National History

Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The first appearance of the seven founders - Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard was in Meharry Hall, wearing scarlet and olive ribbon streamers attached to their dresses.

Rumors of a new ladies' fraternity spread throughout the campus, but the group chose to be fully organized before making its first public appearance. A Constitution and bylaws were drafted, the fraternity's name, colors, flower and motto were chosen, the first eight pledges were selected and their badge was designed before Alpha Chi Omega was introduced to the DePauw University student body at a convocation held in Meharry Hall. On October 23, 1885, Alpha Chi Omega's Founders and their pledges, adorned with scarlet and olive green ribbons, made their presence known.

Membership was limited to students in the School of Music in the beginning, but within a few months this requirement was changed to include liberal arts students, provided they were registered for some course in music. Today, the music course requirement no longer exists.

The women's organization has over 170,000 members located throughout the world. There are 132 collegiate chapters on college and university campuses throughout the United States and about 200 alumnae chapters.

Our Name

Alpha Chi Omega's Founders chose "Alpha," the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music. Since they thought they might also be founding the last such fraternity, "Omega" seemed appropriate. "Kai," meaning "and," was added to form the beginning and the end. "Kai" was soon changed to "Chi," a letter of the Greek alphabet.

Our Colors

Alpha Chi Omega's colors of scarlet and olive green were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity's autumn founding in Greencastle, Indiana.

Our Flower

Alpha Chi Omega's flower is the red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity's colors.

Our Badge

Lyre (first musical instrument played by the gods on Mt. Olympus) The golden lyre is adorned by 22 miniature pearls and is worn by initiated members. ***Our badge was named the most beautiful greek badge and is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.***

Our Coat of Arms

The coat of arms includes 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 has three white stars. The crest, a lyre bird, is in its natural color. The scroll at the bottom bears the Greek translation of our open motto, "Together let us seek the heights."

Our Open Motto

"Together, Let Us Seek the Heights"

The original Open Motto, "Ye Daughters of Music, Come Up Higher," was changed to today's motto when the music requirements were removed from the membership criteria.

The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega

To see beauty even in the common things in life,
To shed the light of love and friendship round me;
To keep my life in tune with the world
That I shall make no discords in the harmony of life;
To strike on the lyre of the universe only the notes of happiness, of joy, of peace;
To appreciate every little service rendered;
To see and appreciate all that is noble in another, be her badge what it may,
And to let my lyre send forth the chords of love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.

Alpha Chi Traditions

Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the heritage and traditions shared in our sisterhood for nearly 115 years. Some of these special traditions include:

• Founders' Day: Sisters gather on October 15 of each year to recognize the fraternity's fall founding at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. On Founders' Day, members wear their badges, along with scarlet and olive green ribbons.
• Hera Day: On March 1 of each year, members recognize the fraternity's commitment to helping others by conducting service projects and offering assistance to others.
• National Convention: Members join together every two years to conduct fraternity business, reunite with fellow Alpha Chis, and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega.
• MacDowell Month: February is known as MacDowell month in Recognition of Alpha Chi Omega's first altruistic project, an artists' colony located in Petersborough, New Hampshire.