1912 May - To Dragma

170 TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Intersorority council has passed the rule that no girl can be
pledged u n t i l the second semester. They are now having meetings
every week to draw up a set of new rushing rules. A movement has
also been started among the fraternities which w i l l also probably re-
sult in second semester pledging.

SIGMA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA *

I t seems hard to realize that summer is almost here, which means

not only vacation but horrible "finals," too.

W e l l , to begin at the beginning—our one new Freshman, M a r -

jorie Morris, was initiated on the evening of January 23rd. I t was

very informal, with dancing and "eats" and a jolly good time.

On the 5th of February, our chapter birthday was celebrated.

We received many lovely gifts, among them a Chinese gong f r o m the

Freshmen to remind us i f ever such a t h i n g is necessary, of the hour

of the next meal; the sophomores and juniors contributed a pair of

silver and glass candlesticks, while the seniors donated a lamp f o r

the den. T h e alumnae presented us w i t h money f o r a guest book

and a dozen silver forks. Besides a l l these there were many other

presents, useful*as w e l l as ornamental.

On February 14th we had a Valentine party at the house.

Hearts, as usual, were the chief decoration. T w o days later was

the eve of the Freshie Glee, a very popular affair many of our girls

attending.

Tabor day came off on the 29th of February. The men worked

with a Vim on various improvements for the university grounds, but

were perfectly capable of enjoying sandwiches and "hot dogs," etc.,

that were given them by the women students. Afterwards stunts

were given by the men, such as obstacle races, pie-eating contests

and p i l l o w fights.

March 23rd was Charter day. The dedication of the new Doe

Library was the event, and in the evening a large reception was held

there by President Wheeler in honor of Dr. Putnam,' the noted

librarian of Washington.

On the sixth o f A p r i l our first S p r i n g Festival was celebrated.

I t was considered a huge success by everyone. I t was given by the

women students, and it is hoped that it w i l l become a regular custom.

On the 16th o f this month we gave our formal reception.

Here ends our semester's doings thus far, and I expect nothing

more w i l l happen, f o r we are a l l beginning to " d i g " f o r finals.

TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 171

THETA, DEPAUW UNIVERSITY

T h e last few weeks Theta has been busy planning f o r the F o r m a l
which was given the 16th of March. This year we gave a dinner.
The menu and decorations were in keeping with St. Patrick. The
candle shades and holders and also the shamrocks we made. Flags
and green carnations were also used in the decorations. Place cards
were green leather shamrocks. There were eighty at the dinner.
A n orchestra from Indianapolis furnished the music. A l l the appoint-
ments were perfect and every one said that the dinner was the most
b r i l l i a n t success of the social affairs.

Three of our girls were back f o r the dinner. Mrs. Arthur
Lesemby of Terre Haute, Lura Davis and Lenora Bonem.

On Monday evening M a r c h 18 we gave a dance. Four girls
f r o m each sorority were invited. T h e invitations and dance pro-
grams were in keeping with St. Patrick.

On Saturday March 23 we gave a reception. The guests at this
included the faculty and town people.

DELTA, JACKSON COLLEGE

Mid-years have passed successfully and athletics is the burning
question. The seniors won the championship in basketball which
means that two o f our seniors w i l l soon wear white sweaters with
blue "J's." The captains of the other three class teams are a l l A O
IT's and Gertrude Hooper is captain of her track team as well.

Rehearsals every day tell us that i t is almost time f o r the operetta.
Last year Jackson gave "Jack and the Baked-Bean Stalk" in which
Etta had the leading part. T h i s year i n "The Rose and the R i n g "
three of our girls are soloists. Mary Kingsley '03 wrote the words
for the music which Mrs. Lewis, the wife of Prof. Leo R. Lewis,
composed. They are coaching the operetta which w i l l come off
M a y first and second. Frances H u n t i n g t o n is business manager and
Pearle Longley property manager for the performances. We wish
that many of our sisters might be in Boston to enjoy it w i t h us.

Delta has had only one social gathering since her last letter, al-
though there are many good times coming. I n February we had a
joint meeting of active and alumnae girls at Isabel Owler's. Gladys
K e i t h , one of our talented freshmen read and E t t a sang . I t seems
good to see the o l d girls back again so we spent most of the time
talking. A f t e r the "eats" we a l l sang songs.

Monday night we were most fortunate in having Mrs. Farmer
w i t h us again. She talked w i t h us i n " f r a t " meeting and then Dean
Davies spoke on "Enthusiasm" at our monthly literary meeting.

172 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Blanche Hooper is w i t h us o f t e n so we can keep i n touch w i t h the
doings of the whole fraternity.

R u t h Wedge '14 is spending the remainder of the year traveling
in the west w i t h her parents. Probably some of you girls w i l l see
her f o r she was looking f o r w a r d to visiting the other chapters.

Our big dance and a tea to the faculty wives are just a few things
Delta is planning, w h i l e we are a l l t r e m b l i n g f o r fear of the " f r a t
exam" which comes next week.

GAMMA. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

During the past few months, many delightful things have hap-
pened to Gamma. First o f a l l , came the visit of our Grand Presi-
dent, M r s . Farmer. We were very glad to have her with us, and
extremely sorry that her visit had to be so short. She strengthened
and encouraged us, answered many perplexing questions, and t o l d
us interesting tales of our sister chapters i n the east, south, and west.
As her stay was so brief, we could not do much i n the way of enter-
taining but we d i d manage an informal afternoon tea, with a few o f
the alumnae and the active chapter present.

Directly after M r s . Farmer's visit came pledge day, and then i n -
itiation. N o w , at last, Gamma is able to announce her long-
promised new sisters. They are Arline Brown, Margaret Holyoke,
Asenath Russell, and Rachel Winship, a l l freshmen, and as true and
loyal girls as were ever welcomed i n the ranks of A O IT

The initiation was held on February fourteenth, in our old chapter
room. A f t e r our new sisters had been properly welcomed, we a l l
boarded the car f o r Bangor where our banquet was held. There
thirty-five loyal members of Alpha Omicron Pi gathered around the
long tables w i t h their profusion of Mowers, hearts and cupids, and
s o f t l y glowing candles. F.ach l i t t l e initiate responded bravely to her
toast w i t h a sigh of relief when it was over. A n d last, our toast-
mistress called on Mrs. Balentine, "the dearest little lady on the
campus" and without whom no pleasure would be complete.

