Zeta Tau Alpha FRED (Fraternity Education) The State of November 2009: Illinois & Indiana ILLINOIS: State Fun Facts: Note: Information regarding chapter histories is provided from The History of Zeta Tau Alpha by Shirley Kreasan Strout, 1956 Edition, and its supplements. l Nickname The Prairie State l Capital Springfield l Largest City Chicago l Tourist Attractions Illinois borders on Lake Michigan and is home to one of only eight Baha i temples in the world. Parts of three National Historic Trails run through Illinois: Louis & Clark National Historic Trail, Mormon Pioneer NHT, and Trail of Tears NHT. In addition, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site is in Illinois. As the largest city in Illinois, Chicago has many wellknown tourist attractions. The Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Willis Tower (former known as the Sears Tower) are all in Chicago. In addition, the Art Institute of Chicago includes artwork of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, as well as lesser-known artists. Alpha Phi Northwestern University Evanston, IL Link #46 Installed: November 17, 1923, Re-activated May 5, 2007 Area III; Province XV-A Sisterhood Ahead STOP for In a conversation with Northwestern University President Walter Dill Scott, Grace Mattern (instructor in the School of Speech) learned that he would like to see more organizations for women on campus. As a result, in February 1922, she handpicked four young women to form a group that Panhellenic later recognized as Omicron Alpha. Shirley Kreasan Krieg (Strout), then editor of Themis and soon-to-be Grand Editor-Historian, informally met with the local organization when she passed through in December 1922, and formally inspected them in the spring of 1923. As a result of her inspection, Zeta Tau Alpha offered Omicron Alpha a charter that summer. With the help of National Inspector Marion Jellicorse, Mrs. Krieg installed Alpha Phi on Nov. 17, 1923 at the home of charter member Ariel Thorpe (Jewett). Members of Tau (Millikin University), Alpha Iota (Lawrence 1 of 13
University), and Alpha Kappa (University of Illinois) assisted with Initiation and Installation, and Zeta Tau Alpha became the 17th national women s fraternity on Northwestern s campus. Grace Mattern, who had called the initial meeting to form a group, was one of the 18 initiates. Nell Waldron, Omicron Alpha s first president, became a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and firmly established Alpha Phi s tradition of academic excellence. At the time of its Installation, the chapter had had the highest GPA of any other campus organization for four semesters and was the proud owner of the Scholarship Cup. The Scholarship Cup was a rotating award that went to the women s fraternity with the highest GPA. If a chapter won it two consecutive semesters, it had its name engraved on the cup. If it won for three consecutive semesters, it got to keep the cup. To emphasize the importance of academic achievement, Alpha Phi began a tradition of giving a loving cup to its new member with the highest GPA. Alpha Phi flourished for years and then fell on hard times. The chapter closed in 1969. Alpha Phi Today: Reinstalled in 2007, Alpha Phi has come on strong on the Northwestern University campus. Members hold leadership positions in student government, athletics, theater and musical productions, and the Society of Women Engineers. Sisters enjoy spending time with each other in activities that vary from sleepovers to watching Grey s Anatomy together. They volunteer at nursing homes and raise money for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation with Light the Way Luminary Walk and Carve to Cure. The academic achievement chairman encourages sisters with incentives and study tips. Staying true to the chapter s founders and recognizing that they are at an academically challenging university, members support each other to make sure that they are performing to the best of their abilities both inside and outside of the classroom. The chapter attained the coveted Crown Award in 2009. Notable Alpha Phi alumnae include three of the chapter s founders: Nell Waldron, Grace Mattern and Miriam Risser. Nell Waldron became Dean of Women and professor of history at Olivet College, Olivet, Mich. Grace Mattern and Miriam Risser went on to serve as National Officers Mattern as the first president of Epsilon Province and then as chairman of the national nominating committee. Risser followed Grace Mattern as chairman of the national nominating committee, and then served on the national constitution committee as well. Alpha Phi Throws a Party: Alpha Phi s favorite social events include a 70s Disco Roller Skating Party, Hollywood Crush Party, and From Zeta with Love. Fun Facts about Northwestern University: l Established 1851 l Mascot Willie the Wildcat l Enrollment 8,500 undergratuate students l Web site: www.northwestern.edu Visit Alpha Phi on the Web: http://groups.northwestern.edu/zta/ 2 of 13
