Gamma Zeta

University of Puget Sound

On April 6, 1922, Lambda Sigma Chi was formed as a local sorority. During the next 31 years, its membership and accomplishments were outstanding. When the university administration announced that national sororities would be permitted on campus, it was rather natural that the members of Lambda Sigma Chi should desire affiliation with Alpha Phi, who’s chapters had an enviable reputation on nearby campuses. Actives and alumnae of Lambda Sigma Chi and the members of the Tacoma Alpha Phi alumnae group worked diligently toward the realization of their goal. That September 12, 1953, became a day of special note when 30 collegiates and 36 alumnae of Lambda Sigma Chi were given the privilege of signing the new member book of the Gamma Zeta chapter.

Sunday morning, October 11, after going to church in a group, the charter members and many of the alumnae attended a model chapter meeting conducted by Helen Carson Plumb (Tau-Oregon) of Seattle, at the Gamma Zeta chapter room. Anderson Hall, the women’s dormitory at the College of Puget Sound, was the scene of a reception Sunday afternoon honoring the charter members and newly initiated alumnae. 

The Lambda Sigma Chi group had been active on the C.P.S. campus for over thirty years. In fact, three of the original charter members joined Alpha Phi--Helen Panghorn, Myrna Stoddard Frink, and Thelma Bestler Myhrman.

Dorothy Hummel Marshall (Beta Epsilon-Arizona), the international vice-president, presented the charter for Gamma Zeta at the installation banquet. She was also the principal speaker of the evening, using as her theme, “The Pattern of the Past.”

Sara Jaeger, president of the new chapter, after accepting the charter on behalf of the collegiates, then addressed the banquet using as her theme, “A Design for the Future.”

Frances Thomson Morrill (Sigma-Washington), of Seattle, the 1954 convention chairman, was toastmistress for the evening. Helen Trick Chapman (Sigma-Washington), assisted by several Tacoma alumnae, conducted the Founders Day ceremony, while Helen Plumb initiated the loving cup service at the close of the banquet. 

Margaret Coshun Hutchinson (Psi-South Dakota), of Seattle, former international president, conducted the initiation rites held Saturday afternoon at the home of Jean Gilmer Cooper (Theta-Michigan).