Background and Purpose
We are a Men’s Greek Letter Fraternity Alumni Association affiliated with Fairmont State University, and Pierpont Community & Technical College collocated in Fairmont, WV. Our membership consists exclusively of alumni from Tau Beta Iota Fraternity founded on Sunday, March 7th., 1926 at Fairmont State Normal School, then transitioning to Fairmont State College, then transitioning further to Fairmont State University. Fairmont State University offers a broad spectrum of four-year degree studies.
Fairmont State University cojoined with Pierpont Community and Technical College during Pierpont’s early stages of development. Then, Pierpont received its autonomy and separated from Fairmont State University. Pierpont offers two-year degree studies in the technical fields.
Organizationally and individually our members support these institutions of higher learning through scholarships and various other selfless efforts, such as mentorship, professional expertise, and monetary giving.
Campus Facilities Named after TBI Alumni
| 1. Rosier Field (1927) – Named After: The Honorable Joseph Rosier College President and US Senator |
| 2. Duval / Rosier Field (2000) – Named After: Coach Harold S. “Deacon” Duval Championship Football Coach |
| 3. WV Folklife Center – Named After: Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. “Pooch” and Jayne Gabor |
| 4. Hunt / Haught Hall – Named After: Professor George Hunt |
| 5. Hunt / Haught Hall – Named After: Professor Cleo Haught |
| 6. Pence Hall – Named After: President John W. Pence Fairmont State College President |
| 7. Turley Center “The Nickel” – Named After: Dean George H. Turley Dean of Men |
| 8. Wallman Hall – Named After: Professor Lawrence A. “Pappy” Wallman |
Honorable
Joseph Rosier
Harold S. Duvall
“Deacon”
“Pooch”
George Hunt
Cleo Haught
John W. Pence
George H. Turley
Lawrence A. Wallman
“Pappy”
Brief History of Tau Beta Iota Fraternity
The Honorable Fraternity of Tau Beta Iota was formulated and founded in November of 1925. A group of outstanding young men who recognized the need for a fraternal organization of this kind, adopted a constitution and by-laws; holding their first and subsequent meetings for a period of one year in the gymnasium. President Rosier, realizing the sterling qualities of this organization, asked that they become affiliated with the school. A charter was granted on March 7th., 1926.
U.S. Senator and College President
Charter of Tau Beta Iota Fraternity
Be it known that we, the undersigned Founders of Tau Beta Iota Fraternity by virtue of the authority vested in us as founders, do hereby empower the continuation of this Fraternity at Fairmont State Teachers College, Fairmont, West Virginia, by the members whom we select and whomever they may choose to honor for their outstanding qualities of Character, Leadership, Sportsmanship, and Friendship by election to membership in accordance with the Constitution and Ritual of this Fraternity which has been delivered into their hands.
Granted at Fairmont, West Virginia; this seventh day of March in the year of Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.
Founding Members
Front Row.
Scott Homer Davis, Clyde Thomas Hickman, Charles Francis McDade, James Ellis Simpson, Jr.,
Paul Moore Hefner, Jarrett Ulrich Hamilton
Back Row.
Galbraith McFadden Weaver, James Carroll Michael, Kenneth Elliot Chenowith,
Victor Nay Lough, Orley Lemley Haines, Ora Cecil Mason, Insert. John Herbert Henry
In Memoriam
| Tau Beta Iota Fraternity’s Benefactor |
|---|
| Honorable Joseph Rosier US Senator and College President Born. January 24., 1870 Died. October 7th., 1951 Place of Birth. Wilsonburg, WV Home Town. Wilsonburg, WV Place of Burial. I.O.O.F. Cemetery Salem, WV Harrison County |
| Charter Memorial Roll of the Founders |
|---|
| 1. James Ellis Simpson, Jr. – President Born. October 27th., 1905 Died. December 3rd., 1933 Place of Birth. Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA Hometown. Ingram, Allegheny County, PA Location of Burial. Allegheny County Memorial Park Allegheny County, PA |
| 2. Orley Lemley Haines – Secretary Born. December 5th., 1900 Died. July 7th., 1983 Place of Birth. Bland’s Run, Monongalia County, WV Hometown. Hundred, Wetzel County, WV Location of Burial. Northview Cemetery New Martinsville, WV Wetzel County |
| 3. John Herbert Henry – Treasurer Born. February 3rd., 1902 Died. January 11th., 1931 Place of Birth. Kingwood, Preston County, WV Hometown. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Location of Burial. Woodsdale Memorial Park Pruntytown, WV Taylor County |
| 4. James Carroll Michael – Sergeant at Arms Born. September 6th., 1904 Died. July 16th., 1993 Place of Birth. Barrackville, Marion County, WV Hometown. Barrackville, Marion County, WV Location of Burial. Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens Westover, WV Monongalia County |
| 5. Kenneth Elliot Chenoweth Born. May 1st., 1891 Died. November 13th., 1950 Place of Birth. Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV Hometown. Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV Location of Burial. Bethlehem Cemetery Grantsville, WV Monongalia County |
| 6. Scott Homer Davis Born. August 15., 1906 Died. November 7th., 1967 Place of Birth. Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV Hometown. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Locations of Burials. Nov 1967 – Dec 1973: Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, Westover, WV Monongalia County Reinternment Dec 1973: East Oak Grove Cemetery Monongalia County, WV |
| 7. Jarrett Ulrich Hamilton Born. September 21st., 1906 Died. January 24th., 1996 Place of Birth. Hundred, Wetzel County, WV Hometown. Hundred, Wetzel County, WV Location of Burial. Riverview Cemetery Moundsville, WV Marshall County |
| 8. Paul Moore Hefner Born. January 26th., 1906 Died. July 9th. 1978 Place of Birth. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Hometown. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Location of Burial. Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Huntington, WV Cabell County |
| 9. Clyde Thomas Hickman Born. September 13th.,1905 Died. March 26th., 1991 Place of Birth. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Hometown. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Location of Burial. Woodsdale Memorial Park Pruntytown, WV Taylor County |
| 10. Victor Nay Lough Born. July 31st., 1902 Died. June 6th., 1995 Place of Birth. Hundred, Wetzel County, WV Hometown. Hundred, Wetzel County, WV Location of Burial. Northview Cemetery New Martinsville, WV Wetzel County |
| 11. Ora Cecil Mason Born. May 19th. 1903 Died. September 4th., 1958 Lived. Wadestown, Monongalia County, WV Place of Birth. Wadestown, Monongalia County, WV Location of Burial. Thomas Cemetery, Spring Hill Township, PA Greene County |
| 12. Charles Francis McDade Born. September 16th., 1907 Died. June 5th., 1984 Place of Birth. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Hometown. Grafton, Taylor County, WV Location of Burial. Cunningham Memorial Park Saint Albans, WV Kanawha County |
| 13. Galbraith McFadden Weaver Born. March 28th., 1905 Died. March 18th., 1997 Place of Birth. Moundsville, Marshall County, WV Hometown. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA Location of Burial. Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum Fort Worth, TX Tarrant County |
Tau Beta Iota Alumni Association 