Theta Chi
| Theta Chi | |
|---|---|
| ΘΧ | |
| The Coat of Arms of Theta Chi Fraternity | |
| Founded | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Norwich University |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | United States, Canada |
| Motto | θηρόποσα Χείρ[1] |
| Colors | Military Red and White |
| Symbol | Rattlesnake |
| Flower | The Red Carnation |
| Chapters | 225 (135 active, 7 colonies & interest groups) |
| Headquarters | 3330 Founders Road Indianapolis, Indiana USA |
| Website | http://www.thetachi.org |
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 [1].
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 translated in the Ritual 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 shall 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 shall 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. This ultimately backfired.
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.
However, on 6 May 2008, some members of the San Diego State University chapters of Theta Chi and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities ran into trouble with the law for allegedly dealing in narcotics. Damon Mosler, chief of the narcotics division for the San Diego County District Attorney's Office stated that they also found firearms including semiautomatic 9 mm or .40-caliber handguns and a rifle. Those arrested face charges with dealing cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy.
Chapters
Distinguished alumni
Distinguished alumni include filmmaker Steven Spielberg, former automobile executive Lee Iacocca, Nightline television journalist Bob Woodruff, The Daily Show's correspondent Rob Corddry, host of the TV show, The Soup, Joel McHale, and General John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
External links
- Theta Chi The Official Website of Theta Chi Fraternity
- The National Eagle The Official Blog of Theta Chi Fraternity
- The Rattle The Official Magazine of Theta Chi Fraternity
- Circle of Brotherhood Theta Chi's Official inCircle Community
References
- ^ The Greek motto of Theta Chi is θηρόποσα Χείρ, which has been variously translated as "An Assisting Hand" or "A Helping Hand."