Alpha Zeta Omega

American professional fraternity

Alpha Zeta Omega (ΑΖΩ or AZO) is an American co ed, pharmaceutical professional fraternity founded on December 19, 1919. It was originally known as the Dead Men's Club.

Alpha Zeta Omega was founded in Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, which is now called the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. The leader and originator of this group was Ephraim G. Sless. The original members (also known as fraters) were:

These eleven men secretly started a pharmaceutical fraternity they dubbed the Dead Men's Club. Soon after its founding, Harry Althouse was added, and as its members then numbered twelve, the group was often referred to as "The Dozen". Later, Dr. Lawrence Rosenfeld, an eminent Philadelphia bacteriologist, also became a member, but the name of "The Dozen" persisted. Because of strenuous opposition to the formation of new organizations at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science by older fraternities and clubs, the newly formed Dead Men's Club would exist as a secret society for several years. Alpha Zeta Omega was formed for academic support; the original stated goal was to ensure 100% graduation of its members. Members participated in a structured series of quizzes, designed and executed by the members most proficient in the particular subject under discussion. These frequent study sessions resulted in bringing together the social life of the members. In 1921, the Dead Men's Club boasted 100% graduation of its thirteen members. In addition to the original goal of "100% graduation" the purpose of the Fraternity is now designated chiefly as "to spread the spirit of Fraternalism, Brotherly Love, Friendship and Good Will towards Mankind." The original constitution of AZO was drawn up by A. M. Bernstein and D. L. Dyen. Stanley Rosenfeld was elected the first "Supreme Directorum" (President) of the fraternity. The original thirteen members termed themselves the Alpha chapter. The Supreme chapter, consisting of the Supreme Officer and delegates from subordinate chapters, meets regularly twice a year in January and July. As the fraternity began to grow in its early years, it became necessary to hold a yearly convention. The first such affair took place at the Hotel Walton, Philadelphia in June 1922, with E. Fullerton Cook, chairman of the Pharmacopoeia Revision Committee, as guest and toastmaster. After the Dead Men's Club founding members graduated, the group held its first official gathering at the home of Abe M. Bernstein. It was at this time decided to change the name of the organization to Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity. In 1922, Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity Supreme Chapter was officially incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. The fraternity's yearly publication, Hazy O, started in December 1922 and was edited by Si Sless. At the 1925 Convention in Newark, NJ, the Philadelphia alumni chapter was chartered, which nullified the charter of the Alpha chapter. The Alpha fraters then became the charter members of the Philadelphia alumni chapter. In 1937, the Ohio River Floods caused considerable damage to pharmacies owned by several members. An emergency session of the fraternity was called and a support drive was held to assist those members' businesses that were damaged or destroyed in the flood. In 1938, plans to offer insurance to the members of the fraternity were adopted, and when finalized, $100,000 worth of insurance was written. In 1939, a Ladies Auxiliaries was established at several chapters for the wives of AZO fraters. At the Detroit Convention in 1940, a National Auxiliary was founded. In 1961, the book 40 Years of AZO was published, detailing the history of AZO. Additional historical publications would follow, outlining the history of AZO from 1960 to 1970, and then again from 1970 to 1980. In the early 1970s, AZO began admitting women as members for the first time and thus became a co ed fraternal organization.

Currently, two meetings are held each year—a National Convention in July and a Regional Convention in January. The AZOan is the fraternity's yearly publication. Its quarterly newsletter is AZO Apothecary.

The fraternity has numerous awards. The Directorum's Cup was established in June 1926 and is awarded annually to a subordinate chapter for its excellent standing. The Newspaper Cup is awarded to subordinate chapters for chapter publications. The Meritorious Award is presented to a member for "long and distinguished activity on behalf of the fraternity". The Supreme Undergraduate Award is given to exceptional undergraduates annually at conventions. The S. I. Sless Award is presented to an undergraduate member for undergraduate service to the fraternity. The E. G. Sless Award is given to a member for long and distinguished service to the fraternity on the chapter level. The Achievement Medal is presented to a person (not necessarily a member) for "long and meritorious service to the Profession of Pharmacy". The Order of the Double Star is awarded to members "who attain positions of respect and importance within the Profession of Pharmacy".

In June 1946, AZO presented funds for the pharmacy of the Hadassah Memorial Hospital in Palestine. This was part of the $15,000 pledged by the fraternity to build a pharmacy building at the hospital. In 1956, AZO took on as its cultural program, the task of raising money for the Hebrew University in Israel. The stated goal was to raise $100,000 in three years. The fraternity surpassed its goal and raised $103,000 in just two years. In 1976, the founder of AZO, Ephraim G. Sless, died. In honor of their late founder, the membership began a campaign to establish scholarships across the United States and in Israel. After the events of September 11, 2001, AZO started a project to benefit the Dean Street Heroes Fund, N. Y. Fire Dept., Engine Co. 219. After the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria to Puerto Rico, where one of AZO's chapters resides, a project was started to benefit the rebuilding of the territory.

Following is a list of the alumni chatpers of Alpha Zeta Omega. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics. ChapterChartered date and rangeLocationStatusReferencesAlpha (Second)1925Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaInactiveEpsilon1923Piscataway, New JerseyActiveEta1924Cincinnati, OhioActiveTheta (Second)Cleveland, OhioInactiveKappa 1923Baltimore, MarylandActiveLambda 1947 – January 2016Louisville, KentuckyInactiveMu 1927Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaInactiveNu1928Storrs, ConnecticutInactivePi1931Washington, D. C. InactiveRho1942St. Louis, MissouriInactiveSigma1950Toledo, OhioInactiveTau1950Boston, MassachusettsActiveUpsilon1950Boston, MassachusettsInactivePhi 1951Detroit, MichiganInactiveChiLos Angeles, CaliforniaInactivePsiMiami, FloridaInactiveBeta AlphaMilwaukee, WisconsinInactiveGamma PsiPhoenix, ArizonaInactiveDelta AlphaChicago, IllinoisInactiveEpsilon Alpha / Western FloridaTampa, FloridaInactiveOmicron Beta / Florida Tri CountyFort Lauderdale, FloridaInactiveOmega Chi1949Richmond, VirginiaInactiveTheta GammaFindlay, OhioInactiveDelta TauSpringfield, MassachusettsActiveVirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaInactiveConnecticutHartford, ConnecticutInactiveSouthern ConnecticutBridgeport, ConnecticutInactiveNew YorkNew York City, New YorkActiveAZO PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaActivePuerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoActive