Omicron Chi Epsilon () was an American college honor society for economics. It was established in 1955 at the City College of New York. The organization established 28 chapters before merging with Omicron Delta Gamma to form Omicron Delta Epsilon in 1963.
History Under the leadership of undergraduate student Alan A. Brown, a group of students at the City College of New Yorkdecided to establish a coeducational economics honor society in December 1955.Brown, Alan A. “Report of the National President.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon. vol. 2, no. 1 (1957): 4. The result was the establishment of the Alpha chapter of Omicron Chi Epsilon at City College of New York in January 1956.Gunther, William D. “The History of Omicron Delta Epsilon: The International Honor Society in Economics.” The American Economist, vol. 58, no. 2 (2013): 90-91. Brown was the organization's first president. Professor Edwin P. Reubens for the society's faculty advisor.
A second chapter was established at Manhattan College later in 1956. At this point, Omicron Chi Epsilon adopted a national constitution and elected Brown as its national president. John D. Guilfoil was selected to serve as its national secretary-treasurer. The society's purpose was "to recognize outstanding students but also to encourage scholarship through conferences and the publication of its official journal".
Omicron Chi Epsilon quickly expanded.Brown, Alan A. “President’s Report 1958 - 1959.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon 3, no. 1 (1959): 36–36. Chapters were established at Fordham University, Queens College, and Hofstra College in 1957.“Chapter News.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon, vol. 3, no. 1 (1959): 31–35. The first annual meeting of Omicron Chi Epsilon was held at Fordham University in New York City in the spring of 1958, with Nicholas Kaldor as the guest speaker. Later that year, chapters were established at Harvard University, Princeton University, Columbia University, St. Francis College, and St. John's University.
The society's fourth annual meeting was held at Hofstra University on February 28, 1959.Blair, Andrew R. “Minutes of the Fourth Annual Convention of Omicron Chi Epsilon Held at Hofstra College, February 28, 1959.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon 3, no. 1 (1959): 38–39. . In attendance were members of nine chapters, as well a representatives from Tufts University and Boston College, which were petitioning for membership. Both chapters were chartered during the meeting.
Omicron Chi Epsilon's fifth annual meeting was held at Harvard University on February 27, 1960. It was attended by representatives from fifteen chapters and two petitioning chapters. Saint Peter's College was admitted as Pi chapter during the meeting. In addition, Brown was granted the title president emeritus for life.
At the December 27, 1960, annual convention at Columbia University in New York City, chapters were admitted at Cornell University, New York University, and Bethany College.Naus, Joseph. “Sixth Annual Convention of Omicron Chi Epsilon National Honor Society in Economics Held in New York City, December 27, 1960.” The American Economist, vol. 5, no. 1 (1961): 27. Chapters at Southern Methodist University, Dartmouth College, University of Oklahoma, Tulane University, and Syracuse University were admitted at the December 28, 1961 convention at Queens College.Naus, Joseph. “Seventh Annual Convention of Omicron Chi Epsilon National Honor Society in Economics Held at Queens College, December 28, 1961.” The American Economist, vol. 6, no. 1 (1962): 27–27. The society voted against joining the Association of College Honor Societies but did vote to pursue a merger with Omicron Delta Gamma (Order of Altus).
Brown initiated contact with Omicron Delta Gamma, a similar organization that was established in 1915, about a possible merger with Omicron Chi Epsilon. Omicron Delta Gamma chapters were located in the Midwest and West, while Omicron Chi Epsilon's 28 chapters were in the East Coast and Texas. Their only duplication was at New York University. All chapters of Omicron Chi Epsilon approved the merger via a mail referendum in 1962.Guilfoil, John D. “President’s Report.” The American Economist. vol. 6, no. 2 (1962): 54.
The merger was effective on January 1, 1963, establishing a new organization named Omicron Delta Epsilon. Brown became chairman of the board of Omicron Delta Epsilon.
Activities Omicron Chi Epsilon conducted business on the national, regional, and local levels. The national organizations held annual meetings and conferences, and published the organization's journal. Its publication was The Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon.“Front Matter.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon, vol. 3, no. 1 (1959). Siegman, Charles. “What and Who — an Introduction.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon, vol. 2, no. 1, 1957, p. 3. . Accessed 3 Dec. 2025. During its annual meetings, members presented papers, and the society's official business was conducted, including electing the executive board. At the regional level, chapters jointly held meetings and programs. Local activities included meetings, speakers, and presentations of papers by members.
Membership Membership in Omicron Chi Epsilon was awarded for outstanding academic work to male and female juniors, seniors, and graduate students who were studying economics.Maguire, James. “Gamma Chapter News — Fordham University.” Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon vol. 2, no. 1 (1957): 26–26. To be eligible for membership, students needed a 3.0 GPA for twelve hours of economics classes. Potential members were required to present an original paper to the society.
Governance Omicron Chi Epsilon was overseen by an executive board consisting of a national president, national secretary-treasurer (became national secretary and national treasurer in December 1961), regional vice-president of New York, regional vice-president of New England, regional vice-president of the Central Atlantic, regional vice-president of the Southern region, regional vice-president of North Central, regional vice president for the Western region, and editor-in-chief of the journal. The board was elected at annual meetings. In addition, the society has a senior advisory board consisting of the chapter faculty advisors. The society also had a committee on policy that included former national officers and student members.
Chapters Following are the chapters of Omicron Chi Epsilon, with inactive chapters indicated in italics.Joel Gemunder, Charles Cavaliere, Werner J. Zumbrunn, Susan Saffer, Bernard Rogenstein, Carl H. Stem, David S. Friedberg, et al. "Chapter News and Reports". Journal of Omicron Chi Epsilon National Honor Society in Economics. Supplement to American Economist. vol. 4, no. 1 (1960): i–v.
ChapterCharter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatusAlpha – January 1, 1963City College of New YorkNew York City, New YorkMergedBeta1956 – January 1, 1963Manhattan CollegeRiverdale, Bronx, New York City, New YorkMergedGamma1957 – January 1, 1963Fordham UniversityNew York City, New YorkMergedDelta1957 – January 1, 1963Queens CollegeNew York City, New YorkMergedEpsilon1957 – January 1, 1963Hofstra CollegeHempstead, New YorkMergedZeta1958 – January 1, 1963Harvard UniversityCambridge, MassachusettsMergedEta1958 – January 1, 1963Princeton UniversityPrinceton, New JerseyMergedTheta1958 – January 1, 1963Columbia UniversityNew York City, New YorkMergedIota – January 1, 1963St. Francis CollegeBrooklyn, New YorkMergedKappa – January 1, 1963St. John's UniversityQueens, New York City, New YorkMergedLambda – January 1, 1963 Tufts UniversityMedford, MassachusettsMergedMu – January 1, 1963 Boston CollegeBoston, MassachusettsMergedNu1959 – January 1, 1963University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaMergedXi1959 – January 1, 1963University of TexasAustin, TexasMergedOmicron1959 – January 1, 1963University of HoustonHouston, TexasMergedPi – January 1, 1963Saint Peter's CollegeJersey City, New JerseyMergedRho – January 1, 1963Cornell UniversityIthaca, New YorkMergedSigma – January 1, 1963New York UniversityNew York City, New YorkMergedTau – January 1, 1963Bethany CollegeBethany, West VirginiaMergedUpsilon1961 – January 1, 1963Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TexasMergedPhi1961 – January 1, 1963Dartmouth CollegeHanover, New HampshireMergedChi1961 – January 1, 1963University of OklahomaNorman, OklahomaMergedPsi1961 – January 1, 1963Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LouisianaMergedOmega1961 – January 1, 1963Syracuse University Syracuse, New YorkMergedAlpha Alpha1962 – January 1, 1963Wisconsin State College–River FallsRiver Falls, WisconsinMergedAlpha Beta1962 – January 1, 1963Bradley UniversityPeoria, IllinoisMergedAlpha Gamma1962 – January 1, 1963Fisk UniversityNashville, TennesseeMerged
Notable members
Charles M. Berger, CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and business executive who created advertising campaigns for Heinz ketchup Alan A. Brown, professor of economics at the University of Windsor Thomas DeGregori, economist and professor at the University of Houston Julius B. Levine, professor of law at Boston University School of Law Alexander J. Kondonassis, chair of the Department of Economics and director of the Division of Economics at the University of Oklahoma; faculty sponsor of chapter Charles Siegman, media scholar and policy advocate Houston H. Stokes, head of the department of economics at the University of Illinois Chicago Stefan Valavanis, a Harvard econometrician and faculty advisor of the Zeta chapter William J. Weary, dean of the school of commerce at St. John's University and secretary-registrar of New York Law School
See also
Professional fraternities and sororities
References