Category Archives: Theta Phi Alpha

Helen “Betty” McGarr Murtagh, Theta Phi Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2024

Helen Elizabeth “Betty” McGarr Murtagh, was born on October 23, 1925 in Lakewood, New Jersey. After the death of their parents, she and her three siblings were taken care of by her mother’s sister, Mildred Brown. She had artistic talent … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day, Theta Phi Alpha!

On August 30, 1912, Theta Phi Alpha was founded at the University of Michigan. Although founded on August 30, Theta Phi Alpha celebrates Founders’ Day on April 30, the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena.* St. Catherine is the patroness … Continue reading

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Mary Antorietto McKay, Theta Phi Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2022

Mary Antorietto McKay was  born in Italy on January 1, 1897. Her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Athens, Ohio. She graduated from high school in Athens and enrolled at Ohio University. There she became a member … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day, Theta Phi Alpha!

A few men have had roles in the founding of National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) women’s fraternities/sororities. Dr. Wellesley P. Coddington, George Banta, and Dr. Charles Richardson are some that quickly come to mind. Of that small fraternity of men involved in … Continue reading

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Frances Best Watkins, Theta Phi Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2021

While it’s the founders of an organization who are usually honored and revered, there are a whole host of others who helped in its building. Frances Best (Watkins) is one of those builders. In the fall of 1918, she moved … Continue reading

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Pi Lambda Sigma Merged With Theta Phi Alpha

I came across this article in the October 1952 issue of The Fraternity Month. That summer, at the Theta Phi Alpha convention at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago, Pi Lambda Sigma, another Catholic sorority, merged with Theta Phi Alpha. … Continue reading

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Ruth Katherine Byrns O’Meara, Ph.D., Theta Phi Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2020

Ruth Katherine Byrns O’Meara, Ph.D., was born on June 6, 1906. She grew up in Lodi, Wisconsin. In 1921, as a high school student, she won a History of Lodi competition, writing about her hometown. At the University of Wisconsin, … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day 2019, Theta Phi Alpha!

Theta Phi Alpha was founded on August 30, 1912, at the University of Michigan. However, it celebrates Founders’ Day on April 30, the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena.* St. Catherine is the sorority’s patroness and her motto, “Nothing … Continue reading

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The Day Upon Which Theta Phi Alpha Was Founded

On August 30, 1912, 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 of Michigan’s student chapel organized Omega Upsilon. He believed that the Catholic … Continue reading

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Zeta Chapter, on Theta Phi Alpha’s Founders’ Day

On August 30, 1912, Theta Phi Alpha was founded at the University of Michigan. Although founded on August 30, Theta Phi Alpha celebrates Founders’ Day on April 30, the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena.* St. Catherine is the patroness … Continue reading

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