Delta Sigma

University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Delta Sigma chapter was installed on December 5 and 6, 1964. Thirty-nine collegiates and nine alumnae members were initiated on Saturday morning in ceremonies conducted at the Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church. Wisconsin (Iota) conducted the ceremonies assisted by collegiates from Wisconsin La Crosse (Delta Kappa). Representing the Executive Board and the Fraternity were: Alberta Hart Robertson (Pi-North Dakota), director of extension; Janet Powers McGurn (Beta-Northwestern), district governor; Nancy Barry Bender (Beta-Northwestern), district alumnae chairman and Sabanna Tucker (Omicron-Missouri), field secretary.

After the initiation, a buffet luncheon was held in the church dining room with mothers of the collegiate initiates providing the food.

Early Saturday evening, a reception was held in the Union Lounge to honor the new chapter. It was a festive affair, indeed, as the lounge has just been decorated for Christmas. Many friends of Delta Sigma were there to be welcomed by the president, Carol Smith; the visiting Alpha Phi officers; the president of Wisconsin State University, Dr. James Albertson, and Mrs. Albertson; the dean of women, Mrs. Elizabeth Pfiffner, and the chapter advisor, Mary Ann Parkel Baird.

At the reception, the charter and gavel were presented to the chapter by Alberta Robertson. The women were thrilled to find that they were receiving one of Alpha chapter’s commemorative gavels, and the guests were most interested in the story of the gavel.

On Sunday morning, initiates and visiting collegiates attended the church of their choice--with many returning to the Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church. Afterward a model chapter meeting was held at the Whiting Hotel with the collegiates of Ripon (Gamma Psi), presiding, assisted by the other visiting collegiates and by Sabanna Tucker, field secretary.

This was followed by the formal initiation banquet, also held at the Whiting Hotel. Once again festive Christmas decorations added to the gaiety of the scene, and a gala crowd of about ninety initiates, guests, parents and friends were present. Janet Powers McGurn acted as toastmistress. Dr. James Albertson gave a short but excellent address entitled, “An Alpha Phi Star on Our Campus,” in which he outlined his views on the role of fraternity in the university at the time. Nancy Barry Bender welcomed the alumnae and outlined their role in the Fraternity; Gene Friday Krieger introduced the new alumnae initiates, and Carol Smith the collegiates. Ann Hofstetter welcomed Delta Sigma on behalf of the Iota chapter and the others in District V.