On October 15, 1885 seven respectable young women in Greencastle, Indiana started Alpha Chi Omega. This fraternity was started with the hopes of being just like other literary societies that already existed on campus, but with an emphasis towards music. These seven young women- Anna Allen Smith, Olive Burnett Clark, Bertha Deniston Cummingham, Amy DuBois Reith, Nellie Gamble Childe, Bessie Grooms Keenan, and Estelle Leonard- got together to form Alpha Chi Omega thanks to Professor James Hamilton who noticed a feeling of unrest among the women on campus. He believed this feeling was due to a lack of social opportunities on campus.

DePauw University was finally introduced to Alpha Chi Omega on October 23, 1885 in Meharry Hall. Beforehand, however, a Constitution and Bylaws were drafted, the fraternity’s name, colors, flowers and motto were chosen, the badge designed and the first eight pledges selected. With scarlet and olive green ribbons, the legacy of Alpha Chi Omega began! While originally membership was limited only to students in the School of Music, it was soon changed to include liberal arts students as long as they were in some music course.

Today, while there is no longer a music requirement, the dream of those first seven ladies still loves on with every chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.

DePauw University, today.