Theta Delta Chi founded at Union College, Schenectady

Background. Union College, located in Schenectady, New York, is known as the "Mother of Fraternities" because several early Greek-letter fraternities were established there. Theta Delta Chi was founded in 1847 at this institution. The college was chartered in 1795 as the first non-denominational institution of higher education in the United States, and was the second college established in the State of New York.

Founding Date Discrepancy. Although founded in 1847, many early records incorrectly listed 1848 as the founding year. This error stemmed from the Fonda brothers believing they were founders, a belief reinforced by the first minute book of the Alpha charge taken in 1848. Andrew Green clarified the actual 1847 founding date in 1914, noting the Fonda brothers were not founding members.

Organizational Terminology. Theta Delta Chi uses unique nomenclature, referring to local organizations as "charges" rather than chapters. Common nicknames for the fraternity include TDX, TDC, Thete, Theta Delt, and Thumpers. These distinctions reflect the fraternity's specific internal traditions and identity within the broader Greek-letter system.