History of Alpha Chi Omega
In the fall of 1885, Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School at DePauw University, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The seven young women chosen to attend this first meeting were Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard. Their desire was to form an organization that would provide both close companionship and support to its members. Their friend and associate, James G. Campbell, an undergraduate member of Beta Theta Pi who acted as librarian for the school of music offered a suggestion that they form a fraternity. They believed that such a group would benefit the students, the university, and the musical arts.
The young women met regularly in a small room in the music building. On October 23, 1885, one week after their initial founding, Alpha Chi Omega's Founders and their first new members, adorned with scarlet and olive green ribbons, made their presence known. Although founded within the school of music, Alpha Chi Omega is now open to all undergraduate female students meeting our National Membership Criteria.
Symbols
Our Colors
Alpha Chi Omega's colors of scarlet and olive green were chosen to commemorate the autumn founding of our Fraternity.
Our Flower
The flower of Alpha Chi Omega is the red carnation, exemplifying the colors of our Fraternity.
Our Open Motto
Alpha Chi Omega's open motto: "Together let us seek the heights."
Our Badge
Our Founders chose the lyre of Alpha Chi Omega after much research. The design that appealed most to the Founders was a replica of the harp because it seemed in keeping with their musical interests. Not quite satisfied, though, they turned to Greek mythology where they found that the first instrument played by the gods on Mt. Olympus was a lyre. The original badge was purchased by Founder Bertha Deniston and is now in the Fraternity archives at Headquarters.
Our Pin
The stick pin is diamond-shaped with the top half enameled in scarlet and the bottom in olive green. It bears the lyre across its face and is designed to be worn with the lyre badge.
Our Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is composed of a square shield, a crest and a scroll. The shield is red, cut by a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays an open book in gold; at the base is a sheaf of wheat, also in gold. The bar pictures three white stars. The crest, a lyre bird, is in its natural color. At the bottom is the scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto, "Together Let Us Seek the Heights."
Our Purpose
The purpose of Alpha Chi Omega, as stated in the Constitution, shall be: "to encourage the true spirit of sisterhood, to develop through personal effort a high moral and mental standard, and to advance the appreciation and practice of fine arts among its members."