Alpha Zeta (ΑΖ) is an honorary professional fraternity for students and industry professionals in agricultural and natural resources fields.^[1][2] It was founded in 1897 at Ohio State University and was the first collegiate society for agriculture.^[1]

Charles W. Burkett and John F. Cunningham, roommates and students at the College of Agriculture at Ohio State University, founded the Alpha Zeta fraternity on November 4, 1897.^[2] Three years prior, Burkett and Cunnigham had the idea of forming an organization to support agricultural students, create fellowship, and promote agriculture.^[3] They recruited ten other agriculture students who became the fraternity's charter members, including ^[3]

Alpha Zeta formed as a professional fraternity but became an honorary fraternity in 1936.^[4] Its chapters were limited to land-grant institutions until 1951.^[5]

At the fraternity's 1940 Conclave, a proposal was presented to open membership to non-white males.^[3] This was presented at each Conclave for twelve years, finally passing in 1952.^[6] Also in 1952, a proposal to admit women was defeated with a tied vote.^[3] The fraternity's constitution was amended in 1972, allowing its chapters to initiate women.^[3]

The fraternity was headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s.^[6] It was located in Lafayette, Indiana from 1974 to 1994, when it moved to St. Louis, Missouri.^[7] Its headquarters is currently located in Paducah, Kentucky. As of 2023, Alpha Zeta has chartered 74 chapters.^[1]

Its print publication was the Quarterly of Alpha Zeta, first published in the early 20th century.^[8][9][6] AZ News is now its primary publication.^[2]

The fraternity's badge is a monogram of the letter Α on top of the letter Ζ, with a small star at the center of the Α.^[6][2] Its key is the shape of two overlapping circles in gold and black.^[6][2] Its colors are old gold (mode) and sky blue.^[6][2] Its flower is the pink carnation.^[10]

In 1942, Alpha Zeta began issuing scholarships to a select number of members for graduate studies.^[6] The Washington, D.C. Alumni Association helped form the National Alpha Zeta Foundation of America, Inc. in 1960, allowing the expansion of the scholarship program.^[11][6] The foundation accepts and manages donations for "scientific, educational and charitable purposes which best advance agriculture for the public good."^[11]

The Alpha Zeta Foundation, Inc. was formed in Indiana on April 4, 1984, to oversee the fraternity's national scholarship program and to support its leadership development program.^[11]

The fraternity is overseen by a seven-member High Council that is elected by student representatives of each chapter at Biennial Conclaves held on odd calendar years.^[2] The council includes the High Chancellor, High Censor, High Scribe, High Treasurer, High Chronicler, Alumni Representative, and student representative.^[2] Alpha Zeta also has staff who oversee the fraternity's operations and communications.^[2]

To be eligible for membership in Alpha Zeta, students must be majoring in agriculture or a related field, must have completed one year of study, and must be in the upper two-fifths of their class.^[2] Prospective members are also evaluated for character and leadership.^[2]

As of 2023, Alpha Zeta has initiated 125,000 members and has 1,000 active members.^[1] Its membership types are student, alumni, associate, and honorary.^[6] Honorary members can be nominated by chapters every ten years after their Charter date.^[12]

Membership was limited to white males for the fraternity's first 55 years but became open to any male in 1952.^[3] Membership was made open to women starting in 1972.^[3]

Following is a list of Alpha Zeta chapters.^{[13][5][14][6]} Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics. Chapters are named in some way concerning agriculture or after the locality of the chapter.

• Professional fraternities and sororities