Category Archives: DePauw University

Founders’ Day! From A to Z (AXΩ and ZTA) With a Touch of Ida Shaw Martin’s “The Sorority Handbook”

October 15 is the day on which both Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha celebrate Founders’ Day. In 1885, Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Thirteen years later, in 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha was founded … Continue reading

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1887 – When Illinois Was the West

It always catches me off guard when I see Illinois referred to as “the West.” In 1867, when Pi Beta Phi was founded and in 1870 when Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma were founded, Illinois was the western frontier. … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day @BettieLocke and Kappa Alpha Theta!

Today marks Kappa Alpha Theta’s 144th birthday. Whenever I see a tweet from @BettieLocke I wonder how the Thetas managed to make a 164-year-old woman so tech savvy. Seriously though, I have great admiration for Bettie Locke. I’ve included this … Continue reading

Posted in Butler University, DePauw University, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Theta | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day @BettieLocke and Kappa Alpha Theta!

Happy Founders’ Day to Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha!

October 15 is the founding day of both Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha. Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1885, Thirteen years later, in 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha was founded at the … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, DePauw University, Founders' Day, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Longwood University, National Panhellenic Conference, Women's Fraternity History, Zeta Tau Alpha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day to Alpha Chi Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha!

The West Baden Springs Hotel, the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and the Site of Several Fraternity Conventions

This past Saturday, August 24, a tweet from Phi Kappa Tau noted that “On this day in 1926, Phi Kappa Tau’s first convention at a resort hotel took place in West Baden, Ind.” In the 1920s, West Baden Springs was … Continue reading

Posted in Beta Theta Pi, Conventions, DePauw University, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The West Baden Springs Hotel, the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and the Site of Several Fraternity Conventions

U.S. Vice Presidents Who Belong to Fraternities and Sororities

How many U.S. Vice Presidents have been in a fraternity or sorority? A goodly number, it turns out. Here is a list of Vice Presidents since 1869,* when Schuyler Colfax became the first fraternity man to become Vice President. I’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Calvin Coolidge, Dartmouth College, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Delta Upsilon, DePauw University, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, Harvard University, Howard University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Presidents, The Anchora of Delta Gamma, University of Chicago, Yale University | Tagged , , | Comments Off on U.S. Vice Presidents Who Belong to Fraternities and Sororities

E. Jean Nelson Penfield, KKG, and Carrie Chapman Catt, ΠΒΦ, the Monmouth Duo of Suffragists

Eliza Jean Nelson (Penfield), who was born and raised in Greencastle, Indiana, graduated from DePauw University in 1893. While a student, she became a member of the Iota chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She attended the 1891 Panhellenic meeting in … Continue reading

Posted in Carrie Chapman Catt, DePauw University, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on E. Jean Nelson Penfield, KKG, and Carrie Chapman Catt, ΠΒΦ, the Monmouth Duo of Suffragists

Fraternity Women Who Were Lawyers, 1867-1902 (When Women Could Not Vote!)

During the time frame of this study, 1867-1902, women had few legal rights.  Therefore, it is interesting to note that several of these early fraternity women became lawyers at a time when women were not yet allowed to vote.  In … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, DePauw University, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, University of Minnesota, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Fraternity Women Who Were Lawyers, 1867-1902 (When Women Could Not Vote!)

Celebrating the Rebirth of Two NPC Alpha Chapters!

This spring two National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations are recolonizing their Alpha chapters. Zeta Tau Alpha is returning to its birthplace at Longwood University. Alpha Omicron Pi is revitalizing the chapter whose home will be the now co-ed Columbia University, with … Continue reading

Posted in Barnard College, Boston University, Colby College, DePauw University, Farmville Four, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Knox College, Lombard College, Longwood University, Miami University, Mount Holyoke College, National Panhellenic Conference, Sorority History, Syracuse University, Women's Fraternities | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Happy Founders’ Day, Kappa Alpha Theta!

On January 27, 1870, Bettie Locke [Hamilton] stood before a mirror and repeated the words of the Kappa Alpha Theta initiation vow she had written. She then initiated Alice Allen [Brant], Bettie Tipton [Lindsey], and Hannah Fitch [Shaw]. In 1867, … Continue reading

Posted in DePauw University, Founders' Day, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, Notable Sorority Women, Phi Gamma Delta, Sorority History, Women's Fraternities | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Founders’ Day, Kappa Alpha Theta!