Our Flower
Alpha Chi Omega’s flower is the red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity’s colors.

Our Badge
A Greek lyre of gold, having three twisted strings spanned diagonally by a raised and slightly rounded scroll of black enamel bearing the Greek letters Alpha Chi Omega in gold.

Our Stick Pin
The stick pin, which can be worn with the lyre badge, is diamond-shaped with the top half enameled in scarlet and the bottom in olive green. It features a lyre across its face.

Our Coat of Arms
The coat of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is scarlet, 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 Colors
Alpha Chi Omega’s colors of scarlet and olive green were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity’s autumn founding in Greencastle, Indiana.

our History

In the fall of 1885, Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School at DePauw University, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The seven young women chosen to attend this first meeting were Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Denison, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard. Their desire was to form an organization that would provide both close companionship and support to its members. Their friend and associate, James G. Campbell, an undergraduate member of Beta Theta Pi who acted as librarian for the school of music offered a suggestion that they form a fraternity. They believed that such a group would benefit the students, the university, and the musical arts. The young women met regularly in a small room in the music building. On October 23, 1885, one week after their initial founding, Alpha Chi Omega's founders and their first new members, adorned with scarlet and olive green ribbons, made their presence known. Although founded within the school of music, Alpha Chi Omega is now open to all undergraduate female students meeting our National Membership Criteria.

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.

Alpha Chi Omega Traditions
Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the heritage and traditions shared in our sisterhood for nearly 119 years. Some of these special traditions include:

Founders’ Day – Sisters gather on October 15 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 1 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.

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

State Days and Province Gatherings – Many states and provinces hold events to unite sisters within a specific geographic area.