chronological evolvement of sororities

[LainaIsPHIMU]

3/4/54 at Moores Hill College (now University of Evansville): Sigournian Literary Society, to Gamma Epsilon Sigma in 1929, to Chi Omega in 1951

I go to UE and i didn't know we were called Moores Hill at one point. thats fun to know.

[bluefish81]

Originally Posted by oldu

12/?/70 at Cincinnati Wesleyan College: Kappa Alpha Theta, died in 1871

I tried to look on our website to see if we had the date there. We appear to have the incorrect info on our site, unless of course this chapter was installed before we were founded...

[skylark]

Originally Posted by oldu

12/21/68 at Iowa Wesleyan College: Pi Beta Phi

Weren't they still I.C. Sorosis when they installed the second chapter at Wesleyan (then became Pi Beta Phi in 1888 with the name change)? That is just what I understand from their national website's timeline: http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/aboutus.aspx?id=98

[oldu]

Another p.m. advises me that there is a sorority at McKendree College in Illinois named Kappa Lambda Iota founded in 1869. It was first called Clionian Literary Society for a few years. The sorority is listed on the McKendree site.

[melongirl]

My sister in law went to Olivet and Soronian is still alive and well and is a strong sorority on campus.

I know as recent as the early 1990's the still made their pledges wear red beanies with a white "s" very reminiscent of the early 20th century. I though it was a cute tradition.

Here's their myspace: http://groups.myspace.com/index.cfm?...upID=100429688

[SWTXBelle]

I know it would be a colossal undertaking, but I really wish Baird's could publish an up-to-date and comprehensive manual for today. It would be great to read the histories of locals, and it would be nice to have something that listed all the newer groups.

[barbino]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I know it would be a colossal undertaking, but I really wish Baird's could publish an up-to-date and comprehensive manual for today. It would be great to read the histories of locals, and it would be nice to have something that listed all the newer groups.

I'll second that. I have often thought the same thing - a newer version of Baird's would be a great resource.

[oldu]

I have made inquiries about an updated version and the answer I get is that it is unlikely to ever be done in print again. They still have many unsold copies of the last one. Typical of NIC, they haven't figured out that it was so poorly done and incomplete that no one wants it. I have much more complete information than the last one that I have volunteered to share with them but it appears that there is no interest. Maybe we should create our own on G.C.!

[SWTXBelle]

I'd buy one!

[honeychile]

They must have been poorly marketed, because when a Baird's Manual comes up on ANY of the book sellers, they sell like hotcakes! I think I paid about $100 for my copy.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by oldu

10/4/70 at S. U. N. Y., Brockport: Sigma Gamma Phi (aka Arethusa), died in 1939

Sigma Gamma Phi (Arethusa) has a chapter at SUNY Geneseo still active.

[ClioGirl06]

Arethusa is still active at SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Potsdam as well.

[Soronian07]

I believe the reason there isn't much information is because again we are private (not sure how that affects our existence in the "Greek" world, ). Olivet is a very small campus, our school in general is not well known, let alone Soronian. Even for us to look up our houses history is hard because in 1852 there was a fire which destroyed most of our documents prior to that time. What we have documented is the history the school and alumni have provided over the years. As far as being the first "sorority" that is just what we have always been told. Please if I am mistaken let me know ( in a nice way please ) I did not and do not mean to offend anyone. I'm just repeating a bit of our history.
I will look into the sorority vs. society thing because again I didn't realize there was much of a difference, ( maybe being naive) that is interesting though.

[Soronian07]

Hi me again, I was wrong with the date of the fire in case it matters it was actually 1882. As far as us not expanding we really like being private, and local. It is as much a part of what our house stands for and who we are. Being National would be awesome, as far as getting our name out there, but as for now we are going to continue as our own society. oh ps as a correction again incase it matters we were founded in 1847 as the sisters of the Eurodelphian society (evolved into present day Adelphic Alpha Pi, another current Frat. on campus). We were established in 1868 under the name Soronian.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Never knew about this other Philomathean/Phi Mu group!

FWIW, Philomathean (from the Greek philomath -- "Lover of Learning") was actually a somewhat common name for collegiate literary societies. Perhaps the most famous is the Philomathean Society at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1813, making it the oldest continually-existing literary society in the country.