Epsilon Chi

California Polytechnic State University

The first letter of Alpha Phi interest was sent to Cal Poly on September 23, 1971. With the second letter on August 20, 1973, we learned that Sigma Kappa was getting established. In 1974, Director of Extension, Judy Kay Schmidt Mead (Delta Gamma-Northern Colorado), wrote asking if Alpha Phi could visit the campus, and on December 10 she did. At that time, Sigma Kappa was established, and Gamma Phi Beta was getting ready to be installed. Then, on January 5, 1975, Field Secretary, Sue Riley (Beta Delta-UCLA), visited the campus for a week, and Alpha Phi was off and running.

After more recruiting, and a new member program that taught the new chapter about Alpha Phi, as well as about how to work together as a group, Epsilon Chi became established the weekend of May 16 and 17, 1975. The weekend began at the Gamma Beta (UC Santa Barbara) chapter house with the Court of Ivy ceremony on Friday evening. After that, there were refreshments and a program put on by the Gamma Beta collegians. 

An initiation ceremony was held at 6 a.m. early the next morning, with a welcome brunch immediately following, and ending with a model meeting. Then everyone had a few hours to collect herself, grab some sleep and get back to San Luis Obispo for the chartering ceremony which was held on the Cal Poly campus at the University union. Thirty-one Epsilon Chi members took the oath and signed the charter.

Then, it was off to the Golden Tee in Morro Bay for a banquet, with words of welcome given to the chapter by Dean Everett Chandler of the university; Constance Purkiss Kelly (Beta Delta-UCLA), Alumnae Chairman District X, and Sue Buckley, Gamma Beta president. The response was given by Sandi Springer, Epsilon Chi chapter president. The main address was given by Sue Ann Dean Stout (Beta Delta-UCLA). The initiates were introduced by Field Secretary Sue Riley, and Connie Kelly presented the gifts. Sandy O’Key Richardson, Epsilon Chi chapter adviser, acknowledged the gifts, and Sue Ann Stout conducted the Loving Cup Ceremony.