Georgia State University
On April 14, 14 members of the former D.A.D. group at Georgia State College of Business Administration in Atlanta were initiated.
The start of the weekend festivities was a barbecue at the home of Sally Stroup DeGroot (Delta-Cornell), the new initiates former new member advisor and now chapter advisor. Margaret Whitlock Barton (Beta-Northwestern), director of extension and Ruby James Brennan (Chi-Montana), director of programs had already arrived and Nancy Leader (Iota-Wisconsin) and Carol Myers (Iota-Wisconsin) came in from the airport with Louise Vick (Beta Lambda-Rollins) just in time for the appetizing meal.
Saturday afternoon the beautiful initiation service was held at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Nancy Leader, Carol Myers, Louise Vick, and Susan Keyes (Beta Mu-Alabama) conducted the ceremony and were assisted by the new district governor from Miami, Annie Seaton (Beta Kappa-Denison); the Atlanta alumnae, and the following collegiates from Alabama: Ann Hendrix, Elizabeth Turner, Patricia Pearson, Barbara Smallwood, Marie Lambrecht.
That night they gathered for their banquet at the Capital City Club.The new initiates looked radiant in their lovely formals and all of the Alpha Phi alumnae present were so proud to count them as members of the Fraternity. The tables were decorated with tall silver candelabra and swags of English ivy originally brought from Westminster Abbey by Marie Butler Adams (Omicron-Missouri). The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a beautiful jeweled pen by Marian Whitney Kutsche (Theta-Michigan) to Alice Brooks, president of the new chapter.
The next afternoon a lovely reception was held at the home of Betsy Jones Berry. The beautiful southern home with it’s traditional white columns was decorated with numerous flowers sent by other Panhellenic groups and interested friends. One of the nicest things about this wonderful initiation for the Atlanta alumnae was the strengthening of friendships among their own group. Every Alpha Phi in Atlanta, with the exception of a few who were prevented from participating due to illness, had some part in the installation. The weekend festivities brought back many happy memories of their own Alpha Phi collegiate days.
The Georgia chapter can count themselves lucky to have, as one of their first gifts, a beautiful old pin (1899) belonging to Margaret Mason Whitney (Theta-Michigan), president of Alpha Phi (1900-1902). Mrs. Whitney is famed throughout the Panhellenic world as the fraternity woman who called the historic meeting in 1902 which led to the founding of what we now know as the National Panhellenic Conference. The pin will be the permanent president’s pin for the new chapter.
Jean McKamy Thomas – 1974 Ursa Major Award Winner
