The purpose of Theta Tau is to develop and maintain a high standard of professional interest among its members, and to unite them in a strong bond of fraternal fellowship.
Founded at the University of Minnesota in 1904, Theta Tau is the largest (as well as the oldest) professional fraternity
in the field of engineering. Over 28,000 have been initiated over the years. With emphasis on quality and a strong fraternal
bond, the Fraternity has chapters only at ABET accredited schools, and limits to fifty the number of student members in any
one of its chapters across the nation.
Theta Tau follows carefully a program in the selection and development of its members that stresses the importance of high
professional ethics and exemplary practices. Within each chapter, the Fraternity stimulates professional activity and social
compatibility; provides a framework for group participation in campus, community, engineering, and fraternity affairs; and promotes
lasting friendships - a lifetime of brotherhood in an engineering environment.
National Fraternity History: Theta Tau was founded as the "Society of Hammer and Tongs," on October 15, 1904, by Erich Julius
Schrader, Elwin Leroy Vinal, William Murray Lewis, and Isaac Baker Hanks, mining engineering students at the University of Minnesota.
They agreed that character qualifications should have top priority in membership selection.
The Fraternity fulfilled the dream of its principal Founder, Erich Schrader, that there be established in engineering a fraternity
similar to those already existing in law, medicine, and dentistry. Founder Schrader established a record of service unequaled in the
Fraternity's history.
He served as its first Grand Regent until 1919, and then for 35 years as Grand Scribe. At its Founders' Golden Anniversary Convention
(1954), Theta Tau established the position of Counsellor to be held only by him. His unselfish service continued until his death in 1962,
at the age of 81. The other Founders also maintained their interest in the Fraternity throughout their lives. The last, Brother Vinal,
passed away in 1971.
Brother Schrader was chiefly responsible for the Ritual, Constitution, and the Bylaws adopted by the Founders. The first badge was a gold
skull with the letters Theta and Tau on its forehead, and a crossed hammer and tongs beneath. The Constitution provided for the
establishment of additional chapters at other leading engineering schools, and the Fraternity soon began to take on its national
character.
The oldest symbol of the Fraternity still in use is the coat of arms adopted in 1906. It may only be displayed or worn by members.
In 1911, representatives of the three chapters and the alumni association met at the University of Minnesota for the first national
Convention, the name was changed to Theta Tau, a revised Ritual approved, and the present badge adopted. Perhaps most important for
its future expansion, it was decided that Theta Tau would include all branches of engineering.
Upsilon Chapter History: Upsilon Chapter became a chapter because Delta Psi Fraternity was organized at the University of
Arkansas during the winter term of the school year 1918-19 for the purpose of promoting the interests of the College of Engineering,
as well as fostering an interest in student activities. It was then known as the Engineers' Club. After a successful year, it was
thought that the Club had attained a standing which would merit petitioning a national body for membership and on March 31, 1921,
a petition was sent to the Executive Council of Theta Tau. At the Convention of Theta Tau, however, the petition was held over for
further information. Realizing the deficiencies of the first petition, it was then decided to formulate a new and more complete
petition.
During the fall of 1926, the members of Delta Psi revived interest in petitioning Theta Tau for a chapter at the University of
Arkansas. Correspondence and personal association with two members of the national fraternity, Dr. R.J. Russell, Epsilon '19,
from Texas Tech at Lubbock, Texas, and Professor C.V. Mann, Iota Hon. '14, of Rolla, Missouri, were continued for over a year.
Finally, the men were rewarded for their efforts in December, 1927, and were granted a charter as Upsilon Chapter of Theta Tau.
The first oppurtunity for the installation of the chapter was during the Easter holidays and, consequently, the installation was
held on April 7, 1928.
The current Upsilon Housing Corporation Officers are:
President - Richard A. Smith U955
Vice-President - Mike MacDonald U924
Treasurer - Rob Shertzer U953
Scribe - Heather Durham U1007
Delegate-at-large - Mark Center U938