The original Lambda Chapter, founded as the eleventh chapter at the University of Chicago, was installed on July 2, 1923. Sadly, the original Chapter closed in 1932, as did the majority of the chapters at the University of Chicago at that time. After prolonged negotiations with the University of Chicago after World War II, the university decided not to encourage the return of fraternities and the lifeblood that was Lambda died.
Fortunately for us, in 1947, Executive Secretary George S. Toll (who later came to take the position that Sid Dunn holds now) made contact with a group at Illinois Tech called the Praetorians. The Praetorians had existed at IIT since 1943, and were the chapter of a small national organization (having only four chapters). The Praetorians felt they needed stronger national support, and contacted Alpha Epsilon Pi. Lambda Chapter was reborn in a ceremony held at the Congress Hotel in Chicago on June 13, 1948, which was well attended by new and old Lambda's alike including two regional governors, a PSM, and the reigning SM Louis Heller.
Our first house was located at 3254 S Michigan Avenue (right across the street), where the chapter stayed until 1961, when our current house was finished. Our 1962 pledge class of 21 men made Lambda Chapter the far away leader of fraternal leadership as well and membership.
Over the years, Lambda Chapter has initiated well over 650 men, won countless awards, and held many important offices both in the University as well as in the National organization. But, I feel that there is still another rebirth coming for Lambda Chapter. It was not too many years ago that we hit our lowest membership ever (nine active brothers) and we have pulled ourselves up. It was not long ago that IIT fell in the academic ranks, but now through University initiatives, scholarships, and other programs, we are seeing IIT in a new light.
The past fifty years has given us many highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. But I feel the next fifty years will see a stronger, more unified Lambda Chapter and Illinois Institute of Technology. With all of our help, we can rekindle Lambda Chapter and produce yet another rebirth.
Bryan J. Field
Lambda '99