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Alpha Eta Rho
ΑΗΡ
The official crest of Alpha Eta Rho
FoundedApril 10, 1929; 95 years ago (1929-04-10)
University of Southern California
TypeProfessional
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAviation
ScopeNational (United States)
MottoCollegiate Aviation Leaders of Today... Aviation Industry Leaders of Tomorrow
Colors  Chrome yellow,   Black, and   Red
PublicationThe Beam
Chapters140+
Members50,000+ lifetime
Headquarters4579 Laclede Ave, Suite 1929
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
United States
Websitewww.alphaetarho.org

Alpha Eta Rho (ΑΗΡ) is a coed international professional college aviation fraternity.[1][2] Established in 1929 at the University of Southern California, it was the first professional aviation fraternity.[3] It connects the aviation industry with educational institutions and mentors college students toward successful careers in aviation, aeronautical engineering, and aerospace sciences.[2]

Alpha Eta Rho has chartered over 140 chapters both domestically and internationally.[4]

History

[edit]

Earl W. Hill, a professor of aviation at the University of Southern California, established Alpha Eta Rho on April 10, 1929.[5][6] The fraternity's purpose was to bring together students interested in commercial aviation for education and research and to connect them with professionals in the various aviation branches.[5][1][6] It was formed with no boundaries for gender, race, religion, or nationality.[7]

Along with Hill, the fraternity's founding members were John Bonadiman, Joe Burchman, Adam E. Diehl, Dr. Rudolph Hirschberg, Richard Mogle, and Walter Sykes.[8][9] Mogle was elected the student chapter's first president.[9]

An alumni and associate group was organized at the same time and included founding members Herbert Hoover Jr., James G. Wooley who was the vice president of Western Air Express, and five alumni and several instructors of the University of Southern California.[8][9] Hill was elected the fraternity's national president and served in that capacity until he died in 1950.[5] Charles Lindbergh later served as the fraternity's first vice president and Dr. John Franklin Bruce Carruthers was its national historian.[10][11]

By the end of 1933, the fraternity had 39 collegiate members, 72 alumni members, and 55 associate members.[12] New members were selected based on scholarship, character, and an interest in aviation.[13]

Because it accepted international students and its founders included an exchange professor from Germany, the fraternity called itself "international".[7] This label was also aspirational, as Alpha Eta Rho planned on expanding to Canada, Germany, and other countries.[7][8] The fraternity expanded to other campuses, including the University of California, Los Angeles; Duke University; North Carolina State University; Northwestern University; Pasadena Junior College; San Diego State University; and San Jose State University.[1] In 1937, the fraternity was incorporated in the State of California as Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity with headquarters in Los Angeles.[14]

The fraternity's activities included meetings with guest speakers, weekly luncheons, trips to airplane factories and related industries, and cross-country flights.[1] Some chapters had a flying team that engaged in intercollegiate aviation competitions with other organizations across the United States.[1] Annually, it awards a scholarship key to the outstanding member of each chapter.[3] The fraternity also awarded scholarships for aviation students.[15]

As of 2023, Alpha Eta Rho has more than 50,000 alumni.[4] Its alumni work in all facets of the aviation industry and related management fields, including airline captains, military aviation flag officers, corporate CEOs, NASA engineers, flight attendants, aircraft mechanics, aviation museum directors, aerospace engineers, and pilots.[16]

Alpha Eta Rho is incorporated in the state of Missouri. Its quarterly newsletter is The Beam.[3]

Symbols

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The Greek letters Alpha Eta Rho stand spell the Greek work "aer" or "air".[17] The letter Alpha also means "first and foremost".[18] The lellter Eta represents the fraternity's seven founders because it is the seventh letter in the Greek alphabet.[18] As the last letter in the word air, Rho stands for density and solar distance, symbolizing the strong bonds of the fraternity's members despite their travels through the aviation industry.[18]

The Alpha Eta Rho badge is shaped like a five-cylinder radial airplane engine with a diagonal propeller on top.[7] The Greek letters Α and Η are above the propeller, with Ρ below the propeller. The heads of the cylinders are decorated with two emeralds and three rubies.[7] Its pledge pin is shaped like a propeller.[19]

The fraternity's colors are chrome yellow, red, and black.[20] Its motto is "Collegiate Aviation Leaders of Today... Aviation Industry Leaders of Tomorrow."[5]

Governance

[edit]

Alpha Eta Rho is overseen by a national board of directors.[6] In addition, the fraternity has a National Student Executive Committee made up of student members. The day-to-day operations of the fraternity are run by Benjamin O'Brien, the organization's Chief Executive Officer.

Chapters

[edit]
Main article: List of Alpha Eta Rho chapters

As of 2023, Alpha Eta Rho has chartered more than 140 chapters across the United States and abroad.[4][21][22]

Notable members

[edit]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Cunningham, Frank (October 1940). "Greeks With Wings". Flying and Popular Aviation. 27 (4): 42–43. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Mark, Robert (2007-06-15). Professional Pilot's Career Guide. McGraw Hill Professional. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-0-07-148553-1.
  3. ^ a b c Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manuel of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 498–499.
  4. ^ a b c "Alpha Eta Rho - Pi Chapter - SLU Groups". Saint Louis University. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  5. ^ a b c d "History of the Fraternity". Alpha Eta Rho. 2014-02-26. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2023-06-22 – via web.archive.
  6. ^ a b c Anson, Jack L.; Marchesani, Jr., Robert F., eds. (1991). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. pp. V68–V69.
  7. ^ a b c d e Cunningham, Frank (October 1940). "Greeks With Wings". Flying and Popular Aviation. 27 (4): 44. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ a b c d "Flyers Form College Group: Planned as International in Aspect; Called Alpha Eta Rho Fraternity". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. 1929-05-28. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c "Aviation Fraternity". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. 1929-05-29. p. 35. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b c "Actor Park Owner of Boys' Military School". Evening Express. Portland, Maine. 1932-01-09. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b c "Anniversary of First Balloon Flight Feted". Los Angeles Times. 1933-11-22. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Elwood Jones is Air Frat Pledge". Evening Vanguard. Venice, California. 1933-11-27. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Elsie Purcell Pledged to Aviation Fraternity". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. 1936-10-20. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Form Aviation Fraternity". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. 1937-09-28. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Fraternity to Give Air Scholarships". Los Angeles Times. 1939-11-01. p. 26. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Alpha Eta Rho - involvement@UND". University of North Dakota. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  17. ^ Jessen, Gene Nora (1970-11-08). "New Alpha Eta Rho Chapter: 40 BSC Students Join National Air Fraternity". The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 44. Retrieved 2023-07-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b c Alpha Eta Rho Chapter Handbook (PDF). Saint Louis, Missouri: Alpha Eta Rho National Office. October 2022. p. 1.
  19. ^ "In a Spin". Covina Argus. Covina, California. 1956-11-01. p. 29. Retrieved 2023-06-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Alpha Eta Rho Chapter Handbook (PDF). Saint Louis, Missouri: Alpha Eta Rho National Office. October 2022. p. 8.
  21. ^ "Chapters". Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity. 2014-02-26. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2023-06-22 – via web.archive.org.
  22. ^ "Alpha Eta Rho - National Chapters". Google My Maps. May 2012. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  23. ^ "Aviation Fraternity Chapter Formed by U.C.L.A. Group". Los Angeles Times. 1936-11-26. p. 50. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Youngest Girl Pilot Wins---At Glendale, California. Pretto Bell, 16..." Getty Images (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  25. ^ Fielding, Adelaide (1936-07-26). "Miss Fledgling". Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. p. 126. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Fielding, Adelaide (1936-07-26). "Miss Fledgling and Madame Power". Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. p. 102. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Honorary Membership". The Belleville News-Democrat. Belleville, Illinois. 1965-02-15. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Aviation Fraternity President Guest of S.M. Chapter". Santa Barbara News-Press. Santa Barbara, California. 1946-08-11. p. 21. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Capt. Ira Eaker Joins Fraternity". Los Angeles Times. 1932-11-24. p. 23. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Featured Alumni: Rudolf "Rudy" Frasca A Pioneer in Aviation Flight Simulation Training" (PDF). The Beam. 1 (6): 3–4. 2013.
  31. ^ "Mr. Rudy Frasca". National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  32. ^ Allnutt, Richard Mallory (2020-05-13). "Aerospace Industry Mourns Passing of Aviation Icon Rudy Frasca". Vintage Aviation News. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  33. ^ "Illinois SR1164". TrackBill. May 20, 2020. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  34. ^ "Goebel Initiated by Fraternity at U.S.C." Los Angeles Evening Express. 1930-04-23. p. 31. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Capt. Allan Hancock to be First Member". Santa Maria Times. Santa Maria, California. 1946-12-03. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Capt. G. Allan Hancock". www.hancockcollege.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  37. ^ "MATS Commander Gets Memberships". The Belleville News-Democrat. Belleville, Illinois. 1961-01-30. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-06-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Honorary Membership". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1961-01-31. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-06-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Kelly Elected to Position". Southern Illinoisan. Carbondale, Illinois. 1998-01-15. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-07-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Ronald D. Kelly | 2006 Inductees". Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  41. ^ "Ronald Kelly Obituary". Legacy. Carbondale, Illinois: The Southern Illinoisan. April 13, 2008. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  42. ^ "Kropf Promoted by Parks College". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. 1950-04-07. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Eugene S. Kropf Scholarship". Pathways to Aviation. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  44. ^ "Past Presidents". University Aviation Association. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  45. ^ Weddleton, Tracey (1986-09-13). "Aviation historia consultant Eugene S. Kropf dead at 73". Times-Advocate. Escondido, California. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Kropf Honored". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. 1966-08-04. p. 45. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Three Flag Dash Near: Trojan Flyer Leaves Today for Vancouver in Effort to Set Record". Los Angeles Times. 1935-08-05. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  48. ^ "James Timm". Casa Grande Dispatch. Casa Grande, Arizona. 1955-06-23. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Air Group Honors Star". The South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. 1939-06-18. p. 23. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Roosevelt Son to Visit S.C." Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. 1933-05-18. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Honor Roosevelt's Son". Times Union. Brooklyn, New York. 1933-05-18. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ Shippey, Lee (1937-04-24). "The Lee Side o' L.A." Los Angeles Times. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ Levy, Juana Neal (1934-05-08). "Wedding Date in Late August". Los Angeles Times. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "Robert Stuck Soon to Get Commission in Air Force". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 1942-08-20. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-06-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "Robert E Stuck". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  56. ^ "Robert E. Stuck (1945/04/13) · SCPL Local History". Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  57. ^ "S.C. Group Will Honor Aviatrix". Los Angeles Times. 1939-04-23. p. 16. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com.
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