If Jeopardy! ever had a category called National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the answer/question would be “Which Chi Omegas have served as NPC Chairman.”
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) wrapped up its meeting about two weeks ago, The newly installed NPC Chairman Jean Mrasek is a Chi Omega. Forty-eight years ago, another Chi Omega, Elizabeth Dyer presided at the 39th biennial NPC meeting which took place from October 27-31, 1965.
The site of the 1965 meeting was Williamburg, Virginia, where the first social fraternity (now an honorary fraternity), Phi Beta Kappa, was founded. According to one account printed in an NPC member’s magazine, “The atmosphere of history in this charming town was a vivid reminder of the heritage of free people and recalled the words of Goethe, ‘What you have inherited from your fathers earn over again for yourselves, else it will not be yours.’”
The Research and Public Relations report was given by Mrs. Mary Love Collins, Chi Omega, who had previously served as NPC Chairman from 1919-21.
Dyer was employed by the University of Cincinnati from 1924-52. She served the university as director of the School of Household Administration and Dean of the College of Home Economics. In addition to serving as NPC Chairman, Dyer was Chi Omega’s National President from 1952-70.
Elizabeth Dyer (Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati Archives)
Founder Jobelle Holcombe also served as NPC Chair in 1907. She is the only founder of a current NPC to have served as Chairman.*
In a 2012 post on NPC’s Sorority Parents website, Mrasek wrote, “My first sorority convention was 30 years ago. I was chapter president and arrived at the national meeting totally wide-eyed and anxious to learn more about Chi Omega’s history and teachings. It was an incredible experience that taught me that the sisterhood circle was much larger than I ever imagined. I was impressed with the intergenerational aspect of the gathering – collegians and alumnae of all ages. I left inspired as a Chi Omega chapter officer who could make a difference on my campus. I did not dream that my degree of impact one day would be widespread as an elected national officer of my beloved fraternity. And I did not realize the number of lasting friendships that would be formed as a result of my involvement with NPC. Indeed, the sisterhood circle is much larger than I ever imagined. Not only do I have a special bond with my Chi Omega sisters, but I have a special bond with my Panhellenic sisters who also share common values and standards.”
Best wishes to Chairman Mrasek as she begins her service in as NPC Chairman!
* see http://wp.me/p20I1i-11k for more information. (Early readers of this post will note that Jobelle Holcomb’s name was omitted for an hour or so. My apologies for the oversight and thank the Lord for the “update” button!)
© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2013. All Rights Reserved.
