Category Archives: University of Michigan

Theta Phi Alpha’s Founders’ Day and Its Connection to a Saint

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Theta Phi Alpha was founded at the University of Michigan on August 30, 1912. Its ten founders are Amelia McSweeney, Mildred M. Connely, May C. Ryan, Selma Gilday, Camilla Ryan Sutherland, Helen Ryan Quinlan, Katrina Caughey Ward, Dorothy Caughey Phalan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Founders' Day, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged Elizabeth Smart, Saint Catherine of Sienna, St. Catherine, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan | Comments Off

The Syracuse – Michigan Match-Up, the Non-Athletic Version

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Syracuse and Michigan play a basketball game tonight. It’s part of the coveted Final Four of NCAA basketball. The Final Four usually not a big deal in the Becque household (well, at least not in my life – my sons … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Syracuse University, Theta Phi Alpha, Uncategorized, University of Michigan | Tagged 2013 Final Four, NCAA Final Four, Syracuse University, Univeristy of Michigan | Comments Off

Doctors Who Wore Badges: Fraternity Women in Medicine 1867-1902

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

In 1870, there were 525 female doctors in the United States (Newcomer, 1959). Among the fraternity women who became physicians were founders of two NPC groups, Rachel Jane “Jennie” Nicol, a founder of Pi Beta Phi, and Eleanor Dorcas Pond … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Phi, Boston University, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, DePauw University, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Goucher College, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Iowa Wesleyan College, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta (magazine), Kappa Kappa Gamma, Knox College, Lombard College, Monmouth College, National Panhellenic Conference, Northwestern University, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Syracuse University, The Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, The Trident of Delta Delta Delta, University of California at Berkeley, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of Vermont, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Famous fraternity women, Female doctors, female physicians, Gamma Phi Beta, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Monmouth College, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, sorority history, Syracuse University, University of Michigan, Women's fraternities, women's fraternity history | Comments Off

Here’s to the Next 100 Years, Theta Phi Alpha!

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

It was 100 years ago today, on August 30, 1912, that Theta Phi Alpha was founded at the University of Michigan. In 1909, Father Edward D. Kelly, a Catholic priest and the pastor of the university’s student chapel organized Omega … Continue reading →

Posted in Founders' Day, National Panhellenic Conference, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Illinois, University of Michigan | Tagged Ann Arbor, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan | 2 Comments

Back Home Again in Ann Arbor – Happy Centennial Convention Theta Phi Alpha!

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

This week, from July 10-15, Theta Phi Alpha is celebrating its Centennial in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the place where it was founded. How fitting that an organization founded by a Catholic Bishop for Catholic women began at a state institution … Continue reading →

Posted in Founders' Day, Theta Phi Alpha, Uncategorized, University of Michigan | Tagged Ann Arbor, Fielding Yost, Hill Auditorium, Omega Upsilon, Pi Lambda Sigma, St Thomas More - Ann Arbor, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan | 1 Comment

The History of Women’s Fraternities at the University of Michigan through 1902

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Women’s fraternities provided the early college woman with a support system. There were several campuses where, by 1902, there were or had been chapters of each of the seven founding NPC members. The University of Michigan is one of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Phi, Collegiate Sorosis, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, Uncategorized, University of Michigan | Tagged Alpha Phi, Collegiate Sorosis, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Pi Beta Phi, University of Michigan | Comments Off

Erastus O. Haven, Friend to Wolverines, Wildcats, and Orangemen, and a Gamma Phi Beta Dad

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Erastus Otis Haven, D.D., LL.D. holds a very unique spot in the history of women’s fraternities. The three campuses at which he served were important ones in the history of the women’s fraternity movement prior to 1902. Haven served as … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Northwestern University, Syracuse University, Uncategorized, University of Michigan | Tagged Alpha Phi, Erastus Otis Haven, Frances Haven, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Northwestern University, NPC, Syracuse University, University of Michigan | Comments Off

Happy Founders’ Day and Centennial Theta Phi Alpha!!!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

Theta Phi Alpha’s roots can be traced to the 1909 establishment of a local organization, Omega Upsilon, at the University of Michigan. Father Edward D. Kelly, a Catholic priest and the pastor of the student chapel at Michigan, felt that … Continue reading →

Posted in Founders' Day, Syracuse University, Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan | Tagged Theta Phi Alpha, University of Michigan | 2 Comments