Alpha Chi
Scope and Contents
The collection begins with a minute book ranging in dates from 1924-1931. In addition to minutes, the book also contains documents on the society’s founding and correspondence. The bulk of the collection is made up of correspondence, financial and business papers, the society newsletter (Alpha Chi Recorder), manuals, sponsor handbooks, constitution revisions, meeting minutes, recent conference T-shirts, audio cassettes, pins and pinning ribbon, a framed charter, and wood and metal printer’s blocks.
The papers are arranged in four series: two chronological, one alphabetical, and a subject series. The first is a chronological general series. The creator(s) of the papers is not known. They span 1970 to the present. Robert Sledge, who served on the National Council twenty-four years, 1973-87 and 1989-99, twelve of those as president, created a second series of papers ranging from 1970-1998. They contain information specific to his roles in the society and are also arranged chronologically. The third series is composed of new chapter correspondence arranged alphabetically. The dates cover the 1970’s. Earlier and later chapter correspondence can be found in the other two series. More papers and other materials were added in the summer of 1999. Current materials are continuously added to this series.
In addition to the official records of Alpha Chi, Southwestern also has materials related to the founding of the society and to its own chapter, Texas Alpha.
Dates
- Majority of material found in 1922-Current
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Southwestern University Distinctive Collections and Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the collections and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from SU Distinctive Collections and Archives before any publication use. Distinctive Collections does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Biographical / Historical
Alpha Chi, a coeducational honorary society, was founded at Southwestern University in 1922 when faculty and students recognized a need to honor students for academic excellence and exemplary character. On February 22, 1922, representatives met and adopted the name “Scholarship Societies of Texas.” At the annual council meeting in 1927, applications for membership were accepted from Louisiana and Arkansas colleges, and the name was changed to Alpha Chi. By 1970, the society expanded into three additional regions, bringing the number to five regions with chapters nationwide. There are currently seven regions and a chapter in Puerto Rico.
The Greek letters are initials, which represent the Greek words ALETHEIA, meaning truth, and XAPAKTHP, meaning character. The society honors students from all academic disciplines and seeks to make “scholarship effective for good.” Southwestern University is the official repository for the records of Alpha Chi. Additional information about Alpha Chi and its history can be found in Robert Sledge’s 1997 book Scholarship and Character: Seventy-five Years of Alpha Chi.
Extent
17 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the SU Distinctive Collections & Archives Repository