Chi Phi Club of Atlanta

National History

We're not the best cause we're the oldest, we're the oldest cause we're the best !!!

The Chi Phi Fraternity, as it exists today, is the outgrowth of three older organizations, each of which bore the name of Chi Phi. These organizations were the Chi Phi Society, founded at the College of New Jersey (Princeton); the Chi Phi Fraternity, established at the University of North Carolina; and the Secret Order of Chi Phi, founded at Hobart College.

Chi Phi Society
The first of these older organizations, the Chi Phi Society, which is known in the history of the fraternity as the Princeton Order of Chi Phi, was established at the College of New Jersey, later Princeton University, on December 24, 1824, by Robert Baird, then a tutor in the college and later a prominent Presbyterian clergyman. He associated with himself in the formation of this secret Chi Phi Society, a number of the members of the faculties of both college and seminary as well as undergraduates of both institutions. This society ceased to be active in 1825.

Thirty years later, in the winter of 1853-54, John MacLean, Jr., found among the papers of his uncle, John MacLean, President of Princeton University, the old constitution, minute book, and ritual of the Chi Phi Society of 1824 and, with these as his guide, he united with Charles Smith Degraw and Gustavus W. Mayer in reorganizing the old society at Princeton along "modern lines". The old motto and a great part of the ritual were retained. In the fall of 1854, Mayer organized a second chapter of the Chi Phi Society at Franklin and Marshall College. Joseph Henry Dubbs, later a distinguished professor of history at this Alma Mater, being the first initiate. The opposition of the Princeton faculty and the prohibitory pledge caused the death of the reorganized Princeton Chapter in 1859 when its records were destroyed by the last active members, leaving the Lancaster Chapter alone to represent the society.

Southern Order of Chi Phi
The second of these older organizations, called the Chi Phi Fraternity and now known in our history as the Southern Order of Chi Phi, was founded at the University of North Carolina on August 21, 1858, by Thomas Capehart, Augustus Flythe, John C. Tucker, William H. Green, Fletcher T. Seymour, and James J. Cherry, who were students at the University and organized this club to perpetuate their preparatory school friendships and named it the Chi Phi Fraternity. The idea of expansion was early manifested and chapters were rapidly organized at Centenary, Davidson, Virginia, Nashville, and Cumberland. However, the War between the States meant the end of all but the parent chapter. With the cessation of hostilities, new chapters sprang up at Hampden-Sydney, Georgia, Edinburgh, Mercer, Emory, Oglethorpe, Trinity, Kentucky Military Institute, and St. John's. The extinct chapters at Virginia and Davidson were reorganized. Following the War, the University of North Carolina itself was closed, necessitating the transfer of the "Alpha" Chapter title to the Virginia Chapter. While this organization had a constitution and held conventions, the primary authority rested with the "Alpha" Chapter.

When the North Carolina Chapter was re-established, it took on the hyphenated name "Alpha-Alpha". Those chapters of Chi Phi with hyphenated names indicate that upon the reorganization of that chapter, its prior chapter name was already taken by an existing chapter. The hyphenated Alpha was added to the front of the old chapter name.

Secret Order of Chi Phi
The Secret Order of Chi Phi, which is now known in the history of the Fraternity as the Hobart Order of Chi Phi, was formed at Hobart College on November 14, 1860 by Amos Brunson and Alex J. Beach, who were students at the college and, being dissatisfied with the fraternities existing at Hobart, associated themselves with John W. Jones, George G. Hopkins, Edward S. Lawson, Samuel W. Tuttle, David S. Hall, David P. Jackson, William H. Shepard, Harvey N. Loomis, William Sutphen and Frank B. Wilson founded the Upsilon Chapter of the Secret Order of Chi Phi. From Hobart, charters were soon issued at new chapters at Kenyon, Princeton, and Rutgers.

Northern Order of Chi Phi
Five years later the Secret Order of Chi Phi at Hobart learned of the existence of the Chi Phi Society in Pennsylvania and on May 29, 1867, the two societies formally united. The Northern Order of the Chi Phi Fraternity was thus formed, and later placed chapters at Muhlenberg, Cornell, Dickinson, Wofford, Washington and Lee, Lehigh, Brown, Massuachusetts Institute of Technology, Amherst, Ohio Wesleyan, and Lafayette.

Chi Phi Fraternity
In early winter of 1865-66, the Hobart alumni in New York learned of the existence of the Chi Phi Fraternity in the South through John R. D. Shepard, a member of the Alpha Chapter at North Carolina. Negotiations for union were initiated but languished until the Northern Chi Phis placed chapters at Wofford and Washington and Lee in 1871-72. Particularly through the energy of the members of the latter chapter, these negotiations were renewed and, after many mutual concessions, the union was finally consummated at a meeting of a joint committee held in Washington, D.C. on July 23, 1874. The new organization took the name Chi Phi Fraternity from the Southern Order, while the fabric of organization and ritual come from the Northern Order.

