| elizlang_ast |
11-04-2004 10:10 AM |
Happy Founders Day AST!
The first school west of the Allegheny Mountains was established at Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1849. The name was changed to Michigan State Normal College in 1889 and to Eastern Michigan University in 1959.
One name at Ypsilanti that has not changed is Alpha Sigma Tau. It has been on that campus since November 4, 1899 when a group of girls met at the home of Ruby Pratt on Huron Street to organize a little club or sorority.
There were present at this first meeting, Helene Rice, her sister Adriance, Eva O'Keefe, Harriet Marx, May Gephart, Mayene Tracy, Mable Chase and Ruth Dutcher. The name Alpha Sigma Tau was chosen and purple and gold were chosen for the colors. Thus Alpha Sigma Tau, the third oldest educational sorority, was organized.
The next meeting was a little party at the home of Mrs. Depew on Forest Avenue where Helene and Adriance Rice, Eva O'Keefe and Harriet Marx roomed. The party was indeed gay and festive with decorations of gold and purple. Even the cake was golden with purple icing. Here it was decided that the next day should witness the introduction of a newly born sorority to the world at large and to the student body in particular. Accordingly the members attended chapel en masse, everyone wearing the chosen colors. Imagine their surprise and chagrin when the members of Zeta Phi informed them that the Alpha Sigma Tau had appropriated their colors. The group then chose emerald green and gold.
During the first year of its existence the sorority did not display any marked activity. The charter was received the second year when more members joined and, along with the founders, became charter members.
...and the rest is history!
"The charter members were very, very close friends and have ever since remained so...It is good indeed to know that out of so small an acorn such a mighty oak has grown, or at least that from such a small beginning has come a sorority of such numbers and standing." -Harriet Marx
The women who conceived an idea and constructed a reality... Thank you Helene, Adriance, Eva, Harriet, May, Mayene, Mable, and Ruth!
|
