1931 - The first practical idea for establishing an organization that would recognize juinors and seniors who displayed academic excellence and leadership came about in 1931 when a group of chemical engineering students at the University of Illinois met. During this time, they designed a key and petitioned for recognition from the University of Illinois' administration. The University of Illinois became the Alpha Chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon.

1932 - Iowa State University was granted a charter from the Alpha Chapter. With that the Beta Chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon was formed.

1941 - An additional five chapters had been formed by OXE's tenth anniversary.

1961 - Records show that 105 chemical engineering students had been initiated from 10 chapters.

1967 - OXE became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

1981 - OXE's 50th anniversary. By this time OXE has grown to 705 members and 39 chapters.

1985 - "Lorraine. My density has brought me to you." -George McFly

1996 - The Beta Theta chapter was established at the University of Michigan.

Present - Live in the moment. OXE currently has over 20,000 members and ~67 chapters.

Future - "Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one." -Doc Brown

What is OXE?

Omega Chi Epsilon is the national honor society for chemical engineering. This society promotes high scholarship, encourages original investigation in chemical engineering, and recognizes the valuable traits of character, integrity, and leadership. It serves both undergraduate and graduate students and fosters meaningful student-faculty dialogue.

The name is based upon our motto: Ode Chrototos Eggegramai which means In this Society, professionalism is engraved in our minds. The letters OXE, represent Order of Chemical Engineers.

Omega Chi Epsilon is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The Society also has many common goals with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); we support the AIChE with funds for student awards. We further share many goals with the American Society for Engineering Education. Omega Chi Epsilon has over 60 active university chapters and total membership of nearly 20,000 men and women. While the chapters are primarily composed of Junior and Senior students, it is open to graduate students and faculty as well. In recent years, 2-4 new chapters have been chartered each year.

The OXE Key

The key represents the objectives of Omega Chi Epsilon. The four arms of the Maltese cross represent the first four objectives:

1. RECOGNITION to recognize excellence in chemical engineering

2. INVESTIGATION to promote original investigation and innovation in chemical engineering

3. SERVICE to provide service to the chemical engineering department or school and its student body

4. COMRADESHIP to promote comradeship among chemical engineering

These four are bound intimately together by the fifth,

5. PROFESSIONALISM to promote honesty, integrity and social responsibility: the hallmarks of professional ethics which is represented by the circular maroon crest in the shape of a globe, reminding us of the world-wide scope of chemical engineering. The gold Greek letters, Omega Chi Epsilon, are inscribed on a white band encircling the globe. The crossed retorts, the integral sign, and the bolt of lightening represent the three main tools of the chemical engineer: chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

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