With over 30 chapters and counting across the country, Acacia is constantly improving in our mission of “preparing tomorrow’s leader”. Our cutting edge membership program is designed to develop your inborn talents, giving you the tools you need to have an impact on your community after graduation. To do this, our organization brings together a diverse group of likeminded individuals and pairs them with our success proven undergraduate program to promote excellence in academics, leadership, and service.
As a collective, we are a group of engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians, businessmen and, most importantly, brothers. We are each others active resource and support for any and all challenges that college provides us. On campus, we strive to be leaders in our respective fields, service, as well as student organizations. Many professors at campuses around the country are themselves members of our fine fraternity, and a healthy network of thousands of alumni are always eager to help.
On February 14, 1905, 15 men were initiated as charter members of the Nebraska chapter of Acacia. As only the fourth Acacia chapter (following the University of Michigan, Stanford University and the University of Kansas), the Nebraska chapter has a history almost as long as the International Fraternity itself, which was begun in 1904.
The first chapter house was located at 1325 R Street, a spot currently occupied by St. Marks Church. The chapter occupied a few other locations over the years, finally moving in 1968 to the current location at 2255 Vine Street.
Originally established as a Masonic fraternity, the Nebraska founding members were well-respected leaders on campus, including Roscoe Pound and George Condra, who founded UNL’s prestigious Innocents Society, the Chancellor’s senior honorary and service organization.
Soon after World War I, the average age of college students was much younger than it had been previously. In an effort to provide the Acacia experience for more outstanding young men, the Masonic membership requirement for initiation into Acacia Fraternity was removed in 1933 a progressive change in which the Nebraska chapter had a significant role.
The Nebraska chapter has operated continuously since its founding, with the exception of a short period during World War II when many Acacians left college to fight in the war effort. Since its founding in 1905, many tremendous leaders and achievers have entered membership in the chapter. Among the more notable Nebraska chapter members are:
- Dr. Roscoe Pound (initiated 1905): distinguished legal scholar and educator. Served as Dean of both the University of Nebraska College of Law and Harvard Law School. Pound Hall on campus is named for him.
- George P. Abel, Senior: founder of Abel Construction Company (now known as NEBCO, Inc.). Abel Hall on campus is named for him.
- William Jennings Bryan (1908): noted American orator and statesman. Known as The Great Commoner, Bryan was a three-time nominee for President of the United States and served as Secretary of State.
- Dr. Harold Edgerton (1924): pioneer in electronic flash for photography and inventor of the strobe light.
- Edwin Weir (1925): first Nebraska Cornhusker elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. An All-American in 1924 and 1925 and an NFL All-Pro in 1927. Ed Weir Track and Field Complex named on campus is named after him.
- Clifton Hillegass (1938): creator of CliffsNotes guides for classic literature.
Many other Nebraska Acacians have become leaders of business, government, education, and most importantly leaders in the improvement of their communities.
Fostering Excellence Then, Now and Into the Future
The principles of Acacia and the meaningful experiences gained by the fortunate members of the Nebraska chapter have improved the lives of many men, who have in turn benefited the people and communities around them. This tradition of excellence has held true for more than 100 years, and continues to prove itself today.
Brotherhood
One of the main advantages to living in a fraternity is the social and brotherhood aspect. Being a member of Acacia provides many opportunities to build friendships and meet people in the Greek Community. As an incoming freshman there is nothing that will help more when adjusting to college than having a welcoming social environment.
As a chapter, we participate in various events both off and on campus with our fellow brothers.
During the semester our Social Chair will arrange several social events with sororities, fraternities and other groups around campus. You will find that the people you make friends with in other Greek houses and organizations will help support you and your chapter throughout your years in college.
Fun Plex outing in Omaha, Nebraska.
Some events include:
- Greek Formal
- Greek Week
- Homecoming Week
- Night on the Nile with ACACIA
- Philanthropy Events
ACADEMICS
A fraternity can be lots of fun, however, the Nebraska Chapter of Acacia holds it’s members to the highest of academic standards, continually striving for the highest of G.P.A. among fraternity houses on campus. In Acacia, academics come before everything. Both the active chapter and the alumni chapter continually provide resources and support for members and potential members academic success. Featuring a variety of in house majors, homework help is always available, and if not, an alumni will be contacted to assist.
