Omicron Chapter at the University of Richmond was installed on May 29, 1915. Their installation marked Theta Chi's third chapter below the Mason-Dixon Line and third in Virginia, following Nu/Hampden-Sydney and Xi/Virginia, which were installed in January 1914.
Click Here to view a PDF copy of Omicron's original Petition for Installation from 1915.
Congratulations to the alumni and undergraduate brothers of Omicron Chapter on 100 years at the University of Richmond!
You can send personal notes of Congratulations to Omicron Chapter President Dan Scaduto by clicking here. Omicron alumni are planning to host a formal Centennial Celebration during this fall's Homecoming at the University of Richmond, October 30 - November 1, 2015.
In honor of their Centennial Anniversary, we are re-printing Omicron Chapter's original installation article from the July 1915 issue of The Rattle. Reflections were provided by then-National Marshal Frederick W. Ladue, then-National President E. Wesson Clark, and Benjamin D. Morton, (1915), an undergraduate and Charter Member of Nu Chapter who traveled to Richmond with two additional Nu Brothers to assist with the installation. (Click Here to view a PDF version of the original Omicron Installation Article as it appeared in the July 1915 issue of The Rattle; a text version of the Omicron article is below.)
Omicron Chapter
As everyone interested in college fraternities will realize, the institution of a new chapter is always an event of utmost importance. The fact that new men are to be received in the bond of fellowship and brotherly love tends largely to create this great interest.
When Zeta Xi Society of Richmond College petitioned Theta Chi Fraternity for a charter, "Johnny" Woodin, Iota, '18, was requested by Iota Chapter to personally investigate the petitioning body. "Johnny" replied in the following strain: "Zeta Xi today is one of the best and strongest fraternities in the South even though she is existing as a local society." Her men are ones of worth and are prominent in the various phases of activities at Richmond College. This statement I personally found to be true for Omicron has representatives in the athletic, social and political life of a college!
We have instituted Omicron and we are mighty proud of our "baby" chapter. At all the installation ceremonies deep earnestness prevailed among both alumni and active members of the new chapter in their pledge to devote their "best" to advance Theta Chi at Richmond College will no doubt place our beloved fraternity in the front row at that institution.
As to the individual members, I was indeed very fortunate to be able to be with most of the active members during the various parts of the ceremonies and words fail me in praise of them. They are all man of character and with qualities to make "good" after graduation. Omicron in future time will have one of the strongest alumni of any of Theta Chi's chapters. The alumni also plan this September to petition the Grand Chapter for a Richmond Alumni Charter. This unit will be of great advantage to Omicron for it will always tend to keep her alumni interested in the welfare of the active chapter.
My closing words are these: "Theta Chi on May 29, 1915 installed Omicron Chapter at Richmond College and she did well." Omicron in future time will prove one of her best and strongest chapters and her alumni will be prominent in the workings of the national activities of our Theta Chi."
Fred W. Ladue
OMICRON’S INITIATES.
Newton Rogers Ancarrow, ’16, 2007 W. Grace St., Richmond, Va.
Paul Goode Perdue, ’16, 205 N. Robinson St., Richmond, Va.
Carl Heinrich Luebbert, ’15, 1826 W. Grace St., Richmond, Va.
Matthew Branch Porter, Jr., ’17, 617 Hawthorne Ave., Richmond, Va
Claude Cleveland Boyd, ’17, Honaker, Va.
Oliver Amos Pollard, ’15, 164 High St., Petersburg, Va.
John Kirk Richardson, ’17, Crew, Va.
Elliott Bryan Hazelgrove, ’18, 2514 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va.
Fielding Combs, Jr., ’18, Honaker, Va.
Paul Whitestine Orchard, ’11, Box 243, Arcadia, Florida
Robert Claiborne Ancarrow, ’10, 2007 W. Grace St., Richmond, Va.
William John Moll, Ex-’13, 2215 Hanover Ave., Richmond, Va.
Edward Granger Ancarrow, ’12, 2007 W. Grace St., Richmond, Va.
Glen Russell MacLauchlan, Ex-’14, Stop 23 ½ Ginter Park Line, Richmond, Va.
George Boyd Simpson, Ex-’14, 3707 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va.
