History of the Beta Beta Chapter
The Beta Beta chapter of Beta Theta Pi has proudly been represented on the campus of the University of Mississippi since 1879. The chapter was originally formed after merging with Alpha Kappa Phi, a small fraternity based out of Centre College, in Kentucky. Our chapter, Epsilon, was the strongest. The Epsilon chapter and the Alpha chapter of AKPhi merged with Beta Theta Pi in late May, 1879. In 1890, the Beta Beta Chapter also merged with one of the previously established secret societies on campus, the Mystical Seven. This merger was the beginning of Beta's storied history on this campus, and the fraternity has been a part of the Ole Miss community ever since. Every year, members of the Beta Beta chapter are recognized for making great strides in local service for both the university and the city of Oxford.
History of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Beta Theta Pi was originally founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1839. The story, as every Beta knows, goes as follows:
At nine o'clock on the evening of the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 1839, eight earnest young men, all students at Miami University, held the first meeting of Beta Theta Pi in the Hall of the Union Literary Society, an upper room in the old college building (known as "Old Main.")
The eight founders in the order in which their names appear in the minutes were:
John Reily Knox, 1839
Samuel Taylor Marshall, 1840
David Linton, 1839
James George Smith, 1840
Charles Henry Hardin, 1841
John Holt Duncan, 1840
Michael Clarkson Ryan, 1839
Thomas Boston Gordon, 1840
"of ever honored memory."
Famous Betas
John Wooden, Purdue '32 - UCLA Basketball Coaching Legend
Sam Walton, Missouri '40 - Founder and Chairman, Walmart
Shahid Khan, Illinois '70 - Owner, NFL Jacksonville Jaguars
Ray Mabus, Mississippi '69 - U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Amb. to Saudi Arabia
Jamie Whitten, Mississippi '33 - U.S. Congressman
Frank E. Smith, Mississippi '41 - U.S. Congressman
Alfred Hume, Mississippi - Chancellor, University of Mississippi
Bill Bowerman, Oregon '65 - Co-founder, Nike
Ken Cameron, MIT '71 - Astronaut
William Anderson (Adam West), Whitman '51 - "Batman"
Neil Everett, Oregon '84 - Broadcaster, ESPN's Sportscenter
The list continues...
Core Values of Beta Theta Pi
Mutual Assistance || Betas believe that men are mutually obligated to help others in the honorable labors and aspirations of life.
Intellectual Growth || Betas are devoted to continually cultivating their minds, including high standards of academic achievement.
Trust || Betas develop absolute faith and confidence in one another by being true to themselves and others.
Responsible Conduct || Betas choose to act responsibly, weighing the consequences of their actions on themselves and those around them.
Integrity || Betas preserve their character by doing what is morally right and demanding the same from their brothers.
General Fraternity Website
To learn more about the history and mission of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, please visit www.betathetapi.org.
Chapter Website
Photography, Graphics, and Web Design by
Ben Tribble '18 -BB 1493-
JoJo Katool '20 -BB 1604-
Jonathan Amlong ‘22 -BB 1719-
Sam Still ‘24 -BB 1842-
Support: betaolemiss@gmail.com