Gamma Eta Gamma

Gamma Eta Gamma (ΓΗΓ) is a professional law fraternity and was a member of the Professional Fraternity Association.[1]

Gamma Eta Gamma
ΓΗΓ
FoundedFebruary 25, 1901 (1901-02-25)
University of Maine School of Law
TypeProfessional
EmphasisLaw
Scopenational
Colors  Red and   Black
SymbolLamp, Star, Fasces, Balance
PublicationThe Rescript
Chapters33 chartered, 1 active
Members~10,000 collegiate
Headquarters1126 5th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
United States
WebsiteGamma Eta Gamma Facebook page

Chapters are limited to law schools on the approved list of the American Bar Association.

History

Gamma Eta Gamma was founded on February 25, 1901 at the University of Maine School of Law. By 1976 it had 33 charters and over 7,000 initiates.

From the beginning the Fraternity exhorted its members to a high degree of personal and professional conduct. At founding, the three men who established the Fraternity wrote in their own handwriting into the preable of its constitution:

"We the undersigned students of the Law School of the University of Maine, with a view of establishing on this and other schools of law, as well as in the general practice of the profession, an elevated standard of personal deportment, a high code of professional ethics and a broad and catholic development of mental culture and moral character, do associate ourselves in the lasting bonds of a fraternal union under the name of Gamma Eta Gamma." [1]

The pledge manual included chapters on how to study law effectively, a chapter on etiquette, and general fraternity information.

Minnesota Chapter of Gamma Eta Gamma law fraternity, 2014

Founders

The founders were:

  • Charles Vey Holman
  • Charles Hickson Reid, Jr.
  • Harold Dudley Greeley.

Conventions and Government

The convention, called a "Witan", was at first held annually beginning in 1901. Later this shifted to a biennial basis, with province conferences held in off years.

While the Fraternity had multiple chapters, in the interim between conventions, management responsibilities were held by a council of twelve members called the "Curia," consisting of four elective executive officers and officials from the eight provinces of the fraternity. Eight of these twelve leaders were required to be alumni.[1]

By 2017, there was one remaining active chapter, at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Governance is now held by this successor chapter, managed as an informal, local fraternity with cooperative housing, in Minneapolis.[2]

Traditions and Insignia

Founders' Day is generally held on the anniversary of founding, February 25. However some chapters celebrated the Prandium Cancellari on June 7, which was the date of the fraternity's first banquet in 1901.

The badge is a shield with a lamp, a star and a Roman fasces or bundle, above the motto. A triangle encloses the letter Π with Γ on both sides and below a balance. The official badge contains 20 pearls surrounding the shield. The outgoing president, or High Chancellor is awarded a badge with a diamond border.

The pledge pin is a circular button, with the letters Γ Η Γ appearing in a circle on a red field, imposed on a triangle, with the rest of the button in black.

There is a fasces key, in gold, for alumni graduated with a degree in law, with the letters of the Fraternity name on the face of the key.

The colors of the Fraternity are red and black.[1]

Chapter list

Chapter information from Baird's Manual. Inactive groups indicated by italics, the active chapter in bold. Where known, dates of inactivity are noted. The only active chapter is Chi chapter at Minnesota, which maintains active membership for law students.

References
  1. William Raimond Baird (1991). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Baird's Manual Foundation, Incorporated. pp. V–78–79.
  2. The Minnesota chapter's University portal provided additional information, accessed 6 Sept 2020.
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