Sidney Sutherland, ’12, 1407 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va.
Albert Logan Steel, Ex-’14, 601 Hawthorne Ave., Ginter Park, Richmond, Va.
Stiles Huot Ellyson, 114 So. 3rd St., Richmond, Va.
Lee Spottswood Liggan, ’17, 704 N. 24th St., Richmond, Va.
William Alexander Simpson, ’12, 3708 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va.
OMICRON CHAPTER INSTITUTED.
Arriving in Richmond for the purpose of instituting Omicron Chapter of Richmond College on May 29th, we found two of our prospective brothers, Mr. Ancarrow and Mr. Leubert at the station waiting to welcome us. We also found the entire city beautifully decorated in red and white, a very pleasing spectacle to Theta Chi men. Inquiry, however, soon relieved us of the feeling, inspired by the sight, of the importance of our mission to a city so decorated, when we learned that the decorations were not for us but for a reunion of Confederate veterans to be held the following week. But although not for our special benefit we were compelled to acknowledge frankly that it was nevertheless well done and we were glad to see such a display of civic pride by the first city of the South.
From the moment we were met at the station by Brothers Ancarrow and Leubert until we build them goodbye again at the same station we felt entirely at home in Richmond. It was my privilege, and with Mrs. Clark, who accompanied me, to be entertained at the home of Brother Young, Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, and the real power behind the movement to put Theta Chi in Richmond College. They refer to him down that way as "Caesar" Young, a title acquired, I understand, during his student days there. I did not learn the origin of this sobriquet. For Theta Chi purposes, however, it is sufficient to say that he has divided all Virginia into three parts, Hampden-Sidney, Charlottesville and Richmond. More glory to his name!
Omicron Chapter was instituted in the two upper rooms of the Administration Building that are set aside for the use of the two literary societies that still flourish at Richmond College, and were well suited to the purpose. The exercises began about 10:30 in the morning. At noon the official party was entertained at dinner by Mr. Young any most gracious manner. It was after five o'clock before the last member, twenty all told, completed the prescribed ceremony.
Richmond College, until very recently situated in the heart of the city, is now located on a large estate amid beautiful natural surroundings in Westhampton, some four miles out. By Richmond people it is considered the leading college of the South. With its new buildings and equipment, its splendid location and the enthusiastic support of its friends, it may fairly be said to be on the high road to such a distinction.
For the final event of the day therefore, the evening banquet, adjournment was taken to one of the fine hotels by which the city is served. About fifty sat down to the feast, including a representative of each of the fraternities at Richmond College and the chairman of the Inter-Fraternity Committee of the Faculty.
One interesting coincidence was noted, i.e., that the charter of Omicron Chapter bears the date of April 10, 1915, being granted by the Grand Chapter on the fifty-ninth anniversary of the organization of Alpha Chapter by Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase.
A strong alumni backing is a prime requisite for any local chapter. In this respect Omicron is well endowed, the ten alumni members initiated seen no less interested and enthusiastic than the undergraduates. Promises of support were freely made both in the speeches and in private conversation afterwards.
That the foundations of Omicron Chapter were well laid in the original local organization is testified to by the measure of her success in the past and the remarks of her competitors at the banquet. We came away feeling that strong organization has been embodied in the structure of Theta Chi.
E. Wesson Clark
WELCOME TO OUR VIRGINIA GROUP!
There can hardly be any saying more true than the one which affirms that we can only be thoroughly convinced when we have by the aid of the ocular sense laid hold of the thing in question. It has been the pleasure and delight of the members of Nu Chapter throughout the past session to hear glowing accounts of the personnel and achievements of what is now Omicron Chapter and what then was the Zeta Xi local fraternity of Richmond College. And yet, whatever may be the circumstances, it is (or, rather, was) difficult for a Hampden-Sidney man to embrace whole-heartedly an organization from Richmond College, especially when the evidence which points to its superior merits is based upon hearsay and the testimony of others. Hence the writer, as a member of Nu Chapter, esteems a great pleasure to have been present at a part of the initiatory ceremonies of Omicron Chapter. It was, indeed, a privilege to know the men who constitute our youngest chapter; and, as we gripped their hands and friendly fellowship, the last traces of doubt vanished as if by magic, for first-hand evidence taught us that our former envoys had even given us too sparse an account of the good things which we were to expect, and which were then realized. As we stood in the midst of our newly-made brothers, then we realized what a great and grand thing the indomitable Theta Chi spirit was, for this spirit was powerful enough to over-ride any unfriendly feelings which might have existed between the two colleges, strong enough to mitigate this intense rivalry, making us friendly rivals instead of enemies in athletics, and gracious enough to make us feel as though we almost wanted to be members of Omicron ourselves. The aspect has changed, the point of view has shifted and now Richmond College is and ever will be near and dear to us because of our relations with Omicron.
