Lambda Chi Alpha Timeline
A Timeline
The strength of Lambda Chi Alpha can be found in the rich diversity of our family of undergraduate chapters and alumni. More than 91 years of unprecedented growth across the length and breadth of the North American continent has resulted in more than 300 chapters and colonies, and our distinguished rolls exceed 235,000 alumni and undergraduate members. Our reputation is one of leadership, progressive idealism, and dedication to excellence.
Lambda Chi Alpha was founded as the dream of one man, Warren A. Cole. Over the eight decades since our founding, the Fraternity that started with a single member has grown, evolved, and flourished into one of the largest men's general fraternities in North America. However, our journey has not always been an easy one. Only through tremendous sacrifice and intense loyalty of many individuals has Lambda Chi Alpha persevered.
As an undergraduate, you are part of a great international fraternity, forged in the fire of friendship, molded by the proud achievements of more than 235,000 brothers, and animated by a sense of destiny. You are part of a glorious ideal, with the spirit of youth and the experience of maturity.
1909-1919
1909
Warren A. Cole and two other law students found Alpha Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.
1910
First ritualistic initiation is conducted.
1912
Lambda Chi Alpha becomes a national fraternity with the installation of the University of Massachusetts, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Brown University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology chapters.
1913
The Second General Assembly proclaimed the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha by adopting the Fraternity's secret mottos and approving revisions to the Initiation Ritual, coat of arms, and badge. The date of the General Assembly, March 22, 1913, and its achievements are celebrated annually as Founders' Day.
1914
Lambda Chi Alpha's first magazine, the Purple, Green, and Gold, is published.
The present Initiation Ritual is adopted by the Third General Assembly.
Lambda Chi Alpha joins the National Interfraternity Conference.
1915
Zeta Zephyr is the first chapter publication, published by Zeta Zeta at Penn State.
1916
First inter-chapter meeting (now Leadership Conclave) is held in Indianapolis.
1917
Twenty-five hundred Lambda Chis (90 percent of the membership) are in military service during World War I.
1920-1929
1920
The central office opened at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and moved to Indianapolis in December, becoming the first fraternity or sorority to locate its central office in Indianapolis.
The first full-time salaried administrative secretary, Bruce McIntosh, is hired.
Founding Father Warren A. Cole resigns his membership after accusations of financial irregularities and alteration of official documents from some members of the Grand High Zeta.
1924
Delegates from 11 local societies convened at Springfield, Missouri, and formed Theta Kappa Nu. The first full-time salaried traveling secretary, J. Fred Speer, is employed to devote full time to chapter visitation.
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity becomes incorporated.
The first issue of Theta News is published.
Theta Kappa Nu announces its first graduate scholarship.
1926
The first edition of The Paedagogus, the official manual of fraternity education, is published.
1927
Lambda Chi Alpha becomes an international fraternity with the installation of Epsilon-Epsilon at the University of Toronto.
1928
The practice of hazing is roundly condemned by Lambda Chi Alpha at an NIC meeting.
1930-1939
1932
The Purple, Green, and Gold changes its name to the Cross & Crescent.
Bruce H. McIntosh becomes chairman of the Fraternity Executives Association. A central figure in its founding, he is the only one to have served two terms as its head.
1935
The first members are inducted into the Order of Merit.
1939
The union of Theta Kappa Nu and Lambda Chi Alpha increases the chapter roll from 77 to 105 and the membership from 20,000 to 27,000, becoming the largest merger in fraternity history.
1940-1949
1940
Lambda Chi Alpha purchases its first headquarters building, located in Indianapolis.
1943
Leroy Wilson, former Grand Archon of Theta Kappa Nu, becomes the first of four Lambda Chis to head the National Interfraternity Conference.
1944
An estimated 13,000 members serve in the armed forces during World War II; more than 400 die. Forty-nine of the 129 chapters are inactive due to military service.
1946
John E. Mason Memorial Foundation (now Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation Inc.) is created from his donation upon his death.
1949
The first Management Training Seminar (now Leadership Seminar) is held at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio.
1950-1959
1952
The position of chapter services secretary (now director of chapter services) is created.
The Annual Fund campaign is established as a means for alumni to financially support the Fraternity beyond their college days.
1957
Founding Father Warren A. Cole is reinstated as a member in good standing.
1959
Fiftieth anniversary rededication ceremonies are held.
1960-1969
1960
The first members are inducted into the Order of Achievement and Order of Interfraternity Service.
1961
Upsilon Zeta at Louisiana State University becomes the first chapter to initiate 1,000 members.
1967
Lambda Chi Alpha initiates its 100,000th member, the fifth fraternity to do so.
1968
George W. Spasyk becomes executive vice president after Duke Flad's death.
1969
The concept of Fraternity education replaces pledge education.
The first Regional High Pi Conference (now Alumni Leadership Conference) is held.

