Gamma Gamma

Drury University

Gamma Gamma established from a September, 1949 petition filed by the local sorority Alpha Nu. Seventeen women gathered for the first time in Wallace Hall on Monday, May 17, 1948. Cynthia Sheffield Ming (Omega-Texas) who was an Alpha Phi District Governor visited campus and liked both the college and women of Alpha Nu in the spring of 1949. Helen Fertich Kerr (Gamma-DePauw), made a visit to campus in September 1949, and soon after a telegram arrived telling the Alpha Nus their petition had been accepted.  

On December 10, 1949 the members of Alpha Nu were formally invited to Alpha Phi in a ceremony conducted by Cynthia Ming, who was assisted by Margaret Pinyerd (Beta Tau-Indiana), Norma Chaderton and Barbara Siebert, alumnae of Missouri (Omicron) in the Kappa Delta house. 

Twenty-one happy collegiates and fifteen thrilled alumnae became the first members of Gamma Gamma of Alpha Phi in impressive ceremonies at Drury College on April 1. The chapel of the Congregational Church was transformed into a beautiful installation hall by Janet Neumann, field secretary, and her committee of helpers. Initiation services were conducted by International President Margaret Coshun Hutchinson (Psi-South Dakota), assisted by: Director of Extension Kathryn McCahan Hebgen (Kappa-Stanford); District Governor Cynthia Sheffield Ming; Director of Finance Edna Rattray McGuire (Beta-Northwestern); Margaret Pinyerd (Beta Tau-Indiana), Springfield alumnae, and seven members of Missouri (Omicron) chapter.

Preceding the installation services there was a breakfast in honor of the presiding officers. An informal luncheon in the recreation room of Wallace Hall followed the initiation services. Welcomed and introduced to the chapter were the following distinguished guests: Dorothy Thompson Dixon (Omicron-Missouri), state alumnae chairman, Rowena Gillespie “Pat” Tingle (Omicron-Missouri) and Mary Vessey Knight (Psi-South Dakota), all of the Kansas City alumnae chapter; Ida Lee Cannon Pixley (Omicron-Missouri), Norma Chaderton (Omicron-Missouri) and Carol Ramsey (Omicron-Missouri) of the St. Louis alumnae chapter and Catherine Ann Brandt Bradshaw (Omicron-Missouri) of Lebanon, Missouri.

Preceding the banquet the charter was signed by the collegiate and alumnae charter members, then presented to the chapter president Betty Worthey by Mrs. Hutchinson. 

Sixty guests were present at the banquet in the Missouri Room of the Colonial Hotel. The beautifully appointed tables were arranged in horseshoe fashion. Floral centerpieces carried out the fraternity colors featuring silver and bordeaux carnations with silver foliage. The place cards were adorned with the crest. Each guest received a corsage of gardenias with silver and bordeaux ribbons. Maryanne Magnor, social chairman, was in charge of decorations and arrangements and was assisted by Janet Neumann and Margaret Pinyerd.

The group singing of Alpha Phi Toujours opened the program. Mrs. Ming was toastmistress. Betty Worthey spoke on “The Past,” Mrs. Hebgen on “The Present” and Mrs. Hutchinson on “The Future” of Gamma Gamma chapter and Alpha Phi. Janet Neumann read the scores of messages of congratulations and good wishes from the Executive Board, the collegiate and alumnae chapters. Then came the solemn and beautiful loving cup ceremony accompanied by Parting. A formal dance in the adjourning Ozark Room followed the banquet. 

Early Sunday morning a model chapter meeting was conducted by Mrs. Hutchinson, aided by alumnae from other chapters. 

Over four hundred guests were received Sunday afternoon at the reception in Wallace Hall in honor of the new chapter. 

Monday night the chapter held its first Alpha Phi meeting in the attractive rooms which, like those of other groups, are in the Student Union building. More messages of good wishes and gifts were opened. A welcoming serenade to the chapter was presented by the other women’s fraternities.