Epsilon Rho

University of California, Davis

The installation of Epsilon Rho chapter took place on the weekend of February 8-10 on the Davis campus of the University of California.

Ten national fraternities were on the campus for several decades, but sororities were new at Davis the 1973 to 1974 school year. Delta Delta Delta and Phi Mu sororities had also established chapters that year, and others were expected to follow shortly. The impetus for this development was supplied by the efforts of four students, three of whom are now Alpha Phis. Judy Kay Schmidt Mead (Delta Gamma-Northern Colorado), Director of Extension, with the assistance of Carol Klink Claussen (Kappa-Stanford), District Governor; Sue Webber Abbott (Lambda-UC Berkeley), Director of Chapters, and Sally McCloud Noland (Beta Delta-UCLA), Field Secretary, directed recruitment activities which culminated in the initiation of twenty-four members.

Installation weekend was a typically Californian production. On Friday evening the Epsilon Rho members traveled to Lambda’s house in Berkeley, some sixty miles southwest of Davis. The Inspiration Ceremony took place that evening, and initiation was held there on Saturday morning. Luncheon was followed by a model meeting, and then a return trek was made to Davis by the initiates, accompanied by some thirty Lambda collegians.

The University of California-Davis Faculty Club was the scene for the installation banquet Saturday evening. Patty McAtee Cook (Lambda-UC Berkeley), toastmistress of the evening, introduced university Chancellor James Meyer and Dean Ruth Anderson, both of whom welcomed Alpha Phi to the campus. Judy Kay Mead extended Alpha Phi International’s welcome to Epsilon Rho, and Kathryn Shifflet, president of Lambda, represented the collegians. 

International President Betty Jones gave a thought-provoking address on present day responsibilities of sorority membership. Sally McCloud introduced the initiates, and Sue Ann Dean Stout (Beta Delta-UCLA), International Vice President, presented the welcoming gifts. Sue Abbott conducted the Loving Cup Ceremony to end a most enjoyable evening.

On Sunday the charter ceremony was held at a reception at the El Macero Country Club in Davis. Guests included campus representatives, collegiate Alpha Phis from Lambda and Epsilon Gamma, Sacramento, alumna and families of the new initiates.