Sigma Eta Chi (ΣΗΧ) was a national sorority operating in the United States.
| Sigma Eta Chi | |
|---|---|
| ΣΗΧ | |
 | |
| Founded | May 1, 1923 Ohio State University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Defunct Date | After 1958 |
| Emphasis | Christian; Congregational |
| Scope | National |
| Colors | Azure blue and Silver |
| Symbol | Candlestick |
| Flower | Rose and Blue Larkspur |
| Publication | Luchnokaia |
| Chapters | 8 |
| Headquarters | United States |
History
editAt 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
editBaird'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
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b c d Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 1930 edition, p. 336
- ^ Ames Public Library, Information Services
- ^ Kansas State University, The Royal Purple Yearbook, Class of 1948 (p. 158)
- ^ University of Nebraska Cornhusker Yearbook Class of 1958 (p. 372)
- ^ Noted in the University of Northern Iowa Old Gold yearbook, 1959, p.191, accessed 20 Nov 2021.
- ^ 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.