Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 22 no. 3
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA VOMUME XXII NUMBER 3 PUBLISHED BY KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY AT ANN ARBOR, MICH.
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA Published by the Fraternity Edited by Charlotte H. Walker NOVEMBER JANUARY MARCH MAY Printed by The Ann Arbor Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Address everything intended for publication and all business communication to Charlotte H. Walker, 1129 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan. All material intended for publication must reach the Editor before October 5, December 5, February 5, April 5. TERMS: $1.00 per Year, payable in advance; 25 cents Single Copy; Sample Copy Free. Kappa Alpha Theta will be sent to all subscribers until ordered discontinued and arrearages paid, as required by law. Second-class mail matter rates at post-office at Ann Arbor, Michigan, applied for. FRATERNITY DIRECTORY Grand Council President— Anna Harrison, 1243 Western Ave., Topeka, Kansas Vice-Presidents— Eva E. C apron, 80 Monroe St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Sarah E. Cotton, 27 State Capitol Bldg., Indian¬ apolis, Ind. Eva R. Hall, 738 nth St., Wilmette, Ill. Jessie Mac Farland, 2644 Portland Street, Los Angeles, Cal. Secretary — PearlE Green, 15 East Avenue, Ithaca, N. Y. Treasurer— Edith D. Cockins, 1348 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Editor of the Journal— Charlotte H. Walker, 1129 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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/ Deputies To Grand President— -Mrs. Scott Hopkins, 1177 Fillmore Street, Topeka, Kansas. To President of Beta District— Mrs. Charles W. Eichrodt, 1418 N. New Jersey St., Indianapoli§, Ind. To Delta District — Alice E. Wadsworth ,1414 Hinman Avenue. Evanston, Ill. To Grand Secretary — Maida Rossiter, Palo Alto, Cal. To Editor — Mrs. Wm. B. Cady, 550 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Mich. Chairman of Educational Committee — Mary W. Titus Westbury, Long Island, N. Y. Chairman of Archive Committee — Minna Stillman, Stanford Uni¬ versity, California. Inter-Sorority Conference Secretary— Miss Elda L. Smith, Pi Beta Phi, 710 S. 6th Street, Springfield, Ill. Kappa Alpha Theta Delegate — Mrs. Laura H. Norton, 2541 North Paulina Street, Chicago, Ill. CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES Alpha District President— Eva E. Capron, 80 Monroe St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Iota, Cornell University — Christine S. Avery, Sage College, Ithaca, N. Y. Lambda, University of Vermont — Lucy R. Bean, 41 1 Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Sigma, Toronto University — Mono McLaughlin, 28 Tyndall Street, Toronto, Ontario. Chi, Syracuse University — M. Eloise Andrews, 107 Comstock Place, Syracuse, N. Y. Alpha Beta, Swarthmore College — Katherine Wolff, Swarthmore College, Pa. Alpha Delta, Woman’s College of Baltimore — Lucy Yancy, Wo¬ man’s College, Baltimore, Md. Alpha Epsilon, Brown University — Nelly M. Evans, 66 Benefit St., Providence, R. I.
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Alpha Zeta, Barnard College — Theodora Hall, 136 W. mth St., New York City. Alpha Kappa, Adelphi College — Mary E. Townsend, 5 Macon St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Gamma Alumnae, New York City — Adeline C. Kiep, 60 Hart Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Eta Alumnae, Burlington, Vt. — Effie P. Wells, 407 College St.. Burlington, Vt. Nu Alumnae, Syracuse, N. Y. — Mrs. Giles H. Stilwell, 1906 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, N. Y. Beta District President — Sarah E. Cotton, Room 27, State Capitol, Indianapolis, Ind. Alpha, De Pauw University — Eleanor Lemon, Kappa Alpha Theta House, Greencastle, Ind. Beta, Indiana State University — Grace Philputt, Kappa Alpha Theta House, Bloomington, Ind. Gamma, Butler College — Ruth W. Davenport, 352 N. Ritter Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Epsilon, Wooster University — Sarah J. Anderson, Holden Hall, Wooster, Ohio. Eta, University of Michigan — Ada Jones, 718 S. Ingalls St., Ann Arbor, Mich. Mu, Allegheny College — Lenore Y. Lytle, Meadville, Pa. Pi, Albion College — Gipsy Robinson, Albion, Mich. Alpha Gamma, Ohio State University — Helen Mackall, 1515 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Alpha Eta, Vanderbilt University — Nannie Moore, Vanderbilt Campus, Nashville, Tenn. Alpha Alumnae, Greencastle, Ind. — Mrs. Mary B. Wright, Green¬ castle, Ind. Epsilon Alumnae, Columbus, Ohio — Katharine D. Kiser, 81 Miami Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Zeta Alumnae, Indianapolis, Ind. — Mrs. Geo. T. Scribner, Indian¬ apolis, Ind. Mu Alumnae, Cleveland, Ohio — Louise Rust, 2416 College Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Kappa Alumnae, Pittsburg, Pa— Mrs. L. Clyde Bixler, 216 North Highland Ave., Pittsburg, Pa.
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Delta District President— Eva R. Hall, 738 nth St., Wilmette, Ill. Delta, University of Illinois — Margaret Niver, 901 S. Wright St., Champaign, Ill. Kappa, University of Kansas — Esther M. Rauch, 1247 Ohio Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Rho, University of Nebraska — Stella Trimble, 423 N. Thirteenth Street, Lincoln, Neb. Tau, Northwestern University — Marion Keyes, 1350 Morse Ave., Rogers Park, Ill. Upsilon, University of Minnesota — Helen M. Schutte, 330 South Exchange St., St. Paul, Minn. Psi, University of Wisconsin — Ethel R. Taylor, 823 Irving Place, Madison, Wis. Alpha Theta, University of Texas — Ethel Sykes, 2503 Whitis Avenue, Austin, Texas. Alpha Iota, Washington University — Meta Gruner, 3222 Sullivan Avenue, Saint Louis, Mo. Beta Alumnae, Minneapolis, Minn. — Mrs. George S. Wheaton, 61 Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. Delta Alumnae, Chicago, Ill. — Anna Drummond, 719 W. Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. Xi Alumnae, Kansas City, Mo. — Helen Williams, 2802 E. 6th St., Kansas City, Mo. Gamma District President— Jessie MacFarland, 2644 Portland Street, Los Angeles, Cal. Phi, Stanford University— Kathryn Culver, Box 1207, Stanford Uni¬ versity, Calif. Omega, University of California— Pearl Chase, 2426 Virginia St., Berkeley, Calif. Iota Alumnae, Los Angeles, Calif.— Jane Spalding, 134 N. Gates St., Los Angeles, Calif. Kindly notify Editor at once of any change in address of cor¬ responding secretary.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Fraternity Extension ...... 183 The Relation of the Sorority to the University 187 Some Provincial Observations on Fraternities . 190 The Girls at Oxford ...... 193 A Little Social Reform at Brown .... 196 Student Government Conference at Vassar 198 Alumnae Organize ...... 199 Conference of Deans and Advisors of Women . 200 Recent A. C. A. Action ..... 201 More About the Honor System .... 202 AiaAeyo jfxtOa ....... 203 Exchanges ........ 207 Editorials . . . . . . . .215 Announcements . . . . . .217 Chapter Letters . . . .218 Alumnae Chapter Letters ..... 239 Marriages ........ 245 Births ........ 247 Personals ........ 249 News from the College World .... 257
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA Vol. XXII MARCH, 1908 No. 3 FRATERNITY EXTENSION The maps and outline which accompany this sketch have been made from material found in Baird's Manual of Amer¬ ican College Fraternities for 1905, Ida Shaw Martin's The Sorority Hand-Book for 1907 and the table of men's fra¬ ternities found in The Delta Upsilon Quarterly for Sep¬ tember, 1907. I have used Baird's dates of founding and Martin's number and place of existing college and alumnae chapters. On the maps showing women's fraternities I have brought out two points — geographical extent and es¬ tablishment with respect to time. The characters in black show chapters established before 1895, those in red, chap¬ ters established during and after 1895. On the maps show¬ ing men's fraternities I care to show only geographical ex¬ tent, hence they are in one color. There are doubtless mis¬ takes in these representations but they are correct enough to show some interesting facts in fraternity extension. The maps show first that both men's and women's fra¬ ternities are in institutions all over the country. Men's fra¬ ternities originated with Phi Beta Kappa at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, and women's fra¬ ternities with Kappa Alpha Theta at De Pauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. From these beginnings in the east and middle west, they have spread to all parts of the United States. Of the women's fraternities given, the three larg¬ est, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi have chapters in all sections. Alpha Omicron Pi, men¬ tioned in the outline, is one of the smallest but is represent-
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184 KAPPA ALPHA THETA eel in the east, south, and west. Of the men's fraternities given, three had their beginnings in the middle west and are now found in all sections of the country. The other three originated in the east ; two of these are in all sections while Delta Upsilon has not gone south. The establishment of chapters west of the Mississippi is worth noting now that so many universities of the west are coming to the front. Of the fraternities given on the maps all except Kappa Delta have at least one chapter west of the Mississippi. The University of California and Ice¬ land Stanford have had many fraternities for years. Also Kansas and Nebraska. The following fraternities have chapters in Colorado either at the University of Colorado or at Denver. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Gamma, Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Delta Tau Delta. In Washington State University the following: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Gamma, Alpha Xi Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi. In South Dakota: Alpha Xi Delta and Phi Delta Theta. In Texas : Kappa Kappa Gam¬ ma, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Psi and Delta Tau Delta. The maps also show growth of fraternities in the south. Several women’s fraternities mentioned in the outline are entirely southern : Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha. The development of women’s fraternities before and after 1895, I think is of interest. Of the seventeen frater¬ nities mentioned in the outline, nine were established in the twenty-five years preceding 1895. Of these nine, four— Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi and Delta Gamma — grew rapidly. That is they had estab¬ lished from twenty-two to thirty-six chapters before 1895. Of these from nine to eleven were lost either on account of anti-fraternity feeling in the institution in which they were located or on account of the standard of the institution. Two of the early fraternities— Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi
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Kappa Kappa Gamma (1870) represented by O. Alpha Chi Omega (1885) represented by A. Alpha Phi (1872) represented by . Gamma Phi Beta (1874) represented by B.
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Pi Beta Phi* (1883) represented by P. Delta Delta Delta (1883) represented by A Delta Gamma (1872) represented by X. * Pi Beta Phi was established in 1867 as I. C. Sorosis. It adopted its Greek name in 1883.
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Chi Omega (1895) represented by O. Alpha Xi Delta (1902) represented by X. Kappa Delta (1897) represented by A. This map shows all chapters established subsequent to 1895.
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Delta Kappa Epsilon (1844) represented by O. Delta Tau Delta (1859) represented by X. L
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FRATERNITY EXTENSION 185 Beta established chapters slowly and are still very conser¬ vative but have lost no chapters. The other fraternities which began to exist before 1895 have grown more since that date than before. OUTI.INE SHOWING EXTENSION OF WOMEN’S FRATERNITIES BEFORE AND AFTER 1895. Name Date Number Chapters 1870-95 Hi. p Cu ? £ « n Total No. Established bo 52 > V ►4 ft • d No. of Alumnae Chaptrrs Alpha Chi Omega . 1885 4 8 12 II 2 Alpha Gamma Delta 1904 0 3 3 3 O Alpha Omicron Pi . 1897 0 7 7 7 I Alpha Phi . 1872 8 6 14 14 7 Alpha Xi Delta . 1902 0 13 13 13 3 Chi Omega . 1895 0 24 24 21 10 Delta Delta Delta . 1888 10 14 24 23 16 Delta Gamma . 1872 22 6 28 18 5 Delta Sigma . 1895 0 3 3 3 3 Gamma Phi Beta . 1874 6 6 12 12 6 Kappa Alpha Theta . 1870 29 10 39 28 12 Kappa Delta . 1897 0 10 10 10 0 Kappa Kappa Gamma... 1870 36 7 43 33 32 •Pi Beta Phi . 1883 3i 16 47 38 35 Sigma Kappa . 1874 1 5 6 6 3 Sigma Sigma Sigma . 1898 0 8 8 8 2 Zeta Tau Alpha . 1898 0 8 8 8 1 •Established at Monmouth College, 1867, as I. C. Sorosis. Be¬ came national Greek letter fraternity, 1883. Eight fraternities have come into existence since 1895. Some of these are small and confined to a small section of the country, but they are probably beginnings of a larger growth. Chi Omega has established twenty-four chapters in twelve years, Alpha Xi Delta thirteen, Kappa Delta ten. The older fraternities have continued to grow in this per¬ iod, also. Of the three hundred and one chapters which have been established, one hundred forty-seven came into existence before 1895, one hundred fifty-four after that date. Forty-five of the chapters have been lost so there exists two hundred fifty-six chapters of these seventeen
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA \ 1 86 fraternities. These things together with the fact that groups of girls are constantly applying for charters to these fra¬ ternities show the rapid growth of the fraternity idea among women. It is interesting to note that of the seventeen fraterni¬ ties mentioned only two have no alumnae associations. This shows that even the small fraternities recognize the strength gained by organized alumnae. Mrs. Martin has an interest¬ ing sketch of alumnae growth in the Sorority Hand-Book. Let me quote a few facts from it. Pi Beta Phi was the first fraternity to recognize the advantage of alumnae organiza¬ tion, her first chapter being established in 1881. Alpha Phi followed in 1889, Delta Gamma soon after. Delta Delta Delta provided for alumnae organization from the beginning and established its first Alliance in 1892. The others fol¬ lowed this idea soon. There is a great difference in the form of organization of these chapters. Some have very intimate connection with the national organization, while others have none at all. In conclusion let me urge the reader of Kappa Alpha Theta to make herself familiar with what these maps may suggest in order that she may meet this important question of extension with a fair idea of what other fraternities are doing. Josephine Barnaby, M. Grace Vance, Mu Alumnae Chapter. - 1 « *»
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THE RELATION OF THE SORORITY TO THE UNIVERSITY Perhaps no clearer statement can be made of the rela¬ tion of any organization to the larger whole in which it moves and exists, than to take as an example that com¬ plex question of the relation of the individual to society. The individual, or individualism, and society, or universal- ism, are antithetical terms, which we find from the earliest times to have been the basis of all ethical theories. These terms represent simply the two points from which conduct may be viewed, — to one school of thinkers the individual comes first, and society exists for him. To the other school society comes first and is the measure of the worth of the individual. Of course all right action appeals ultimately to the needs and desires of the individuals making up the society ; while the idea of what is right can never be settled by what one individual thinks, yet the likes and dislikes of the mass make up the criterion of conduct. Individual conduct must be free and spontaneous, yet on the other hand no high grade of community life is reached until this sponta¬ neous conduct shall fit into the social scheme of the com¬ munity. That society only is permanent which commends itself to its separate members, — indeed we think of a well- organized community life as one composed of individuals whose lives have a meaning first for themselves, and second¬ ly those who render their lives meaningful to society, by making the best use of their opportunities. /To carry to extreme the rights of the individual means egoism •’c- centeredness, and in the end selfishness, all of whic’ ns the narrowing of one’s usefulness until it is practic nil. On the other hand to carry to its extreme point the doc¬ trine of the rights of society means a large altruism, which in the end becomes so unreal that it meaningless and empty. It becomes a theory without the vitalizing power of the realities of life. Hence in any solution of this problem of
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1 88 KAPPA ALPHA THETA the individual zrersns society we must remember that from the earliest beginnings of history two kinds of conduct are found inseparably combined, — one tending to the immediate welfare of self, the other to the welfare of the community, or, as I called it above, egoism and altruism. Both of them are essential to the development of the individual and society, that is, one must be strong and happv himself if he is to help others to be happy, or as Robert Louis Stev¬ enson puts it, “There is an idea abroad among moral people that they should make their neighbors good ; one person I have to make good, — myself. But my duty to my neighbor is much more nearly expressed by saying that I have to make him happy— if I may.” There must be individual effort and then cooperation. Some philosopher has said, There can be nothing in a nation, however exalted its mis¬ sion, or in a society, however perfectly organized, which is not in the persons composing the nation or the society.” Each person is as it were a center from which radiate lines of connection, or like the pieces of glass in a kaleidoscope where every change brings about, not a separation, but a new combination. A curious phase of the growth of social sympathy is that if it is to be stable and permanent it must first be narrow and deep before it can spread. In the place of the individual, we may take the family, which is perhaps a better type of the position of the sorority in the community. To ensure strength and permanence there must be two processes, first the sympathy and devotion of the members within the organization one to the other, then the widen¬ ing process which, beginning with tolerance for those out¬ side, must grow to friendliness and deepen into the feeling of universal brotherhood. After this somewhat long introduction let us apply the principles here set forth to the question as to how an or¬ ganization like a sorority may best realize its own ideals and help the community life. One point of difference be¬ tween the responsibilities of an individual and of an organi¬ zation is that while the individual is thrust willy nilly into
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SORORITY AND THE UNIVERSITY 189 this tangled maze of duty to one's self and to one’s neighbor, the sorority being the result of definite choice and of a cer¬ tain ideal of action is doubly bound to live up to its oppor¬ tunities and fulfil its responsibilities in the community. That is to say, if a sorority would attain its highest ideals it must first build on the broad and deep foundations of helpful¬ ness, sympathy, and closest bonds of interest among its members, before it can hope to make the community life deeper and more significant. The same fate awaits the sorority or family which consciously or unconsciously takes the stand that it exists for self alone, — the fate of gradual dissolution and decay. To be more explicit the mere fact of the organization of a sorority implies that its founders had ideals, ideals of helpfulness to its members and to the community, — that because of this conscious statement of ideals each member of such an organization is bound to help to abate abuses and wrongs in the university life, first by freeing her own sorority from these abuses, secondly by helping the whole community to do so. In the abstract probably every member of a sorority would disapprove of cheating, of standards of living which are unreal and extravagant, of gossip and unkind criticism, of so great social diversions that standards of scholarship are lowered and the development of spiritual life is crowded out, — but when it comes to the actual fact does not! the present system of aggressive and almost cruel rivalry, dis¬ trust and suspicion between sororities, lead in the mad rush for members and prestige, not merely to a neglect of scholarship, good breeding, and womanliness, but almost to a demand for extravagance and social distinction? The so¬ rority is of so much importance either for good or for ill in the university, is such a tremendous force in helping or clogging the wheels of progress, that every woman in every sorority should feel her responsibility, nay her duty , to the university to be so vital and operative that as an individual and a member of society she is bound to live up to the ideals of the broadest culture and womanhood. If there be cheating, extravagance, low standards of scholarship, un-
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190 KAPPA ALPHA THETA womanly and false standards of conduct in the university, let us no longer refuse to see these abuses, but take our place in every struggle for better and nobler conditions, con¬ ditions better fitted to produce strong, sane, intellectual, helpful women. Any organization founded on high ideals must be of the greatest benefit to its members, since con¬ sciously they choose their deeper life, and in so far as these ideals are attained the organization becomes a vital power for good in the community, but in so far as these ideals are neglected and debased, the organization becomes a drag upon its members and a menace to the community. Myra Beach Jordan,* '93. SOME PROVINCIAL OBSERVATIONS ON FRA¬ TERNITIES In my student days it was my privilege to be one of the prime movers in organizing a Greek letter fraternity. The enthusiasm for this undertaking was kindled by the discov¬ ery that the soul of my older and much-loved brother (a student in another college) was stirred to its depths with zeal, devotion, and fervid admiration for his fraternity. Early documents of our fraternity confirm my recollection that our ideals were high and our intentions serious. We gave no ground for the dire charge of being undemocratic, for no one in our little group of pioneer college women was excluded. We deemed it wiser to count essentials and ignore some idiosyncracies rather than be unfriendly. And then too every one of us was a needed member, for the number of young women in any co-educational college in New England in the early part of the last quarter of the last century was not large. Crude and experimental as our efforts were, with no traditions behind us, with no alumnae to guide, lead, and inspire us, yet, notwithstanding these * Mrs. Jordan is Dean of Women at the University of Michigan.
