The Acacia Fraternity believes that our brotherhood does not have a final destination but is an endless journey. Along the way, men gain the skills which will be invaluable to them later in life. All of this starts with the gathering of knowledge which is integrated into moral, mental, and social development of each individual. We are dedicated to building better men. Never to be forgotten is our moto: "Human Service." This represents Acacia's dedication to the community in which every Acacian, active or alumnus, resides. The responsibility and commitment doesn't end with graduation. These ideals of Acacia are an everlasting agreement between both the member and the Fraternity itself.

Acacia's founding fathers saw truth in the search for knowledge. They established the priorities of Acacia Fraternity as:

1. Scholarship
2. Fraternity
3. Other Campus Activities

Our members do their best to live their college years following these principles and are encouraged by all of their brothers to do so.

• Founded on May 12, 1904, at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor
• Over 45,000 living alumni
• Currently 30 established chapters in the United States and Canada as well as 4 colonies
• International Website: www.Acacia.org
• Famous alumni include
  • William Howard Taft - (27th President of the United States)
  • William Jennings Bryan - (3 Time Presidential Candidate, Famous Orator)
  • James Kolbe - (Member of the U.S. House of Representatives)
  • Jack Kilby - (2000 Nobel Prize in Physics)
  • Harold Edgerton - (1933 Nobel Prize in Physics)
  • James Webb - (Head of NASA)
  • Calvin Griffith - (Owner of the Minnesota Twins)
  • Joseph Abrell - (VP of the Miami Dolphins)
  For a list of more notable Acacians, visit Acacia.org's Alumni Page.

Acacia is not the oldest, or the largest, or the most famous college fraternity, but its origin is distinctive and its record distunguished. While the history of Acacia has often paralleled that of other Greek-letter fraternities, in other respects the heritage and development of Acaica has been unique.

Acacia Fraternity was founded on May 12, 1904 at the University of Michigan by fourteen Master Masons. The group was an outgrowth of the University of Michigan Masonic Club. Acacia's founders established a fraternity on a new 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 instilled by vows already taken in the lodge room. The members were to be motivated by the desire for high scholarship and of such character that the fraternity house would be free of the social vices and unbecoming activities that for years had been a blot on the fraternity life of the nation. Within one year, four other Masonic clubs received Acacia charters, paving the way for rapid expansion in the following years.

Since Acacia's founding in 1904, changes in the student enrollment of American colleges and universities have resulted in changes in membership requirements from time to time. Today, members are no longer required to belong to the Masonic Fraternity. However, since Acacia was founded by members of the Masonic Fraternity, it still enjoys an informal, spiritual tie to Masonry. Althrough some Acacians eventually join the Masonic Fraternity, and Masonic lodges and individual Masons have been of invaluable service to Acacia chapters over the years, this relationship is entirely voluntary.

The evolution and development of Acacia over the past century has resulted in a faternity considerably different from what the founders originally envisioned. But, each major change has been an adaption to the needs of new conditions, and each has permitted the fraternity to grow in reputation, influence, and strength. The future 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.

In the words of our founding father, William J. Marshall; "The biological law of 'survival of the fittest' holds good with the social organizations as well as with other institutions and organizations. Only those survive the test of ages which prove their usefulness to the human race. No organization, religious or state, social or industrial, with other principles than those which promote the best interest of all concerned can ever hope to continue its existence through the centuries to come." - 1907