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Sigma Eta Chi

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Sigma Eta Chi
ΣΗΧ
FoundedMay 1, 1923; 101 years ago (1923-05-01)
Ohio State University
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusDefunct
Defunct dateAfter 1958
EmphasisChristian; Congregational
ScopeNational
Colors  Azure blue and   Silver
SymbolCandlestick
FlowerRose and Blue Larkspur
PublicationLuchnokaia
Chapters8
Headquarters
United States

Sigma Eta Chi (ΣΗΧ) was a national sorority operating in the United States.

History

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At Ohio State University on May 1, 1923, fourteen female students chartered a sorority for Congregational women. The purpose of the sorority was "to form a social unit in which spiritual and intellectual development might advance in harmony".[1]

In 1928, plans were put in place for the sorority to become a national organization. A national constitution was written, national officers were elected, and the first national convention took place in June of the same year.[1]

The sorority continued at least into the middle of the 20th century, though the final date of dissolution is unknown. A chapter in Ames, Iowa was meeting in 1948.[2] The Kansas State Royal Purple Yearbook of 1948 not only notes the growth of its chapter, but also a special ceremony called Luchnokaia. The yearbook describes the service as happening during one Sunday in Lent. Each member lit a candle from seven candles, the seven representing the seven "great guiding lights" of Christianity. Each member left the church "pledging to live a more consecrated life".[3] The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Yearbook of 1958 lists the president of the sorority.[4]

The organization later would affiliate members of the Evangelical and Reformed churches, in addition to Congregational.[5] The records of the University of Northern Iowa indicate that Sigma Eta Chi was classified as a Congregational sorority well into the 1950s. However, in the early 1970s, a group with the same name emerged as a service sorority.

Baird's Manual notes that the sorority later became non-exclusive with membership and other sororities permissible. It eventually disbanded.[6]

Symbols

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Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities described the badge as "a lighted candle in a candlestick with a ruby set for the flame, the letters ΣΗΧ on a background of blue enamel with a border of white or yellow gold set with white or blue stones; the letters being arranged vertically to the right of the candle".[1] The pledge pin was "a lighted candle in a candlestick, cast in silver".[1]

The sorority's colors were azure bue and silver. Its flowers were the rose and blue larkspur. Its publication was the Luchnokaia was published three times a year.

Chapters

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The sorority grew to include six chapters by 1930, with possibly two more by the late 1950s.[6]

Chapter Charter date and range Intitution Location Status References
Alpha May 1, 1923 – 19xx ? Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Inactive
Beta 1925–19xx ? University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Inactive
Gamma 1927–19xx ? University of Washington Seattle, Washington Inactive
Delta 1928–19xx ? University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Inactive
Epsilon 1928–19xx ? University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska Inactive
Zeta 1923–19xx ? Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon Inactive
19xx  ?–1945 Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Inactive
19xx  ?–c. 1959 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa Inactive

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 1930 edition, p. 336
  2. ^ Ames Public Library, Information Services
  3. ^ Kansas State University, The Royal Purple Yearbook, Class of 1948 (p. 158)
  4. ^ University of Nebraska Cornhusker Yearbook Class of 1958 (p. 372)
  5. ^ Noted in the University of Northern Iowa Old Gold yearbook, 1959, p.191, accessed 20 Nov 2021.
  6. ^ a b William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 3 December 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.