1970-1979
1970
The first meeting of the Student Advisory Committee is held, and the first undergraduate member, Brad Peabody, is elected to the Grand High Zeta.
Linn C. Lightner retires after 50 years of service as editor of the Cross & Crescent, the longest editorship in fraternity history.
The first Duke Flad Outstanding Undergraduate Award is presented to Fred Suggs, Jr.
1972
The term "associate member" replaces the term "pledge" in Lambda Chi Alpha.
1973
The first Grand High Alpha Awards and Phoenix Awards are presented.
1974
The new International Headquarters Building opens in northwest Indianapolis at 8741 Founders Road.
1980-1989
1983
The Standards for Chapter Excellence program is introduced at the Leadership Seminar at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
1984
Numerous Founders' Day and other commemorative events are conducted in celebration of Lambda Chi Alpha's 75th anniversary.
1985
The first McIntosh awards are presented to the chapters that successfully implement the Standards for Chapter Excellence program.
1988
A Resolution on Alcoholic Beverages is adopted by the 42nd General Assembly that prohibits chapters from purchasing or providing alcohol.
1990-1999
1990
George W. Spasyk retires as executive vice president following 40 years of service on the administrative staff.
The position of High Iota (risk manager) is adopted by the 43rd General Assembly, the first fraternity to create a risk management officer in every chapter.
The 2.25 minimum grade point standard is adopted by the 43rd General Assembly.
1991
Lambda Chi Alpha initiates its 200,000th member, the third fraternity to do so.
1993
Omega Zeta at Auburn University becomes the first chapter to initiate 2,000 members.
Lambda Chi Alpha sponsors the inaugural North American Food Drive, the largest single-day fraternity philanthropic project, and raises more than 256,000 pounds of food for the hungry.
The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation of Canada is created.
1994
The regional leadership director position is created, adding five new staff members dedicated to chapter and alumni services.
1995
In July, the General Fraternity is presented with the Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives for its 1994 Brothers Feeding Others North American Food Drive efforts—becoming the first fraternity ever to receive this honor.
The totals of the third annual North American Food Drive exceed 550,000 pounds of food, making it the largest single-day community service event of any student organization.
1996
The 46th General Assembly in Dallas, Texas, adds two new positions to the Grand High Zeta. The ruling allows the 10 elected Board members to recruit two additional men for the newly created two-year terms, holding the director positions of Grand High Epsilon and Rho. That same summer, The LEAP program is introduced at Leadership Academy prior to the General Assembly in Dallas, Texas. It recognizes a commitment among our members to Lead by Example And Precept by attending one of four seminar levels designed to enhance a member's leadership skills.
1997
The LEAP program is introduced at regional leadership conclaves and Leadership Seminar. It introduces, develops, and recognizes a commitment among our members to Lead by Example And Precept by attending one of four levels designed to enhance a member's leadership skills.
1999
LEAP evolves into Impact Leadership, a program that supplements leadership training with interpersonal communication skills. Later in the year, Lambda Chi Alpha develops a strategic plan for its staff, complete with a mission, vision, and goal-oriented objectives that focus more on the undergraduate and alumni member.

