Tag Archives: Pi Beta Phi

A Bittersweet Day in the Archives

Upon my arrival at the Pi Beta Phi Archives yesterday, I was met with about 30 boxes of various sizes and shapes. They were the remains of my own chapter, the New York Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi. Its … Continue reading

Posted in Grace Coolidge, Pi Beta Phi, Syracuse University | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Bittersweet Day in the Archives

Evelyn Peters Kyle, My Link to ΠΒΦ’s Founders

The history of Greek-letter organizations is sprinkled with the stories of men and women who have given of themselves, devoting their time, talents, and treasures to the organization they joined as college students. My Pi Beta Phi friend Evelyn Peters … Continue reading

Posted in Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Monmouth College, Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Evelyn Peters Kyle, My Link to ΠΒΦ’s Founders

Happy Birthday Mizzou! In 1902, There Were Only Two – KKΓ and ΠBΦ

“Happy Birthday Mizzou! Founded in 1839 as America’s first public university west of the Mississippi,” read the status of one of my Pi Phi friend’s facebook page. How could I not cobble together a quick post from my dissertation, Coeducation … Continue reading

Posted in GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, University of Missouri, Women's Fraternity History, Zeta Tau Alpha | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday Mizzou! In 1902, There Were Only Two – KKΓ and ΠBΦ

“Hazing as Girls Practice It” – The University of Chicago’s Esoteric Club, 1896

“What objection can Miss Talbott (sic) make to a national fraternity in the face of this?” was written on a page that had an undated article entitled “Hazing as Girls Practice it.” It was in with some late 1890s correspondence … Continue reading

Posted in American Association of University Women, Bradley University, Davida Harper Eaton, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, University of Chicago, Women's Fraternities, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Hazing as Girls Practice It” – The University of Chicago’s Esoteric Club, 1896

Happy Birthday, Carrie Chapman Catt!

“Carrie Chapman Catt, the person who was instrumental in getting women the right to vote, was in a sorority? You’ve got to be kidding me!,” exclaimed a student in the women’s studies discussion session I led years ago as a … Continue reading

Posted in Carrie Chapman Catt, Chi Omega, Founders' Day, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Grace Coolidge, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday, Carrie Chapman Catt!

“My Sorority,” A Surprise Gift

A surprise gift from my Alpha Gamma Delta and P.E.O. friend, Nann Blaine Hilyard, set me on a quest to find out more about her delightful gift. It was wrapped in star paper and tied with a yellow ribbon, harkening, … Continue reading

Posted in American Association of University Women, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, P.E.O., Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Chi, Sorority History, University of Illinois, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “My Sorority,” A Surprise Gift

Maria Leonard, Alpha Lambda Delta Founder and Illini Dean of Women

Maria Leonard was an alumna of Butler University. After studying voice at Butler, she earned a Master’s degree in mathematics from Colorado College. Her intention was to be a mathematics teacher. Educational administration was then a relatively new field and, … Continue reading

Posted in Butler University, Colorado College, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, National Panhellenic Conference, Notable Fraternity Women, Notable Sorority Women, Pi Beta Phi, Sorority History, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, University of Illinois | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Maria Leonard, Alpha Lambda Delta Founder and Illini Dean of Women

Happy Birthday to My Favorite First Lady, Grace Coolidge!

January 3 is the birthday of Grace Goodhue Coolidge. Gracious and humble, she was a dedicated member of Pi Beta Phi, having been a charter member of the chapter at the University of Vermont. She also served as Alpha Province … Continue reading

Posted in Boston University, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, GLO, Grace Coolidge, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Notable Sorority Women, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Beta Phi, Presidents, Sorority History, University of Vermont, Women's Fraternity History | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday to My Favorite First Lady, Grace Coolidge!

New Ocean House, Swampscott, MA, the Site of Many Fraternity and Sorority Conventions

From the 1920s until the 1960s, the  New Ocean House in Swampscott, Massachusetts, was the site of many conventions, including those of fraternities and sororities. Alpha Chi Omega’s 1924 convention took place at the New Ocean House. Kappa Kappa Gammas … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Chi Omega, Calvin Coolidge, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, First Ladies, Fran Favorite, Fraternity meetings, GLO, Grace Coolidge, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, The Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on New Ocean House, Swampscott, MA, the Site of Many Fraternity and Sorority Conventions

December 24 Through January 2 – A Busy Time in Fraternity and Sorority History

It’s hard for today’s collegians to contemplate spending December 24 through January 2 on campus. Most higher education institutions shut down for the holiday week. However, that week has been a significant one in the history of Greek-letter organizations. Delta … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha Delta Phi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Phi, Delta Gamma, Founders' Day, GLO, Greek-letter Organization, Greek-letter Organization History, Miami University, National Panhellenic Conference, NIC, North-American Interfraternity Conference, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Iota Alpha, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Nu, Sorority History, Women's Fraternity History, Zeta Beta Tau | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on December 24 Through January 2 – A Busy Time in Fraternity and Sorority History