THETA XI

FRATERNITY

Louisiana State University

THE FOUNDING OF THETA XI

Theta Xi was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, on April 29, 1864. That most sacred day in the history of our brotherhood, eight former members of Sigma Delta met in their secret rooms for the purpose of founding Theta Xi. The new society decided that the chapter be called the "Alpha Chapter of Theta Xi", and each suceeding chapter should be named by the following letter of the Greek alphabet. Minutes of the original meeting, Constitution and Ritual have been preserved by the Fraternity to this day. Our tradition is truly continous.

 

OUR FOUNDERS

 

 

 

 

 

PETER HENRY FOX

 

RALPH GOODING PACKARD

 

CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN WAITE

 

GEORGE BRADFORD BRAINERD

 

SAMUEL BUEL, JR

 

HENRY HARRISON FARNUM

 

THOMAS COLE RAYMOND

 

NATHANIEL HENRY STARBUCK

1864

During the first fourty years of its existence six chapters were established: Yale University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Massachuetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Cornell University, and Lehigh University; all located within approximately 200 miles of Rensselaer.

1905

It was not until 1905 that Theta Xi began its westward expansion with the chartering of the Theta Chapter at Purdue in February of that year, and Iota at Washington University a month later. During the next 10 years chapters were established in California, Texas, and Washington State.

2020

Theta Xi is one of North America's oldest social fraternities and the only such organization founded during the Civil War. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Theta Xi services Chapters and Colonies all over the United States. The Fraternity offers a comprehensive new member education program called Alpha Nine and countless educational programs for its members. Theta Xi is the only National Fraternity to receive two Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA) "Excellence in Programming" awards; one for Values into Action (Values training) and then second for Benchmarks of Excellence (Chapter Operations training).