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Theta
Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00 pm on the
campus of Norwich University in Norwich, Vermont by Frederick Norton Freeman
and Arthur Chase, assisted by Egbert Phelps. Chase became the first president
and Freeman was the first secretary. Phelps, who transferred to Union College
and joined Chi Psi Fraternity, suggested the name of the organization and
designed the first badge of Theta Chi, which is still in use today.
The first pledges were Edward Williston and Lorenzo Potter.
Arthur Chase and Frederick Norman Freeman
Theta Chi was the first Greek Letter society to make its appearance at Norwich.
It was preceded in 1853 by a secret society known as the "Regulators."
This established the Alpha Chapter which later became inactive in 1960 when
Norwich University abolished fraternities. In March of 1866, the Old South
Barracks, the founding place of Theta Chi Fraternity at Norwich University,
was completely destroyed by fire. Norwich University was relocated to
Northfield, Vermont. One year later, Frederick N. Freeman died in Newburgh,
New York.
On September 8, 1881, Norwich University was reduced to 15 students and
Theta Chi membership was reduced to one undergraduate member, James M. Holland.
On November 19, Phil Randall and Henry Hersey were initiated, thus saving the
Fraternity from extinction.
In 1890, Alpha Chapter acquired the first chapter house in Northfield, Vermont.
On December 13, 1902, Beta Chapter was installed at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. On May 20, 1907, Gamma Chapter was
installed at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine.
On February 22, 1908, the Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity was organized
at Boston, Massachusetts. J. Albert Holmes was elected the first national
president. On September 25, 1908, Delta Chapter was installed at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
The pledge button was officially adopted by the Grand Chapter on January 21,
1911. On February 28, 1912, the first edition of The Rattle was
published as the newsletter of Theta Chi Fraternity. On November 6, 1913,
Mu Chapter was installed at the University of California at Berkeley.
This was the first chapter established on the Pacific Coast. In September
of 1923, the first Executive Office opened in New York City. In April of
1928, the Executive Office moved to Huntington, West Virginia. "It Is to
Thee", the official flag, banner, and pennant were adopted in June of 1928.
In June of 1932, the Executive Office was moved to Trenton, New Jersey.
On April 14, 1942, Beta Kappa Fraternity (16 chapters) merged with Theta
Chi Fraternity.
On May 20, 1950, Delta Theta Chapter was installed at the University of
Toledo in Toledo, Ohio and became the 100th chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.
On February 20, 1965, Zeta Gamma Chapter was installed at the University of
Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, making Theta Chi an International
Fraternity.
In June of 1990, the International Headquarters moved from Trenton, New
Jersey to Indianapolis, Indiana. On April 27, 1991, Theta Chi initiated
its 125,000th member.
Excerpts were made from The Manual of Theta Chi Fraternity, copyright 1954.
Thanks to the Beta Nu Chapter, Case Western Reserve University
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 | ©2005 Theta Chi Fraternity, Beta Chapter
Designed by Brother Brentan Alexander '07 (brentan@mit.edu) |
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