Sigma Eta Chi

Sigma Eta Chi
ΣΗΧ
Founded	May 1, 1923; 101 years ago (1923-05-01) Ohio State University
Type	Social
Affiliation	Independent
Status	Defunct
Defunct date	After 1958
Emphasis	Christian; Congregational
Scope	National
Colors	Azure blue and   Silver
Symbol	Candlestick
Flower	Rose and Blue Larkspur
Publication	Luchnokaia
Chapters	8
Headquarters	United States

Sigma Eta Chi (ΣΗΧ) was a national sorority operating in the United States.

At Ohio State University on May 1, 1923, fourteen female students chartered a sorority for Congregational women. The purpose of the sorority was "to form a social unit in which spiritual and intellectual development might advance in harmony".^[1]

In 1928, plans were put in place for the sorority to become a national organization. A national constitution was written, national officers were elected, and the first national convention took place in June of the same year.^[1]

The sorority continued at least into the middle of the 20th century, though the final date of dissolution is unknown. A chapter in Ames, Iowa was meeting in 1948.^[2] The Kansas State Royal Purple Yearbook of 1948 not only notes the growth of its chapter, but also a special ceremony called Luchnokaia. The yearbook describes the service as happening during one Sunday in Lent. Each member lit a candle from seven candles, the seven representing the seven "great guiding lights" of Christianity. Each member left the church "pledging to live a more consecrated life".^[3] The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Yearbook of 1958 lists the president of the sorority.^[4]

The organization later would affiliate members of the Evangelical and Reformed churches, in addition to Congregational.^[5] The records of the University of Northern Iowa indicate that Sigma Eta Chi was classified as a Congregational sorority well into the 1950s. However, in the early 1970s, a group with the same name emerged as a service sorority.

Baird's Manual notes that the sorority later became non-exclusive with membership and other sororities permissible. It eventually disbanded.^[6]

Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities described the badge as "a lighted candle in a candlestick with a ruby set for the flame, the letters ΣΗΧ on a background of blue enamel with a border of white or yellow gold set with white or blue stones; the letters being arranged vertically to the right of the candle".^[1] The pledge pin was "a lighted candle in a candlestick, cast in silver".^[1]

The sorority's colors were azure bue and silver. Its flowers were the rose and blue larkspur. Its publication was the Luchnokaia was published three times a year.

The sorority grew to include six chapters by 1930, with possibly two more by the late 1950s.^[6]