The Phi Charge of Theta Delta Chi was founded at Lafayette College in 1867. Clay Holmes (Class of 1869), one of the founding brothers, wrote the chapter's history which appeared in the January 1891 edition of the Shield, the Theta Delta Chi publication. Lafayette's Phi Charge is particularly significant because it was the last chapter to petition the Alpha Chapter (the founding chapter of Theta Delta Chi). As Holmes states in his history, the approval of the Lafayette petition was the last official act performed by the "Mother Charge" before it disbanded. Most of the surviving records relate to the early years of the Lafayette chapter. The Phi Charge had many members of high academic standing who were involved in numerous groups and clubs during their student days. Early records show that the brothers of Phi Charge were active in the national Theta Delta Chi Grand Lodge (the governing body).
From the description of Theta Delta Chi. Phi Charge Records, 1870-1947. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 137237162
