About UsHistory of Alpha Chi Sigma
I. The 9 Founders of the Fraternity
Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity was organized at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in late 1902 by a group of undergraduates who were fellow students in chemistry at that time. Later documents set the date of founding as Dec. 11, 1902. Raymond Conger left school shortly after the founding, but the Fraternity still grew by conducting two initiations within its first six months. The creation of the Fraternity was a collaborative effort of the founders and new the initiates, but Joseph Mathews was the driving force behind the organization. Of the nine founders, four (Joseph Holty, Alfred Kundert, Joseph Mathews and Frank Petura) eventually became national officers. The first Constitution and Bylaws were adopted on Dec. 15, 1902. Harold Eggers was given the task of naming the new society. His suggestion was Alpha Chi. Sigma was added at the suggestion of Petura.  Standing: Joseph Howard Mathews, Edward Gustav Mattke, Bart Eldred McCormick, James Chisholm Silverthorn Sitting: Joseph Gerard Holty, Harold Everett Eggers, Frank Joseph Petura, Alfred Emil Kundert, Raymond Tracy Conger (not present) The founders held a vision of a national fraternity right from the start, contacting the University of Illinois in early 1903. To expand beyond the boundaries of Wisconsin, Petura and James Silverthorn were assigned the task of incorporating the Fraternity. After a flurry of rapid correspondence between Alpha Chi Sigma and the Wisconsin Secretary of State, the fraternity was officially incorporated on Jan. 22, 1904. It turned out that the second chapter of this fledgling fraternity would be at Minnesota, not Illinois. The next expansion also came about from a set of chance circumstances. Mathews began graduate work at the Case Institute of Applied Science in Cleveland where he also organized Gamma Chapter. The story of the founding of the Fraternity probably is told best by those who were there. In a 1913 article called Reminiscences (appearing in The Hexagon of Alpha Chi Sigma), founders Mathews and Kundert describe those first days of the Fraternity. II. PhilosophyThe roots of the Fraternity are based on alchemy; here is some background into what alchemy actually means. First, the true alchemist had three ambitions (just as the Fraternity has three objectives). The first ambition of the alchemist was to find the Elixir of Life. The Elixir of Life was believed to grant eternal youth. The second ambition was to find the secret of the Philosopher's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone was thought to be capable of turning ordinary metals into gold. The third and final objective of the alchemist was to discover a universal solvent. Although no alchemist ever discovered any of the three aforementioned goals, these common grounds helped to unite the diverse alchemists from around the world. It is for this reason that the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity has its three objectives. The goals set for the Fraternity are much more acheivable than the goals of the ancients, but no less important. Now, being over 100 years old, we are a co-ed organization with over 64,500 members. These men and women have dedicated their lives to a wide variety of chemistry-related careers. We currently have 92 collegiate chapters (49 active), 9 professional chapters, and 8 professional groups. The Brotherhood includes 15 Nobel Laureates (inculding Linus Pauling Sigma '40, Glenn Seaborg Beta Gamma '35, Peter Debye Tau '40, and H. C. Brown Beta Nu '60) and 48 presidents of the ACS. Membership is open to anyone majoring in chemistry or a major with a basis in chemistry. Alpha Chi Sigma is one of a kind. Following the original concept for a fraternity as an academic organization, we are the only professional chemistry fraternity. Our past is prestigious. Not only are many of our members world-class scientists and engineers, but we sponsor a variety of scholarships and awards. Notable ones are the ACS Award in Pure Chemistry and the AIChE Award in Chemical Engineering. With our involvement in other chemistry and chemical engineering professional organizations, our members are a bridge between these various organizations. Collegiate members benefit from a local group to not only help with their studies but also projects and activities that teach the roles of leadership and management. We also provide an opportunity to create lifelong friendships with others interested in chemistry. Sometimes it's just nice to walk into a room and be able to tell a chemistry joke. As a professional member, further opportunities for meeting other members can help with your employment, hiring and relaxation. Our professional members appreciate meeting others involved in chemistry outside of their workplaces and often outside of their field of work. Membership is for life. Purely professional organizations have their place and Alpha Chi Sigma constantly encourages its members to become active in these organizations. Social fraternities also offer much to students. But only a professional fraternity, and Alpha Chi Sigma is the only national professional chemistry fraternity in the United States, can provide the college student and the professional in chemistry and related fields with the interests and bonds of a fraternity. III. Important Dates
IV. Symbols
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