Eta Phi Illinois State University Normal, IL Link #165 Installed: April 27,1974 Area III; Province XV-A On October 15, Zeta Tau Alpha s Founders Day, Sherry Kinlaw and Mrs. James Huth visited a group of young women and held a recruitment party, talking to them about Zeta Tau Alpha and what being a Zeta meant to them. Their goal was eventually to attain 25 new members for Zeta Tau Alpha, and they were successful. Installation weekend was set for April 26-28, 1974, which was also Greek Week. Fellow Greeks were considerate of the new Zeta Tau Alpha chapter and scheduled activities around their Installation and Initiation so that they would be able to participate. Initiation teams from the Tau (Millikin University) and Alpha Kappa (University of Illinois) initiated nine charter members followed by twelve charter pledges on Friday at the First United Methodist Church. On Saturday, they initiated 19 Installation initiates. The new initiates attended church together at First United Methodist on Sunday morning. This was followed by a reception in the 1857 Room of the University Union Auditorium. Alpha Phi Today: At 120 members, s Eta Phi chapter is the largest National Panhellenic Conference member on Illinois State University s campus. The chapter excels in campus and community relations with one-third of the members holding leadership positions in other organizations. Of the nine NPC groups on campus, ranks third academically. Eta Phi is also a nationally respected chapter. At Convention 2008, they became a silver-winning chapter, one of the highest honors a chapter can achieve, when they won a National Council Special Recognition award for recruitment. They also consistently achieve Crown, Financial Excellence, and Quota/Total awards. The chapter raises money for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation with bake sales and by holding cheerleading clinics for middle school children. In addition, they hold a Foxy Lady and Foxy Escort competition with contestants from other sororities and fraternities. A notable Eta Phi alumna is Katie Bechtel Fulton, a former Traveling Leadership Consultant and former Province President XV-A. Eta Phi Throws a Party: Some of Eta Phi s traditional social events include Barn Dance, semi-formal and formal. Fun Facts about Northwestern University: l Established 1857 l Enrollment 20,500 students l Mascot Reggie the Redbird l Web site: www.ilstu.edu Illinois State University was the first university in Illinois and the second institution for teacher education west of the Allegheny Mountains. Today, over 10 percent of the student population is involved in Greek life. Visit Eta Phi on the Web: http://ilstuzta.jimdo.com/ 3 of 13
INDIANA: State Fun Facts: l Nickname The Hoosier State l Capital Indianapolis l Largest City Indianapolis l Tourist Attractions Of particular interest to Zeta Tau Alphas, Indianapolis is home to s International Office. Indianapolis also lays claim to the Indy 500, one of the oldest motor sports events; football s Indianapolis Colts; the Indianapolis Zoo; and the Children s Museum of Indianapolis, the world s largest children s museum. Indiana preserves its history at Angel Mound State Memorial, one of the best preserved Native American sites in the US; George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, site of an American victory in the Revolutionary War; and the USS LST Ship Memorial. An LST is a Landing Ship, Tank an amphibious vessel used to land tanks, troops and supplies on enemy shores. LST 325 was a WWII ship. In addition, Indiana also has Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens as well as Indiana Dunes National Seashore on Lake Michigan. Alpha Theta Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Link #33 Installed: September 10, 1921 Area III; Province XIV-A After Purdue s Dean of Women suggested the university need more campus organizations, four students began the second chapter of a local sorority that had been founded at Butler University. In 1919, the Purdue and Butler chapters discussed uniting with a national organization, but soon discovered that they had too many differences to be compatible. As a result, the women dissolved their affiliation with the Butler group, and became known on the Purdue campus as Zeta Phi. Zeta Phi petitioned Zeta Tau Alpha for membership, and in the spring of 1921, and Helen M. Donaldson, Grand Secretary, inspected them. Near the end of