Category Archives: Colleges and Universities

Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah! The Birth of College Sports and the NCAA

A two-mile, eight-oared barge race between two teams in 1852 was the first recorded American intercollegiate competition. Harvard defeated Yale on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and their athletic rivalry began. The College Rowing Association was founded six years later by Brown, … Continue reading

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Recruitment, OK! New Members, OK! Where? Oklahoma, OK!!

The University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State University Panhellenic Associations have completed sorority recruitment. Congratulations to the new members of these organizations. Enjoy  your time as a collegiate member and cherish the fact that membership is for a lifetime. … Continue reading

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Women’s Fraternities, Sororities, and Dr. Frank Smalley

“Why are some National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) groups women’s fraternities and some are sororities?” is a question I am often asked. It’s a tough one because the 26 NPC organizations are typically referred to as sororities in everyday conversation (i.e. … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Northwestern University, Syracuse University, The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, University of Michigan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Women’s Fraternities, Sororities, and Dr. Frank Smalley

“Baconian Biliteral Cipher, on the Estate of Colonel Fabyan,” National Security, and Elizebeth Smith Friedman

“Elizebeth Smith, ’15, and Wm. F. Friedman, Cornell, ’13. May 21, (1917). At home. Riverbank, Geneva, Ill.. where both are engaged on the Baconian Biliteral Cipher, on the estate of Colonel Fabyan,” is the notice of the marriage of a … Continue reading

Posted in Cornell University, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Hillsdale College, Notable Fraternity Women, Pi Beta Phi, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “Baconian Biliteral Cipher, on the Estate of Colonel Fabyan,” National Security, and Elizebeth Smith Friedman

1839 – on the Eighth Day of the Eighth Month at Nine in the Evening – Happy 174th Birthday, Beta Theta Pi!

August 13, 1839, was Commencement Day at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Five days earlier, on August 8, at the first official meeting, eight young men established Beta Theta Pi, the first men’s fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains. … Continue reading

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Sorority Members Rush To and Fro in the Summer of 1910

Has Fran finally lost it? Why is she using this picture? It looks like a hot mess all the way around. In 2013, taking a candid picture is not at all noteworthy. But back in the summer of 1910 when … Continue reading

Posted in Conventions, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, University of Kansas, Women's Fraternities | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Sorority Members Rush To and Fro in the Summer of 1910

“The Best Man/Woman in the Chapter” With Thoughts of Thomas Arkle Clark

One of my all-time favorite magazines is Banta’s Greek Exchange. Sadly, it has not been published since 1973. For 60 years Banta’s Greek Exchange printed information from fraternity and sorority magazines along with feature articles and other items of interest to … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Phi, Alpha Phi Quarterly, Alpha Tau Omega, Fran Favorite, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, University of Illinois, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on “The Best Man/Woman in the Chapter” With Thoughts of Thomas Arkle Clark

8/3/1923 Calvin Coolidge, ΦΓΔ, and Grace Coolidge, ΠBΦ, Their First Full Day as President and First Lady

Ninety years have passed since Grace Goodhue Coolidge went to bed the evening of August 2, 1923, as the wife of the Vice President. She was awakened in the middle of the night, dressed and went downstairs to join her … Continue reading

Posted in Amherst College, Calvin Coolidge, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, Grace Coolidge, Phi Gamma Delta, University of Vermont | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 8/3/1923 Calvin Coolidge, ΦΓΔ, and Grace Coolidge, ΠBΦ, Their First Full Day as President and First Lady

“Look On This Picture After That!” The University of Kansas Fraternity System, 1889

Let’s go back 124 years. Pretend it’s 1889 and we’re at the University of Kansas. Forget that generations of students have come and gone in Lawrence since then. An early student publication devotes a page to what seems to be … Continue reading

Posted in Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, University of Kansas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Look On This Picture After That!” The University of Kansas Fraternity System, 1889

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