person suite upstairs in College Hall, independent housing on the upper level and Theta Delta Chi’s home below. When his last remaining roommate, Carson Wirtz ’26, accepted a bid and moved downstairs, Bertsch grew tired of the quiet.
“At first, I thought, ‘No way, dude. These guys won’t leave me alone,’” Bertsch recalled of the constant invitations from upperclassmen Joe Rios ’24. “But Joe finally convinced me to join the guys downstairs for poker night.”
He still laughs about that first poker night, convinced the brothers might have let him win. But more than the cards, it was the sense of belonging that stuck with him. After a conversation with an alumnus about lifelong brotherhood, Bertsch accepted a bid to Theta Delta Chi—one of only three in his pledge class.
“When we joined, we could see that things weren’t going very well for the guys,” said Carson Wirtz ’26. “There were 15 brothers total, and I think from day one, the three of us saw that nobody was taking charge, so we did.”
Recognizing the need for direction, the pledge class quickly stepped into leadership. Bertsch became treasurer his second semester, then president for two terms—rebuilding the fraternity’s relationship with its international office and the College. Wirtz served as community service chair, and Ethan Hill ’26 became rush chair as a freshman.
“Our biggest goal was building momentum,” Bertsch said. “168体育平台下载_足球即时比分-注册|官网 wanted to recruit the right guys—not just for numbers—and encourage everyone to get out, be visible, wear our letters, and serve in the community.”
That momentum, Wirtz explained, required clarity of purpose.
“168体育平台下载_足球即时比分-注册|官网 started doing service projects every weekend and going to as many events together as possible around campus,” he said. “When that’s your foundation, it’s a lot easier to attract and recruit the right people.”
Growing into leadership roles while still learning the ins and outs of fraternity life was challenging, but with time, the Theta Delt Class of 2026 hit their stride.
“Carter, Carson, and I each lead in different ways, but our approaches are complementary,” said Hill. “I think that’s why it works and what makes us unique.”
Bertsch’s leadership philosophy took shape through personal challenges as much as organizational ones. He balanced academics, family challenges, and health struggles. Instead of keeping those burdens private, he chose to be open.
“I learned that vulnerability works,” he said. “When you’re genuine about what you’re going through, guys rally around you. Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being honest, inquisitive, grateful, and supportive. That’s how you build trust and pull leadership out of others.”
Wirtz pointed to Bertsch’s work ethic as a rallying force.
“Carter is an extremely committed guy,” said Wirtz. “I'm really proud of him. He steps up when he needs to and when he shouldn't have to. He leads by example. And to me, that's a mark of a good person, a good leader.”
That approach paid off. During Bertsch’s presidency, Theta Delta Chi not only grew in membership but also in reputation. Members became more active in campus life and the Crawfordsville community. Alumni, faculty, and national leaders noticed the change.
The College honored Wirtz with the Community Service Award for Outstanding Work at Awards Chapel in 2024.
“This is a place where you can become a leader. You’re not just a number,” said Wirtz. “Here you’re an active voice and participant.”
Wabash’s Theta Delta Chi charge earned the 2024 Chapter of the Year at its international convention, and Bertsch was elected to the governing board, representing undergraduates across the U.S. and Canada.
Still, Bertsch is quick to deflect credit.
“It’s never just one person. Carson Wirtz and Ethan Hill were my biggest support system. 168体育平台下载_足球即时比分-注册|官网 held each other up when things were hard. And the guys we recruited stepped up as leaders and helped turn the house into what it is now.”
Bertsch’s transformation from reluctant freshman to fraternity president embodies the very lesson he hopes other Wabash students will take to heart: get out of your comfort zone.
“I’ll be honest, my first two weeks in the house I thought it might not be for me,” he admitted. “But the fraternity forced me out of my comfort zone, and I realized that was a good thing. Whether it’s a fraternity, a club, a sport—find something that pushes you to grow. You’ll be surprised by what you can do, and by the people who will support you along the way.”
As Bertsch looks toward his final years at Wabash and beyond, he hopes his legacy is measured by the culture he helped foster with his brothers.
“I wanted to leave the house better than I found it,” he said. “And I think we’ve done that together.”