International History

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded by Warren A. Cole, while a student at Boston University, on November 9, 1909; with the expressed objective purpose of bringing about the association together of college students of good moral character in the various collegiate institutions within the United States and Canada; to foster a high Christian standard of life and ideals, to promote honorable friendship, to cultivate intellectual excellence, to secure for members the greatest advantages in college life, to establish brotherly love, mutual aid, close personal connection between alumni, undergraduates and college, and to bind them together for mutual pleasure and interest in college as well as after life by testing each with courage, self-control, obedience, democracy and courtesy toward all with whom the may come in contact.
 

Today, Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity is one of the largest men's general fraternities in North America with more than 227,000 initiated members and has held subsidiaries (called chapters) at more than 300 universities. It was the first fraternity to eliminate pledging and remains a leader in the fight against hazing, alcohol abuse, and other challenges facing today's college student. Lambda Chi Alpha serves to complement higher education by providing opportunities for academic achievement, leadership development, and lifelong friendships.

 

Timeline

1909 – Warren A. Cole and two other law students founded Alpha Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha at Boston University in Boston Massachusetts.

1910 – First ritualistic initiation

1912 – Lambda Chi Alpha becomes a national fraternity with the installation of the second, third, fourth, and fifth chapters.

1913 – The Second General Assembly proclaimed the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha by adopting the Fraternity’s secret mottoes and approving revisions to the Initiation Ritual, coat of arms, and badge.  The date of the General Assembly, March 22nd 1913, and its achievements are celebrated annually as Founder’s Day.

1914 – Lambda Chi Alpha’s first magazine, the Purple, Green, and Gold, was published.  The present initiation Ritual was adopted by the Third General Assembly.  Lambda Chi Alpha joins the National Interfraternity Conference.

1915 – Zeta Zephyr, the first chapter publication was published by Zeta at Penn State

1916 – First inter-chapter meeting (now Regional Leadership Conference) held in Indianapolis

1917 – 2500 Lambda Chi’s (90% of the membership) in military service

1920 – Central office opened at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Indianapolis, Indiana.  First full-time salaried administrative secretary hired.

1924 – Delegates from 11 local societies convened at Springfield, Missouri  and formed Theta Kappa Nu.  First full-time salaried traveling secretary employed to devote full time to chapter visitation.  Charter granted to the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

1926 – The first edition of The Paedagogus published.  Theta Kappa Nu awarded its first graduate scholarship/

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 condemned by Lambda Chi Alpha

1935 – First Members inducted into the Order of Merit.

1939 – The Union of Theta Kappa Nu and Lambda Chi Alpha increases the chapter roll from 78 to 106 and the membership from 20,000 to 27,000.

1940 – Lambda Chi Alpha purchased its first headquarters building

1944 – An estimated 12,000 members serve in the armed forces during World War II.  Many chapters are inactive due to military service.

1946 – John E. “Jack” Mason Memorial Foundation (now Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, Inc.) created.

1949 – First Management Training Seminar (now Leadership Seminar) held at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio.

1952 –The position of Service Secretary (now Director of Chapter Services) created.  The annual Loyalty Fund campaign is established as a means for alumni to support the Fraternity beyond the college days.

1960 – First members inducted into the Order of Achievement and order of Interfraternity Service.

1961 – Upsilon at Louisiana State University becomes first chapter to initiate 1,000 members.

1967 – Lambda Chi Alpha initiates it’s 100,000 member, the 5th fraternity to do so

1969 – The concept of fraternity education replaces pledge education.  First Regional High Pi Conference (now Alumni Leadership Conference) held.

1970 – First meeting of the Student Advisory Committee held, and the first undergraduate member elected to the Grand High Zeta.  Linn C. Lightner retires after 50 years of service as editor of the Cross and Crescent, the longest editorship in the fraternity world.

1972 –The term “associate member” replaces the term “pledge” in Lambda Chi Alpha

1973 – The first Grand High Alpha Awards and Phoenix Awards presented

1974 – The new International Headquarters Building opens in northwest Indianapolis.

1983 – The Standards for Chapter Excellence introduced at the Leadership Seminar at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

1988 – A resolution on Alcoholic Beverages adopted by the 42nd General Assembly that prohibits chapter from purchasing or providing alcohol.

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) 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 adopted by the 43rd General Assembly.

1991 – Lambda Chi Alpha initiates its 200,000 member, the third fraternity to do so.

1993 – Omega at Auburn University becomes the first chapter to initiate 2,000 members.  Lambda Chi Alpha sponsors the inaugural North American Food Drive, the larges single-day fraternity philanthropic project, and raises more than 256,000 pounds for the hungry.  The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation of Canada 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 the Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives; the first fraternity to ever receive this honor.  The totals of the third annual North American Food Drive exceed 550,000 pounds of food, making it the largest 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.

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.

2000 – The position of High Theta (external vice president) was established by the 48th General Assembly.

2002 – A second undergraduate member (Grand High Theta) was added to the Grand High Zeta by the 49th General Assembly.

2004 – The Council of Presidents was formed at the 2004 Council of Presidents’ Conference to create further undergraduate representation on the Grand High Zeta. A Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council are selected by other High Alphas attending the conference.