SYMBOLS OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA:
Symbols of Lambda Chi Alpha

Coat of Arms
Coat of arms originated as family emblems, then cities, societies, and institutions adopted them. All college fraternities have them, but few have created their design with such faithful adherence to the laws of the ancient art of heraldry as has Lambda Chi Alpha.
The Badge
The badge is a pearl-set crescent with horns turned toward the left, enclosing a monogram of the Greek letters Lambda, Chi, and Alpha. The center of the crescent bears the Greek letters Delta and Pi in gold on black enamel. A variety of jewels may be selected for the Lambda.
Associate Member Pin
The associate member pin has a most interesting history because it embodies the official badge of Theta Kappa Nu as well as the original new member pin of Lambda Chi Alpha. The original Lambda Chi Alpha pin was a gothic arch, and with the union, this was superimposed upon the triangles composing the official badge of Theta Kappa Nu.

The Seal
The seal is used to identify official General Fraternity documents and publications. It should not be used for decoration, as an ornament for jewelry, stationery, etc., unless it is to be used as the official stationery for the General Fraternity. It is now properly used on charters, membership certificates, and authorized publications of the General Fraternities.
The Flag
The Lambda Chi Alpha flag may be flown on appropriate occasions or placed on a wall. Chapters may place their Zeta letters in the upper right corner to identify their flags.

The Recognition Button
Unlike many fraternity recognition buttons, that of Lambda Chi Alpha is neither a miniture coat of arms nor a display of the cutout letters. It is a special design showing the cross and crescent combined. It is worn only on the left lapel of a suit jacket or sports jacket. Its original purpose was to permit members unknown to each other to recognize the common bond when the badge was not worn or was obscured by the jacket without "boasting to the world" of one's fraternal ties.
The Friendship Pin
The cross and crescent with shield bearing the Greek letters pin was originally designed to be worn by girlfriends of members when the relationship had not yet reached the state of engagement or marriage. Today, the pin also is worn by members who have not purchased a badge, or by members who prefer its design.
The Flower
The Fraternity flower is the white rose.

The Colors
The Fraternity colors are purple, green, and gold.

LOCAL HISTORY:

Quick Facts:
Date of Chartering:  December 3rd, 1927
Lambda Chi Milestone:  Made the Fraternity International

The Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha started as a local fraternity at the University of Toronto.  The first local chapter went by the name of HABRIM, a secret gentleman’s society starting in the year 1904 on December 8th.  This local fraternity lasted until 1916 at which point the First World War claimed its membership.  A composite from 1911’s Habrim Fraternity still hangs in the chapter room of the chapter house behind the head table.  Here are some interesting facts about the local:

Habrim:
colours: Grey, Blue and Silver
jewel: Diamond
exemplar: none
mascot: Unicorn
flower: White Rose
symbol: in Hebrew "Habrim"
history: originally a dinning club then secret society, closed due to number of members killed during WWI
The WWI veterans of Habrim resurrected the Fraternity, changing its name to The Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.  This revival came in 1918, and would remain until 1927 when Alpha Epsilon requested chartering from Lambda Chi Alpha and fulfilled the requirements of chartering into the bond.  The men of Alpha Epsilon received a charter on December 3rd, 1927.  Here are some interesting facts about AE:

Alpha Epsilon

colours: Black, Crimson and Gold
jewel: Ruby
exemplar: St. George
mascot: Dragon & Griffon
flower: Red Rose
symbol: Rose entwined around Sword, capped by Crown
history: old Habrim re-activated by WWI veterans.

FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE EPSILON-EPSILON ZETA (as seen on Charter):

WORLD WAR II FALLEN SOLDIERS OF EPSILON-EPSILON ZETA:
Fallen Soldiers:

1) F/O Douglas Ronald Hardy
2) James Irwin Henderson
3) Lt. Kenneth Geike Jeanneret
4) F/O Allan Willson Troup
5) Lt. Thomas John Wright

Prisoners of War:

1) F/O Albert Ivan Smith
2) F/O Charles M. Weicker

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McRae (1872-1918)