Category Archives: University of Illinois

Agnes Nixon, Alpha Chi Omega and Soap Opera Titan

Yesterday, Agnes Eckhardt Nixon died. She is considered the Queen of Modern Soap Operas. Unlike some of her soap opera characters, there will never be anyone to replace her. Nixon became a member of the Northwestern University chapter of Alpha … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day, Zeta Psi!

Zeta Psi was founded on June 1, 1847 at New York University. John Bradt Yates Sommers, John Moon Skillman, and William Henry Dayton are its founders. The NYU chapter is the Phi chapter.  In trying to figure out what to write … Continue reading

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Museum Mystery, Chi Omega Trending, and the New/Old Gymnasium

It is official. The #WHM posts nearly did me in as they were combined with a to-do list that has its own zip code. But I loved writing about those “Unsung Heroines.” April has several Founders’ Days that I want … Continue reading

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#WHM – M. Esther Funke, Theta Phi Alpha and Lawyer

Marie Esther Funke was born on June 29, 1906 in Edwardsville, Illinois, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. She died in Edwardsville almost 60 years later. She is buried there in the Calvary Catholic Church cemetary. Her professional name was … Continue reading

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#WHM – Myrtle Fahsbender, KΔ, Lighting Expert

I was given a tip on Myrtle Fahsbender, a 1927 initiate of Kappa Delta’s Sigma Omicron chapter at the University of Illinois. I was told that she would be a fascinating woman to research. And she was. When I started … Continue reading

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#WHM – Gladys Gilpatrick, AΔΠ, and the Pillar in Memorial Stadium

March is Women’s History Month (#WHM and #WHM2016), and it is my goal to highlight an outstanding sorority woman each day in March. Please check back every day to see who is in the spotlight for that particular day. I … Continue reading

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Beta at Kansas, THON at Penn State, and a Phi Mu from Syracuse

I’ve been away for a week on a research project, my mind is swimming with places, dates, and the faces of those long gone. One of the most interesting tidbits I picked up last week was that Emma Patton Noble, … Continue reading

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On Phi Psi’s Founders’ Day, the Third Williams Brother

Phi Kappa Psi was founded on February 19, 1852 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at Jefferson College (now Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania). Phi Kappa Psi’s founders are William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore. For the last few … Continue reading

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On Phi Psi’s Founders’ Day, the Third Williams Brother

Phi Kappa Psi was founded on February 19, 1852 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at Jefferson College (now Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania). Phi Kappa Psi’s founders are William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore. For the last few … Continue reading

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Old Newspapers, a Mentor, a Golf Tournament, and Jeopardy!

I chuckle when people say they want to return to the “good old days.” As one who looks at old newspapers on a regular basis, it’s evident that bad things happened in the “good old days.” One of these events … Continue reading

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