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OBSERVATIONS ON FRATERNITIES 191 serious drawbacks, my retrospective judgment does not give to any other college influence or to all the others com¬ bined a larger award than to our fraternity, both in the happiness it afforded us then, and in the opportunities it gave us for finding ourselves. It is to me a matter of no small pride that in the process of time this independent and self-originating organization was deemed worthy to be¬ come the nucleus of a chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. To one with this early predilection for fraternities, twenty years of residence in a college town has afforded much of interested observation. It must be granted that the fraternity problem is a different problem in different colleges and in different sections of the country. Here in an eastern town, the home of a comparatively small college, I count it a good thing that my windows look out upon three stately chapter houses, and that there are five more of these well managed college homes occupying some of the best sites in town. For here more than ninety per cent of the students are fraternity men, and the charge that fra¬ ternities are undemocratic has not an overwhelming weight even to one who is a lover of the spirit of the French revo¬ lution. To the town's people generally it has been a matter of congratulation, as one after another of the fraternities has developed from a more or less nebulous and indeterminate state without a local habitation into a responsible house¬ holder and taxpayer. The intimate friends of the students know in what high esteem they hold these homes, how jealous they are that they be of good report, what pleasure they take in opening them to their friends. The experience in furnishing and caring for a home and in learning to be an agreeable and successful host, is surely a part of the training for life not to be undervalued. Since these are human institutions, there are evils and dangers, hidden or apparent, and during these twenty years it has happened that the friends of this or that fraternity have watched with alarm its deterioration and even feared its disintegration, but only to be delighted to see it recover
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/ i92 KAPPA ALPHA THETA itself. They have always been found to possess the saving- remnant of worthy men, or wise and interested alumni have made their influence effectually felt. Of the fraternities here at Bowdoin President Hyde has written, “On the whole the fraternities exert twenty times as much influence for good as now and then one temporarily may work for evil." The fear lest the love of fraternity do harm to college spirit proves to be largely groundless. In the eyes of the freshman his fraternity may loom so large as to hide both his class and his college, but by sophomore year he has learned class spirit, and the junior's vision is broad enough to perceive that the fraternity bears to the collegie the rela¬ tion of the part to the whole. The history of the fraternity from its tabooed and clan¬ destine period has been with few interruptions that of a steady advance to its present position of honor and influ¬ ence. If we are to judge the future by the past, is it not reasonable to trust that it may be counted on for still fur¬ ther and better achievement in the college world? And yet it seems to me that one note of genuine alarm should be listened to. One who loves his fraternity and loves his chapter has written: “The nation is beginning a war upon privilege. . . . The privileged organizations in college must answer the questions that privilege will be asked everywhere."* Let the college alumni with their larger outlook upon life and their better understanding of the brotherhood of man see to it that fraternity life is not allowed to vitiate the spirit of college democracy. Ellen H. Woodruff, University of Vermont, '75. Eta Alumnae. * The Independent, Oct. 5, 1905.
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THE GIRLS AT OXFORD One term in the city of Oxford can give you but little knowledge of the university and the life of those within its walls. And if, as in the present case, the stranger is a member of the “weaker sex,” who, though she may be studying at Oxford, is not in any true sense a part of the great body of Oxonians, any description of the real Oxford life is out of the question. It was in 1879 that two halls, Lady Margaret and Somer¬ ville, were opened for women students. The first of these is beautifully situated on the border of University Park, where the fellows have their hockey and football fields, and near the river Cherwell, a branch of the Thames. Somer¬ ville is rather closer to the men’s colleges, though still somewhat apart. St. Hilda’s is on the other side of the Cherwell, beyond Magdalen Bridge, while St. Hugh’s and Norham Hall, the latter for foreign women, are later build¬ ings not far from Lady Margaret’s. An amusing story is told of one of the first groups of girls to assemble together. Their leader, a tall, stern-featured woman, is described as* walking in the garden beside a small, worried assistant. The amazon turns suddenly to her companion, and remarks, “Well, here they are, the thirty of them, and thank heaven, there is not a good-looking one among them.” Trouble in management was expected because a few thousand men students were not a great way off. To this first handful of girls, many more have been added, till today the woman student is a familiar sight in the streets of Oxford. Any mention of her always brings to my mind a picture, either of a girl in rough tweed suit and visored tam-o-shanter hat riding on a bicycle, or of a lively figure, dressed in dark blue athletic costume on the hockey ground. Of the exact relation between the women and Oxford University, I do not know. She may or may not be called a member of the university. But I do remember quite dis¬ tinctly climbing three flights of dirty stairs in the old Clar¬ endon building to the office of the Association for the Edu-
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194 KAPPA ALPHA THETA cation of Women, where I was shown a schedule and made to sign for the course I wished to take. This was only my first journey, for there were two others to follow. My second was to the principal of the Oxford Home Students, under whose charge are all the women not residing in the various halls, but in private families or in their own homes. Then there was yet a third pilgrimage, this time to the Bodleian, where I received a slip, which, after it was signed by two Oxford M. A/s, would allow me to read in the Radcliffe Camera, where the books for the ordinary student are kept. Except for the degrees, which are never granted to the woman, she has almost the same opportunities for study as the man. She attends those lectures that are open to her — and there are quite a number with the men in the large build¬ ing called the “Examination School” or “Schools.” Here her chances of hearing may not be as good as theirs, for she is put in the rear of the room behind the men, with a line drawn between them in every way except by rope or chalk. I shall never forget with what interest I went to my first lecture. I arrived early because I was fearfully afraid of disturbing by a tardy entrance what I imagined would be a very impressive class-room. All the women seemed to be there, and presently one by one there came the strutting Englishmen in the short black gowns they are required to wear at their lectures. Subdued by the air of superiority about them, I waited rather uneasily for the lecturer, who soon came slowly up the center aisle in his long black silk robe, mounted the stairs of the platform, and with an uncon¬ cerned manner turned the pages of his notes. As he began his lecture my companion whispered that in the second term she was to have him for “coach,” and was “already in great fright over the prospect.” Like the men, the girl student has her tutor, or “coach,” sometimes one of the uni¬ versity “coaches,” but often a woman, who has finished her course. Once every week she writes an essay on the sub¬ ject in which she is specializing and takes it to the coach, who is the general supervisor of her work. As is probably
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THE GIRLS AT OXFORD ‘95 known, all work, in whatever line she may choose, is done either in the Pass or in the Honor School, which are merely terms to signify amount and quality of work. Only a moderate amount of study is necessary to get through her examinations in the Pass School, but it is quite the opposite for the Honor School. In the latter there are four different grades. If a student is fortunate enough to get a first in English Literature, History, or whatever her subject may be, it means that she has done the highest grade of work in the Honor School. From some remarks dropped casually, I gathered that the girls at Oxford do not have the jolly, free times that the Americans have at our colleges. One reason for this is, I suppose, that they are separated into groups, and so they have no chance for banding together. In the remark of an English friend there is another explanation. After meeting several American girls at a reception for home stu¬ dents, held in the “common room” of the latter, she said, “I do like your co-patriots more every time I meet them; they are so easy to get on with.” The English girl has something to learn from her American cousin, but that is not the whole story — the American can learn much from the girl at Oxford. May Hartwell, Alpha Epsilon, ’io.
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A LITTLE SOCIAL REFORM AT BROWN The social life in colleges all over the country presents difficulties and Brown does not escape; and especially the Women’s College. Last year the students’ time was so crowded that it was thought necessary to relieve the pres¬ sure of college engagements by some definite action if pos¬ sible. We are very highly organized here at Brown : the ranks of seven fraternities, the Student Government Board, the board of a literary magazine, a dramatic society, the Chris¬ tian Association, a general social society called the Brown¬ ies, a German club, the Athletic Association including var¬ ious teams, the Glee Club, and numerous committees have to be filled by two hundred girls, only a few of whom have the ability to run these organizations. The consequence has been that a few girls have covered themselves with glory by working themselves to death. It is but natural that the dif¬ ferent organizations should hit upon the same girl to carry the brunt of the work in many cases; to remedy this the Executive Board of the Student Government Association made a recommendation that the college offices be divided in major, sub-major, minor, and sub-minor offices, count¬ ing twenty, fifteen, ten, and five points respectively, accord¬ ing to the amount of work and honor involved, and that no student might hold offices amounting to more than thir¬ ty-five points. This recommendation was accepted this fall by the student body but will not go into effect till next fall ; the fact that the enforcement of it was not insisted on this year because it would have involved the resignation of some almost indispensable officers, shows how much it was needed. Everyone seems to agree that it is a welcome re¬ striction and will be glad to see it enforced another year. This, however, was not the main object of our little social reform ; we wished especially to reduce the number of social events at college and to secure a more even distri¬ bution of such as we deemed proper to keep. Engagements in the past have had a bad way of bunching at the end of
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SOCIAL REFORM AT BROWN 197 the term on account of the procrastination of the various organizations. All last year the prominent girls were whirled hither and thither in the stress of college activi¬ ties. Each organization made its plans independently of the others to a considerable extent ; the busy girls were so occupied in doing the duty that lay nearest that they had little time to consider whether some of the duties were worth while or not. Someone however, did consider and sug¬ gested that perhaps the Student Government Association might make a schedule for the ensuing year which would at least show us where we stand, and at most might help us to a better position. This idea was at once taken up by the prominent girls with enthusiasm and discussed with interest by almost all the girls. Significant and surprising facts came to light as to the number, character, and expense of the various entertainments. A comprehensive view of our social life made us all anxious to change it. The Ex¬ ecutive Board drew up a schedule which was accepted. By this arrangement no girl will have more than three college engagements in the evenings of any week and seldom as many as that. The result is very gratifying. I have heard no one wishing to go back to the old plan, or rather lack of plan. Though there has been real sacrifice on our part in some cases, we have the satisfaction of pleasing many friends of the college and of taking part in the recent widespread movement toward greater simplicity in our living. Ruth L. Foster, Alpha Epsilon.
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE AT VASSAR The growth of student government spirit in the east has become more and more widespread and it was therefore a delightful experience for the delegates from thirteen east¬ ern colleges to meet last November at Vassar College for the purpose of discussing the interests of their respective governments for mutual help and suggestion. The Inter-Collegiate Association for Student Govern¬ ment held its first meeting at Wellesley College in the fall of 1905. At that time the Association did not exist as such, it being no more than an informal gathering of representa¬ tives from a few colleges. In 1906 a meeting was held at Bryn Mawr College at which steps were taken towards the forming of an organization. A committee was appointed to draw up a constitution which should be presented the following year. In accordance with this action, at the con¬ ference held at the Woman’s College, Baltimore, in 1907, a constitution was presented and formally adopted. At the invitation of the Students’ Association of Vassar College the fourth conference was called to order there on Saturday, November 2, and at an open meeting in the morn¬ ing reports were heard from the delegates from the fol¬ lowing colleges : Bryn Mawr, Brown, Barnard, Cornell, Hol¬ yoke, Randolph-Mason, Simmons, Wellesley, Woman’s Col¬ lege, Wilson, Wells, Vassar, and Swarthmore. It was most interesting to note the points of similarity and divergency expressed in these reports and also to learn to what ex¬ tent true self-government is allowed by the faculties of the various colleges. Following this meeting the delegates were entertained at luncheon, after which an hour or more was spent in¬ formally in one of the parlors. Especially delightful was it for the delegates from Iota and Alpha Beta at our con¬ vention last summer, once more to clasp hands, and also for them to meet two other delegates who were Thetas from Alpha Zeta and Iota.
