A Brief History

 Phi Chi Theta was formed in Chicago, Illinois, June 16, 1924 by the union of two fraternities, Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Kappa Epsilon, both of which were formed in 1918.  In May 1924, a meeting of delegates, three from each organization, was held to form Phi Chi Theta.  These six delegates became our founders:  Mary Stoddard, Nina Miller, Anna E. Hall, Edna Blake, Alice Wyman, and Nell McKenry. 

            On June 24, 1924, Phi Theta Kappa met at a convention in Chicago, Illinois, and unanimously accepted the report of the founding committee.  Phi Kappa Epsilon did not send a delegate, but sent a letter of approval and acceptance of that report.  Thus, Phi Chi Theta came into birth. 

            Phi Chi Theta was incorporated in the state of New York on January 4, 1926, the certificate of which incorporation sets forth its purpose as being:  “To promote the cause of higher business education and training for all individuals; to foster high ideals for everyone pursuing a career in business; to encourage fraternity and cooperation among people preparing for such careers; to stimulate the spirit of sacrifice and unselfish devotion to the attainment of such ends.”

            Charters were granted originally only to groups existing in colleges and universities whose schools of business were members of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business.  In 1952 this was changed to admit schools of business that were “accredited by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business and/or in universities or colleges which are accredited by the Regional Accrediting Association and in which a course of study in business administration is approved by the Standing Committee on Expansion and Admissions…” In 1962 the last part of this requirement was changed to read, “…and in which a course of study in Business and/or Economics is approved by the Standing Committee on Admissions and recommended by that committee to the Executive Council.”  Thu Phi Chi Theta became the first professional fraternity for women to enter the field of Economics, and the only one so far established in that field. 

            On October 11, 1963, at a White House reception, American Women, the report of the President’s Commission on the status of women, was presented to the President of the United States by the Assistant Secretary of Labor.  Phi Chi Theta was one of fifty-one organizations recognized by the committee as having assisted in its work. 

            On February 19, 1965, upon an invitation from Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, Phi Chi Theta was represented at a White House function which launched “Project Head-Start.”

            During the mid 70’s changes were taking place.  One of these changes was to allow men into the fraternity.  With the passage of Title IX in the mid 70’s, professional fraternities were excluded from the ruling that allowed general fraternities to remain single sexed.  Male membership continued to grow, with a number of chapters installing male officers.  The 1982-1984 Biennium saw its first male director.

            Since 1924, Phi Chi Theta has grown into a national organization with national recognition.  We are the only three letter Greek organization recognized by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women having assisted in its work. 

            In 1977, the Professional Fraternity Association emerged from a consolidation of the Professional Pan Hellenic Association, organized in 1926 for women’s professional fraternities, and the Professional Inter-fraternity Conference, organized in 1928 for men’s professional fraternities.  Phi Chi Theta was a charter member of the Professional Pan Hellenic Association as well as the Professional Fraternity Association. 

            In the fall of 1975, the Women’s Business Association became the Delta XI Chapter of Phi Chi Theta.  In 1986, our chapter became a co-ed organization.

            The business world is forever changing and as members of Phi Chi Theta we try to keep up with these changes and help others keep up with them as well.