Chi Phi, like other fraternities, had lost heavily in both chapters and membership during the War Between the States. This was especially true of the Southern Order where entire chapters had volunteered for service, and where the effects of the war had largely destroyed Southern institutions of higher learning. The period was one of strong sectional feeling, and the union of the Northern and Southern Orders of Chi Phi in 1874, so shortly after the conflict, bears strong testimony to the strength of the common ideals which drew the two orders into union. Chi Phi was among the first to forget sectionalism and to extend the hand of brotherhood after the war. This wise step was largely attributable to the leadership of men like Henry W. Grady of Georgia, and Northern Chi Phis of similar mind.

Chi Phi in Scotland
A unique result of the destruction of these times was the establishment of the Theta Chapter of Chi Phi at Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1867. After the war, Southern colleges and universities being largely destroyed, many prominent students went abroad to complete their studies. A group of men, two of which were already Chi Phis, were granted a charter by the Chi Phi Fraternity in 1867. The chapter was active for a few years, but addded no new members. Reopening of Southern colleges resulted in the withdrawal of the charter in 1870. This is thought to be the only chapter of an American college fraternity ever to have been established in Europe.

Chi Phi Organization
The organization of the Fraternity consists of the chartered active chapters, chapter alumni associations, and registered geographic alumni clubs. The supreme governing body is the Congress of the Fraternity, which is composed of delegates from these various bodies. The Congress elects the Grand Alpha of the Fraternity who serves as head of the Fraternity. He appoints the Grand Council which administers affairs of the Fraternity. The National Headquarters staff has charge of the daily activities of the Fraternity.

Chi Phi Publications
The official publication of the Fraternity is the Chi Phi Chakett, a quarterly magazine which is distributed to all living alumni members. The Chakett was first published in 1868 by the chapter at Franklin and Marshall College. It was the first fraternity chapter paper published in the United States. It appeared again in 1869 and 1872 edited by the Pennsylvania chapters. In 1874 appeared the Chi Phi Quarterly which was issued regularly until 1891 when it was superseded by an official journal, called the Chi Phi Chakett. Until 1924 the Chakett was issued purely as an official bulletin, its place being filled as far as general interest was concerned by annual yearbooks, but since then, it has appeared as an open quarterly magazine.

Chronicles of Chi Phi
In 1939 the Fraternity published the Chronicles of Chi Phi, a monumental history of the Fraternity prepared by Dr. Theodore B. Appel. In addition ot a complete history of Chi Phi, the work throws much light on the early origin of fraternities and their development in the American college system. For this reason the book has been of wide interest in the fraternity world. The Chronicles contain histories of each chapter, and pictures of past Grand Council members. Carl J. Gladfelter, former Grand Alpha and National Director from 1960 to 1975, has written a rough draft to bring the Chronicles forward from 1939 to date.

Sparks Memorial Medal
The Fraternity annually awards the Sparks Memorial Medal to the member of each chapter achieving the highest grade point average for the year. The Congress of 1924 authorized the awarding of the Sparks Medal as a tribute to the memory and work of Dr. Edwin E. Sparks. He was a founding member of the Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan Chapters, and was President of Pennsylvania State University when the Alpha Delta Chapter received its charter. He served on the Grand Council, was Chakett Editor, and made chapter visitations on behalf of the Grand Council.

Chi Phi Educational Trust
The Chi Phi Educational Trust was organized September 8, 1930, for the purpose of assisting deserving students and promoting scholarship and leadership. It has become a vital part of the success of Chi Phi.

Chi Phi Rush
The Grand Council issued the Fraternity's first rushing brochure in June, 1961. Today, "Rush Broadsides" are updated annually, and provided to all chapters and colonies.

Chi Phi Creed
I believe in the Chi Phi Fraternity. From its triple origin, Chi Phi sets forth and maintains values that others in society have dared to compromise. Truth, honesty, and personal integrity are the foundations upon which Chi Phi is built. A man's word is his bond. Chivalrous behavior crosses the ages to touch the heart of Chi Phi.

I believe in the friendship of Chi Phi. Whether on the road or in the chapter house, the hand of Brotherhood is always extended. The strength obtained from the union of congenial minds is the backbone of the Fraternity. Our founders sought for nothing less.

Finally, I believe in the future of the Chi Phi Fraternity because I believe in myself. When I put forth my best effort and combine that with the strength of my Brothers, we can achieve the victory of continual existence.

As long as the Almighty permits, I will strive to better myself through the teachings of my Fraternity. Being a more aware citizen, a more able person, and a stronger Chi Phi shall be my reward.

The True Gentlemen
The True Gentleman is a man whose conduct proceeds from goodwill and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled when necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but with sincerity and sympathy always; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

More Chi Phi History
For the history of the crest and the badge, please visit the Chi Phi National website.