Editing Lambda Chi Alpha

{{Short description|North American collegiate fraternity}}
{{Distinguish|Chi Alpha|Chi Alpha Omega}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
| name = Lambda Chi Alpha
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΛΧΑ}}
| coat of arms = Lambda Chi Alpha Coat of Arms.svg
| image_size = 165px
| founded = {{start date and age|1909|11|2}}
| birthplace = [[Boston University]]
| affiliation = NIC
| type = Social fraternity
| scope = International
| status = Active
| motto = ''{{lang|la|Per Crucem Crescens}}'' (Crescent through the Cross)<br />
''{{lang|grc|Χαλεπά τά καλὰ}}'' (Naught Without Labor)<br />
''{{lang|la|Vir Quisque Vir}}'' (Every Man a Man)
| member badge = [[File:Lambda_Chi_Alpha_badge.png|left|90px]]
| colors = {{color box|#52237F}} Royal Purple, {{color box|#016A3A}} Kelly Green, and {{color box|#D4A037}} Old Gold
| flag = [[File:Lambda Chi Alpha flag.jpg|150px]]
| symbol = [[Cross]] and [[Crescent]]
| flower = [[rose|White Rose]]
| mascot = [[Lion rampant]]
| publication = ''Cross and Crescent'', ''Paedagogus'', and ''Purple, Green and Gold''
| philanthropy = [[Feeding America]], [[Movember]], [[The Jed Foundation]] and [[American Red Cross]]
| chapters = 185 active, 322 chartered
| members = 8,600+
| lifetime = 300,000+
| nicknames = Lambda Chis, Lambda, LCA, LXA, Chops/Choppers
| address = 10 W. Carmel Drive, Suite 220
| city = [[Carmel, Indiana|Carmel]]
| state = [[Indiana]]
| ZIP code = 46032
| country = United States
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.lambdachi.org|}}
| footnotes = <ref>Chapter count, avg undergraduate membership, and total initiates [https://www.lambdachi.org/ noted on the national website homepage], accessed 21 Oct 2021.</ref><ref name="aboutlxa">[https://www.lambdachi.org/about/chapter-directory Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter Directory] lambdachi.org, accessed January 13, 2014.</ref>
}}

'''Lambda Chi Alpha''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΛΧΑ}}'''), commonly referred to as '''Lambda Chi''', is a [[fraternities and sororities|collegiate fraternity]] in [[North America]]. With over 300,000 initiates as of 2024, it is the third-largest social fraternity in the world by number of initiates. It has almost 8,700 current undergraduate members affiliated with chapters and associate chapters at 166 colleges and universities in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].<ref name="lcachapters">{{citation|url=https://www.lambdachi.org/chapter-score-card/|title=Chapters|publisher=Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity|access-date=2024-08-22}}</ref> Its members may be known variously as Lambda Chis, LXAs, LCAs, Lambdas, Chops, or Choppers at different campuses.

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded at [[Boston University]] in 1909. It is a member of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]] (NIC), which it rejoined in November 2023 after withdrawing from the conference in 2015.<ref name="nicrejoin">{{Cite web |last=Brewer |first=Hillary |date=2023-11-28 |title=NIC welcomes Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity back to the Conference |url=https://nicfraternity.org/nic-welcomes-lambda-chi-alpha-fraternity-back-to-the-conference/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=NIC {{!}} North American Interfraternity Conference |language=en-US}}</ref> Among the largest 15 social fraternities in the world, Lambda Chi Alpha is the youngest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambdachi.org/|title=Home|last=fuelvm|website=Lambda Chi Alpha|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-21}}</ref> Since 2014, after maintaining its headquarters at various locations in [[Indiana]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Pennsylvania]], it has been headquartered in [[Carmel, Indiana]], outside [[Indianapolis]].

