It all began on April 5, 1895, at the University of Arkansas when four young women, with the help of a local dentist, established the secrets, symbolism and rites that are the foundation of today's largest women's fraternal organization. Chi Omega can boast of 173 collegiate chapters and more than 300,000 initiates!
Our founders sought an organization to foster friendship and respect for the potential and inherent value of women. Chi Omega's six purposes are: Friendship, High Standards of Personnel, Sincere Learning and Creditable Scholarship, Participation in Campus Activities, Career Development and Community Service.
The Governing Council of Chi Omega formulates policy and oversees development nationally. Local chapter officers and alumnae advisors are charged with educating members about the policies. Chi Omega is a wise investment for worthy purposes and good fun.
The Chi Omega Foundation was founded in 1982 to fund the educational goals of the fraternity. Chi O Creations, our in-house, on-line boutique opened in 1989. In 1994, the fraternity moved its national headquarters to Memphis, Tennessee (from Cleveland, Ohio) where approximately 50 staff members support the fraternity's day-to-day operations.
Chi Omega was the first women’s fraternity to undertake a major gift to a university. The Chi Omega Greek Theatre at the University of Arkansas was dedicated in 1930. Made of marble and stone, it is modeled after the 2,400-year-old Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, Greece. The theatre which seats 2, 750 is used today for commencements, convocations, concerts, dramas and pep rallies.
Chi Omega strives to be a positive catalyst in the lives of young women and to prepare them for leadership roles during college and beyond. On campus and off, Chi Omegas flourish! For more information, please visit www.chiomega.com.
Local Story
Seven women, impressed by the Chi Omega chapter at Wisconsin University, were granted a charter by a Psi chapter representative, and Lambda's first initiations took place on December 18, 1902. Sorority life was still new at KU where we were the fourth women's fraternity established. For the 1903-04 school year, Lambda leased a house at 1400 Ohio and hired a housemother, a first for a women's fraternity at KU. We were also the first at KU to finance and build our own chapter house. It was located at 1137 Indiana and opened in 1911.
It wasn't long before a larger house was needed. Our current chapter house at 1345 West Campus Road opened in 1925. The "new" wing to the right of the front door was added in 1965 as the chapter flourished.
Following in the footsteps of national Chi Omega, the Lambda chapter built a fountain as a memorial to its founders and donated it to the university. The Chi Omega Fountain, located directly in front of the Chi Omega house and at the end of Jayhawk Boulevard, has become a university landmark and a favorite for anyone to dip their feet in on a hot day!
Today Lambda is one of the 13 Panhellenic chapters at KU. The chapter continues to thrive as one of the top chapters on campus in terms of academics, community service, leadership and involvement on campus.
Lambda Member is '08 National Model Initiate
By 2008, the Lambda chapter had become one of the most recognized Chi Omega chapters in the country, garnering nearly every honor ... and some, multiple times ... that the National Chi Omega organization awards, except one. That changed when Emily Moseley was selected by the Supreme Governing Council as the one new member from across the country as its Model Initiate.
Selection criteria includes a strong Chi Omega heritage, academic achievement, integrity and honor. According to the council, "Emily is truly representative of the excellence that Chi Omega seeks in all new members. She achieved a 4.0 GPA, has been involved in many extra-curricular activities and has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including membership in Lambda Sigma, which recognizes the top 36 outstanding freshman on the KU campus, and selection as the KU Panhellenic New Member of the Year. Emily represents the third generation and the eighth person in her family to be a Lambda Chi Omega.
This award also reflects the high standards of the chapter. It demonstrates that the chapter, past and present members, has built a strong foundation of membership and has cultivated an environment that recognizes and rewards high standards.