the semester, granted the group a charter, with Installation set for the fall. Initiation teams from Alpha Delta (Butler), Alpha Zeta (Ohio State), and Alpha Eta (Cincinnati) s helped initiate 24 charter members on September 10, 1921. Later four more charter members were initiated, making Zeta Tau Alpha the seventh National Panhellenic Conference chapter at Purdue. Just a year after installation, however, Alpha Theta only had four returning members. Nevertheless, with the help of the alumnae, they overcame the obstacles and had a very successful year. One of the best events they had was not a social event, but a service project. Instead of a party for themselves, they gave a Christmas party for the poor children of the town. Each child was given a gift box containing a pair of stockings and a pair of gloves. 4 of 13
Alpha Theta Today: Alpha Theta still believes that service is important, helping with Boo in the Zoo, going Christmas caroling at the West Lafayette Nursing Home and donating blood. Alpha Theta is also one of the powerhouse chapters when it comes to raising money for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. Each year, the members hold a Big Man on Campus male beauty pageant, and for the 2007-2008 biennium, they raised just under $133,000. members like sisterhoods that get them moving. They enjoy workout videos, aerobic classes, bowling and rollerblading. Three notable alumnae are Amanda Bureau, Province President XIV-A; Kelly Murray, former Province President XIV-A; and Jeanne Manley Kennedy, member of the national Scholarship Committee. Alpha Theta Throws a Party: Alpha Theta has several date party themes. Members enjoy Guys in Ties & Girls in Pearls, Mix & Match Clothing, 80s, Rock Star, Kentucky Derby, and Movie Stars & Super Stars. Fun Facts about Purdue University: l Established 1869 l Mascot Broilermaker l Enrollment 40,000 students l Web site: www.purdue.edu Visit Alpha Theta on the Web: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~zta/index.php 5 of 13
Alpha Xi Indiana University Bloomington, IN Link #38 Installed: May 19,1922 Area III; Province XIV-A Alpha Xi owes its existence to Mrs. William N. Louden, a Kappa Kappa Gamma Province President in 1921, who saw the need for additional women s organizations at Indiana University and thought that Zeta Tau Alpha would meet that need. Just before Christmas break, she gathered a group of young women together in her home and proposed her plan to them. With Mrs. Louden s guidance, these young women organized a local group called Phi Zeta, and petitioned Zeta Tau Alpha for membership. Alpha Burkart (Wettach), s Grand President, inspected the group in February 1922, but it was not until mid-april that they learned that their charter had been granted. On May 18, 1922, Shirley Kreasan (Krieg Strout), National Editor, formally pledged the 12 charter members. Their Initiation and Installation took place the following day at the home of Mrs. Louden the same place where women had held their first meeting. Zeta Tau Alpha became the 13th women s fraternity at Indiana University. Alpha Xi Today: Realizing the importance of good public relations, Alpha Xi raises money for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation by getting all of Indiana University s Greek population involved in their Big Man on Campus men s talent show. In addition to providing a performer for the show, each fraternity sells T-shirts to help their representatives raise money. Rather than relying on word of mouth to advertise its fundraiser, the chapter has a public relations campaign just prior to BMOC, complete with donated banners and newspaper articles. The women s dedication has paid off. During the 2007-2008 biennium, they donated more money to the Foundation than any other chapter, with a total amount of $277,276. Philanthropy is also important to Alpha Xi. In addition to chapter projects such as THINK-PINK! distributions at Indianapolis Colts games and working at the local soup kitchen and battered women s shelter, individual chapter members volunteer a minimum of three hours each semester. The Academic Achievement Chairman uses incentives to promote good study habits and good grades. She encourages members to apply for scholarships, gives points to members who attend study sessions at the library or at the chapter house, pairs members who need help with tutors from the chapter, and gives prizes for improved GPAs. Every initiated member of Alpha Xi chapter lives in the house. The first semester in which a member lives in the house, she rooms with her big sister. Seniors have their own wing. A notable Alpha Xi alumna is Deb Bridgers Minnick, Financial Management Committee. Alpha Xi Throws a Party: Alpha Xi enjoys having Sunglasses at Night, Woodstock, Hawaiian, and glamour-themed date parties. 6 of 13
