Local History Of Lambda Chi Alpha

The Iota Psi Zeta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was founded in 1963.  Since that time, over twelve hundred undergraduates have become members of Lambda Chi at our chapter at Ferris State University in Big Rapids Michigan. 

More local chapter history coming soon.

 

National History Of Lambda Chi Alpha

The strength of Lambda Chi Alpha can be found in the rich diversity of our family of undergraduate chapters and alumni. More than 98 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 235,000 alumni and undergraduate members. Our reputation is one of leadership, progressive idealism, and dedication to excellence.

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

As an undergraduate, you are part of a great international fraternity, forged in the fire of friendship, molded by the proud achievements of more than 235,000 brothers, and animated by a sense of destiny. You are part of a glorious ideal, with the spirit of youth and the experience of maturity.

1909-1919
1909
Warren A. Cole and two other law students found Alpha Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.
1910
First ritualistic initiation is conducted.
1912
Lambda Chi Alpha becomes a national fraternity with the installation of the University of Massachusetts, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Brown University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology chapters.
1913
The Second General Assembly proclaimed the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha by adopting the Fraternity's secret mottos 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, is published.
The present Initiation Ritual is adopted by the Third General Assembly.
Lambda Chi Alpha joins the National Interfraternity Conference.
1915
Zeta Zephyr is the first chapter publication, published by Zeta Zeta at Penn State.
1916
First inter-chapter meeting (now Leadership Conclave) is held in Indianapolis.
1917
Twenty-five hundred Lambda Chis (90 percent of the membership) are in military service during World War I.

1920-1929
1920
The central office opened at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and moved to Indianapolis in December, becoming the first fraternity or sorority to locate its central office in Indianapolis.
The first full-time salaried administrative secretary, Bruce McIntosh, is hired.
Founding Father Warren A. Cole resigns his membership after accusations of financial irregularities and alteration of official documents from some members of the Grand High Zeta.
1924
Delegates from 11 local societies convened at Springfield, Missouri, and formed Theta Kappa Nu. The first full-time salaried traveling secretary, J. Fred Speer, is employed to devote full time to chapter visitation.
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity becomes incorporated.
The first issue of Theta News is published.
Theta Kappa Nu announces its first graduate scholarship.
1926
The first edition of The Paedagogus, the official manual of fraternity education, is published.
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 at an NIC meeting.

1930-1939
1932
The Purple, Green, and Gold changes its name to the Cross & Crescent.
Bruce H. McIntosh becomes chairman of the Fraternity Executives Association. A central figure in its founding, he is the only one to have served two terms as its head.
1935
The first members are inducted into the Order of Merit.
1939
The union of Theta Kappa Nu and Lambda Chi Alpha increases the chapter roll from 77 to 105 and the membership from 20,000 to 27,000, becoming the largest merger in fraternity history.

1940-1949
1940
Lambda Chi Alpha purchases its first headquarters building, located in Indianapolis.
1943
Leroy Wilson, former Grand Archon of Theta Kappa Nu, becomes the first of four Lambda Chis to head the National Interfraternity Conference.
1944
An estimated 13,000 members serve in the armed forces during World War II; more than 400 die. Forty-nine of the 129 chapters are inactive due to military service.
1946
John E. Mason Memorial Foundation (now Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation Inc.) is created from his donation upon his death.
1949
The first Management Training Seminar (now Leadership Seminar) is held at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio.

1950-1959
1952
The position of chapter services secretary (now director of chapter services) is created.
The Annual Fund campaign is established as a means for alumni to financially support the Fraternity beyond their college days.
1957
Founding Father Warren A. Cole is reinstated as a member in good standing.
1959
Fiftieth anniversary rededication ceremonies are held.

1960-1969
1960
The first members are inducted into the Order of Achievement and Order of Interfraternity Service.
1961
Upsilon Zeta 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.
1968
George W. Spasyk becomes executive vice president after Duke Flad's death.
1969
The concept of Fraternity education replaces pledge education.
The first Regional High Pi Conference (now Alumni Leadership Conference) is held.

1970-1979
1970
The first meeting of the Student Advisory Committee is held, and the first undergraduate member, Brad Peabody, is 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 fraternity history.
The first Duke Flad Outstanding Undergraduate Award is presented to Fred Suggs, Jr.
1972
The term "associate member" replaces the term "pledge" in Lambda Chi Alpha.
1973
The first Grand High Alpha Awards and Phoenix Awards are presented.
1974
The new International Headquarters Building opens in northwest Indianapolis at 8741 Founders Road.

1980-1989
1983
The Standards for Chapter Excellence program is introduced at the Leadership Seminar at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
1984
Numerous Founders' Day and other commemorative events are conducted in celebration of Lambda Chi Alpha's 75th anniversary.
1985
The first McIntosh awards are presented to the chapters that successfully implement the Standards for Chapter Excellence program.
1988
A Resolution on Alcoholic Beverages is adopted by the 42nd General Assembly that prohibits chapters from purchasing or providing alcohol.

1990-1999
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) is 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 is adopted by the 43rd General Assembly.
1991
Lambda Chi Alpha initiates its 200,000th member, the third fraternity to do so.
1993
Omega Zeta 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 is 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.