Sorority Information

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.

The 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" also 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.

Alpha Chi Omega has now spread to the national level with 133 chapters from coast to coast and over 12,000 collegiate members.

Millikin Upsilon chapter was founded on May 9, 1913.

Our Colors are Scarlet Red and Olive Green, chosen to commemorate the Fraternity's autumn founding.

The red carnation was chosen as our flower, exemplifying the Fraternity's colors. 

Our badge is in the shape of a lyre, having three twisted strings spanned diagonally by a raised and slightly rounded scroll of black enamel bearing the Greek letter Alpha Chi Omega in gold. It is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and it was named the most beautiful Greek badge. It is also on the moon thanks to Neil Armstrong's wife who was an Alpha Chi.

Symbol: Lyre

Gem: Pearl

Open motto: "Together let us seek the heights"

The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega

To see beauty even in the common things of 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.
By Celia McClure