# Omega Xi Alpha

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{{Short description|Journalism fraternity in California (1928)}}
{{Infobox fraternity
| name = Omega Xi Alpha
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΩΞΑ}}
| birthplace = [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California)
| founded = {{start date and age|1927|01|14}}<!--The reference notes this occurred in "mid-January of the previous year, that article having been printed in November of 1918. So, January 14th is correct within a couple of days.-->
|affiliation = Independent
| status = Merged
| merge_date = {{dts|1929|9}}
| successor = [Alpha Phi Gamma](/source/Alpha_Phi_Gamma_(honor_society))
| type = Honor
| scope = Regional
| emphasis = [Journalism](/source/Journalism)
| chapters = 7
| colors = {{color box|#000000}} [Black](/source/Black) and {{color box|#D4AF37}} [Gold](/source/Gold_(color))
| state = [California](/source/California)
| country = United States
}}
'''Omega Xi Alpha''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΩΞΑ}}''') was a regional honorary journalism fraternity that was established in 1927 in California, United States. It merged with [Alpha Phi Gamma](/source/Alpha_Phi_Gamma_(honor_society)) two years later, in 1929.

== History ==
In early 1927, John "Jack" Allen Smith of [Santa Barbara State](/source/Santa_Barbara_State_Teachers_College) and Robert Whitesides of the [University of Redlands](/source/University_of_Redlands) began working together to form a fraternity for the staff of college newspapers.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1928 |title=Journalistic Frat Editors This Week |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33109636. |access-date=May 17, 2024 |work=The Eagle |page=1 |JSTOR=community.31109636}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> Omega Xi Alpha was established as a co-educational honorary journalism fraternity at a convention at the University Club in [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California) on January 14, 1927.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1933 |title=Journalistic Organization Founded at Ohio Northern by Staff of Campus Paper |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33113944 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |work=State College Roadrunner |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=1 & 3 |JSTOR=community.33113944}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YPTmAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Omega+Xi+Alpha%22+-wikipedia |title=Banta's Greek Exchange: Published in the Interest of the College Fraternity World |date=1932 |publisher=George Banta Company, Incorporated |page=93 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Cochan |first=Maree |date=November 16, 1928 |title=Santa Barbara Takes Lead of in Omega Xi Alpha |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33109636 |journal=The Eagle |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=1 |JSTOR=community.33109636}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1928-01-11 |title=New Newspaper Fraternity Will Be Organized |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-new-newspaper-frat/147595991/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At the meeting, 25 representatives from six colleges signed a charter, adopted a constitution, and elected officers.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=1928-01-15 |title=Omega Xi Alphas Organize Chapter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-omega-xi-alphas-or/147596370/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=27 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Whitesides became its first president and Smith was its secretary.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=1928-01-16 |title=Smith Chosen Club Officer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-press-smith-chosen-club-offi/147596516/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Morning Press |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Faculty from the various institutions served on a board of auditors.<ref name=":1" />

The purpose of Omega Xi Alpha was:<blockquote>To recognize individual ability and achievement in journalistic pursuits in colleges and universities; to encourage the production of literary works; to establish cordial intercourse between students and members of the profession; and to foster a spirit of brotherhood among those of kindred interest.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Leslie |first=Lawrence |date=October 9, 1936 |title=Journalistic Fraternity Marks Eleventh Active Campus Season |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33112451 |work=El Gaucho |location=Santa Barbara, California |page=3|JSTOR=community.33112451}}</ref></blockquote>At convention, the Greek letter chapter names were assigned to the chapters.<ref name=":7" /> Its seven charter members were [California Institute of Technology](/source/California_Institute_of_Technology), [California Polytechnic School](/source/California_Polytechnic_School), [Fresno State Teacher's College](/source/Fresno_State_Teachers_College), [Santa Barbara State Teachers College](/source/Santa_Barbara_State_Teachers_College), [Southwestern University](/source/Southwestern_Law_School), [University of Redlands](/source/University_of_Redlands), and [Whittier College](/source/Whittier_College).<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> At the time, it was the only national honorary journalism fraternity to include men and women members.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" />

