The 147-year-old Alpha Delta chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Westminster College was recently recognized for its history. The chapter was the first fraternity established at Westminster and the oldest of any college fraternity west of the Mississippi River.
A group of current students and alumni dedicated a historical marker at the fraternity's residence on the college's campus during alumni weekend. The historical marker is to celebrate and recognize that the chapter is the oldest of any collegiate fraternity in continuous existence west of the Mississippi River.
Zachary T. Haines, Beta Theta Pi general fraternity assistant historian and East Great Lakes Regional Chief, said a group of alumni conducted a lot of research to be sure the chapter is indeed the oldest.
"We tirelessly researched and researched and researched. And this is, without a doubt, the oldest Greek letter fraternity or sorority in continuous existence west of the Mississippi River," Haines said.
The general fraternity of Beta Theta Pi is the sixth oldest fraternity in North America, he said. Today, the general fraternity has 128 chapters with 9,074 undergraduate members and about 129,000 living alumni. Haines highlighted some of the general fraternity's well-known members who have been founders and key players in major companies including Nordstrom, Nike and Wal-Mart.
"We've left lasting impacts on this world and continue to do so as we continue to cultivate men of principle," Haines said.
The chapter at Westminster was granted its charter in 1860. Although, it was not officially installed until 1868, after the Civil War.
Multiple alumni from the chapter contributed to the historic marker project. Jim Middleton, class of 1967, recognized alumni by name at a ceremony during the college's alumni weekend. He also shared with those at the ceremony a little about the chapter's history.
"It's with this great history, the history of young men dedicated to brotherhood and lifelong friendship that we are here today," Middleton said.
At the ceremony, Westminster College President Barney Forsythe noted the importance of the fraternity system at the college. Furthermore, he acknowledged the Alpha Delta chapter as the founder of that system.
"That's quite a legacy," Forsythe told the group of alumni and current students. "Leadership, character and service are baked into the DNA of Westminster College and that's what the fraternity system stands for."
He said the fraternity chapter's partnership with the college has aided in Westminster students' academic and personal growth.
The current Alpha Delta president, Carson Butts, thanked the alumni for their parts in the fraternity's history. And, he acknowledged the current fraternity members present at the ceremony.
"It's now our duty to protect the safety of this house for years to come," Butts said.
At the marker ceremony, Haines donated a book, published in 1947, on the history of the Westminster chapter to the chapter.