The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega

"To see beauty even in the common things in 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 world 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."

~Celia McClure, 1914

Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana by seven students in the school of music. While we are no longer a musical sorority, we show our appreciation of the fine arts and to our heritage with our badge. The lyre-shaped badge is reminiscent of our founding and is symbolic in Greek Mythology. Our colors, scarlet red and olive green, were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity's autumn origin. The red carnation is our flower, selected to represent our colors. Our open motto is: "Together Let Us Seek the Heights".

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 collegiate chapters and colonies can be found on more than 130 campuses throughout the United States. With more than 200 alumnae chapters and membership exceeding 180,000 initiated members nationwide know that Alpha Chi Omega is truly about lifelong friendships.

Our chapter, Theta Psi, was chartered in 1989. Since then we have continued to uphold our standards as beautiful, fun-loving, classy ladies at Columbia University focusing on our five membership criteria: academic interest, character, leadership ability, financial responsibility, and personal development.

Our chapter is represented on campus by a diverse group of women, each bringing something unique to our sisterhood.

Alumnae involvement is the heart of our organization and definitey plays a critical role for the Theta Psi chapter of Alpah Chi Omega.

For more information about Alpha Chi Omega, visit our national website at www.alphachiomega.org