Cross & Crescent

In 1925, when the earliest fraternities were planning or already celebrating their 100th anniversaries, and Lambda Chi Alpha was only about 15 years old, virtually no pledge manuals had yet been developed, except for that of Delta Sigma Phi, which was published that year.

Delta Upsilon had published a 1916 manual that was aimed more at the chapter than the new member, while Alpha Tau Omega’s 1911 Manual described itself as a compilation of facts and a contribution to history. Not until 1929 was it revised to be more of a pledge manual.

Between 1926 and 2005, 50 editions of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Paedagogus have been published. The first was subtitled “a manual for the instruction of aspirants in fraternalism,” and the 50th edition, “the manual of fraternal education.” During the period when the Cross & Crescent magazine appeared in printed form, the Paedagogus was considered the second most important publication of the Fraternity.

Born on a Train

The story of its inception, as told by Linn C. Lightner (Franklin & Marshall 1918), unfolds with John E. Mason (Pennsylvania 1913) and Ernst J. C. Fischer (Cornell 1910) in a compartment on a Pennsylvania Railroad train bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following the December 1925 Cleveland General Assembly. They hammered out a rough sketch, and later brought in Bruce McIntosh (DePauw 1916).

A Kindly Friend

The earliest versions opened with a foreword explaining that the “Paedagogus is intended to serve as an agreeable and patient guide for the novice in fraternalism in his journey along paths of brotherly association. But our Paedagogus is not merely a guide to bid adieu at the end of the journey. It is a kindly friend to remain with one when first glimpses of newly visited realms are but a memory.”

Due, not in any small measure to Lambda Chi’s groundbreaking book, an explosion of manuals sprang forth from fraternities. Beginning in 1926 and continuing throughout the 1930s, pledge manuals were introduced by: Theta Chi (1926); Tau Kappa Epsilon and Theta Kappa Nu (1927); Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, and Alpha Tau Omega (1929); Phi Kappa Psi, Theta Xi, and Kappa Sigma (1931); Acacia (1933); Alpha Epsilon Pi (1935); Sigma Alpha Epsilon (1938); Beta Theta Pi and Delta Chi (1939); and Phi Gamma Delta (1941). At least one fraternity did not have a pledge manual until the mid-1950s.

Liberal Use

Numerous fraternities offered acknowledgments to Lambda Chi and others in the opening pages of their early pledge books, many utilizing a common phrase, “for the liberal use of materials from their excellently prepared manuals.” Sigma Chi gave credit to Lambda Chi Alpha and Delta Sigma Phi; Theta Kappa Nu was indebted to Tau Kappa Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Chi, and Delta Sigma Phi; and Phi Kappa Psi thanked Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Kappa Nu, and Delta Sigma Phi. In addition, some fraternities are known to have lifted portions of our manual without asking permission or offering acknowledgment. One fraternity was so bold as to use virtually the entire Paedagogus as its own, including pictures that included undergraduates who were surprised to find their photographs in a rival fraternity’s pledge manual.

The 2nd edition of the Paedagogus appeared in 1927, with revisions published every year until the United States’ involvement in World War II, and following the war until mid-century. In the 1950s, updated versions were published, for the most part, every two years in order to include new listings and photographs of Grand High Zeta members who were elected at the biennial General Assemblies.

1926-1928 (1st-3rd Editions)

The original three volumes, growing from 66 pages to 116 pages, had rather spartan paper covers varying in color from pale gray to pale green. In the words of Lightner, “The new work was not exactly a thing of printing beauty, for funds even then were somewhat limited.” Indeed, the cover bore only the title and official seal of the Fraternity. The first page added the subtitle, “A manual for the introduction of aspirants in fraternalism.”

1929-1931 (4th-6th Editions)

In contrast to the first three volumes, editions four, five, and six were beautifully done with ornate Greek designs printed in black, green, and gold on a leatherette cover. The seal, in gold, was centered on the back cover. Although similar, the designs varied in detail, and it is interesting to ponder why such changes were made. In addition to the subtitle mentioned above, the following wording was included on the title page in 1931, “Know Your Fraternity. Only as you understand it will you appreciate it and benefit from it. ‘Knowledge today makes achievement possible tomorrow.’” During this time, the Paedagogus was expanded from 116 pages to 150 pages.

1932-1939 (7th-14th Editions)

A multitude of colors ranging from aqua to gray to burgundy, again on textured leatherette, characterized the next eight editions, titled ”Paedagogus of Lambda Chi Alpha”, with the aforementioned subtitle. The additional wording was condensed to “Know Your Fraternity and be Proud,” perhaps in reference to a footnote to the foreword noting that other fraternities had “adapted” certain articles, namely the foreword, “Good Taste,” and “Making the most of University Opportunities.”

In 1935 (10th edition), the meaning of Paedagogus was explained for the first time and appeared in all printings through 1960. “Paedagogus is a Latin word coming from the Greek Paidagogos, meaning a male servant who accompanied young students to and from school and had charge of them at school, hence a male teacher or pedagogue. The plural (like the plural of the male alumnus, alumni) is Paedagogi.”

The eight volumes in this series averaged 150 pages.