T h e n i g h t a f t e r the initiation and banquet, February 15, the
active chapter attended the wedding of our dear friend and sister,
Edith Jordan to M r . Leslie Roland Lord. The room in which the
ceremony took place was beautifully decorated with evergreens,
white carnations and b e a u t i f u l roses. O u r " E d i e " looked as lovely
as a rose herself i n her soft white gown. T h e b r i d a l couple pre-
ceded by the l i t t l e ring-bearer, Edith's namesake, passed down an
aisle f o r m e d by the girls of Gamma, to the flower and evergreen arch
whi re the minister met them. A f t e r the ceremony a d e l i g h t f u l l y i n -

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 173

formal reception was held, and "Edie" was overwhelmed with the
love and good wishes of friends and fraternity sisters. Punch, ice
cream and fancy cakes were served and Edie herself cut the huge
"bride's cake." Great was the suspense, as each g i r l received her
portion f o r this was no ordinary cake, I assure you. Buried some-
where i n its depths were the key to success, the pen of fame, the
magic penny, the wedding ring, and — O , horrors!—the much
dreaded thimble. Each " f i n d " was received with delight, until the
last piece was gone and the wedding r i n g was nowhere to be seen.
Each g i r l hastily examined her cake, but no one was the lucky owner
of the magic r i n g . Just as i t was given up i n despair, l i t t l e E d i t h
Robbins appeared w i t h the magic r i n g i n her hand. She had found
it in her cake and run slyly away to show i t to her mother.

Gamma certainly got her share of college honors this year. The
five new members of Phi Kappa Phi have been recently announced,
and among them are two Alpha Omicron Pi girls, June Kclley and
Helen Averill. N o w we have four girls in Phi Kappa Phi this year
and we feel very happy over it.

Spring is just beginning w i t h us, here i n Maine. Just now we are
enduring cold dreary days, w i t h snow and sleet in the morning, and
mud and slush at night. But a l i t t l e later, before the month is over,
spring w i l l come f o r t h i n a l l its glory o f bursting buds, flowers and
sunshine.

Gamma wishes to a l l her sister chapters the best of luck i n the
examination and a long and pleasant summer.

EPSILON, CORNELL UNIVERSITY

I t is difficult to write an intelligent chapter letter dealing with all
our activities, f o r the only topic of conversation now is our dance.
Next week, A p r i l 17th, we shall give our formal dance of the year
and we are hoping i t w i l l be very successful. A l l the sororities are
giving dances just now and the poor seniors are overworked keeping
up with their social duties.

Then there are other numerous activities that are engaging our
attention. I n a few weeks the Pan-Hellenic Association, w i t h Epsi-
lon holding the presidency, w i l l resume its meetings to draw up the
rushing contract f o r next f a l l . W e do not know as yet just what
k i n d of rules we shall have, but we hope f o r a less strict set than
those o f this year.

In dramatics, athletics, and scholastic lines we are well repre-
sented. Ruby 'Madsen, a sophomore, has the leading part i n the an-
nual university p l a y ; five o f our girls were on class basketball teams

174 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

and out of the eight sorority girls who were elected to Phi Beta
Kappa, Epsilon had four, a large proportion, since there are six'
sororities here at Cornell.

So you see i n spite o f the spring lassitude that is creeping over
"us, and the strong temptation to spend our days outdoors, we are busy,
as doubtless a l l o f you are, and you can appreciate our hurried feel-
ings.

RHO. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

O n l y nine weeks before examinations and then Rho w i l l send
four more girls into the land of the Philistines. But on February
24th, we initiated five girls, i n c l u d i n g Vera Riebel who was pledged
on the 10th. Initiation was held at the newly-finished home of
Edith Meers and was followed by a banquet at the Avenue House.
The initiates were seated at a table by themselves, and were crowned
w i t h smilax and roses, while the rest o f us filled five remaining
tables. Merva Dolsen Hennings, Avaline Kindig, Julia Norton,
Louise N o r t o n French, Genevieve Spang, who is attending I l l i n o i s
Wesleyan at Bloomington, V i r g i n i a Walker, Mae Barlow, and L u l u
Bigelow were back f o r the banquet.

The freshmen entertained the active chapter at a very enjoyable
dance on February 9 t h . T h e clubhouse was decorated i n sheaves o f
wheat and the favors f o r the c o t i l l i o n figures were t i n y sheaves o f
wheat and red roses. T h e decorations proved to be very effective
and the a f f a i r was one o f the prettiest o f the season as w e l l as the
most enjoyable, as many men can testify.

The Northwestern Dramatic club presented a suffrage play
written by Katherine McCollough, a short time ago in which Coila
Anderson successfully plunged into "stagedom."

E d i t h Shultz was a member of the third year basketball team
which won the interclass championship among the girls.

Pauline Pearson is president of Eulexia literary society and
Helen Shipman is treasurer o f Alethenaii. Vera Rebel is on the
j u n i o r play cast, which is to present "Strong Heart" on A p r i l 13.
O n A p r i l 20 comes the minstrel show given by the Women's Athletic
Association, in which a number of the girls have parts.

LAMBDA, LELAND STANFORD UNIVERSITY

A t last our dreams of o w n i n g our own house are to be realized.
T h e contract is let and by the time this T o DRAGMA is published, the
f o u n d a t i o n w i l l be laid at least, so here's an invitation to you, one
and a l l to our house warming i n September.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 175

We have just had our week of spring vacation. Before that was
a very successful junior week, in which we were well represented;
on committees by Helene Montague and Lois W a l t o n ; and the
opera by Madge Kemp, Louise Curtice, and Reba Bland (our new-
est member.) N a t a l i e Ferand '11 has been spending several weeks
with us, and we are looking f o r w a r d to having Marguerite K n o x
' 11 soon. Kate Foster has come and gone once again, and we sur-
vived our examination, at the same time e n j o y i n g her visit.

