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 Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The first appearance of the seven founders - Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard was in Meharry Hall, wearing scarlet and olive green ribbon streamers attached to their dresses.
Alpha Chi Omega's Founders chose "Alpha," the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music. Since they thought they might also be founding the last such fraternity, "Omega" seemed appropriate. "Kai," meaning "and," was added to form the beginning and the end. "Kai" was soon changed to "Chi," a letter of the Greek alphabet.
The Theta Upsilon Chapter at USC was founded on March 26, 1988.
Alpha Chi Omega at USC!
 Traditions
 Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the heritage and traditions shared in our sisterhood for over 120 years. Some of these special traditions include...
 Founders' Day
Sisters gather on October 15 of each year to recognize the Fraternity's founding at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. On Founders' Day, members wear their badges, along with scarlet and olive green ribbons. Theta Upsilon chapter likes to celebrate founders day by having delicious desserts and learning something about Alpha Chi Omega ritual or history.
Hera Day
On March 1 of each year, members recognize the Fraternity's commitment to helping others by conducting service projects and offering assistance to others. This is done through a different service project every year, and in 2008, members participated in a clothing and cell phone drive.
Chapter Founders' Days
Alpha Chis celebrate the founding of our sorority at USC each March. On March 22, 2008, the Theta Upsilon chapter celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Alpha Chi chapter on USC's campus, and what better way to celebrate than with a birthday party? All the members came to the house to enjoy food, games, birthday cake, and a movie.
MacDowell Month
Each February, MacDowell month is celebrated to show Alpha Chi Omega's support of the fine arts and intellectual development. In 2008, members went to a pottery shop where they were able to pick out a pottery piece to paint and decorate with any of the 40 paints, notebooks full of stencils, and variety of stamps provided by the shop.
 National Convention
Members from across the country join together every two years to conduct Fraternity business, reunite with fellow Alpha Chis, and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega. The next convention will be held July 14-17, 2008 at the Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL. Theta Upsilon is sending 4 members to experience this exciting event. To learn more details about this year's convention  click here!
Alpha Chi Omega at USC!
Emblems
Alpha Chi's colors of scarlet and olive green were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity's autumn founding in Greencastle, Indiana.
Our Open Motto
Alpha Chi Omega's open motto is: "Together let us seek the heights."
Our Flower
Alpha Chi Omega's flower is the red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity's colors.
 Our Badge
A Greek lyre of gold, having three twisted strings spanned diagonally by a raised and slightly rounded scroll of black enamel bearing the Greek letter Alpha Chi Omega in gold.
Our New Member Pin
The stick pin, which can be worn with the lyre badge, is diamond-shaped with the top half enameled in scarlet and the bottom in olive green. It features a lyre across its face.
Our Coat of Arms
The coat of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is scarlet, cut by a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays an open book in gold; at the base is a sheaf of wheat, also in gold. The bar has three white stars. The crest, a lyre bird, is in its natural color. The scroll at the bottom bears the Greek translation of our open motto, "Together let us seek the heights."
Alpha Chi Omega at USC!
Our Symphony
 To see beauty even in the common things of life,
To shed the light of love and friendship round me;
To keep my life in tune with the world that I shall make no discords in the harmony of life,
To strike on the lyre of the universe only the notes of happiness, of joy, of peace;
To appreciate every little service rendered;
To see and appreciate all that is noble in another,
Be her badge what it may,
And to let my lyre send forth the chords of love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.
— Celia McClure
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