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Chi Gamma Epsilon
Social fraternity at Dartmouth College, U.S. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Chi Gamma Epsilon (ΧΓΕ) is a local fraternity at the American Ivy League university of Dartmouth College. "Chi Gam," as it is commonly known, was part of Kappa Sigma fraternity before breaking off for political reasons. On campus, Chi Gam is known for its dance parties such as Gammapalooza, its house pong game known as ship [1] and its commitment to community service. In past years Chi Gam gained a reputation as the "Baseball Frat," although now the house is populated by a wide variety of different people, including members of the Dartmouth Lightweight Crew team, Dartmouth Cross Country team, and leaders of student organizations.
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History
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Predecessors
Chi Gamma Epsilon has been an integral part of Dartmouth College’s Greek life for over a century. Originally founded in 1904 as the local fraternity Beta Gamma, the organization was established by eleven founding members who sought to create a brotherhood dedicated to camaraderie, leadership, and tradition. A year later, in 1905, the fraternity gained national recognition and was granted a charter as the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma.
Transition to a local fraternity
By the early 1980s, tensions between the Dartmouth chapter and the national Kappa Sigma fraternity began to rise. The disagreement centered around financial obligations and autonomy, particularly when the chapter's house faced unexpected structural expenses. In 1981, after the national fraternity declined to assist in funding essential repairs, the brothers made the pivotal decision to sever ties with Kappa Sigma and become an independent, local fraternity. To mark this transition, the house was renamed Kappa Sigma Gamma.
However, legal challenges from the Kappa Sigma national organization over the use of its name led the fraternity to adopt a temporary designation, 7 Webster Avenue, in 1983. Following a period of deliberation, the brothers voted on March 31, 1987, to rename the fraternity Chi Gamma Epsilon. The new name retained elements of the house’s history, with Gamma Epsilon honoring its roots as the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma.
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Symbols
Chi Gamma Epsilon's motto is "Come As You Are". Its symbol is the phoenix.
Chapter house
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As the fraternity grew in size and influence, the need for a permanent meeting space became apparent. From 1914 to 1916, the brothers raised funds to construct a small wooden house at 7 Webster Avenue, marking the beginning of the fraternity’s presence at its current location. The house served as a vital hub for fraternity life but, as membership expanded, structural issues and space limitations necessitated a larger, more modern facility. In 1935, the original structure was razed, and under the leadership of Ives Atherton ‘24, who was instrumental in securing funding, construction of a new fraternity house was completed by 1937. The house has since remained the home of Chi Gamma Epsilon.
Over the decades, 7 Webster Avenue has undergone several major renovations and additions, ensuring that the house remains a functional and welcoming space for generations of brothers.
1937: Complete reconstruction of the house following the demolition of the original structure.
2005: Basement expansion, including the construction of the Keg Cave, modifications to Room M, the loss of a window in Room N, and various furniture upgrades.
2011: A full basement renovation, including a new fire escape, funded by John Donahoe ‘82, CEO of Nike and former CEO of eBay and PayPal.
2016: Major infrastructure updates, including Wi-Fi upgrades, renovations to the Brothers Room, and improvements to the Ship Room.
2023: A wildflower garden was planted in the front lawn in memory of brother Sam Gawel ‘23, serving as a lasting tribute to his impact on the fraternity and Dartmouth community.
Notable members
- Burke W. Whitman ‘78, Major General U. S. Marine Corps
- Michael Moriarty ‘63, award-winning star of stage and screen. Credits include “Holocaust”, “Bang the Drum Slowly” and “Law & Order” 1990–1994.
- Russell Carson '55 (General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, member of Dartmouth Board of Trustees, for whom Carson Hall at Dartmouth is named)
- John Donahoe '82 (CEO of Nike, Chairman of PayPal and former CEO of eBay)
- Jim Beattie '76 (MLB pitcher 1978–1986)
- Brad Ausmus '91 (MLB catcher, All Star, manager of the Detroit Tigers)[2]
- Mike Remlinger '87 (MLB pitcher 1991–2005)
- Ed Lucas '04 (MLB utility infielder with the Miami Marlins, currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Steve Dettelbach '88 (Director of the ATF)
- Kevin Oh '12 (Winner of Superstar K7 and Korean American singer-songwriter)
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See also
References
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