Illinois chapter history project
 

http://www.library.illinois.edu/arch...olcard&id=4663

Most likely U of I is the only school to have such detailed chapter histories. Interesting reading for those of us who geek fraternity history!

Illinois had, at the height of the Greek system in the 20's, over 100 chapters. I have no idea why Champaign-Urbana was such a hotbed, but for a school with no founding chapters, the campus history is very closely tied to Greek Life.

Fred H. Turner, Dean of Men (1931-43) and Dean of Students (1943-66), was a terrific person who recognized the strength of a well-run fraternity system.

I thought AGR was founded at UIUC?

If you know about Kappa Sigma alumnus and Univ. of Illinois grad, Stewart Howe... it makes sense "why" U of I.

http://www.library.illinois.edu/archives/howe/

Oh, duh, yes, it was. Triangle, too. I was only thinking of sororities when I posted.

Thomas Arkle Clark, who who served as Dean of Men at Illinois prior to Fred Turner's tenure, was also a potent force in promoting the Illini fraternity system. He founded Phi Eta Sigma, an honor society to recognize academic excellence among freshmen men. A year later, in 1924, Alpha Lambda Delta was founded by Maria Leonard, Dean of Women. It recognizes academic excellence among freshmen women.