A t present our underclassmen are busy planning f o r their dance
on A p r i l eleventh. T h e f o l l o w i n g week is the S t a n f o r d - C a l i f o r n i a
track meet, and we are looking for a good many Sigmas then. A f t e r
that final examinations are only a few weeks off, and senior week f o l -
lowing. Chettie Nesbitt and Sheda bowman are on committees here.

Last but not least is the pleasant week-end the freshmen re-
ported having spent at the Sigma house. The San Francisco alumnae
entertained Sigma and Lambda freshmen there, following which
Sigma gave Lambda Freshmen a dance.

Lambda wishes a l l her sister chapters a pleasant summer and a
successful college year.

IOTA. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Susan Hash '12. Helen Whitney '13.
Pearl Ropp '12. Ruth Davison '13.

Hazel Alkire '12. Etta Lantz '14.
Louise Nierstheimer '12. Mary Wills '14.
Nelle Erskine '12. Anna Hoffert '15.
Edna Hunter '12. Inez Sampson '15.
Mable Wallace '13. Ethel Watts '15.
Mable Jackson '15. Nina DuCommon '15.
Lora Henion A. M . Inez Downing A. B.

I o t a has been very successful this year. W e captured six splendid

Freshmen d u r i n g rushing season and our share was as good as any-

body's or at least we think so. Since then Inez Downing who gradu-

ated f r o m Drake last year and is getting her masters degree at

Illinois this year, has become one of us.

We have also had the good fortune to initiate Lora B . Henion

A . M.—a member of the English faculty. We certainly were for-

tunate i n getting one so loyal and f a i t h f u l and yet so "wise and

learned."

W e l l we are proud that we won the "Roast contest" at Illinois

this year. Perhaps you don't know what this means. Every year

the Illio board offers a prize to the sorority who w i l l hand in the

176 TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

best list of jokes for the Illio. This year the prize was a handsome
fumed oak rocking chair—and we won it. It occupies a very con-
spicuous place in our living room and we all love to sit in it.

We can announce again this year that we have had the good for-
tune of having one of our girls elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Pearl
Ropp who secured preliminary honors last year has been chosen.
There were only four sorority girls elected this year.

Ruth Davison was leading lady in "The Lion Rampant" the
play given by "Mask and Bauble" the amateur theatrical club of
U . of I .

Inez Downing will do the contralto solo work in " The Swan and
Skylark" an opera given by the choral society.

Our formal party was given February 9 and we had a glorious
time when most of the "old girls" came back and we were all to-
gether once more. There surely is nothing that carries with it more
pleasure, mixed with a sort of "sweet sadness" than a reunion—for
the parting always must come sooner or later.

Pan-Hellenic gave its first formal this year and Iota girls were
well represented.

Mae Barlow, Fay Smith and Edna Betts of Rho, and Blanche
Babcock of Theta have visited us this year.

TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 177

ALUMNAE CHAPTER LETTERS

NEW YORK ALUMNAE

Our meetings have been unusually well attended this year. E a c h
one has brought out a new member or some sister we had not seen
in months. Last time we had Miss Colcord of Gamma and Stella
Stern Perry, who is usually too busy with social welfare work to at-
tend meetings.

We intend to devote next meeting to a study of the long expected
constitution and plans for securing a large delegation to the coming
convention.

SAN FRANCISCO ALUMNAE

In February the chapter initiated Mrs. Sumner of Alpha, and
Hazel Knapp of Lambda at the chapter house in Berkeley. Follow-
ing this initiation was a card party, given to the freshmen of Lamb-
da and Sigma. We decided that as far as we were concerned, this
plan to meet the freshmen was a great success.

Our next meeting on March 6th was held at the home of Celeste
Etcheverry in San Francisco. We had Isabelle Henderson with us
again, after her absence in Chicago.

BOSTON ALUMNAE

At our March meeting we voted to furnish an alumnae room at
Richardson House, the new womens' dormitory at T u f t s , in memory
of Grace Lane, Georgia Hodgdon, Kate Cousens Hodges, Myrtle
Hanson and Alice Priest. This will afford accommodations for
alumnae who may wish to stay over night at the H i l l at any time.

At this meeting we had the pleasure of entertaining Mrs. Helen
Eddy Rose of the Providence chapter.

Ethel Sturtevant was elected as delegate to the convention in
June.

On April 2 7 we are to entertain the active chapter at a joint
meeting at the home of Maud Carvill. T h i s is to consist of a whist
party followed by a supper. We shall have but one other meet-
ing this year, which comes the last of May, for the election of
officers.

178 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

NEWS OF THE ALUMNAE

PI

M a r y Thomas W h i t t i n g t o n ' 11 spent a few days i n the city, but
IT girls saw l i t t l e o f her as she was under the treatment of an oculist.

Dorothy Safford '10 is now teaching at Opelousas, L a . She pays
occasional visits to N e w Orleans at which times she is pursued by
visits from the active chapter.

Audree Provosty Walker '06 now living in Chicago is at present
on a visit to her family in New Orleans.

E m i l y Fienet '10 is teaching i n Baton Rouge, La. She con-
tinues to win much glory by her work in art.

Marguerite Cape Wood spent a few days in New Orleans this
spring. T h i s was her first visit since her wedding. O f course, she
was heartily welcomed by n girls.

I I is anxiously awaiting the return of Julia Bryne '07 f r o m Cen-
t r a l America where she has been teaching d u r i n g the last year.

OMICRON

Roberta and Harriet Williams of Chattanooga, Tenn., came to
K n o x v i l l e to be present at initiation on M a r c h 2nd.

