Alpha Chi Sigma (ΑΧΣ) is a professional fraternity specializing in the field of chemistry. It has both collegiate and professional chapters throughout the United States consisting of both men and women and numbering over 59,300 members. Our own Gamma Theta chapter is part of the collegiate branch of Alpha Chi Sigma, located at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Gamma Theta was chartered on April 13-14, 1985 and has been going strong ever since.
The fraternity aims to bring together students and professionals pursuing a wide variety of chemistry-related careers.
The Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity was organized at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in late 1902 by a group of undergraduates who were fellow students in chemistry at that time. The original founders were:
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Raymond Tracy Conger
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Harold Everett Eggers
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Joseph Gerard Holty
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Alfred Emil Kundert
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Joseph Howard Mathews
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Edward Gustav Mattke
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Bart Eldred McCormick
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Frank Joseph Petura
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James Chisholm Silverthorn
The aim was to create an organization that would stand the test of time, as previous attempts at creating a “chemical club” had all failed and faded into antiquity, unmourned by those organizations that followed.
Despite all the odds against the blossoming of the organization, the founders persevered and created an organization that, over a century later, has well achieved the initial goal of weathering the storm of time and grown into a national organization of no little merit that works to achieve the advancement of chemistry and brotherhood in all walks of chemical life.
To this end, the Three Objects of the Fraternity guide its members in how to conduct themselves as chemists and brothers. They are as follows:
- To bind its members with a tie of true and lasting friendship.
- To strive for the advancement of chemistry both as a science and as a profession.
- To aid its members by every honorable means in the attainment of their ambitions as chemists throughout their mortal lives.
“In its more than 100 years of existence, Alpha Chi Sigma has chartered 100 chapters, of which 55 are currently active. These chapters are made up primarily of undergraduate students; however, graduate students and faculty also are accepted into the bonds of the Fraternity. The collegiate branch is truly the roots of Alpha Chi Sigma, for the collegiate branch has the sole honor of selecting, educating and initiating new members.
The collegiate chapters are responsible for organizing professional and social events for not only their members but also for their universities and the public at large.
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The Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge in Chemistry programs
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National Chemistry Week
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Chemical education and awareness for the general public
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Science demonstrations for all school ages
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Sponsoring university seminar speakers
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Voluntary community service
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Assisting at university events”
Because Alpha Chi Sigma is a professional fraternity, after undergraduate study, members join the professional branches that “are identical to those of the Collegiate Branch and are centered around the three Objects of the Fraternity. One of the principal activities of the Professional Branch is maintaining a close relationship between Alpha Chi Sigma and the collegiate chapters, where physical proximity makes such contact possible. The professional organization stands ready at all times to give help to the collegiate chapters, including counsel, advice and vocational guidance leading to the “attainment of their ambitions.””
Current Bylaws for Spring 2023
Current Bylaws Spring 2023
