Alpha Beta Chi () is a fraternity founded in Puerto Rico in 1941. It has established at least seven student chapters since its establishment at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. It also has alumni chapters across Puerto Rico and in Florida.
History Alpha Beta Chi was established as ABC at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus in 1941 by Ricardo Alegria who had been a member of Nu Sigma Beta. Its founding members were:
ABC was established to "defend authentic culture, education, and help the people of Puerto Rico". Later, it changed to the Greek letter name Alpha Beta Chi.
The fraternity established Beta chapter at the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in 1942. It was the first collegiate in Puerto Rico to attempt to establich a high school chapter at Central High School. Other chapters followed at various colleges in Puerto Rico. By July 1964, it had joined the Concilio Interfraternitario de Puerto Rico.
In 2014, the fraternity created the Ricardo Alegría Gallardo Award, presented to a high school graduate who is studying the fine arts. Later, it established the Carmen Ana Pons Castañer Award, named after Alegría's widow, for award for graduates of middle school with fine arts programs.
The fraternity's headquarters are located at 97 Calle Agua Azul - Urb. Costa Norte in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. The fraternity also has a clubhouse in Guaynabo.
Symbols The fraternity's principles or pillars are Love, Honor, and Loyalty. Instead of using a crest or coat of arms, it adopted a Taino emblem. The emblem was based on a drawing found in a cave in Lares.
Chapters
ChapterCharter dateInstitutionLocationStatusAlpha (First)1941University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras CampusSan Juan, Puerto RicoMovedAlphaPolytechnic University of Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto RicoActiveInteramerican University of Puerto Rico, San Juan campusBeta1942University of Puerto Rico at MayagüezMayagüez, Puerto RicoActiveGamma (First)Central High SchoolSanturce, San Juan, Puerto RicoInactive, ReassignedDelta (First)1943–19xx ?Polytechnic Institute of Puerto Rico San Germán, Puerto RicoReestablished, ReassignedGamma1958Interamerican University of Puerto RicoSan Germán, Puerto RicoActiveDelta1958Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto RicoActiveEpsilon19xx ?Alumni chapterPuerto RicoMovedKappa19xx ?Alumni chapterNew York City, New YorkInactiveEternalMemorial
Alumni chapters Originally, Alpha Beta Chi established Epsilon chapter for alumni. In 1961, the Epsilon chapter authorized the creation of local alumni chapters. The first local alumni chapter was created in Mayaguez in 1961. Eventually, alumni chapters were established in various locations throughout Puerto Rico. However, this system was replaced with the current Alumni Zonas or areas. In the following list, active chapters are indicateds in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.
ZonaCharter dateLocationStatusCoayuco1951Yauco, Puerto RicoActiveYahueca1961Mayaguez, Puerto RicoActiveGuainí1961Ponce, Puerto, RicoActiveGuaynabo1960sGuaynabo, Puerto RicoInactiveBorinquenmid 1960s–19xx?; 1970sGuaynabo, Puerto RicoActiveMajagua1965–19xx ?; 2009Bayamón, Puerto RicoActivePorta Coeli1974San German, Puerto RicoActiveJumacao19xx ?Humacao, Puerto RicoInactiveTaina1986Miami, FloridaActiveYaholo1991Orlando, FloridaActiveAgueybana2008Tampa, FloridaActive
Notable members
Ricardo Alegria (Alpha, 1941), scholar, cultural anthropologist, and archaeologist known as the "father of modern Puerto Rican archaeology"
See also List of social fraternities and sororities List of fraternities and sororities in Puerto Rico
References