Theta Chi, Beta Rho Chapter

History - from IWU chapter website In 1919, the local chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon was founded. The Rho chapter of Beta Kappa, which was founded in 1926 on Wesleyan's campus, was the forerunner of Beta Rho chapter of Theta Chi. Beta Kappa officially, merged with Theta Chi on April 14, 1942. On May 21, 1942, the former Beta Kappa chapter received its formal Theta Chi charter and has henceforth been known as the Beta Rho chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.

History - The Argus 5-6-1942

The Beta Kappa national fraternity will merge with Theta Chi fraternity, it was announced Monday by Gene Rudd, Beta Kappa president. The Wesleyan Chapter will be installed Saturday morning, May 23, and the active chapter will be initiated Saturday afternoon by an initiation team of 12 Theta Chi men and a national officer. An initiation of the present Beta Kappa pledges Will be held on Sunday morning, May 24, by the new active chapter of Theta 'Chi. The Wesleyan chapter will be called Beta Rho of Theta Chi. Beta Kappa- fraternity was founded at Hamline university in 1901. It became a national fraternity in 1922 and the Rho chapter on the Wesleyan campus was founded in 1926 at which time Pi Mu Epsilon, a local fraternity, merged with Beta Kappa. The Theta Chi fraternity was founded April 10 1856 at Norwich university. A the present time there are 5 active Theta Chi chapters. Theta Chi has 16,300 members, anc there will. be a total of 23,004 members of the newly merge fraternitieS. Theta Chi will havi 71 active chapters. Eleven- Beta Kappa chapters will be reestablished on campuses throughout the nation. The fraternity wil be the twelfth largest fraternity in the United States. The alumni of Theta Chi who are affiliated with Illinois Wesleyan are Dr. I.S. Corn and Bol Billick. All Beta Kappa alumni will be invited to witness the initiation Ceremonies on May 23 and 24. The members of Beta Kappa are very happy to add to the prestige of Rho chapter and Illinois Wesleyan by this great move to merge two well-known national fraternities.

Mission Statement:

I believe in Theta Chi, its traditions and its ideals. Born of sturdy manhood, nurtured by resolute men, ennobled by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture and a builder of character.It inspires true friendship: teaches Truth, Temperance and Tolerance, extols virtue, exacts harmony, and extends a helping hand to all who seek it.I believe in the primacy of Alma Mater; in the usefulness of my Fraternity, in its influence and its accomplishments and I shall do all in my power to perpetuate its ideals, thereby serving my God, my country and my fellow-man.