Zeta Rho

Bentley University

Zeta Rho was installed at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, on April 3, 1982. Alpha Phi was the first women’s national at Bentley. Zeta Rho chapter developed from a local sorority, Alpha Tau. With the help of advisers Kathy Watson Baker (Iota-Wisconsin), and Cindy Kosofski Hilton (Zeta Lambda-New Hampshire), and District Governor Linda Hart Stapleton (Delta Eta-Adrian), the new chapter wrote bylaws, set goals and completed all requirements for installation. Friday, April 2, began Zeta Rho’s exciting weekend. After the Court of Ivy ceremony performed by New Hampshire College collegians, International President Mary Carr Boyd (Omicron-Missouri) and Vice-President Extension Nancy Wittgen Burks DeVoe (Gamma-DePauw) were introduced. Delta Nu chapter members from the University of Maine performed the initiation ceremony at the Student Center of the college on Saturday. Over 300 parents, friends and Alpha Phis joined the 48 new initiates at a banquet and reception following initiation. Nancy Wittgen Burks DeVoe served as toastmistress, and Mary Carr Boyd welcomed the chapter, using the theme, “Happiness Is a New Chapter of Alpha Phi.” Other International officers attending were Kathy Clifford, Extension Director; Tracy Hodgins Gobis (Iota-Wisconsin), Field Representative, and Linda Hart Stapleton (Delta Eta-Adrian), District Governor. In one of the Fraternity’s newest traditions, Mollie Siebert Ziegler (Beta Iota-West Virginia), representing the Alpha Phi Foundation, presented a gold badge with raised sapphire from the Foundation to the chapter scholarship chairman, Kathleen Betzold (Zeta Rho-Bentley). Excitement peaked as Connie R. Darrow (Eta-Boston), representing the Boston Alumnae Chapter, presented an antique pin formerly belonging to Eta chapter, Boston University, to Katie Connor, Zeta Rho president. The Boston alumnae also presented antique badges to the presidents of the Maine, Tufts and New Hampshire College chapters.