National History

The strength of Lambda Chi Alpha can be found in the rich diversity of our family of undergraduate chapters and alumni. More than 87 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 220,000 alumni and undergraduate members. Our reputation is one of leadership, progressive idealism, and a dedication to excellence.

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded as the dream of one man, Warren A. Cole. Over the past eight decades, 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 the intense loyalty of many individuals has Lambda Chi Alpha persevered.

Here is a timetable of Lambda Chi history:

 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 22, 1913, and its achievements are celebrated annually as Founders Day.

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

1915
-Zeta Zephyr, the first chapter publication, published by Zeta at Penn State.

1916
-First inter-chapter meeting (now Leadership Conclave) held in Indianapolis.

1917
-Twenty-five hundred Lambda Chi's (90 percent of the membership) in military service during World War I.

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 roundly 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 purchase 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. 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 Chapter 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 their college days.

1959
-Fiftieth anniversary rededication ceremonies held.

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

1961
-Upsilon 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.

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 & 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.

1984
-Numerous Founders Day and other commemorative events conducted in celebration of Lambda Chi Alpha's seventy-fifth anniversary.

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 200,000th 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 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 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.

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