Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Acacia Fraternity

 
Wikipedia: Acacia Fraternity
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Question book-new.svg
 This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2007)
Acacia Fraternity
({{{letters}}})
The Crest of Acacia Fraternity
Founded May 12, 1904 (1904-05-12) (105 years ago)
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Type Social
Scope International
Motto ΩΦΕΛΟΥΝΤΕΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥΣ
– "Human Service"
Colors Black and Old Gold
Symbol 3-4-5 right triangle of the first quadrant
Flower Acacia flower
Chapters 37 in USA, 2 in Canada, 4 colonies
Headquarters 8777 Purdue Road, Suite 225
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Homepage http://www.acacia.org

Acacia Fraternity is a Greek social fraternity originally based out of Masonic tradition. At its founding in 1904, membership was originally restricted to those who had taken the Masonic obligations, and the organization was built on those ideals and principles. Within one year, four other Masonic clubs received Acacia charters, which led to a rapid expansion in the following years.[1] Today the bonds with the Free and Accepted Masons vary amongst Acacia chapters, for some the tie is more distant and informal while others work closely with their local Masonic lodge(s). Acacia distinguishes itself from other fraternities by being one of three (inter)national fraternities that uses a word instead of Greek letters; Acacia is the only (inter)national fraternity to have a Greek word rather than Greek letters as its name. Greek does not contain the letter "c"; however, so the proper Greek spelling of the name is Ακακια. Acacia was one of the charter members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference in 1909. Acacia's fundamental principles are scholarship, leadership, brotherhood and human service/philanthropy.[2]

Contents

General history

Acacia Fraternity was founded on May 12, 1904 by a group of 14 Freemasons attending the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. 13 of the founders were Christians and one was Jewish. The first chapter was designated the Aleph(א) chapter. Subsequent chapters of Acacia were designated by Hebrew letters until 1913 when this system was replaced by naming each chapter by the school in which it resides (e.g., the Acacia chapter at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designated the Rensselaer Chapter of The Acacia Fraternity). Likewise, the Chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia has historically been called the Mem chapter, 13 in Hebrew respectively, but is more commonly referred to as the Missouri Chapter. Acacia Fraternity became International in 1988 at the 45th Conclave with the petitioning of two Canadian chapters the University of Western Ontario Chapter and the Carleton University Chapter. The Acacia flag was adopted in 1950. It consists of a vertical triband of gold-black-gold with the fraternity arms on the center (or on a fess cotised sable three right triangles of the field) and the name in gold Old English lettering in an arc at the top.[3]

Wiki letter w.svg This section requires expansion.

Founding members

The founding members of the Acacia Fraternity are:

James M. Cooper, Benjamin E. DeRoy, Edward E. Gallup, Jared W. Hawkins, Clarence G. Hill, Harvey J. Howard, George A. Malcolm, William J. Marshall, Ernest R. Ringo, Harlan P. Rowe, Ralph B. Scatterday, Charles A. Sink, Harry B. Washburn, Walter S. Wheeler

The 14 Founding Fathers

Symbolism

Symbolism is very important in any fraternity, and Acacia is no different. The main symbol and representation of Acacia occurs within a 3-4-5 (base-altitude-hypotenuse) right triangle of the first quadrant. This triangle holds very special significance to the fraternity and its members. Unless specified otherwise, whenever a triangle is mentioned in this article, a 3-4-5 right triangle of the first quadrant is what is meant.

The present Acacia badge is a right triangle of the first quadrant whose sides are of the proportions 3, 4, 5, with the shortest side being the base. The sides are set with twelve pearls—three on the base, four on the altitude, and five on the hypotenuse. The corners are set with garnets. Within the triangle are three small right triangles of the same proportion, outlined in gold on a black enamel background. The badge of Acacia as it appears today was adopted at the second Grand Council of Acacia, which was held on December 6, 1913.

The crest of Acacia, shown above, depicts a three taper candelabrum surrounded by a wreath of Acacia. Below the candelabrum is a shield of old gold with two bands of black surrounding a thicker band of black. In this thicker band of black there reside three 3-4-5 right triangles. Below the shield is a blue ribbon holding the motto of the fraternity in Greek: ΩΦΕΛΟΥΝΤΕΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥΣ, which means "Human Service" or "In Service of Humanity".

International Operations

Acacia Fraternity's International Council[1] serves as the organization's supreme executive and judicial body. It is composed of eight officers: six alumni and two undergraduates. Alumni officers' terms run four years, while undergraduate counselors' terms are two years in length.

