Category Archives: Fran Favorite

Happy Founders’ Day Sigma Delta Tau!

March 25, 1917 is the date that seven female Cornell University students founded Sigma Delta Tau. Their organization was originally called Sigma Delta Phi, but when they discovered the name belonged to another Greek-letter organization they changed the “Phi” to … Continue reading

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From the Saltine Warrior to Otto the Orange at Syracuse University

Syracuse University is the only university whose mascot started as a goat, became an Indian, had a quick flirtation with a Roman gladiator, and finally became a citrus fruit – namely a round orange called Otto. Syracuse’s school colors started … Continue reading

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Perpetual Scholarships – Higher Education’s Answer to Money Woes in the 1800s

Many colleges sold perpetual scholarships in the first half of the 1800s. It was a creative, yet poorly thought out scheme to bring in much needed funds. According to historian Frederick Rudolph, the perpetual scholarship idea was “particularly attractive idea … Continue reading

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The 100th Anniversary of the Suffrage Parade, Sorority Women, and a Guest Appearance by High School Student J. Edgar Hoover

This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the March 3, 1913 Suffrage Parade in Washington, D.C. Among the women who marched were sorority/fraternity women. Pi Beta Phi Carrie Chapman Catt was one of the speakers. Pi Beta Phi’s former Grand … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Carrie Chapman Catt, Chi Omega, Delta Sigma Theta, Fran Favorite, George Washington University, GLO, Goucher College, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Howard University, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Kappa, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The 100th Anniversary of the Suffrage Parade, Sorority Women, and a Guest Appearance by High School Student J. Edgar Hoover

Sorority Women Who Have Won Oscars at the Academy Awards

The list of sorority women who have won Academy Awards: Best Picture Nancy Utley Jacobs, Chi Omega, President of Fox Searchlight, Producers of 2014’s Best Picture 12 Years a Slave and 2015’s Birdman Best Actress Kathy Bates, Alpha Delta Pi, Misery … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Fran Favorite, Gamma Phi Beta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Alpha Theta, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Sorority Women Who Have Won Oscars at the Academy Awards

A Fraternity of Firsts – Heth Aleph Re at Tufts University

My thanks to Charlie Trantanella, Sigma Nu,  for this contribution. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Arizona, he is currently writing a book entitled “Brown and Blue and Greek: A history of fraternities, sororities, and early student … Continue reading

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The Valentine’s Day Card Connection to Mount Holyoke College

Esther Howland, an 1847 Mount Holyoke alumna, is credited with popularizing the Valentine’s Day card. Her company, the New England Valentine’s Company, was founded about 50 years before the Hallmark Company, the company most people think of when they think … Continue reading

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The Surprises Archivists Love to Get – Kappa Delta’s Unexpected Gift

Meeting archivists from other fraternities has been a joy! Shirley McCann Gee is the Kappa Delta Foundation Archives Manager. Shirley and I have attended the two National Archives Conference for Fraternities and Sororities that have taken place at the University … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Delta Phi, Delta Gamma, Fran Favorite, George Banta, Panhellenic House, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Surprises Archivists Love to Get – Kappa Delta’s Unexpected Gift

George Banta and the Delta Gamma / Phi Delta Theta Connection

There are a few men who names emerge in the history of women’s fraternities/sororities. These men include Dr. Wesley P. Coddington, Dr. Charles Richardson, Dr. Guy Potter Benton, and the Right Reverend Edward D. Kelly. The man most influential in … Continue reading

Posted in Delta Gamma, Fran Favorite, Franklin College, Fraternity meetings, George Banta, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Delta Theta, Sorority History, The Anchora of Delta Gamma | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on George Banta and the Delta Gamma / Phi Delta Theta Connection

Choosing a Convention Delegate – As True Today As It Was Almost 100 Years Ago!

In the early 1900s, the magazines of the National Panhellenic Conference organizations would often contain an “Exchanges” section. The editors would chose items from the other NPC and men’s fraternity magazines and publish them. The May 1915 issue of the … Continue reading

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