Alpha Zeta Omega
Encyclopedia
Alpha Zeta Omega is a co-ed, pharmaceutical, professional fraternity
founded on December 19, 1919. It was originally known as the "Dead Men's Club".
. The leader and originator of this group was Ephraim G. Sless. The original members (also known as fraters) were:
These eleven men secretly started a pharmaceutical fraternity they dubbed the Dead Men's Club. Soon after its founding, Harry Althouse was added, and as its members then numbered twelve, the group was often referred to as "The Dozen". Later, Dr. Lawrence Rosenfeld, an eminent Philadelphia Bacteriologist, also became a member, but the name of "The Dozen" persisted. Because of strenuous opposition to the formation of new organizations at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science by older fraternities and clubs, the newly formed Dead Men's Club would exist as a secret society
for several years.
) of the Fraternity. The original 13 members termed themselves the Alpha Chapter. The Supreme Chapter, consisting of Supreme Officer and delegates from subordinate chapters
, meet regularly twice a year in December and June. At the 1925 Convention in Newark, NJ the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter was chartered, which nullified the charter of the Alpha Chapter. The "Alpha" fraters therefore became charter members of the Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia.
The fraternity is organized by chapters, each representing a specific pharmacy school or geographic area. Chapters may be formed by undergraduates, alumni, and in some instances are "mixed" -- containing both undergraduate and graduate members.
. The first such affair took place at the Hotel Walton, Philadelphia in June 1922, with E. Fullerton Cook, Chairman of the Pharmacopoeia
Revision Committee, as guest and toastmaster. At times there have been as many as 3 conventions per year. Currently, two meetings are held each year -- a National Convention in July and a Regional Convention in January.
letters to designate fraternities, AZO was renamed such because:
In 1922 Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity, Supreme Chapter, was officially incorporated
under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania
.
caused considerable damage to pharmacies owned by several members. An emergency session of the fraternity was called and a support drive was held to assist those members' businesses that were damaged or destroyed in the flood. In 1938, plans to offer insurance to the members of the Fraternity were adopted, and when finalized, $100,000 worth of insurance was written.
In June 1946, AZO presented funds for the pharmacy of the Hadassah Memorial Hospital
in Palestine. This was part of $15,000 pledged by AZO to build a pharmacy building at the hospital.
In 1956, AZO took on as its cultural program, the task of raising money for the Hebrew University in Israel. The stated goal was to raise $100,000 in 3 years, however, the fraternity surpasses its goal and raised $103,000 in just two years.
In 1961, a book titled "40 Years of AZO" was published, detailing the history of AZO. It was a 360 page, hard-cover printed volume, distributed to fraters and chapters nationwide, as well as pharmacy school libraries nationwide. Additional historical publications would follow, outlining the histor of AZO from 1960 to 1970, and then again from 1970 to 1980.
In the early 1970s, AZO began admitting women as members for the first time, and thus became a co-ed fraternal organization.
In 1976, the founder of AZO, Ephraim G. Sless, died. In honor of their late founder, the membership began a campaign to establish scholarships across the USA and in Israel.
After the events of September 11, 2001, AZO started a project to benefit the Dean Street Heroes Fund, N.Y. Fire Dept., Engine Co. 219.
Alpha Zeta Omega Epsilon Chapter
Alpha Zeta Omega Sigma Chapter
Alpha Zeta Omega Kappa Chapter
Professional fraternity
Professional fraternities, in the North American fraternity system, are organizations whose primary purpose is to promote the interests of a particular profession and whose membership is restricted to students in that particular field of professional education or study...
founded on December 19, 1919. It was originally known as the "Dead Men's Club".
Origins
Alpha Zeta Omega was founded in Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, which is now called the University of the Sciences in PhiladelphiaUniversity of the Sciences in Philadelphia
University of the Sciences , officially known as University of the Sciences in Philadelphia , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in pharmacy and a variety of other health-related disciplines.-History:The history of the University of the Sciences...
. The leader and originator of this group was Ephraim G. Sless. The original members (also known as fraters) were:
-
- Harry Althouse
- Lawrence Rosenfeld
- Morris Arkans
- Abe M. Bernstein
- David Champaine
- David L. Dyen
- Stanley Rosenfeld
- Al Rosenfield
- Louis Snyder
- David Schwartz
- Morris Shuman
- Ephraim G. Sless
- Joshua Zimskind
These eleven men secretly started a pharmaceutical fraternity they dubbed the Dead Men's Club. Soon after its founding, Harry Althouse was added, and as its members then numbered twelve, the group was often referred to as "The Dozen". Later, Dr. Lawrence Rosenfeld, an eminent Philadelphia Bacteriologist, also became a member, but the name of "The Dozen" persisted. Because of strenuous opposition to the formation of new organizations at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science by older fraternities and clubs, the newly formed Dead Men's Club would exist as a secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
for several years.