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ALUMNAE ORGANIZE 199 At four o’clock a closed meeting was held at which the floor was open for informal discussion. An hour was given over to most interesting questions, then elections of officers for this year were held. The meeting then ad¬ journed with a vote of thanks to the Students’ Association of Vassar College for its hospitality. Katharine; Wolff, Alpha Beta. ALUMNAE, ORGANIZE! As eager efforts were once being made to carry through an alumnae party, a very new freshman inquired with wide- opened eyes: “Why! do we have to rush alumnae as well as freshmen?” Alas for conditions that ever make the “rushing of alumnae” seem necessary ! It is certainly a fact that sometimes in an effort to revive or sustain the interest of the alumnae, the busy active girls, who realize the worth of their enthusiasm, resort to rather clumsy methods. But it is assumed that they are responsible for the attitude of former members toward the chapter and fraternity. But they are not responsible — altogether. Every alumna should take upon herself the responsibility of keeping her interest active. So, alumnae, keep your enthusiasm alive and do not look to the busy under-graduates to do it for you. They have too many interests. Moreover it is not their problem but yours . Well, then, how to do it? Alumnae chapters, it would seem, were instituted for this very thing, to receive the energy along fraternity lines of those who no longer can expend it in the college circles. Sometimes this argument is put forth against alumnae chapters : “We want to give all we have to give of fraternity energy to the active chapter.” But there is a kind of help that is fatal to strength. It is the kind that gives so much it takes away all independence and reliance, leaving the re¬ cipient weak and incapable of self-help. So in giving to an active chapter, harm may be done. If former members organize themselves into an alumnae
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200 KAPPA ALPHA THETA t chapter, the college chapter, although feeling the strength that comes to them through this recognized organization, yet realizes also that the alumnae chapter has definite ends in view, has some other raison d'etre than merely existing for the college chapter. Consequently the college chapter will see its own responsibilities and willingly carry them as it should. Therefore there is a distinct need of greater alumnae or¬ ganization in the fraternity to awaken and sustain the inter¬ est and enthusiasm of graduate members of the fraternity who have grown away from the fraternity and its prob¬ lems, to relieve the college chapters from a well-meaning but debilitating paternalism. And lastly there is a very large field for fraternity work for these alumnae chapters, work that needs to be done yet is beyond the capacity of the college chapters. CONFERENCE OF DEANS AND ADVISORS OF WOMEN The Third Conference of Deans and Advisors of Wo¬ men in State Universities met in Chicago December 18, 19, 20, 1907. Sixteen universities were represented and the following resolutions were passed. \ RESOLUTIONS. The Conference was unanimously agreed: 1. That there should be complete segregation in lodging houses; that in houses occupied by women there should be pro¬ vided a reception room on the first floor; and that such houses should be personally supervised by the Dean of Women. 2. That there should be university residence halls for men and for women, and that in these halls there should always be a cer¬ tain proportion of upper-classmen. 3. That the self-government of students should be encouraged, not only among the student body at large, but within smaller groups. 4. That social life among students is excessive, that this ex¬ cess is a menace to the maintenance of a high standard of scholar- 1 %
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RECENT A. C. A. ACTION 201 ship, and is detrimental to the best interests of the universities and of the students; and that social functions should be limited to two nights a week and should close not later than midnight. 5. That there should be no inter-collegiate athletic contests for women; and that dramatic and musical organizations in which women take part should not give out-of-town performances. 6. That there should be a scholarship standard of eligibility for participation in inter-class athletics; and that there should be a test based on scholarship and physical fitness for participation in dramatic and musical events. 7. The Conference concurs with the Inter-Sorority Conference in recommending Sophomore pledging. On certain of these questions the I. S. C. has already taken a similar stand. RECENT A. C. A. ACTION The minutes of the last meeting of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae have not yet been distributed, but it is learned that the executive committee has recently' deter¬ mined upon the following new requirements for corporate membership. The A. C. A. will admit the graduates from no more state universities which do not have: 1. A residence hall for women. 2. A woman member of the faculty above the rank of instructor. 3. A dean of women who is a member of the faculty above the rank of instructor. These three requirements undoubtedly embody the greatest needs of the women students in our state univer¬ sities today, and we welcome any pressure which can be brought to bear upon those institutions to force them to provide for these needs. At the same time we question whether the A. C. A. is not limiting its own sphere of influence in thus excluding the graduates of many institutions whose academic rank is above question. Much as residence halls for women are needed, we doubt if their presence or absence at an insti-
Page 33
202 KAPPA ALPHA THETA tution is a just criterion of the academic grade of that in¬ stitution, and we wonder to what extent this action of the A. C. A. will influence state universities in providing the residence halls for women and women members of the faculty. It is possible that by such radical action the A. C. A. has placed itself in a position such that membership in that body can no longer be considered a criterion for the aca¬ demic standing of an institution. The discussion of this question will be of great interest. MORE ABOUT THE HONOR SYSTEM Recent correspondence has brought out additional facts and some corrections, in the articles previously published about the honor system. At Cornell the honor system was tried in the depart¬ ment of arts and sciences in the early ’90s, with the exception of the classes of one or two professors who retained proctors during examinations. Student feeling in the department against reporting cheating to the committee was strong; the work of the committee and its election became farcical. This led to the abandonment of the system in the late ’90s, not because of increased cheating but because the student committee was not managed effectually or with dignity. At Michigan the junior class in the medical department has just been deprived of the honor system because all cases were not reported and acted upon by that committee with fairness and impartiality. Favoritism by the committee was charged. It seems too optimistic a view to say that at Texas cheat¬ ing is emphatically discountenanced by the students. The spirit there is merely average. There is one case on record of a student who, being twice dismissed without action of the student committee, was expelled at the hands of the president, the evidence against him being conclusive.
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A t aXeycojuetfa On January 27 the active and alumnae of celebration oFj£appa chapter, to the number of sixty, founders day assembjed at the home of Alice Mary Ran¬ kin to celebrate Founders’ Day. After the banquet we all gathered in one room to hear the toasts. Mrs. Abbott (Margaret Smith — former Grand President) was toastmistress and presided with her usual quiet dignity. The following excellent toasts were responded to: Aspirations — Alvina Wilhelm. Our Colors — May Riggs. A Voluntary — Mary Gleed. A Word to the Wise — Helen Alder. Convention Echoes — Mrs. Ellison. We were glad to have with us Ruth Baker, the niece of Alice Allen Brant, who gave a very interesting talk upon her fraternity life at De Pauw. At the close of the toasts our Grand President, Anna Harrison, made a short address, which left us with the thought expressed by one of our freshmen, “I never realized what it meant to be a Theta until now.” Elizabeth L. Laird. intelligent There is need of some sort of committee fraternity or bureau to furnish to the active chapters women and alumnae material concerning national affairs, such as extension and uniformity of customs. My idea is to establish some method of communication between the national and the chapter side of fraternity life, so that our affairs could be discussed as intimately as, for example, they are at conventions, and much more intimately than is permissible in a journal which is read by the eyes of the “uninitiated.” I would have this communication frequent, and perhaps
Page 35
204 KAPPA ALPHA THETA in the nature of very full reports as to the fraternity’s action on certain questions, or its attitude toward questions not yet necessary to be decided, with the reasons in all cases. It is so hard to become interested in matters of which we know little and understand less. If active girls could be interested enough to discuss intelligently and thought¬ fully what is happening in the fraternity world or “worlds,” Kappa Alpha Theta need possess in its ranks none but intel¬ ligent, loyal, enthusiastic members, educated to meet national questions wisely. Would not this method bring us nearer to a uniformity which is most essential, that of policy? There will never be absolute uniformity, but there may be enough to enable us to work together in perfect harmony without precluding possiblities of originality and growth. To make this plan successful there must be cooperation on the part of the active chapters. At first some one in each chapter might be made responsible for according the proper reception and discussion of all material sent to the chapter by the committee. Surely in time such interest would be aroused that there would no longer be need of such an officer. K. G. O., Nu Alumnae . THE PIN QUESTION At one of our meetings recently the subject of the proper disposal of the pins belonging to Thetas who had passed on to the Higher Life brought forth a very interesting discussion, and we thought it a subject of sufficient importance to the other chapters for their opinions. Some felt that the pins should be returned to the chapter to which the deceased member belonged, while others considered it better to have the pin remain always on the person. In any case, there should be someone whose duty it is to see that all pins are uni¬ formly cared for, so that we need have no further repetition of the pins coming into the possession of unscrupulous per¬ sons. Through the Journal may we have a frank discussion from all chapters, both alumnae and active, in regard to this matter? Mary W. Titus, Gamma Alumnae.
Page 36
AiaAcya)/i.€0a 205 inter- Some fraternity girl has aptly said in regard fraternity to our relations with non-fraternity persons, relations “Let us remember we are first college women and second, fraternity women.” It seems that if we could define that view still further and apply it par¬ ticularly to the relations of fraternity women with each other, it would be a means of remedying an evil which springs up occasionally in our midst. If we could only re¬ member that members of other fraternities have ideals which are as dear to them as ours are to us, and judge them not by ourselves but in a light of generosity and broad-minded¬ ness, there would be less distrust of each other, less mis¬ construction placed upon appearances, greater friendliness and deeper fraternal spirit. Let us first of all remember that we are women, and therefore be generous and charitable toward each other, second, that we are college women, work¬ ing for a common cause, and thirdly, fraternity women, try¬ ing to live up to high ideals. A NEW BOOK BY MRS. MARTIN Mrs. E. S. Martin (Martha Evans Martin, Alpha, i874-*76), has just published such a delightful book, “The Friendly Stars,” that all Thetas will feel a keen interest and pleasure in pro¬ curing and reading it. The book has met with so much success both in this country and England that Thetas everywhere will wish to extend to Mrs. Martin their good wishes and congratula¬ tions. The following review in the New York Times gives one a very good idea of the attractions to be found in “The Friendly Stars”: THE FRIENDLY STARS. By Martha Evans Martin. With an introduction by Harold Jacoby. Illustrated. Pp. ix.-265. i2mo. Cloth. New York: Harper & Brothers. $1.25. “It is fairly presumable that there are thousands of in¬ telligent people who would greatly like to have some defi¬ nite, comfortable knowledge of the stars ; these people find themselves hopelessly bewildered by the simplest astronomi¬ cal treatises, and quickly give up their attempt in utter
Page 37
206 KAPPA ALPHA THETA despair. For the benefit of such readers this admirable little book has been prepared. The writer, although she “minds high things,” graciously “condescends to men of low estate,” and she succeeds in doing so without giving that impression of coming a long way downstairs, always so distressing to one’s self-respect. This is a book to rank with Mrs. Dana’s “How to Know the Wild Flowers,” which for the past fourteen years has been a source of so much pleasure to readers quite ignorant of botany; and it is a significant fact that these books which teach us how to enjoy more fully the fairest things on the earth and in the sky should come to us from the hands of women. The book has for its motto a very apt quotation from Walt Whitman, in which he describes his weariness and con¬ sternation at an astronomical lecture — Till rising and gliding out I wandered off by myself, In the mystical, moist night-air, and from time to time Looked up in perfect silence at the stars. The writer tells us how to find and to become acquainted with a large number of stars, planets, and constellations, and she does this in a plain, simple way, quite free from the technical language which baffles the unscientific mind. If the character of this work becomes generally known it can scarcely fail to have a very wide circulation. Prof. Jacoby of Columbia University warmly commends the book in a few graceful introductory words. The style is highly attractive.” Mary W. Titus, Gamma Alumnae.
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EXCHANGES Exchange editor, Myra Post Cady. Exchanges will please see that the following addresses are on their exchange lists: Charlotte H. Walker, 1129 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Mrs. Wm. B. Cady, 550 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Mich. We are pleased to acknowledge the following exchanges : November: Rainbow of Delta Tau Delta ; Sigma Chi Quarterly; Alpha Xi Delta; To Dragma of Alpha Omicron Pi; Centaur of Alpha Kappa Kappa; Themis of Zcta Tau Alpha. December: Caduceus of Kappa Sigma ; Sigma Kappa Triangle; Kappa Alpha Journal; Phi Gamma Delta; Delta Upsilon Quarterly; Record of Sigfna Alpha Epsilon ; Scroll of Phi Delta Theta. January: Shield of Phi Kappa Psi; Garnet and White of Alpha Chi Rho ; Mask of Kappa Psi; Anchora of Delta Gamma; Beta Theta Pi. February: Alpha Phi Quarterly. Apropos of the recent generous offer of plates by the editor of the Delta Upsilon Quarterly to editors of other fraternity publications, the editor of Garnet and White (Alpha Chi Rho) has expressed a hope that this friendly interchange may become more general and frequent. It is therefore with peculiar pleasure, that from the Garnet and White we quote, almost in its entirety, perhaps the very best article bearing upon fraternity life, that has appeared during the past year in any fraternity magazine. We have not found it difficult to extend the application to include women's fraternities as well as men, and for that reason have given the article place in our magazine. The word Greek is a potent charm suggestive of perhaps the highest culture to which any people has attained — a culture in¬ cluding among other things a philosophy most fertile in the germ¬ ination of ideas, a plastic art combining the noblest conception with
Page 39
208 KAPPA ALPHA THETA the purest form, a poetry of high beauty, truth and control, and an imagination no less spontaneous than far-reaching. And when we substitute the phrase “Greek-letter men” for “fraternity men,” we are startled into remembering the origin of the fraternity and realizing that though we retain the name, we stand for so little that it connotes, and fall so far short of the standards of culture. What these may be we ask perhaps in vain. Culture is as difficult to define as love, religion or poetry. It varies in different countries, times, and professions. John Addington Symonds said it “is the raising of faculties — physical, mental and emotional, and moral — to their highest excellence of training.” It is “some¬ thing acquired, as the loveliness of the garden rose is developed from the briar.” Certainly culture is not centered exclusively in intellectual achievement, or in professional ability. A scholar may be narrow; a specialist may be only educated. Nor is culture a matter of polished manners and faultless etiquette. A man even with what Pope calls the “nobleman look” may be lacking in this indefinable aristocracy of mind and heart. Only those scholars are cultured, as I conceive, who, as Hazlitt puts it, “mingle with their bookish studies the music of thought and of humanity;” and only those professional and business men who are humanists as well. A man is not cultured by reason of pursuing a certain curriculum, even though it be in a classical course; nor by taking a degree. Culture implies development in both science and the humanities. It is the antithesis of narrow specialization. It im¬ plies knowledge of history, science, literature, and art; and a taste for these things which will more and more crave satisfac¬ tion, and a love for them that will make this knowledge insepara¬ ble from the student’s modes of thought, and a guiding principle in his life, shaping his opinions and actions, making him more tol¬ erant and bringing to him a fuller and more rounded enjoyment. Culture consists largely in a nice adjustment between living and the contemplation of life, between action and meditation. In Amer¬ ica we are too intent on living; we have little time for thought; the balance is destroyed. I would suggest as a remedy a national dose of Stevenson’s “Apology for Idlers” taken fortnightly. Yet none of these considerations define the concept of culture satis¬ factorily. It is impossible to do so. But for a convenient defini¬ tion we may say, perhaps without being far wrong, that the cul¬ tured man is he who chooses and enjoys the best things of life. ********** Our fraternities do not realize sufficiently the need of a higher
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EXCHANGES 209 culture in American university life, or the opportunity that is theirs to improve it. Our universities are graduating educated men, the ablest specialists in medicine, science, law, finance; the greatest engineers, the most exact scholars. But they have not succeeded in developing among their students generally a higher culture. Perhaps the fault lies deeper; no doubt the root of it is in the home. But on that account the responsibility is the greater. We are satisfied with a standard far short of excellence. Matthew Ar¬ nold in 1888 speaking of America said, “there material interests are most absorbing and pursued with most energy; there the ideal, the saving ideal, of a high and rare excellence seems perhaps to suffer most danger of being obscured and lost.” As a graduate, the college-man has his profession or a smattering of the humani¬ ties — of literature, philosophy and art. But too often he fails to recur to these sources of inspiration. His cultivated tastes are not fixed, and frequently his knowledge of these subjects is but an accidental consequence of his real aim, the getting of a degree. Too often poetry is to him a far country, an unknown land; tlie great names of literature but fading memories, and history but a confused jumble of war, intrigue, and statecraft. What has this to do with fraternities? Their ideal, which is brotherhood, is certainly one of the best things of life. But fra¬ ternities are also Greek-letter societies; and they are at fault in not making culture one of the landmarks with brotherhood. If America is to attain a higher culture, it will be through her col¬ leges, and what her colleges can do will depend, more than we suppose on her fraternities. There are to be found in the frater¬ nities some of the best minds in our universities, but the chapter- house is certainly not a center of culture, nor can the average fraternity-man be said to have those tastes and those qualities of mind that make for culture. He does not choose the best things; he prefers present-day novels to classic novels, magazines to books, shows to plays, vaudeville music to a symphony concert or an opera. Not only does he shrink from the seriousness of high thought, but in many cases he cannot write the English language correctly, as any editor of a fraternity paper, or any instructor in English, whose duty it is to read copy or themes, will bear witness. Fraternity men, living in such close contact, interested largely in the same things, coming fresh from the stimulus of book or lecture, ought certainly to strike fire in the friction of their minds. The fraternity should be a hatching-place of ideas. There we should find an open forum where everything under heaven not
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210 KAPPA ALPHA THETA only could but would be discussed, formally or informally, and perhaps nothing ultimately settled. ********** Fraternity men have limitless time; it cannot be complained that they do not idle, but that they know nothing of the art of idling. There is an insane idea abroad in America that the most praiseworthy life is the strenuous one, although it has re¬ cently been much the fashion to talk about the simple life. There is between the two, however, a commendable existence that com¬ bines with work a legitimate and by no means small amount of idling. But it must be profitable idling. Landor speaks of idle¬ ness as being “sweet and sacred.” “To render it sweet and sacred, the heart must have a little garden of its own, with its umbrage and fountains and perennial flowers — a careless com¬ pany. . . . When the mind loses its feeling for elegance, it grows corrupt and grovelling, and seeks in the crowd what ought to be found at home.” Landor’s was a lofty nature dwelling with the gods. “He walked alone on the far eastern uplands, meditat¬ ing and remembering.” But even we, if we so willed, might make of our chapter-houses places apart, secret groves and porches, sacred to the muses ,to philosophy, and to brotherhood. It needs a strong will. We today cannot shut out the world. Our houses are on the street. Cars, wagons and motors cut through what ought to be the campus. There are no fellows’ gardens with ancient yews, a deep-mullioned window, a fine old tower, a gable or pinnacle mantled with ivy. College years should be consecrated to thought; they are now consecrated to business and to sport. Those years should be free from the anticipation of struggle, and should be to the student the golden age when he tries the wings of his spirit, when his imagination sips honey from the flowers about Parnassus, and when he tries the temper of his mind by many discursions into cloudland and into the realms of speculation. ********** Percy V. D. Sheeny. The discussion upon the good and evil of fraternities continues to be of paramount importance. The fraternity widens the altruistic feeling of those who come within its influence, — that is, if it is a real fraternity. The young man who comes to college has learned, perhaps, to extend this feeling to the borders of a family circle.
