Theta Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00
pm on the campus of Norwich University inNorwich, 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 P otter.
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 abolishe d 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 extincti on.
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.
This is when the Beta Nu chapter was added.
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.
Updated 12/12/95