Beta Theta Pi Fraternity

Beta Theta Pi, commonly referred to as Beta, is a North American social fraternity founded on August 8, 1839, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. It is one of the oldest college fraternities and a member of the Miami Triad, alongside Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi.

History

Beta Theta Pi was established by eight students from the Erodelphian and Union Literary Societies, who sought to create a fraternity that avoided the objectionable practices of other organizations of the time. The founders were John Reily Knox, Samuel Taylor Marshall, David Linton, James George Smith, Charles Henry Hardin, John Holt Duncan, Michael Clarkson Ryan, and Thomas Boston Gordon. The fraternity has since grown to include over 223,000 lifetime members, with more than 9,500 active undergraduate members across 150 chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

Pillars and Values

The fraternity is based on five core values: Intellect, Responsible Conduct, Mutual Assistance, Integrity, and Trust. These principles guide the fraternity's mission to develop men of principle for a principled life. Beta Theta Pi promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and leadership development among its members.

Men of Principle Initiative

In 1998, Beta Theta Pi launched the Men of Principle initiative, aimed at realigning the fraternity with its core values. This initiative included improving academic performance, recruitment, risk management, and leadership development across chapters. As part of this effort, chapters failing to meet these standards were closed. The initiative has enhanced the fraternity's reputation and academic achievements, raising the average chapter GPA to the highest among fraternities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Beta Theta Pi has also established a Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to foster a culture of belonging within the fraternity. This commission works to ensure that Beta Theta Pi leads in interfraternal matters related to diversity and inclusion.

Beta Firsts

Beta Theta Pi is known for several pioneering achievements in the fraternity world:

• First college fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains.
• First fraternity to host a General Convention.
• First to establish a chapter west of the Mississippi River.
• First to create alumni chapters.
• First continuously published college fraternity magazine.
• First to publish an open constitution for public distribution.

Symbols and Traditions

The fraternity's symbols include the dragon, star, and diamond, with its colors being delicate shades of pink and blue. Roses, specifically the "June" or "Queen of the Prairie" variety, are its flower. Beta Theta Pi has a rich tradition of singing and music, reflecting its history as "The Singing Fraternity."

Chapters and Membership

With chapters on over 120 campuses across North America, Beta Theta Pi continues to be a prominent organization in the collegiate environment, offering brotherhood, academic support, and leadership opportunities to its members.