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The sisters of Alpha Chi Omega welcome you to the University of Richmond! We hope that you are enjoying your college experience so far, and would like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit about ourselves.
Alpha Chi Omega was founded at Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana on October 15, 1885 by seven young women in the School of Music. Here at UR we are a diverse group of women with varied interests ranging from varsity athletics to WCGA to community service to CAB. Our unifying bond is the lyre pin that we proudly wear. According to Greek mythology, the lyre was the first musical instrument played by the Gods on Mount Olympus. Our badge is adorned with pearls and worn by a sister throughout her lifetime. It has been voted “most beautiful sorority badge” by jewellers nationwide and is on display at the Smithsonian. As you walk around campus, you may spot another of our sorority symbols, the red carnation, as it is passed between Alpha Chis to brighten a sister’s day.
Alpha Chis love to socialize! Our calendars are crammed full of all-Greek events such as Greek weekend and "Trick-or-Treat Street." When it comes to having fun the Alpha Chi way, we all look forward to our crush dances. Some of our favorite themes in the past have been Viva Las Vegas, Jungle Boogie, and Cowboy Crush. Our annual fall formal, Golden Lyre Ball, is a chance for our sisters and their dates to celebrate AXO in style! We also have various other socials and semi-formals throughout the year, such as our "Luck of the Lyre-ish" party to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Alpha Chi Omega is dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence, and each year we engage in different programs to help raise money to donate to this cause. Our annual fundraiser, Mr. Alpha Chi, is a male beauty pageant where men from organizations across the University of Richmond compete for the opportunity to be the real Alpha male. Some of our other events on campus have included carnation and hot chocolate sales as we raise money for Safe Harbor, a local women’s shelter where many of our sisters volunteer. Many Alpha Chis participate in spring cleaning annually at the shelter and many more complete training to work more closely with abused women. Alpha Chis love to give their time and energy to our philanthropy -- the smiles on the faces of the women we help is an amazing reward for our work.
In addition to our social activities and community service, what makes being a sister of Alpha Chi so wonderful is genuine friendship. Beginning with a special “Carnation Sister” who guides new members through the new member period, and through other events such as retreats, big/little sister revelation week, 21 club, senior wills, and the senior banquet, we develop the bonds of friendship and sisterhood that will last a lifetime. Both during college and after graduation, our days as Alpha Chis are spent together, through good and bad times, through laughter and tears. We truly live our motto: "Together, let us seek the heights."
Sincerely, The Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega |
