Alpha Theta
| Alpha Theta | |
|---|---|
|
ΑΘ
|
|
 |
|
| Founded |
As Iota Sigma Upsilon - 1920 Joined Theta Chi - 1921 Became Alpha Theta - 1952 |
| Type | Local coeducational |
| Scope | Dartmouth College |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Headquarters | Hanover, New Hampshire, United States |
| Homepage | http://www.dartmouth.edu/~atheta/ |
Alpha Theta is a coeducational fraternity at Dartmouth College. The Alpha Theta Fraternity at Dartmouth College is a 501(c)(7) non-profit and the chapter house and property are owned by the Alpha Theta House Corporation, a 501(c)(2) non-profit.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Early Years
Alpha Theta was founded as a local fraternity named Iota Sigma Upsilon on March 3, 1920, by a group of seven students:
Robert L. Farwell, James W. Frost, Howard A. Hitchcock, Robert L. Loeb (Alpha Theta / Theta Chi's first president), Robert J. Minor, Burdette E. Weymouth, Ralph K. Whitney.
In 1921 the fraternity received a charter as the Alpha Theta chapter of Theta Chi. John Sloan Dickey, later President of the College, joined the fraternity in 1928 and was elected house president only two weeks later, while still a pledge.
Nine brothers of Theta Chi died in a tragic accident on the morning of February 25, 1934, when the metal chimney of the building's old coal furnace blew out in the night and the residence filled with poisonous carbon monoxide gas.[1][2] This is still the most fatal accident ever to occur at Dartmouth College.
[edit] Breaking from Theta Chi
Alpha Theta was one of the first collegiate fraternities in the United States to break from its national organization over civil rights issues, and the first at the Greek-dominated Dartmouth College. In 1951, while Dickey served as President of the College, the student body passed a resolution calling on all fraternities to eliminate racial discrimination from their constitutions. The Theta Chi national organization's constitution contained a clause limiting membership in fraternity to "Caucasians" only. On April 24, 1952, the members of the Dartmouth chapter voted unanimously to stop recognizing the racial clause in Theta Chi's constitution.[3] Upon learning that the Dartmouth delegation to Theta Chi's national convention later that year planned to raise questions about the clause, the Alpha Theta chapter was derecognized by the national organization on July 25, 1952.[4] The house reincorporated as a local fraternity and adopted the name Alpha Theta.
[edit] Coeducation
Alpha Theta was one of the first all-male fraternities to admit female members. In 1972, Dartmouth admitted the first class of female students and officially became a coeducational institution. Alpha Theta also voted to become coeducational. After a few years, most of the women in the fraternity had become inactive and the house voted to become male-only again on November 10, 1976. The house returned to a coeducational membership policy in 1980.[5]
[edit] Embezzlement Case
In February 2011 the Alpha Theta House Corporation filed suit against a former treasurer, Bruce McAllister, alleging that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the fraternity.[6] McAllister was also sued by The Meccawe Club, a private fishing club in Vermont, and became the target of a Federal investigation later that year.[7]
In November 2011 McAllister, a former financial auditor at Dartmouth College, was indicted for wire fraud following an investigation by the United States Secret Service.[8][9] He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.[10]
[edit] Physical Plant
The current building and property is owned by the Alpha Theta House Corporation, a New Hampshire nonprofit corporation.
