Early History of Theta Chi Fraternity

The Theta Chi Society, as it was originally known, was founded at Norwich University in Norwich, VT at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 1856.

At that time, Frederick Norton Freeman (1857) and Arthur Chase (1856) met in Freeman's room in the Old South Barracks of the University and, to quote from the minutes of the first meeting, "being called to order by Mr. Chase, Messrs. Chase and Freeman mutually took the oaths prescribed and declared each other true and accepted members of the Theta Chi Society." From this humble beginning Theta Chi Fraternity has grown to its present status.

To quote again from the minutes of the first meeting we learn that, "the Theta Chi Society was the idea and plan of Frederick Norton Freeman, and with the assistance of Arthur Chase, his plans were perfected and the society was organized.” Chase was elected president and Freeman was elected secretary. The next evening, April 11, the first initiation was conducted. One of the initiates was Edward Bancroft Williston of Norwich, VT, and the other was Lorenzo Potter of Elkhorn, WI.

Theta Chi was the first Greek letter society to make its appearance at Norwich. It was preceded in 1853 by a secret society known as the "Regulators." In a letter from Arthur Chase sent to the chapter in the 1880s, Chase states that he and Freeman were members of a “secret society” prior to founding Theta Chi. However, whether there was any connection between the Regulators and Theta Chi is still open to debate today.

Early Challenges

The Fraternity experienced a number of serious challenges in its first decade of existence. Because Norwich was a military school, the University lost a large number of students to the Civil War. In the spring of 1866, a massive fire erupted on the Norwich campus. Among the buildings that were destroyed was the Old South Barracks, where Theta Chi was founded. The University relocated to its present location in Northfield, VT shortly thereafter.

After the fire in 1866 there was doubt for a while as to whether or not the University would continue. The war, the fire, and the uncertainty regarding the continuation of the University seriously lowered the attendance, and the school opened in the fall of 1866 with only 19 students. However, despite of the low enrollment, Theta Chi and another fraternity, Alpha Sigma Pi, flourished.

In 1881, the student body of Norwich was reduced to a dozen men, and Theta Chi found itself with one active member, James M. Holland (1883). This critical situation was relieved when local alumni helped Holland initiate two new recruits, Phil S. Randall (1886) and Henry B. Hersey (1885), thus preserving the existence of the Fraternity.

After 1888 the affairs of the University took a decided turn for the better, and from then on there was never a question of Theta Chi leadership on the Norwich campus. Alpha chapter continued in this way until 1960, when Norwich disbanded all of its fraternities.

The Twentieth Century

From its very inception, Theta Chi was planned as a national fraternity. However, while there were several requests for chapters at other colleges, Theta Chi existed as a single chapter for nearly 50 years due to the conservative nature of the undergraduate brothers at Norwich.

On Dec. 13, 1902 Beta chapter was finally established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Spearheaded by Brother Park V. Perkins (Alpha 1905), the installation of Beta chapter began a new era for Theta Chi: an era of rapid expansion and national organization and administration. Although hindered by a serious depression and two world wars, Theta Chi has grown and prospered beyond the dreams of the Founders to the position it now holds in the national fraternity scene. At the 75th Anniversary Convention in 1931, the Fraternity erected a granite monument with a bronze plaque in Norwich, VT to commemorate the founding of the Fraternity.

Theta Chi Today

In spring 2010, Theta Chi Fraternity installed its 219th chapter, beginning the second half of the Iota series of chapters. Over 165,000 men have been initiated into the Fraternity since its founding. If our Founders could see us today, surely they would be proud of our accomplishments. Theta Chi serves a need for young men of character, principles and ideals to associate with and learn from each other.