Fun Facts about Indiana University: l Established 1820 and, in 1867, became one of the first state universities to admit women l Mascot Hoosiers l Enrollment 30,400 undergraduates, 8,600 graduate students l Web site: www.indiana.edu The Oscar-winning movie, Breaking Away, was filmed on IU s campus and is based on the university s Little 500 bicycle race. Visit Alpha Xi on the Web: www.indiana.edu/~zeta/ 7 of 13
Beta Theta Franklin College Franklin, IN Link #57 Installed: April 11, 1927 Area III; Province XIV-A On April 30, 1921, twelve young women founded Phi Beta Gamma in order to uphold fine, true womanhood, and to assist in the activities of the college. A few years later, Phi Beta Gamma members had friends at Zeta Tau Alpha s Alpha Delta at Butler University, and realizing that they had similar ideals, wanted to be Zetas, too. They petitioned Zeta Tau Alpha for membership, and Bruce Houston (Davis), Grand Vice President, inspected Phi Beta Gamma. offered the group a charter in the fall of 1926, with Installation planned for April 11, 1927. Since Installation was near the time of the Indiana State Luncheon, the Phi Beta Gammas asked to be formally pledged at that time. The presidents of Alpha Delta and Alpha Xi (Indiana University) formally pledged them into Zeta Tau Alpha. Mrs. Davis presided over the chapter s Installation with the help of officers of Alpha Delta, Alpha Theta (Purdue University), and Alpha Xi. They initiated 18 charter members and 17 alumnae initiates. Upon the chapter s Installation, Zeta Tau Alpha was honored with a Congratulations Tea by Pi Beta Phi and a dinner by Delta Delta Delta. Delta Zeta held an open house for the women, and Kappa Delta Rho serenaded them. Beta Theta Today: Today, Beta Theta members are active on campus with many members participating in athletic teams, Student Entertainment Board, Student Congress, Order of Omega, Habitat for Humanity and Franklin College Mentors. Members enjoy spending time with each other at sisterhood events and service projects. Realizing that they need to reach beyond their campus to spread the word about breast cancer awareness and education, Beta Theta goes into the community and sponsors a Passionately Pink Group at a local high school. In 2008, they won the Campus Spotlight award for their new event, Paint the Greeks Pink, a competition between the fraternities and sororities to see who could decorate their house or suite the most creatively in pink. They also won Greek of the Year in 2008 and were honored at Zeta Day for having the best community service program in Indiana. Beta Theta benefits from a good relationship with alumnae. To help them transition from college to alumnae life, seniors get an alumna buddy during their last semester. They have a dessert party when the seniors are welcomed to the alumnae world. A notable Beta Theta Alumna is Dawn Calhoun Holt, Chairman of the New Member Programming Committee. Beta Theta Throws a Party: Besides having semi-formal in the fall and White Violet formal in the spring, Beta Theta chapter also has corn maze parties, grill outs and mixers. 8 of 13
Fun Facts about Franklin College: l Established 1834 l Mascot Grizzlies l Enrollment 1,011 l Web site: www.franklincollege.edu Visit Beta Theta on the Web: www.franklincollege.edu/fc/greek/zta/website/ 9 of 13
Gamma Chi Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Link #94 Installed: May 2, 1953 Area III; Province XIV-A Organized in 1910, Epsilon Delta sorority had over 700 members and alumnae when the local sorority became a part of Zeta Tau Alpha in 1953. When Grace Mattern, a charter member of Zeta Tau Alpha s Alpha Phi at Northwestern University, realized that many of her former outstanding speech students were joining Epsilon Delta, she talked to them about. They took the information back to Epsilon Delta, who then petitioned Zeta Tau Alpha for membership in early spring 1953. The timing of their request was perfect just prior to a National Council meeting. National First Vice President Jeanette Bertram Chapman visited and inspected the chapter on her way to the meeting, and National Council accepted Epsilon Delta s petition in April 1953. On April 12, with Grace Mattern present, 38 Epsilon Deltas were pledged to. Since the seniors wanted to be initiated before graduation, they chose May 1-2 for Initiation and Installation. With the help of local Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae, they were able to make it happen that quickly. Installation weekend was one filled with rituals. On Friday, May 1, the local Epsilon Delta alumnae and Installation