Sororities & fraternities at Big Ten Universities

[nyapbp]

The Big Ten Schools provided a fertile ground for the NPC groups in a time before NPC existed. The term "sorority" was coined when Gamma Phi Beta's second chapter at Michigan was founded, so it, too, has Big Ten connections. The University of Illinois was late to the game (in terms of when chapters were founded there), but it became the home to one of the largest fraternity systems. Its Student Life Archive is also a wonderful place to research the history of the Greek letter organizations. Thanks for compiling this list.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by nyapbp

The term "sorority" was coined when Gamma Phi Beta's second chapter at Michigan was founded, so it, too, has Big Ten connections.

My chapter...currently inactive. This does warrant a .

[nyapbp]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

My chapter...currently inactive. This does warrant a .

I know that feeling all too well and it does deserve a .

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nyapbp

The Big Ten Schools provided a fertile ground for the NPC groups in a time before NPC existed. The term "sorority" was coined when Gamma Phi Beta's second chapter at Michigan was founded, so it, too, has Big Ten connections.

I know I've picked this nit before, so my apologies, but . . . .

Sir Thomas More used the word "sorority" in his writings in the early 16th Century. But it was never a common word in English prior to the founding of Gamma Phi. Who knows whether the professor at Syracuse was drawing on a knowledge of More's writings in suggesting the word "sorority" or whether he was unaware of the previous use of the word and just followed the example of others before him, went back to the Latin sororitas and anglicized it in a manner consistent with the anglicization of fraternitas.

[nyapbp]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I know I've picked this nit before, so my apologies, but . . . .

Sir Thomas More used the word "sorority" in his writings in the early 16th Century. But it was never a common word in English prior to the founding of Gamma Phi. Who knows whether the professor at Syracuse was drawing on a knowledge of More's writings in suggesting the word "sorority" or whether he was unaware of the previous use of the word and just followed the example of others before him, went back to the Latin sororitas and anglicized it in a manner consistent with the anglicization of fraternitas.

Nope, we will never know if the good professor was reaching into his memory or came up with it on his own. I've been trying to find a picture of Frank Smalley and am still holding out hope that there is one in the Syracuse Archives. I am not holding out much hope that we can find out what books he read or what was in his library. Smalley had a connection to the organization whereas we cannot draw any conclusions between Gamma Phi and Sir Thomas More. At least we know Honta Smalley Bredin, his sister, and his daughter were Gamma Phis.

I do appreciate your footnoting this.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nyapbp

Nope, we will never know if the good professor was reaching into his memory or came up with it on his own. I've been trying to find a picture of Frank Smalley and am still holding out hope that there is one in the Syracuse Archives. I am not holding out much hope that we can find out what books he read or what was in his library.

Do you know what he was a professor of? I'm not sure I've ever seen anything that says.

[nyapbp]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Do you know what he was a professor of? I'm not sure I've ever seen anything that says.

In 1912 he was Dean of Liberal Arts (I found a letterhead with his name on it).

On page 20 of the 1921 Story of Gamma Phi Beta, he is recognized as "Professor Frank Smalley of the Latin department - now Vice Chancellor Emeritus."

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nyapbp

In 1912 he was Dean of Liberal Arts (I found a letterhead with his name on it).

On page 20 of the 1921 Story of Gamma Phi Beta, he is recognized as "Professor Frank Smalley of the Latin department - now Vice Chancellor Emeritus."

Interesting. With a liberal arts background, he certainly could have had some familiarity with More's writings. And as a Latin professor, the the idea to anglicize sororitas in a manner similar to what had been done with fraternitas would seem like a quite natural one.