Alpha Chi Omega

ΑΧΩ

The Coat of Arms'' DePauw University, (Greencastle, Indiana)

Anna Allen
Olive Burnett
Bertha Deniston
Amy DuBois
Nellie Gamble
Bessie Grooms
Estelle Leonard

Alpha Chi Omega
Open Motto: Together let us seek the heights.''
Nicknames: A Chi O, AXO, Alpha Chi
Founded:	October 15, 1885 at
Founders:
Official Philanthropy:	Victims of Domestic Violence
Official Colors:	Scarlet Red and Olive Green
Official Flower:	Red Carnation
Official Symbol:	the Golden Lyre
Alpha Chi Omega Website

Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ) is a womens fraternity founded on October 15 1885.

History

Alpha Chi Omega was formed 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. 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 open motto is "Together let us seek the heights."

Alpha Chi Omega's colors of scarlet red and olive green were chosen to commemorate the fraternity's autumn founding. Their symbol is a lyre and their official flower is a red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity's colors.

Alpha Chi Omega's badge is an important part of its history and can be seen on display at the Smithsonian museum. 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, 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. 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, 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 the open motto, “Together let us seek the heights.”

Standards for membership

Alpha Chi Omega prides itself on maintaining 5 standards:

academic interest
character
financial responsibility
leadership ability
personal development

Important dates

Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the same heritage and traditions for nearly 115 years. Some of these special dates celebrated by Alpha Chi Omega include:

Founders' Day - Sisters gather on October 15th 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 1st of each year, members recognize the fraternity's commitment to helping others by conducting service projects and offering assistance to others.

Chapter Founders' Days - Each collegiate chapter recognizes its founding anniversary annually.

The National Convention - Members join together every two years to conduct fraternity business, reunite with fellow Alpha Chis, and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega.

Philanthropy

Alpha Chi Omega's national philanthropy is "Victims of Domestic Violence".

Individual chapters focus their attention on increasing Domestic Violence Awareness and education as well as aiding victims of domestic violence through hands-on activities and service projects. This work is done through connections with local agencies which the chapters support. Examples include rape crisis centers and centers for battered women across the nation.

A past philantrophy that is no longer primarily supported by the fraternity is Easter Seals.

Alpha Chi Omega's #1 altruism is the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation which includes the following charities: Easter Seals, MacDowell Colony, and Kristin's Story.

Notable alumnae

For a full list of notable Alpha Chi Omega alumnae please visit here. ^*

Hillary Andrews (Gamma Iota) - meteorologist for The Weather Channel
Eleanor Coppola (Alpha Psi) - Emmy award winning documentarian
Deidre Downs (Zeta Lambda) - 2005 Miss America winner
Carol DuVall (Beta Epsilon) - host of the Carol DuVall Show on HGTV
Georgie Anne Geyer (Gamma) - journalist
Laura Innes (Gamma) - actress, (ER)
Meredith Monroe (Upsilon) - actress, (Dawson's Creek)
Agnes Nixon (Gamma) - TV writer and producer
Aubrey O'Day (Epsilon Psi) - singer, (MTV's Making The Band 3)
Condoleezza Rice (Gamma Delta) - U.S. Secretary of State
Gail Sheehy (Alpha Iota) - author
Trista Rehn Sutter (Alpha Mu) - participant in The Bachelorette
Victoria Toensing (Alpha Mu) - former deputy assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department
Sherron Watkins (Alpha Phi) - Enron whistleblower
Dawn Wells (Rho) - actress, (Gilligan's Island)

External links