Studying at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
TEAMWORK
Whether its a helping hand tutoring another Brother for coursework or Alumni helping Actives with internships we strive to stay connected through our Teamwork. This can be seen across generations of Acacians who continue to give their time, talent, or treasure to our Fraternity.
Masons
Acacia was founded by Masons in 1904 and that relationship continues with the Brotherhood today. If you are interested in Nebraska Masonic News and upcoming events please check out their websites below:
>>Nebraska Masonic Grand Lodge News<<
>>Omaha/Lincoln Masonic News<<
Did you know? Fraternal orders have been tied to the pursuit of knowledge since at least as early as 1427 B.C. Most of the ancient philosophers, including Pythagoras, Plato and Cicero, admitted or hinted that they were initiates of these societies.
What are your letters? Acacia is the only founding member of the National Interfraternity Council to choose a full Greek word as its name rather than a few letters. Our name, Acacia, comes from the Greek word AKAKIA which has several different meanings. Acacia means “distinctiveness and leadership among men”, “brotherhood”, and “strength and ruggedness of the spirit”.
Acacia was founded in 1904 by 14 Master Masons at the University of Michigan. Today it is a strong international fraternity, with Chapters at more than 40 universities across the United States and one in Canada. Over 50,000 university men have called themselves Acacians, including prominent figures such as Senators, university presidents, state governors, and Nobel Laureates. Famous Acacia alumni include: President William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, Cliff Hillegas (founder of Cliff’s Notes), Wes Santee (former Gold Medal distance runner), and Harold Edgerton (Nobel Prize in Physics).
Our house philosophy is to balance academics while having fun. Not only have brothers achieved high academic honors, but our house GPA is well above the university average. Perhaps the most appealing factor about a fraternity is its social program. We have a full social calendar of parties, date nights, mixers, and formals. On average, we will have four large parties and two formals every semester, with additional brotherhood events and mixers thrown in.
Leadership: There are many leadership positions within our chapter that allow for our members to have an impact on the success of our house. These leadership positions include Venerable Dean (President), Senior Dean (Vice President), Junior Dean (Social Chair), Treasurer, and Senior Steward (House manager), among others.
The Nebraska Chapter also encourages members to take on leadership roles within the campus and Lincoln communities. One of the best ways a brother can support his house is by impacting the lives of others in the community and representing Acacia to the best of his abilities. By taking on leadership roles in different organizations, a brother is using his gifts and talents while also presenting Acacia with those he comes into contact.
The Nebraska Chapter also encourages members to also get involved within the campus and Lincoln communities. One of the best ways a brother can support his house is by impacting the lives of others in the community and representing Acacia to the best of his abilities. Some of these activities include: ASUN (Student Government), Honors Program, University Program Council (UPC), Inter-Fraternal Council (IFC), the Daily Nebraskan (Campus newspaper), as well as numerous other opportunities. By getting involved with different organizations, a brother is using his gifts and talents to meet other while also representing Acacia to the community.
The Acacia Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy, held bi-annually, brings together the best and brightest of Acacia’s undergraduate membership. Over 100 of Acacia’s up and coming leaders will converge upon the Indianapolis, Indiana to share in the free flowing exchange of ideas between chapters. Living and functioning together as one chapter is a highlight of the event. In addition, a balanced mix of speakers, small group sessions and entertainment compliment the program to provide our undergraduates with a great fraternal experience. Acacia is the only fraternity to offer this unique program in a fraternal setting.
SERVICE
“Human Service” is the motto of Acacia Fraternity. Members of the Nebraska chapter continuously strive to have an impact in the affairs of our community and make a larger impact on the world around us.
Each year during the holiday season, Acacia chapters around the country collect new, unwrapped toys for children who might otherwise not receive presents. Dubbed Acacia Claus, this annual toy drive is designed to assist local organizations in our chapters’ communities. Chapters are encouraged to put their own personal spin on the event; which often involves partnering with local retailers to solicit donations of toys or money from residents and customers.
This worthwhile event has not only brightened the lives of countless families in need, it has also provided our brotherhood with an opportunity to show the communities in which we reside that Acacia’s “Human Service” focus is more than just lip service. It is a passion that drives and motivates our brothers in every aspect of their lives.
An Acacia tradition, Seven Days of Service is a week long attempt to improve the local community. Each day members of the fraternity take part in a different service project.
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