| Acacia International Fraternity |
| Acacia International Fraternity |
wsuacacia.com
wsuacacia.com
Strengthening the ties of friendship
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| Acacia Fraternity History |
| Acacia Fraternity History |
The year was 1904… Winston Churchill
was 30 years old. Anton Chekov passed
away. The United States gained control of
the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million.
George M. Cohan's song, "The Yankee
Doodle Boy," was published. The first
Olympic Games ever held in America took
place in St. Louis. And on May 12, fourteen
Master Masons attending the University of
Michigan founded Acacia Fraternity.
Acacia's founders established the fraternity
on a unique basis. Membership was
restricted to those who had already taken
the Masonic obligations, and the
organization was to be built on the ideals
and principles inculcated by the vows taken
by Master Masons. Within one year, four
other Masonic clubs received Acacia
charters, paving the way for rapid expansion
in the following years.
Acacia's founders established the fraternity
on a unique basis. Membership was
restricted to those who had already taken
the Masonic obligations, and the
organization was to be built on the ideals
and principles inculcated by the vows taken
by Master Masons. Within one year, four
other Masonic clubs received Acacia
charters, paving the way for rapid expansion
in the following years.
Members were to be motivated by a desire
for high scholarship and of such character
that the fraternity would be free of the social
vices and unbecoming activities that for
years had been a blot on the fraternity life.
Today, members are no longer required
to belong to the Masonic Fraternity.
However, since Acacia was founded by
Master Masons, it still enjoys an informal
spiritual tie to Masonry. Some Acacians
pursue membership in the Masonic Orders,
and Masonic lodges and individual masons
have been of invaluable service to Acacia
chapters over the years. This relationship,
however, is voluntary.
was 30 years old. Anton Chekov passed
away. The United States gained control of
the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million.
George M. Cohan's song, "The Yankee
Doodle Boy," was published. The first
Olympic Games ever held in America took
place in St. Louis. And on May 12, fourteen
Master Masons attending the University of
Michigan founded Acacia Fraternity.
Acacia's founders established the fraternity
on a unique basis. Membership was
restricted to those who had already taken
the Masonic obligations, and the
organization was to be built on the ideals
and principles inculcated by the vows taken
by Master Masons. Within one year, four
other Masonic clubs received Acacia
charters, paving the way for rapid expansion
in the following years.
Acacia's founders established the fraternity
on a unique basis. Membership was
restricted to those who had already taken
the Masonic obligations, and the
organization was to be built on the ideals
and principles inculcated by the vows taken
by Master Masons. Within one year, four
other Masonic clubs received Acacia
charters, paving the way for rapid expansion
in the following years.
Members were to be motivated by a desire
for high scholarship and of such character
that the fraternity would be free of the social
vices and unbecoming activities that for
years had been a blot on the fraternity life.
Today, members are no longer required
to belong to the Masonic Fraternity.
However, since Acacia was founded by
Master Masons, it still enjoys an informal
spiritual tie to Masonry. Some Acacians
pursue membership in the Masonic Orders,
and Masonic lodges and individual masons
have been of invaluable service to Acacia
chapters over the years. This relationship,
however, is voluntary.
The evolution and development of Acacia
over the years has resulted in a fraternity
considerably different from what the
founders originally envisioned. But, each
major change has been an adaptation to the
needs of new conditions, and each has
permitted the fraternity to grow in reputation,
influence, and strength.
Our second century will undoubtedly require
further change, but so long as Acacia
continues to stand for high scholarship,
fraternal brotherhood and human service,
the intentions of our founders will be well
realized.
The International Council is Acacia
Fraternity's supreme executive and judicial
body. It is comprised of eight officers: six
alumni and two undergraduates, all of whom
serve without pay. Alumni officers' terms run
four years, while undergraduate counselors'
terms are two years in length.
The Acacia Fraternity's international
headquarters are located in Indianapolis,
Indiana. Washington State Chapter's own
Darold Larson #575 is presently the
Executive Director.
It was June 4th, and not
July 4th, that became a big
letter day in the history of
our Yale chapter for 1913.
The fireworks were
modest, and the noise was
confined mainly to 16 York
Square; but those present
at the Acacia House had
the distinct pleasure of
witnessing the initiation
into the fraternity of Yale's
most distinguished
alumnus, Former President
William Howard Taft.
President Taft, in accepting
the proposal of the
fraternity, made clear his
interest in Acacia. He was
kind enough to say that he
considered it a privilege to
come in contact with such
an organized body of Yale
men from all departments,
bound together by the
Masonic tie, as well as a
group of students,
considered as such,
among whom he might
have some influence
through intimate
acquaintance. These ideas
were again expressed in
his hearty speech after the
initiation ceremony, when
he complimented the work
of Yale chapter.
July 4th, that became a big
letter day in the history of
our Yale chapter for 1913.
The fireworks were
modest, and the noise was
confined mainly to 16 York
Square; but those present
at the Acacia House had
the distinct pleasure of
witnessing the initiation
into the fraternity of Yale's
most distinguished
alumnus, Former President
William Howard Taft.
President Taft, in accepting
the proposal of the
fraternity, made clear his
interest in Acacia. He was
kind enough to say that he
considered it a privilege to
come in contact with such
an organized body of Yale
men from all departments,
bound together by the
Masonic tie, as well as a
group of students,
considered as such,
among whom he might
have some influence
through intimate
acquaintance. These ideas
were again expressed in
his hearty speech after the
initiation ceremony, when
he complimented the work
of Yale chapter.
Darold Larson #575
Executive Director
Acacia Fraternity
Executive Director
Acacia Fraternity
| International Council |
| Acacia International Fraternity |
