History

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 green ribbon streamers attached to their dresses.

Alpha Chi Omega's 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" 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.

Domestic Violence Awareness

Alpha Chi Omega encourages our members to support victims of domestic violence through connections with local agencies and to assist in the development and implementation of programs and hands-on activities to educate themselves and others about domestic violence.  Members can donate, volunteer, or work to change laws in our efforts to eliminate domestic violence.

The MacDowell Colony

The MacDowell Colony, located in Peterborough, New Hampshire, was Alpha Chi Omega's first altruistic project and upholds our tradition of interest in the fine arts.