Theta Chi

From Freepedia

ΘΧ - Theta Chi
Image:Copy of OX Coat of Arms-small.jpg The Coat of Arms of Theta Chi Fraternity
Motto ΘHPÓΠOΣA XEÍP (Theroposa Cheir)

"The Helping Hand"

Colors Military Red and White
Symbol Rattlesnake
Flower The Red Carnation
Founded April 10, 1856 at Norwich University
Fraternity type Social
Scope United States, Canada
Headquarters 3330 Founders Road
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Chapters 215 (over 136 active)
Homepage http://www.thetachi.org

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, US, and was the first Greek Letter society to make its appearance at the university.

Contents

History

Founding and early years at Norwich

Theta Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00 pm 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. The first pledges 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. Many of the fraternity's early records and relics were lost at this time. This disaster also 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, two more cadets were initiated, thus saving the fraternity from extinction.

Merger and expansion

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

Image:Copy of OSB pic.jpg Image:OX Flag.gif

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, "The 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 136 active chapters across the United States and Canada and has initiated over 150,000 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 all undergraduate chapter houses be alcohol-free by 2003.

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


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External links

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