Purpose
Alpha Zeta Omega was formed for the purpose of academic support; the original stated goal was to ensure 100% graduation of its members. Members participated in a structured series of quizzes, designed and executed by the members most proficient in the particular subject under discussion. These frequent study sessions resulted in bringing together the social life of the members. In 1921, the Dead Men's Club boasted 100% graduation of its 13 members. In addition to the original goal of "100% graduation" the purpose of the Fraternity is now designated chiefly as "to spread the spirit of Fraternalism, Brotherly Love, Friendship and Good Will towards Mankind."Fraternal Government
The original constitution of AZO was drawn up by A.M. Bernstein and D.L. Dyen. Stanley Rosenfeld was elected the first "Supreme Directorum" (PresidentPresident
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
) of the Fraternity. The original 13 members termed themselves the Alpha Chapter. The Supreme Chapter, consisting of Supreme Officer and delegates from subordinate chapters
Chapters
Chapters is a Canadian big box bookstore banner owned by Indigo Books and Music. Formerly a company in its own right competing with Indigo, the combined company has continued to operate both banners since their merger in 2001.-History:...
, meet regularly twice a year in December and June. At the 1925 Convention in Newark, NJ the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter was chartered, which nullified the charter of the Alpha Chapter. The "Alpha" fraters therefore became charter members of the Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia.
The fraternity is organized by chapters, each representing a specific pharmacy school or geographic area. Chapters may be formed by undergraduates, alumni, and in some instances are "mixed" -- containing both undergraduate and graduate members.
Conventions
As the fraternity began to grow in its early years, it became necessary to hold a yearly conventionConvention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
. The first such affair took place at the Hotel Walton, Philadelphia in June 1922, with E. Fullerton Cook, Chairman of the Pharmacopoeia
Pharmacopoeia
Pharmacopoeia, pharmacopeia, or pharmacopoea, , in its modern technical sense, is a book containing directions for the identification of samples and the preparation of compound medicines, and published by the authority of a government or a medical or pharmaceutical society.In a broader sense it is...
Revision Committee, as guest and toastmaster. At times there have been as many as 3 conventions per year. Currently, two meetings are held each year -- a National Convention in July and a Regional Convention in January.
Ladies' Auxiliary
In 1939 a Ladies Auxiliaries was established at several chapters for the wives of AZO fraters, and at the Detroit Convention in 1940, a National Auxiliary was founded.Publications
- The AZOan -- yearly publication of AZO, started in December 1922. It was originally title "Hazy-O". The first editor was Si Sless.
- AZO Apothecary -- newsletter published quarterly containing reports from national officers and subordinate chapters.
Regalia
- AZO Pin -- designed by A. M. Bernstein, D.L. Dyen, M Shuman, and E.G. Sless
- Recognition Pin (1924)
- AZO Fraternity Shield (1924)
Collegiate Chapters
- Alpha: First chapter. Philadelphia chapter that was converted into the Philadelphia Alumni as the undergraduates became the Beta chapter. Now known as Philadelphia Alumni Chapter
- Beta: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
- Gamma: Temple University
- Delta: McGill University
- Epsilon:http://azoepsilon.weebly.com Rutgers University
- Zeta: Columbia
- Eta: University of Cincinnati
- Theta: Western Reserve University in Cleveland
- Iota: Arnold and Marie Schwartz School of Pharmacy
- Kappa:http://web.me.com/gldnmimosa/AZO/Welcome.html University of Maryland
- Lambda: Louisville
- Mu: Pittsburgh Alumni
- Nu: University of Connecticut/ Connecticut Alumni
- Xi: Fordham University
- Omicron: Detroit Institute of Technology
- Pi: George Washington/Howard University
- Rho: The St. Louis College of Pharmacy/ St. Louis Alumni
- Sigma:http://www.azosigma.com/ The University of Toledo
- Tau:https://sites.google.com/a/my.mcphs.edu/alphazetaomega/ Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Upsilon: Northeastern University in Boston/ Boston Alumni
- Phi: Wayne State University/ Detroit Alumni
- Chi: California Alumni
- Psi: NOVA Southeastern College of Pharmacy/ Miami Alumni
- Omega: Hebrew University in Israel
- Beta Alpha: Milwaukee Alumni
- Gamma Psi: Phoenix Alumni
- Delta Alpha: Chicago Alumni
- Epsilon Alpha: West Florida Alumni
- Epsilon Chi: University of Missouri School of Pharmacy in Kansa City
- Zeta Phi: University of Iowa at Iowa City
- Eta Upsilon: St. John's University College of Pharmacy
- Theta Alpha: Ohio Northern University
- Theta Beta: The Ohio State University
- Nu Mu: University of New Mexico in Albuquerque
- Omicron Alpha: Ferris State in Grand Rapids
- Omicron Beta: Florida Tri-County Alumni
- Omega Chi: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy in Richmond/ Virginia Alumni
- Pi Rho: University of Puerto Rico College of Pharmacy
Awards
- Directorum's Cup -- Established June 1926, awarded a subordinate chapter having the excellent standing each year.
- Newspaper Cup -- Awarded to subordinate chapters for Chapter publications
- Meritorious Award -- Awarded to a member with "long and distinguished activity on behalf of the Fraternity"
- Supreme Undergraduate Award -- Awarded to exceptional undergraduates one a year at conventions
- Achievement Medal -- Awarded to a person (not necessarily a member) for "long and meritorious service to the Profession of Pharmacy"
- Order of the Double Star -- Awarded to a member "who attain positions of respect and importance within the Profession of Pharmacy"
- E. G. Sless Award -- Awarded to a member "who have given years of long and distinguished service to AZO on the Chapter level"
- S. I. Sless Award -- Awarded to an undergraduate member for undergraduate service to AZO
The Early Years
After the "Dead Men's Club" graduated, the group held its first official gathering at the home of Abe M. Bernstein. It was at this time decided to change the name of the orgainization to "Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity". As it was the custom at the time to use GreekGreek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
letters to designate fraternities, AZO was renamed such because:
- Alpha -- the first letter in the Greek alphabetGreek alphabetThe Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
, representing the beginning of time - Zeta -- a mnemonicMnemonicA mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...
of the founders names, a symbol of the link between the creation and eternityEternityWhile in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existence for a limitless amount of time, many have used it to refer to a timeless existence altogether outside time. By contrast, infinite temporal existence is then called sempiternity. Something eternal exists outside time; by contrast,... - Omega -- the last letter of the Greek alphabetGreek alphabetThe Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
, was taken to represent the end of time.
In 1922 Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity, Supreme Chapter, was officially incorporated
Incorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Notable Events
In 1937, the Ohio River FloodsOhio River flood of 1937
The Ohio River flood of 1937 took place in late January and February 1937. With damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, one million persons were left homeless, with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million...
caused considerable damage to pharmacies owned by several members. An emergency session of the fraternity was called and a support drive was held to assist those members' businesses that were damaged or destroyed in the flood. In 1938, plans to offer insurance to the members of the Fraternity were adopted, and when finalized, $100,000 worth of insurance was written.
In June 1946, AZO presented funds for the pharmacy of the Hadassah Memorial Hospital
Hadassah Medical Center
Hadassah Medical Center is a medical organization that operates two University hospitals at Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, Israel, as well as schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacology affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.The hospital was founded by Hadassah,...
in Palestine. This was part of $15,000 pledged by AZO to build a pharmacy building at the hospital.
In 1956, AZO took on as its cultural program, the task of raising money for the Hebrew University in Israel. The stated goal was to raise $100,000 in 3 years, however, the fraternity surpasses its goal and raised $103,000 in just two years.
In 1961, a book titled "40 Years of AZO" was published, detailing the history of AZO. It was a 360 page, hard-cover printed volume, distributed to fraters and chapters nationwide, as well as pharmacy school libraries nationwide. Additional historical publications would follow, outlining the histor of AZO from 1960 to 1970, and then again from 1970 to 1980.
In the early 1970s, AZO began admitting women as members for the first time, and thus became a co-ed fraternal organization.
In 1976, the founder of AZO, Ephraim G. Sless, died. In honor of their late founder, the membership began a campaign to establish scholarships across the USA and in Israel.
After the events of September 11, 2001, AZO started a project to benefit the Dean Street Heroes Fund, N.Y. Fire Dept., Engine Co. 219.
External links
Alpha Zeta Omega Epsilon Chapter
Alpha Zeta Omega Sigma Chapter
Alpha Zeta Omega Kappa Chapter