Maintained By:
Theta Xi Fraternity, Lehigh U.

About 1894, at Lehigh University, there was founded the “Mount Hermon Club”, a living group of about twenty men who lived in house diagonally opposite the Wyandotte Hotel, or, presently 432 Cherokee Street. Originally membership was restricted to men who came to Lehigh from Mount Hermon Preparatory School in Hermon, Massachusetts. When the number of Mount Hermon alumni fell off, other Lehigh men were taken in, and in 1904 fourteen of these men petitioned the Grand Lodge of Theta Xi to become a chapter. 

A special National Convention was called on December 3, 1904 at the Epsilon Chapter house at Columbia University where the five established Theta Xi chapters voted on the petitions from groups at both Lehigh and Purdue Universities. The Lehigh's "Mount Hermon" group came highly recommended by Col. William H. Wiley, Alpha 11, who would two years later become National President of Theta Xi. The motion to accept the petitions of both groups was accepted unanimously; whereas Lehigh would become the Eta Chapter and Purdue would become the Theta Chapter of Theta Xi. No time was wasted as 17 Mount Hermon Club members traveled to Troy, NY, where they were intiated and trained on the Ritual over the weekend of December 16-18th, 1904, just two weeks after the Special Convention. Here they were all installed as charter members of the “Eta Chapter of Theta Xi”, receiving the charter that hangs in our Chapter House today.

In 1912, with 13 active members, the Chapter moved to 541 Seneca Street and in the Spring of 1919, with 30 in the house, we moved to 243 North New Street. In the Fall of 1922, with 22 members, the Chapter moved to 111 East Church Street and in the Fall of 1928 to the Brent Mansion at 407 Delaware Avenue with 27 members.

Theta Xi would stay at the Brent Mansion for a period of 13 years. By 1931 Theta Xi at Lehigh would initiate 218 members and have 42 members living at the mansion. It was during this period that our well beloved Al Pedrick and Charlie Kucher (who is still actively involved with the chapter) join our Fraternity. This era also brings about the “Eta News” newsletter, which is still published by the Chapter today.

In 1941, due to difficulty raising $12,000 to pay off the mortgage coupled with a skunk dying in the heating system “forced” a move to the Bath Pike House. This mansion was a beautiful all white structure with ample space for all (and more). At the time, the mascot Douglas the Mastiff would chase geese in the creek near the mansion.

This house, unfortunately, did not last long as World War II’s took its toll on the Fraternity. Nine members moved in with Sigma Chi, and many others went to defend the country. In fact, by 1945, all of Lehigh had only 398 students, and Theta Xi was sharing a house with Lambda Chi Alpha (which was the 2002 Pi Kappa Alpha House).

However 1947 brought us to Adams Street, which is what many of our alumni fondly remember as THE Theta Xi House. This house was christened during our 6294 celebration in April 1948. In 1959, Theta Xi purchased both sides of the home, and by 1960, 31 Theta Xis would reside on both ends of the “double” home.

In 1961, while the house was being upgraded with a new kitchen and other amenities, the Eta Chapter established a building fund during alumni weekend. Then, in 1964 a fire in the Adams Street home was set by an 8-year-old while the Fraternity was away on break. It took 10 days to get the place back in order, while the brothers began planning for a new home in Sayre Park. In 1965, the University took over the property.

In 1966, 47 active brothers moved into the new home in Sayre Park in which they still reside today. During the late 1960s and into the 70s the brothers become much more informal with long hair and beards. Fraternities were shunned on campus nationally as being part of the “establishment”, but Theta Xi at Lehigh not only survived, but flourished; with membership numbers consistently above 40 throughout the 1970s.

            At the beginning of the 1980s, the Fraternity begins to polish itself with more formality yet again. All members regularly again wore a coat and tie when applicable; formals, dinners, ceremonies, etc. They could also let their hair down as well, as Theta Xi at Lehigh starts to attract members of the sports teams on campus. The fraternity maintains 50 plus in membership throughout the period.

            In 1990, a woman named Linda Brocious showed up for her first day of work as Chef to one of the Fraternities at Lehigh. By the Grace of God, it was ours. Linda not only becomes the cook, but a second mother to hundreds of Eta Brothers.

            In 1994, brother Al Pedrick ‘43 retired to Bethlehem, near his home of Lehigh University and brothers at Theta Xi. He becomes advisor to the chapter. His impact on the chapter is indelible and timeless.

            Roseann Corsi came on the scene in 1999, working with the Chapter on Alumni Affairs and in 2001 became the faculty advisor. A position she maintains to this day. By the early 2000s the chapter size dwindles in numbers, down to the teens.

In the summer of 2005, Theta Xi planned to attend National Convention in New Orleans and insisted their beloved advisor, Al fly down with them. Al insisted that he would drive and passed away in a rest stop on the way.

            After not arriving at Convention the Eta brothers locked themselves in their hotel room while frantically calling hospitals and police throughout his planned route. Downstairs the Convention continues without them, and Al wins Advisor of the Year.

            The Spring prior to his death Al sent a letter to Brian Bowers, a Theta Xi from Clarion University living in the area, and attending graduate school at Lehigh University, Al invited Brian down in the Fall. Even with Al gone, he took the invitation to go and meet the brothers and ended up taking over the Advisor position in 2006.

            The Spring 2006 AM class was huge, even by Lehigh standards, at 22 members. The membership numbers again soar above 50 and remain there. Spring 2008 continues the growth with 23 members. Along with their house of 42 years, and devoted Alumni Association which includes the invaluable Glenn Kinard, Barry Jones, Ken Hendrix, Dick Teeter, Fred Feus, and most of the “Adams Street gang”. It also includes Ken Coombs and numerous others.

             Today we live in our house of 42 years, and still maintain the same pride in our Fraternity as those in 1904 had when they chartered it. With our brotherhood, alumni support, and University assistance we hope to continue on for of hundreds more years.