From collection Phi Gamma Delta Documents Collection
1868 - Petition from Indianapolis, Indiana to form Graduate Chapter
The first two graduate chapters were founded in 1868. The first charter granted by the Grand Chapter was Lafayette, Indiana on April 7, 1868 and as such was designated Alpha. The second charter granted was Indianapolis, Indiana and as such was designated Beta. Both graduate chapters exist today.
A bit of "controversy" exists over the dates associated with the petitions from the brothers of each city.
The eventual Alpha Graduate Chapter petitioned the Grand Chapter on March 12, 1868 and the eventual Beta Graduate Chapter petitioned the Grand Chapter twenty one days earlier (1868 was a leap year) on February 21, 1868.
The petition for Lafayette, Indiana (Alpha) was granted April 7, 1868 and the petition for Indianapolis, Indiana (Beta) was granted on June 2, 1868.
It is unknown why Lafayette's petition was granted almost two months before Indianapolis' petition.
Details
A bit of "controversy" exists over the dates associated with the petitions from the brothers of each city.
The eventual Alpha Graduate Chapter petitioned the Grand Chapter on March 12, 1868 and the eventual Beta Graduate Chapter petitioned the Grand Chapter twenty one days earlier (1868 was a leap year) on February 21, 1868.
The petition for Lafayette, Indiana (Alpha) was granted April 7, 1868 and the petition for Indianapolis, Indiana (Beta) was granted on June 2, 1868.
It is unknown why Lafayette's petition was granted almost two months before Indianapolis' petition.
