AXΩ History

 

"Together let us seek the hights"

 

Alpha Chi Omega was formed at Depaw 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. Those young women were Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms, and Estelle Leonard. Alpha Chi Omega’s Founders chose "Alpha" (Α), 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" (Ω) seemed appropriate. "Kai", meaning "and" was added to form the beginning and the end. "Kai" was soon changed to "Chi" (Χ), a letter of the Greek alphabet. The first house included 27 women, and has become much larger throughout the years. Alpha Chi Omega no longer has any musical connections, but the legacy and talent of its founders remains in its symbol and symphony.

Alpha Chi Omega's colors of scarlet red and olive green were chosen to commemorate the fraternity's fall founding. The symbol is a lyre and the official flower is a red carnation , exemplifying the Fraternity's colors.The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega was chosen by the founders after much research, and designed by James G. Campbell (an undergraduate member of Beta Theta Pi men's fraternity, who acted as librarian for DePauw's School of Music). The Lyre, a replica of a three stringed harp, was decided on because it stayed true to their musical interest, as music unites the souls of many. According to Greek mythology the first instrument played by the gods on Mt. Olympus was a lyre. The original badge was purchased by Founder Bertha Deniston and is in the Fraternity archives at Headquarters.The coat of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is red, with a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays a 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 the open motto, “Together let us seek the heights.”

Alpha Chi Omega was founded as a women’s fraternal organization. It was established to provide a basis of mutual helpfulness and of congenial fellowship. The purpose of Alpha Chi Omega was to provide the advancement of the intellectual, social and moral culture of its members. Today, Alpha Chi Omega membership exceeds 180,000 initiated members with over 130 active collegiate chapters and 200 alumnae chapters.