The original physical plant used by Theta Chi fraternity was built by the year 1852 and used as a candy shop by confectioner E.K. Smith. Of Smith's confectionery operation, only the building housing his candy factory to the north of Alpha Theta still survives (now the Native Americans at Dartmouth house). Subsequent owners used the candy shop as a dwelling and Theta Chi fraternity eventually bought it from J.V. Hazen in 1921.[11]
After the tragedy of 1934 membership suffered[12] and it was decided to build a new chapter house. The house was demolished soon and the current building was constructed in 1940.[13] The only part of the original building that remains is part of the basement that leads to the back stair and contains the laundry room, called Appalachia.[14]
Appalachia gets its name from its proximity to the Appalachian Trail. Hikers from the trail used to be able to stop in the house, an activity which is no longer possible. House tradition still has it that ghosts walk this part of Alpha Theta, and in 2007, a ghost-hunter attempted to gain access to this part of the house. Believing it would be disrespectful to the spirits, Alpha Theta refused access, though they did allow a student to take a look.[15]
In 2008 the Alpha Theta House Corporation did an extensive two year renovation of the house to improve the safety features of the building and the quality of life for members. Upgrades included a new fire alarm system, upgraded fire escapes, a wheelchair lift, a handicapped bathroom, a new wireless data network, and upgrades of existing bathroom and kitchen spaces.
[edit] Famous alumni
John Sloan Dickey - class of 1929, President of Dartmouth College from 1945–1970.
Owen Chamberlain - class of 1941, one of Dartmouth's only three Nobel Prize winners (Physics 1959), participated in the Manhattan Project.
Ira Michael Heyman - class of 1951, Chancellor of University of California-Berkeley, 1980–1990. Trustee of Dartmouth College since 1980.
Mark B. Mitchell - class of 1956, successful architect noted for his work on libraries. Member of the Vermont state legislature from 2006 to 2011, participated in legalization of same sex marriage in Vermont.
Cameron Myler - class of 1992, Member of four United States Olympic Teams in the sport of luge, Flag-bearer for United States Team at 1994 Olympic Winter Games. Seven-time U.S. National Champion and winner of eleven World Cup medals.
Nathan Ruegger - class of 2006, screenwriter, script doctor, and voice actor on animated television series Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, and Histeria!.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Nine Dartmouth Students Die in Fraternity House from Monoxide Poisoning". New York Times. 1934-02-26. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40810FB3459177A93C4AB1789D85F408385F9.
- ^ "Education: Dartmouth's Saddest". Time Magazine. 1934-03-05. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,747133,00.html.
- ^ "Dartmouth Society Drops Bias Clause". New York Times. 1952-04-26. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D12FD3C5E177B93C4AB178FD85F468585F9.
- ^ "Charter is Revoked: Dartmouth Theta Chi Chapter Rejected Racial Clause". New York Times. 1952-07-28. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40A17FD3459157A93CAAB178CD85F468585F9.
- ^ Bronner, Geoffrey and Robinson, Chris(1999). "Alpha Theta History". Retrieved Mar. 14, 2007.
- ^ "Alpha Theta sues former treasurer". The Dartmouth. 2011-04-18. http://thedartmouth.com/2011/04/18/news/alphatheta.
- ^ "Meccawe’s Treasurer Hit With Lawsuits Over Funds". The Vermont Standard. 2011-05-18. http://www.thevermontstandard.com/2011/05/meccawe’s-treasurer-hit-with-lawsuits-over-funds/.
- ^ "BRUCE MCALLISTER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT EMBEZZLEMENT". United States Attorney's Office District of Vermont. 2011-11-09. http://www.justice.gov/usao/vt/press/releases/20111109_mcallister.html.
- ^ "Ex-Dartmouth College auditor accused of misuse of groups' funds". The Burlington Free Press. 2011-11-02. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20111102/NEWS07/111102035/Ex-Dartmouth-College-auditor-accused-misuse-groups-funds.
- ^ "Dartmouth ex-auditor denies embezzling from not-for-profits". The Burlington Free Press. 2011-11-10. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20111110/NEWS07/111100313/Dartmouth-ex-auditor-denies-embezzling-from-not-profits.
- ^ http://www.dartmo.com/buildings/tuvwxyzbldg.html
- ^ "Theta Chi to Leave Dartmouth". New York Times. 1938-01-07. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20617FF3E581A7A93C5A9178AD85F4C8385F9.
- ^ http://www.dartmo.com/buildings/abbldg.html
- ^ http://www.dartmouth.edu/~atheta/history.html
- ^ http://thedartmouth.com/2007/10/26/mirror/skeletons
[edit] External links
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