Chi Zeta Chi (ΧΖΧ) was an American medical fraternity that was established at the University of Georgia (now Medical College of Georgia) in 1903.[1] It merged with Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity in 1929.[2]
History
Chi Zeta Chi was established by Dr. Jesse Ainsley Griffin at the Medical Department of the University of Georgia on October 4, 1903.[1][3] Griffin was a medical doctor in Augusta, Georgia who believed the southern medical schools needed a "high class fraternity".[4] Membership was limited to white males who had completed the first year of medical school.[1] The founding members were:[3][5]
With the assistance of Battey, Griffin expanded the fraternity to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and the New York Polyclinic Medical College.[4] The fraternity held its first conference in Atlanta in April 1905 with delegates from the first six chapters.[3] Later that year, Phi Beta Phi medical fraternity offered to absorb Chi Zeta Chi; the latter declined the offer.[3]
Originally, Chi Zeta Chi named its chapters after a distinguished physician related to the chapter's host institution.[1] However, the fraternity adopted a new naming system based on the Greek alphabet at its third annual convention on January 8, 1909.[3]
The fraternity was overseen by a Supreme Council and its designated Grand Council.[4] It also had a regent for each state which it called a province.[4]
By 1927, the fraternity had installed 27 collegiate chapters; however, eight were defunct because their host institution closed and seven were inactive.[1] On April 6, 1929, in Cincinnati, Chi Zeta Chi signed an agreement to merge into Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity.
Symbols
The letters ΧΖΧ in the fraternity's name stood for Chrisanthenes Zono Chrismon or "Seeking Knowledge Our Highest Pursuit".[7]
The fraternity's colors were gold and purple.[8] Its flower was the white carnation.[8] The fraternity's badge consisted of two triangles superimposed on each other to create a six-pointed star.[8] The lower triangle was base up and gold, with the Greek letter Χ in the upper two corners and Ζ in the lower corner, in black enamel. The upper triangle was base down and had a black enamel background that had an inlaid gold skull and crossbones above the Greek word iatros, meaning physician.[8] The top triangle has a border of pearls and amethyst or ruby in each corner.[9]
Chi Zeta Chi also had a grand chapter badge which was a solid gold key engraved with the fraternity's coat of arms on a square flare.[8] Its pledge pin was a round purple plaque made of celluloid that featured two hollow triangles, like those of the badge, outlined in gold.[8] The fraternity also had an identification badge that was a replica of the coat of arms in bronze.[8]
Chapters
Collegiate chapters
Following are the chapters of Chi Zeta Chi.[1][3] Inactive chapters at the time of the merger, and inactive institutions are indicated in italics.
^This chapter organized in 1902, becoming the first fraternity of the medical school. In 1929, it became the Chi Alpha chapter of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^Delta chapter consolidated with Zeta in 1913 and Rho in 1915. In 1929, it became the Chi Gamma chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^ abcKappa and Epsilon combined in 1915 as the new Alpha Alpha chapter when the Atlanta School of Medicine merged with the Atlanta College of P & S to form the Medical Department at Emory University.
^This chapter was originally called the W. F. Westmoreland Sr. chapter but was changed to the Robert Battey chapter. Later, it became the Epsilon chapter.
^ abChapter consolidated with Delta chapter when the Baltimore Medical College merged with the University of Maryland.
^Chapter officially ended when South Carolina passed an anti-fraternity law. It did operate sub-rosa for a time but was not recognized by the fraternity's Supreme Council. Later, it became the Chi Delta chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^ abPhi chapter consolidated with Lambda chapter when Lincoln Memorial University merged with the University of Tennessee in 1914.
^The chapter originated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons which was absorbed by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis in 1911. In 1929, it became the Chi Epsilon' chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^In 1929, this chapter merged with the Delta Omicron Alpha chapter of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^In 1929, it became the Chi Zeta chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^Chapter was formed at the Marion Sims-Beaumont Medical College which became the Medical Department at St. Louis University. In 1929, it became the Chi Eta chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^In 1929, this chapter merged with the Alpha Delta chapter of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^This chapter was organized but went defunct before it was chartered when the University of Southern California Medical School merged with the University of California Medical School. As a result, it was given an intercalary name instead of the planned Rho prime or Beta Rho.
^In 1929, this chapter merged with the 'Rho chapter of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^Chapter went dormant when Fordham closed its medical department.
^In 1929, this chapter merged with the Upsilon chapter of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^In 1929, Alpha Alpha chapter became the Chi Beta chapter" of Phi Rho Sigma with the national merger of the two fraternities.
^After the merger of Chi Zeta Chi with Phi Rho Sigma in 1929, the latter had a Chi Theta chapter at Wake Forest University, indicating that this chapter existed. However, its name and documentation still need to be verified.
Alumni chapters
Following is a list of Chi Zeta Chi alumni chapters:[13][14]
^Toomey, Thomas Noxon (1923). "Alumni Chapters". The Chi Zeta Chi Medical Fraternity "national" A Retrospect and a Prospect: An Official Document. St. Louis: Chi Zeta Chi Fraternity. p. 17-18. – via Google Books.
Former and formerly active members of the Professional Fraternity Association or its predecessors: Professional Panhellenic Association or Professional Interfraternity Conference