National history

Theta Chi Fraternity is one of the oldest and largest men's fraternities in North America today. Our past is indeed proud, reflecting a society founded by two young idealistic cadets. Our growth from 1856 and over the next century is a tribute to the standards, ideals, and objectives of those cadets and over 170,000 men who have followed them and taken the vows of Theta Chi Fraternity. Those ideals and standards are as attractive and as meaningful today as in 1856.

Theta Chi Fraternity is a force, for today and for the future. Each man who joins our ranks contributes in many ways to the strengthening of our brotherhood, our chapters and colonies, and our traditions. Our growth and expansion demonstrates the pride of many thousands of young men who join our chapters and colonies each year to share in that brotherhood.

Arthur Chase and Fredrick Norton Freeman

Most importantly, our chapters and colonies provide the support for excellence that is sorely needed today on campuses. That brotherhood comes in a wide and diverse variety of shapes, sizes, forms, colors, and fashions, but it reflects the concept of the Helping Hand -- that the most important duty that we have is to assist others, especially in time of need. Young people today are in need of that support, perhaps more than ever before. Theta Chi fraternity squarely meets that need.

The brotherhood of Theta Chi Fraternity has spanned over 150 years and over 215 chapters, yet it remains as bright and as unique as it was in 1856.

Flag of Theta Chi

If our founders, Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase, could see us today, surely they would be pleased. We are the international organization they envisioned, and we have kept inviolate the ideals and concepts that they held so dear. From our ranks have come leaders in industry, the sciences, law, medicine, education, military, and government at all levels. Many thousands of our alumni have carried the tradition of the Helping Hand into their neighborhoods, places of worship, communities and local organizations, to share their leadership skills with others.

Theta Chi Fraternity exists to serve a need for young men of character, principles, and ideals to associate with each other. Our chapters and colonies are laboratories for leadership. Our undergraduates grow, mature and develop through interaction with other outstanding young men.

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