Page 42
EXCHANGES 21 I The lesson of the college fraternity is to bring to bear upon all these men the same spirit which holds the family circle together. The brotherhood of men is a splendid ideal, but to acquire a con¬ ception of what that term means is a matter of gradual develop¬ ment. — The Shield. *****Q**** In short, the great misconception of loyalty is a failure to realize that there are more loyalties than fraternal loyalty and that judgment must decide which loyalty is paramount. — The Rain¬ bow — Quoted from The Record. The following comments upon the fraternity viewed sub¬ jectively are of interest and value to fraternity women, as well as men: The spirit of believing that a glorious past presages an equally glorious future is as fatal in fraternities as it is everywhere else. There can be no harm resulting from sincere pride in honest achievement, but there is great danger in the common misconcep¬ tion that distorts this pride into vanity instead of holding it true to furnish inspiration for the future accomplishment of better things. — Record of S. A. E. Time has a commercial value, — at least to those who are making their way under the conditions of the modern world. The Chapter Officer who does tardily the work which he is sworn to do; the Brother who consults his own ease and steals the little leisure of those who are working on his behalf; the man who, however little, shortens the life or usefulness of a busy comrade by an added weight of worry and care; these men are doing on a small scale what on a large scale is allowed immoral by all. On a very small scale, it is true. But the cumulative effect of such inefficiencies is to hamper Fraternity work to an extent which none but the active Officers of the Fraternity know. ********** It is for each Chapter so to educate its Initiates as to instil ineffaceably habits of prompt correspondence, which will in after life not only benefit the Fraternity, but to an immeasurable degree the man himself. — Garnet and White. The alumnae chapter has a very definite duty to the journal. The editor has a right to depend very largely on the women of experience, those who have done things, to make the journal a really vital factor in the fraternity world. We want decidedly the active chapters* contributions and the accounts of their chapter
Page 43
212 KAPPA ALPHA THETA and college doings, but we want, too, the articles that only older women of more experience can write. — Anchora. The editor submits the following rare specimen, with¬ out comment: H. E. Sweet, Tufts, ’98, writes: — “I note your appeal for sub¬ scriptions to the next volume of the Quarterly and hand you check herewith for ten dollars to cover mine — the balance to be used for the distribution of copies where you think they will do good, or if this is not feasible use as you see fit.” — Delta Upsilon Quar¬ terly. Speaking generally, nothing could be more foolish than to let the activity or inactivity of this or that rival determine our own course. It is true that the presence of certain fraternities, Eastern and Western, in an institution is fairly good proof that the insti¬ tution is worth considering. But, on the other hand, the absence of these same fraternities may be without the slightest significance. So a fraternity that means to be alive and to be a power in the college world must be individual in its methods, and must be firm in following the policies that step with its peculiar needs. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly. Alpha Phi believes the mission of the Inter-Sorority Confer¬ ence is not to foster sentimental relations among women fraterni¬ ties, but to establish everywhere sane rushing agreements and their honorable fulfillments which will insure the freshman a chance to choose deliberately her fraternity and, in turn, the fraternity to maintain its dignity; and with all, to create a freer college life and a larger college spirit. — Alpha Phi Quarterly. The president of Miami contributes the following defini¬ tions of the real college in his address on the Real College Man : It will, of course, be admitted that a smaller town which exists primarily because of the institution in its midst will more easily lend itself to the development of a college community than a large city. It is because of such locations that Yale and Dartmouth and Princeton and Michigan are so strong in community life and spirit — and yet in a small city like Ann Arbor, when I visited there last, two years ago, students and faculties were clamoring loudly for a student building on the campus, where all might come to know each other better and cultivate the feeling of college fellowship.
Page 44
EXCHANGES 313 It must be borne in mind that a college is not in any sense of the word a technical or a professional school. The real college presents the humanities, the arts and the pure sciences. It provides the discipline and culture which will best fit men to enjoy life and that will prepare them for a more intelligent later study in the lines of their chosen specialization. ******** The college day is a care-free period, and the friendships there formed and the pleasures there enjoyed abide forever as the aroma of fragrant incense, sweetening life through all the busy years that follow. ******** One thing more is yet needed to produce the perfect college atmosphere, and that is tradition. It is worth while to have a his¬ tory. An institution may have all the other requisites, but until it has hoary years replete with honor behind it, the atmosphere will lack the bracing quality that makes young blood tingle. The student who has found his way to a college atmosphere fraught with sacred traditions will be spurred to highest endeavor, as with Wordsworth he reverently declares : “I could not print ground where the grass had yielded to the steps of generations of illustrious men, unmoved. I could not always lightly pass through the same gate-ways, sleep where they had slept, wake where they had waked, range that enclosure old, that garden of great intellects, undisturbed.” — The Scroll. This comment also upon present-day tendencies in col¬ lege life is of interest: In all ranges of life we have done overmuch of mere preparing. The young man in business says that by and by when he gets rich he will have a good time, he will live. When he has made a fortune he will travel, he will read, he will study art, he will round out his nature. In the great majority of cases when men so postpone living and merely prepare, the hope of really living is never realized. When the time does come, if it ever comes, having not lived but merely prepared, we are not prepared, we have no power of enjoy¬ ment. It is a great deal better to live in the early part of life. I believe a young man, not a mere grind, leaves college better pre¬ pared for actual life than if he follows the old idea. Take the good things in life as they come before you; enjoy today and you will thus best enjoy life in the future. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly .
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214 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Rubaiyat of the Editor: Myself, erstwhile, was editor, and I The editorial pencil blue did ply On chapter letters filled with phrases crude Which, ’neath my weapon bold, did surely die. One stroke enough to kill “our lady friends”; Another blow “uphold the standard” ends, While counter-stroke and parry to its death The “brothers of our sister chapters” sends. Much time on gaining new subscribers spent, Much more to sending many bills was lent. Somehow, to get the solitary plunk, In nights and holidays made many a dent. In intervals with nothing else to do I tried to earn a living, for 'tis true That tho\ of course, the Quarterly came first, I had to live — and that is nothing new. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly.
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EDITORIALS Judging by the number of articles which come to the editor on the subject of our attitude toward the non-fra- ternity girls, and towards our rival fraternities, this sub¬ ject is one much discussed. If all the chapters sending in articles upon this subject are practicing what they preach, little criticism can be made on the score of too great ex¬ clusiveness or of a hypercriticalness. These articles are, however, theoretical only. Our ideals, our recognition of noblesse oblige , are emphasized ; our faults are admitted ; but the practical questions, what to do, and how to do it, are not answered. If any have found the answer, let the fraternity have the benefit of it. The foregoing article in this Journal upon the Relation of the Sorority to the Uni¬ versity, shows us the logical position of the woman's fra¬ ternity in the college, its privileges and obligations, and gives us practical hints as to how to fulfill these obligations. We hope to follow this article with discussions of this question by other deans of women. Their point of view should be enlightening to those who can see only from within. We note with approval the increasing number of chap¬ ters that have a standing committee on scholarship. This is as it should be. Nearly every fraternity claims to stand for higher scholarship. To maintain this claim requires systematic effort in strengthening the weak spot. Probably the best method found has been the investigation, twice in the semester, of the scholarship of each member of the chapter, by a standing committee of seniors or alumnae. The editor has felt most grateful to those alumnae who have so appreciatively written of the Journal, and wishes that her time were sufficient to thank each individually for
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2l6 KAPPA ALPHA THETA the word of praise. Will our alumnae show their appre¬ ciation in still another way? Will each of you who feels that for herself the Journal is worth while in the news it gives, try to send us at least one new subscription? Our subscription list is not a credit to the fraternity. The corresponding secretaries are urged to begin work as expeditiously as possible on the catalogue list. Alumnae secretaries and others who find mistakes in the 1904 cata¬ logue, or who have the recently corrected addresses will as¬ sist in making the 1908 catalogue accurate by sending such items to Minna Stillman, Stanford University, Calif. News is especially desired of alumnae of chapters now inactive. We wish to echo the words of Nu Alumnae saying again, Alumnae, Organize. The fraternity needs more alumnae chapters. We hope the new catalogue with its geographi¬ cal classification will prove an incentive to such organi¬ zation. Alumnae, contribute to the Journal. Send us items of news of those who may not keep their active chapters in¬ formed of their addresses. We ask the alumnae secretaries especially to send to the editor all items of real interest con¬ cerning the alumnae. But contribute more than personals, all of you. Send us ideas. Is there some particular sub¬ ject you wish discussed in the Journal? Tell us, we will solicit articles on it — or, better still, send us the articles. In your reading you must constantly find articles on educa¬ tional and fraternity subjects which would interest all. Send them to us. Send them now. The plea made by Nu Alumnae for a greater number of secret bulletins is well founded. With each issue of the Journal the editor regrets the number of excellent articles
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announcements 217 which cannot be used in a Journal which may be read by the fraternity public. Would our chapters and alumna? wel¬ come one number of the Journal which, circulating among members only, might contain discussions of policy/ reports on applying groups, and other matters of interest only to ourselves? Would such a number meet a genuine need? An attempt was made to investigate the status of the initiates in the various chapters of the fraternity. The re¬ sult was unsatisfactory, since the directions to the chapter editors were in some cases either misunderstood or over¬ looked. However from the replies received we judge that the spirit of fair play and equal division of labor is dom¬ inant. No fagging whatever seems to exist except during the “probation” week preceding initiation. The work of freshmen differs from that of upperclassmen in quality rather than quantity. In most chapters freshmen may not hold any office. In a few chapters they may not make a motion, but may second it. ANNOUNCEMENTS Gamma Alumna meets the first Saturday in every month at the Hotel Martha Washington, 29 E. 29th St., New York City, at 12 o’clock. The chapter cordially welcomes any Kappa Alpha Theta in or about New York. There is also a Help Committee, the object of which is to be of service in any possible way to Kappa Alpha Thetas in the vicinity. Tau asks for the following numbers of The Journal: Vol. I . No. 1, 2, 3. 4 Vol. X . No. 3 Vol. II . No. 2 Vol. XI . No. 2 Vol. IV . No. 1 Vol. XIX . No. 2 Vol. V . No. 1, 2, 3. 4 Vol. XXI . No. 4 Vol. VII . No. 4
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CHAPTER LETTERS Alpha District Iota — Cornell University The thirty-eighth anniversary of the birthday of our fraternity was celebrated very happily by us. The presence of several of our alumnae, combined with the additional pleasure of freedom from work gave a general feeling of good cheer to our meeting. Although some of us have heard the stories of the founding of our fraternity and of our individual chapter a number of times, yet we always listen to them with a certain feeling of pride, a rekindled enthusiasm and deep, indescribable joy. Besides the greeting from the Grand Council we re¬ ceived loving congratulations from several of our ’05, ’06 and ’07 graduates. It is with a great sigh of relief that we see the close of our so-called “non-rushing” season. It has not proved in actual practice quite the success of which the theory gave promise. February 1 we sent out our bids, according to the Pan-Hellenic compact, giving those whom we ask, three days for consideration. We have not pledged any girls as yet but the outlook is very favorable. By the time this March Journal appears I think we may be congratu¬ lated on our new members. Elizabeth Clarke. Lambda — University of Vermont Our initiation was held December 3. At the banquet after the service, Mrs. Edward Robinson, Iota, ’94, was toastmistress and brought as her message to the active members the plea for an avocation to accompany their vo¬ cation after leaving college. The hours passed too quickly as they always do at fraternity gatherings of any kind and soon initiation of 1907 was an event of the past. But we
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CHAPTER LETTERS 219 gained upon that night four new members who are a help in every way to our chapter. Upon the last Saturday night before the holiday vaca¬ tion, we had a Theta Christmas tree and also a Santa Claus, whose gifts were modest, but mirth-provoking. The chap¬ ter received a beautiful present, a set of punch glasses, from our alumnae who are ever rightly guessing at our desires. Immediately after vacation, January 7, a cotillion was given in honor of our freshmen in fraternity. Since then our thoughts have turned toward the examination period in which we are now absorbed. Mary Robinson. Sigma — Toronto University The Easter term is now already a month old and con¬ sequently, the panics caused by the thought of May exams, will be shortly due ! Outside a couple of family teas, we have had little in the social line, except, of course, our birthday party, which was again a luncheon at McConkey’s. This year we had with us Miss Gertrude Lawlor, M.A., lecturer in English on the University of Toronto faculty of education, and teacher of English and history in Harbord St. Collegiate Institute, who in her college days was pledged to Kappa Alpha Theta, but who, owing to the confused state of the college after the fire of ’90, had never been initiated. We expect to initiate Miss Lawlor during Miss Capron’s visit to us this month. We missed Margaret Anderson of ’07, who has gone to take a course in Bible training for Y. W. C. A. Secretary work, in Chicago, but we were glad to know that she was sitting down to Founders’ Day luncheon with Thetas there. This year we have planned our meetings to come every other Saturday afternoon. We then have supper in our rooms, ‘en famille,’ prepared by each of the classes in turn, from which we all proceed to the Women’s Library So¬ ciety. We find this plan very advantageous for the girls who are some distance from college, as well as affording jolly good fun for us all.
