Chi Omega Association
1609 Graff Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577-3936
Address Service Requested
MU NEWS
Χ Ω
www.chiomega.com/mu
UC Berkeley Chi Omega
@CalChiOmega
@calchiomega
O
ne of the original founding members of
Chi Omega, Dr. Charles Richardson, a
Fayetteville, AR, dentist, was instrumental in
the birth of the fraternity. Born in Virginia,
he was one of 11 children. He attended Emory
& Henry College in Virginia and studied
dentistry at Vanderbilt University. He was
an active member of Kappa Sigma at both
schools and later served as a national officer.
He opened his dental practice in Fayetteville.
While there, he also owned the Fayetteville
Gazette and was its editor for several
years. He was a regent at the University of
Arkansas, founded the Kappa Sigma chapter
at the university, was active in the Chamber
of Commerce, and was on the board of
directors of the Arkansas National Bank.
However, Dr. Richardson is most famous
for his role at age 31 in the founding of
Chi Omega and his lifelong dedication to
the organization. With his guidance, Chi
Omega was founded on April 5, 1895, at the
University of Arkansas by Ina May Boles,
Jean Vincenheller, Jobelle Holcombe, and
Alice Simonds. Known fondly as "Sis Doc"
to generations of members, he is counted
as a founder and an honorary member. He
often visited Chi Omega chapters and was a
presence at Chi Omega conventions.
Along with the original four members, he
wrote much of the ritual of Chi Omega, as
well as drafted the constitution and bylaws
of Chi Omega. From dental gold, he crafted
Chi Omega's first badge. He was known to
wear a pearl horseshoe stick pin on his lapel
(on display at Chi Omega's Headquarters in
Memphis) and a unique watch fob. The fob
had a Kappa Sigma badge on one side and a
miniature Chi Omega badge on the reverse.
SisDoc is buried in Fayetteville. His role as
a founder of Chi Omega is acknowledged on
his gravestone.
Sources
• Franbecque.com
• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/
fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=55223397&P
Ipi=44696401
• The Chi Omega Archives Presents: 5
Minute Fast Facts about SisDoc
Chi Os
Have
Intern
Opportunities!!
Does your company offer internships?
How about an introduction to HR?
Can you share "the inside view" of your
firm with an interested collegian?
Can you help a Chi O active get
launched in an exciting career?
If so, please contact Sofia Sayyah '20 at
Mu at calxocpd@gmail.com or at
(818) 661-7020 for more information.
We'd appreciate your expertise!
Chi Omega Corner
Dr. Charles "SisDoc" Richardson
1864-1924
ATTENTION
ALUMNAE!
Cal pledge class of 1949. Back row, from left:
Margot McMahon Heltne '49, Nancy Balch
Fischer '49, and Marily Farnsworth Johnson '49.
Front row, from left: Vonie Marsh Dondero '49,
Mary Lou Willis Berg '49, and June Forsburg
Cunningham '49 were all Mu advisors for a
cumulative total of 75 years.
P
lease note, this edition of the Mu News
was compiled before the Coronavirus
shelter-in-place order, which led to the
cessation of all live classes and activities at
the University, including Commencement.
Mu Chapter House considers this their home
and remains open and full-service until the
end of the school year for our resident sisters
who wish to continue the online learning
programs that UC Berkeley offers. Careful
protocols are being followed for the proper
social distancing and cleanliness.
