National History

     Theta Chi Fraternity was founded on Thursday, April 10, 1856 at 9:00 pm on the campus of Norwich University in Norwich, Vermont by Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase, assisted by Egbert Phelps. Chase became the first president and Freeman was the first secretary. Phelps, who transferred to Union College and joined Chi Psi Fraternity, suggested the name of the organization and designed the first badge of Theta Chi, which is still in use today. The first pledges were Edward Williston and Lorenzo Potter.

     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." This established the Alpha Chapter which later became inactive in 1960 when Norwich University abolished fraternities. In March of 1866, the Old South Barracks, the founding place of Theta Chi Fraternity at Norwich University, was completely destroyed by fire. Norwich University was relocated to Northfield, Vermont. One year later, Frederick N. Freeman died in Newburgh, New York.

      On September 8, 1881, Norwich University was reduced to 15 students and Theta Chi membership was reduced to one undergraduate member, James M. Holland. On November 19, Phil Randall and Henry Hersey were initiated, thus saving the Fraternity from extinction.

    In 1890, Alpha Chapter acquired the first chapter house in Northfield, Vermont.

    On February 22, 1908, the Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity was organized at Boston, Massachusetts. J. Albert Holmes was elected the first national president. On September 25, 1908, Delta Chapter was installed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

    The pledge button was officially adopted by the Grand Chapter on January 21, 1911. On February 28, 1912, the first edition of The Rattle was published as the newsletter of Theta Chi Fraternity. In September of 1923, the first Executive Office opened in New York City. In April of 1928, the Executive Office moved to Huntington, West Virginia. "It Is to Thee", the official flag, banner, and pennant were adopted in June of 1928. In June of 1932, the Executive Office was moved to Trenton, New Jersey. On April 14, 1942, Beta Kappa Fraternity (16 chapters) merged with Theta Chi Fraternity.

     On May 20, 1950, Delta Theta Chapter was installed at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio and became the 100th chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. On February 20, 1965, Zeta Gamma Chapter was installed at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, making Theta Chi an International Fraternity.

     In June of 1990, the International Headquarters moved from Trenton, New Jersey to Indianapolis, Indiana.

    On April 27, 1991, Theta Chi initiated its 125,000th member.

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Eta Iota History

     The Eta Iota chapter of Theta Chi fraternity here at Newberry College has a long and prestigious history.  Our first brothers were initiated in 1972; they consisted of the brightest and most outstanding students at Newberry College.  Since then, not much has changed.  The Eta Iota chapter consists of men that strive for academic excellence and that are involved in many other organizations at Newberry College.

      Eta Iota chapter enjoys an outstanding social life as well.  We hold many functions at our house such as our “toga” parties, “Dukes of Hazzard” party and our Homecoming party and are looking forward to many more at our new house off of the Hwy. 121 bypass. 

      We also have an outstanding service record in the community and around the college.  Many of our brothers help with freshman check-ins and orientations and as a brotherhood, we help with clean ups around the campus, work with the Newberry Jaycees around the community, run a Haunted House during Halloween, work with the Newberry Animal Shelter and participate in Adopt-A-Highway.

      Overall our brotherhood is very admired and respected here at Newberry College.  We maintain a good balance of high academic success and a great social life as well as an outstanding community service record. 

     The Eta Iota chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity was installed at Newberry College in Newberry, SC on February 12, 1972.  The chapter was founded by Milas (Mike) Sease and assisted by Donald Alcorn.

     Milas Sease was elected the chapter's first President and Donald Alcorn was elected the chapter's first secretary.

     The first chapter house was completely burnt on September 22, 1993.  The house was found by Trey Love and Kevin Steelman on September 23, 1993.

     There were 25 stumps at the first chapter house:  two were red (President and Vice President) and twenty-three were white (first 23 initiates).

     The Eta Iota chapter received the Howard R. Alter, Jr. Award in 1997.

     The Eta Iota chapter was removed from Newberry College in the spring of 1998.  During this time, only nine brothers remained on campus:  JJ Andrighetti, Matt Barber, Dan Bledsoe, Todd Byers, Jai Hicks, Beau Osbourne, Brian Shealy, Philip Smelcer, and Bret Wadford.

     The Eta Iota chapter was reinstated at Newberry College one week before rush in the fall of 1998.

     Theta Chi Fraternity is four-time Greek Week Champions - 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006.

     Dorothy Wilson Chocklett and Meghan Nicole Caldwell were the most recent two-time sweethearts.