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220 kappa alpha theta College dances are coming a little later in the term this year. “Arts,” a joint dance given by the men’s and women’s Literary Societies, will be held February 6 and the women students in residence have issued invitations for a St. Val¬ entine’s dance. The resident students have also entertained the faculty this term by presenting Yeats’ delightful little play, “The Land of Heart’s Desire,” two of our Theta girls being amongst the cast of six. Later on, two other Thetas are to figure in college dramatics, one in a German play, and the other as “Rosalind” in “As You Like It.” A course of lectures on historical, musical and literary topics, which are being given Saturday afternoons, are proving very interesting to all the students. Marion F. Coats. Chi — Syracuse University Of course there have been examinations, inevitable in a college year but in the midst of them came Founders’ Day and with it came Chi alumnae back to the chapter house. We did have such a time! There were letters and gifts from seventy of our alumnae. The features of the evening were an as yet unpublished story by Jennie Bingham, Laura Cowen Wilson’s singing and the wonderful birth¬ day cake all blazing with candles. The gifts were mostly furnishings for the parlor and library. Now that examinations are over, athletics and things social are coming to the front. The basketball team has won all its games so far and the crew men have begun practicing. Two Theta freshmen are playing on their class basketball team. Senior week and Mme. Sembrich are just ahead of us. All this is making it hard for us to live up to the golden resolutions made just before examinations. When May Baker was here she left some money for the house. We have decided to use this as the nucleus of a permanent alumnae house fund to be used on special oc¬ casions for silver and the like rather than for such common necessities as coal and water. All Chi alumnae who shall
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CHAPTER LETTERS 221 hereafter have the temerity to visit the chapter house are hereby warned to contribute of their earthly substance, — but this was to be merely a “veiled hint” ! Perhaps I have made it rather broad. Edith W. Ackerman. Alpha Beta — Swarthmore College When we returned to college after Thanksgiving, we were in a state of excitement at the prospect of pledge day the following Saturday. It came and passed, leaving us happy, with six freshmen, whom we gladly introduce to you : Therese Spackman, Florence Smedley, Gertrude Hopes, Anna Gilkyson, Margaret Broomell, and Anna Griscom. On the fourteenth initiation took place at the home of Marion Comly in Philadelphia. A large number of alumnae were present, and it was a happy time for us all. The evening before we left for our Christmas vacation, we had a tree up in our rooms — a big, beautiful tree, which our freshmen had trimmed for us with all kinds of gay- colored tinsels. Nearby was a large table piled high with daintily tied-up gifts. Many of us forgot that it was not really Christmas day. Several weeks ago we had fraternity meeting at the home of Caroline Comly Harris. She invited us there to meet Miss Crossett, an alumna from Iota. Miss Gay from Alpha Gamma and Mrs. Arthur Kent from Iota, who are living here, were also present, beside many of our own alumnae, so that we had a very interesting and inspiring meeting. It is always a help to the active chapter girls to know that the alumnae, their older sisters, are interested in them and have the welfare of the fraternity at heart. Two recent numbers of our lecture course have been especially good ; first, a concert by the Hahn String Quar¬ tette, and later a lecture on Dickens by Professor Powyss of England. Professor Powyss created for us a Dickens atmosphere in which he made us love and understand the great novelist. Swarthmoreans are all rejoicing over the fact that
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222 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Wharton Hall, the boys’ new dormitory, is to be completed this spring. Indeed work has already begun on it. The boys’ basketball team is now in the midst of an active season. It has hotly contested games with the Uni¬ versity of Pennsylvania as well as most of the other col¬ leges in the state. We are now undergoing the ordeal — a fiery one! — of mid-year examinations. Probably many of you are exper¬ iencing similar trials. Rest assured of our sympathy. Priscilla Coodwym. Alpha Delta — Woman’s College of Baltimore Before telling any of the college news Alpha Delta wants to introduce to the other chapters two new freshmen, Ruth Taylor of Baltimore and Alma Jagger of Southampton, L. I. College is now all excitement in anticipation of Senior Dramatics. The date of this great event is always kept secret and there is much speculation as to when it will come off. Last year, 1907 gave Robin Hood February 22, so we are hoping that 1908 will follow the example of the preceding class and announce the play in the near future. Our basket ball season has just reached its close and the championship game was played between 1908 and 1910. The sophomores put up a good game but it seems impos¬ sible to defeat 1908 and the seniors won the cup this year for the third time. Meta McClelland. Alpha Epsilon — Brown University December and January have gone by without bringing anything very startling to the college or the chapter. The inter-class basketball games, played during November, re¬ sulted in a decided victory for the juniors. Bowling teams are now being organized and inter-class contests are ex¬ pected soon. The university vesper services Wednesday afternons have been well attended and we have been for¬ tunate in hearing no less distinguished speakers than Dr. Crothers of Cambridge, Bishop Laurence of Massachusetts
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CHAPTER LETTERS 223 and Professor Henry Van Dyke of Princeton. The Social Service League has brought to the Women's College chapel service several interesting speakers, representing the var¬ ious philanthropic activities in and about Providence. There have been several fraternity dances and Brownie socials, and a series of delightful teas given for the students by Dean King at her home. Our year has been saddened, however, by the sudden death of one of the freshmen, a girl who during her short stay here, had already made many friends and given a high impression of her scholar¬ ship and ability. The chapter greatly enjoyed the annual Christmas party given by the graduate members on December 26. As, for various reasons, the active chapter has decided to omit the large dance this year, a small dance arranged by the alumnae, January 25, was greatly appreciated. The rush¬ ing has gone on smoothly under our half-year contract. We have found excellent material for Theta in the class of 1911 and we hope for favorable results of our selection when the contract expires, February 6. Our second rush party, a few weeks ago, took the form of a fraternity sup- per followed by a German. Josephine T. Sackett. Alpha Zeta — Barnard College Nothing of much moment has been happening at Bar¬ nard lately — examinations excepted. The new regulations concerning rushing and pledging seem to be working for harmony. Fraternities were never in better repute at Bar¬ nard than they are this winter, and best of all the freshmen are beginning to value the fraternity most for what it stands for, not for what it seems to be. Alpha Zeta has done good work, and we hope that the friendships we have made with the freshmen will be lasting ones. Our rushing policy is including small informal affairs and some larger formal ones — cards being out for a pro¬ gressive luncheon party at the home of an alumna, and a dance on the fifteenth — but it is essentially more by the
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224 KAPPA ALPHA THETA personal effort that each member of Alpha Zeta chapter is making towards true friendship with the chosen freshmen, and by representing Kappa Alpha Theta in her highest ideals that we hope to gain most for our fraternity. Leonora L. Armstrong. Alpha Kappa — Adelphi College Pledge day has passed, we have had initiation and now we introduce our new sisters to you all. They are : Made¬ line Frost, '09; Estelle Conselyea, ’io; Elizabeth DeVoy, ’io; and Irene Black, 'io. This was the second initiation we have had, and there was a large number present. Songs, toasts, refreshments, and a general good time followed. When the Pan-Hellenic Association assumed the debt on the college paper it seemed a great responsibility and looked rather serious, but our wildest hopes have been real¬ ized. We gave “Plutonic Friendship,, or “What's Hap¬ pened to Proserpine" which was a musical comedy all about Adelphi maidens and the shades of Orcus where dread Pluto reigns supreme. The play made a hit, we made the money, discovered unknown talent in our midst, and now we are happy. We have been the victims of experiment this year. Never until now has Adelphi had final examinations, ex¬ cept for those unfortunates who overcut or were deficient; but now they are offered as a reward for virtue and a priv¬ ilege. Our week of semi-trials is just over and we are try¬ ing to decide whether we like the system as well as the old way. On the whole, they are not so bad, and, as one of the girls said, “they do make you feel so important." The birthday banquet in New York was a great suc¬ cess and every Alpha Kappa there had a splendid time. We regret exceedingly that illness has obliged Mar¬ jory Commiskey to leave college. In her we lose one of our strongest girls, one of those leaders who mean so much to a chapter. She hopes to be able to return sometime for special work and we are looking forward to having her with us again. Caroline M. Sutphin.
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CHAPTER LETTERS 225 Beta District Alpha — De Pauw University We have breathed a big sigh of relief that the mid¬ term examinations are already over, but the realization that almost half of the second term is gone doesn't give a feeling of satisfaction, for the winter term is going all too quickly. We have pledged one girl since Christmas, May Lam¬ bert of Anderson, who is helping to make up for the loss of two of our girls of last term, Bernice Church of St. Joseph, Mich., and Louise Browning of Alexandria, Ind. Twelve girls from the active chapter and several town alumnae went up to Indianapolis to the annual state ban¬ quet, all of them returning fairly bubbling over with Theta enthusiasm. Three of Alpha's members gave toasts, Mary Dyer Lemon, representing the active chapter and Mrs. Roscoe Ritter and Mrs. Jennie Fitch Shaw, the alumnae. Mrs. Shaw was unable to be present however so her toast was read by Mrs. Berry hill of Alpha. The banquet was a decided success and much credit is due Gamma chapter and Zeta alumnae. During the afternoon of Theta's birthday, we were at home to the town ladies, and in the evening we gave an informal party to our alumnae. During the evening the loving cup was passed around and we all drank a toast to Theta. During the year we have been collecting silver for the fraternity's use, and we were pleasantly surprised at re¬ ceiving on January 27 five dozen spoons from our alumnae and some of the men's fraternities. Gamma — Butler College This winter term has brought no new additions to Gam¬ ma chapter, much to the disappointment of her freshmen, who are very eager to experience the other side of rushing. But in spite of this disappointment the freshmen as well as the older girls have found college far from dull, and
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226 KAPPA ALPHA THETA they are all looking forward to spring term with a great deal of anticipation, as they hear that several new girls are to enter then and that some of our old girls are com¬ ing back. We are all interested in dramatics at present, as one of our girls, Jess Ragsdale, is to be leading lady in the pro¬ duction of “Cousins” to be given by the Dramatic Club in the near future. We have several girls members of the Dramatic Club, and we are naturally taking a very warm interest in histrionic art. Of course the event of the greatest importance this term was the Annual Founders’ Day Luncheon on January 25. It was an inspiration to sit down with one hundred and twenty-eight Thetas ranging from charter members down to this year’s initiates ; to know that every one there was bound by a common interest as binding and as distinctive as the old line that runs through the English cable ; and to hear the “Vive la K. A. T.” as it was sung there. Margaret Browning. Epsilon — University oe Wooster The most interesting topics of conversation with us just at present are the mid-year examinations, and our big annual Theta party which is to be a St. Valentine’s af¬ fair this year. Exams have so filled our minds as well as our time since the Christmas vacation that it is hard to recall any other incidents. But one of our town girls did entertain us very informally the week after we came back, and we had a delightful time telling about our various holi¬ day festivities and singing the dear old songs. The best part of the month for us however, came last, and was the loving thoughtfulness with which the alumnae remembered our birthday. We were joyfully surprised when the gifts came pouring in and I have never seen a happier set of girls than we were after the letters announc¬ ing the presents had been read aloud in fraternity meeting. An old mission desk has been the desire of our hearts for such a long time that it seems almost too good to be true
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CHAPTER LETTERS 227 that we really have one now. Another present was a beau¬ tiful old Mission chair and there have already been dis¬ putes as to who should have the honored seat! The gifts which came as checks were equally acceptable and we cer¬ tainly think we have the grandest and most loyal alumnae that an active chapter were ever blessed with. As Founders’ Day came just at the beginning of our examination week we were not able to celebrate it then but hope to do so sometime this week. While we were not occupied with examinations our thoughts turned very lov¬ ingly that day to the noble girls who founded Kappa Alpha Theta. Evelyn Lucas. Eta — University of Michigan Since Eta’s last letter, cards were sent out from the chap¬ ter announcing that the girls would be at home Tuesdays from four until six. The teas have proved so delightful that we recommend the idea most strongly. We serve sim¬ ple refreshments, those of us who can dressing for the oc¬ casion while those of us who have classes attend just as we are. Each time we ask one of our ladies or an alumna to pour. Founders’ Day was our last dissipation before the final examinations, so we gave a dinner on Sunday in order that some of the old girls from out of town could be here. Covers were laid for twenty-six. Apropos of our teas, one of the alumnae sent us a quaint tea-set, another added materially to our set of blue and white china, and a Mission rocking-chair fills a gap in the corner of the library. Charlotte Bissell brought Ruby Scott of Toledo, with her when she came for Founders’ Day and after a visit of several days the special dispensation came, much to our de¬ light, making it possible for us to bestow the black and gold ribbons upon her. One of the freshmen took a prominent part in the an¬ nual play staged by the University Comedy Club and an¬ other of the girls is to be “Minna” in the production of
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228 KAPPA ALPHA THETA “Minna von Bamhelm” given by the German department this spring. We wish that you who have not already done so, may soon taste the joys of caring and planning for a house all your own. There is no better incentive to work or play than a charming home in which to do it. Ethel Obetz. Mu — Allegheny College After the rush and worry of the week of mid-year ex¬ aminations, we are all rejoiced to have a few days of rest, in which to enjoy ourselves and just be lazy. During this time between semesters we have taken the opportunity to have several little gatherings of Thetas, old and new, at the homes of the town girls. On the first Saturday of the new term we expect to celebrate our birthday by having a birthday party in order to supply little incidentals for our fraternity rooms. We expect a number of the older Thetas to join with us in our merriment. On the second Saturday of this semester Kappa Alpha Theta is planning to entertain all the Greek girls of the college. Since all our entertainments are yet to come, in the near future, we can only tell a little idea of our plans but not yet of their realization. Florence M. Grauel. Pi — Albion College The winter term is upon us, the most eventful weeks of our year. Since our January issue of the Journal, Pi chapter has initiated five freshmen, Lena Fairweather, Caro, Mich.; Genevieve Crawford, Eaton Rapids, Mich.; Lotta Fox, Mayville, Mich.; Erie Huckle, Albion, Mich., and Mary Woodson, Michigan City, Indiana. Another freshman has been pledged, Maude Barber, of Howard City, Mich. Our ever loyal alumna, Lena Hunt Farley, entertained the active chapter girls and the local alumnae January 18,
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CHAPTER LETTERS 229 at a sleighing party and dinner at her country home. Later we enjoyed the hospitality of Clara Belle Shaffer, ’06, who gave us a dinner party at her home west of the city. Founders’ Day we observed most loyally. Active and local alumnae gathered around our fire-side to relate stories of the founding of Pi chapter and of Theta. During the evening we initiated Erie Huckle. The initiation seemed doubly significant to us coming upon this day. The first annual college banquet will be held February 28. The Board of Trustees have dedicated an attractive new room for the Y. W. and Y. M. C. A. on the first floor of Robinson Hall. Our annual Washington’s Birthday Party, given by us to all the students will occur Saturday, Feb. 22. Saturday, we entertain the local Pan-Hellenic at our lodge. We will consider the matter of a longer rushing season, that is, the first three weeks of school with no rushing whatsoever and the next two or three weeks rush¬ ing. The Junior Annual is soon to appear, groups are sitting for pictures, cartoons are being drawn, and the juniors say “it will be the best ever.” Professor Cozine, formerly of Northwestern University, our new musical director, has formed a college band, and they are progressing rapidly under the direction of Mr. Hopkins of Battle Creek. The Philharmonic Society will give the first number on the Star Lecture Course under Professor Cozine’s able directorship. Pi chapter is anxious to complete its file of Journals, if there are any of our alumnae who have old Journals that they would send to us toward completing the file, we will be pleased. Pi has Volume XIX, No. 4, to be forwarded to Lambda toward completing their file. Alumnae girls, plan to come to our reunion the second week in June. We are going to bum the mortgage on our Lodge and we want every “old Theta girl” to be with us. Plan on it ! Come ! Mary E. Woodson.
