Omega Xi Alpha

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Omega Xi Alpha
ΩΞΑ
FoundedJanuary 14, 1927; 97 years ago (1927-01-14)
Los Angeles, California
TypeHonor
EmphasisJournalism
ScopeRegional
Colors  Black and   Gold
Chapters7
MergerAlpha Phi Gamma (1929)
Headquarters, California
United States

Omega Xi Alpha (ΩΞΑ) was a regional honorary journalism fraternity that was established in 1927 in California, United States. It merged with Alpha Phi Gamma two years later, in 1929.

History[edit]

In early 1927, John "Jack" Allen Smith of Santa Barbara State and Robert Whitesides of the University of Redlands began working together to form a fraternity for the staff of college newspapers.[1][2][3] Omega Xi Alpha was established as a co-educational honorary journalism fraternity at a convention at the University Club in Los Angeles, California on January 14, 1927.[4][5][1][6] At the meeting, 25 representatives from six colleges signed a charter, adopted a constitution, and elected officers.[1][3][6][7] Whitesides became its first president and Smith was its secretary.[4][8] Faculty from the various institutions served on a board of auditors.[1]

The purpose of Omega Xi Alpha was:

To recognize individual ability and achievement in journalistic pursuits in colleges and universities; to encourage the production of literary works; to establish cordial intercourse between students and members of the profession; and to foster a spirit of brotherhood among those of kindred interest.[2][3]

At convention, the Greek letter chapter names were assigned to the chapters.[8] Its seven charter members were California Institute of Technology, California Polytechnic School, Fresno State Teacher's College, Santa Barbara State Teachers College, Southwestern University, University of Redlands, and Whittier College.[3][7][8] At the time, it was the only national honorary journalism fraternity to include men and women members.[2][3][7]

Omega Xi Alpha sponsored a contest for the best college newspaper of the year, with judges from the Los Angeles Times and the Alhambra Post-Advocate.[9] Chapters held meetings and brought speakers from the journalism profession to campus.[10][11] The fraternity's second national convention was held at the University of Redlands on January 11 and 12, 1929.[12][13]

In the spring of 1929, Omega Xi Alpha began merger discussions with Alpha Phi Gamma, a national journalism honor fraternity established in 1919.[14][4] The two officially merged with the opening fall semester in September 1929, under the Alpha Phi Gamma name.[4][14][3][15] Smith assisted with revising the constitution and rituals for Alpha Phi Gamma as part of the merger.[4] Omega Xi Alpha's chapter became the western division of Alpha Phi Gamma, with Smith serving as the region's president.[16][17]

Symbols[edit]

Members of Omega Xi Alpha received a membership key that featured the Greek letters ΩΞΑ.[18] On the back, the key was engraved with its member's unique number.[18] Its crest was black and gold.[19]

Membership[edit]

Membership in Omega Xi Alpha was open to men and women who had worked on a college publication for one year. In addition, potential members were required to be in the top half of their class and to be active in campus activities.[2]

Chapters[edit]

Following were the chapters of Omega Xi Alpha at the time of its merger with Alpha Phi Gamma.[4][20][3][8]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha January 14, 1927 – September 1929 University of Redlands Redlands, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [a]
Beta January 14, 1927 – September 1929 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [b]
Gamma January 14, 1927 – September 1929 Southwestern University Los Angeles, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [c]
Delta January 14, 1927 – September 1929 Whittier College Whittier, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [9][d]
Epsilon January 14, 1927 – September 1929 Fresno State Teacher's College Fresno, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [e]
Zeta January 14, 1927 – September 1929 California Polytechnic School San Luis Obispo County, California Inactive
Eta January 14, 1927 – September 1929 Santa Barbara State Teachers College Santa Barbara, California Merged (ΑΦΓ) [21][f][g]
  1. ^ Became the Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.
  2. ^ Became the Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.
  3. ^ Became the Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.
  4. ^ Became the Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.
  5. ^ Became the Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.
  6. ^ Chapter formed from a local campus organization.
  7. ^ Became the Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Gamma.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Cochan, Maree (November 16, 1928). "Santa Barbara Takes Lead of in Omega Xi Alpha". The Eagle. Santa Barbara, California: 1 – via JSTOR.
  2. ^ a b c d "Journalistic Frat Editors This Week". The Eagle. November 16, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via JSTOR.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Leslie, Lawrence (October 9, 1936). "Journalistic Fraternity Marks Eleventh Active Campus Season". El Gaucho. Santa Barbara, California. p. 3 – via JSTOR.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Journalistic Organization Founded at Ohio Northern by Staff of Campus Paper". State College Roadrunner. Santa Barbara, California. November 29, 1933. pp. 1 and 3. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via JSTOR.
  5. ^ Banta's Greek Exchange: Published in the Interest of the College Fraternity World. George Banta Company, Incorporated. 1932. p. 93 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ a b "New Newspaper Fraternity Will Be Organized". The Los Angeles Times. 1928-01-11. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c "Omega Xi Alphas Organize Chapter". The Los Angeles Times. 1928-01-15. p. 27. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c d "Smith Chosen Club Officer". The Morning Press. Santa Barbara, California. 1928-01-16. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "Quaker Campus Placed Top of College Papers". The Whittier News. 1928-06-20. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "College Students to Hear Editor Speak". The Morning Press. Santa Barbara, California. 1928-05-17. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Journalsim Students Have Dinner Meet". The Morning Press. Santa Barbara, California. 1928-05-18. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Omega Xi Alpha Delegates Meet From Southland". The Eagle. Santa Barbara, California: University of California, Santa Barbara. January 11, 1929. p. 2 – via JSTOR.
  13. ^ "Omega Xi Alpha Conclave Set". San Francisco Bulletin. 1928-12-28. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "Omega Xi Alpha Merges with Alpha Gamma Phi". The Eagle. Santa Barbara, California: University of California, Santa Barbara. September 20, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via JSTOR.
  15. ^ "Newspaper Fat Joins National". The Morning Press. Santa Barbara, California. 1929-09-20. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Local Chapter Selects Smith For President". State College Roadrunner. Santa Barbara, California. November 29, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  17. ^ Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (18th ed.). G. Banta Company. 1977. p. 769 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ a b "Fresno State College News". The Fresno Bee. 1928-02-21. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Fraternity Holds Banquet at Hotel". The Fresno Bee. 1928-04-17. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 641-642.
  21. ^ "Fresno State College News". The Fresno Bee. 1928-03-19. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-05-18 – via Newspapers.com.
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