Theta Chi Article Index for
Theta
Articles about
Theta Chi
Website Links For
Theta Chi
 

Information About

Theta Chi




  Motto ΘHPÓΠOΣA XEÍP ''(Theroposa Cheir)''
  Colors Military Red and White
  Symbol Rattlesnake
  Flower The Red Carnation
  Birthplace Norwich University
  Founded April 10 , 1856
  Chapters 215 (132 active, 8 colonies & interest groups)
  Type Social
  Scope United States, Canada
  Address 3330 Founders Road
  City Indianapolis
  State Indiana
  Country USA
  Homepage http://wwwthetachiorg


Theta Chi (ΘΧ) is an international College Fraternity for men. It was founded on April 10 , 1856 as the ''Theta Chi Society'', at Norwich University , Norwich, Vermont , U.S. , and was the first Greek Letter society to make its appearance at the university.


HISTORY


Founding and early years at Norwich

Theta Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, in Norwich, Vermont , by two military Cadets , Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase . A third man, Egbert Phelps , is considered to be the "assistant founder" for lending his help and advice to Freeman and Chase although he was never an undergraduate member himself (he was a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity). The first initiates were Edward Bancroft Williston, Lorenzo Potter and Frederick Howard Farrar. The early history of Theta Chi Fraternity is closely connected with the history of Norwich University. In 1866 a massive fire devastated the university, completely destroying the Old South Barracks. This disaster prompted the university to move from Norwich, Vermont to its present location in Northfield, Vermont . During fall quarter in 1881, Norwich University was reduced to only 15 students and Theta Chi membership was reduced to one undergraduate member, James M. Holland. In November of that year, Phil S. Randall and Henry Hersey approached Holland and insisted that they be allowed to join Theta Chi; Holland agreed, thus saving the fraternity from extinction.


Growth

The fraternity was incorporated in Vermont in 1888, and acquired its first chapter house two years later. However, it remained a single entity for forty-six years until the Beta Chapter was installed at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in 1902. A Grand Chapter was organized in 1908 to direct the fraternity and promote its growth. In 1942, Beta Kappa Fraternity joined Theta Chi Fraternity, bringing 16 undergraduate chapters and approximately 6,000 undergraduate and alumnus members into the ranks. The Foundation Chapter was established in 1953 as a charity to provide educational scholarships and assistance. In 1965, the Zeta Gamma Chapter was installed at the University Of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta , Canada , making Theta Chi an International Fraternity.


IDEALS AND TRADITIONS


Membership is open to men of good character without regard to race, religion, nationality, or creed. New members are expected to conduct themselves like gentlemen at all times, as well as be leaders and a positive force both on their campuses and in their communities. The Greek motto of Theta Chi is ''Theroposa Cheir'', "Helping Hand." The fraternity's Maxim is "Alma Mater First and Theta Chi for Alma Mater." The fraternity's colors are military red and white. Its flower is the red Carnation . The national alumni publication is ''The Rattle'', named for the rattlesnake that appears on the fraternity's coat of arms and badge. It has become a Theta Chi tradition to celebrate Founders Day on April 10, usually as an alumni gathering.


THETA CHI TODAY

Theta Chi Fraternity currently has over 130 active chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada and has initiated over 161,000 members since its founding. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference . As of May 2000, Theta Chi was the 11th largest collegiate male fraternity. Hazing has been prohibited since 1920, and in 1998 the fraternity mandated that nearly all undergraduate chapter houses be alcohol-free by 2003.

The fraternity's International Headquarters is currently located in Indianapolis, Indiana .

In June of 2006, Theta Chi's 150th Anniversary Convention will be held at the Norwich University campus in Northfield, Vermont.


DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI


Armed Services



Arts and Entertainment



Business and Industry



Politics and Government



Journalism



Research and Space



Athletics



EXTERNAL LINKS