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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.
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 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, creed or sexual orientation. 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, which was translated by the Founders as "An Assisting Hand." From Theta Chi's founding until about the 1930's the motto was secret. When the full motto was first written on the coat of arms this restriction was lifted. The motto is often incorrectly stated as "A Helping Hand" due to the phrasing of Theta Chi's Creed. 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 "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." 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 undergraduates of the fraternity mandated that nearly all undergraduate chapter houses be alcohol-free by 2003. It must also be noted that alcohol-free housing (AFH) has been a topic of debate. Anti-AFH constituents argue that instead of joining fraternities, many potential new members are deciding against Greek Life, and live on campus with friends, where such stringent policies don't apply. AFH proponents, however, point to higher academic performance, improved cleanliness of chapter houses and recruitment of higher quality men. The AFH legislation was re-ratified at the Fraternity's 150th Anniversary Convention, by a majority vote of the Convention delegates. 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. Armed Services Arts and Entertainment Business and Industry Politics and Government Journalism Research and Space Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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