Alpha Phi has a bold history at Michigan State University. It began as the Feronian Society, the first and most prestigious women's literary society on campus, which was established in 1891. It had a strong, 30-year history before they affiliated with Alpha Phi in 1922. All meetings were held in Morrill Hall, named after the Morrill Act of 1862 where Michigan Agricultural College became the nation’s pioneer land-grant university. Alpha Phi was the first sorority on the campus of what we now know as Michigan State University. The Beta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi was installed on February 17, 1922, by the Theta Chapter at the University of Michigan, its big sister, and representatives of the National Board. It was an impressive and inspiring occasion, never to be forgotten by those present.Theta performed the initiation of seventy-eight women. The chapter was presented with its charter on Saturday with more than one hundred and thirty Alpha Phi’s in attendance.
• Beta Beta (Michigan State) in East Lansing opened the Green Parrot, a tearoom furnished with long green tables and benches decorated with murals and lit by orange candles. The work of members running their own businesses plus handling the responsibilities of college life was made easier with the support of alumnae chapters. Beta
• The afternoon following their initiation, the new members of Alpha Phi Beta Beta chapter were permitted to assist in the initiation of some of their own alumnae of the Feronian Society. New members recalled this as a strange experience, as these were the women who initiated them years ago.
• In 1935, land was purchased at the corner of M.A.C. and Beech on “sorority row” and the women moved into the newly-built house in 1939. The house is a stately French Colonial that sleeps 50 women plus house director suite and Governor’s suite for visiting advisors. Recent renovations led by HCB include the dining room, bathrooms and updated decorating to the first floor living and study spaces make Alpha Phi one of the most beautiful houses on campus. On the Formal Room fireplace mantel is a plaque dated 1898 to commemorate Pearl Kedzie Plant’s graduation. Pearl was the granddaughter of Robert Kedzie and part of a multi-generational family that shaped the formation of MSU.
• 616 Mac Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan
• Claire Waters Ferguson – first woman in the 75-year history of the United States Figure Skating Association to be named its president. Was president during the 1994 Winter Olympics and the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding incident; first woman elected to the International Federation of Figure Skaters; First U.S. woman to serve on the International Skating Union Council
• Jean Cabbage Gaston – Foundation Board
• Ann Bigby McFarren – Lobbyist and public advocate for programs in reproductive health
• Julee Rosso – Co-founder of Silver Palate, author of The Silver Palate Cookbook, and owner of The Wickwood Inn
• Margaret Jess Shelton – NPC Delegate
• Susan Brink Sherratt – International Executive Board; Foundation Chairman
• Leona DeYoung MacLeod - 1972 Distinguished Alpha Phi Award
• Mary Butler Quello - 1974 Ursa Major Award Winner
• Charlene Prince Lawrence – 1982 Ursa Major Award Winner
• Ann Bigby McFarren – 1982 Ursa Major Award Winner, 1992 Francis E. Willard Award Winner, 1994 Women of Distinction Award Winner
• Constance Goldsmith Crittenden – 1984 Michaelanean Award Winner, 2000 Ursa Major Award Winner
• Julee Rosso – 1984 Ursa Major Award Winner, 1988 Francis E. Willard Award Winner
• Marian Garfield Klein – 1990 Ursa Major Award Winner
• Claire Waters Ferguson – 1994 Francis E. Willard Award Winner
• Elaine Brandt Johnson - 1998 Michaelanean Award Winner
• Karen Abel Kolschowsky – 2010 Ursa Major Award Winner
• Susan Brink Sherratt – 2014 Constellation Award Recipient
• Elizabeth Joy Sayed Murray – 2020 Michaelanean Award Winner
$160,450.20