Chapter History #004: Gamma

“We have heard of your desire for a Greek Letter Society,” wrote Northwestern University senior Henrietta Coone (Beta-Northwestern) to Florence Hays in April 1887. “Would you like to join Alpha Phi and found a chapter at DePauw?” Delta Gamma was also in contact with Florence and her classmates in an attempt to come onto the DePauw campus. Alpha Phi turned to George Irwin Larash, a member of Delta Upsilon at Northwestern University who was in Greencastle, helping to found his fraternity’s chapter at DePauw. While there, Larash met with the potential Alpha Phi members and reported back favorably to his Northwestern classmates. George Larash met with the potential Alpha Phi members, such as Florence, urging the group to choose Alpha Phi. “I should rather have you join the Alpha Phis,” Larash stated unequivocally to Florence, offering his observation that “the Alpha Phis are a stronger organization [at Northwestern] than the Delta Gammas.” DePauw had three other sororities on campus at the time, but future Alpha Phi members described it as having “ no panhellenic spirit.” The young women feared that if another chapter on campus heard of their plans, they would create obstacles to challenge their installation. On Monday, June 13, 1887, two Beta chapter sisters arrived by train in Greencastle. The initiation was arranged to take place at Florence’s house, so her father met them at the station and checked them in at the Grand Central Hotel. The secret plan even involved registering the two women under the name “Newman.”

Housing

• 202 East Hanna Street, Greencastle, Indiana

• The chapter facility has 24 bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

Notable Alumnae

• Barbara Blakemore - Executive Editor of McCall’s Magazine

• Julia Cole - First woman faculty member at Atlanta University

• Elinor Smith Davis – International President; NPC Delegate

• Nancy Wittgen DeVoe – International President; Foundation Chairman

• Kathleen Lindley Evens – International Executive Board

• Marian Ellis Gifford - Public Relations Specialist

• Sally McCall Grant – International President; Foundation Chairman; NPC Delegate

• Elizabeth A. Greenleaf - Educator and President National Association of Women's Deans and Counselors

• Betty Mullins Jones – International President; NPC Delegate

• Iris Kaufman Lerch – International Executive Board

• Virginia Hudson Wagner – International Executive Board

• Louise Roelker Zink – International Executive Board

Award Winners

• Barbara Blakemore - 1972 Distinguished Alpha Phi Award Winner, 1982 Frances E. Willard Award Winner

• Marian Ellis Gifford - 1972 Distinguished Alpha Phi Award Winner

• Elizabeth A. Greenleaf - 1972 Distinguished Alpha Phi Award Winner

• Geraldine Matthews Lee - 1972 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Charlotte Friend Stewart - 1974 Ursa Major Award Winner

• Gladys Hambidge Taylor - 1974 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Dorothy Klumpe Taylor - 1974 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Anne Cosler Trovinger – 1974 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Merilyn Smythe Knights - 1976 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Carol Bowers Norris - 1980 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Sally Robards Roberts - 1980 Michaelanean Award Winner

• Betty Mullins Jones - 1986 Ivy Vine Award Winner

• Kathryn Gloin Betley – 1988 Ursa Major Award Winner

• Judith Neighbors McSwine – 1994 Ursa Major Award Winner

• Barbara Smith- 1994 Women of Distinction Award Winner

• Nancy Wittgen Burks DeVoe – 1998 Ivy Vine Award Winner

• Mary Carr Boyd - 2000 Ivy Vine Award Winner

• Sally McCall Grant - 2004 Ivy Vine Award Winner

• Caryl Frauenhoff Rohol – 2010 Michaelanean Award Winner