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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.
As a tribute to our musical heritage, Alpha Chi's support
the fine art-music, literature, art, drama, and dance
-encouraging members' intellectual development.
National Founding
October 23, 1885
Delta - Allegheny College Founding
January 29, 1891
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Our Crest
The coat of arms in cludes 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 Badge
The Alpha Chi Omega badge is a lyre, chosen by our Founders after much research. The design which 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 badge has 22 pearls set around it. The original badge was purchased by Founder Bertha Deniston and is now in the Fraternity archives at Headquarters.
Our Colors
Our colors are scarlet red and olive green.
“In a flash of understanding, we knew we had found our colors — the scarlet and green found in a maple leaf on a perfect day.” -Olive Burnett, one of our founders
Our Flower
The flower of Alpha Chi Omega is the red carnation, exemplifying our colors.
Our Mascot
Our chapter mascot is the ladybug. Ladybugs are traditionally known to be loyal, as well as bring good luck.
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Cecilia (Celia) McClure Pardee, an alumna of our very own Delta Chapter, wrote our symphony in 1914. When the piece was copyrighted in 1957, the title became “The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega.” This is very important to us and it highlights our musical heritage.
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* The Alpha Chi Omega badge is on the flag on the moon because Neil Armstrong's wife, Carol, is an AXO *
* The sorority house featured in the movie Legally Blonde 2 is a real Alpha Chi Omega house! *
* Our badge, the lyre, is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, as it was named the most beautiful Greek badge. *
* Alpha Chi Omega currently has 133 active collegiate chapters. *
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Deidre Downs (Zeta Lambda, U Of Virginia)
Crowned Miss America 2005. She is touring the country
to speak out on behalf of the fight
against childhood cancer.
Trista Rehn (Epsilon Omicron, Indiana State University)
ABC's The Bachelorette. Trista graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Exercise Science. In 1995 she was accepted at the University of Miami, where she pursued her Masters and graduated with honors. Her passion for dancing led her to audition — successfully — for the NBA's Miami Heat dancers.
Dawn Wells (Rho, Washington)
Appeared as Mary Ann on the television show “Gilligan’s Island.” Co-host and co-producer of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, owner of Wishing Wells Collections, offering easy-closure clothing for the disabled.
Meredith Monroe (Upsilon, Millikin)
Appeared as Andie McPhee on the television series “Dawson’s Creek.”
Dr. Condoleezza Rice (Gamma Delta, Denver)
Current National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush. Former Provost of Stanford University, where she was the youngest, first female, and first African-American to hold this second-highest position at Stanford. Formerly the Deputy Director for Eastern European and Soviet Affairs in the National Security Council.
Laura Innes (Gamma, Northwestern)
Appears as Dr. Kerry Weaver on the television series "ER." She has been nominated twice for an Emmy award for her performance on the program.