History

Alpha Xi Delta was founded in 1893 by ten young women at Lombard College, Galesburg, Illinois, who shared a vision and a dream of a national organization dedicated to the personal growth of women.

One of the oldest women's fraternities, Alpha Xi Delta is proud of its rich history. As one of the ten founding fraternities of the National Panhellenic Conference, it was Alpha Xi Delta's first NPC Chairman who wrote the Panhellenic Creed, which is still recited on college campuses today.

Since that time more than a 100 years ago, the spirit of Alpha Xi Delta has enriched the lives of thousands of women throughout the world with its emphasis on lifelong learning and lasting friendship. Now a national fraternity with more than 120,000 initiated members, Alpha Xi Delta has grown into a progressive and forward-thinking organization with college chapters and alumnae associations throughout the United States.

The ideals envisioned by our Founders are timeless and have remained constant throughout the years, inspiring pride in each member to pursue individual excellence.

Our Founders left us a great legacy--they taught us the value of education because it would free us to achieve our goals and give us the power to be whatever we choose to be. They taught us to support one another through shared experiences and understanding. They taught us to serve others--to reach out to those less fortunate to make their lives better.

It is these ideals of personal development, scholarship, friendship, and civic responsibility that we embrace and bring to every Alpha Xi Delta member.

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Alpha Xi Delta started out as a local sorority in 1941 when the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was a state teacher’s college. This local sorority was called Sigma Pi Kappa. Through a decree issued by the President of the college, the girls received permission to form their group providing its principles were based upon service to the school, bonded friendship of all the girls in the college, and purely democratic ideals. Although the first meetings were of an informal nature the name, purpose, mottos, and consitution were adopted which laid the foundation for the group. Soon the necessity of immediately enlarging the group arose. Several new members were appointed active members without the usual rushing and pledging. During the remainder of the semester and the following summer the Sigma Pi Kappa's further established themselves through activites such as rushing of pledges, purchasing pledge pins, designing active pins and composing sorority songs.

In 1964 the women of Sigma Pi Kappa started seeking to become national and in 1965 they became national under the Epsilon Alpha chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. Our charter started with 50 girls, then in the 1970's the members increased to 75 girls. The Epsilon Alpha chapter has always strived to live by the ideals of our founders. This year the Epsilon Alpha chapter is celebrating our 40th anniversary on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. The Epsilon Alpha chapter is just as strong today as it was 40 years ago. We look forward to 40 more wonderful years and memories with all our sisters in Alpha Xi Delta.

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	The Coat of Arms The Coat of Arms of Alpha Xi Delta consists of a shield supported by two griffins. In the golden band across the center of the shield is the Quill. Three conventional roses are at the top of the shield, and a broken sword is in the lower portion of the shield. Above the shield on the knight's helmet is a twist of ribbon in alternating blue and gold, and a blossomed rose.
	Colors The colors of Alpha Xi Delta are double blue (light and dark) and gold.
	Flower The Fraternity flower is the pink rose, as chosen by our Founders.
	New Member Pin Alpha Xi Deltas wear this pin during their new member period.
	Quill The Quill, which is worn by initiated members of Alpha Xi Delta, represents our open motto "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword."
	Mascot The Fraternity adopted Al Fuzzie teddy bear as a mascot in 1974. BetXi Bear mascot (left) was adopted in 1989.
	Flag The flag bears the coat of arms; ten gold stars, one for each Founder; and the Fraternity name written out. The flag is often used in chapter meetings and for display purposes.
	Banner The top bar of the banner bears ten gold stars, one for each of the Founders; the middle bar, the Fraternity letters; and the bottom bar, a gold Quill.

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These things do we earnestly desire:

    A clear vision of life, that with gracious and
kindly hearts we may share both joy and sorrow
and bring into living reality the sisterhood of
women.

    An appreciation of real merit and worth,
steadfastness of soul, that without bitterness
or defeat we may encounter misfortune and
with humility meet success.

    These things, O Lord, help us to instill with-
in our hearts, that we may grow in courage
and graciousness and peace.

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