Theta Xi has a rich and exciting history dating from its founding in 1864. We have survived both internal and external challenges to become the thriving organization that even today continues to expand. Through war and fires, dissension and reorganization, unions and expansion, Theta Xi has emerged as an organization strong in its beliefs of loyalty and unity, and its practice of formal debate and democratic voting procedures. We expect these same beliefs and practices will enable Theta Xi to continue adding more chapters to her story.

Theta Xi was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, on April 29, 1864, by Peter Henry Fox, Ralph Gooding Packard, Christopher Champlin Waite, George Bradford Brainerd, Samuel Buel Jr., Henry Harrison Farnum, Thomas Cole Raymond, and Nathaniel Henry Starbuck. Minutes of the original meeting, Constitution and Ritual have been preserved by the Fraternity to this day. Our tradition is truly continuous.

Christopher "Kit" Waite, whose father was destined to become Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, was from Toledo, Ohio. Peter Fox from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Thomas Raymond, a “downeastener” from Westborough, Massachusetts, together with Waite, were the only Founders from out of state. Nathaniel Starbuck was a “local” from the campus town of Troy whose father, a leading citizen of the town, was often called upon to address public meetings to arouse popular support for the Lincoln administration. The remaining Founders were all New Yorkers: George Brainerd from Brooklyn; Samuel Buel, Jr. from Poughkeepsie; Ralph Packard from Niagara Falls and Henry Farnum from Port Jarvis.

            

                                       

 

 

Other Notable Alumni

 

 

   

 

• Jim Davis (Kappa Kappa 159), creator of Garfield comic strip

• 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

• Andrew Carnegie (Pi 59) - Steel tycoon and founder of the Carnegie Institute of Technology - now Carnegie Mellon University

• Steve Wright (football) (Alpha Lambda 430), played on Sugar Bowl and Peach Bowl teams, Green Bay first-round pick in 1964.