Phi Alpha Chi
Phi Alpha Chi (ΦΑΧ) was an American college sorority. It was established in 1925 at the University of California in Berkeley, California. It expanded to become a national sorority with three chapters before merging into Sigma Phi Beta in 1928.
| Phi Alpha Chi | |
|---|---|
| ΦΑΧ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 4, 1925 University of California, Berkeley |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Merged |
| Merge date | January 7, 1928 |
| Successor | Sigma Phi Beta |
| Scope | National |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Flower | American Beauty rose |
| Chapters | 3 |
| Former name | Tewanah |
| Headquarters | United States |
Phi Alpha Chi (ΦΑΧ) was an American college sorority. It was established in 1925 at the University of California in Berkeley, California. It expanded to become a national sorority with three chapters before merging into Sigma Phi Beta in 1928.
History
[edit]In November 1919, the California chapter of the social sorority Tewanah was established at the University of California in Berkeley, California.[1][2][3] Tewanah had a chapter house at 2610 Etna Street in Berkeley.[3]
Tewanah reorganized as Phi Alpha Chi on December 4, 1925, with plans of becoming a national sorority.[1][4] The chapter at the University of California was assigned the name Alpha.[1] By January 1926, it had a chapter house on 2333 College Avenue in Berkeley.[5][6][2]
Phi Alpha Chi became a national sorority in May 1926 with the establishment of the Beta chapter at Ohio State University.[1] That was followed by Gamma chapter at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, in May 1927.[1][7] It was the first sorority at the institute to receive permission to have a chapter house.[7][8]
Phi Alpha Chi merged with Sigma Phi Beta sorority on January 7, 1928.[1][9] Sigma Phi Beta was later absorbed by Phi Omega Pi.[1]
Symbols
[edit]The colors of Phi Alpha Chi were red and white.[10] Its flower was the American Beauty rose.[10] Its members were called "sorores".[10]
Chapters
[edit]Following are the chapters of Phi Alpha Chi, with inactive chapters indicated in italics.[1][9][10][11]
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | December 4, 1925 – January 7, 1928 | University of California | Berkeley, California | Merged (ΣΦΒ) | [a][b] |
| Beta | May 28, 1926 – January 7, 1928 | Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio | Merged (ΣΦΒ) | [c] |
| Gamma | May 5, 1927 – January 7, 1928 | Alabama Polytechnic Institute | Auburn, Alabama | Merged (ΣΦΒ) | [8][7][d][e] |
- ^ Chapter was formed from the California chapter of Tewanah, established in November 1919.
- ^ Chapter became the California Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Beta with the national merger of the two sororities.
- ^ Became the Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Beta with the national merger of the two sororities.
- ^ Chapter formed from Phi Delta Rho (local), established in September 1923.
- ^ Became a chapter of Sigma Phi Beta with the national merger of the two sororities.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Carroll Lurding; Fran Becque, eds. (November 13, 2025). "Inactive Women's Organizations: Phi Alpha Chi" (PDF). Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via University Library: Student Life and Culture Archives.
- ^ a b "Girls Pledge to Sororities". The Kingsburg Recorder. 1928-02-17. p. 6. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b The Blue and Gold [yearbook]. Berkeley, Caliornia: University of California. 1924. p. 501 – via HathiTrust.
- ^ "Locals". The Reedley Exponent. 1925-12-18. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Locals". The Reedley Exponent. 1926-01-08. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Phi Alpha Chi Sorority Has Bazaar". Oakland Tribune. 1926-11-12. p. 41. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Sorority Gets House". Birmingham Post-Herald. 1927-09-08. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Phi Alpha Chi Body Lease Chapter House". The Montgomery Advertiser. 1927-09-09. p. 14. Retrieved 2025-12-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Carroll Lurding; Fran Becque, eds. (November 23, 2025). "Inactive Women's Organizations: Sigma Phi Beta" (PDF). Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved December 29, 2025 – via University Library: Student Life and Culture Archives.
- ^ a b c d Glomeratas [yearbook]. Vol. 31. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Polytechnic Institute. 1928. p. 321 – via Auburn University Libraries.
- ^ Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. (1930). "Phi Alpha Chi". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (12th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company. p. 341 – via HathiTrust.