The Acacia Fraternity Foundation (AFF)[2], founded in 1989, is Acacia Fraternity's non-profit educational foundation. A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the AFF exists to provide scholarships to student Acacians and to support the worthy educational and leadership activities of the fraternity.

International Events

In even numbered years, a selected chapter of The Acacia Fraternity hosts the biennial conclave, forming the legislative body of the fraternity. Each chapter in good standing is allowed two votes (usually the Venerable Dean and Chapter Advisor). In odd numbered years, Acacia's Indiana Chapter hosts the Acacia Leadership Academy (ALA).

Chapter Operations

The leadership of each chapter of Acacia is composed of at least five major officers: the Venerable Dean, Senior Dean, Junior Dean, Treasurer, and Secretary. Most chapters also include in some capacity a Director of Service and Philanthropy, Director(s) of Recruitment, and Risk Manager. The Venerable Dean is often referred to out of the house as the president of the chapter and performs such duties as running meetings and overseeing general house operations. The Senior Dean acts as the vice president of the chapter, stepping in for the Venerable Dean in his absence. In most cases, the Senior Dean is also the pledge educator. The Junior Dean is in charge of all socials including brotherhood events, formals, and mixers. The other two officers perform such functions as are normal for their positions. Some chapters assign additional responsibilities to various officers, so there may be slight variations from chapter to chapter.

Notable Acacians

Politics & Government

Sports

  • Chester L Brewer, Missouri 1911 - Past head football coach at both Missouri and Michigan State, past Athletic Director of Missouri
  • Thomas E Jones, Wisconsin 1913 - Hall of Fame Track Coach
  • John L Griffith, Illinois 1921 - Past Commissioner of what is now the Big Ten Conference
  • Edwin Weir, Nebraska 1925 - Hall of Fame college football player
  • Addison 'Kayo' Exum Warren, North Carolina 1927 - Professional and Collegiate Boxer
  • Jack Van Bebber, Oklahoma State 1931 - Olympic wrestler
  • Calvin Griffith, George Washington 1935 - Owner of Washington Senators/ Minnesota Twins
  • Arthur L Valpey, Michigan 1936 - Head football coach of Harvard and UConn
  • Thomas “Tommy” James, Ohio State 1942 - Professional football player, Cleavland Browns
  • Dee Andros, Oklahoma 1948 - Head football coach and athletic director, Oregon State
  • Gene Conley, Washington State 1949 - Professional Baseball Player and Basketball Player
  • Roger Nelson, Oklahoma 1951 - Canadian Football Hall of Fame
  • Richard ‘Dick’ Farley, Indiana 1951 - Star IU Basketball player for the 1953 National Championship team, NBA player
  • David 'Wes' Santee, Kansas 1952 - Olympic runner
  • Clive A Follmer, Illinois 1953 - 1953 Big 10 Athlete of the Year, professional baseball player
  • Frank Allen Indiana 1956 - Former IU Athletic Director
  • Paul Coward, Purdue 1956 - All-America soccer player
  • Ron Fairly, USC 1957 - Professional baseball player and broadcaster
  • Tony Crosby Texas 1963 - Star Kicker/Halfback for UT's 1963 National Championship football team
  • Pat Jones Oklahoma State - Head Football Coach at Oklahoma State, Assistant Coach of Miami Dolphins
  • Gary Patterson Kansas State 1980 - Head Football Coach, TCU (Current)

Business

  • Herbert A Kern, Minnesota 1914 - Founder Chicago Chemical Company, later changed to Nalco
  • Lewis H Wentz, Oklahoma 1927 - Oil businessman
  • J. Dennis Bassett, Kansas State 1956 - President, Worldwide Poultry/ Cargill Co.
  • Robert Pfahl, Cornell 1958 - VP of iNEML, recipient of Electronic Goes Green Award
  • Edgar H Grubb, Penn State 1959 - Executive VP and CFO, Transamerica Corp.
  • Leonard ‘Lee’ Kearney, Oregon State 1959 - Senior Executive, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Construction
  • Robert Forney, Indiana 1960 - Former President of Chicago Stock Exchange, current President Global Foodbank Network
  • David Baum, Indiana 1961 - President, SSI Technologies Inc.
  • Dennis Chookaszian, Northwestern 1962 - Chairman & CEO, CAN Insurance Companies
  • Kriss Cloninger III, Texas 1966 - President & CEO, Aflac
  • John F Hoffner, Purdue 1966 - Executive VP and CFO, Jack in the Box Inc.
  • Edward S Knight, Texas 1971 - Executive VP & General Counsel, NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
  • William H Strong, Purdue 1971 - Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley
  • Andy Westlund, Oregon State 1971 - VP of Global Logistics, Amazon.com
  • Ronald Kase, Purdue 1978 - Venture capitalist, NEA