Omega Xi Alpha sponsored a contest for the best college newspaper of the year, with judges from the ''[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)'' and the ''Alhambra Post-Advocate''.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=1928-06-20 |title=Quaker Campus Placed Top of College Papers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-whittier-news-quaker-campus-placed-t/147598250/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Whittier News |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Chapters held meetings and brought speakers from the journalism profession to campus.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1928-05-17 |title=College Students to Hear Editor Speak |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-press-college-students-to-he/147597921/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Morning Press |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1928-05-18 |title=Journalism Students Have Dinner Meet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-press-journalsim-students-ha/147598127/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Morning Press |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The fraternity's second national convention was held at the University of Redlands on January 11 and 12, 1929.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1929 |title=Omega Xi Alpha Delegates Meet From Southland |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33113917 |work=The Eagle |publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara |location=Santa Barbara, California |page=2 |JSTOR=community.33113917}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1928-12-28 |title=Omega Xi Alpha Conclave Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-bulletin-omega-xi-alpha-co/147600134/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=San Francisco Bulletin |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In the spring of 1929, Omega Xi Alpha began merger discussions with [Alpha Phi Gamma](/source/Alpha_Phi_Gamma_(honor_society)), a national journalism honor fraternity established in 1919.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1929 |title=Omega Xi Alpha Merges with Alpha Gamma Phi |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.33114345 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |work=The Eagle |publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara |location=Santa Barbara, California |page=1 |JSTOR=community.33114345}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The two officially merged with the opening fall semester in September 1929, under the Alpha Phi Gamma name.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1929-09-20 |title=Newspaper Fat Joins National |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-press-newspaper-fat-joins-na/147600601/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Morning Press |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Smith assisted with revising the constitution and rituals for Alpha Phi Gamma as part of the merger.<ref name=":0" /> Omega Xi Alpha's chapter became the western division of Alpha Phi Gamma, with Smith serving as the region's president.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1933 |title=Local Chapter Selects Smith For President |url=https://alexandria.ucsb.edu/downloads/9306sz819 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |work=State College Roadrunner |location=Santa Barbara, California |page=1 |pages=}}</ref><ref>{{Bairds19|page=769}}</ref>

== Symbols ==
Members of Omega Xi Alpha received a membership key that featured the Greek letters '''{{lang|grc|ΩΞΑ}}'''.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=1928-02-21 |title=Fresno State College News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-fresno-state-college-news/147597084/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On the back, the key was engraved with its member's unique number.<ref name=":8" /> Its crest was black and gold.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1928-04-17 |title=Fraternity Holds Banquet at Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-fraternity-holds-banquet/147597680/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

== Membership ==
Membership in Omega Xi Alpha was open to men and women who had worked on a college publication for one year. In addition, potential members were required to be in the top half of their class and to be active in campus activities.<ref name=":2" />

== Chapters ==
Following were the chapters of Omega Xi Alpha at the time of its merger with Alpha Phi Gamma.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Bairds17|pages=641–642}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" />
{{sticky-header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header sortable"
!Chapter
!Charter date and range
!Institution
!Location
!Status
!{{Refh}}
|-
|Alpha
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[University of Redlands](/source/University_of_Redlands)
|[Redlands, California](/source/Redlands%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|{{Efn|Became the ''Lambda chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|-
|Beta
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[California Institute of Technology](/source/California_Institute_of_Technology)
|[Pasadena, California](/source/Pasadena%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|{{Efn|Became the ''Mu chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|-
|Gamma
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[Southwestern University](/source/Southwestern_Law_School)
|[Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|{{Efn|Became the ''Nu chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|-
|Delta
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[Whittier College](/source/Whittier_College)
|[Whittier, California](/source/Whittier%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|<ref name=":9" />{{Efn|Became the ''Xi chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|-
|Epsilon
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[Fresno State Teacher's College](/source/Fresno_State_Teachers_College)
|[Fresno, California](/source/Fresno%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|{{Efn|Became the ''Omicron chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|-
|Zeta
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[California Polytechnic School](/source/California_Polytechnic_School)
|[San Luis Obispo County, California](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California)
|Inactive
|
|-
|Eta
|{{dts|January 14, 1927}}  – September 1929
|[Santa Barbara State Teachers College](/source/Santa_Barbara_State_Teachers_College)
|[Santa Barbara, California](/source/Santa_Barbara%2C_California)
|Merged ({{lang|grc|ΑΦΓ}})
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=1928-03-19 |title=Fresno State College News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-fresno-state-college-news/147597441/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{Efn|Chapter formed from a local campus organization.}}{{Efn|Became the ''Pi chapter'' of Alpha Phi Gamma.}}
|}
{{notelist}}

== See also ==
* [Honor society](/source/Honor_society)
* [Professional fraternities and sororities](/source/Professional_fraternities_and_sororities)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Honor societies
Category:Student organizations established in 1927
Category:Student organizations in California
Category:Merged honor societies
Category:1927 establishments in California
Category:Journalism organizations based in the United States
Category:Society for Collegiate Journalists
Category:Student organizations disestablished in 1929

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Omega Xi Alpha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Xi_Alpha) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Xi_Alpha?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.