THETA
University of Michigan

FOUNDED ON
10.23.1908

LOCATION
Ann Arbor, MI

HISTORY
Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit. It moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 and now enrolls over 26,000 undergraduate students. The first building exclusively for fraternity use was a cabin occupied by the Michigan Chapter of Chi Psi in 1845. The petition of the organizers of the Theta Chapter was approved in the spring of 1908. Initiations and installation took place in the fall of 1908 at Marietta College. First meetings of the Chapter were held at 331 Packard Street. The meeting site soon changed to rooms in the Elks Club. In 1909-10, the Chapter moved to 1511 Washtenaw Avenue, and in 1912 to 1315 Hill Street, at the corner of Forest Street. Since 1946, the chapter house has been at 920 Baldwin Avenue.

Theta suffered a decline in membership in the late 1980’s and absorbed an interest group of 18 men, bringing membership to 27 in the spring of 1990. However, the temporary growth in 1990 did not translate into a long term improvement in chapter operations. The Chapter ceased operation of its chapter house in 1991 and the house was temporarily leased to Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority. The remaining undergraduates surrendered their charter and ritual materials in late 1992.

On October 22, 1995, an interest group was formed by nine men. Seventeen men moved back into the 920 Baldwin Street chapter house in fall of 1996 and seven more were recruited during the winter term. By 1997, the Chapter was fully functioning again. Theta Chapter’s newsletter is “The Theta Wolverine.”

George Trubow, Michigan ‘53, served as Grand Senior President of Alpha Sigma Phi from 1976 to 1978, and has received the Distinguished Service Award. William G. Mason, Michigan ‘17, former Grand Treasurer, has also received the Distinguished Service Award. Benjamin F. Clarke, Michigan ‘10, served as Grand Junior President from 1923 to 1937, and as Grand Marshal from 1937 to 1946, his 23 years being the longest continuous tenure on the Grand Council of any alumnus. Victor Scott, Michigan ‘40, served as National President of Phi Pi Phi. Peter Fuss, Michigan ‘54, served as a Trustee and Director of the Alpha Sigma Phi Educational Foundation. William C. Mullendore, Michigan ‘12, was an original Trustee of the Alpha Sigma Phi Memorial Fund, and was awarded the Distinguished Merit Award in 1953. Steven Gnewkowski, Michigan ‘67, serves as General Counsel to Alpha Sigma Phi. Jim Vanek, Michigan ‘98, Albie Bell, Michigan ‘98, and Geoff Connell, Michigan ‘82, have served on the Fraternity staff.

Benjamin Oosterbaan, Michigan ‘25, was Michigan’s head football coach from 1948 through 1960, compiling a 66-33-4 record, a National Title, a Rose Bowl victory and three Big Ten crowns. His tenure coincided with chapter brother Ivan Williamson’s tenure as coach at Wisconsin (1949-55), and Eta Chapter alum Ray Eliot, head coach at Illinois (1942-59).

The Chapter voluntarily withdrew recognition from the University due to concerns over due process as well as other restrictive policies that have stunted growth.

CHAPTER AWARDS
Records show award name and year(s) received.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Records show brother's name, initiation year, and award received.