Beta Facts
Administrative Office at Miami, OH
Beta Theta Pi has an amazing history of tradition and excellence. Here are some facts about Beta.
- There was a Beta on the Supreme Court from 1877 to 1975, including the late Justice William O. Douglas, Whitman '20. In 1911, there were four members who were Betas. Between 1881-1889 three members of the court were Betas.
- More than 80 Rhodes Scholars - more than any other fraternity
- More than 197 Betas have been United States Senators and members of the House of Representatives - more than any other fraternity
- Twenty-three states have had a Beta as Governor
- Six Betas have won the Medal of Honor
- A leader among college fraternities with members listed in Who's Who in America and Canadian Who's Who - more than any other fraternity
- 100 alumni associations in cities throughout the United States and Canada
- First college fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains (August 8, 1839)
- First and oldest continuously published college fraternity magazine (1872)
- First college fraternity to publish an open constitution for public distribution (1879)
- First fraternity in 13 states - more than any other fraternity
- First fraternity established on more than 35 campuses - more than any other fraternity
- First fraternity to establish a chapter west of the Mississippi River (1866)
- First to break into districts for administrative purposes (1873)
- First fraternity to have general officers (1872)
- First fraternity to create alumni chapters (1867)
- First fraternity to have a General Convention and one of few to have annual Conventions
- First General Fraternity to establish a chapter in Hawaii (1992)
- First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for a chapter (1984)
- First fraternity to adopt a 2.5 minimum GPA for each member (1997)
