| Phi Alpha Chi | |
|---|---|
| ΦΑΧ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 4, 1925 (1925-12-04) 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
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
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
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
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (November 23, 2025) "Phi Alpha Chi". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed December 29, 2025.
- ^ 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 Hathi Trust.
- ^ "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 Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (November 23, 2025) "Sigma Phi Beta". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed December 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Glomeratas [yearbook]. Vol. 31. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Polytechnic Institute. 1928. p. 321 – via Auburn University Libraries.
- ^ Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1929. pp. 341. via Hathi Trust.
