Omega Chi Epsilon began at the University of Illinois in the spring of 1931. Professor F. C. Howard came up with the idea of having a chemical engineering honor society and conveyed his idea with students A. Gareel Deem, Ethan M. Stifle and John W. Bertitti. The club was developed by these students with the help of Professors Keyes and Krause, and by-laws were developed, a key was designed, and the council of administration of the University was petitioned for a charter. The petition was granted and the University of Illinois became the Alpha Chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon.
Just the next year, a group of interested and eligible men at Iowa State University formed a chemical engineering honor association with hopes of petitioning the Alpha Chapter for a charter. Soon the charter was granted, and Iowa State University became the Beta Chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon. In 1934, the Gamma Chapter was granted to the University of Minnesota. Although later these three chapters became inactive, they are still an important part of this organization’s history.
Iowa State’s Beta Chapter was reactivated in 1966 serving both undergradute and graduate students in what is currently the chemical and biological engineering department. In 1967, the Society became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Today, Omega Chi Epsilon has more than 55 chapters nationwide and over 16,000 members.