For over 161 years, Beta Theta Pi has been a pioneering fraternity. With such accolades as being the first fraternity to be founded west of the Allegheny mountains, the first to have a chapter west of the Mississippi river, and the first to have a chapter outside the United States. Beta Theta Pi was only the sixth Greek Letter organization in the nation, putting it at the forefront of what would become the modern Greek letter fraternal system. Beta Theta Pi has in its history been first in countless categories and awards. Over eighty Betas have been Rhodes Scholars, more then any other fraternity Twenty six Betas have been United States Senators, and One Hundred Twenty Four have been members of the House of Representatives, more then any other fraternity.
Beta has more listings than any other fraternity in Who's who in America.
More Betas have been justices of the United States Supreme Court then any other fraternity. Beginning with Founder Charles Henry Hardin, Miami 1841, who became Governor of Missouri, more then thirty states have has a Beta as Governor. One Beta, Ichizo Hattori, Rutgers 1875, was Governor of Hiogo, Japan. Over 100 Betas have served as justices of their respective state Supreme Courts. Fourteen Betas have won the Medal of Honor First fraternity to institute a minimum GPA for membership.