Beta Phi Theta
{{Short description|American collegiate fraternity (1917–1948)}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
| name = Beta Phi Theta
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΒΦΘ}}
| crest = The_crest_of_Beta_Phi_Theta.jpg
| image_size = 110px
| birthplace = Milwaukee State Normal School
| founded = {{start date and age|1917|10}}
| city = Milwaukee
| state = Wisconsin
| country = United States
| status = Defunct
| defunct_date = 1969
| successor = Scattered
| type = Social fraternity
| scope = Regional
| affiliation = Independent
| colors = {{color box|#6B8E23}} Green and {{color box|#FFFFFF}} White
| publication = The Helmet
| member badge = File:The pin of Beta Phi Theta.jpg
| symbol = Rampant lion, key, balance scale
| flower = Daisy
| chapters = 7 installed; 4 active chapters at dissolution
}}
Beta Phi Delta ({{lang|grc|ΒΦΘ}}) was a three-state regional American fraternity, established in 1917. It ceased operations in {{dts|1948}} with four remaining chapters. Of these, three merged into other national fraternities.
History
Beta Phi Delta was founded at Milwaukee State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) in {{dts|1917|10}}.Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. [https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b3119647?urlappend=%3Bseq=98%3Bownerid=9007199274501863-100 Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition]. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. pp. 66. via Hathi Trust. It was an outgrowth of friendships that were developed among students in the Student Army Training Corps at the normal school during World War I. Its founders were William Armstrong, Roderick Bott, Sidney Foster, Harold Morgan, Milton Murray, and Winston Reineking.
By 1930, it had expanded to three chapters and around 200 members. The fraternity eventually chartered seven chapters, all in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 16, 2025). "[https://uofi.app.box.com/v/inactive-glos-mens Inactive Men's Organizations]". [https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/national-fraternity-collections/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities]. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed March 30, 2025. It was governed by an national executive board that was based in Milwaukee. It also had a supreme high council that meet during the fraternity's annual convention.
A merger with similarly sized Alpha Delta Alpha was discussed in the 1930s, but was not consummated. Beta Phi Theta national was dissolved in {{dts|1948}}, with four chapters remaining active at as local fraternities. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee chapter operated as a local fraternity for a decade, before becoming a chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in 1958. Within a year of dissolution of Beta Phi Theta, its Bradley University chapter became a chapter of Theta Xi. The Tri-State chapter held on until 1969 as Beta Phi Theta (local), when it became a chapter of Delta Chi.
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 Greek letters {{lang|grc|ΒΦΘ}}, ordered vertically, in gold. This field was surrounded by pearls.{{cite book |title=Polyscope |date=1929 |publisher=Class of 1930, Bradley University |location=Peoria, Illinois |page=137 |url=https://archive.org/details/polyscope2919unse/page/136/mode/2up |access-date=22 June 2023}}{{cite book |title=Modulus |date=1940 |publisher=Class of 1941, Tri-State College |location=Angola, Indiana |pages=82–85 |url=https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/839894/?offset=0#page=89&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Beta%20Phi%20Theta |access-date=22 June 2023}}
The fraternity also had a pledge pin that was green oval with a with a gold bar, crossed at an angle. Its colors were green and white. Its flower was the daisy. Its publication was The Helmet.
Chapters
Following are the chapters of Beta Phi Theta, with inactive chapters listed in italics.
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chapter !Charter date and range !Institution !Location !Status !References |
| Alpha
|October 1917–1958 |University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee |Withdrew (local, then ΤΚΕ) |{{Efn|Chapter formed at the Milwaukee State Normal School, which became the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1956. After the dissolution of the national fraternity, it operated as a local chapter. In 1958, it became the |
| Beta''
|1925–1931 |Inactive |{{Efn|Chapter formed from the Hilltop Club, established in 1923.}} |
| Gamma
|1925–1930 |University of Wisconsin–Madison |Inactive |{{Efn|Chapter formed from Alpha Theta, established in 1924.}} |
| Delta (Omicron Epsilon)
|1926–1948 |Withdrew (ΘΞ) |{{Efn|Chapter formed from Omicron Sigma (local), established in 1924. As a result, the chapter was called Omicron Sigma, rather than Delta. Upon dissolution of the national fraternity, it became the Alpha Sigma chapter of Theta Xi in 1948.}} |
| Epsilon
|1929–1969 |Withdrew, (local, then ΔΧ) |{{Efn|This chapter originated as the Four-Eleven Gang (local) in 1922, taking the Greek letter name Lambda Phi Epsilon in 1927. Upon dissolution of the national fraternity, it reverted to local status. In 1969, it became a chapter of Delta Chi.}} |
| Zeta
|1930–1932 |Champaign and Urbana, Illinois |Inactive |{{Efn|Chapter formed from Beta Chi, established in 1928.}} |
| Theta
|1948–1948 |University of Wisconsin-Racine |Inactive | |
Notes
{{notelist}}