The origin of Gamma Tau reaches back to the founding of USC local fraternity Phi Alpha in 1898. Initial interest in becoming a chapter of Beta Theta Pi was interrupted by World War I, and Phi Alpha's first charter petition was denied in 1921. Even so, the men of Phi Alpha, together with the Southern California Alumni Association and notable Chapter Advisor and Chancellor Rufus Bernhard VonKleinsmid, organized the chapter as a Beta Colony on May 23rd, 1946. They received their charter on October 26th of the following year. Since that year, Beta Theta Pi has had a rich tradition of producing highly successful businessman, Olympic and varsity athletes, and leaders at the University of Southern California. * Gamma Tau's heraldic device is the Trojan helmet; their motto is 'A Race of Trojans.' * Gamma Tau has turned out over 1,700 outstanding alumni since 1947.
Beta Theta Pi, founded in 1839 at Miami (Ohio) University, is dedicated to building men of principle for a principled life through lifelong devotion to intellectual excellence, high standards of moral conduct and responsible citizenship. The Fraternity has more than 120,000 living members including some 5,800 collegians on 122 campuses in the United States and Canada. In 1879, Beta became the first fraternity to publish an open constitution, proclaiming to the world that mutual assistance in the honorable labors and aspirations of life, cultivation of the intellect, and unsullied friendship and unfaltering fidelity are the noble and worthy goals our Founders created for generations of Betas to follow. Beta Theta Pi has honored and expanded upon those noble goals ever since our founding, and continues to set the standard among collegiate fraternities. Visit the Beta Theta Pi National website at www.betathetapi.org
The brothers of Beta recognize the importance of cultivating the intellect and aspire to be academic leaders at the University of Southern California. In the 2008-2009 school year the chapter earned an outstanding 3.29 GPA in the fall and 3.33 in the Spring, ranked amongst the best of The Row, which is higher than both the all-fraternity and all-men's averages. At Beta Theta Pi's National Convention the chapter was rewarded for its efforts by receiving the Virginia Tech Award for Academic Excellence.
Gamma Tau has some of the most prominent and successful alumni from the University of Southern California. We also enjoy the wide international network that Beta Theta Pi has formed. Some of our greatest Gamma Tau alumni are:
* Pat Powers '80 - Olympic Gold Medalist
* Stan Smith '69 - Professional Tennis Player
* Edward Roski, Jr. '68 - CEO Majestic Realty Co. Owner of Staples Center, LA Kings
* Steven Miller '66 - President, Dean Witter Reynolds
* Dickran Tevrizian '62 - Former U.S. Federal Court Judge
* Beta Theta Pi was founded at Miami University August 8, 1839.
* Over 200,000 men have been initiated into the fraternity since its founding.
* Most CEOs among Fortune 500 companies.
* Over 80 brothers have been Rhodes Scholars, more than any other fraternity.
* 26 Betas have been United States Senators, and 124 Betas have been members of the House of Representatives, more than any other fraternity.
* Beta has more brothers listed in Who's Who in America than any other fraternity.
* More Betas have been justices on the United States Supreme Court than any other fraternity.
* 23 states have had a Beta as a governor.
* Six Betas have won the Medal of Honor.
* Beta Theta Pi was the first international fraternity, with chapters in the United States and Canada.
* First fraternity founded west of the Alleghenies.
* First fraternity to establish a chapter west of the Mississippi River.
* First fraternity to publish an open constitution.