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230 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Alpha Gamma — Ohio State University Friday, January io, saw the grand finale of our experi¬ mental Pan-Hellenic rulings. The long rush has not proved to be as satisfactory at Ohio State as it seems to have been elsewhere. Alpha Gamma held her initiation Saturday af¬ ternoon, January 25, and is happy to introduce to you as full-fledged Thetas, Florence Bull, Ruth Evans, Lucia Bar- gar and Eda Glock. Epsilon Alumnae always assists in our initiations and forty-five Thetas were present. Among them were three members of Alpha chapter, Mrs. Durall, Mrs. Limper and Miss Hopping, who came to spend the day with us. After the ritual, we all enjoyed the birthday din¬ ner and drank a toast to Theta from our loving cup. Alpha Gamma enjoyed a short visit February 27 from Mrs. Sayre and Miss Van Voust of Athens, Ohio. The Strollers, our dramatic organization, presented Jan. 31, “His Father’s Honor.” February 7 the Boys’ Glee Club appear in their annual concert. Mabel Lovejoy. Alpha Eta — Vanderbilt University Founders’ Day came in the midst of examinations, hence our celebration of it was deferred until the following Sat¬ urday when Rosa Ambrose entertained with delightful hos¬ pitality at her home in East Nashville. The table was beau¬ tifully decorated in old gold and black and ferns. Louisa Wilson Weidner, ’06, and little daughter were in Nash¬ ville recently. It is a pleasure to us to have the old girls return and one which we wish to enjoy more often. Inter¬ mediates passed, we have begun the new term with enthus¬ iastic vigor hoping to make it an improvement, if possible, over the one just passed. Alice Porter Clark. Delta District Delta — University oe Illinois Delta chapter is pleased to announce two new pledges: Henrietta Hough, of Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. Mary Faw¬ cett, Phi Beta Kappa, instructor in English and an inti¬ mate friend of Miss Edith Cockins. We have set the date
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CHAPTER LETTERS 231 of their initiation as the one also for our celebration of Founders’ Day, which came in the midst of our semester examinations. As the standard of the university is being raised, the examinations were unusually difficult this year. Fortunate¬ ly they are over, and the remainder of the week is to be devoted to a thorough house cleaning, as a practical method of celebrating. Several dances, chief of which is the Soph¬ omore Cotillion, a track meet, and a stunt party given by the men’s organizations, will assist us in forgetting the past hard work. Shortly before Christmas, the Woman’s League gave a bazaar, which offered a splendid opportunity for purchas¬ ing presents. It was a success in every way. With the proceeds, a room in the hospital is maintained for women students. We also enjoyed a Christmas concert given by our Choral Society, and a play presented by the “Mask and Bauble” dramatic club, in which Pearl Benjamin played quite an important part. On January 11 occurred the annual Pan-Hellenic dance. Each one went with a girl from a different fraternity. The dance was delightful, proving and furthering the spirit of good fellowship existing between the women’s fraternities. Before the finals, Delta chapter was very pleasantly en¬ tertained twice: once at dinner, by Alta Swigart, and the second time by Edwina Rowe, this party being a shower for Lois Greene. The university has recently experienced a great loss in the death of Dr. Gustaf E. Karsten, Professor of German, and head of the department of modern languages. Delta chapter extends its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Karsten. Kappa — Kansas University The mid-term quizzes are the one absorbing topic of conversation at Kansas just at present. A week from now our fate will be known, and whether for better or for worse, the strain, at least, will be over but just at present the college atmosphere is rather depressing.
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232 KAPPA ALPHA THETA January 18 we held initiation for two new girls, Bea¬ trice Reed of Glascow and Ethel Mott of Kansas City and never before did the ritual seem quite so uplifting and im¬ pressive.' The marriage of Alberta Bingler, one of our last year's graduates, was one of the happiest Theta reunions of the year. Although during the Christmas holidays, many of the alumnae and active chapter were able to be present. Ola Bingler attended her sister as maid of honor. Elizabeth Lucia Laird. Rho — University oe Nebraska We expect to hold our banquet some time in March. Initiation will be in the afternoon of the day of the banquet. The Inter-Sorority Council adopted, for the second se¬ mester, the first semester rules in regard to rushing. A few necessary alterations were made. There seems to be no unanimous sentiment in regard to these rules ; some favor them for next year, while others wish for none, or entirely different regulations. A second “girls' Pan-Hellenic Dance" will be held with¬ in a couple of weeks, in the Temple. As at a similar dance given this year, each girl is expected to go with a girl from another fraternity. We are to have a visit from our new district president the last of March, and are looking forward with pleasure to the occasion. We are sorry to lose Mrs. Norton, but will be glad to welcome and become personally acquainted with Miss Hall. Jessie Powers. Tau — Northwestern University At present the all absorbing topic with Tau chapter is “those dreadful examinations." So many pleasant things have happened before them, however, and there are prom¬ ises of so many nice things for the second semester, that the prospect is really not so discouraging after all. The sec¬ ond semester will see our chapter roll enlarged by three more members. Helen Holton will return after half a year's absence ; Louise Brown of Indianapolis, will enter
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CHAPTER LETTERS 233 the university as a transfer from Gamma chapter; and we shall initiate Agnes Becker, ’09, of Rogers Park, who was pledged January 24. At our last meeting before Christmas, we had a party. The freshmen in the fraternity furnished the entertainment, and gave us a series of Gibson tableaux, while our alumnae remembered us most generously with useful and attractive presents. January 18 a number of the active girls attended the luncheon at the Chicago Beach Hotel in honor of Found¬ ers’ Day, and had the pleasure of meeting a number of girls from the different chapters. February 22 we are planning to entertain all of the women of the College of Liberal Arts with a play followed by an informal reception. Rehearsals for the play, which is a musical burlesque of “Julius Caesar,” are now in pro¬ gress, and in the next Journal we hope to give a full ac¬ count of our “dramatic evening” as we call it. Mary Ward Holton. Upsilon — University op Minnesota Examinations have come and gone and we people of Minnesota have taken another long breath and have be¬ gun our second semester. Very little of college interest has happened since December but chapter life has been fairly active. On December 18 we had our Christmas tree and an immensely good time. After the holidays we held an informal dancing party at Alice Shevlin Hall. The day of our Founders’ Day banquet we initiated Elizabeth Hoff- lin into the fraternity. The Founders’ Day banquet com¬ ing immediately after initiation seemed to us an ideal en¬ trance into the bonds of Thetahood. Our banquet was given in Donaldson’s Tea Rooms and was a success in every way. Mrs. Emily Weeks Sedgwick, Rho, made a clever toastmistress. Mrs. Clements who is also from that chapter and is the wife of Professor Clements of the bot¬ any department was with us and responded graciously to an impromptu toast. Our out of town guests, who came
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234 KAPPA ALPHA THETA up specially for the banquet were Clare Vidger Copelin, Fan Sawyer Copperweight, and Bertha Chase Robinson. Ruth Haynes entertained the active chapter at luncheon Feb. 3. After the luncheon we discussed the plans for our next rushing party which comes Feb. 21. On account of the great expense entailed in the rushing parties of last semester, Pan-Hellenic has limited the expense for the sec¬ ond parties to fifty dollars each. Therefore we are taxing our brains and ingenuity to keep within the limit, but feel relieved that the strain is not so great upon our purses. Of special interest to the chapter are the following en¬ gagement announcements : Ruth Haynes, ’06, to Leslie Car¬ penter, Chi Psi; Ruth Leonard, ’04, to Hazeltine Donald¬ son ; Helen Pfaff, ex- 07, to Gordon Craig, Phi Kappa Psi. Donna M. Lycan. Psi — University oe Wisconsin Psi chapter has been undergoing a continuous quaran¬ tine for grip for the past month ; but by good fortune three of the girls recovered sufficiently to go to the Founders' Day celebrations. Those three have been so enthusiastic over their entertainment, that the rest of us have been doubly disgusted over our ill-timed grip. We delayed the chapter celebration until our representatives had returned, so that we and our alumnae together could hear all the news and rejoice intelligently. We had as our guest of honor Mrs. Allen Buchanan, whose husband, Lieut. Allen Buchanan of the United States Navy, is visiting with rel¬ atives here. Mrs. Buchanan was Mary Goodwin of the class of ’97 at De Pauw and we were most happy to have a real De Pauw Theta with us in our own house. We have had cause to appreciate more than ever what a privilege our house is, not merely for our own comfort and convenience, but for the delight of opening it to fill the needs of other people. During the convention of the American Historical Association in the holidays, the house was filled with convention guests, who could not have been more appreciative of the favor. Recently the graduate
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CHAPTER LETTERS 235 club, finding itself homeless, met here, much to our en¬ joyment, for we are always hoping for new opportunities to lend our house to any who need it. Just now we are all in a very pleasant state of mind — omitting anxiety over term examinations — for half of us are going to the Junior Promenade and the other half are not. It is hard to say whether the half that puzzle over kid gloves and high heels could be any more exultant over the four days interim between terms than the half that are not going to do a thing but rest. Ah, how long we have coveted that rest! Marion Grace: Peabody. Aepha Theta — University of Texas To all members of Kappa Alpha Theta — Greeting! On January 23, Alpha Theta initiated three freshmen, Stella Tompkins, Pilot Point; Louise Johnson, San Mar¬ cos ; Laura Lehman, Houston. A buffet luncheon took the place of the banquet which will be given in the spring. Although some few do not like the regulation pin, it stands in high favor with most of the girls because of the look of dignity and stability which it bears. The university students are enjoying a round of gaiety. Sigma Chi and Phi Gamma Delta have been charming hosts at formal dances in the past week. Invitations are out for the debut cotillion of the “Rattlers” ; and the Phi Kap¬ pa Psis will entertain with dancing on Friday evening. The theatres have been especially fine this winter. Among other things we had the pleasure of hearing “Mad¬ am Butterfly.” We regret very much to say that the Phi Kappa Psis and Delta Tau Deltas have recently sustained heavy losses from fires. Miss Mary George White, a graduate of last year from the Woman's College of Baltimore, now southern secretary for the Young Women's Christian Association, spent sev¬ eral days here after the holidays. Dean Briggs of Har¬ vard will address the student body of the University of Texas, and the Phi Beta Kappa society during his stay in Austin. Leda Maud Nash.
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236 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Alpha Iota — Washington University At last the dreaded examination week is over and we can all draw a deep breath of relief. Initiation was held January 18 and Patti Marie Clayton and May Hoolan are now loyal wearers of the kite. For the past month owing to the cessation of all stu¬ dent activities, the college has been a place where we do nothing but study, as our elders sarcastically remarked. The difficulty between the student body and the faculty has been adjusted, however, and the activities were resumed Wednesday with a rush, Washington University winning the basketball game from Missouri State University by the decisive score of 30-22. Owing to the rush preceding examination week Alpha Iota was unable to celebrate Kappa Alpha Theta's birthday as she would like to have done, but in our hearts we all joined in the toast — Long live Theta! Mary Branch Glasgow. Gamma District Phi — Stanford University. This letter finds Phi fairly settled with everything be¬ ginning to assume its normal aspect through the glamor of Christmas and the joy of getting together again. And it finds her beginning with both profit and loss as to mem¬ bers, for while neither Ruth Robertson nor Edna Barlow returned to college this semester, we are very proud to pre¬ sent Alberta Hanna and Elizabeth Russell — our birthday present for the fraternity. We think that surely no one had as glorious a reunion on Founders' Day as we, for we began with initiation and then had our banquet, at which there were, beside the twenty active girls, about twenty loyal alumnae. So far this term there has not been much excitement — or at least things of much interest to the outside world ex¬ cept the announcement of Thomas Welton Stanford, a brother of our founder that he will establish scholarships
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CHAPTER LETTERS • 237 here for the benefit of Australian students, and also his gift of valuable books on Australia. The annual sophomore comedy, which through precedent has become some modern drama, will take place in a couple of weeks and will in this case be “The Maneuvers of Jane.,, A short time ago the girls athletic association gave a reception at which the en¬ tertainment was provided by the different dormitories, so¬ rorities, and house clubs, in five-minute “stunts.” This brought all the girls together in the most informal way. Then of course there has been the usual succession of dances and receptions, Phi entertaining on last Saturday evenings — consider yourselves all invited! The authorities have promised too, that within a comparatively short time the memorial church, which was so badly wrecked by the earth¬ quake will be put in temporary repair so that we may have the benefit of the music of our wonderful pipe organ. Thi had come to be a vital part of our college life, for every afternoon the church was open and the vesper recitals came to mean a great deal to most of us. So their resumption will be looked forward to most eagerly. Helen Green. Omega — University of California The opening of this new semester has found our Ome¬ ga chapter back again and ready for work — with the one exception of Leila Lindley, who has preferred an extended trip through the Eastern states and down into Florida. The meeting of the Kappa Alpha Theta house-associa¬ tion at the home of Henrietta Brewer in Oakland, was an immense success. There were about fifty girls present, active and alumnae, and many of those who were unable to come, expressed very clever regrets, which were read aloud before the meeting. At present the sophomore class is planning for the an¬ nual celebration of the birthday. It has been the custom for years, for each sophomore class to unite its efforts on this day in a dramatic way for the entertainment of the upper classes and the alumnae. Since the present class has
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238 KAPPA ALPHA THETA already proved its cleverness in this line, we are looking forward with great interest to this year's fun. The university men, here, have lately made an attempt to disfranchise the women students. But when the meas¬ ure was put to the vote, there resulted a large majority in opposition. The English Club is now preparing for another drama¬ tic production in the Greek Theatre. “The Winter's Tale" has been chosen, with a cast composed entirely of univer¬ sity students. There have been several plays produced by the English Club in the last few years, and they have been, without exception, well received and highly successful from an educational standpoint. Rowena K. Eeston.
