Phi Lambda Chi
ΦΛΧ
FoundedMarch 15, 1925; 98 years ago (1925-03-15)
University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas
TypeSocial
AffiliationNIC (former)
ScopeNational
MottoEver Onward
Colors  Blue and   Gold
FlowerWhite Carnation
MascotLion
PublicationThe Aztec
PhilanthropyArkansas Children's Hospital
CharteredConway, Arkansas
Chapters9
NicknamePhi Lamb
PredecessorsLamb Society
Aztec
Headquarters14524 Cantrell Road Ste. 140
Little Rock, Arkansas 72223
United States
WebsiteOfficial website

Phi Lambda Chi (ΦΛΧ), commonly known as Phi Lamb, is a social collegiate fraternity founded at the Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) in 1925. It was formerly a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).[1][2]

History

Phi Lambda Chi originated as the Lamb Society, a social fraternal organization formed in 1920 for high school boys.[3] After the majority of its members had graduated from high school and enrolled in college, the Lamb Society decided to discontinue the group and form a new collegiate secret society.[3]

Nine members of the Lamb Society and three new recruits organized Aztec at the Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) on March 15, 1925.[3] Aztec's founding members were Thomas Lester Adair, Robert B. Clark, Grant H. Collar, Wendell H. Collums, Marvin Crittenden, Evan M. Douglas, William E. Huddleston, J. Louis Moles, Doyle L. Patton, B. Howard Perrin, Jeff D. Shemwell, and Robert L. Taylor.[4]

Aztec changed its name to Phi Lambda Chi in 1930 after the college began allowing local Greek letter organizations.[3] By 1934 when the college began to allow national fraternities, the Phi Lambda Chi/Aztec had more than 300 alumni.[3] Phi Lambda Chi voted to nationalize and elected a provisional Grand Council on January 19, 1939.[3] The council was tasked with developing a national fraternity consisting of at least three chapters that would qualify for membership in the Association of Teachers College Fraternities.[3]

The council created a provisional constitution and voted to charter the local Phi Lambda Chi fraternity as the Alpha chapter of the national fraternity.[3] The fraternity was established for students from regional and teaching colleges.[5] The Beta chapter was added at Northeastern State University in 1939, followed by the Gamma chapter at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1940.[6]

Phi Lambda Chi held its first conclave from March 15 to 16, 1940, at the Arkansas State Teachers College.[3] At this meeting, members approved a permanent constitution.[3] Later, the fraternity expanded from its original teacher mission, opening its membership to students from any college or university in the United. States.[5]

The Aztec, the fraternity's magazine, honors its founding local organization.[3][4] Its national philanthropy is the Arkansas Children's Hospital.[7][4] In addition, chapters are required to partner with local charities to complete fifteen service hours per member.[7]

Symbols

The fraternity's colors are blue and gold.[4] Its flower is the white carnation and its mascot lion.[4] Its motto is "Ever Onward."[4] The Phi Lambda Phi coat of arms features "two vicious lions poised on either side against a shield, which has at its upper extremity a Grecian helmet and, at its lower extremity, a scroll bearing the Greek name of the Fraternity. Diagonally across the shield is a solid bar separating the eye in the upper right-hand comer from the crossed sabers in the lower left-hand comer."[4]

The fraternity's Order of the Scroll or new member pin is a blue shield with a central gold disc.[4] Its badge is worn by fully initiated members, called the Order of the Shield, and features a blue background decorated with gold symbols and a gold border.[4] There is also a badge for alumni or Order of the Lion members which is similar to the badge, except for a border of pearls.[4]

Chapters of Phi Lambda Chi

Active chapters noted in bold, inactive chapter noted in italics.:

Chapter Chartered/Range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha March 25, 1925 – 1995, 2008–2015 University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas Inactive [6][a][b]
Beta 1939 Northeastern State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma Active [6]
Gamma 1940 University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas Active [6]
Delta 1941–1948 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana Inactive [6][c]
Epsilon 1946 Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas Active [6]
Zeta 1950–1960 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, Kansas Inactive [6][d]
Eta 1954–1959 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma Inactive [6]
Theta 1958–1961 University of Arkansas-Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas Inactive [6]
Iota 1961–1965 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri Inactive [6][e]
Kappa 1960–1961, 1964–201x ? Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma Inactive [6]
Lambda 1969–2002 Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri Inactive [6][f]
Mu 1976 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas Active [6][g]
Nu 1977 Southern Arkansas University Magnolia, Arkansas Active [6]
Xi 1991–2000 Lincoln University (Missouri) Jefferson City, Missouri Inactive [6]
Sigma 1993–1994, 2000 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, Oklahoma Active [6][h]
Chi 2005–2011 Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma Inactive [6]
Pi 2009–2014 Louisiana State University Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana Inactive [6]
Tau 2013 Texas A&M University–Texarkana Texarkana, Texas Active [6]
Rho 2014 Keene State College Keene, New Hampshire Active [6][i]
Phi 2017 Lindenwood University St. Charles, Missouri Active [6][j]

Notes

  1. ^ Formed as the local group, Aztec, in 1925, changing its name to Phi Lambda Chi in 1930.
  2. ^ Reformed as a colony in 2005.
  3. ^ Chapter started as Phi Kappa Pi.
  4. ^ Chapter started as a colony in 1949.
  5. ^ Chapter started as a colony in 1959.
  6. ^ Chapter started as a colony in 1968.
  7. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing the Cavaliers Club which was originally established in 1964.
  8. ^ Chapter formed from Sigma Psi. Reestablished as a colony in 1999.
  9. ^ Chapter created by absorbing Sigma Lambda Chi which was originally established in 1985.
  10. ^ Chapter formed by absorbing Phi Lambda Phi which was originally established in 2005.

Notable members

See also

References

  1. ^ DeSantis, Alan D. (2007-10-12). Inside Greek U.: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of Pleasure, Power, and Prestige. University Press of Kentucky. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-8131-7277-4 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Shelton, Todd (2019-01-21). "Member Fraternities". NIC | North American Interfraternity Conference. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History". Phi Lambda Chi. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "About". Phi Lambda Chi. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  5. ^ a b "FAQ". Phi Lambda Chi. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 29, 2022) Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed January 26, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Philanthropy". Phi Lambda Chi. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  8. ^ Ross, Jim. "Sports Broadcasters and Writers" (PDF). National Interfraternity Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
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