Chi Beta Phi ( ) is a professional fraternity in the field of science.

History

Chi Beta Phi was founded in April, 1916 at

Randolph–Macon College Randolph–Macon College is a private liberal arts college in Ashland, Virginia. Founded in 1830, the college has an enrollment of more than 1,500 students. It is the second-oldest Methodist-run college in the country, and the oldest in continu ...

. It recognizes a sole founder in John Howard Greene. The fraternity's purpose was to promote interest in sciences using reviews of current investigations, by promoting lectures by prominent scientists, distributing papers prepared by its members, and general discussion. The Fraternity existed as a local organization for four years, but began to expand during the 1921-22 school year, when three additional chapters were added. A national convention occurred on which determined an interest in national expansion. By 1925, individual chapter names were determined, a constitution and national program was developed, and the fraternity was on its way to opening 33 chapters over the next century. Chi Beta Phi was a charterer of the

Professional Interfraternity Conference The Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) is an American association of national, collegiate, professional fraternities and sororities that was formed in . Since PFA groups are discipline-specific, members join while pursuing graduate (law, me ...

, but has since withdrawn its membership.Historical note
from the Chi Beta Phi national website
accessed 5 November 2021. Chi Beta Phi was named an affiliate of the

American Association for the Advancement of Science The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is an American international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific respons ...

(AAAS) in 1935.

Traditions and insignia

Chi Beta Phi's official colors are Colonial blue and

Crimson Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, ''Kermes vermilio'', but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colo ...

. Its coat of arms is a shield, draped and showing beveled edges. At upper left, on the shield is an electrode, to symbolize the science of Physics. At upper right is placed a microscope, to symbolize both Biology and Psychology. At the top of the crest is a star to symbolize both Astronomy and Math. The Computer Sciences are alluded to by its surrounding rays. At the lower portion of the crest are two retorts, to symbolize Geology and Chemistry. The letters of the fraternity are placed across the center, and the motto is on the ribbon below. The motto of the Fraternity is ''Scientia Omnia Vincit'', or in English, Science Conquers All. The official flower is the Cape jasmine, and the official tree is the

Ginkgo biloba ''Ginkgo biloba'', commonly known as ginkgo or gingko ( ), also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of tree native to China. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago. Fossils ...

Chapters

These are the chapters of Chi Beta Phi. Chapters noted in bold are active, chapters in ''italics'' are dormant.

References

{{authority control Student organizations established in 1916 1916 establishments in Virginia Former members of Professional Fraternity Association