Alpha Chi Sigma () is a professional fraternity specializing in the fields of the chemical sciences. It has both collegiate and professional chapters throughout the United States consisting of both men and women and numbering more than 70,000 members. The fraternity aims to bring together students and professionals pursuing a wide variety of chemistry-related careers. History Founding The Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity was organized at the University of Wisconsin–Madison by a group of undergraduates who were fellow students in chemistry at that time. Later documents set the date of founding as December 11, 1902. The original founders were: Raymond Tracy Conger Harold Everett Eggers Joseph Gerard Holty Alfred Emil Kundert Joseph Howard Mathews Edward Gustav Mattke Bart Eldred McCormick Frank Joseph Petura James Chisholm Silverthorn Coat of arms The seven symbols that stretch the length of the coat of arms are the "seven metals of the Ancients": gold, silver, iron, mercury, tin, copper, and lead. These symbols correspond to planets, gods, and days of the week. Purpose The Three Objects of Alpha Chi Sigma: To bind its members with a tie of true and lasting friendship. To strive for the advancement of chemistry both as a science and as a profession. To aid its members by every honorable means in the attainment of their ambitions as chemists throughout their mortal lives. The Five Obligations of a Member: That a member will remember the Objects of the Fraternity and endeavor always to further them. That a member will pay promptly all financial obligations. That a member will so act so as never to be a reproach to Alpha Chi Sigma. That a member will cheerfully fulfill any assigned fraternal tasks. That a member will maintain as satisfactory a scholastic record as possible. Famous Members Nobel Prize in Chemistry Petrus (Peter) Josephus Wilhelmus Debye, Tau '40 (1936) "for his contributions to our knowledge of molecular structure through his investigations on dipole moments and on the diffraction of X-rays and electrons in gases." Glenn Theodore Seaborg, Beta Gamma '35 (1951) "for [his] discoveries in the chemistry of the transuranium elements." Linus C. Pauling, Sigma '40 (1954) "for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances." Vincent du Vigneaud, Zeta '30 (1955) "for his work on biochemically important sulphur compounds, especially for the first synthesis of a polypeptide hormone." Willard F.