Wikipedia

Omega Xi Alpha

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.

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

History

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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

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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

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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

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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

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References

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  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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