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Essential Information About Triangle Fraternity

ABOUT

The Origin of Triangle Fraternity

Triangle's origin came from the desire of some congenial college friends to extend their friendship, not only through college but also for life. It was in the fall of 1906 that sixteen civil engineering juniors at the University of Illinois began the association that became Triangle Fraternity. These Founders based their organization on the principles of honor, friendship, character, brotherhood, and courage. They developed their plans quickly, and on April 15, 1907, incorporated Triangle in Illinois.

Edwin B. Adams

Wilbur G. Burroughs

Stanley G. Cutler

Rubey O. Harger

Theron R. Howser

Robert Emmett Keough

Thomas G. Lowry

Milton H. McCoy

Meryl S. Morgan

Ernest B. Nettleton

Raymond C. Pierce

Franklin N. Ropp

Arthur Schwerin

Charles M. Slaymaker

Charles E. Waterhouse

Emil A. Weber

BUILDING BETTER MEN

Our commitment to building better men dates back more than 110 years to our beginnings at the University of Illinois, where Triangle was founded by 16 civil engineers who chose to lead in the classroom, on the campus, and within the community. Their choice was to form a group to provide support for their social, academic, and professional goals.

Since that founding, Triangle has expanded nationwide and broadened its membership to include men pursuing STEM and Architecture degrees - essentially becoming a STEM fraternity experience before the acronym was even created. We remain dedicated to supporting our members socially, academically, and professionally.

There is no other men's STEM fraternity experience.

If you are looking for a STEM group to support your academic goals, provide leadership and social opportunities, and a connection with thousands of prominent alumni in the fields of engineering, architecture, and science, then Triangle is for you.

Our members understand the challenges of a technical degree path and can be both a support system and a valuable stepping stone on the path to a successful technical career.

Triangle History

April 15 is historic in the annals of Triangle Fraternity, the annual Founders Day. On that date in 1907, the band of 16 students constituting the Founders obtained incorporation papers from the State of Illinois. | MORE

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One Triangle

Through the support of volunteers, dedication of staff members, the generosity of donors, and the collaboration of Triangle Fraternity, the Triangle Building & Housing Corporation, and the Triangle Education Foundation, Triangle is able to support its vast network of brothers and volunteers while simultaneously planning for the future. | MORE

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Triangle Staff

The Headquarters staff is responsible for implementing the strategy of National Council with appropriate tactical action, as well as measuring progress. Furthermore, the Headquarters staff oversees the day to day operations of the fraternity. | MORE

Chapters

For more than a century Triangle Fraternity has evolved from an idea devised by sixteen men, to a brotherhood of over 30,000 members. From a small local engineering group to the first and only national men's fraternity for STEM and architecture students and professionals.

Though different from campus to campus, one element remains the same. All members are committed to building a better world. | MORE

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National Partnerships

Triangle Fraternity is honored to be an Alliance Partners with FIRST – For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology — one of the largest and most successful organizations in the world dedicated to STEM education and careers. More than 480,000 K-12 students around the globe participate in one or more of FIRST’s four major programs. | MORE

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News & Publications

From the Triangle REVIEW, Triangle's official bi-annual magazine, to the National Headquarters' monthly HQ News, the Triangle Education Foundation's Foundation Focus, and the TBHC quarterly newsletter, Triangle has all of the information necessary to keep active and alumni members up to date. | MORE

Code of Ethics

Triangle's values are taught to each member through the Ritual of Initiation. During this secret ceremony, Triangles learn, in the words of their founders, the values and ideals upon which the fraternity was built more than a century ago. Triangle's Ritual is a call to action - a commitment to strive each day to live by the founding principles and work perpetually for the betterment of Triangle and the world. More important, however, is how Triangle publicly expresses its values.

Triangle's Code of Ethics codifies the lessons and commitments made during the Ritual of Initiation; it is the basis for Triangle's public values statement. Triangle's Code of Ethics expresses to all members - initiated and associate members, students, and alumni - and non-members the principles upon which Triangle was founded and upon which daily decisions should be made.

As a member of Triangle, I recognize my obligation to:

Observe the precepts of the Fraternity as set forth in the Ritual;

Accept cheerfully my full share of any task, however menial, involved in maintaining a chapter home;

Preserve and promote the chosen ideals of my Fraternity;

Pay all personal bills promptly, and always live within my means;

Help create in my chapter home an environment in which enduring friendships may be formed;

Maintain a creditable scholastic record;

Promote the welfare of my profession;

Maintain self-respect by proper conduct at all times;

Uphold faithfully the traditions and program of my Alma Mater;

Pay the price of success in honest effort.

Organizational Snapshot

Founded

April 15, 1907; Only social Fraternity exclusively for men majoring in engineering, architecture, and the sciences

Headquarters

Plainfield, Indiana

Philanthropy

FIRST Robotics

Magazine

The Review

Official Colors

Old Rose & Gray

Public Symbol

Delta T

Additional Facts

The name "Triangle" was chosen to represent the strength of the shape used in design work in the field of civil engineering
The Fraternity flower is the white chrysanthemum
The open Motto is "Veritas Omnia Vincit" (Latin for "Truth Conquers All")

Triangle Headquarters

The building was built in 1912 by a grant from Andrew Carnegie at an all-inclusive construction cost of $8,520. It was used as the Public Library for the Town of Plainfield from its opening in January 1913 until October 1968 when the newest township library was opened at its current location on Stafford Road.

The Carnegie Public Library building was purchased in 1968 by the Simmonds family who owned D&A Company, a steel construction and engineering company based in Plainfield, IN. The Simmonds' used the library building as their personal family home and converted the large open areas into comfortable living spaces where they resided for nearly 30 years. In 1987, the Nees family purchased the home when the Simmonds' retired. The Nees' left the structure virtually unchanged except for painting and wallpaper.

Triangle Fraternity purchased the building in 1997 and remodeled the building, restoring and preserving many of the building's historical features. Throughout the years Triangle National Headquarters has been located in the old Carnegie building many local citizens have asked for private tours of the old town library and in 2000 Triangle opened the building to the Friends of the Library for their annual open house tour. Many former library patrons were thrilled to visit an old favorite.

The Carnegie Library building continues to stand as a historical treasure for the town of Plainfield with school children passing by every spring and fall as they learn their local history. Triangle is honored to serve as caretaker of this historical building.

Visiting the Headquarters

If you are in the area, we'd love for you to stop in for a tour. Office and museum tours can be arranged from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You can schedule your visit by calling Director of Operations, Rhonda Halcomb at (317) 837-9650.

Address

120 S. Center Street

Plainfield, IN 46168

Contact Information

P | 317.837.9640

F | 317.837.9642

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. est