Initiates were pledged, and on Saturday, the out of town alumnae were pledged. Then on Saturday morning, the initiation team from Beta Theta (Franklin College) began a day-long Initiation, initiating 38 charter members, 43 alumnae initiates and seven installation initiates. At the banquet following Initiation, Grace Mattern gave the deeply moving keynote address, entitled, The Gateless Garden. Gamma Chi Today: Re-organized in 2001, Gamma Chi has come on strong on the Indiana State University campus. Even though they are consistently the intramural champions, they know that sportsmanship is important, and, as a result were given the campus Sportsmanship Award. The chapter has also been recognized for their service projects, having won both the Indiana State University Service Award and the Zeta Day Service Award. The members volunteer their time at after school programs, serve dinners at homeless shelters, send cards to nursing homes and military serving overseas, have can drives, and even participate in Adopt-a-Highway, Relay for Life and Race for the Cure. Two notable Gamma Chi alumnae are Trixy Swearingen Brill, former Vice President Collegiate, Area III.; and Christine Flora Stull, National Housing Corporation Director at Large. Gamma Chi Throws a Party: Gamma Chi relishes Hawaiian Luau, St. Patty s Day, and western-themed parties. Sisterhoods such as chapter room games appeal to the chapter s competitive spirit. These games include obstacle courses, Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. 10 of 13
Fun Facts about Indiana State University: l Established 1865 l Mascot Sycamore l Enrollment 10,534 l Web site: www.indianastate.edu 11 of 13
Zeta Alpha University of Evansville Evansville, IN Link #122 Installed: September 27, 1964 Area III; Province XIV-A While many chapters began as local sororities, Zeta Alpha s roots go back to Beta Sigma Omicron, a former national women s fraternity founded in 1888. In her report to the Zeta Tau Alpha National Convention in 1964, National President Jane Shotwell Kerr announced that would absorb seven chapters of Beta Sigma Omicron. One of the chapters was at the University of Evansville. Beta Sigma Omicron was the first national women s fraternity at the University of Evansville and had a long and successful history before becoming a part of Zeta Tau Alpha. Initiation took place a few weeks prior to Zeta Alpha s chapter Installation. Initiation teams from Alpha Theta (Purdue University), Beta Theta (Franklin College), and Gamma Chi (Indiana State University) initiated 19 charter members and 46 alumnae into Zeta Tau Alpha. Lucille Woodard Weck, National First Vice President, installed Zeta Alpha on Sunday, September 27, 1964 with the help of Noni Rosendale Todd, former Beta Sigma Omicron First Vice President, and Doris Reynolds, former Beta Sigma Omicron Grand Council member. They installed the chapter officers following the chapter Installation. The day ended with a banquet at the Evansville Country Club with Mary O Neill Elles, Evansville Alumnae President, serving as toastmistress. Zeta Alpha Today: Zeta Alpha has continued its tradition of a close association with the area alumnae. During the school year, Zeta Alpha looks forward to celebrating Founders Day with them. However, their relationship extends beyond the normal school year. Each summer they partner with the alumnae at Evansville Otter baseball games to promote s philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness. The chapter understands the importance of good public relations and works with the Evansville mayor s office and local media to promote s involvement with the Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives program throughout the Evansville community. A winner of the Academic Achievement award, Zeta Alpha tries to pair new members with initiated members of the same major to help them start off on the right foot academically. Notable Zeta Alpha alumnae are Sherry Server Tilley, former National President and Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy; as well as Denise Lamon Amick, former District President VI-A; Pam Morris Blessing, National Ritual Chairman; and Bryn Hemsley Masiuk, District President XIV-A. Zeta Alpha Throws a Party: A traditional Zeta Alpha event is its annual Halloween party, Barn Bash. 12 of 13
Fun Facts about University of Evansville: l Established 1854 l Mascot Purple Aces l Enrollment 2,676 l Web site: www.evansville.edu The University of Evansville has one local and four national sororities and six national fraternities, and over ¼ of student population belongs to Greek social organizations. Visit Zeta Alpha on the Web: http://info.theginsystem.com/websites/_ue/ 13 of 13