Gamma Kappa

California State University, Long Beach

The CSU Long Beach chapter was installed January 7 and 8 with Alpha Phis from all over Southern California participating in the exciting and memorable weekend. The 23 charter members and their 18 alumnae were initiated at the Beta Delta chapter house on the UCLA campus during the afternoon of the seventh. The chapter was alive with alumnae and collegiate, coming from as far as San Diego and Santa Barbara. International President, Marian Wiley Keys (Alpha-Syracuse), participated in all the ceremonies and inspired all with her enthusiasm and spirit.

Following the initiation, the charter members, their alumnae and new members, Southern California alumnae and officers traveled to the Olive Hill Foundation in Los Angeles for a most inspirational banquet. The theme of the banquet, “Our Newest Star” was perfect. In the absence of vice-president Dororthy Hummel Marshall, who was so instrumental in the birth of the new chapter, Helen Blattner Thomas (Beta Lambda-Rollins) was the toastmistress. All in attendance were enchanted by Marian Keys’ welcoming speech. She spoke on “Our Guiding Stars,” our ten founders and their lives. It was an inspirational and challenging note for all, a reminder to some of the oath taken long ago and the ideals of truth which we promised to obey and a high and worthy goal to attain for the new members.

Dr. P. Victor Peterson, president of CSU Long Beach, was the guest speaker. His “Star Gazing in the Fraternity World” noted the rapid growth of CSU Long Beach. His warm welcome to Alpha Phi was indeed not only professionally but personally given as his daughter Eleanor Peterson Johnson (Beta Delta-UCLA), was then the field secretary for Alpha Phi. 

Carol Hulse Burk (Gamma Kappa-CSU Long Beach), the president of the chapter, spoke for the charter members, their alumnae and new members, expressing their gratitude and pride in becoming Alpha Phis. She spoke of the information of their local sorority of Chi Delta Delta in 1949 and the prominent place that they have always maintained on the campus. 

A highpoint of the evening was the lovely chapter song that was written by Kay Boyd Stark (Gamma Kappa-CSU Long Beach), one of the alumnae initiates, when she was a Chi Delta Delta. It is now an Alpha Phi song and as the charter members sang “Our Alpha Phi, our hearts are true,” there were many misty eyes in the banquet room. The evening ended with a formal installation of the chapter, the presentation of the charter by Marian Keys and the ever impressive loving cup ceremony.

Sunday brought another day of Alpha Phi activities in honor of the new chapter. Church services were held at The First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach, with Dr. Reuben Pieters giving the sermon. Following the services, a model meeting was held with Marian Wiley Keys (Alpha-Syracuse) presiding. 

As a wonderful finale to a perfect weekend, a reception was held Sunday afternoon at the Assistance League Clubhouse in Long Beach.