Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School at DePauw
University, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society.
The seven women chosen to attend the first meeting were Anna Allen Smith, Olive Burnett Clark, Bertha Deniston Cunningham, Amy DuBois Reith, Nellie Gamble Childe, Bessie Grooms Keenan, and Estelle Leonard.
A Constitution and bylaws were drafted, the fraternity's name, colors, flower, and motto were chosen, the first eight pledges were selected, and their badge was designed before Alpha Chi Omega wwas introduced to the DePauw University.
Membership was limited to students in the School of Music in the beginning, but within a few months this requirement was changed to include lilberal arts students, provided they were registered for some course in music. Today, the music requirement no longer exist.
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