Ailsie K y l e Powel is now living in Talladega, A l a .
L i l l i a n Wills came up f r o m Chattanooga f o r "initiation." She
is teaching in the city schools of Chattanooga.
Mrs. George Wythe Tompkins (nee M y r t l e Cunningham) has
returned to her home at Tom's Creek, Va., after a visit with relatives
and friends in Memphis and Knoxville.
Laura S w i f t Mayo has returned to Knoxville, after having taught
French and History in Madisonville, Tennessee.
Mrs. Carl Cramer, Des Moines, Iowa, spent the winter i n Knox-
ville, returning on March 22nd to her home in Iowa.
Lucretia Howe Jordan of Asheville, N . C , is visiting friends i n
Knoxville.
Alice Hayes, who is teaching Domestic Science in the public
schools of Johnson City came down to Knoxville f o r initiation.
Ailey K y l e was in New Orleans during M a r d i Gras.
M i n n Elois H u n t has spent the past six weks i n Nashville and
Chattanooga but is again i n Knoxville.

EPSILON

Three of our chapter members, Isabelle Stone, Margaret Graham,
and Mary Fitch are doing work i n the university this term.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 179

Catharine Sharp '10 spent a week w i t h us i n January and Mattie
Bodine '11 paid us a brief visit at Easter time.

KAPPA
Eleanor T e r r y '11 is teaching at Nathalie, Va.
Katherine March Kapper, has been visiting Randolph-Macon.
Mrs. Charles Adams, formerly Miss lone Matthews, has moved
to Memphis, Tenn., to live.

SIGMA

Isabelle Henderson has returned f r o m a long stay i n Chicago.
Geneva Watson was down f r o m Sacramento visiting at the Alpha
Omicron Pi House.
The Furlongs have sold their place at Pleasanton and are con-
sidering building in Berkeley. They are now at their summer home
at Carmel. Mrs. Furlong won a Victrola in the recent Book Lovers
contest.
Margaret Henderson Dudley and her husband, Capt. C. D .
Dudley U . S. A . , are being affiliated w i t h m i l i t a r y l i f e at M t .
Tamalpias.
Ethel Porter is teaching at Lincoln, California.
Cards are out for the wedding of Helen Bancraft and Leon
Marion Gore on A p r i l 25, 1912. M r . Gore is a Theta Delta Chi.
Helen Weeks passed through Berkeley on a visit to Hazel Skinner
Schnabel.
Ethel Foskett has been down visiting the active chapter.
Isabelle Henderson reports most interestingly of her visit to Rho
and Pi. The enthusiasm of the Rho girls over the coming conven-
tion and the southern hospitality of the Pi chapter appealed to
her as true f r a t e r n i t y attributes.
Eva Marty is expecting to visit in California during the sum-
mer.

IOTA

Elizabeth Nuckolls '09 is teaching in Bridgeport, Illinois.
Emma De W i t t '11, is teaching in Broadlands, Illinois.
E r n a Reller ' 11 is teaching i n Peoria, 111.
Every alumnae member of Iota is a subscriber f o r T o Dragma.

180 TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

BIRTHS

ALPHA

To M r . and Mrs. William Stewart Thomson, a boy on February
21, 1912.

T o M r . and Mrs. James Frame, a boy, December, 1911.

GAMMA
There has been born to M r . and M r s . Emory Hanaburgh, a
daughter, Marion Turner Hanaburgh. Mrs. Hanaburgh was
Florence Balentine '05.

DELTA
On February 13, 1912. Margaret W o r t h e n D u r g i n to M r . and
Mrs. John Durgin (Elinor Collins ex '12.)
A daughter to Mrs. M . H . Mellish (Eva Fulton '10.)
A daughter to Prof, and Mrs. Lambert on March 29, 1912.

LAMBDA

T o Mrs. H o r t o n Titus ( H e l e n Boal, ex '11) a daughter.

RHO
To Carolyn Piper Dorr, a daughter.

KAPPA
To M r . and Mrs. Bryant Herd, a daughter, on March 21.

PI

A boy was born to M r . and Mrs. John Caffery in February 1912,
in Franklin, La.

ZETA

T o E d i t h Taylor Sadler, a son in February, 1912. Mrs.
Curtis Buchanan Shockey—March 3, 1912. D r . and Park,
George C. Shockey (Laura Buchanan, Zeta '06) Melrose
Illinois.

BOSTON ALUMNAE

To Mrs. Lambert, a daughter, March 29th.

TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 181

ENGAGEMENTS

ZETA

The engagement of Mabel Williams '07 and William Beachley
was announced on Feb. 16. The wedding w i l l take place the latter
part o f June. M r . Beachley is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

At the annual banquet of Zeta chapter, on March 30 the engage-
ment of Mattie Mae Woodworth '09 and Leslie Alan Higgins, '07
of Omaha was announced. M r . Higgins is a member of Alpha Theta
Chi. The wedding will take place on June 4, at the brides home in
Lincoln.

The engagement of Helen Marie Fiske was announced at a
luncheon on A p r i l 12 to F.dwin Gardner Steckley. The wedding
w i l l take place June 12. M r . Steckley is a member o f P h i Gamma
Delta.

IOTA

The engagement of Pauline Davis, ex-'13, to M r . Claude H o l -
lister is announced.

The engagement of Annetta Stephens, '10, to M r . Robert Lee
Shute has been anounced.

The engagement of Pearl Iola Ropp, '12, to M r . Ralph Cough-
Ian is announced.

The engagement of Erna Marie Reller, '11, to M r . William
Lester has been announced.

WEDDINGS

GAMMA
E d i t h Luella Jordan, '10 was married on February 15, 1912 to
Mr. Leslie Roland Lord of Cleveland, Ohio.

IOTA
Maude Alice Bacon, ex ' 1 1 , was married to M r . Charles Nolte
on November 8. M r . and Mrs. Nolte are making their home in
Chicago.
On February 20, Florence Shinn, ex '12, was married to M r .
Lee W . Fluharty of Walla Walla, Washington. They will make
their home there.
Barbara Crow, '09, was married in June to M r . Raymond Den-
nison. M r . Dennison is a member o f Phi Gamma Delta.

