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For thirteen students and two faculty members of the business
education division of Northeast Missouri State Teachers College,
the fulfillment of a dream took place on June 13, 1923. On
this date, the Alpha Chapter of Pi Omega Pi held its first
initiation service; and the newly initiated members signed
the first membership roll.
The students designed a badge for the organization; adopted
the Greek God of Commerce, Hermes, as the patron saint of
the organization; and approved a ritual for formal initiation.
As provided in the original constitution, Alpha Chapter
governed the organization for about four years until five
chapters had been formed. On July 14, 1927, a fifth chapter
was formed at the State University of Iowa; and the group
took the second step toward becoming a national fraternity.
At the call of Alpha Chapter, representatives of the five
chapters held a meeting on December 29, 1927, for the purpose
of forming a national organization. Dr. Paul O. Selby, who
steered the formation of Alpha Chapter, served as temporary
chair and was later elected the first national President.
Each chapter was allowed to choose two delegates who formed
the National Constitution and established an initiation fee
of $2 to finance the national organization.
The Pi Omega Pi has a roster that now includes nearly 40 chapters.
Though the chapters are located in all sections of the country,
the greatest concentration remains in the Midwest, where the
organization had its beginning. Lifetime dues are $40.
The National Council has led Pi Omega Pi through the years.
By actions of the delegates at National Conventions, the National
Council was changed to include a Student Representative and
other council positions have changed.
In 1946 Here and There in Pi Omega Pi was published.
This newsletter, now called Here and There, is still
published electronically on the national web page.
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