Pi Alpha Xi

{{Short description|American horticultural honor society}} {{Infobox Fraternity | name = Pi Alpha Xi | letters = {{lang|grc|ΠΑΞ}} | crest = Pi_Alpha_Xi_Key.jpg | image_size = 120px | motto = "Always to Excel" | colors = {{color box|#4EBD88}} Nile green and {{color box|#9BC7EE}} Cerulean blue  | symbol = Stylus, Nile Lotus, Egyptian hoe, Ancient Vase | flower = Nile Lotus | birthplace = Cornell University | affiliation = Independent | founded = {{start date and age|June 1, 1923}} | chapters = 42 | status = Active | type = Honor | scope = National (US) | address = c/o Angie Lower, American Society for Horticultural Science<br>1018 Duke Street | city = Alexandria | state = Virginia | ZIP code = 22314 | country = United States | publication = ''Lotus Leaflet'' | free_label = | free = | homepage = {{URL|http://www.pialphaxi.org/}} | footnotes = | lifetime = 14,000+ | emphasis = Horticulture }}

'''Pi Alpha Xi''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΠΑΞ}}''') is an American collegiate honor society for horticulture founded in 1923 at Cornell University.

== History == After attending the 1923 International Flower Show in New York City, a group from Cornell University had the idea to start the honor society.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi |url=https://ashs.org/500100.asp?500;http://ashs.org/BlankCustom.asp |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=American Society for Horticultural Science}}</ref><ref name=":2">Albrecht, Mary Lewes. "[http://www.pialphaxi.org/uploads/1/0/2/6/102693520/373.full.pdf Pi Alpha Xi—A Tradition of Excellence in Floriculture, Landscape Horticulture, and Ornamental Horticulture]" . ''HortTechnology''. '''12''' (3): 373-376. July 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2024 – via Pi Alpha Xi.</ref> Under the leadership of Professor Arno Nehrling, the Pi Alpha Xi constitution, ritual, and insignia/key were developed.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> ''Alpha chapter'' was installed at Cornell on June 1, 1923.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

Pi Alpha Xi was established as an honor society for floriculture and ornamental horticulture but later changed to include all horticultural disciplines.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Its mission is promoting fellowship, professional leadership, and scholarship and to enrich life through plants.<ref name=":2" /> Chapters are located in four-year colleges and universities that have horticultural programs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

By 1950, Pi Alpha Xi, chapters were established at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (''Beta''), Pennsylvania State University (''Gamma''), Michigan State University (''Delta)'', Ohio State University (''Epsilon''), Rutgers University (''Zeta''), Washington State University (''Eta''), and the University of Maryland, College Park (''Theta'').<ref name=":2" /> The society's added a significant number of chapters during the 1970s. As of January 24, 2024, Pi Alpha Xi has forty chapters and 14,000 members.<ref name=":0" /> Its publication is the ''Lotus Leaflet''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Baird's" />

Pi Alpha Xi is managed by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), based in Alexandria, Virginia.<ref name=":0" /> Its annual business meeting is held in conjunction with the ASHS annual conference.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

==Symbols== The society's name was selected to represent:<ref name="AB2">[http://web.utk.edu/~ewillis2/symbols.html Pi Alpha Xi Symbols]</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> *Pi ('''{{lang|grc|Π}}''') – the first letter of ''polumathia'', or scholarship; *Alpha ('''{{lang|grc|Α}}''') - from the word ''anthemorgous'', meaning to work with plants; *Xi ('''{{lang|grc|Ξ}}''') – for ''zunoia'', signifying the bond among gardeners, educators, and professional horticulturists.<ref name=":1">[http://w.ashs.org/pax/index.php/newsletter/letter-from-your-president/43-letter-from-your-president4 Letter From Your President – 43]</ref>

Its colors are Nile green and cerulean blue, and its flower is the Nile lotus.<ref name="Baird's" /> Its symbols include the stylus, the Nile lotus, the Egyptian hoe, and the ancient vase.<ref name="Baird's">{{Bairds20|pages=VII-41–42}}</ref><ref name="AB2" /> The motto of Pi Alpha Xi is "Always to Excel".

