From new members to house fires, 100 years has brought a lot of changes to the Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Baker.

To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the sorority, a celebration was held on campus during the annual Stag event in May. More than 300 alumnae returned to campus to celebrate the chapter’s existence; even the president of the national Alpha Chi Omega sorority attended the chapter’s dedication ceremony.

“I’m extremely honored that so many alums came back to celebrate this honor with us,” Alpha Chi Omega President Darcey Nance said.

Last week, sorority members took part in combined community service projects that totaled 100 hours.

A tree planting ceremony was held Sept. 17 to honor the day Alpha Chi Omega became a recognized greek organization at Baker.

“It’s inspiring that what women started 100 years ago is still going strong,” Nance said.

The Alpha Chi Omega sorority, which was formed from the literary society Nu Alpha, was established at Baker on Sept. 17, 1908.

The sorority’s first house was located at 604 Ninth St. A house fire in 1923 destroyed this structure. Another major house fire occurred March 2, 1949; this fire forced the sorority to move to its current house located at Eighth and Dearborn streets on Feb. 17, 1950.

Throughout the last 100 years, many changes have occurred to the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, but some things will never change.

Terri Blake, senior associate director of admissions, transferred to Baker her sophomore year of college and was considered a social member of Alpha Chi Omega because she had pledged another sorority, Delta Gamma, at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

“They accepted me; I lived in the house and I did everything but go to meetings,” Blake said. “I so consider myself an Alpha Chi. I truly feel like I was an Alpha Chi.”  

Blake lived in the chapter’s house from 1980 to 1983 and fondly remembers the friendships she made and her experiences at the sorority.

“I have lots of memories of running down the hallway, and I have great memories of fun, non-harmful pranks,” Blake said. “There’s a strong bond with your sisters; you may not have seen someone for 10 or 20 years, but when you talk to them, it seems like you talked with them last week.”

Assistant Director of Development Lindsay Vise said being a member of Alpha Chi Omega at Baker from 1999 to 2003 was one of the best experiences of her life and one that helped shape her future.

“Being a member of Alpha Chi Omega prepared me for the real world better than anything else,” Vise said. “You learn to get along with lots of different people, and the experience as a member creates leaders and brings out the best in you.”

Even after becoming an alumna, Vise sees the continuity of the sorority and its standards.

“It’s so impressive that even after you graduate, there are some things that remain the same,” Vise said. “The important values are still there: sisterhood, academics and philanthropy.”

Blake said the sorority holds strong traditions and plays an important role in campus life as well as in the community. Nance said she is proud of her sorority and its members.

“All the girls strive to be the best we can be,” Nance said. “We have a very bright future ahead of us.”

Vise said she “feels so great” that Alpha Chi Omega has been in existence for 100 consecutive years at Baker.

“The chapter is so fortunate to have such great women,” Vise said. “There’s no doubt (Alpha Chi Omega) will be here another 100 years.”