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.
As told by founding member Harriet Marx Pfeiffer, "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. There were then in existence on campus three other sororities: Pi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu Phi and Zeta Phi (now inactive). The name Alpha Sigma Tau was chosen and purple and gold were chosen for the colors. Thus it was Alpha Sigma Tau, the third oldest educational sorority, was organized. A dozen or more very enthusiastic girls were present at this meeting.
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 Mark roomed. The part 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 the Zeta Phi informed them that the Alpha Sigma Tau had appropriated their colors. The group then chose emerald green and gold.
Mrs. E.A. Lyman was chosen patroness. During the first year of its existence the sorority did not display any marked activity. The charter was not received until the second year when Edith Silk, Myrtle Oram, Zoe Waldron, Grace Townley, Marie Gedding, Louise Agrell and Mable Pitts had joined the organization and with the organizers were the charter members. On the suggestion of Mrs. Lyman, Miss Pearce and Miss Norton were asked to be patronesses. The charter members were very, very close friends and have ever remained so ..."
Regarding my chapter. . .
We were founded in 1946 at Henderson State University. From what I can discover, the University wanted all of the female organizations to affiliate with National Sororities. I cannot find any mention of local sororities. I looked at yearbooks from that time (which didn't seem to make a big deal out of these new sororities on campus). At the time, we had a Philomeathean Society and an Adelphian (I think) society that were social clubs. By comparing 1945's yearbook and 1946's yearbook, it seems that our chapter was half Adelphian and half Philomeathian members. I don't really know any more info than that.
I think I've read somewhere that Philo's became Phi Mu somewhere, and Adelphians became Alpha Phi? Alpha something? (I dunno. . .can't remember for sure!)
Guess the Arkansas girls didn't get that memo!!!! (JOKE!!
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Cuttin' and Pastin'!!
Threaded Mode