The Greeks of Troy More Than 150 Years of Fraternity & Sorority History at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Created by Raymond A. Lutzky ‘02 of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity on behalf of The Office of Greek Life & the Dean of Students Office at Rensselaer October 22, 2005

About Raymond A. Lutzky ‘02: Graduated in 2002 with a BS in EMAC, MS from Syracuse in ‘03 Rensselaer Greek Man of the Year 2000 & 2001 Alumni Advisory Board, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President, Colorado Chapter, Rensselaer Alumni Association Recruitment & Expansion Committee,  International Alumni Advisory Board, Colorado State University Director of Marketing Communications, CAMPUSPEAK, Inc. Greek Life Speaker & Facilitator Across the United States The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Amos Eaton arrives in Troy, New York, after traveling and lecturing across the northeastern United States. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

America’s first “sororities” began at “Troy Institute” for women, which later became the Emma Willard School. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Rensselaer School is founded through the patronage of Stephen Van Rensselaer. Amos Eaton becomes Senior Professor (equivalent of Provost). Becomes The Rensselaer Institute in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Delta Phi Fraternity (1827), along with Kappa Alpha Society (1825) and Sigma Phi Society (1827), all founded at Union College in Schenectady, NY, comprise the hallowed Union Triad - the first three social college fraternities. From these three fraternities at Union College (regarded as the "Mother of Fraternities") can be traced the extensive greek system seen on college campuses today. Adding to the challenges facing the nascent fraternities was the authority of the man seeking their destruction, Dr. Eliphalet Nott who was one of the foremost scientists of his day and had served as president of Union College since The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Dr. Eliphalet Nott, who was already serving as President of Union College, is named “Director” (President) of the Rensselaer Institute. He visited the school at least every third week and was compensated with $1 per visit plus all graduation fees. Rensselaer became the first civilian school to graduate civil engineers in 1835, and Union began offering a degree in civil engineering after Nott's resignation from RPI in Nott remained President of Union College until The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Stephen Van Rensselaer dies. Stephen Van Rensselaer was a Harvard graduate, a millionaire, a philanthropist, and the head of one of the leading families of New York State. He became New York's Lieutenant Governor and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Professor Amos Eaton dies. Born the same year the US declared its independence, after founding the Rensselaer School in 1824 Eaton served as Senior Professor for the rest of his life. He trained a significant number of influential scientists of the day, and remained involved with Rensselaer until his death on May 10 at age 66. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The VERY FIRST fraternity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was… The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

“Delta Charge” of Theta Delta Chi colonized by Union College chapter, first founded in Greek life begins at Rensselaer. Today, Theta Delta Chi has chapters on over 40 campuses (but not at RPI!) The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Competing “secret society” formed, which eventually became…  The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Alpha Chapter is formed. (Today, Theta Xi Fraternity has close to 60 chapters nationwide). Founded at location currently occupied by the Greene Building. Theta Xi was the only fraternity formed during the Civil War. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer The Lambda chapter of Delta Phi Fraternity was created on the Rensselaer campus also in 1864, almost 40 years after they were founded at Union College.

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer Pi Chapter of Zeta Psi founded at Rensselaer. (National fraternity founded at New York University in 1847).

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer Rensselaer Society of Engineers (RSE) is founded as Pi Eta Scientific Society (would later change name in 1882). One of the ten oldest local fraternities in the United States today.

After a failed colonization attempt in 1867, Chi Phi Fraternity forms at RPI. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Upsilon chapter of Delta Tau Delta created on September 11, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