182 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

KAPPA

The marriage of Mary Craig to H a l Crenshaw $ A 0, on Jan.
24, 1912 is announced. M r . and Mrs. Crenshaw are now living in
Crenshaw, Miss.

PI

Margaret Harrison Cope and Burris Wood were married in
New Orleans on January 18th. They are now living in Lake Pro-
vidence, La.

M a r y Maxon was married to Wayland Dorrance on Saturday,
March 30.

ZETA

Allene McEachron, '05, and Sidney L . Muman, '99 were
married A p r i l 10, 1912 i n Omaha at the bride's home. M r . M u -
man is a Nebraska man and a member of A l p h a T a u Omega f r a -
ternity. They are now living in Tobias, Neb.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

lit mkmarimn

SantP Haiti** fflago

(0tt fHardj Z Z n h , 1012, dlauie Stuffs? iHayu, ©mtrrmt,
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184 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA O MICRON PI

NEWS O F T H E COLLEGE AND GREEK LETTER WORLD

Exchanges please send magazines to:

Mrs. Walter Farmer, 7 Courtlandt St., Nashua, N . H .

Mrs. C . C . Bigelow, 1610 South 7 Avenue, Maywood, Illinois.

Miss Kate B . Foster, 2717 Hillegass Ave., Berkeley, C a l .

Mrs. Ward Esterly, 244 Alvarado Road, Berkeley, C a l .

We wish to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following

magazines:

November 1911—Sigma Kappa Triangle, The Eleusis of C h i

Omega, The Delta of Sigma N u Fraternity, The Beta Theta Pi, The

Kappa Alpha Theta.

December \9\\—The Lamp of Delta Zeta, The Chi Zeta Chi

Medical Record, The Adelphean of A l p h a Delta Phi.

January 1912—The Lyre of A l p h a C h i Omega, The Beta Sigma

Omicron, The Arroxv of Pi Beta Phi, The Triangle of Sigma Sigma

Sigma, The Aglaia of Phi Mu, Alpha Phi Quarterly, The Kappa

Alpha Theta.

February 1912—The Eleusis of C h i Omega, 7'he Sigma Kappa

Triangle, Themis of Zeta T a u Alpha, The Trident of Delta Delta

Delta, The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma, The Alpha Gamma Delta

Quarterly.

March 1912.—The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, The Adelphean

of Alpha Delta Phi, The Alpha Phi Quarterly, The Alpha Xi Delta,

The Aglaia of Phi Mu, The Kappa Alpha Theta.

April 1912—The Anchora of Delta Gamma.

New chapters have been installed as follows:
Kappa Alpha Theta at University of South Dakota.

Chi Omega at the University of Syracuse.
Alpha Delta Phi at Boston University.
Alpha Delta Phi at University of Illinois.
Delta Delta Delta at the University of Texas.
P i Beta Phi at the James Milliken University, Decatur, Illinois.
Since the next Convention of A l p h a Omicron P i will be June 1912
and this is last issue of T o DRAGMA before that date, it would be
well to consider the words of advice given on similar occasion by our
brothers and sisters in the Greek World.

Send a delegate to the Convention as he is your spokesman. I f you w i l l look
at how the f r a t e r n i t y has grown in the last few years, you w i l l see that we need
your delegate, for the larger things that come before the Order.

I t is each chapter's duty to lend their aid by sending a delegate, but they are
not " a l l of i t , " let every-body come.—Chi Zeta Chi Medical Record.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 185

We hope that none of the chapters w i l l send to the coming convention dele-
gates instructed to vote in any particular matter upon questions likely to come
up f o r consideration. I t has been held f r o m time to time by the difFerent con-
ventions that such instructions are not binding upon the delegates, but fre-
quently a member w i t h a peculiar sense of honor w i l l feel that he is bound
by such instructions in spite of the ruling of the convention and it is therefore
best f o r the chapters to avoid any such conflict of conscience and opinion by
sending delegates free to vote upon matters coming up for consideration after
they have heard the argument about the matter.

Particularly is i t desirable that no instructions shall be given concerning
votes upon applications f o r charters. There is always presented to each conven-
tion, at the time that an application for a charter comes up f o r consideration, a
mass of evidence f o r and against the application which has not herefore been
in possession o f any one of the chapters. I t has more than once happened that
a delegate has been sent by a chapter instructed to vote in favor of an applica-
tion who felt himself in duty bound to vote against it after the presentation
of more information concerning i t before the convention. A n d the reverse has
also occurred. I t is much better f o r the chapters to choose delegates in whom
they have confidence and to allow them to vote after they have been f u l l y i n -
formed concerning applications f o r charters, and then to exercise their best
judgment, rather than to hamper the fraternity by an illconsidered action of a
chapter made upon inadequate information.—Be/a Theta Pi.

SUGGESTIONS TO CHAPTERS I N CHOOSING DELEGATES

I . Do not choose as delegates girls whose return to college next f a l l is
doubtful.

2. Choose those who can best transfer to the chapter at large the enthusiasm,
knowledge and t r a i n i n g derived at Convention.

3. Select an alternate f o r each delegate; so that in case of the latter's i n -
ability to attend, a definite provision w i l l have been made for the chapter's f u l l
representation.

4. Bring a note book—so that points of especial interest to your chapter
may be remembered and emphasized.

5. A l l Governing Council, Chapter and Alumnae Association Reports must
be written in ink on one side of legal-cap paper—so that they may be turned
over without change to the Grand Secretary for record i n the Convention
Minutes.

6. There was a f o r m of Chapter Report adopted at the last Convention.
Delegates w i l l find this outline in the 1910 Minutes, and they w i l l please make
out their reports in accordance with the newly adopted form.

LOUESE MONNING,

President Grand Council of Phi Mu.

Apropos o f convention—may we make several suggestions to the chapters?
First. Select your delegate with care and discretion. See that she has
executive a b i l t y ; be sure that she can grasp details; give her some power of her
own, in addition to your instructions; impress her with the importance of rep-
senting her chapter; and i f possible let the honor and pleasure go to a member
who has worked hard f o r her chapter, who has been true and responsive to its
slightest need.

Second. Discuss thoroughly in meeting the vital, matters to be brought up
in convention; argue f r o m both sides; t r y not to be influenced by narrow,

186 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA O MICRON PI

personal opinions but to regard the matter f r o m a broader standpoint as i t may
affect the greater l i f e of the sorority.

Third. Be lenient in regard to expansion i f the college and the petitioners
are worthy. I f you are fortunate enough to have the word and assurance of a
wise alumna—the recommendation of one high in authority—yield to i t with
the consciousness that those who have helped to build the mighty structure of
the sorority know best and are actuated by the truest and highest motives. O f t e n
unworthy objections, foolish prejudices blind us to real good; the true Gamma
Phi Beta chapter w i l l not give up its individuality but in some cases be grac-
iously w i l l i n g to trust the w i l l of the majority.

Fourth. Give your support to any measure that w i l l strengthen the financial
condition of the sorority. Gamma Phi's progress has been sure and-steady; as
she expands and grows, her demands are correspondingly numerous and a well-
defined policy is all the more necessary. A fuller treasury w i l l mean a more
powerful organization, a more centralized government and—here speaks the
heart of the editor—a more worthy magazine!

Fifth. T r y to infuse a little of the national l i f e into your own chapter.
Send a camera along w i t h your delegate so that you may see f o r yourselves
the representatives o f the various sections of the country. Instruct her to bring
back the latest chapter songs the different chapter ideas and the many details
that help to make this biennial gathering of Gamma Phi's memorable, invig-
orating and inspiring.—Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta.

Twenty-second Convention of Alpha P h i will be held at Minne-
apolis June 25-28. T h i s is what the Minneapolis chapter says;

Firstly. Send as many delegates as you possibly can, f o r the more the
merrier.

Secondly. Come prepared to find that Tune is no where more beautiful than
in Minnesota. Especially the kind of June weather we have ordered f o r the
week of the great event.

Thirdly. Don't forget that you w i l l see the great Mississippi at its most
picturesque point as i t winds through the campus of the university. Y o u w i l l
see the falls of Minnehaha, made famous by Longfellow, and many other
places of interest. While you are doing all this you w i l l be e n j o y i n g the
w o n d e r f u l privilege of meeting Alpha Phi girls f r o m the east and west.

Fourthly. We are w o r k i n g hard to open our new chapter house in honor
of your coming. I t is no longer an air castle but a reality and we w i l l be so
proud to welcome you all into our own home.

To sum up.—We would say to one and all—don't delay but plan now to come
to Convention. I t is worth while; it is broadening; it is educational. I t
should be a d e l i g h t f u l and happy occasion for all who come and we are going
to t r y to make i t so.—Alpha Phi Quarterly.

We are anxious to have a large representation of the older alumnae at Con-
vention. The more remote you are f r o m f r a t e r n i t y affairs so much the more do
you need a sight of these bright happy girls and to breathe in some of their
enthusiasm. I t will make you live over again your own college days and will
freshen your interest in Alpha Phi. I n these busy days when our lives are
so f u l l of activities of all kinds i t is very easy to have our f r a t e r n i t y interest
crowded to one side, no matter how loyal we are. This is especially true i f one
does not l i v in or near a college community. Convention w i l l b r i n g you i n touch

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI 187

with all the f r a t e r n i t y business. The young girls need the inspiration and the
encouragement of your wider experience and you need the refreshment of their
enthusiasm and loyalty. The General Board needs you a l l . — A l p h a Phi
Quarterly.

Delta Delta Delta holds its Convention at Ohio State University
next August. T h e girl's dormitory, Oxley H a l l , has ben secured to
house the delegates.

C h i Omega holds its sixth Biennial Convention at Niagara Falls,
June 29-July 3, 1912.

CONVENTION

By K A T H E R I N E T O B I N M U L U N S

When the Beta at convention meets the brother Beta there,
When Kappa Sig or Zeta Psi "conventions" anywhere,
They smoke a cigarette or two, and tell a witty tale—
But the female at convention is more loyal than the male.

For she gathers in great numbers f r o m the east and f r o m the west
And her great judicial mind puts brand new theories to test;
She settles world-wide questions, and her judgments never f a i l ,
For the female at convention is much wiser than the male.

And when important things in her inimitable way
Are settled, and she closes up the business of the day,
She dances, sings, or acts a play, and sparkling words prevail,
For the female at convention is more clever than the male.

N . B.—We really don't believe these horrid things we say
But then they're surely just as wise as Rudyard's anyway.
He, cruel man, our pretty sex d i d foolishly assail—
Together, girls!—The female is much nicer than the male!

The Key o f Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The Eleusis of C h i Omega quotes the following group of mis-
cellaneous items from the Record, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

A t the University of Nebraska a trophy has been offered f o r the f r a t e r n i t y
which has the highest scholarship standing each semester.

A t Northwestern University, each f r a t e r n i t y and sorority is allowed one
informal party a year.

Delta Upsilon has decided upon the employment o f a permanent secretary,
and the editorial and business management of its Quarterly w i l l be among his
duties.

A K S governs itself between convention by a board of nine trustees, the
Yale chapter being always represented and the other chapter having a repre-
sentative about one-fifth of the time.

The third edition o f the Manual o f Phi Delta Theta is now in the hands of
the printers.

A K E has only one official jeweler. S X had the same matter up at con-
vention and will probably adopt a similar provision.

188 TO PRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI

A prize of $50 has been offered to that chapter o f Sigma Chi which has the

best series of letters in the current volume o f the Quarterly. In addition, a

prize of $5 w i l l be awarded f o r that letter which seems to be the best in each

particular issue.

K A 9 has just published a new hand-book and ordered a new edition of
the song-book.

By action o f the board of trustees, fraternities w i l l be allowed to build
houses on the campus of the University of Kansas.

A t the University o f Kansas a freshman must have passed 75 per cent of his
college work f o r one term before being eligible to initiation into a fraternity.

Each f r a t e r n i t y in the University of C a l i f o r n i a is supplied at least twice a
semester w i t h marks of its members.

A f t e r this year, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin may not j o i n
a f r a t e r n i t y , room in a f r a t e r n i t y house, or even take his meals in one. T o be
eligible the f o l l o w i n g year he must pass all his courses.

A similar rule goes into effect at Missouri.

1. Phi M u was admitted to the National Pan-Hellenic Congress, Christmas

Day, 1912, having dropped its Belmont Chapter.
2. Alpha Epsilon Iota (Medical) at their December convention with-

drew their petition f o r membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Congress
g i v i n g as their reason: "Objection would be justly made to a voting Pan-

Hellenic delegate who belonged both to a literary and medical sorority."

Wesleyan University, Connecticut has done away with the coe-ducational
plan, and the last of the women graduated w i t h the class o f I Q I I . W i t h the
newer plan going into operation the natural extinction of the Wesleyan chap-
ters of the Delta Delta Delta and the Alpha Delta Gamma Sororities is
evident.—Delta of Sigma Nu.

A n article entitled "Political Power of the College Greeks, a
Baffling Problem for Party Leaders" was reprinted by the Delta of
Sigma Nu.- I n the Editorial on this same article of the Delta U p -
silon Quarterly it is interesting to note how many of the prominent
men in public life are College Fraternity men.

[ E D I T O R I A L N O T E . — T h i s article appeared in the New Y o r k Herald. Sunday,
January 8, 1911, accompanied by portraits of President T a f t , Nicholas Long-
worth, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, John D. Long, Henry M .
Hoyt, Bellamy Storer, Charles P. T a f t , Victor H . Metcalf, Charles H . Treat,
and the following members of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity: James A. Gar-
field, Charles E . Hughes, Frank H . Hitchcock, Erman J. Ridgeway, W i l l i a m
Travers Jerome, and M . Linn Bruce. There was also published a group photo-
graph of the Lafayette chapter installation committee, 1885, of which Justice
Hughes and Commissioner E . M . Bassett were members.

The article is here reproduced, not because we take any stock in the theory
that college f r a t e r n i t y men as a class are beginning to pay politics f o r public
office, but simply because it makes interesting reading matter, and shows a keen
public interest in the growth and purpose of the fraternity system. The very
men o f our Fraternity whose pictures are published wth the article would be
the first to resent the insinuation that the fraternal bond is becoming a political
wire. The fact that Governor Hughes was a candidate f o r the Presidential
nomination and that Frank H . Hitchcock was the manager of the T a f t

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 189

campaign should be sufficient evidence to allay any fears as to the existence of

the college f r a t e r n i t y as an influential unit in politics.

The article was evidently written by one having only a hazy idea as to

Delta Upsilon history. I t is news to learn that James A. Garfield was a

founder of the Fraternity, and that its origin goes no farther back than the

"early sixties." A g a i n , "Greir, o f Pennsylvania," is a name that does not

appear i n the Decennial Catalogue.']—Delta Upsilon Quarterly.

Following the lead of the men's fraternities Kappa Kappa Gamma
published i n 1882, "The Golden Key," which since appears as "The Key."
Delta Gamma followed in 1884 w i t h "The Anchora," Pi Beta Phi in 1885
w i t h The Arrow, and Kappa Alpha Theta w i t h the Kappa Alpha Theta.
Between 1888 and 1899, Alpha P h i , Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Chi Omega,
and Chi Omega followed suit, and the last ten years have put upon the
Greek press publications f r o m almost all the Greek-letter societies, pro-
fessional and literary.—Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha.

The college f r a t e r n i t y system as i t exists now is no monopoly. The exist-
ing fraternities have no copyright on the letters of the Greek alphabet or
on various symbols which may be selected or on f o r m s o f badges which may
be designed. The way is clear f o r non-fraternity men to organize as many
more fraternities as they may desire, even enough to f u r n i s h membership
to every student. Some of the persons who criticise fraternities seem to
think that i f fraternities were abolished there would be ideal college de-
mocracy. They appear to forget that this would be opposed to human
nature. I n all conditions of society and i n all places there are class dis-
tinctions based on lines of social cleavage. There is no more aristocratic
institution in the country than Princeton where fraternities have been pro-
hibited over sixty years. The local clubs there are as exclusive as are
chapters of fraternities in any institution i n the United States. A t Harvard
and Yale, where fraternities are a negligible factor, there are many class
distinctions based on b i r t h , social position and wealth, and the highest social
honors that students can receive are invitations to join the local clubs and
class societies.—Scroll, Phi Delta Theta quoted by Eleusis of Chi Omega.

How many of us realize the part which the chapter home plays in the
development of the sorority or fraternity ideal?

The work of the chapter house has just begun when the rushing season

is over. Then comes the d r i l l , the training, and the a d j u s t i n g of the man to

the home and the home to the man. W i t h some the adjustment is easy; w i t h

others i t is not. / / becomes a science; each man has to be dealt with and

studied according to his appreciation, his way of looking at things, his

pliability. The benefit on those doing the training too, for they learn human

nature, learn tact, learn how to be firm yet agreeable, learn how to get at

a man by appealing to that part of his nature that can be touched. The

chapter house is'a laboratory for the study of human nature. Not all mem-

bers avail themselves o f i t to be sure, but most of them do, and so come out

of college with an understanding of humanity and the motives that move

mankind, which some men do not gain i n a lifetime.

So much f o r the coldly practical side of chapter house l i f e . But that is
not all. The discipline and effort are after all a side issue, a means to an
end, and that end finds its f r u i t i o n i n the realm o f sentiment.

190 TO DRAG MA OP ALPHA O MICRON PI

To tell a man is your brother because the ritual prescribes, does not
make h i m so, however deep and impressive the vows may be. Now that
which makes brotherhood is community of interest, common aims, common
plans, common hopes, common impulses, common likes and dislikes, common
worries common problems of life, a common name, a thorough intimate
understanding w i t h each other.—Kappa Sigma, Caduceus quoted by Alpha
Gamma Delta Quarterly.

Have you had so many rules and regulations dear freshmen, and so
much big-sisterly advice that you cannot listen to another suggestion? It's
a good suggestion—and i f you are a wise little freshman and i f you realize
that to be a true Gamma Phi you must be a well-rounded college woman—
you w i l l look beyond the college* walls. Before you realize i t , Commencement
w i l l bring you face to face with the vital question, "What next."—and this
question w i l be best answered by the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. This
organization will wisely direct the energy of the enthusiastic graduate, it will
solve each problem of the first restless yoer out of the class-room, it w i l l keep
alive the ties of the Alma Mater, it will offer every opportunity to put to prac-
tical test the knowledge and the theories of f o u r years' training.—Crescent of
Gamma Phi Beta.

A COLLECT FOR CLUB W O M E N

Keep us, O God, f r o m pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, i n

deed. Let us be done with f a u l t - f i n d i n g and leave off self-seeking. May

we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face—without self-

pity and without prejudice. May we be never hasty in judgment and always

generous. Let us take time f o r all things; make us grow calm, serene,

gentle. Teach us to put into action our better impulses, s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d

and u n a f r a i d . Grant that we may realize i t is the little things that create

differences; that i n the big things of life we are at one. A n d may we

strive to touch and to know the great, common woman's-heart of us a l l , and,

O L o r d God, let us forget not to be k i n d ! MARY STUART.

Adelphean of Alpha Delta Phi.

A T O A S T TO T H E A L U M N I

Do you ever notice a little child walking along the street with his mother?
I f you have done so, you know exactly what happens. As long as the
mother holds the little hand the child keeps i n a straight path, neither get-
t i n g into mischief nor f a l l i n g into ditches, but as soon as the hand is re-
leased, unless the child is a very exceptional one, he is here and there on
the street, and doing almost everythng that he should not do.

Having gone through college yourselves, I am sure all of you are
aware of this fact that the road is not an easy one to travel. Sometimes we
are on the mountain top and sometimes in the valley, which seems too deep
for us ever to rise f r o m , i f we are compelled to do i t alone. We need some-
one to give us a helping hand, someone who has had more experience than
we, to walk along with us and be ever ready to do her part i n helping us to
the mountain top. Appreciative of what you have meant to us in the past,
we turn to you, alumnae, as the rock upon which we can lean, k n o w i n g that
although without you we are helpless, yet with you a l l things are possible.

LAURA BODIE WEST,

Aglaia of Phi M u .

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 191

I

ARE W E SETTING T H E RIGHT EXAMPLE FOR OUR FRESHMEN?

Certainly d u r i n g the rushing season we give the freshmen our atten-
tion and appear to be interested* in their welfare, but after they are pledged,
we look out f o r our own interest and let the freshmen go their own way,
never thinking that probably they have individual problems which are often
very discouraging and that a little help or interest f r o m an upperclassman
would be very welcome. I f the freshmen live i n the house, we are liable to
keep in close touch with them, but often they only take their meals i n the
house so that we only see them on rare occasions, unless we go out of our
way to b r i g them into close touch with all the girls.

When girls enter college they are usually in the pliable state, and when
they leave college, their characters and ideals are more or less formed. The
most important years of a girl's l i f e are spent in college and we must make the
freshman make the most of these years by setting the best possible example
before them.

A f t e r a g i r l is pledged, f r a t e r n i t y l i f e is new to her and she is apt to
act and do just as the upperclassmen do. We tell the freshmen they should
always place scholarship above every thing else, and have systematic methods
for study, but unless we abide by these same principles, the pledges w i l l not.
I f we associate only with Kappas and do not take any interest in student
activities, they are liable to think these are the ideals of Kappa.

We are hoping f o r success f o r the freshmen and f o r success f o r the frater-
nity, but we must realize the importance of our influence i n the making of their
success and the success of Kappa. We must always live up to Kappa's mean-
ing and Kappa's standards, so when these pledges are initiated they w i l l realize
what Kappa means to college l i f e . — K e y of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

For the last three years we have been t r y i n g to make our subscription list
the length i t should be f o r a f r a t e r n i t y the size of Delta Gamma. We have
not started a campaign in the chapters f o r we felt the chapters should be i n -
terested without any extra inducements. But we seem to get so f a r and no far-
ther. I n our summer letters this year we asked that everyone t r y to get one new
subscriber. I f they tried they had very little success. Every active g i r l is
required to take the magazine so all the growth must come f r o m the alumnae.
Every alumnae chapter is supposed to have two members at least subscribing.
Some have many more and some have just two. We have found however that
the greater number of discontinuances come f r o m the girls leaving college,
before completing their course. W h y is this? Are the girls who go one, two
or three years less interested? Are they or many of them those girls who
take the magazine and never look inside of i t ? Are they the "hangers on"
and not the "doers?" Otherwise why should they let go the only means they have
of keeping in touch with the national organization? What is the object of
belonging to a national fraternity rather than a local club i f you are not going
to make the most of it? Put on the coat i f it fits. This does not mean all girls
who have to leave college early nor does i t mean that some four year girls
should not be included.

A t convention we started our five year subscription plan to get these very
girls f o r we have found that i f a g i r l takes Anchora f o r a year after she is
out of college she is very apt to continue indefinitely. Is i t because she really
finds something o f interest iii the magazine when she takes time to read it?
I f the associate editors would get the girls who do not expect to return next
year to subscribe before leaving this year, they w i l l find they are able to get
more than the required number of alumnae subcribers.—Anchora of Delta
Gamma.

3L 3L Newman

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