The Theta Nu Epsilon Society.

The Epsilon Chapter at the University of Rochester.

The Epsilon chapter was a very strong chapter through its history. The chapter was likely founded in the 1877-78 academic year, and it was chartered in 1878. It was chartered by the Alpha Chapter and was therefore legitimate. The University of Rochester is not a large university, and the chapter was comparatively moderate in size. Rochester did have some other class societies, but Theta Nu Epsilon was clearly the dominant organization of its kind on campus. The Epsilon Chapter seemed to have some difficulties in the 1890’s, but even so, it was an ongoing participant in the Original Conventions of the society.

In 1909, the chapter reorganized itself as Theta Pi Sigma, while at the same time the alumni organized an alumni chapter for themselves as Epsilon Deuteron. The alumni chapter and, tacitly, the Epsilon Chapter as Theta Pi Sigma, remained a part of the successive national organizations through to 1925 or 26.

The Epsilon Chapter had a special patron, Michael L. Casey, M.D., of the Class of 1894 and the college physician from the turn of the century through to the 1940’s. Dr. Casey was something of a father and counselor to Rochester men for close to a half cantury. In 1940, one commentator wrote “Each year Doc Casey gives a pleasurable course in the not-too-difficult art of being a Sophomore. The Theta Pi’s have monthly meetings, social functions, and such, and when the boys gather down at Doc’s, the current campus commotion is likely to be calmly corrected, for their discussions sometimes have important results. Founded in 1909, Theta Pi Sigma has always been one of the most secret of the secrets. Its Sophomore members are chosen from the various groups on the campus and sport a devil’s head with glaring ruby eyes as the insignia of their circle.”

There was an Epsilon Deuteron chapter that was created for Alumni of Rochester and to serve as an organizational link between Theta Nu Epsilon and Theta Pi Sigma. Today, the National Organization of Theta Nu Epsilon does not provide for alumni chapters, and prefers instead to treat this Epsilon Deuteron chapter as having been an actual chapter, (which was the reality of the situation). This virtual chapter existed from 1909 to 1942.

The chapter, though, did not survive the war, and the last mentions of it date to 1944.

The National Organization of the Alpha Chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon 1999 - 2009 ©  All rights reserved.