Its badge is a pin or key which is inscribed with the Greek letters '''{{lang|grc|ΠΑΞ}}''' and the stylus, Egyptian hoe, Nile lotus, and the ancient vase.<ref name="Baird's" />

==Membership== Membership is open to undergraduate students who are juniors and seniors interested in floriculture, landscape horticulture, or ornamental horticulture who meet GPA requirements.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="Baird's" /> Faculty and graduate students are also eligible for membership.<ref name=":2" /> The society also issues honorary memberships.<ref name="Baird's" />

==Activities== Primarily, Pi Alpha Xi exists to recognize academic excellence.<ref name=":2" /> The national society sponsors the Pi Alpha Phi Annual Photography Contest, and publishes the ''Pi Alpha Xi Flower Judging Manual''.<ref name=":2" /> It also recognizes Fellows from the Pi Alpha Phi membership for service or excellence in floriculture, landscape horticulture, ornamental horticulture, or Pi Alpha Phi.<ref name=":2" /> There is a limit of 25 living Fellows.<ref name=":2" />

Some chapters also sponsor field trips to horticultural sites and lectures with guest speakers. Chapters also sponsor scholarships so that members can attend the ASHS conference.<ref name=":2" /> The national organization matches local scholarships.<ref name=":2" />

==Chapters== Following is a list of Pi Alpha Xi chapters.<ref>[https://ashs.org/general/custom.asp?page=RosterofChapters Roster of Chapters] American Society for Horticultural Sciences. Accessed January 22, 2024</ref><ref name="Baird's" /><ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 2002 |title=Chapters of Pi Alpha Xi as of August 2001 |url=http://www.pialphaxi.org/uploads/1/0/2/6/102693520/373.full.pdf |journal=HortTechnology |volume=12 |issue=3 |page=375 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |via=Pi Alpha Xi}}</ref> Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in ''italics''. {{sticky-header}} {| class="wikitable sticky-header sortable" !Chapter !Charter date and range !Institution !Location !Status !{{Refh}} |- |'''Alpha''' |{{dts|June 1, 1923}} |Cornell University |Ithaca, New York |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cramer |first=Craig |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Pi Alpha Xi welcomes new members |url=https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2021/11/pi-alpha-xi-welcomes-new-members |access-date=January 22, 2024 |website=Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences}}</ref> |- |'''Beta''' |{{dts|April 2, 1924}} |University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |Urbana, Illinois |Active | |- |'''Gamma''' |{{dts|May 29, 1926}} |Pennsylvania State University |University Park, Pennsylvania |Active | |- |'''Delta''' |{{dts|April 12, 1929}} |Michigan State University |East Lansing, Michigan |Active | |- |'''Epsilon''' |{{dts|January 6, 1929}} |Ohio State University |Columbus, Ohio |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi : Find a Student Organization : Student Activities |url=https://activities.osu.edu/involvement/student_organizations/find_a_student_org/?i=9bc60280-fea5-4d48-8b08-b04d48f88420&l=P&c=Columbus&page=3 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=The Ohio State University}}</ref> |- |'''Zeta''' |{{dts|November 16, 1933}} |Rutgers University |New Brunswick, New Jersey |Active | |- |'''Eta''' |{{dts|March 12, 1949}} |Washington State University |Pullman, Washington |Active | |- |'''Theta''' |{{dts|September 14, 1949}} |University of Maryland, College Park |College Park, Maryland |Active | |- |'''Iota''' |{{dts|February 15, 1957}} |North Carolina State University |Raleigh, North Carolina |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-25 |title=History |url=https://pialphaxi.wordpress.ncsu.edu/history/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Pi Alpha Xi - Iota Chapter at N.C. State University |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Kappa''' |{{dts|June 1, 1968}} |Virginia Tech |Blacksburg, Virginia |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi - GobblerConnect |url=https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/organization/pax |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Virginia Tech}}</ref> |- |'''Lambda''' |{{dts|May 28, 1968}} |University of Minnesota |Saint Paul, Minnesota |Active | |- |'''Mu''' |{{dts|May 16, 1974}} |University of Florida |Gainesville, Florida |Active | |- |'''Nu''' |{{dts|May 30, 1974}} |Auburn University |Auburn, Alabama |Active | |- |'''Xi''' |{{dts|December 1, 1974}} |New Mexico State University |Las Cruces, New Mexico |Active | |- |'''Omicron''' |{{dts|February 23, 1975}} |Purdue University |West Lafayette, Indiana |Active | |- |'''Pi''' |{{dts|April 17, 1975}} |Clemson University |Clemson, South Carolina |Active | |- |'''Rho''' |{{dts|March 1, 1975}} |University of Wisconsin–Madison |Madison, Wisconsin |Active | |- |'''Sigma''' |{{dts|April 2, 1975}} |Southern Illinois University Carbondale |Carbondale, Illinois |Active | |- |'''Tau''' |{{dts|May 30, 1975}} |University of Georgia |Athens, Georgia |Active | |- |'''Upsilon''' |{{dts|September 1, 1975}} |California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo |San Luis Obispo, California |Active | |- |'''Phi''' |{{dts|October 29, 1975}} |South Dakota State University |Brookings, South Dakota |Active | |- |'''Psi''' |{{dts|May 31, 1978}} |Texas A&M University |College Station, Texas |Active | |- |'''Chi''' |{{dts|May 29, 1975}} |Colorado State University |Fort Collins, Colorado |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi {{!}} College of Agricultural Sciences |url=https://agsci.colostate.edu/pialphaxi/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Colorado State University |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Omega''' |{{dts|March 16, 1979}} |Kansas State University |Manhattan, Kansas |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi Honor Society {{!}} Horticulture and Natural Resources |url=https://hnr.k-state.edu/student-success/clubs-and-activities/pi-alpha-xi/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Kansas State University}}</ref> |- |'''Alpha Beta''' |{{dts|May 26, 1980}} |University of Tennessee |Knoxville, Tennessee |Active | |- |'''Alpha Gamma''' |{{dts|April 23, 1982}} |University of Nebraska–Lincoln |Lincoln, Nebraska |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi – Alpha-Gamma Chapter {{!}} Department of Agronomy and Horticulture |url=https://agronomy.unl.edu/pialphaxi |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=University of Nebraska-Lincoln}}</ref> |- |'''Alpha Delta''' |{{dts|April 24, 1983}} |Oklahoma State University–Stillwater |Stillwater, Oklahoma |Active | |- |'''Alpha Epsilon''' |{{dts|1984|4|format=hide}}Spring 1984 |University of California, Davis |Davis, California |Active | |- |'''Alpha Zeta''' |{{dts|May 16, 1985}} |University of Wisconsin–River Falls |River Falls, Wisconsin |Active | |- |'''Alpha Eta''' |{{dts|1985|4|format=hide}}Spring 1985 |Delaware Valley University |Doylestown, Pennsylvania |Active | |- |'''Alpha Theta''' |{{dts|November 6, 1986}} |Iowa State University |Ames, Iowa |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Alpha Xi {{!}} Department of Horticulture |url=https://www.hort.iastate.edu/undergraduate-experience/social-community/pi-alpha-xi/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Iowa State University |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Alpha Iota''' |{{dts|March 24, 1988}} |Texas Tech University |Lubbock, Texas |Active | |- |'''Alpha Kappa''' |{{dts|1990|4|format=hide}}Spring 1990 |Mississippi State University |Starkville, Mississippi |Active | |- |'''Alpha Lambda''' |{{dts|February 1, 1992}} |Florida A&M University |Tallahassee, Florida |Active | |- |'''Alpha Mu''' |{{dts|1992|4|format=hide}}Spring 1992 |Temple University |Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |Active | |- |'''Alpha Nu''' |{{dts|June 2, 1995}} |Utah State University |Logan, Utah |Active | |- |'''Alpha Xi''' |{{dts|April 18, 2005}} |Texas State University |San Marcos, Texas |Active | |- |'''Alpha Omicron''' |{{dts|May 2, 2006}} |University of Arkansas |Fayetteville, Arkansas |Active | |- |'''Alpha Pi''' |{{dts|May 4, 2006}} |University of Wisconsin–Platteville |Platteville, Wisconsin |Active | |- |'''Alpha Rho''' |{{dts|February 13, 2012}} |Oregon State University |Corvallis, Oregon |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-27 |title=Pi Alpha Xi {{!}} College of Agricultural Sciences Department of Horticulture |url=https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/pi-alpha-xi |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Oregon State University |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/department-of-horticulture/pi-alpha-xi-initiation-ceremony|title=HORTICULTURE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED DURING PI ALPHA XI INITIATION CEREMONY AND CHARTER PRESENTATION|website=Oregon State University|date=8 February 2013 |access-date=2024-02-09}}</ref> |- |'''Alpha Sigma''' |{{dts|October 13, 2015}} |University of Wyoming |Laramie, Wyoming |Active | |- |'''Alpha Tau''' |{{dts|September 21, 2015}} |University of Maine |Orono, Maine |Active | |}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Horticultural organizations based in the United States Category:Honor societies Category:Student organizations established in 1923 Category:1923 establishments in New York (state)