The History of the Alpha Xi Chapter
Alpha Xi chapter traces its roots back into the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1909, a local fraternity was started. It was formally organized into the “Omega Alpha” fraternity in 1911.
The fraternity was offically recognized by the university and incorporated in 1911. They occupied a house on West Main Street. In 1917, a student named Harvey Rowland Buck came to Delaware College (as the school was then known). Harvey was a sophmore transfer from Hampton-Sydney College. He was an initiated brother of the Nu chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.
He became friends with several brothers of the new Omega Alpha fraternity. He was a loyal Theta Chi brother, and spread the good gospel of the fraternal ideals and standards of the brotherhood. The Omega Alpha brothers saw that these ideals were what they had been looking for. In addition, the well established name of Theta Chi among large national fraternities and the support of the alumuni for this move led the Omega Alpha brothers to petition Theta Chi fraternity for chapter status in June 1922. Endorsement from active chapters was quickly obtained. In May of 1923, the charter was signed. Finally, on June 9th, 1923, Alpha Xi chapter was installed as an official chapter of Theta Chi fraternity.
Unfortunately the chapter disbanded in 1988, but by 1995, several students got together with a goal of reorganizing the Alpha Xi chapter. There was one huge roadblock though: the 1988 chapter had left a $9200 debt, and the university refused to recognize them until the debt was payed off. Still, they were determined to raise the money, and in the mean time they accepted new brothers.
By Fall of 1998, they had managed to raise the money and were now at a sizeable 45 members. After a ten-year break, the brotherhood of Theta Chi returned to the University of Delaware on the 75th anniversary of the orignal founding. On November 21, 1998, there was a massive initiation and the 45 members became official brothers, kicking off the start of the new Alpha Xi Chapter. Since then, Theta Chi has stayed as one of the top fraternities on campus, and is still staying strong today with 35 current brothers.
Notable Alumni of Alpha Xi Chapter of Theta Chi:
Major General Robert H. Pepper, Alpha Xi `17
Commander, Third Marine Division
R. Russell Pippin, Alpha Xi `27
Board Member and Vice President, DuPont
Director of DuPont of Canada, Ltd.
General Frank T. Lynch, Alpha Xi `33
U.S. Army
Kenneth E. Buhrmaster, Alpha Xi `37
President, 1st National Bank (Scotia, NY)
Family owner of J.H. Buhrmaster Company
Richard C. Kiddoo, Alpha Xi `48
President, Exxon Coal, International, 1983-86
Vice-President, Esso Europe, Inc. 1973-81
Walter F. Williams, Alpha Xi `51
Chairman and CEO, Bethlehem Steel, 1986-present
President and Chief Operating Officer, 1980-85
A. John Borresen, Alpha Xi `54
Senior Vice President, Clairol Inc.
Senior Accountant, Price Waterhouse
Mayor, Wood-Ridge, NJ
Donald G. “Don” Miller, Alpha Xi `55
Head Coach, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, 1967;
College Football – All America Quarterback, 1954
Alfred Lynch, Alpha Xi `59
CEO and International President, JC Penney
Author: What Lies Ahead: Countdown to the 21st Century, 1989
Co Author: Behind Closed Doors: A guide to Successful Meetings, 1983
Harris B. McDowell III, Alpha Xi `62
Delaware State Senator, 1976-present
Dennis Johnson, Alpha Xi `72
Professional Football Player -
Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, and Toronto
Scott Levy AKA “Raven”, Alpha Xi `87
Professional Wrestler -
Three-time World Champion
Twenty-six-time WWF/E Hardcore Champion
David W. Finneran, Ph.D, Alpha Xi `03
Winner of the 2002-2003 “Shug” Jordan Award for outstanding scholar-athletes