Higher Education

  • Roscoe Pound, Nebraska 1905, Harvard 1913 - Educator, Bushnell Hall at KSU dedicated in his name
  • Albert B Storms, Iowa State 1909 - President, Iowa State University
  • Walter Williams, Missouri 1909 - President, University of Missouri; founder of Missouri School of Journalism
  • Arthur Simeon Watts, Ohio State 1911 - Educator, Watts Hall dedicated in his name at Ohio State
  • Leland David Bushnell, Kansas State 1913 - Educator, Bushnell Hall at KSU dedicated in his name
  • Audrey A Potter, Kansas State 1920 - Educator in field of engineering, buildings dedicated in his name at Purdue and Purdue-Calumet
  • Ernest H Hahne, Nebraska 1921 - Past President of Miami University (Ohio), Hahne Hall dedicated in his name
  • Bland L Stradley, Ohio State 1921 - Educator, Stradley Hall is dedicated to his name at Ohio State
  • Raymond A Pearson, Iowa State 1924 - President, Iowa State University
  • Stratton D Brooks, Missouri 1925 - President of University of Oklahoma (1912) and University of Missouri (1923)
  • Samuel Justus McKinley, Harvard 1928 - Past President of Emerson College, Boston
  • Burton W Gorman, Indiana 1930 - Educator, Burton W Gorman Teaching Award is dedicated in his name
  • William L Henning, Wisconsin 1931 - Educator, Henning Building dedicated in his name at Penn State
  • Charles E MacQuigg, Cornell 1935 - Educator, MacQuigg Hall dedicated in his name at Ohio State
  • Robert E Vivian, USC 1947 - Educator, Vivian Hall dedicated in his name at USC
  • Claude R Sowle, Northwestern 1947 - Past President of Ohio University
  • L. Dennis Smith, Indiana 1956 - President Emeritus, University of Nebraska
  • Ken Schwab, Purdue 1966 - President, Centenary College

Science

Arts & Entertainment

Miscellaneous or Multiple

Chapter listing

See List of Acacia chapters

Notes & References

  1. ^ "Acacia Fraternity (U.S.)". http://www.uiowa.edu/~acacia/about.html. 
  2. ^ "History of the Acacia Fraternity at Cornell". http://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/3349. 
  3. ^ McMillan, Joe (2008-06-07). "Acacia Fraternity (U.S.)". http://flagspot.net/flags/us_acaci.html. Retrieved 2009-05-06. 

External links

v • d • e
North-American Interfraternity Conference

Acacia • Alpha Gamma Rho • Alpha Gamma Sigma • Alpha Delta Gamma • Alpha Delta Phi • Alpha Epsilon Pi • Alpha Kappa Lambda • Alpha Sigma Phi • Alpha Tau Omega • Alpha Phi Alpha • Alpha Phi Delta • Alpha Chi Rho • Beta Sigma Psi • Beta Theta Pi • Beta Chi Theta • Delta Kappa Epsilon • Delta Sigma Phi • Delta Tau Delta • Delta Upsilon • Delta Phi • Delta Chi • Delta Psi • FarmHouse • Zeta Beta Tau • Zeta Psi • Theta Delta Chi • Theta Xi • Theta Chi • Iota Nu Delta • Iota Phi Theta • Kappa Alpha Order • Kappa Alpha Psi • Kappa Alpha Society • Kappa Delta Rho • Kappa Delta Phi • Lambda Theta Phi • Lambda Sigma Upsilon • Lambda Phi Epsilon • Lambda Chi Alpha • Pi Kappa Alpha • Pi Kappa Phi • Pi Lambda Phi • Sigma Alpha Epsilon • Sigma Alpha Mu • Sigma Lambda Beta • Sigma Nu • Sigma Pi • Sigma Tau Gamma • Sigma Phi Delta • Sigma Phi Epsilon • Sigma Phi Society • Sigma Chi • Tau Delta Phi • Tau Epsilon Phi • Tau Kappa Epsilon • Triangle • Phi Gamma Delta • Phi Iota Alpha • Phi Kappa Theta • Phi Kappa Sigma • Phi Kappa Tau • Phi Kappa Psi • Phi Lambda Chi • Phi Mu Delta • Phi Sigma Kappa • Phi Sigma Phi • Chi Phi • Chi Psi • Psi Upsilon • Omega Delta Phi

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Search unanswered questions...

Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Acacia Fraternity".  Read more