Mr. Cox and Dr. Hunter discussed the matter further and it was decided that Mr. Cox would endeavor to enlist more of his DeMolay Brothers and others interested in colonizing at LSU and Dr. Hunter would approach the Masons for their support.

Mr. Cox was successful in assembling a group of (21) students and in the spring of 1955 the National Council recognized the LSU colony and formal pledging was conducted.

It became evident that if the colony was to succeed a Chapter house was essential. In September of 1955 the house corporation (ACACIA Foundation of Louisiana State University, Inc.) was organized as a Louisiana nonprofit corporation. Nine members of the Scottish rite were the original incorporators. Judge C. Lenton Sartain was its first President; Jared Y. Sanders, its first Vice President, and Earl E. Klein, its Secretary-Treasurer. In 1955, Louis Leggett, was Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana and presided over the Grand Lodge session in February, 1956. He gave permission for Dr. Hunter, Judge Sartain, and Mr. Cox to address the Grand Lodge, explaining the background of ACACIA, its Masonic origin, the efforts of the LSU Colony, and the need for a Chapter House. The Grand Lodge gave permission for the House Corporation to canvas the individual Masons in Louisiana for contributions. Of the 54,000 Masons in Louisiana at the time 22,000 contributed $75,000 towards the first Chapter House (located behind the present Sigma Chi house, and presently the Energy Center). The original house with furniture, etc.…, cost 165,000. In the spring of 1968 this house was sold to Phi Kappa Psi with the condition that occupancy was to be given at the beginning of the fall semester of 1968. The Chapter was without a house for three semesters awaiting the completion of the present house which was not ready for occupancy until the spring semester of 1970. Its total costs, including furniture and fixtures was $275,000.

The question could reasonably be asked why were the Masons interested in ACACIA. Masons worldwide and particularly in Louisiana comprise the largest and oldest fraternal order known to man. They believe in Brotherhood.

ACACIA was started in 1904 by Master Masons attending the University of Michigan. The same bond and desire to form a brotherhood on another University campus which compelled the Founders of ACACIA to venture forth at Michigan struck, a similar cord with the Louisiana Masons.

In 1954-1955 there were no ACACIA alumni associated with LSU in any capacity. As a matter of fact there was only one ACACIA alumnus living in the Baton Rouge area and that was John Farrens of Michigan, a local architect. The closest chapters were Texas (Austin) and Arkansas (Fayetteville). LSU was the first chapter below the Mason-Dixon line. Members from the Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma A&M chapters performed the first initiation ceremony for the initial members of the LSU Chapter of ACACIA Fraternity. There were 19 students initiated and 6 honorary members. This historical moment took place on February 11, 1956.

For the next 20-25 years, Masons of the Baton Rouge Scottish Rite Bodies served on the House Board as Trustees of the funds donated in 1956 and did so until LSU ACACIA Alumni were in a position to assume the responsibility. Some of these men could not become Acacians because of their previous fraternal oaths, but they were dedicated to the cause of ACACIA Fraternity at Louisiana State University.