Theta Chi Totally Explained

Everything about Theta Chi Fraternity totally explained

Theta Chi (ΘΧ) is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities (External Link

History

Founding and early years at Norwich

Theta Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00 p.m. in the Old South Barracks on the campus of Norwich University 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 after the founders were Edward Bancroft Williston and Lorenzo Potter. 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

The Greek motto of Theta Chi is θηρόποσα Χείρ, which is roughly translated as "An Assisting Hand." From Theta Chi's founding until the 1930's the motto was secret, until it was incorporated into the fraternity's coat of arms.
   When Freeman and Chase founded Theta Chi in 1856 they very clearly spelled out the purpose of the Fraternity in the original Constitution. Article I stated that the objects of Theta Chi were to “bind by closer bonds the members to each other and the mutual assistance of each of its members;” “the advancement and carrying out of any measures at the institution in which it'll be established which shall be of importance to its members,” and “the mutual benefit and improvement of all its members.”
   The fraternity's maxim is "Alma Mater First and Theta Chi for Alma Mater," and refers to one of the founding ideals of the Fraternity: loyalty to one's college or university as well as academic achievement.
   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.

Creed of Theta Chi

Frank Schrenk, Kappa/University of Pennsylvania '15, wrote the Creed of Theta Chi. It is both an affirmation of the founding principals of Theta Chi and a mission statement for the Fraternity:
I believe in Theta Chi, its traditions and its ideals. Born of sturdy manhood, nurtured by resolute men, ennobled by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture and a builder of character. It inspires true friendship: teaches Truth, Temperance and Tolerance, extols virtue, exacts harmony, and extends a helping hand to all who seek it. I believe in the primacy of Alma Mater; in the usefulness of my Fraternity, in its influence and its accomplishments and I'll do all in my power to perpetuate its ideals, thereby serving my God, my country and my fellow-man. The Creed is recited by members at chapter meetings, and is often used in new member education programs to teach the new members the values and ideals of the Fraternity.
Theta Chi today
Theta Chi Fraternity currently has over 150 active chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada and has initiated over 170,000 members since its founding. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference. As of May 2007, Theta Chi was the 9th largest collegiate male fraternity. Hazing has been prohibited since 1920, and in 1998 undergraduates and alumni of the fraternity mandated that nearly all undergraduate chapter houses be alcohol-free by 2003.
   In June 2006, Theta Chi's 150th Anniversary Convention was held at the Norwich University campus in Northfield, Vermont.
   The fraternity's International Headquarters is currently located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Recent Controversy
The San Diego State University chapter of Theta Chi was one of six fraternities suspended as a result of Operation Sudden Fall, a drug investigation conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and San Diego State University campus police. Five members of the Gamma Theta Chapter were arrested. This was the largest drug bust ever in the history of the County of San Diego. The San Diego State chapter of Theta Chi had been the process of building a new $4 million fraternity house. The San Diego State University Gamma Theta Chapter has been temporarily suspended, pending further investigation.
Chapters

Notable alumni
Distinguished alumni include filmmaker Steven Spielberg, former automobile executive Lee Iacocca, Nightline television journalist Bob Woodruff, The Daily Show's correspondent and actor Rob Corddry, host of the TV show, The Soup, Joel McHale, and General John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Further Information
Get more info on 'Theta Chi Fraternity'.

External Link Exchanges

Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:
<a href="http://theta_chi.totallyexplained.com">Theta Chi Totally Explained</a>

Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
   As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned.