History

The Gamma Kappa Chapter of Beta Theta Pi originated as another Greek Letter Society, Delta Sigma. As a local fraternity founded in 1911, Delta Sigma did not have a national organization from which to draw resources and long-established principles. The members of Delta Sigma desired to become a part of a larger national fraternity but there were many in existence, as was not the case during Beta’s Founding in 1839. At the urging of the then President of Phi Delta Theta, one of the fraternal organizations that exist today on our campus, the men of Delta Sigma petitioned Beta Theta Pi for membership in 1919.

With the assistance and support of the University of Minnesota (Beta Pi), University of South Dakota (Gamma Alpha) Chapters, and UND sorority, Alpha Phi; the Gamma Kappa Chapter at the University of North Dakota was granted its Beta Theta Pi Charter at the 1922 national convention in West Baden, Indiana. Our Chapter was installed on November 17, 1922, which is now recognized as our founding date.

In 1925, the Gamma Kappa's chapter house was completed and officially opened. The house was designed by the local architecture firm Wells, Denbrook, and Associates. The firm was well known for designing the Chester Fritz Library on the UND campus as well as many other campus buildings.

The brothers in front of their new house completed one year prior to when the picture was taken in 1926.

Our Chapter has existed in times of prosperity and despair, both in the world at large and within the walls of our Chapter House. Over 1,300 men have been admitted to the rolls, with Adolf T. Banik being the first.

In the 1980s membership had grown significantly enough to require an addition to the Chapter House. The Glenn Lee Addition was completed in 1983 and added 14 rooms and 2 bathrooms to accommodate the men who wished to live with their brothers. Today, we generally refer to this addition as the “New Side” and the existing structure as the “Old Side.”

The Chapter House pictured in 1983 shortly after the addition was completed.

The greatest threat to our Chapter House came during the spring of 1997. After many months of heavy snowfall during the winter of 1996, the Red River of the North, which divides North Dakota and Minnesota as well as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, swelled beyond its banks and caused the levee system protecting the cities to fail. The resulting flood devastated the Grand Cities and the waters reached the University of North Dakota campus.

The Gamma Kappa House survived the flood as a whole, but much of the lower floors were lost. The waters destroyed our original roll books and many historical documents and one room remains condemned. However, in the years since the flood, our brothers have restored much of what was lost and have improved our Chapter House in many respects through multiple renovations. New improvements are planned for the chapter house in the near future to keep it in line with the times and as a desirable place for the brothers to live.

The Gamma Kappa Chapter just celebrated its 100th anniversary as a chapter of Beta Theta Pi. As prospective members seeking active membership, you must come to understand that once you have proved your worth to the brothers here you will be charged with the care and proper guidance of all that the men before you have created. Your respect and devotion to this chapter will ensure that it lives on to celebrate its 150th anniversary and many more beyond that.