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ALUMNAE CHAPTER LETTERS Gamma Alumna — New York City Gamma Alumnae sends love and good wishes to all her sister chapters, alumnae and active. Gamma Alumnae's chief work this winter has been to endeavor to become better acquainted with fraternity or¬ ganization, and with that end in view a committee has each month presented a part of the constitution for consideration. The animated discussion which has developed has been most inspiring and helpful, and we feel sure we shall be better prepared to do Theta work in the future. The sur¬ prising ignorance of some of the alumnae at the convention last summer was the reason why we felt, if we were to be useful members of the fraternity, we should certainly be¬ come more intelligent. In the January Journal among the personals we noticed at least three Thetas from western chapters who were spending the winter in New York, and we should be so glad to welcome them to Gamma Alumnae, but do not know how to reach them. Would it not be well if the ad¬ dresses of all visiting Thetas could be included in the personal? Our corresponding secretary could then reach them immediately. Gamma Alumnae celebrated Founders' Day by a ban¬ quet at the Aldine Association, which although not so largely attended as in former years, was a very happy oc¬ casion. We had the happiness of having Miss Tobin of Alpha Eta with us as well as Miss Capron, our district president and earnest Gamma Alumnae worker. Mary W. Titus. Mu Alumna — Cleveland, Ohio What a responsibility I have allowed to be mine. Our president called for volunteers to write the chapter letter, and the look in her eye led me an unwilling lamb to the
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240 KAPPA ALPHA THETA slaughter. I will do as did the Texas cow-boy about whom the “Lady of the Decoration” tells. First of all, and the most important piece of news, is the manner of our celebration of Founders' Day. Thir¬ teen members were present at Mrs. Randall's, and after an unusually interesting meeting, our hostess had a real surprise party for us in the dining room. In the middle of the table were yellow tulips; at each corner, a candle with a yellow and black shade, — and those dear little can¬ dle shades — I have neither the wit nor the English to do them justice, but if you had been there, you would have seen many black cats, one on either side of every shade, whose expression was indicative of the responsibility they must have felt. At each plate was a wee black and white gold kite, about five inches long, as a place card. The salad was served in little triangles made of salted wafers held in place by a twist of black and gold ribbon. After our delight had spent itself, we “took notice" of other things than the decorations, in such a human and enthusiastic manner that I fear we will need to join the band of “Rolers." At any rate, I am sure not a girl there wanted dinner that night. Our chapter is moving along at a healthy, normal pace. We have this year eleven chapters represented. Miss Mul- heron, of Eta, who is in the Library here, is a real ac¬ quisition to our circle. Miss Hazel Dorey, Rho, is study¬ ing in the Cleveland Kindergarten College, and we have been glad to have her with us. Our stand-by, Mrs. Lynch, Mu, has moved to the West Side, since Mr. Lynch is in charge of the West High School ; however, in spite of the distance, she is usually with us. Mrs. Laughlin, Alpha, has a home on the Lake shore, and has the usual suburban¬ ite enthusiasm. Mrs. Randall has recently moved into her new home on E. 96th St. Our president, Miss Barnaby, spent the summer in Europe, and we have prevailed upon her to tell us of her trip and show us her pictures at our next regular meeting. It has been suggested that Thetas coming to the city
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ALUMNAE CHAPTER LETTERS 241 notify our secretary, Miss Louise Rust, 10612 Park Lane, We want to know you and have you join us if you care to. With a toast for the New Year, — “May you live long, and prosper.” Hope Erwin Griswold, Alpha, ’oi. Kappa Alumna — Pittsburg, Pa. Greetings from Kappa Alumnse to all of our sister chapters. As has been the custom since our first organization, we meet every other month at each others' homes; our pro¬ grams consist of a business session, after which we enjoy a social time. We found that this was of more benefit to us generally than having a formal program with papers; for, while a good paper, well read, is helpful, still when we meet so seldom, there are too many other important ques¬ tions to be discussed to take up the time. Points of inter¬ est in fraternity methods, questions and answers to some forgotten or obscure happening in the past, discussion of future plans, news of our old members, arrangements for looking up new members, deciding on other meetings — all these occupy our time so fully that we hardly know how our time has passed. And of course nearly all our girls belong to some of the clubs which help keep them up to the mark in an intellectual way, hence we reserve our Theta reunions strictly as renewals of fraternity interests. At our meetings this winter the scholarship fund has been discussed, but as yet no definite action has been decided upon. On Saturday, January 25, we held our annual luncheon at the Schenley Hotel in honor of Founders' Day. This has become the most important event of our year, the one where we are sure to all make a special effort to be pres¬ ent and to renew our acquaintance with each other. One of the private dining rooms was artistically decorated with our fraternity colors, and the large round table beautified with many flowers, among which our favorite pansy held its place, made a most attractive picture. The girls in their
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242 KAPPA ALPHA THETA handsome gowns added materially to the attractiveness of the scene. After the menu had been discussed in a very substantial manner, a number of toasts were proposed. The admirable manner in which our girls respond to these calls, the cleverness of their speeches, and the ex¬ cellence of their delivery, always make us proud of them and we realize that they can shine in any position in which they are placed. Greetings from the Grand Council were read, after which our business meeting was held. As this event usually brings out all our numbers, we improve the occasion to hold our most important business meeting — electing our officers for the ensuing year. Blanche McGough. Delta Alumna — Chicago, Illinois Delta Alumnae is a chapter of very busy women, many of whom cannot always find time to seek the Theta corner in Marshall Field's Tea Room every third Saturday, but the chapter decided this year that it was not too busy to celebrate the fraternity's birthday. A luncheon with toasts and music was arranged, and was held at the Chicago Beach Hotel on January 18. One of the smaller cafes was furnished with small, round tables to accommodate fifty persons. A table somewhat larger than the others was re¬ served for the toastmistress and other speakers. The large table was decorated with a cheery, springlike bouquet of yellow tulips, while pansies were scattered loosely over the other tables. At one o'clock about fifty of us found our places in the dining-room by the aid of very attractive little place- cards made by a member of Tau chapter. The luncheon went merrily on, and at the close of it Mrs. Mary Rid- path Mann of Alpha, our toastmistress, rose to tell us something of the early days of Kappa Alpha Theta. Mrs. Laura H. Norton, who spoke on behalf of the past Grand Council, responded to the toast, “The Past has taught its lesson." Miss Charlotte Walker, the new editor of the
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ALUMNAE CHAPTER LETTERS 243 Journal, spoke feelingly on "The Present has its duty,” and Miss Eva Hall, our recently appointed District President, said a few well-timed words on "The Future has its hope.” Miss Alta Miller, who has but just returned from study with Jean de Reszke, then sang a group of three French songs. Miss Miller’s singing was thoroughly enjoyed, and she responded very graciously and generously to encores. Informal greetings were then given by members of the dif¬ ferent chapters represented, and we are proud to say that almost every chapter had one or more members present. It was pleasant to be remembered by notes of greeting from our Grand President, several other members of the Grand Council, and not a few chapters, both active and alumnae. Miss Miller sang a second group of songs, this time in English, and Mrs. Mann concluded her remarks with the request that we join in a verse of "Auld Lang Syne.” Our Founders’ Day celebration was such a success that we hope to make it a yearly event. Anna Elizabeth Drummond. Xi Alumna — Kansas City, Mo. “Not only ’round our infancy Doth heaven with all its splendors lie.” The young and active chapters do not have all the good times, as we old codgers of Xi Alumnae now rise up to testify. In fact, for such gray and hoary old people as compose this chapter, we have been quite gay this winter, and Theta’s spirit of love and loyalty has been "abundantly vouchsafed unto us,” in ministerial diction. Our first meeting in the fall was held at the home of Mrs. Ellison, our convention delegate, where our usually eager tongues could only frame sentences such as "And they what — ?” "What did — ?” "How many — ?” "Don’t interrupt!” "Go on, what next?” We sighed with regret that we had not all been able to be at Chicago. The November meeting was held at the home of Mrs.
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244 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Fred Rose, who, being a bride in a hotel suite, found her chairs all too few and her tea-kettle absolutely non-elastic. These touching limitations to hospitality made the occasion quite joyous, and, regardless of the veneration due our gray hairs and old rheumatic joints, we sat on the floor sewing and chatting in quite an “active” manner. In December we met with Mrs. R. O. Davis, on the West Side. We had a Christmas tree and every old lady of us brought a ten cent present to hang thereon. Great was our joy on opening these valuable packages, to find our most cherished foibles, in most cases, held up to public ridicule. Mrs. C. R. Howard entertained us in January with a K. A. T. party. We celebrated Founders’ Day with a jubilee meeting with Mrs. Maurice Alden. With our hearts in sympathy with the spirit of the day, we met and pledged ourselves anew to Theta hopes and ideals, “in love and unity.” Have we been at all interesting to you active girls, we ancient ones of Xi Alumnae? Marie Netteeton Rose.
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MARRIAGES \ Eta Married, Isabella Fyfe to Dr. LeRoy S. Peters, February 8. 1908, Silver City, New Mexico. Pi Married, December 31, 1907, Gertrude Kamps, ’05, to Mr. R. Clinton Platt, Alpha Tau Omega. At home, 56 Wisconsin St., Chicago, Ill. Married, September 7, 1907, Florence E. Hagle, to Mr. A. G. Ruthven. At home, 1110 Oakland Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Alpha Gamma Married, February 4, 1908, at the Church of the Good Shep¬ herd, Columbus, Ohio, Ina McCulley, ’07, to Mr. Robert Reyburn Barringee, Phi Delta Theta. Delta Helen Bullard, ’06, Springfield, was married December 31 to Mr. M. C. Bates, head of the English department in the Univer¬ sity of South Dakota. January 2 occurred the wedding of Alice Pitts, ex-’o8, Bloom¬ ington, to Mr. Fred Crane, Beta Theta Pi, Mt. Sterling. Kappa Married, December 31, 1907, Alberta Lucky Bingler, ’07, to Gene Frye, ’06, Sigma Chi. At home, South Pittsburg, Tenn. Married, January 8, 1908, Myrtle Baldridge, ’05, to Clyde Weir Simons. At home, Las Aninas, Colorado. Rho Married, Marie Stanton Nettleton, ’06, to Frederick Blanchard Rose, Beloit '99, Beta Theta Pi, October 14, 1907. At home “The Lyndhurst,” Kansas City, Mo. Alpha Theta Emma Autrey Greer, ’05, Beaumont, Texas, was married Jan¬ uary 16, 1908 to Mr. Henry Lee Holman. Mr. and Mrs. Holman arc making their home in Beaumont.
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246 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Omega Adelaide Elizabeth Bangs, ex-’c>9, was married to Samuel Pal¬ mer Eastman, Sigma Chi, December 5, 1907. Her present address is 296 Harwood Ave., Berkeley, Calif. Kelsey Paterson, ex-’o5, was maried to Edward T. Zelig of Philadelphia December 24, 1907. Her present address is Clayan Court, Berkeley, Calif. Phi Married, November 26, Chicago, Ill., Lucy Souter, ex-'io, to Mr. James Galbraith, Delta Tau Delta.
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BIRTHS Iota Born, November 7, 1907, at Spokane, Washington, to Mr. and Mrs. Audrey White (Elizabeth Bincley, *04), a daughter. Born, December 12, 1907, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kent (Juliett Crossett, ’03), a son. Born in April, 1907, to Mr. and Mrs. Phineas R. Windsor (Margaret Boynton, ’95), a daughter, Mary Frances. Mr. Wind¬ sor is Librarian of the University of Texas. Lambda Born to Professor and Mrs. E. C. Jacobs (Mabel Nelson, *99), a son, on January 19, 1908. Alpha Beta Born to Mr. and Mrs .John Harper (Helen Eastwick, '02), a 6on, John Harper, Jr. Alpha Epsilon Born to Professor and Mrs. Edmund B. Delabarre (Dorothea . E. Cotton, ex-’o8), January 15, 1908, a daughter, Maria Elizabeth. Beta Born, September 2, 1907, to Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Ruby (Blanche Blynn) a daughter, Katharine Elizabeth. Address: Walla Walla, Washington. Gamma Born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Christian (Julia Booth), a daughter, Portia Christian. Eta Born to Mr. and Mrs. S. Lawrence Bigelow, a daughter. Pi Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Northwood (Emma Osborn), December 17, 1907, a son, Frederick McGregory.
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248 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Alpha Gamma Born, January 17, 1908, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Jeffrey (Mary Loren), a daughter, Mary Loren Jeffrey. Kappa Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ramsey (Della Frazer, ’9 6), a son, John Frazer. Upsilon Born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Kluckhohn (Lillian Dodson, ex-’oi), a son, in November. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Spicer (Margaret Moore, ’oi), a daughter, Elizabeth, on December 11. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Claude D. Kimball (Eleanor Skinner) a son on January 25. Psi Born, November, 1907, to Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Meyers (Alice Carleton, '98), a daughter. Alpha Theta Born to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Goldschmidt (Gretchen Rochs, '04), of San Antonio, a daughter, Dorothea.
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PERSONALS Iota Mrs. Sadie Boulton Eidlitz, Iota and Gamma Alumnae, sailed for Southern Italy in January, and will return in April. January 15, 1908, Elizabeth A. Anderson, ’08, of Philadelphia, was pledged to Iota chapter. The last news from Mrs. J. H. Comstock was received from Cairo, January 17. She and Professor Comstock had enjoyed a most delightful trip on the Mediterranean, had visited the Pyra¬ mids and “called on the Sphinx,” and were preparing to take a trip up the Nile. Carolyn Crossett, ’05, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Arthur Kent, in Swarthmore, Pa. December 21, 1907, Mrs. Ward Kerlin, nee Jenny Gilbert, '00, gave a luncheon in honor of her sister, Grace Gilbert, 07. Three Cornell Thetas were present, besides the hostess and her sister, Carolyn Crossett, ’05, Ethel Whiteley, ’10, and Elizabeth Clarke, ’09. Lambda Grace McFarland’s address is 27 Chestnut street, Boston, Mass. Helen Thompson, ex-’oo, of Nashua, N. H., returned from abroad in May and is now studying music in Boston. Fanny Atwood Gould, ’00, Helen Ferguson Dennis, ’oi, and Alice Derby, ’02, were in Burlington for the holidays. Margaret Harmon, ex-’o7, Maude Davis, ex-’09, and Grace McFarland, ex-’ 10, were in Burlington to attend the Kappa Alpha Theta dance given January 7. Ruth W. Reynolds, ’09, has been very ill at her home at 156 Loomis St., Burlington, but is now convalescing. At the fraternity rooms January 18, Mrs. Norton, mother of Elizabeth Norton Canfield, ’96, gave a reading from “Saul,” Mrs. Votey, ex- ’84, illustrating with music many of the passages; and Mrs. Hodge, ’75, spoke of Browning’s work as a thinker and writer. Helen and Hattie Hodge’s (’03) address is 523 W. 122nd St., New York City. Chi Florence Buck, ’99-’oi, Maine, ’03, Flemington, N. J.; May Baker, ’03, White Plains; and Georgia Allen, ’03, Troy, N. Y., visited at the chapter house just after the holidays.
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250 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Mrs. Gladys H. Stranahan, *97, and son Donald Stranahan, Rome, N. Y. ; Mabel Northrup, *98, Johnstown, N. Y. ; Mrs. Laura Cowan Wilson, 'gS-’oi, Baldwinsville, N. Y.; Lola Lowther, ex-’o5, North Yakima, Wash.; Florence Wilson, '07, South Butler, N. Y.; and Elsie Carter, ex-’o9, Avon, N. Y., were in town for the Found¬ er’s Day celebration. Lola Lowther, ex'05, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Wilkinson, for some weeks. The engagement is announced of Julie E. Whipple, ex-07, Glens Falls, N. Y., to Mr. Harry Eato,n Colgate, Delta Kappa Epsilon. Mrs. Lucille Baldwin Van Slyke, ’02, has been engaged by the American Magazine to write exclusively for them for the coming year. She has been writing for Scribner’s and other magazines. Chi alumnae will be glad to hear that Edith Knight Howlett, ’98, Saranac Lake, N. Y., is very much improved in health. Virginia Emmons, ’07, and Frances Emmons, ex-’o7, Manlius, N. Y., visited the house in January. Ethel Northrup, ’10, and Fanny Dexter, ’n, have been obliged to discontinue college work until next fall on account of prolonged illness. Ethel has gone south for the rest of the winter and Fanny is at home, Black River, N. Y. Alpha Beta May K. Flannery, Alpha Beta, ’01, and Gamma Alumnae, is at present Director of Children’s Work at South End House, Uni¬ versity Settlement, Boston, Mass. Her address is 43 East Canton St., Boston. Caroline Washborn, ’06, is now livng in Swarthmore. Alpha Delta Mrs. Robert Griffing (Ethel Sharp, ’01), spent several weeks in Baltimore during the month of January. Mary Adams, ’06, and Lucile Locke, ’07, were the guests of Christie Dulaney, '07, for the first week of February and were present at the initiation of Ruth Taylor and Alma Jagger. Alpha Delta enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with the alumnae at the home of Florence Walther, February 6. Meta McClelland, ’10, spent the week-end at her home at Dobb’s Ferry, on the Hudson.
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PERSONALS 251 Christie Dulaney entertained the active chapter at an informal tea in honor of Mary Adams and Lucile Locke. Alpha Delta regrets the fact that Edna White, ’09, was unable to return to college after the Christmas vacation. Alpha Epsilon May Hartwell, ’10, has returned from Oxford where she studied during the fall, and is at her home in Providence. During Christmas week, the engagement was announced of Zerrie F. R. Huntsman, ’o 7, to William Granville Meader, Xi Phi, Brown, ’05. Florence L. Rose, ex-’ 10, is teaching in Iverton, R. I. Alpha Kappa Regina Gorman, ’ro, is to spend part of February and March in New Orleans. Emmie Fountain, Alpha Theta, visited us last week. We en¬ joyed having her tell us of the way they do things in Texas. Grace E. Commiskey, '06, will take a trip west during the next few months. Eva Capron, Alpha District President, was with us for initia¬ tion. Alpha Clarabelle Hood, ’07, has been the guest of the girls at the chapter house. Mrs. Gertrude Free Smith, ’07, of Boston, spent several days with us during the first of the term. Helen Rickert, ex-’o9, from Terre Haute, has been at the chapter house several days. Mrs. Alma John Woodson of Boston, has been very ill. Grace Walker, ’05, has been very ill in the Indianapolis Hos¬ pital. Dr. Edwin Holt Hughes, president of the university, his wife and several members of the faculty were at the chapter house for dinner one evening this week. Gamma Louise Brown, one of our charter members, is at Northwestern this term, but she will be back to graduate at Butler next year. The engagement of Elizabeth Miller to Mr. Norman Hack has been announced.
