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. Arthur Chase and Frederick Norman Freeman 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 December 13, 1902, Beta Chapter was installed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. On May 20, 1907, Gamma Chapter was installed at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. 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. On November 6, 1913, Mu Chapter was installed at the University of California at Berkeley. This was the first chapter established on the Pacific Coast. 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. Excerpts were made from The Manual of Theta Chi Fraternity, copyright 1954. Thanks to the Beta Nu Chapter, Case Western Reserve University