The North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), an association for men’s fraternities was founded as the Interfraternity Conference on November 27, 1909 at the University Club in New York City.
Brown University President W. H. P. Faunce, a member of Delta Upsilon, invited representatives from the men’s fraternities. The 26 men’s fraternities who attended the meeting and are considered founding members are Acacia, Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Delta Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Chi Phi, Chi Psi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Alpha Society, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Delta Chi, and Zeta Psi. Alpha Sigma Phi is also considered a charter member. Hamilton Wright Mabie, Alpha Delta Phi, was NIC’s first chairman. Beta Theta Pi Francis W. Shepardson was its first secretary.
NIC’s constitution was adopted in 1910. Meetings were set for the Saturday following Thanksgiving in New York. Each member organization was to make a $25 contribution each year to cover postage and printing. At the 11th meeting held on November 29, 1919, there were a number of men who had attended all meeting from the very first one in 1909. These men were: Carl R. Ganter (Alpha Delta Phi); Wayne Montgomery Musgrave (Alpha Sigma Phi); Willis D. Robb (Beta Theta Pi); Albert S. Bard (Chi Psi); L. Barton Case (Delta Chi); James Anderson Hawes (Delta Kappa Epsilon); James Duane Livingston (Delta Phi); Frank Rogers (Delta Tau Delta); James B. Curtis (Delta Tau Delta); Jeremiah S. Ferguson (Kappa Sigma); O.H. Cheney (Phi Gamma Delta); Henry H. McCorkle (Phi Kappa Psi); and William L. Phillips (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
