[AtlantaPhiMu]

From the Phi Mu History Book, "The History of Phi Mu: The First 150 Years" by Annadell Craig Lamb,

"In the late summer of 1938, Phi Mu's National President Alice Miller, Eta Beta, received a communication from Violet Young Gentry (DeVeau), National Panhellenic Congress Delegate of Alpha Delta Theta, regarding the possibility of merging her national fraternity with Phi Mu. Alpha Delta Theta was a fine, well-respected fraternity, organized in 1919 at Transylvania College, Lexington, Kentucky.

"Having some larger chapter houses that were unable to cope financially with the post-Depression years and in view of the extensive campus building programs necessary to be competitive, its Grand Council decided to take an unprecedented step. Rather than leave their chapters and their many alumnae with the possibility of no Greek affiliation, they sought to join with another fraternity of similar heritage, policies, outlook and conservative posture. After much thought and study, they found in Phi Mu a national group with which they felt their membership could be most congenial and happy.

"Phi Mu's National Council was contacted regarding Violet's approach through a good Phi Mu friend of hers. Shortly after receiving the Council's approval, Alice Miller and Zenobia Wooten Keller, Theta, Executive Secretary, met with Violet and Julia Parker Wildman, Alpha Delta Theta's Executive Secretary, in Evanston, Illionis, where Phi Mu had its headquarters.

"Out of this meeting came the suggestion that Alpha Delta Theta would be assimilated into Phi Mu, would turn over all assets held by its national organization, and also all assests and properties held by the individual chapters and alumnae groups. Phi Mu would acquire five collegiate chapters in new fields and would merge eight other chapters with existing Phi Mu chapters. The same plan would apply to the chartering of four alumnae groups in new areas and assimilation of 18 in cities where Phi Mu alumnae chapters already were established....

"...[T]he affiliation became official on August 30, 1939....

"...In all, 1,067 alumnae throughout the country had signified their intention to join Phi Mu's ranks...."

Below are the new chapters gained through the affiliation:
1)Delta Theta, Transylvania College-installed Nov. 6-9, 1939
2)Alpha Kappa, College of Charleston-installed Nov. 12, 1939
3)Beta Nu, Bethany College-installed Nov. 18, 1939
4)Zeta Kappa, Nebraska Wesleyan-installed Dec. 6, 1939
5)Epsilon Gamma, University of Tulsa-installed Dec. 13, 1939

Below are the chapters that merged with exisiting Phi Mu chapters:
1)Brenau College
2)Adelphi College
3)University of California at Los Angeles
4)University of Southern California
5)George Washington University
6)Queens College
7)University of Cincinnati
8)Howard College

So, to answer the original question posed, it does not appear that the Alpha Delta Theta chapter at the University of Kentucky was absorbed into Phi Mu. The chapter must have been closed previously.

This was not a "true merger," so it seems, but, rather, an assimilation of one group into another. Thus, the members of Alpha Delta Theta all became initiates of Phi Mu (following the creed, rituals and symbols of Phi Mu).

Annadell Lamb has done an amazing job compiling the Phi Mu history book, which contains much more information about Alpha Delta Theta and its history.

Hope this information helps answer some of the questions raised.