Open Motto

“Together let us seek the heights.”

Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the DePauw School of Music, invited seven young women students from the music department to attend a meeting with the idea of forming a society for music majors within the school. Taking it a step further, our seven founders created the very first fine arts social fraternity and the sixth fraternity in the nation. We now carry on the traditions of our founders Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms, and Estelle Leonard by proudly wearing our red and green colors and maintaining a love for the fine arts.

These women created the name Alpha Chi Omega with the intent that they were the first fraternity of their kind within the music department and they believed they would be the last as well. From the Greek alphabet, our founders chose Alpha, meaning first, and Omega, meaning last to emphasize the significance of being the first and possibly the last of it’s kind. The word Chi comes from the meaning of and which ties the beginning and end of our name together.

 
The Missouri State chapter of Alpha Chi Omega was founded in April 1983.

Our colors are scarlet red and olive green to commemorate the autumn day that our fraternity was founded.

Our flower is a red carnation, significant to our scarlet red colors.

Our badge is a Greek lyre of gold, 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. This reflects our musical background.

Days of Importance:

October 15th, Founders’ Day: Through acts of friendship, leadership, learning and service, we celebrate the birth of our fraternity. Traditionally, collegians and alumnae honor our founders on this day by serving their local communities, and by celebrating the heritage and history of our organization.

March 1st, Hera Day: In honor of our patron goddess Hera, Alpha Chi Omegas give personal service for the happiness and well-being of others. Our remembrances include volunteering and fundraising for women’s shelters in local communities, our chosen philanthropy.

February, MacDowell Month: Named for the MacDowell artists’ colony in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega’s first philanthropic project), this month also honors our founders’ heritage as musicians. During MacDowell Month, our members are encouraged to attend exhibitions, see plays, take in concerts, and otherwise celebrate and patronize the arts.

We as a chapter are branded as real. strong. women. Nationally, Alpha Chi Omega serves under the shared commitment of upholding this brand. That commitment is this: