Alpha Eta Rho (ΑΗΡ) is a coed international professional college aviationfraternity.[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]
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]
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]
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 propellor.[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]
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.
^ abcRobson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manuel of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 498–499.
^ abcAnson, 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.
^ abcdeCunningham, Frank (October 1940). "Greeks With Wings". Flying and Popular Aviation. 27 (4): 44. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via Google Books.
^"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.
^Fielding, Adelaide (1936-07-26). "Miss Fledgling". Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. p. 126. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
^Fielding, Adelaide (1936-07-26). "Miss Fledgling and Madame Power". Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. p. 102. Retrieved 2023-06-23 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Honorary Membership". The Belleville News-Democrat. Belleville, Illinois. 1965-02-15. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-01 – via Newspapers.com.
Former and formerly active members of the Professional Fraternity Association or its predecessors: Professional Panhellenic Association or Professional Interfraternity Conference
