Lambda Omega (ΛΩ) was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from October 31, 1915 until 1933.
| Lambda Omega | |
|---|---|
| ΛΩ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 21, 1915 University of California, Berkeley |
| Type | Social |
| Former Affiliation | NPC |
| Status | Merged |
| Merge Date | September 1933 |
| Successor | Theta Upsilon |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | I Will Be Worthy |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Violet and Green |
| Symbol | Pharetra, Torch |
| Flower | Wood violet |
| Jewel | Amethyst |
| Patron Greek divinity | Artemis |
| Publication | The Pharetra (1925) The Norroena (esoteric, 1925) |
| Chapters | 10 |
| Members | 1,000 lifetime |
| Headquarters | United States |
History
editThe Norroena Club was founded in 1915 on the campus of University of California, Berkeley. The sorority remained a local for seven years. The name meant "Breath of the North". The ritual combined a Native American legend with a Norse motif. The motif emphasized the hardihood, hospitality, economy, and friendship of the Norse (Miner, p. 180).
In 1923, the name changed to Lambda Omega. Baird's 20th ed. notes that Lambda Omega's founding date was May 5, 1923 to coincide with this name change, and marked the decision to expand nationally. Expansion began immediately. By 1931, eight collegiate chapters had been chartered, with a total membership of 500. The sorority was granted associate membership in the National Panhellenic Conference (Martin, p. 70.)[1][2]
In April 1932, it absorbed Alpha Sigma Delta, a four chapter sorority. (Miner, p. 180) In September 1933, Lambda Omega was absorbed by Theta Upsilon (Miner, p. 180). In turn, Theta Upsilon merged into Delta Zeta in 1962.[1] (Miner, p. 181).
Symbols
edit- Open Motto- I Will Be Worthy
- Pledge pin- Silver pharetra
- Member pin- Monogram of sorority letters
- Colors- Violet and green
- Flower- Wood violet
- Jewel- Amethyst
- Symbols- Pharetra, Torch
- Patron- Artemis
- Publications- The Pharetra (1925) The Norroena (esoteric, 1925)
(Martin, p. 70) [1]
Chapters
editChapters of Lambda Omega as of 1933 and the merger with ΘΥ were as follows. Active chapters at the merger are noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics.[1]
| Name | Chartered | Institution | Location | Status | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | May 5, 1923–September 1933 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | Merged | Merged into the Alpha chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 Originated as the Norroena Club in October 31, 1915 Changed name in 1923 and began expansion. |
[3] |
| Beta | 1923–September 1933 | University of Illinois | Urbana, Illinois | Merged | Merged into the Gamma chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 |
[4][5] |
| Gamma | 1924–September 1933 | Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio | Merged | Merged into the Delta chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 | [6] |
| Delta | 1925–September 1933 | Ohio University | Athens, Ohio | Merged | Merged into the Kappa chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 | [7] |
| Epsilon | 1927–September 1933 | Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois | Merged | Became the Epsilon Alpha chapter of ΘΥ. | [8] |
| Zeta | 1928–September 1933 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California | Merged | Merged into the Omicron chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 | [9] |
| Eta | 1929–September 1933 | University of Washington | Seattle, Washington | Merged | Merged into the Rho chapter of ΘΥ in September 1933 | [10] |
| Theta | 1930–September 1933 | University of Denver | Denver, Colorado | Merged | Became the Zeta Alpha chapter of ΘΥ. | [11] |
| Iota | April 1932–September 1933 | Colby College | Waterville, Maine | Merged | Became the Theta Alpha chapter of ΘΥ. From ΑΣΔ. |
[1]: VIII-30 and 32–33 |
| Kappa | April 1932–September 1933 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, Utah | Merged | Became the Eta Alpha chapter of ΘΥ. From ΑΣΔ. |
[1]: VIII-30 and 32–33 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VIII-32–33. ISBN 978-0963715906.
- ^ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), page listing both Lambda Omega and Alpha Sigma Delta chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 24 Nov 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
- ^ Absorbed Alpha chapter of Alpha Sigma Delta (originally the Iaqua Club of 1919) in April 1932.
- ^ Began as Beta Phi Epsilon (local) in 1922.
- ^ Absorbed a chapter of Alpha Sigma Delta when that small sorority merged into ΛΩ in April 1932.
- ^ Began as Sigma Sigma Gamma (local) in 1923.
- ^ Began as Sigma Beta Upsilon (local) in 1924.
- ^ Began as a colony of Lambda Omega.
- ^ Began as Phi Delta Zeta (local) in 1927.
- ^ Began as Delta Omicron Chi (local) in 1923.
- ^ Began as a colony of Lambda Omega in 1929.
- Martin, Ida Shaw (1931). The Sorority Handbook, 11th edition. Published by Ida Shaw Martin, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Miner, Florence Hood (1983). Delta Zeta Sorority 1902- 1982: Building on Yesterday, Reaching for Tomorrow. Published by Delta Zeta Sorority, Compolith Graphics and Maury Boyd and Associates, Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana.