Acacia

IWU Founding Date: November 9, 1957

History of Acacia -Chapter's page on IWU website

The organization known today as the Illinois Wesleyan Chapter of Acacia Fraternity evolved from a small local organization started by John Edwards, Robert Andruczk, and Dennis Stark. The three men rushed in the fall of 1956, but were disappointed with the current situation of fraternity life at Illinois Wesleyan. Thus, they created their own fraternal organization and began to grow in membership and influence on campus. On March 13, 1957, after receiving bids from five national fraternities, the men voted to become affiliated with the Acacia Fraternity, and the Illinois Wesleyan Chapter was born.

In the following years, the chapter continued to gather respect from the other chapters, developing the most reasonable and progressive pledge program of the time, holding numerous campus leadership positions, and at one point having an overall GPA a full two-tenths above the other fraternities. The chapter reached a high of over 50 members during the 1970s, and during this time several brothers served terms as Undergraduate Counselors to the Acacia International Council. This successful growth, however, slowed to a halt in January of 1985 when the university terminated the chapter's charter.

The rebirth of the Illinois Wesleyan chapter began in March of 1988. With the Alumni Association supporting a growing group of interested freshmen, the university cabinet accepted the recolonization of Acacia on April 15, 1988. The "Original Seven" who joined Acacia that spring pledged fourteen more the next fall, and the following year the men received word from the university that they could be housed in Adams Hall. After two more years of hard work, the chapter was finally granted its charter on May 5, 1991.

Since rechartering, the chapter has continued the tradition of excellence that was established when it was originally founded. Keeping up its progressive attitude, the chapter created the positions of Administrative Dean and Risk Manager to assist with chapter operations, with the latter being adopted by the International Fraternity. Several brothers have received the Award of Merit, Acacia's highest honor, for their philanthropic efforts after graduation, and Brother Robert Roberson was recently elected to be Acacia's International President.

The chapter of today continues pushing ever forward, adopting Acacia's recently developed Cornerstones membership development program in hopes of helping its brothers to become more balanced, responsible, and educated men, ready to take on a more active part in the affairs of the communities in which they reside.

Mission Statement: The mission of Acacia Fraternity is: A: Academic achievement and betterment of ourselves through participation in student activities C: Community service to better the lives of everyone who comes in contact with the Acacia Fraternity A: Acquire leadership skills to become more involved with and have a greater influence in society C: Character building experiences which bring about maturity, integrity, and a sense of responsibility I: Individual development which instills personal confidence in every social arena, and A: Ability to attract and retain people who represent and believe in these Acacian values