1940-1960 (15th-28th Editions)

Heavily revised concurrent with the union with Theta Kappa Nu, a modernized series began with the bright green 1940 edition sporting a decidedly Greek motif, featuring a column, urn, and graduating student, underlined with a Greek key design. At first, these were made with the graphics printed in black on a clear laminate, which was susceptible to peeling. Following World War II, printing was done directly on the cover.

The first five volumes were square bound. From 1947 through 1960, perforated pages –- decreasing from 167 to 138 in number through the series -– were held together by a plastic comb binding. In addition to green, colors included white, blue, and yellow, and the post-war mantra became, “Know Your Fraternity. Carry on its Traditions.”

But the tradition of the Paedagogus itself would soon be in jeopardy. Note that 1960 saw the 28th edition.

1961 and 1962 (29th, 30th Editions)

The next series of revisions are often referred to as the black books, and for the first time had what can be considered a hard cover. Missing from that cover, however, was one very important word: Paedagogus. Instead, embossed on the black alligator texture was the seal in gold; Lambda, Chi, and Alpha in purple, green, and gold, respectively; and the words, “your college home…a lifetime fellowship.”

The title page read, “Your pledge manual of fraternal education for Lambda Chi Alpha…your home during four of the most important character-forming years of your life…a fellowship that will provide rewarding experiences for the rest of your life.” Paedagogus is mentioned only in the historical timeline and the section describing publications, the latter stating, “The Pledge Manual is the second most important Fraternity publication. When it was first published in 1926, as the Paedagogus, it created quite a stir in the fraternity world….”

Clearly, the name had been dropped in favor of Pledge Manual, and the copyright page in 1961 listed no edition number. The 1962 printing was termed, “Second Edition.” Had it still been called the Paedagogus, it would have been the 30th edition.

Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) remembers with some degree of humor the discussions surrounding the search for a new title to replace Paedagogus. One suggestion, he recalls, was “Quest,” a name that was rejected for sounding too much like a particular brand of toothpaste.

1964-1970 (31st-34th Editions)

Due to opposition, primarily from undergraduates who were very proud of the fact that the name of their pledge manual was unique among fraternities, not only did the name Paedagogus return in 1964, but for the first time –- and ever since that time –- included the article “the,” The Paedagogus. Page 164 identified it as the 31st edition.

The pendulum had swung even farther by 1970, with the last of the black books, and the disappearance of the word “pledge” from the subtitle. It now read, “Your manual of fraternal education” — for soon there would be no pledges at all.

1972 (no edition)

An interim manual with a paper cover and 32 pages stapled through the top, and bearing the anonymous title Reference Materials, was issued in 1972, when pledgeship was officially replaced by associate membership. “For Temporary Use – New Reference Manual* now in Production. *To replace current Paedagogus which is now out of print,” was stamped on the cover.

1973-1988 (35th-43rd Editions)

The Paedagogus was back in 1973 with a string of brown books. The larger format with gold lettering later included a variety of colors –- blue, maroon, and charcoal gray –- from 1984 to 1988, and a cover motto, “the Fraternity of Honest Friendship,” that continued until 1992. The subtitle, “Your manual of fraternal education for Lambda Chi Alpha,” first appeared on the title page in 1973 and continues to the present.

The 1984 edition added a significant statement following the explanation of the Greek paedagogus. “This book is provided to each member, associate and initiate, so that answers may be obtained to those questions pertaining to Lambda Chi Alpha. This book is not intended to be required reading or material for memorization by any individual. Rather, it is for the mutual benefit of all members so that an understanding of Lambda Chi Alpha may be obtained throughout the undergraduate years and beyond.” This was a reaffirmation of the Fraternity Education program that accompanied the abolition of the “pledge” concept, noting that the process of fraternal education did not end with initiation but continued throughout a member’s lifetime experience. The series contained between 143 and 155 pages.

1990-1997 (44th-47th Editions)

The four editions of the 1990s might be casually referred to as the square books for their distinctive shape. Arguably the most beautiful cover design of any Paedagogus is among this group. While three of them had green covers with gold lettering, the 1992 edition stands out with metallic purple, green, and gold lettering on a jet black background.

In 1995, the Creed of Lambda Chi Alpha appeared for the first time in The Paedagogus, as did the phone number for our Headquarters. To further usher in the Information Age, www.lambdachi.org was added to the title page in 1997. Length varied between 133 and 162 pages.

2000-2005 (48th-50th Editions)

In terms of layout and content, the 2000 edition would better fit into the previous series, but the overall shape changed to more traditional proportions. The 2003 Paedagogus, purple with gold lettering and Greek key edge embellishment, is singular in that it included for the first and only time the complete Constitution and Statutory Code. Consequently, it was a huge volume of 305 pages. The appearance of the motto, Vir Quisque Vir, on the cover heralded another first.

The 50th edition carried on the same cover design, although on a green background, and did not include the added documents.

Stay Tuned

This first installment is a brief glance primarily at the history, covers, and title pages of the 50 editions of The Paedagogus issued to date. The differences, as subtle as they may seem on the surface, serve to illustrate the intensity of thought that went into each edition, and the precise meaning to be conveyed at any particular time.

Great significance, therefore, can be derived by comparing specific terms and wording as they trace the evolution of our Fraternity.

Next month we will follow changes in content by taking a more in-depth look beneath the surface and between the covers of these 50 volumes of The Paedagogus.