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1 252 kappa alpha theta At the Annual Founder’s Day Banquet of Butler College, Anna Hughes was chosen to respond to the only toast given by an active college student upon that occasion. Mary Ansler from Alpha is spending the winter in Irvington, and we have the pleasure of having her with us frequently at fraternity meetings. Epsilon Ruth Lucas, ’n, has announced her engagement to Miller Col¬ well, Phi Gamma Delta. Miss Lucas left college at the end of the first semester, much to the sorrow of the whole chapter, Ruth Bogardus, *oi, was a visitor in town for a few days dur¬ ing the latter part of January. Lucy Warren, ’04, has announced her engagement to Walter Eddy, Beta Theta Pi. Eta Regina Kingman, ex-’o7, is teaching in Elkhart, Ind. Her present address is 113 Lexington Ave. Zoe Schurtz, ’oo, is spending the winter at Tucson, Arizona, with her mother. Her health is slowly improving. Address: Rural No. 1 Speedway. Laura Eames, ’01, has announced her engagement to Mr. Al¬ fred L. Kamerer of St. Louis, Mo. Her address is 318 N. New- stead St. Irene Baker Gustafson is to be found at 1280 Goodfellow Ave., St. Louis. She is living across the street from Jeannette Blanchard Steuber. Julia Benson is in St. Louis also, teaching in the Yeat- man High School. Myra Post Cady entertained the chapter at a buffet luncheon between semesters. Susan Patterson Noble, ’98, is living in Columbia, Mississippi. Cora Wells, 03, and her mother have gone to New Orleans for the winter. An article by her has appeared in the March num¬ ber of Scribner’s magazine. Lina Giems, ’95, is teaching in the Albert Lee high school, Minn. Mu Maud Shadduck (Mrs. E. T. Bynum), ’98, of Meadville, Pa., is now living at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ruth Townley, ’99, of Grove Street, Meadville, Pa., is teach¬ ing in the high school of that place.
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PERSONALS 253 Marie Tuholski of Erie, Pa., *oi, is now teaching in the high school of Kane, Pa. Lettie L. Johnston, *oi, of 198 S. Main St., Pitts* Pa., is now doing settlement work at the Warner House, Warner and Cross Sts., Baltimore. Grace Jones, *02, of Franklin, and Bess Dutton, *oo, of Mead- ville, are teaching at Ben Avon, Pa. Julia Krech, ’99, of Warren, Pa., is teaching in Tarentum, Pa. Belle Limber, *01, is at her home in Meadville, Pa. Mrs. Marsh (Ethel Odell, *99), of Meadville, is now living in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Bess Phillips (Mrs. Messer), Warren, Pa, ’99, is living at Embenton, Pa. Jess Williams, ’99, is at her home in Oil City, Pa. Claribelle H. Wilkins of Warren, Pa., *9 7, is now teaching in that place. Marion Bemis (Mrs. Charles Douglas), is living at Camp Hill, Pa. Emma Edson, Meadville, Pa., *98, is assistant biologist in Alle¬ gheny College. Ella Craig, *98, is now at her home in Warren, Ohio. Grace Jeness, ’98, Meadville, Pa., is at her home in Kidwell, W. Va. Bess Burnham, *oi, is at her home in Erie, Pa., 81 1 West Ninth St. Pi Ella Meinke, our senior of last term, completed her course and is now teaching at Cass City, Mich. Mrs. Fred Northwood, of Chicago, who has been spending the winter in Albion, is about to return to her home. It is with regret that we announce the death of her older son, Osborne, Jan. 12, 1908. Myrtle Smith, who is teaching in the high school at Metamora, Ohio, is to resume her work at Albion in the spring term. Alpha Gamma Frances Patterson, ’07, was home for the Christmas holidays from Olivet, Michigan, where she is teaching physical culture. Edith Wilson, of Selma, Ohio, came up to attend the initia¬ tion January 25. Florence Durstine, of New York City, spent a part of the first week of February with Ann Hunter.
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*54 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Alpha Eta Maybelle Saunders, ex-’o 7, has returned from a three weeks* visit to Saint Louis. Sophia Ambrose, '07, is spending the winter in Mobile, Ala. Delta Ellen Garfield Smith, *02, has resigned from the John Crerar Library, Chicago, to accept the position of librarian in the Walla Walla Free Public Library, Walla Walla, Washington. The engagement has been announced of Mabel Hanson, ’08, to Mr. J. T. Colvin, *07, Sigma Chi. Hope Herrick, *08, Ruth Hyndman, *08, and Mary Jane Case, *io, have returned for the second semester. Mary Gibson, *09, will not attend college this semester. Louise Shipman, ’08, has announced her engagement to Mr. Fritz Wagner, ’08, Phi Gamma Delta. Elizabeth Greene, *06, has been elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Isabelle Fyfe, *05, St. Joseph, Mich., has gone to New Mex¬ ico where she will be married to Dr. Leroy Peters, Phi Delta Theta. Pearl Mulberry, Virginia Taylor, Jean Bullard and Helen Taylor were with us a few days before the holidays. Lois Greene has returned to her home in Dubuque, Iowa. Her marriage to Mr. Thatcher H. Guild, Delta Phi, instructor in Eng¬ lish, will take place in June. Mrs. Lincoln, instructor in physical training, has been spend¬ ing a few days in visiting the gymnasiums of several universities. Kappa Mr. and Mrs. Vene Frye (Alberta Bingler, ’07), are at home, South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Anna Harrison visited Kappa chapter on Founders* Day. Bertha Bowen, ex-* 10, of Independence, spent a week at the Theta house. Hellen Havens, ex-*07, of Minneapolis, and Hedwig Berger, of Kansas City, attended the wedding of Alberta Bingler. Ruth Baker, a niece of Alice Allen Brant, one of our Found¬ ers, who is teaching German and French at Baker University, vis¬ ited at the chapter house on Founders* Day.
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PERSONALS 255 Rho Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hardy (Gertrude Laws, '90), leave for Europe in April. Ida and Edith Robbins, M.A. '02-07, sail for Europe in March. Ena Brach, '06, goes with them. Mary Bowlby, ’07, is teaching in Alma, Nebraska. Tau Grace Haven Holmes of Melrose, Mass., visited us before Christmas. Louise Chapman entertained the active chapter at her home in Evanston during the holidays. Mildred and Rachel Jones spent the mid-year vacation visiting the Thetas at De Pauw University. Charlotte Walker visited us shortly after Christmas. Upsilon Florence Pond leaves soon for a visit in Michigan. Clare Fanning sails February 22 for an extended trip in Eu¬ rope. Emily Leonard is teaching kindergarten at the Sheridan School. Florence Parker is teaching school in Willmar, Minn. Psi Bess Hastings, ’07, Oregon, Illinois, is studying in the Acade¬ my of Fine Arts in Chicago. Address, 5623 Madison Ave., Chi¬ cago, Illinois. Edna Hughes, ’10, Mason City, Iowa, enjoyed a short visit from her father and mother at the chapter house, recently. Ethel Strong, ’05, Aurora, Illinois, and Leilah Pugh, ex-’o5, of Mazomanie, Wis., paid us a flying visit in January. Mrs. Buchanan (Mary Goodwin, '97, De Pauw University), and her husband, Lieut. Allen Buchanan are spending a few weeks in Madison; and it has been a great pleasure to the Psi girls to make Mrs. Buchanan’s acquaintance. Edna Hughes, ’io, Ethel Taylor, ’10 and Elsie Martens, ’11, enjoyed the privilege of going to the Founders’ Day celebration at Chicago.
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256 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Alpha Theta Hazel Ransom, ex-’o8, Llano, Texas, spent several days with Alpha Theta after the holidays. Lucy Gibson, ex-’09, Navasota, Texas, spent a few days with Alpha Theta last week. Eunice Fountain, '07, College Station, Texas, is spending sev¬ eral weeks in New York and writes of meeting the Alpha Zeta, and Alpha Kappa girls. Adele Johnson, ’06, Austin, is spending several weeks in the north and was expecting to be with Delta Alumnae on Founders’ Day. Phi 1 Susan M. Kingsbury, M.A., Ph.D., Phi, and a former much honored member of Gamma Alumnae, is Assistant Professor of Economics, igo6-’o7, ’o7-’o8, at Simmons College, Boston, Mass. Genevieve Chambers, ’02, of Oakland, California, spent a few days at the chapter house recently. Carol Fowle, ex-’o6, who visited us for Founders’ Day, will spend the year in Denver. Sara Ried Park Beebe, ’04, is expecting to visit us on her way to Manila where her husband, Lieutenant Beebe, has been ordered. Karoline Hammond, who graduated last term has returned for advanced work. Lois Perring of Beta is spending the winter in Palo Alto with her sister, a Phi sophomore. Ella Russ, Iota, is instructing in the hygiene department this year. Georgiana Gilbert Christmas, ’07, has returned for graduate work. Omega Leila Lindley, ex-’ 10, is traveling at present in the Eastern states. Annie Brewer, who has been making an extensive tour of Europe, is at present in Rome.
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NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE WORLD Clean, sweet sport with a square deal for everybody has received a particularly nasty slap in the face at the hands of the special committee on rowing of the American Olympic committee. This committee has announced, apparently as the result of British pres¬ sure, that no one who is or has been in “trade/’ or engaged in “menial duty” or “in manual labor for money or wages/’ can take part in the regatta which is to be held next July at Henley-on- Thames, “even if he is an American.” It is not surprising that the English contingent should endeavor to enact such a regulation, but that the American committeemen should consent to the pro¬ hibition is almost beyond belief. If this restriction is not removed, the only thing self-respecting American sportsmen can do, is to stay away from the Olympic games so far as they are on British soil and under British rulings. Indeed, any decent American is barred under the avowed British ideals. Weary Willie is the only one in this country who fulfills the British ideal of a “gentleman,” and the demand is getting more and more insistent that even Weary Willie must work. — Detroit Free Press. Yale’s struggle of nearly ten years to find a new song as typical of the university spirit as is the “Old Nassau” of Princeton or the “Fair Harvard” of that institution, has ended with the award of the $300 prize to Brian Hooker, Yale, 1902. His song, “Mother of Men,” has been accepted by the committee, which consists of the Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes, Jr., Prof. Edward B. Reed, Prof. Harry B. Jepson, and W. L. Carter, 1897. John 0. Heald, 1873, about eight years ago offered $50 for a song which would match either “Old Nassau” or “Fair Harvard.” The attempts were unsatisfactory and the reward was withheld. Three years ago the award was increased to $300, through contributions made anonymously by two Yale alumni, and the committee of award chosen. The words of “Mother of Men” are: Mother of Men, grown strong in giving Honor to them thy lights have led — Rich in the toil of thousands living, Proud of the deeds of thousands dead; We who have felt thy power, and know thee, We in whose work thy gifts avail — High in our hearts enshrined enthrone thee, Mother of Men— Old Yale!
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA 258 Spirit of Youth, alive, unchanging, Under whose feet the years are cast — Heir to an ageless empire, ranging Over the future and the past — Thee, whom our fathers loved before us, Thee, whom our sons unborn shall hail, Praise we today in sturdy chorus, Mother of Men — Old Yale! Seth D. Bingham, 1897, wrote the music which has been adapted to the words of the two stanzas. — Alpha Phi Quarterly. In this connection the following quotation from President Had¬ ley seems fitting: The song of loyalty, like the national hymn in the larger world, is for the sons of a single mother only. Sung with uncovered heads, and sometimes an elaborate ritual of hat-lifting and hat-waving, it is a passionate expression of devotion to alma mater which must be touching or impressive to the most hardened self-made man. The songs of this class in the older universities are wreathed with memories. It is for such that the newer Western institutions have to offer prizes, and, when they find one by this means, make haste to wreathe it with all the memories that it is possible to gather within a few seasons. — The Scroll. General James A. Garfield, Williams , '56, was the first member of a college fraternity to become President of the United States. Delta Upsilon has had more than twice as many Rhodes schol¬ ars as any other fraternity, and despite the fact that many fraterni¬ ties have either a larger membership or more chapters to draw from. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly. X E X, a sorority with but two chapters, one in Kentucky State College, Lexington, Ky., has just purchased a chapter house. This is the first chapter house in that state to be owned by any fraternity or sorority. Delta Delta Delta has just published a history, prepared by its Grand Historian, Mrs. Priddy. This book, which is the first sorority history to be published, contains about 180 pages of reading mat¬ ter, very profusely illustrated. The sorority is nineteen years old, being from fifteen to twenty years younger than most of its im¬ portant rivals. — Phi Gamma Delta. Co-education in the old world? Certainly. Over 200 young women study side by side with the young men of Leyden Univer¬ sity, in Holland. — Caduceus.
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NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE WORLD 259 Delta Tau Delta held its thirty-ninth Karnea in Chicago the last week in August. The registers showed 637 in attendance. Alpha Chi Rho has established a chapter in Washington and Lee University. There is a large increase in the enrollment over that of last year, and several new courses have been added to those already in the institution. The new forestry course is proving very pop¬ ular. Three new buildings will be erected this year, appropria¬ tions for which have already been made. These three will be an auditorium, an engineering building, and a chemistry building. — Washington State correspondence, Sigma Chi Quarterly in Scroll . Thomas Welton Stanford, a brother of the founder of Stan¬ ford University, has announced that he will establish scholarships for Australian students at Stanford University. He has presented to the university his valuable collection of books on Australia. The second annual convention of the National Commons Club was held January 10 and n at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. This federation of non-fraternity clubs is composed of so¬ cieties from Brown, Wesleyan, Norwich, and Middlebury with the probable addition in the near future of similar organizations from Amherst, Union, and Colgate. The trustees of Princeton have voted to postpone for two years serious consideration of President Wilson’s plan to abolish the local clubs or rather to convert them into “quadrangles,” under faculty supervision. — Scroll. Recent figures from the Swiss universities reveal a condition without parallel in the history of education, says the New York Evening Mail. More than half the students are from other coun¬ tries, and of these the great majority are Russians, and of the Russians the great majority are women. Out of 6,024 students enrolled at the seven Swiss universities last year, 1,920 were Rus¬ sians, all but 725 of them being women. As a writer in the Econ- omiste Franqaisc says, the native students find themselves crowded out by the foreigners, who capture beforehand the best places in the halls and laboratories. — Caduceus. Under the auspices of the Michigan Union, Michigenda, a comic opera, will be given in Ann Arbor the last week of Feb¬ ruary. The songs and music were written by Roy Welch, ’08 lit., and instructor in the School of Music, the book by Donald Haines and Mr. Herbert Kenyon. Both the cast and the orchestra will be supplied from the student body. The opera promises to be highly successful, not only at Michigan but elsewhere, and the
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260 KAPPA ALPHA THETA publishing house has already offered Mr. Welch a considerable sum for the privilege of being first to look at his future work. “The College Girl in Athletics,” by Evelyn Gail Gardiner, in the Home Magazine for June, considers the question of college athletic interests and records at four eastern colleges, Vassar, Smith, Wellesley, and Bryn Mawr. “Athletics in the girls' colleges is strikingly different in spirit from athletics in universities and men's colleges. In the former we claim it is ‘art for art's sake,’ in the latter it would appear to be a tool to achieve the supremacy of one college over another, or, from the individual standpoint, a means to personal distinction. Athletics is simply one side of the “all-around college girl" and is generally the comrade rather than the enemy of excellence in other lines. To cite an instance, five members of a champion hockey team at Vassar and two of the ‘subs’ received keys to the local chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a society to whose membership ex¬ ceptional scholarship is requisite, and on the same team were the president of the Self-Government Association and one of the edi¬ tors of the college literary magazine. The difference in the esti¬ mation of athletics in men’s and girls' colleges is due not so much to the difference in spirit of men and girls as to the influence of inter-collegiate contests and publicity, neither of which is a factor in colleges for girls. Among the contests and sports in girls' col¬ leges, probably field day is more public than any other. Bryn Mawr and Vassar have field day, and Smith expects to establish one when their new athletic field is completed, but Wellesley stands firmly opposed to it.” — Key,