Beta Phi Theta
| Beta Phi Theta | |
|---|---|
| ΒΦΘ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 1917 University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Scope | Regional |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Symbol | Rampant lion, key, balance scale |
| Publication | The Helmet |
| Chapters | 7 installed; 4 active chapters at dissolution |
| Merger? | Scattered |
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 would go on to merge into other national fraternities.
History
Beta Phi Delta was founded at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in October 1917 as an outgrowth of friendships that were developed among students in the Student Army Training Corps, at UW Milwaukee during WWI. Within a decade it had expanded to four chapters, eventually chartering seven known chapters, all in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.[1]
A merger with similarly sized Alpha Delta Alpha was discussed in the 1930s, but was not consummated.[1]
Baird's described its organization as "loose". Beta Phi Theta was dissolved in 1948, with four chapters remaining active at that time.
Baird's notes no single national successor group. However, its University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee chapter would operate as a local chapter for a decade, later becoming a chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Within a year of dissolution its Bradley University chapter accepted a charter as a unit of Theta Xi. Finally, its Tri-State chapter, now Trine University, would hold on until 1969 as Beta Phi Theta (local), when it would accept a charter as a chapter of Delta Chi. The fourth surviving chapter, situated at the two-year UW Wisconsin-Racine campus well prior to that school's merger into the four-year Parkside campus, appears to have ceased operations without merger immediately after the regional fraternity's dissolution.[1]
Symbols
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 three Greek Letters, Β, Φ and Θ, ordered vertically, in gold. This field was surrounded by pearls.[2][3]
The fraternity's colors were green and white.[2]
Chapters
The Baird's Manual Archive notes the formation of seven chapters by 1948. Active chapters at the time of dissolution that same year are listed in bold, inactive chapters listed in italics.[1]
| Name | Chartered | Institution | Location | Status | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | October 1917–1958 | University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Withdrew, (local, then ΤΚΕ) | [a][1] | |
| Beta | 1925–1931 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Dormant | [b][1] | |
| Gamma | 1925–1930 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | Dormant | [c][1] | |
| Delta[d] | 1926–1948 | Bradley University | Peoria, Illinois | Withdrew, (ΘΞ) | [e][1] | |
| Epsilon[d] | 1929–1969 | Trine University[f] | Angola, Indiana | Withdrew, (local, then ΔΧ) | [g][1] | |
| Zeta | 1930–1932 | University of Illinois | Champaign and Urbana, Illinois | Dormant | [h][1][i] | |
| Theta | 1948–1948 | University of Wisconsin–Parkside (formerly UW Racine) | Somers, Wisconsin | Dormant | [j][1] |
Notes
- ^ Alpha chapter originated from friendships formed at the school's Student Army Training Corps during WWI. After dissolution it operated once again as a local chapter from 1948 until 1958, when it became the Zeta Zeta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
- ^ This chapter originated as the Hilltop Club (local), prior to 1925.
- ^ This chapter originated as Alpha Theta (local) in 1924.
- ^ a b Several Bradley University Polyscope yearbooks note the name of its chapter as Omicron Sigma, not Delta; Omicron Sigma was the name of its original local. In that same timeframe, the 1941 Tri-State University (~Trine) Modulus yearbook lists the chapter at that school as Delta, and not Epsilon. Nevertheless, the Baird's Archive, which likely has additional sources has the names as published here.
- ^ This chapter originated as Omicron Sigma (local) in 1924. Upon dissolution of ΒΦΘ it became the Alpha Sigma chapter of Theta Xi in 1948.
- ^ While this chapter was active its school was called Tri-State University.
- ^ This chapter originated as the Four-Eleven Gang (local) in 1922. It took a Greek letter name in 1927 as Lambda Phi Epsilon (local). Two years later the chapter joined ΒΦΘ as its Epsilon chapter. Upon dissolution it reverted to local status, until 1969, when it accepted a charter as the Tri-State chapter of Delta Chi.
- ^ This chapter originated as Beta Chi (local) in 1928.
- ^ The Archive noted two closure years. The chapter list for the dormant fraternity says the Illinois chapter ceased in 1932, inferred by its last Illio yearbook appearance, but the list of fraternities under the Institutions section, showing the University of Illinois, noted the chapter ceased in 1935 when its last graduates left.
- ^ Baird's shows this chapter as existing for only one year; possibly a typo? The current UW Parkside campus is a 1969 amalgamation of two earlier schools, the UW Center in Kenosha and the UW Center in Racine. The Beta Phi Theta chapter had been located on the Racine campus.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 22 Jun 2023. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
- ^ a b 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.