On this day in 1856, two Norwich University cadets pledged oaths to each other and formed the Theta Chi Society. One hundred fifty-six years and over 165,000 initiates later, Theta Chi remains strong in its commitment to the ideals of those first brothers.
From the very beginning, our brothers faced hardships that must have at times seemed impossible to overcome. In its first 50 years of existence, Theta Chi faced the Civil War, a catastrophic fire, and, in 1881, a crippling member shortage that nearly brought the Fraternity to extinction. Thanks to initiative shown by brothers like Phil S. Randall and Henry B. Hersey and the resilience of James M. Holland, Theta Chi survived and flourished, ready for the challenges and opportunities of a new century.
In 1902, we reached another milestone with the installation of Beta Chapter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That singular event set the stage for a period of explosive growth that would last nearly 20 years. In 1912, the establishment of a Fraternity magazine, The Rattle, brought together brothers who were otherwise living thousands of miles apart. A truly national conversation had finally begun.
More challenges came in the 30s and 40s—a Great Depression and a second World War. Thousands of brothers bravely went overseas to fight for their country and their fellow man. Many would make the ultimate sacrifice. The ones that remained committed to rebuilding the Fraternity into something even greater than it was before. By 1956, we had grown to 119 chapters and nearly 42,000 living members.
Part of that growth is credited to the merger with Beta Kappa Fraternity in 1942, which brought to Theta Chi 6,000 members and 16 chapters. Beta Kappa Fraternity’s home campus, Hamline University, is now home to Beta Kappa Chapter. The members still live in the house that their predecessors had occupied nearly a hundred years ago.
The Fraternity’s growth would continue over the course of the next 50 years. In 2006, Theta Chi celebrated its 150th anniversary at Norwich University. Today, we can claim 130 active chapters, eight colonies and more than 130,000 living alumni.
Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase envisioned a society built on loyalty to alma mater and everlasting friendship and where its members could count on each other for support and a helping hand in times of need. Today, Theta Chi brothers continue the work that Freeman and Chase started—on campuses, in communities, and throughout the world.
You can help our new brothers and emerging leaders discover why they too are better because of Theta Chi by making a Special Founders Day Gift to commemorate the 156th anniversary of our fraternity. Your gift will help fund Theta Chi’s leadership programs and academic scholarships—important events designed to provide accessible personal development training for undergraduate members looking to build an even better fraternity.
We are asking all alumnus members for a minimum gift of $18.56 in honor of our fraternity’s founding year. Recommit yourself to the traditions and ideals of our beloved brotherhood by extending a helping hand to those who will carry on the torch of Theta Chi.