NATIONAL HISTORY: Lambda Chi Alpha (ΛΧΑ) is one of the largest men’s secret fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a student at Boston University, on November 2, 1909. The youngest of the fifteen largest social fraternities, Lambda Chi Alpha has initiated the third highest number of men EVER, based on NIC statistics. Lambda Chi’s National Headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lambda Chi Alpha seeks to promote higher education by providing opportunities for academic achievement and leadership. Its open mottos are Vir Quisque Vir (Latin) Every Man a Man; Per Crucem Crescens (Latin) Crescent in the Cross; and Χαλεπα Τα Καλα (Greek) Naught Without Labor. Its members are referred to as “Lambda Chis”.
Lambda Chi Alpha was the first fraternity to eliminate pledging and remains a leader in the fight against hazing, alcohol abuse, and other challenges facing today’s college student.
Some of our famous alumni include president Harry S Truman, current presidential candidate Ron Paul, actors Powers Booth and Chris Klein, country music singer Kenny Chesney, radio personality Paul Harvey, ESPN personality Woody Paige, ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, and basketball coach Rick Pitino.
ABOUT SIGMA-TAU ZETA: The men of our chapter work to achieve brotherhood everyday. Brotherhood is the key ideal of our fraternity. By working, playing, and living together everyday, we come to be like true brothers. We aim to bring together in our chapter a group of young men who will be congenial, loyal, and helpful to one another during their college years. Lambda Chi Alpha offers its members the nearest possible equivalent to home that can be found on the college campus, and these close ties often bind men in friendship for life. We were officially founded on February 14, 1975. We’ve been in our third home, located at 404 Fraternity Circle, since 2010. In Greek Week, we finished third in 2009, second in 2010, and first in 2011.. We hope to defend our championship in 2012! At Lambda Chi Alpha, we take pride in our campus and community involvement and aspire to bring in new brothers who hold the same ideals.
SOCIAL LIFE: As a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, you will never experience a dull moment while at Troy. With date parties, formals, and band parties filling up the calendar, you’re sure to have the time of your life. Oh, and we forgot to mention tailgating at Troy University football games!! Last year, our chapter welcomed both country music star Rhett Akins and hip-hop artists The Ying Yang Twins to Troy for band parties!! If you weren’t there, we hate you missed out, but the fun begins again in August.
PHILANTHROPY: On November 6, 1993, Lambda Chi Alpha began a philanthropy project that has collected more than 27 million pounds of food for the needy across North America. Called the North American Food Drive, this annual event has become the largest single-day philanthropic project sponsored by a collegiate organization. Its success is so impressive that Lambda Chi Alpha became the first fraternity to receive the Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives in 1995, an award presented annually to associations and companies nationwide as part of its Associations Advance America Awards Program. Lambda Chi Alpha won its second Advance America award in 2005.
The Food Drive began as the “Pantry Raid” at Millsaps College in the early 1980s. Though the “Pantry Raid” was not the only food drive in Lambda Chi Alpha at the time, the general fraternity used it as a model for a fraternity wide philanthropy. The fraternity chose “Brothers Feeding Others” as its theme and began promoting a one day food drive. Though the initial goal for the first food drive was 100,000 pounds, it was far surpassed. 256,416 pounds of food were collected and donated to needy food banks. The philanthropy has continued to expand and grow yearly. The fraternity collected over 1 million pounds for the first time in 1997 and had its first 2 million pound year in 1999. In 2005 over 3 million pounds of food were collected.
The North American Food Drive touches the lives of more and more community members each year. With an increased effort in helping those who are less fortunate, brothers continue to uphold the ideals of the Fraternity for all to see by making a difference for the needy in your community.
In 2010, during our philanthropy week known as Watermelon Bust, our chapter alone collected more than 1,500 pounds of food for the Pike County Food Bank.
Watermelon Bust is a week-long event held by the brothers of Lambda Chi that usually features three bands and a day of watermelon fun with the sororities at the end of the week. Last year, the brothers of Lambda Chi welcomed the Ying Yang Twins to Troy to celebrate a successful week of food and fund raising.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: In Lambda Chi Alpha, we strive to uphold our core values by giving back to the community every way we can. The chapter participates in several community service projects in the Troy and Pike County area yearly including our philanthropy event in the spring. Whether it’s building fences at McClelland’s Critters or reading to children, giving back to the community is paramount to our chapter’s success.
OUR NEW HOUSE: Our new two-story house, which opened in August 2010, is situated next to last on Troy’s new Fraternity Circle. The house includes free high-speed WiFi internet, two washers and two dryers for house residents, a 60″ HD television, two brand new gas grills, and the most luxurious brothers’ room at Troy, which is kept off-limits except for special occasions. Starting in Fall 2011, our alumni will take part in a one-of-a-kind scholarship program for those living in the house through which hundreds of dollars will be rewarded to our brothers who excel academically. We take pride in our home and hope you will too! Spots are filling up fast so get yours today! Contact house manager Michael Randall at 205-602-8695 for more details.
SPECIAL THANKS: Mrs. Sara Jo Burks has been our house mother for over a decade. Without her, our fraternity surely wouldn’t be as successful as it has been. Whenever we need someone to turn to for advice, she is always there. She cooks awesome meals for the chapter througout the year, and bakes some cakes that can’t be beat!
Emily Evans, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, is our current Crescent Girl. The former Troy cheerleader is one of the most respected women in the Greek community, holding the position of Vice President of Scholarship for her sorority. If we ever need anything, Emily is always just a quick call away, and we are blessed to call her our Crescent Girl.
