Epsilon Sigma

Dallas Baptist University

A local sorority, Alpha Delta Chi at Dallas Baptist College, petitioned Alpha Phi International in the fall of 1973 to establish a chapter on the liberal arts campus. The group was accepted and received their ribbons at a ceremony on December 5. Formal pledging was conducted by Epsilon Lambda, Texas at Arlington, on December 12 at the Widner Library on the DBC campus. Assisting were Judy Kay Schmidt Mead (Delta Gamma-Northern Colorado), Susan Ferrara (Beta Tau-Indiana), and Director of Chapters-Area Central, Helena Clark Coulthard (Iota-Wisconsin). Among those in attendance were Pat Tiller Willis (Gamma Eta-North Texas), District Governor; Maryllyn Powell Hargrave (Omega-Texas), District Alumnae Chairman; Shonda Caudle Jenkins (Delta Beta-Texas A&M Commerce), State Alumnae Chairman, and Sue Gowing Saiter (Beta Kappa-Denison), president of Dallas Alumnae Chapter.

Installation weekend took place April 19-21. The inspiration service on Friday night was conducted by collegiate members of Gamma Eta chapter, North Texas University, in the campus library. Initiation was on Saturday morning at the First Baptist Church of Oak Cliff. Collegians from Epsilon Lambda chapter, Texas at Arlington, performed the ceremony. The model meeting was conducted by collegians of Delta Beta chapter, East Texas.

Saturday night new initiates were honored at a banquet at the Oak Cliff Country Club. Sara Ann Wheeler Hatton (Omicron-Missouri), former International President, served as toastmistress. Welcoming addresses were given by: Dr. Charles Pitts, president of Dallas Baptist College; Judy Kay Schmidt Mead; Pat Willis, and Peggy Barnett, president of Epsilon Lambda. The chapter president of Epsilon Sigma, Debbie Slade, gave the response. Phyllis Sims Selig (Gamma Delta-Kansas), then International Vice President Finance and Housing, gave the main address. The new initiates were introduced by Cheryl Thomas Kelso (Gamma Rho-Penn State), Field Secretary. The evening was closed with the Loving Cup Ceremony conducted by Helena Coulthard (Iota-Wisconsin). 

Sunday morning the initiates attended services at the First Baptist Church of Oak Cliff. The charter was presented and signed in a ceremony at the reception for parents and friends on Sunday afternoon at the Student Center.