== History ==
=== Founding ===
Lambda Chi Alpha was founded by [[Warren A. Cole]], a law student at [[Boston University School of Law]] in [[Boston]]. There are two different accounts of the fraternity's founding.<ref name="lcafounding">{{citation|url=https://www.lambdachi.org/aboutlca-2/history-2/|title=Our Founding|publisher=Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity}}</ref>

The official story told by Cole and Albert Cross is that on {{dts|1909|11|02}}, Cole, Percival C. Morse, and Clyde K. Nichols reorganized the Cosmopolitan Law Club, a society of Boston University law students into the Loyal Collegiate Associates, which was renamed Lambda Chi Alpha in 1912.<ref name="founders">{{citation|url=https://www.lambdachi.cc/lambda-chi-alpha-history-in-the-making-founding-the-fraternity/|title=Our Story: A History of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity|first=Michael J|last=Raymond|year=2017 }}</ref> All were close friends and had been members of Alpha Mu Chi, a [[College-preparatory school|prep school]] fraternity. The Greek letter name is thought to have been used from the beginning but is not recorded in the ''Alpha Zeta'' minutes until April 27, 1910.<ref name="lcafounding" />

A second account of the founding, based on interviews with contemporaries, is that Cole and others did belong to a loose group known as the Tombs or Cosmopolitan Club but this was not related to Lambda Chi Alpha's founding. Instead, according to the alternative account, Cole shared an apartment with James C. McDonald and Charles W. Proctor, who later joined [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]]. Cole then established his own fraternity with Ralph S. Miles, Harold W. Bridge, and Percival C. Morse on {{dts|1911|11|23}}. The group issued a charter for itself that was backdated to November 15.<ref name="lcafounding" />

Cole approached many local groups at colleges and universities throughout the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] seeking others willing to join his new fraternity. He corresponded with or visited 117 institutions by 1912, when a group at [[University of Massachusetts Amherst|Massachusetts Agricultural College]] accepted a charter to become ''Gamma Zeta''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tfolca.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928134454/http://lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tfolca.asp|url-status=dead|title=Lambda Chi Alpha History Timeline: The Founding of Lambda Chi Alpha|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> The first General Assembly, establishing a structure for the national fraternity, was held in Boston on April 13, 1912.

The fraternity held its second general assembly in Boston on {{dts|1913|03|22}} in which the fraternity adopted its secret motto, ritual insignia including its badge and coat of arms, and the basic organizational structure. Lambda Chi Alpha virtually replaced the fraternity Cole had established outside of its name.<ref name="foundersday">{{citation|url=https://www.lambdachi.cc/happy-founders-day/|title=Happy Founders Day|first=Kyle|last=Jones|work=Cross & Crescent|date=March 2007}}</ref> The 14th General Assembly, in 1931, recognized March 22 as Lambda Chi Alpha Day in recognition of these achievements. In 1942, the board of directors renamed it Founder's Day. {{dts|1909|11|02}} is also still recognized, so Lambda Chi Alpha celebrates two Founders Days annually.<ref name="foundersday" />

In the years that followed, a divide opened between Cole and a group of young alumni led by Mason, Ernst J.C. Fischer of Lambda Chi's [[Cornell University]] chapter in [[Ithaca, New York]], and Samuel Dyer of the [[University of Maine]] chapter in [[Orono, Maine]]. Dyer was supported by Albert Cross at the [[University of Pennsylvania]] chapter in [[Philadelphia]] and Louis Robbins of the [[Brown University]] chapter in [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref name="foundersday" /> In 1920, Cole was ousted and Fischer was elected national president. In 1927, Fischer became international president when ''Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta'' at the [[University of Toronto]] in [[Toronto]] was chartered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/milestones.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101131037/http://www.lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/milestones.asp|url-status=dead|title=Lambda Chi Alpha History Timeline|archive-date=January 1, 2008}}</ref>

===Theta Kappa Nu merger===
{{Further|Theta Kappa Nu}}
The [[Theta Kappa Nu]] fraternity was formed by eleven local fraternities on June 9, 1924, in [[Springfield, Missouri]]. With the help of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]] in identifying local groups, and Theta Kappa Nu's policy of granting charters quickly to organizations with good academic standards, the fraternity grew quickly and had approximately 2,500 initiates in 40 chapters by the end of 1926.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tkn.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928134430/http://www.lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tkn.asp|url-status=dead|title=Lambda Chi Alpha History Timeline: Theta Kappa Nu|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref>

During the [[Great Depression]], both [[Theta Kappa Nu]] and Lambda Chi Alpha saw membership decrease and chapters shut down. In 1939, the two fraternities agreed to merge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tu.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215141627/http://lambdachi.org/fraternity/history/tu.asp|url-status=dead|title=Lambda Chi Alpha History Timeline: The Union|archive-date=February 15, 2006}}</ref> The merger ceremony was held at Howard College (now [[Samford University]]) chapter of Theta Kappa Nu in [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. The merger immediately increased the number of chapters from 77 to 105<ref name=autogenerated3>[http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf Bly, Betsy K. (Ed.) (2005). ''The Paedagogus'' (50th ed.), p. 146. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105733/http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> (or 78 to 106)<ref>[http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf Bly, Betsy K. (Ed.) (2005). ''The Paedagogus'' (50th ed.), p. 11. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105733/http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> and the number of members from 20,000 to 27,000. At the time, this was the largest merger in fraternity history.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> All Theta Kappa Nu chapters became Lambda Chi Alpha chapters and were given chapter designations that began with either [[Theta]], [[Kappa]], or [[Nu (letter)|Nu]].<ref>[http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf Bly, Betsy K. (Ed.) (2005). ''The Paedagogus'' (50th ed.), p. 102. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105733/http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>  At schools where chapters of both fraternities previously existed, the two merged and retained Lambda Chi's Zeta recognition.

=== Headquarters locations ===
Lambda Chi Alpha was founded in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, in 1909. For the first decade of its existence, the fraternity lacked a central office and records were divided between the homes of Grand High Alpha [[Warren A. Cole]] in [[Swansea, Massachusetts]] and Registrar Samuel Dyer in [[Attleboro, Massachusetts]].<ref name="peyser">{{Cite book |last=Peyser |first=Charles |title=The History of The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity |publisher=The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. |year=1992 |edition=1st |location=Indianapolis, IN |pages=60–61 |language=English}}</ref> In 1920, the fraternity moved its headquarters to [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]], where it was located in [[Kingston, Pennsylvania|Kingston]] and [[Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes Barre]]. Later that year, it relocated to [[Indianapolis]], where many other [[Fraternities and Sororities|fraternity and sorority]] national headquarters are located. Since 2021, its headquarters has been based in [[Carmel, Indiana]], outside Indianapolis.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Raymond |first=Mike |date=December 2005 |title=Eighth Headquarters |url=http://www.crossandcrescent.com/2005/12/eighth-headquarters/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060305130002/http://www.crossandcrescent.com/2005/12/eighth-headquarters/ |archive-date=2006-03-05 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Cross & Crescent |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> Its former headquarters include:<ref name=":0" />

* '''1909:''' [[Swansea, Massachusetts]]<ref>{{Citation |last=WESTON (ROY F) INC WEST CHESTER PA |date=1990-08-01 |title=Report of Sampling and Analysis Results: Swansea Army Housing Units, Swansea, Massachusetts |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.21236/ada226530 |location=Fort Belvoir, VA |doi=10.21236/ada226530|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and [[Attleboro, Massachusetts]]
* '''1920:''' 261 Pierce Street, [[Kingston, Pennsylvania]], 18704
* '''1920:''' 160 South Main Street, [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania]] 18701
* '''1920:''' 30-40 North Pennsylvania Street, [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] 46205
* '''1923:''' 136 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
* '''1930:''' 55 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
* '''1940:''' Rhodes, Mansion, 2029 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
* '''1955:''' 3434 North Washington Boulevard, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
* '''1974:''' 8741 Founders Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
* '''2014:''' 11711 North Pennsylvania Street, Suite 250, [[Carmel, Indiana]] 46032<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lambda Chi Timeline |url=https://www.lambdachi.org/about-lambda-chi-alpha/history/timeline/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Lambda Chi Alpha |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''2021:''' 10 W Carmel Drive, Suite 220, Carmel, Indiana 46032<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weitzer |first=Taylor |date=2021-06-02 |title=Lambda Chi Alpha is Moving the Office of Administration |url=https://www.lambdachi.org/lambda-chi-alpha-is-moving-the-office-of-administration/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Lambda Chi Alpha |language=en-US}}</ref>

===North American Interfraternity Conference===
{{Further|North American Interfraternity Conference}}
The fraternity first joined the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]] (NIC) in 1913.<ref name="nicrejoin" /> In October 2015, it resigned from the association, citing in-fighting and dysfunctional governance. The fraternity's exit coincided with NIC lobbying for the [[Safe Campus Act]], which was opposed by both the fraternity and sexual assault advocacy groups.<ref name="NIC-exit">{{cite news|last1=Kingkade|first1=Tyler|title=Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Leaves National Umbrella Group Amid Controversial Lobbying|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lambda-chi-alpha-nic_562f8bc7e4b00aa54a4b26dd|access-date=November 4, 2015|work=Huffington Post|date=October 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lambda Chi Alpha Resigns Its Membership in the North American Interfraternity Conference (press release)|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lambda-chi-alpha-resigns-its-membership-in-the-north-american-interfraternity-conference-300166219.html|access-date=November 4, 2015|work=PR Newswire|date=October 27, 2015}}</ref> Lambda Chi Alpha re-joined the NIC in November 2023.<ref name="nicrejoin" />

== Symbols ==
The colors of Lambda Chi Alpha are royal purple, kelly green, and old gold. Its symbols are the cross and crescent. Its flower is the white rose and its mascot is the [[lion rampant]]. Its mottos are ''{{lang|la|Per Crucem Crescens}}'' or "Crescent through the Cross", ''{{lang|grc|Χαλεπά τά καλὰ}}'' or "Naught Without Labor", and ''{{lang|la|Vir Quisque Vir}}'' or "Every Man a Man."

== Membership ==
Beginning in August 1969, the concept of fraternity education replaced pledge education at Lambda Chi Alpha.<ref>[http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf Bly, Betsy K. (Ed.) (2005). ''The Paedagogus'' (50th ed.), p. 147. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105733/http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> The fraternity education program was designed to integrate all new members into the chapter equally.<ref>[http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf Bly, Betsy K. (Ed.) (2005). ''The Paedagogus'' (50th ed.), pp. 19–20. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105733/http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/images/3/31/Paedagogus50th.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>

In 1972, Lambda Chi Alpha officially abolished the pledge process and replaced it with associate membership. Associate members in Lambda Chi Alpha to this day have all of the same rights as initiated brothers, can hold officer positions, wear the letters, and can vote on all issues except for those involving Lambda Chi's [[initiation]] ritual. Status as an associate member permits new members to enter the fraternity with respect, and helps to combat the issues that arise from the possible abuse of pledges. Lambda Chi Alpha was the first fraternal organization to abolish pledging. 

== Philanthropy ==
{{Further|North American Food Drive}}<!-- This section is linked from [[North American Food Drive]] -->
From 1993 to 2012, Lambda Chi Alpha's philanthropy was the North American Food Drive (NAFD). As of 2010, NAFD had collected around 33 million pounds of food for [[food bank]]s.<ref name="2010 food drive">[http://www.crossandcrescent.com/2010/12/2010-north-american-food-drive-results/ 2010 North American Food Drive Results] Cross & Crescent. December 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-04. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207071204/http://www.crossandcrescent.com/2010/12/2010-north-american-food-drive-results/ |date=December 7, 2010 }}</ref> In 2012, NAFD was discontinued under that name and rolled into an ongoing partnership with [[Feeding America]].<ref name="feedingamerica">{{citation|url=http://www.lambdachi.cc/in-partnership-with-feeding-america-lambda-chi-alpha-raised-more-than-4-4-million-pounds-of-food/|title=In partnership with Feeding America, Lambda Chi Alpha raises more than 4.4 Million pounds of food in the past year|first=Kyle|last=Jones|date=August 17, 2016|work=Cross & Crescent}}</ref>

In 2017, Lambda Chi Alpha announced a trial partnership with the [[St. Baldrick's Foundation]], a [[Monrovia, California]]-based organization that funds [[childhood cancer]] research. Chapters were encouraged to host or participate in head-shaving events to raise money for the foundation.<ref name="baldricks">{{citation|url=https://www.stbaldricks.org/campaigns/lambdachi|publisher=St. Baldrick's Foundation|title=Lambda Chi Alpha}}</ref>

In 2019, Lambda Chi Alpha announced a partnership with [[The Jed Foundation]], a [[Boston]]-based non-profit organization that seeks to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults. Together, they are launching Lambda Chi Alpha Lifeline, an online mental health resource center tailored from the foundation's ULifeline website, which provides college students with information about emotional health issues and specific resources available to them on their respective campuses. It also offers a confidential mental health self-screening tool.<ref name="jedfoundation">{{citation|url=https://www.jedfoundation.org/lambda-chi-alpha/|publisher=Jed Foundation|title=Lambda Chi Alpha|date=15 February 2019 }}</ref>

In 2020, Lambda Chi Alpha announced its partnership with [[Movember]], an [[Australia]]-based non-profit foundation that raises awareness of men's health issues such as [[prostate cancer]], [[testicular cancer]], and men's [[suicide]]. Movember has recently become a primary philanthropic focus for Lambda Chi Alpha and the fraternity's national administrative office.<ref name="Partnerships">{{Cite web |title=Partnerships |url=https://www.lambdachi.org/about-lambda-chi-alpha/partnership-opportunities/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Lambda Chi Alpha |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, Lambda Chi Alpha announced its partnership with [[American Red Cross]], a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. Lambda Chi Alpha is the first and only fraternity with a partnership with The American Red Cross.<ref name="Partnerships" />

== Chapters ==
{{Main|List of Lambda Chi Alpha chapters}}

As of 2024, Lambda Chi Alpha reported 185 active chapters and associate chapters, representing universities in most U.S. states and three [[Canada|Canadian]] provinces.<ref name="lcachapters" />

=== Chapter naming ===
Lambda Chi Alpha is atypical in its naming scheme. Unlike most fraternities, the order in which chapters are named is not strictly based on the [[Greek alphabet]]. Instead, Lambda Chi Alpha chapters are known as Zetas. As such, for instance, the Alpha-Beta chapter is designated Alpha-Beta Zeta. In addition, since the fraternity's founding, Cole assigned Greek letters to petitioning groups that had not yet been chartered. Not all of these groups were chartered, however. As a result, the first 22 chapters were designated Α, Γ, Ε, Ζ, Ι, Λ, Β, Σ, Φ, Δ, Π, Ο, Μ, Τ, Η, Θ, Υ, Ξ, Χ, Ω, Κ, Ν, Ρ, Ψ. After the 24th chapter, the sequence was continued with a prefix following the same sequence (Α-Α, Α-Γ, Α-Ε, ... Γ-Α, Γ-Γ, Γ-Ε, ... Ε-A, etc.)

When [[Theta Kappa Nu]] merged with Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939, the former Theta Kappa Nu chapters were each given chapter designations prefixed with Θ, Κ, or Ν. The second letter of their chapter name was assigned in the order mentioned above and applied to the chapters in order of their precedence in Theta Kappa Nu. On campuses with chapters of both Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Kappa Nu, the chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha kept its original designation.

A singular exception was the chapter at [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] in [[Atlanta]], ''Β-Κ Zeta'', which was named in recognition of its existence as a chapter of the [[Beta Kappa]], a national fraternity whose other existing chapters merged with [[Theta Chi]] in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambdachi.org/collegiate/resources/files/Ritual_What_and_Why.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529151452/http://www.lambdachi.org/collegiate/resources/files/Ritual_What_and_Why.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Leonard, Edward F., George W. McDaniel, Charles S. Peyser (Eds.) (1987). ''Ritual: What and Why'', p. 28. Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha.|archive-date=May 29, 2008}}</ref>

==Notable members==
{{Main|List of Lambda Chi Alpha members}}
Lambda Chi Alpha has over 300,000 members. 

In 1945, [[Harry S. Truman]], the 33rd [[president of the United States]], was made an honorary initiate of the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at the [[University of Missouri]].<ref name="truman">{{citation|url=https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=DIL19450711.2.7&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------|newspaper=Daily Illini|date=11 July 1945|title=Lambda Chi Alpha Honors President with Membership|access-date=2024-08-15|volume=74|number=194}}</ref><ref name="notable">{{citation|url=https://www.lambdachi.org/alumni/notable-lambda-chis/|title=Notable Alumni|publisher=Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity|access-date=2024-08-15}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
{{Further|Keg in the Closet}}
Lambda Chi Alpha is referenced in the 2005 [[Kenny Chesney]] song "[[Keg in the Closet]]", which includes the lyrics: "This ol' guitar taught me how to score, right there on that Lambda Chi porch, Mary Ann taught me a little more, about wanting what you can't have."<ref>[https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858540108/ "Keg in the Closet"] at Song Meanings</ref> Chesney is a Lambda Chi brother from the Iota-Omicron chapter at [[East Tennessee State University]].

In 2023, the [[University of New Orleans]] chapter was featured in [[Queer_Eye_(2018_TV_series)#Season_7_(2023)|Season Seven, Episode 1]] of the [[Netflix]] series, ''[[Queer Eye (2018 TV series)|Queer Eye]]''.<ref>[https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/what-is-lambda-chi-fraternity-queer-eye-doing-now "What is Lambda Chi Fraternity Queer Eye Doing"] at Bustle Magazine</ref>

=== Smoot ===
{{Main|Smoot}}
[[File:Harvard Bridge Smoot plaque.jpg|thumb|The plaque on [[Harvard Bridge]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] documenting the [[smoot]]]]
[[File:Smoot mark 210, east.jpg|thumb|The [[smoot]] mark on Harvard Bridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
In October 1958, a Lambda Chi pledge at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], [[Oliver R. Smoot]], gained global recognition when his MIT fraternity brothers had him lay down repeatedly on [[Harvard Bridge]] between [[Boston]] and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] while they measured the bridge using his height, which turned out to be 5 feet 7 inches. Smoot's height was defined as one "[[smoot]]", and Harvard Bridge was officially measured as {{convert|364.4|sm|ft m}} smoots long. The measurement is commemorated with a plaque on Harvard Bridge describing the incident. 

In 2009, in remembrance and celebration of the legacy of Smoot, the [[Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro]] chapter contributed to funding the construction of a [[pickleball]] facility in collaboration with the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athletics and Recreation {{!}} PennWest California |url=https://www.pennwest.edu/campuses/california/things-to-do/athletics-rec.php |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.pennwest.edu}}</ref> The addition comprised a total square footage of 46,735.8 smoots (261,720,384.48 sq ft).

In 2011, the word "smoot" and its definition were added to the fifth edition of the ''[[The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language|American Heritage Dictionary]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornish |first=Audie |date=November 13, 2011 |title=Looking Up Words In A Book Not So Strange Yet |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/11/13/142284657/looking-up-words-in-a-book-not-so-strange-yet |access-date=December 10, 2012 |publisher=National Public Radio}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=American Heritage Dictionary entry |url=http://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=smoot&submit.x=47&submit.y=23 |access-date=December 10, 2012 |work=American Heritage Dictionary |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company}}</ref>

== Controversies and allegations of misconduct ==
=== 20th century ===
In October 1958, the fraternity expelled its [[Hamilton College]] chapter in [[Clinton, Oneida County, New York|Clinton, New York]], for insisting on a non-discrimination policy for admitting members. The national fraternity insisted that its members be [[Christianity|Christians]] who were either White or [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]].<ref>{{cite news |date=October 11, 1958 |title=FRATERNITY OUSTS UNIT; Hamilton College Chapter Put Veto on Discrimination |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/11/archives/fraternity-ousts-unit-hamilton-college-chapter-put-veto-on.html |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The expelled chapter reorganized as an independent society called Gryphon, which continued to operate for more than two decades.

In May 1988, James Callahan, an associate at [[Rutgers University]] in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], died of an alcohol overdose from a Lambda Chi Alpha drinking [[hazing]] ritual. Fifteen members of the chapter were indicted for his death.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rangel |first=Jesus |date=May 4, 1988 |title=15 Indicted in Rutgers Hazing Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/04/nyregion/15-indicted-in-rutgers-hazing-death.html |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=B2}}</ref>

===21st century===
In March 2007, Remy Okonkwo, a member at [[Georgetown College]] in [[Georgetown, Kentucky]], was found hanging in the Lambda Chi house on campus. The coroner ruled his death a [[suicide]] but his family alleged foul play was involved.<ref>{{cite news |last=Underwood |first=Josh |date=November 29, 2007 |title=Georgetown College student's suicide confirmed |url=https://www.news-graphic.com/news/georgetown-college-students-suicide-confirmed/article_75db1919-60ed-55b4-8df6-884005c31b29.html |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=Georgetown News-Graphic}}</ref>

In January 2011, the chapter at [[Florida State University]] in [[Tallahassee, Florida]] was suspended after a sorority member whose identical twin sister was dating a Lambda Chi brother shot and killed her inside the house.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff |date=January 9, 2011 |title=2 Shot in Fraternity House at FSU, Student Ashley Cowie Dies |url=https://knightnews.com/2011/01/2-shot-in-fraternity-house-at-fsu-student-ashley-cowie-dies/ |access-date=February 21, 2021 |work=Knight News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Wilhelm takes plea to Florida Supreme Court |url=https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/wilhelm-takes-plea-to-florida-supreme-court,13368 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>

In May 2014, following a yearlong investigation, seven members at the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]] were arrested and charged with using and distributing illegal drugs. Police found [[MDMA]] pills, 40 grams of MDMA powder, [[cocaine]] residue, [[Adderall]] pills, suspected [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]], ''[[cannabis]]'', a large tank of [[nitrous oxide]], and drug paraphernalia in the fraternity house.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schenk |first=Mary |date=May 9, 2014 |title=Seven UI fraternity members arrested after yearlong drug probe |url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-05-09/seven-ui-fraternity-members-arrested-after-yearlong-drug-probe.html |access-date=June 11, 2018 |newspaper=The News-Gazette |language=en}}</ref> As a place to purchase drugs, the fraternity had reportedly gained the nickname "the candy shop", according to ''[[The News-Gazette (Champaign–Urbana)|The News-Gazette]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Toledo |first=Adalberto |date=March 11, 2018 |title=Frats nationwide under a microscope, including at UI |url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-03-11/frats-nationwide-under-microscope-including-ui.html |access-date=June 11, 2018 |newspaper=The News Gazette |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2016, the chapter at [[Southern Methodist University]] in [[University Park, Texas]] was placed on a five-year suspension for hazing and code of conduct violations. In 2009, the fraternity was previously suspended for similar infractions, which led to the expulsion of 35 out of its 92 members.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hacker |first=Holly K. |date=March 21, 2016 |title=SMU fraternity gets shut down, but no one's saying exactly why |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2016/03/22/smu-fraternity-gets-shut-down-but-no-one-s-saying-exactly-why/ |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]]}}</ref>

In May 2016, the fraternity's national office suspended the chapter at the [[University of Oregon]] in [[Eugene, Oregon]] after a photo of a Lambda Chi Alpha cooler decorated with the phrase, "Do you wanna do some [[Cocaine|blow]] man?" went viral on the Internet. The cooler was discovered along with a half-mile wide swath of trash left behind at [[Shasta Lake]] in [[Northern California]], where an estimated 1,000 students had docked houseboats over the weekend.<ref name="ktla">{{cite web |date=May 24, 2016 |title=University of Oregon Frat's Massive Party Leaves Lake Shasta Island Trashed |url=http://ktla.com/2016/05/24/photos-show-wreckage-of-oregon-frats-massive-party-at-lake-shasta/ |publisher=Tribune Media Wire}}</ref>

In August 2016, Colson Machlitt, a football player at [[Georgetown College]] in [[Georgetown, Kentucky]], died after allegedly jumping down a flight of stairs at the fraternity. Alcohol was suspected to be involved in his death.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kocher |first=Greg |date=August 22, 2016 |title=Football player dies after jump at fraternity house |url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/scott-county/article97194627.html |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]}}</ref>

In January 2017, the [[Indiana University-Bloomington]] chapter in [[Bloomington, Indiana]], was placed under a two-year suspension after an associate member reported hazing activities occurring in the chapter house to the university, which allegedly included brutal physical exercise, liquor hazing, and the act of capping were mentioned in the report. In response, the fraternity's national office removed over 100 members, who were able to fully recolonize in fall 2021.

In April 2018, the chapter at [[California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo|Cal Poly SLO]] in [[San Luis Obispo, California]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haag |first=Matthew |date=2018-04-11 |title=Blackface Leads to Fraternity Suspension at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/us/blackface-fraternity-cal-poly.html |access-date=2023-02-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> was placed on interim suspension after social media images surfaced depicting members dressed up as gang members with one wearing [[blackface]] during the school's multicultural celebration weekend.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haag |first=Matthew |date=April 11, 2018 |title=Blackface Leads to Fraternity Suspension at Cal Poly |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/us/blackface-fraternity-cal-poly.html |access-date=April 12, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In August 2018, the chapter at [[Butler University]] in [[Indianapolis]] was suspended by the school, which did not cite a specific reason for the suspension. ''[[The Indianapolis Star]]'' reported that alcohol violations played a part. The university said it would not consider reinstating the chapter until 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryckaert |first=Vic |date=August 27, 2018 |title=Woman sues Butler and a former fraternity after saying she was raped on campus in 2016 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/08/27/woman-claims-she-raped-butler-university-frat-house/1085721002/ |access-date=February 21, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Star}}</ref> Following the suspension, a woman filed a civil rights complaint against the university, saying that it grossly mishandled her allegation that she was [[Rape|raped]] by a member of the fraternity during a fraternity party. The fraternity member had previously been accused of sexual misconduct by another student.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wang |first=Stephanie |title='I am beyond angry': Ex-Butler student says school mishandled her rape allegation |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/01/29/am-beyond-angry-ex-butler-student-says-school-mishandled-her-rape-allegation/1048160001/ |access-date=June 11, 2018 |work=Indianapolis Star |language=en |issue=January 29, 2018}}</ref>

In September 2020, the [[University of Georgia]] chapter in [[Athens, Georgia]], was suspended after racist and other insensitive text messages between members were exposed by a fellow student on [[X|Twitter]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pietsch |first=Bryan |date=September 22, 2020 |title=Fraternity at University of Georgia Is Suspended After Racist Messages Are Exposed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/us/fraternity-university-of-georgia-suspended-racist.html |access-date=February 21, 2021 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

In January 2024, the [[West Virginia University]] chapter in [[Morgantown, West Virginia]] was placed on an interim suspension following allegations of permitting and facilitating underage alcohol consumption.<ref>"[https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/01/23/wvu-fraternity-placed-on-interim-suspension-following-alleged-underage-alcohol-infractions WVU fraternity placed on interim suspension following alleged underage alcohol infractions]," ''WVU Today'', January 23, 2024</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of Lambda Chi Alpha brothers]]
* [[List of Lambda Chi Alpha chapters]]

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote|Lambda Chi Alpha}}
* [https://www.lambdachi.org/ Official website]
* [https://lambdachifoundation.org/ Lambda Chi Foundation official website]

{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}
{{North American Interfraternity Conference}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lambda Chi Alpha| ]]
[[Category:1909 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:North American Interfraternity Conference]]
[[Category:Carmel, Indiana]]
[[Category:Fraternities and sororities in Canada]]
[[Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States]]
[[Category:International student societies]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Indiana]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1909]]