First recorded fraternal hazing in the United States. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Union Hispano-Americana founded at RPI. Oldest Hispanic American student organization in the United States. Becomes Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Palmer C. Ricketts, Class of 1875 and brother of Theta Xi Fraternity, becomes the first President of RPI after serving as “Director” since Re-built campus after the fire of The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The number of fraternities on campus grows from 8 to 23 chapters saw the first fraternity houses. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Delta chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity installed at RPI on September 25, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Latin American fraternity Pi Delta Phi Fraternity was founded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and becomes Phi Lambda Alpha after merging with Union Hispano Americana at RPI in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Originally The Knights of the Sphynx, this group chartered as Phi Kappa Tau, November 28, 1922 The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Phi Kappa Theta (Ski Lodge) is formed at Rensselaer. Robert Riggs ‘02 currently serves Phi Kappa Theta as Executive Director. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Nu Eta Chapter of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity forms at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Delegates from Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity (at RPI/Berkeley/MIT) and Sigma Iota Fraternity (Louisiana State) assembled at Troy, NY with the objective of forming a strong and extensive Fraternity to address the needs of Latin Americans in universities in the US. Phi Iota Alpha was created. Today, Phi Iota Alpha has over 40 chapters. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (Castle) founded on June 12, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Pikes) Gamma Tau chapter founded on May 2, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Local fraternity Delta Sigma Lambda becomes chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Sigma Zeta, a local fraternity, becomes the Theta Beta chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega National Fraternity…. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

….which merges with Sigma Phi Epsilon National Fraternity in The chapter becomes SigEp at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Chapter at Rensselaer established November 16, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Alpha Chi Rho (“Crows”) comes to Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Fellowcraft Club formed in 1947, which becomes Phi Mu Beta Fraternity in 1948 and a chapter of Acacia Fraternity in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Gamma Epsilon chapter, founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Gamma Tetarton of Phi Sigma Kappa founded October 14, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Sigma Chi Fraternity established December 2, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Alpha Epsilon Pi founded at RPI. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

New York Epsilon of Sigma Alpha Epsilon forms at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

First national hockey championship ! The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

First Tau Epsilon Phi chapter established. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

New York Kappa Tau chapter of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity formed at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

“Independent Council” organized to counter the effect of the Interfraternity Council. They began by instituting dining reforms and leadership training for students. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Rensselaer chapter of Zeta Beta Tau is installed May 11, The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

George Low, alumnus & Delta Phi brother, helps put the first man on the moon with the Apollo program. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Fraternities and sororities begin a period of national decline. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

George M. Low becomes president of RPI for 8 years, from 1976 until his death in The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Rensselaer’s first sorority. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Fundraising campaign under President Low raises $52 million. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Break away Tau Epsilon Phi chapter becomes the Epsilon Iota chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Omicron Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is founded at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

NY Epsilon chapter of women’s fraternity founded at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) formed at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

President George M. Low loses his long battle with cancer on July 17, while in office at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Roland Schmitt, non-Greek and former General Electric executive, becomes 16th President of Rensselaer. Schmitt oversaw completion of the New Century Campaign for $200 million in 1993 and establishment of a variety of new research initiatives. A popular president and respected statesman, he focused national attention on Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Statement of Relationship between Rensselaer and Social Fraternities and Sororities is created. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

R. Byron Pipes, a brother of Sigma Nu Fraternity, becomes 17th President of RPI. Today he is the John L. Bray Professor of Engineering at Purdue University. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Alpha Phi Fraternity for women established at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

La Sociedad de Damas: Sigma Delta Sorority Inc., a local sorority created for Latin American women is established at Rensselaer. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Trustee Cornelius J. Barton ‘58, a brother of Delta Phi Fraternity, becomes Acting President after the resignation of President R. Byron Pipes. Laptop pilot program begins. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

2nd chapter formed December 11, Original chapter had years earlier become a chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Originally a colony in 1994, this group was chartered in 1998 on November 14. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. a sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is named president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She becomes the first African American woman to lead a major research university. Dr. Jackson was president of her chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at MIT for two years. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Rensselaer holds the Greek L.I.F.E. Forum with alumni, students, and VIPs to revise the Relationship Statement. Travis Apgar named Assistant Dean of Students. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Norris Pearson, director of conference services and former Greek dean, runs a marathon in June. He raised contributions only from Rensselaer’s Greek chapters. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Rift between the City of Troy and Rensselaer’s Greek chapters widens when the Troy City Council passes an ordinance allowing arrests of chapter presidents for noise violations. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. becomes the first asian fraternity to establish at Rensselaer. Received IFC recognition. The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer

The Greeks of Troy 150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer