Theta Phi Alpha has two sets of sisters among its founders. How fitting that sisters Elizabeth G. Andersch and Marie A. Andersch are the #notablesororitywomen profiled today.
Marie, the elder of the two, was born in 1905. Elizabeth, “Betty,” was born in 1913. Marie earned a degree from the University of Illinois, where she was active in campus activities including the Newman Club.
Marie Andersch at the University of Illinois
After earning her undergraduate degree, Marie enrolled at the University of Iowa for graduate work. During the time Marie was there, Elizabeth became a member of Theta Phi Alpha. Marie was initiated, too. In a 1934 Hawkeye yearbook, Marie is listed as a graduate member of the chapter.
Marie is listed as a graduate member of Theta Phi Alpha.
Elizabeth is on the right in the bottom row.
Elizabeth was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board. Marie was a member of Sigma Xi, and both sisters earned Ph.D.s from the University of Iowa.
Elizabeth joined the faculty at Ohio University in 1943. She was the first woman to earn tenure within the School of Communication Studies. Each year, Ohio University gives the Elizabeth G. Andersch Award. It it awarded to a member of the communication discipline who is “acknowledged as an outstanding teacher, scholar, and mentor.” The award was established in 1973, a year before her death and it honors “the tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and service she embodied as a member of our faculty.”
Marie spent most of her professional career at the University of Maryland School of Medicine teaching biochemistry. She retired to Florida where she died in 1999.
