Founded in 1914 by the union of two architectural societies at the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois, Alpha Rho Chi (APX) is the professional architecture fraternity, with 30 active chapters operating nationwide. During a late one night in studio in the spring of 2015, UMSoA students Hitomi Maeno and Avleigh Du decided that a chapter was needed on campus, and immediately, even though it was the middle of the night, took action.

“I was in the studio late one night last semester, with Hitomi Maeno, just talking, and one of our topics was the lack of a professional architecture fraternity at UM, “Du said. “So at 4 a.m., we emailed the expansion director of Alpha Rho Chi and here we are.” Du and Maeono attended the national APX convention last year and met chapters around the country, as well as attending the APX leadership convention in October. Professor Jaime Correa is the APX advisor.

“This new Alpha Rho Chi Chapter is another demonstration that the SOAstudents are capable of achieving higher realms of fraternal distinction and outstanding merit,” Correa said. “As their official Advisor, I want to congratulate them after a year of hard work notwithstanding the fact that a moment like this should be celebrated with the planning and implementation of greater acts of leadership, encouragement to community service, and fostering of personal and professional growth.”

In order to go from colony to chapter, the group had to achieve fundraising and philanthropy goals. They conducted a very successful auction of student and faculty art, tripling their fundraising goal of $1,000. They worked at His House Children’s Home, building a pergola for the children.

Once the goals were met, APX was approved to become a chapter and their installation took place at Florida International University on Saturday, April 2. Twenty-six brothers and five pledges were installed. Correa will pledge APX this year as well.

While a colony, APX officers were Alyssa Osborn (President), Hitomi Maeno (Vice President), Avleigh Du (Secretary) and Chris D’Amico (Treasurer.) With the move to chapter, the officers for the next year, and their titles, have changed. The Worthy Architect (President) will be Maeno; Du will serve as Worthy Associate Architect (Vice President); the Worthy Scribe (Secretary) will be Regyne Heurtelou and Chris D’Amico will continue to serve as Treasurer, known as the Worthy Estimator. The chapter also has a Worthy Superintendent that the colony did not; that position will be held by Alex Underwood.

Moving forward, in addition to professional education events, APX will continue their fundraising and philanthropy work. They plan to continue the art auction and will hold bake sales at the Tecnoglass lectures, providing sweet and savory goodies before each one. They are looking for a new philanthropy for next year. “The fundraising and philanthropy are important,” Maeno said. “We want to make sure that we get the right kind of project for us. His House was great, but we’ve done what we can there right now. The project needs to be something architecture-related, something we can do that maybe other people can’t and where we can build a real relationship.”

“It’s very exciting to have another great student organization on the UMSoA campus,” said Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury.“Their emphasis on philanthropy and professionalism will be beneficial to all of our students and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish next year.”

About APX, from the Alpha Rho Chi website
Alpha Rho Chi is the national fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. Our brotherhood unites men and women for the purpose of fellowship and lifelong friendships and our mutual interest in professional development. This is exemplified by the fraternity’s motto: Fidelitas, Amor et Artes or “Fidelity and Love of the Arts.”

Our student and alumni brothers study and practice architecture, interior design, architectural engineering, landscape architecture, and related disciplines. Alpha Rho Chi is a charter member of the Professional Fraternity Association.