Our History

Eight men founded the Phi Beta Nu fraternity at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky on March 9, 1917, "to create an organization which would facilitate the expressing of our social natures, to furnish a channel through which our highest college loyalty could be expressed, and to uphold the ideals of fair play." Sponsored by Delta Chapter at Centre College, Phi Beta Nu petitioned Phi Kappa Tau in May, 1919. It became the eighth chapter in the Fraternity and the second in Kentucky. Theta's charter was the first issued by the Fraternity since it had been founded in 1906 and continues to be the oldest charter in circulation today among all Chapters of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

The charter members of Theta Chapter were: Howard S. Stephenson, Flavius J. Fossit, A.L. Nunnery, Homer P. Gamboe, Roy M. Moreland, Benton B. Miller, Roy J. Vice, Canon Neill Barnette, Alonzo C. Brooks, J. Perry Sloan, G. Elliot, and Robert B. Grannis.

From the beginning, Theta Chapter played a prominent role in the activities of Transylvania. Membership in the chapter has included many of Transylvania's most noted sons. When the college began its practice of selecting an outstanding student in 1923, William M. Dedman was the first Mr. Pioneer. The projects that Theta Chapter has executed for the college are numerous and include the construction of a small chapel for individual meditation.

Many Transy traditions have had their birth in Theta meetings, including the plan to annually select the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year and give them appropriate recognition, and the establishment of the Hendrick Cup award which goes to the Greek organization with the highest GPA each year.

After World War II, Theta became the scholastic leader of the National Fraternity. For the 1953-54 academic year, Theta led all fraternities in the nation. Theta was first in the fraternity for 1954-55, dominating scholarship competition so much during the late 1950s that the National Scholarship trophy was retired here in 1960. At the 1995 National Convention, Theta received its third Roland Maxwell Award. This award recognizes the most outstanding Chapter in the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity nationwide. Theta's history is rich in competition for the Maxwell Award among many other awards nationally and locally. To this day, brothers strive to maintain academic excellence and fraternal superiority.

Longtime faculty advisor, Dr. Monroe Moosnick, was the first winner of the Edgar Ewing Brandon Award--given to the outstanding faculty advisor each year. Dr. Moosnick has also served as the National Education Director. Theta has long played a prominent role in the national fraternity. A past Theta Vice President and recent alumnus an, Marcus Osborne, was the 1997 Shideler Award winner as the outstanding Phi Kappa Tau senior in the entire nation. In the late 80s and 90s, Theta has won multiple Scholarship Trophies for the highest average GPA among all Phi Tau chapters.

These accomplishments clearly indicate that Theta Chapter continues to excel and show leadership not only on Transylvania's campus, but nationwide.