To Potential Parents

As your son enters the University of Memphis, he will be asked to make many decisions, such as: what to study, where to live, with whom to associate, among many others.  Fraternity membership is another important decision for your son to consider.  By joining a fraternity, your son is choosing to associate himself with a group of men who share common values and ambitions.  Are these men campus leaders?  Do they make good grades? Do they treat people with respect?  Will associating yourself with these men help or hurt your chances of graduating, finding a job, or becoming a good parent some day?  These are tough questions and we feel that it is important for family members of potential brothers to know the core values of the Greek system and of our fraternity before encouraging your son to pursue membership in Lambda Chi Alpha.

The benefits of joining a Greek Organization are numerous and diverse.  For instance:

  • 71% of those listed in “Who’s Who in America” belong to a fraternity.
  • Of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men.
  • 85% of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity.
  • 40 of 47 U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were fraternity men.
  • 76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity.
  • Every U.S. President and Vice President (except two in each office) – born since the first social fraternity was founded in 1825 – have been members of a fraternity.
  • A recent National Conference report revealed that a majority of the 600 NIC fraternity chapters are above the All-Men’s scholastic grade-point average.
  • A recent U.S. Government study showed that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sorority graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate.

For over 85 years, the fraternities and sororities of The University of Memphis have been promoting friendship, scholarship, service, and leadership on our campus. Some fast facts about Greeks at the University of Memphis: 

  • The President of Student Government Association (SGA), the Vice-President of the Student Activities Council (SAC), the President of Student Ambassador Board (SAB), and the Executive Director of Up ‘Til Dawn are all members of Greek organizations.
  • 80% of the Orientation Guides are Greek.
  • 80% of the Frosh Camp Counselors are Greek.
  • The majority of the SGA Senate is Greek.
  • The entire Frosh Camp Executive Board is Greek.

Lambda Chi Alpha has been a leader among fraternal organizations at The University of Memphis for over 60 years. Founded nationally in 1909 by the vision of one man, Lambda Chi Alpha has initiated over 250,000 men worldwide, the fourth highest number of men among collegiate fraternities. The Zeta Theta Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha is excited about the things we are accomplishing and the type of men we are molding. Recent accomplishments include:

  • IFC Chapter of the Year – 2010
  • Highest Fraternity GPA – Fall 2007
  • Most Diverse Chapter Award – Spring 2008
  • Fraternity Spirit Award – Spring 2008
  • Homecoming Champions (Fall 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007)
  • Hosted  ΛΧΑ National Leadership Convention – Summer 2007

Backed by a strong and prestigious international headquarters, our chapter is meeting many of the challenges currently facing fraternal organizations in the collegiate world.  At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, hosted by The University of Memphis, Lambda Chi Alpha unveiled the True Brother Initiative. True Brother is a conceptual framework that streamlines formal education and experiential learning of associate members and initiated brothers throughout their entire undergraduate experience, paving the way to a meaningful, lifelong experience as an alumnus.  In accordance to the basic values of our ritualistic founders, Lambda Chi Alpha embraces a comprehensive curriculum of educational components for associate members based on the Seven Core Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.  Lambda Chi Alpha has prescribed an eight-week time period for associate members leading up to initiation, which is spent focusing on the demanding, but not demeaning, development of our associates.