The Delta Chi Fraternity was organized in summer 1908 by eight men at The University of Chattanooga. W.H. Stephens, a student from Florida, founded the local fraternity. Delta Chi represents the oldest fraternal organization on the University campus. At the time of its founding, the University was a theological institute, and fraternities were prohibited.
This resulted in keeping the officers secret to avoid expulsion, which practice was carried out until the 1940s. The officers were made public only after they had served their terms and new officers were elected. The entire membership of Delta Chi joined World War I. After the war, it was reorganized. The membership joined World War II in 1942 and in the spring of 1946, returning members reorganized again.
In 1947, there were 17 acres and 17 buildings on campus, including the observatory which is still in Brainerd. There are now 78 buildings and 116 acres. There were 1,723 students in 1947. There are now 8,689. In 1947, there were 31 active Delta Chis and seven Sigma Chis on campus. There were 800 Delta Chi alumni.
Five of the UC board of trustees were Delta Chi. Fraternities on campus at the time were Alpha Lambda Tau and Theta Chi. Sororities on campus were Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu, and Pi Beta Phi.
The President of UC was Dr. David A. Lockmiller (Sigma Chi, NC State, 1927), who entered the Chapter Eternal during the winter of 2005.
Some of the more noteworthy names on the petition to form a Sigma Chi chapter:
- Dorthy Harris Woodworth, Sigma Chi awards a scholarship in her name to a junior female student every year.
- S.F. Bretske, for whom Bretske Hall is named.
- John S. Fletcher, for whom Fletcher Hall is named.
- Morrow Chamberlain, Chamberlain Field is named for his father.
