What is Acacia?
Acacia is an international Greek-system fraternity founded on its motto, human service. Acacia is comprised of the highest quality men on each campus, hoping to instill its values of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service into hearts of the college community.
Acacia is not your typical college fraternity. It isn’t the oldest, the largest, or the most famous, but its heritage is distinct and record distinguished. Members of Acacia strive to be extraordinary and dispel the stereotypes that are often associated with fraternities. Every member, from pledge to active brother, is treated with the utmost respect. Our pledge program focuses on learning your way into the fraternity, not earning it by participating in degrading acts. Illegal activities and irresponsible behavior have no place in Acacia.
The history of Acacia Fraternity is a rich one—and one you will learn much about in the pledge program. The fraternity was founded in 1904 at the University of Michigan by 14 men hoping to establish a lasting and extraordinary fraternal organization. Just three years later, the Missouri chapter was chartered but closed in 1984. In 2003, several distinguished students and alumni decided it was time for integrity to take a step back into the Mizzou Greek System. The chapter was officially granted their new charter on April 9, 2005. So, in Acacia, you have the opportunity to be part of something old and full of tradition, yet also something that’s brand new.
Acacia’s Preamble
“To strengthen the ties of friendship, one with another; to prepare ourselves as educated men; to take a more active part and have a greater influence in the affairs of the community in which we may reside; and, above all, to seek the truth, and knowing it, to give light to those with whom we may be associated as we travel along life’s pathway.”
Acacia Facts
Founded internationally: May 12, 1904
Founded locally: February 13, 1949
Rechartered: February 11, 1989
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Flower: Sprig of Acacia in bloom
Motto: Ophelountes Anthropous, “Human Service”
Philanthropic Cause: The Lustgarten Foundation (for pancreatic cancer)
Ohio Acacia Chapter History Chapter History 1949-1992
Notable Alumni Brothers of the Ohio Chapter
Brother J. Scott Cleland, 1988 – First Vice-President of the Executive Council, Acacia International Fraternity
Brother Robert Forsythe – Principal Architect for The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Eastern Branch of Ohio University; Associate Architect for Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Brother John D. Nicholas, 1988 – Vice President of Corporate Services, The J.M. Smucker Company
Brother David C. Straw, PhD., 1961 – First Leader of Air Force Program created by President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative
Notable Alumni Brothers of the International Fraternity
Brother William H. Taft, Yale 1913 – 27th President of the US
Brother William Jennings Bryan, Nebraska 1908 – Great American Leader and Orator
Brother Clifton Hillegass, Nebraska 1938 – Founder of Cliffs Notes
Brother Jack Kilby, Illinois 1942 – Nobel Prize Winner in Physics
Brother Roscoe Pound, Harvard 1905 – American legal scholar and educator
Brother Paul McNutt, Harvard 1914 – Governor of Indiana, Ambassador to the Philippines
Brother Hiram Bingham, Yale 1915 – Discoverer of Machu Picchu, Governor of Connecticut, US Senator
Brother Harold E. Edgerton, Nebraska 1924 – Scientist and Inventor
Brother James Webb, North Carolina 1928 – NASA Administrator
Brother William Thornberry, Texas 1930 – United States Representative
Brother Calvin Griffith, George Washington 1935 – Owner of the Minnesota Twins
Brother Gene Conley, Washington State 1949 – MLB Pitcher (Braves) and NBA player (Celtics)
