Theta Chi Fraternity
                                                                           History
 
 

On Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00 pm, on the campus of Norwich University in Norwich, Vermont, Theta Chi Fraternity was founded by Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase, assisted by Egbert Phelps. It was rumored to have been preceded in 1853 by a secret society known as the "Regulators".   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. 
Theta Chi was the first Greek Letter society to make its appearance at Norwich. 

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 had subsequently relocated to its current location in Northfield, Vermont.

On September 8, 1881, the total enrolment at Norwich University was reduced to 15 students.  Theta Chi Fraternity was left with one undergraduate member, James M Holland.  With the help of local alumni, Phil
Randall and Henry Hersey were initiated on November 19, saving the Fraternity from extinction. 
In 1890, Alpha Chapter acquired the first chapter house in Northfield, Vermont.

The Alpha Chapter became inactive in 1960 when Norwich University abolished fraternities.

On December 13, 1902, Beta Chapter was installed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts making Theta Chi a national fraternity. 

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. 

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. It was moved to Huntington, West Virginia in April of 1928
"It Is to Thee", our fraternity anthem, the official flag, banner, and pennant were adopted in June of 1928. 

In June of 1932, the Executive Office relocated 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 May 7, 1961, The Epsilon Sigma Chapter was installed at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York

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 relocated from Trenton, New Jersey to its current location in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

On April 27, 1991, Theta Chi initiated its 125,000th member.

Questions? Comments?
Send an e-mail to the Epsilon Sigma Chapter at epsilonsigma@usa.net