Early History of Theta Chi Chapter

The Theta Chi chapter was inspired by Dr. R.D. Ikenberry a professor at ETSU, who was affectionately called Dr. Ike by his Pre-Med students. During the 1960’s and 1970’s Dr. Ike gained respect from not only his fellow colleagues but the students as well. Dr. Ike, a Sigma Nu alumnus of the Arizona State University Zeta Upsilon chapter, voiced his desire to form a Sigma Nu chapter at ETSU to his favorite students and received an enthusiastic response. He peaked the interest of 20 students and recruited them to start a Sigma Nu colony in 1972. The colony received its charter on June 3, 1973 and was given the chapter designation of Theta Chi. The charter members of the chapter are: #1.Charles Foulks, #2.John Trunnell, #3.Lawrence Burdick, #4.Bill Archer, #5.Donald Solomon, #6.Steven Caldwell, #7.Donald Potter, #8.Daniel Shipley, #9.Ronald Edmond, #10.James Fetterman, #11.Michael Francis, #12.Carl Harlow, #13.William Lester, #14.Jimmy Hoff, #15.Anthony Anderson, #16.Steven Herrin, #17.Steven Holliman, #18.John Weems, #19.Gary Leonard, #20.James McCulley

Original Theta Chi Chapter House

The original Theta Chi house(pictured above) was located on ETSU's campus on Maple Street close to where the BP gas station now sits. The chapter resided in this house from 1975 to 1985 when it was purchased by ETSU. The fraternity badge which is on the roof in the picture above moved with the chapter and now resides in the stairwell of the current house. It was made by two pledges during their pledge semester possibly starting the tradition that each Theta Chi pledge create a wooden badge. Picture provided by Donald Potter, Theta Chi #7 and first chapter commander.