Chi Delta was founded in 1836 as one of two rival literary (debating) societies; the other was Philomathesian. The two rival societies replaced the 1835 Dialectic Adelphick Society and the 1827 Republican Dialectical Adelphic Society, which came to East Tennessee College with its new president, Rev. Charles Coffin. The name Chi Delta came from the initial Greek letters of the term chora deinotatos—the seat of eloquence. Members of the society wore white, pink, and blue name badges.
Originally, both Philomathesian and Chi Delta met in the attic of Old College, lighting the room with candles. After 1840 Philomathesian met in West College and Chi Delta met in East College. Both meeting rooms were moved to South College after its erection in 1872, and both societies met in Ayres (fourth floor) after its completion in 1921.
The original motto of Chi Delta was Sua munera virtute sunt (Virtue is its own reward). The motto was changed after the Civil War to Per aspera ad astra (Through adversity to the stars). Its color was red, and its yell was Hang-a-napper, hang-a-napper, hang-a-napper, we! / Dang-a-flapper, dang-a-flapper, old U. of T.! / Ranga-tanga-belta, booma-lacka-helta, / Long live the Crescent of old Chi Delta! The first president of the society was J. W. Kelso, and the list of honorary members of this society included Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Thomas H. Benton, James K. Polk, Horace Maynard, and Daniel Webster.
In 1844 the society was incorporated by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly. Some of Chi Delta’s papers and all of Philomathesian’s records were destroyed during the Civil War when the institution was closed. On October 11, 1866, the society was again organized, with George L. Maloney as president. Chi Delta joined with Philomathesian to publish a literary journal, University Monthly, from 1875 to 1878. A few years later Philomathesian began its own journal (Philo Star), and Chi Delta published the Chi Delta Crescent. Both publications ceased in 1887. The society itself was last active in 1929.