Beta Phi Theta
| Beta Phi Theta | |
|---|---|
| ΒΦΘ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 1917 Milwaukee State Normal School |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Defunct date | 1969 |
| Successor | Scattered |
| Scope | Regional |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Symbol | Rampant lion, key, balance scale |
| Flower | Daisy |
| Publication | The Helmet |
| Chapters | 7 installed; 4 active chapters at dissolution |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States |
Beta Phi Delta (ΒΦΘ) was a three-state regional American fraternity, established in 1917. It ceased operations in 1948 with four remaining chapters. Of these, three merged into other national fraternities.
History
[edit]Beta Phi Delta was founded at Milwaukee State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) in October 1917.[1][2] It was an outgrowth of friendships that were developed among students in the Student Army Training Corps at the normal school during World War I.[1][2] Its founders were William Armstrong, Roderick Bott, Sidney Foster, Harold Morgan, Milton Murray, and Winston Reineking.[1]
By 1930, it had expanded to three chapters and around 200 members.[1] The fraternity eventually chartered seven chapters, all in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.[2] It was governed by an national executive board that was based in Milwaukee.[1] It also had a supreme high council that meet during the fraternity's annual convention.[1]
A merger with similarly sized Alpha Delta Alpha was discussed in the 1930s, but was not consummated.[2] Beta Phi Theta national was dissolved in 1948, with four chapters remaining active at as local fraternities.[2] The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee chapter operated as a local fraternity for a decade, before becoming a chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in 1958.[2] Within a year of dissolution of Beta Phi Theta, its Bradley University chapter became a chapter of Theta Xi.[2] The Tri-State chapter held on until 1969 as Beta Phi Theta (local), when it became a chapter of Delta Chi.[2]
Symbols
[edit]The badge of Beta Phi Theta was an eight-sided shield, the major sides of which curved inward. On a field of black enamel were displayed the Greek letters ΒΦΘ, ordered vertically, in gold.[1] This field was surrounded by pearls.[3][4]
The fraternity also had a pledge pin that was green oval with a gold bar, crossed at an angle.[1] Its colors were green and white.[1] Its flower was the daisy.[1] Its publication was The Helmet.[1][2]
Chapters
[edit]Following are the chapters of Beta Phi Theta, with inactive chapters listed in italics.[1][2]
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | October 1917 – January 11, 1958 | University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Withdrew (local, then ΤΚΕ) | [5][a] |
| Beta | 1925–1931 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Inactive | [b] |
| Gamma | 1925–1930 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | Inactive | [c] |
| Delta (Omicron Epsilon) | 1926–1948 | Bradley University | Peoria, Illinois | Withdrew (ΘΞ) | [d] |
| Epsilon | 1929–1969 | Trine University | Angola, Indiana | Withdrew, (local, then ΔΧ) | [e] |
| Zeta | 1930–1932 | University of Illinois | Champaign and Urbana, Illinois | Inactive | [f] |
| Theta | 1948–1948 | University of Wisconsin-Racine | Somers, Wisconsin | Inactive |
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Chapter formed at the Milwaukee State Normal School, which became the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1956. After the dissolution of the national fraternity, it operated as a local chapter. On January 11, 1958, it became the Zeta Zeta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
- ↑ Chapter formed from the Hilltop Club, established in 1923.
- ↑ Chapter formed from Alpha Theta, established in 1924.
- ↑ Chapter formed from Omicron Sigma (local), established in 1924. As a result, the chapter was called Omicron Sigma, rather than Delta. Upon dissolution of the national fraternity, it became the Alpha Sigma chapter of Theta Xi in 1948.
- ↑ This chapter originated as the Four-Eleven Gang (local) in 1922, taking the Greek letter name Lambda Phi Epsilon in 1927. Upon dissolution of the national fraternity, it reverted to local status. In 1969, it became a chapter of Delta Chi.
- ↑ Chapter formed from Beta Chi, established in 1928.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. (1930). "Beta Phi Theta". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (12th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company. p. 66 – via HathiTrust.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Carroll Lurding; Fran Becque, eds. (January 16, 2025). "Inactive Men's Organizations: Beta Phi Theta" (PDF). Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved March 30, 2025 – via University Library: Student Life and Culture Archives.
- ↑ Polyscope. Peoria, Illinois: Class of 1930, Bradley University. 1929. p. 137. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ↑ Modulus. Angola, Indiana: Class of 1941, Tri-State College. 1940. pp. 82–85. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ↑ Dancing Turkeys and War Cameraderie: The Rich History of TKE at UW-Milwaukee
