Theta Xi

Theta Xi
ΘΞ
File:Txcoatofarms small.jpg
Founded	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Type	Social fraternity
Scope	National
Motto	Juncti Juvant "United they Serve"
Colors	Azure Blue and Matte Silver
Symbol	Unicorn
Flower	Blue Iris
Chapters	More than 50 in the United States
Patron saint	Benjamin Franklin
Headquarters	P.O. Box 411134 St. Louis, Missouri USA
Website	http://www.thetaxi.org/

Theta Xi (ΘΞ) is a fraternity founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York on 29 April 1864. Theta Xi is the only fraternity to be established during the American Civil War. Theta Xi Fraternity was originally founded as an engineering fraternity, the first professional fraternity. It became a general social fraternity by a five to one vote of the membership at the National Convention on April 9, 1926.

National Service Projects

In addition to philanthropies adopted by individual chapters, Theta Xi supports two national service projects, for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and Habitat for Humanity.

Notable alumni

Arts and entertainment

• Richard Boone (Tau), Emmy winning actor
• Jim Davis (Kappa Kappa 159), creator of Garfield comic strip
• Bruce Davison, Golden Globe-winning actor
• Buddy De Sylva (Alpha Nu 78), Oscar-nominated composer, producer, and executive
• Henderson Forsythe, Tony award-winning actor and one of the actors who has played Colonel Sanders for KFC
• Robert LaHendro (Bob), director 1968-79, All in the Family; 1974-75 Good Times; 1974-75 That’s My Mama; 1975-79 Welcome Back Kotter; 1979 Detective School; 1980, Flo; 1984-90 Santa Barbara
• Charles Lederer, film screenwriter, Tony award double winner, producer
• Jack Lindquist, former president of Disneyland (1990-1994)
• Dudley Nichols, Oscar-winning screenwriter
• Jeremy Alyea, Independent film producer, creator of "Smokin in the Annex."
• Charles Pratt, Jr., TV executive & co-executive producer for Melrose Place
• Carl Ragsdale, Oscar-winning director/producer & pioneer in TV commercials and underwater filming
• Loren Sitomer, (Alpha Zeta 1404), former child actor
• Alex Seiden, (Delta 860) Visual effects/Computer Graphics specialist; Supervisor credits for Star Wars (special edition), Jurassic Park, Star Trek: Generations
• Rick Telles (Alpha Zeta 804), producer of MTV’s The Real World, Road Rules, Making the Band, Fear; WB’s The Surreal Life'. His filmography includes: 1983-1985 Loving; 1989 Ghettoblaster; 1987 Fatal Beauty; 1995-1997 The City; 2005 The Shar Jackson Show
• Justin Van Slyke (Kappa Gamma 447), MSNBC Correspondent
• Greg White (Gamma Iota 57), On-Air - Host of "2 Wheel Tuesday" on Speed Channel for 174 Episodes (3.5 years), currently a commentator for Speed's AMA Superbike Series coverage. Producer - Bike Week, Motorcyclist and 2 Wheel Tuesday all on Speed.

Business

• Robert J. Gordon (Eta 607), business author
• Brian D. Barr (Beta Epsilon 776), President, C.E.O., California Audio Technology (CAT)
• Jimmy Rane (Beta Zeta 303), President and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc.

Government, military and politics

• Major William H. Wiley (Alpha 11, 1st President of the Grand Lodge), major in the Union Army during the Civil War and United States Representative from New Jersey
• Eric O'Neill (Beta Zeta 707) - a former American FBI operative. He worked as an Investigative Specialist, of the Special Surveillance Group (SSG), and played a pivotal role in the arrest and life imprisonment conviction of his fellow agent, Robert Hanssen, for spying on behalf of the Soviet Union and Russia.
• Claude Harris, Jr. (Alpha Lambda 421)(Univ of Ala) - US Congress Representative from Alabama (1987-1993); Circuit Judge, 1977-1985; was not a candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Third Congress in 1992

Science and technology

• Charles Hayden (Delta 24), MIT's Charles Hayden Memorial Library and the Boston Museum of Science's Charles Hayden Planetarium are named after him
• Edwin Armstrong, inventor and the Father of FM Radio
• Allen B. DuMont (Alpha 349), American scientist and inventor
• Frederick Winslow Taylor (Gamma 53), Father of Scientific Management
• James S. Voss (Beta Zeta 312), Astronaut

Sports

• Al Brosky (Alpha Beta 563), Illinois safety and member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Tom Dickens Yale college football player, All-American first-team selection in both 1920 and 1921.
• Ryan Mathews NASCAR Busch series driver for Bill Davis Racing.
• Tom Penders Former head men's basketball coach at the University of Texas.
• Bob Schaefer, former manager of the Kansas City Royals.
• Stan Sczurek (Theta 706), offensive lineman at Purdue and a professional linebacker was The Boilermakers’ team captain in 1961, he was an All-Big 10 first-teamer and received All-American mention. He played in the East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl before becoming a fourth-round draft choice for the Cleveland Browns. Purdue LB—Cleveland Browns, 1963-1965; New York Giants, 1966; Akron Vulcans, 1967
• Jerry Tagge (Alpha Epsilon 916), American and Canadian football quarterback
• Bobby Thomas (Alpha Epsilon 891), an All-Big 8 selection in 1975 and 1976, who played in the Fiesta and Bluebonnet Bowls.
• Len Wilson (Theta 692), is remembered yearly by the Purdue football program, which awards a trophy in his honor to the most unselfish and dedicated player. He won the team’s 1957 award as its best defensive back, led it in kickoff returns in 1958 and played in the Blue-Gray Game. Wilson was drafted by the Steelers and played for Saskatchewan in the CFL in 1960. Purdue DB—Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1960
• Steve Wright (football) (Alpha Lambda 430), played on University of Alabama Sugar Bowl team, Green Bay fifth-round pick in 1964.
• Scott Madden, Offroad Racing champion. Scott recently placed in the Northern Indiana Cornfield Competition, and also has placed in several presitigious competetions such as the White River Treestumpjumper and The Ten Lap Race. Scott earned enough points this past season to qualify for the 2008 Hummer World Championships.

List of Chapters and Colonies

Main article: List of Theta Xi Chapters

External links

• Theta Xi National Headquarters