|
Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on October 15, 1885. The Dean of the School of Music, Professor James Hamilton Howe, invited seven young women from the school to a meeting in order to form a society, which became Alpha Chi Omega. The women first appeared together wearing ribbons of scarlet red and olive green attached to their dresses.
The founders chose "Alpha" because it is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music. They chose "Omega," the last letter of the Greek alphabet, because they also believed that they were forming the last fraternity in the school of music. "Kai" was chosen because it represents "and," in order to form the beginning and the end, but it was changed to "Chi," which is a Greek letter.
The seven founders:
 Anna Allen Smith (1870 - 1933) was the youngest student at DePauw University to do advanced work in the School of Music, and she graduated at the age of 19. She was an accomplished accompanist, performer, and teacher in the School of Music.
 Olive Burnett Clark (1867 - 1956) went to Asbry University and taught for two years. She said, “I have found no greater happiness in my life than in Alpha Chi Omega. All I have ventured to give toward the upbuilding and uplifting of our fraternity has been from the depths of my heart, and has been repaid in thousand-fold by my girls. I believe fraternity life to be a vital influence for good. I believe fraternity spirit to be the Spirit of Youth, Love, and an understanding of all things beautiful and sacred in life. This much has Alpha Chi Omega given to me; it has taught me my Faith in God, Faith in all Mankind, and Faith in my Girls everywhere.”
 Bertha Deniston Cunningham (1869 - 1950) was the envy of the music students at the School of Music at DePauw because of her ability to compose. She taught at the School of Music for 10 years along with being an accomplished performer.
 Amy Dubois Reith (1868 - 1915) was 15 when she started attending DePauw University where she studied piano and voice. Many times she was selected to sing the important roles, but the honor and attention never got to her head. She later left the school to teach music in Kansas.
 Nellie Gamble Childe (1867 - 1960) had a gentle manner and voice and studied piano from an early age. She thought that Alpha Chi Omega would have a small beginning, but later have girls who were loyal with high standards who would achieve marvelous results.
 Bessie Grooms Keenan (1866 - 1920) was an accomplished pianist by the time she attended DePauw. Her daughter, Hannah, became the Director of the Central Office for Alpha Chi Omega in order to see her mother's dream continue.
 Estelle Leonard (1860 - 1955) attended DePauw wanting to learn music as a means of livelihood. She was Dean Howard's secretary for two years, and she taught at colleges in the area once she graduated. She maintained an unbounded enthusiasm for Alpha Chi Omega throughout her life.
Information courtesy of http://www.alphachiomega.org/about_axo/heritage.asp.
|