The 29th of May will necessarily be remembered for a long time by all who were present at the initiation ceremonies. Not only was it a banner day for Zeta Xi but also for Theta Chi. Coming as it did in the midst of examinations for us at Hampden-Sidney, those of us who went down to Richmond (Brother Warwick, Brother McIlhany and myself) wore with us that conscience-stricken feeling in appearance of the schoolboy who is playing "hookey" for the first time, for we were compelled to leave our papers for Saturday practically unfinished and then had to face the Monday exams almost entirely unprepared. However, the trip was worth any sacrifice that we had to make, and, personally, I believe that the inspiration received then caused me to do better on Monday's exam than on any other. A trip to Richmond is a common event with us Virginians, but this one, and for such a purpose was unique, for we may live on indefinitely and never again have the opportunity of seeing that like—in Richmond. To those who had not followed closely the march of current events, it might have seemed that Dixie's capital was adorned in Dixie's colors to meet us, for the whole city was fluttering with Stars and Bars in readiness to receive the honored veterans who formerly filled the ranks of Lee and Jackson throughout our fair and glorious Southland. It is fitting that on this 50th anniversary of civil peace we should establish a chapter in the capital of the Confederacy, for we stand for unison, for democracy and for conservative expansion—in the direction which seems fittest.
Men of Southern habits and Southern tastes cannot allow the initiation banquet held at Murphy's Hotel on the night of the 29th to pass unmentioned. Such an ample and delicious repast indeed reflects credit upon those who engineered it, and among our pleasant memories of the occasion, certainly we shall not forget this banquet given by Omicron Chapter to its alumni, visiting brothers and friends. As a souvenir of this joyous event the handsome little cardcase, stamped with the new Theta Chi coat of arms, will be kept by the writer—or entrusted for safekeeping to one of his friends—as among his most cherished possessions.
The finishing touches of instilling our beloved and respected Theta Chi spirit into our brothers came as a sequel to the banquet. Many were the speeches of congratulation, felicitation and admonition that we were privileged to hear; but, separating the grains of sense from the abundant chaff of nonsense, we feel constrained to hand the palm to Brother Ladue. His earnestness and his enthusiasm should appeal to everyone very forcibly. If our new brothers strive to emulate his example and abide by his admonitions, we must indeed expect great things from Omicron. A feeling of patriotic pride impels us to note that Brother Warwick's advice to always build up spirit in the chapter, but to eliminate "spirits" was as sound as any and should prove extremely helpful. We have no doubt that Omicron has this desirable spirit of indomitable energy and the indispensable faculty of making friends. It is quite natural that Brother Young calls himself the father of Omicron Chapter, for he has indeed labored arduously and unceasingly in behalf of this chapter, but when Dr. Bingham, President of the Richmond College Interfraternity Council and a member of the D.K.E. Fraternity, disputes Brother Young's claim to this enviable position, we feel that Theta Chi has firmly embedded herself in the hearts of all Richmond College. Mr. McDaniel in behalf of the various fraternities at Richmond College assured us that Omicron was welcome as a rival and as a friend. May the associations and the contest there be always as friendly as was the meeting that night. May Theta Chi prosper at Richmond College, but not to the detriment of her sisters there.
It is with much delight that we welcome Omicron as number three of our chapters in Virginia. We have needed you for a long time, and we trust that we can render mutual assistance. We are working slowly and surely towards a larger and a stronger Theta Chi and our last step has been in perfect accord with this policy of conservative expansion.
Ben D. Morton, Clarksville, Va.
June 17, 1915.