Cross & Crescent

The May 1967 issue of the Cross & Crescent Magazine featured an article by Charles Crissey (Culver-Stockton 1967) entitled, “A Century Marked by Culver-Stockton.” I came across this article a few years ago while doing some research on the life of Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912).

I was interested in the notion that our Fraternity had roots farther back in time than our commonly accepted date of founding in 1909. I read the article, copied it, and filed it away for another day.

The article stayed with me because it brought to mind the question, “What chapter has the longest history as a local fraternal organization?” The answer to this question would also establish which chapter has the longest pedigree as a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

To find the answer to the question about our oldest chapter, I examined sources such as The Expositor of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (1929); The History of The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (1992 and 1996); various issues of The Purple, Green, and Gold, Theta News, and Cross & Crescent magazines; and the content of some fraternity and university websites.

After doing the research, I now believe that I have the answer to that question.

Our Oldest Chapters

Our two local organizations with the earliest founding dates happen to be Theta Kappa Nu chapters that merged with Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity in 1939.

Culver-Stockton Chapter (Kappa-Mu Zeta)

Our chapter (Kappa-Mu Zeta) at Culver-Stockton in Canton, Missouri, can trace its lineage through Theta Kappa Nu (1926), to Alpha Delta Theta (1915), and finally to The Hawkins Literary Institute (1867).

The Hawkins Literary Institute was not only the source of the chapter but also the source of its nickname, “The Hawks.” Up until 1907, the group functioned as a literary and debating society.

In recognition of its evolving status as a social organization, the name Alpha Delta Theta — the Hawk Fraternity — was adopted in 1915.

Alpha Delta Theta was installed as the Missouri Gamma of Theta Kappa Nu by Grand Oracle J.H. “Dad” Krenmyre (Iowa Wesleyan 1917) on May 22, 1926. Many of the activities surrounding the installation were centered on the chapter house at 700 White Street that was affectionately known as the “Hawks’ Nest.”

This year the chapter celebrated its 140th year of existence and thereby holds the distinction of being the chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity with the oldest lineage.

In addition, the Culver-Stockton chapter can also lay claim to being the successor of the first local student organization founded west of the Mississippi River.

Baldwin-Wallace Chapter (Kappa-Phi Zeta)

The other former Theta Kappa Nu chapter with a long pedigree is the chapter (Kappa-Phi Zeta) at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. This chapter can trace its origin to the Schiller Literary Society that was founded in 1868.

In the early years of the society there was a great deal of opposition to its existence by both the faculty and the student body. Over the years it gradually overcame the opposition and assumed the characteristics of a social organization.

In 1919, it adopted the name Sigma Phi in recognition of the fact that it was a fraternity. Sigma Phi became Ohio Beta chapter of Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity on February 19, 1926.

One interesting feature of its installation banquet was the appearance of Dr. John C. Marting, an original founder of the Schiller Literary Society, who offered numerous toasts and stories about its earliest years.

As a result of our merger with Theta Kappa Nu in 1939, the Baldwin-Wallace chapter represents the second oldest local chapter that is part of our Fraternity. This year it celebrated its 139th year as a student organization.

Three More Old Chapters

The next three chapters were never affiliated with another national fraternity. All of them came into Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity as local fraternities with long histories and strong traditions.

Evansville Chapter (Iota-Mu Zeta)

The chapter (Iota-Mu Zeta) at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana, can trace its heritage to the creation of the Photozeten (or Seekers of Light) Society in 1869. This organization was described as “a society for the special benefit of young men studying for the ministry.”

The Photozeten Society was known as the Phi Zeta Fraternity when it was installed as Iota-Mu chapter in 1956.

This historic chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity marked its 138th anniversary this year.

Hamilton Chapter (Gamma-Eta Zeta)

The chapter (Gamma-Eta Zeta) at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, can trace its origin to the Hamilton Debating Society that was established at the college in 1878.

In a few years, the Hamilton Debating Society became the Emerson Literary Society (1882). This new society was founded by men who had not been invited to join any fraternity at Hamilton College.

An early member of the Emerson Literary Society remarked that they regarded fraternities as inventions of the devil.

In 1918, 33 members of the Emerson Literary Society resigned and formed Beta Kappa Fraternity. On February 22, 1924, with Grand High Alpha Ernst J. C. Fischer (Cornell 1910), Grand High Epsilon John E. Mason (Pennsylvania 1913), and Administrative Secretary Bruce McIntosh (DePauw 1916) in attendance, the chapter was installed into our Fraternity.

Our fourth oldest chapter can trace its local history back 129 years to 1878.

Indiana Chapter (Alpha-Omicron Zeta)

In 1929, The Purple, Green, and Gold magazine featured a short story about the chapter at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

According to the author of this article, the Eureka Society was founded in 1880 to protest the corrupt and unfair political tactics of fraternities that dominated elective offices and honorary positions on the campus.

Though the Emerson Society lasted only two years, it did succeed in breaking the political power of the Greek system.

Members of the Eureka Society founded the Independent Literary Society in 1885 as an organization of men and women interested in improving the culture of the University. The preamble of its constitution established the organization’s principle goal: that the true end of literature and society be better served in the Indiana University.

In the fall of 1904, a house was leased by the male members of the society. This decision caused an amiable split with the men retaining the name of the society and the women forming another group with a similar purpose.

In April 1917, the Independent Literary Society petitioned Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity for membership. On May 2, 1917, a charter was issued to the chapter (Alpha-Omicron Zeta).

Tracing its local history back 127 years, the Indiana chapter is our Fraternity’s fifth oldest.

Conclusion

The first four of our earliest chapters were founded at small private liberal arts colleges. These colleges were all affiliated with either a Christian Church (Methodist or Disciples of Christ) or, in the case of Hamilton College, a Christian missionary. Indiana University is home to the oldest chapter found at a public institution.

All five of our oldest chapters can trace their origin to a literary or debating society.

These pioneer literary societies, or local fraternities, eventually would become some of our most historic chapters, developed at a time when students had few cultural or social opportunities. Their education was limited to a narrow curriculum that focused on classical languages, mathematics, ancient history, and rhetoric.

Students formed these early societies to provide themselves with opportunities to discuss and debate current political and social issues. It was a time when the lives of college students were dominated by the dictates and regulations of administrators and faculty members.

Many students sought relief from the limited curriculum and their highly regulated lives by forming literary societies and fraternities.

As Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity approaches its 100th anniversary, we need to remember that our organization’s roots go back as far as 140 years to Culver-Stockton College and The Hawkins Institute.