Has anyone heard of Delta Phi Gamma at Marietta College?

jesrox15 · #1 11-11-2009, 10:52 PM

Hi! Several members if my family were greek at Marietta College in Ohio in the 1940's. My grandma,great aunt ans step grandma were all Chi O's there. Another great aunt I never thought was in a sorority. However, after she passed I found a pin that had her name on it and was Delta Phi Gamma. I can't find any info on this organization, and I would like to know more about it.
Thanks!

DartmouthPanhel · #2 11-12-2009, 01:23 AM

Is there any way it was a pin from Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (FIJI)? Perhaps she was a sweetheart?

There is a multicultural sorority called Phi Gamma Delta, but I think there are only chapters in CA.

ihearttrisigma · #3 11-12-2009, 02:26 AM

You may want to even try to contact the College and ask. At my undergraduate school, we have a section of the library dedicated to the history of the college including memorabilia, yearbooks, and clothing etc.

It might be worth a shot in the event that internet searches don't turn up anything!

Good luck & please let us know how you make out!

Psi U MC Vito · #4 11-12-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DartmouthPanhel

Is there any way it was a pin from Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (FIJI)? Perhaps she was a sweetheart?

There is a multicultural sorority called Phi Gamma Delta, but I think there are only chapters in CA.

Interesting thought, but considering how serious FIJI takes it's letters, I'd doubt it.

DartmouthPanhel · #5 11-12-2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Interesting thought, but considering how serious FIJI takes it's letters, I'd doubt it.

That is VERY true!

chickenoodle · #6 11-12-2009, 05:04 AM

I would definitely call the school and see what you can find out. I had to call a SUNY branch to find out which sorority my grandmother was in and I found my contact extremely helpful. I called the school's alumni office, but since you are looking for information on an organization perhaps the library might have archives accessible to a non-student. Maybe you'll get lucky and find some pictures of your great aunt with her sorority!

Good luck! I sincerely hope you find something.

ETA: I did a little search on Google and Delta Phi Gamma popped up. It was the name of a local chapter in Quebec, Canada that FIJI chartered (absorbed? Not sure of the word I'm looking for). I'm not saying it is the organization you are looking for, but I thought it might be helpful, especially since there was a FIJI chapter at Marietta at one point. Please keep us posted.

jesrox15 · #7 11-12-2009, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the ideas! I don't know what FIJI's pin looks like, but this pin is a gold delta and gamma with a bigger phi in the middle with pearls inside. It has her name engraved on the back...do they do that for sweetheart badges? I will definatly try to contact Marietta College!

DartmouthPanhel · #8 11-12-2009, 03:22 PM

Apparently Phi Gamma Delta does have a sweetheart pin, but it's different than what you're describing...

Psi U MC Vito · #9 11-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Maybe it is Phi Delta gamma instead of Delta Phi Gamma? And I find it strange that FIJI has a sweetheart pin. Is it official?

violetpretty · #10 11-12-2009, 04:44 PM

According to Irish Pipes' List...

Marietta College Marietta, OH
Chi Omega Chi Gamma 1923
Sigma Kappa Beta Theta 1944
Alpha Xi Delta Beta Xi 1945
Alpha Sigma Tau Alpha Kappa 1960-1983
Alpha Gamma Delta Alpha Phi 1961-1975
Sigma Sigma Sigma Gamma Kappa 1963-1997/1998?

Possibly Delta Phi Gamma was absorbed by a NPC after your grandmother left?

MysticCat · #11 11-12-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Maybe it is Phi Delta gamma instead of Delta Phi Gamma? And I find it strange that FIJI has a sweetheart pin. Is it official?

I doubt it, even if Herff Jones says otherwise.

Check out this page at FIJI's national website, where they show a similar badge and say: "This style is known as the 'sweetheart's badge'. It was sometimes given to fiancees and wives in the middle to late twentieth century, despite our ban on using the badge as ornamental jewelry."

DLanoliN · #12 11-12-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihearttrisigma

You may want to even try to contact the College and ask. At my undergraduate school, we have a section of the library dedicated to the history of the college including memorabilia, yearbooks, and clothing etc.

It might be worth a shot in the event that internet searches don't turn up anything!

Good luck & please let us know how you make out!

Definitely a good idea. If you can't find the info online, I'm sure the college has some record of it. I worked for the archives at my college, they had folders full of old photos and documents from every organization. Especially the Greeks, even the ones no longer active at the college. If they have an Archive, contact the director. They may have all sorts of information and memorabilia. Good luck!

MariettaPhiMA · #13 04-15-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesrox15

Hi! Several members if my family were greek at Marietta College in Ohio in the 1940's. My grandma,great aunt ans step grandma were all Chi O's there. Another great aunt I never thought was in a sorority. However, after she passed I found a pin that had her name on it and was Delta Phi Gamma. I can't find any info on this organization, and I would like to know more about it.
Thanks!

I haven't heard of it but MC has a very long and complicated history of it's greek life. There have been many locals that became chapters of nationals. That's what I suspect happened with your organization. Or it could have been a literary society. Most of those became houses later on. Try talking to Jacob Tidwell in the Student Life office. Also try the Slack Collection in the Legacy Library. Honestly, Marietta College has been very bad about preserving its own history. The best sources would be the local history building of the county library or the antique shops on Front Street.