1913: "Zeal, Courage, Ambition"

Right Inset: 1918 ZXA end of the year farewell dinner

During 1913 a group of University of Idaho students established the Zanda Club as a literary society alternative to fraternities on campus.

Three years later the Zanda Club's 15 members organized ZXA with the intent to be the best fraternity in the state of Idaho and one of the leading college men's organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

The local fraternity's motto "Zeal, Courage, Ambition" relfected their character and goals. Dean Jerry Wodesadalek served ZXA as its effective chapter advisor.

Below: Zanda Club Members

1919: Idaho Alpha is Born

Right Inset: 1919 Installation Formal

Arthur Cook, SAE province archon in Spokane, worked actively with ZXA to help it achieve its goals and provided encouragement to petition Sigma Alpha Epsilon for a charter.

WWI mobilization of American college campuses and the influenza epidemic delayed the petition one year.

ZXA was installed by Billy Levere as Idaho Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon on November 1, 1919. The "Alpha" in the chapter's name was given in recognition of Arthur Cook's energetic contribution to the new SAE chapter.

Below: SAE Installation Celebration

1932: 920 Deakin Opens

Idaho Alpha operated successfully for many years in the old boarding house that ZXA purchased at 904 Deakin. This chapter house was extensively remodeled in 1923.

Alumni intent on achieving the founders' leadership goals built a "state of the art" chapter house in 1932 at 920 Deakin for $52,145 during the height of the Great Depression.

The second Idaho Alpha chapter house built in 4 1/2 months was designed to promote strong fraternal bonds in a brotherhood of friends. It was updated in 1968 and 1993 before being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. 920 Deakin sheltered over 1,450 SAEs in its first 76 years before being completely rebuilt in 2008.

Below: 920 Deakin in 1932 and Today