Alumni Journal

et al.: Alumni Journal JOURNAL alumni » TRADITIONS Members of the Alpha chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at SU, circa 1890s. t he SyrAcUSe triAd t he sororities Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, and Alpha Gamma delta were founded at SU more of our fraternity and sorority community and are alumni.syr.edu than a century ago delighted that Alpha Gamma delta has rejoined it,” says eddie d. Banks, director of the office of By chArnice Milton fraternity and Sorority Affairs. “After all, this is where it all began.” Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Beta have the dis- AS the only All-feMAle reSidence hAll tinction of being the first Greek organizations for on campus since 2005, the Butterfield house women on campus. Although SU was founded as on comstock Avenue stands as an anomaly. a coeducational institution, “women felt an atmo- however, it was once the home of Alpha Gamma sphere of opposition and criticism,” according to delta, a Greek organization for women founded a letter written by Alpha Phi co-founder Martha at Syracuse University in 1904. the house was foote crow. “We had no chance to blossom forth designed by emily Butterfield, a founding member in a free atmosphere of encouragement and ap- who became a prominent architect, and is sched- proval.” on September 18, 1872, 14 women gath- uled to return as the sorority’s residence this fall. ered at 41 irving Street for what became known Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the first Alpha Phi chapter meeting. out of this 1-800-SUALUMS (782-5867) 1-800-SUALUMS Alpha Gamma delta wasn’t the only sorority group, 10 became founding members. founded on the hill. Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Alpha Phi wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t Beta were also established here. nationally, for Greek professor Wellesley P. coddington. he these three sororities are known as the “Syracuse convinced the group to incorporate under new triad.” Although Alpha Gamma delta shut down york State law, applying under the name “the at SU a decade ago, its participation in last fall’s Michaelanean Society” (as Greek-letter orga- Bid day marked the return of the Syracuse triad nizations weren’t included in such laws at the on campus. “We are proud of the long tradition time). he also drafted the motto, co-wrote the 44 Syracuse University Magazine Photo courtesy of Gamma Phi Beta international Sorority Published by SURFACE, 2011 1 Syracuse University Magazine, Vol. 28, Iss. 2 [2011], Art. 9 in 1882, the sisters of Alpha Phi held their first convention in Syracuse. Seven delegates attended: six from Syracuse and one from northwestern. constitution, and to speak,” o’Brien says. encouraged Alpha “But they changed too.” Phi to establish what Since their founding, each is now known as the triad member has tackled first women’s frater- different issues through nity chapter house, philanthropic work. de- located where the spite such efforts—and its newhouse 1 building reputation as the founding stands today. chapter—SU’s Alpha Gam- on november 11, ma delta chapter closed 1874, four students its doors in 2001 because founded Gamma of dwindling membership. Phi Beta. one of the “[We’ve gotten a lot] of founders, frances words of encouragement,” haven, was the chapter president emily daughter of then-chancellor e. o. haven, sota, dePauw (both 1908), and north- furnal ’01 told The Daily Orange. “every- a proponent of women’s education. western (1913). one is really in disbelief as we all are.” Although initially invited to join Alpha Phi, today, all three sororities have chap- nine years after leaving SU, Alpha haven declined, opting to create a new ters throughout the United States and Gamma delta recolonized the campus organization with three other unaffiliated canada. they maintain a special bond be- last october, selecting more than 100 women. Among the group was helen cause of their Syracuse roots, and some women to join. “the caliber of women we dodge, who attended the first Alpha Phi campuses hold triad events, according met at Syracuse was astounding,” Alpha meeting, but rejected membership be- to eileen day o’Brien ’71, who pledged Gamma delta international president cause she felt she didn’t fit in. Gamma Phi Gamma Phi Beta in 1968. o’Brien’s Jackie Brannon Stutts said in a press Beta is best known for coining the term daughter pledged Alpha Gamma delta statement. “these new members express “sorority,” whose Medieval latin roots at indiana University, and the Syracuse one of the highest commitments to es- translate to “sisterhood.” triad has become a tradition in their tablishing a chapter that truly stands out By 1904, there were seven sororities on family. “i encouraged her to reach out to among Greek life at Syracuse.” campus, but that didn’t stop coddington the Gamma Phis and the Alpha Phis and As for future Syracuse triad events on from forming another one. on May 30, 11 see if they could do something together,” campus, Gamma Phi Beta president Stacy women attended the first Alpha Gamma o’Brien says. “She thought it was a good McAllister ’12 hints about the possibility. delta chapter meeting in his home. Since idea.” “Since Alpha Gamma delta just returned, its beginning, Alpha Gamma delta faced When o’Brien pledged in winter 1968, relationships between the presidents are steep competition from other women’s social change was under way with the still developing,” she says. “however, i sororities and was even invited to join women’s and civil rights movements do see them becoming stronger in the another national organization. however, gaining momentum and Greek involve- future.” the three presidents have been following coddington’s advice, Alpha ment decreased as a result. “Sororities discussing plans for an event in the fall. Gamma delta declined and launched new could have become an anachronistic part “i just hope the next triad event happens chapters at Wisconsin (1905), Minne- of college history—social dinosaurs, so before i graduate,” McAllister laughs. Summer 2011 45 https://surface.syr.edu/sumagazine/vol28/iss2/9Photo courtesy of Alpha Phi international fraternity 2 et al.: Alumni Journal THE JoUrney classnotes continUeS NewS from SU AlumNI » Who WoUld hAve thoUGht SeND uS NewS Of when i visited campus almost yOuR AccOmplIShments. nine years ago with my wife, To submit information for Class Notes via the Internet, go son, and daughter (class of to alumni.syr.edu and register with the SU Alumni Online 2008), that one day i would Community. Items will appear in the magazine and in represent all of our alumni the Class Notes section of the online community. Items as president of the Syracuse can also be sent to Alumni Editor, Syracuse University University Alumni Association Magazine; 820 Comstock Avenue, Room 308; Syracuse, (SUAA) and before the Board NY 13244-5040. of trustees. or that someone like me—a Whitman School graduate who wrote his honors Denise LeFrak Calicchio ’63 thesis on SU’s marketing strat- (edU) co-wrote Rooftop Gardens 50s (rizzoli), a real estate and design egies in admissions, fund-raising activities, parents programs, Joseph F. Zimmerman G’51, book that profiles Manhattan’s and alumni affairs—would have an opportunity to become so G’54 (MAX) of delmar, n.y., is most exclusive addresses and passionately involved in all of these areas. or that my SU “hobby” professor of political science at their private gardens. would turn into a special way for me to connect with alumni the rockefeller college of the William K. Weisenberg ’66 around the world. State University of new york at Albany. he wrote Horizontal (A&S), assistant executive following my family’s visit to SU in 2002, i re-established Federalism: Interstate Relations director for public affairs, the northern new Jersey Alumni club, and, in 2005, joined the (SUny Press), which provides government relations, and national alumni board. i’m also an alumni admissions representa- detailed information and diversity initiatives for the ohio State Bar Association, tive and served with my wife, Beth, on the national parents board. analysis of interstate relations, and advances recommendations received the Bar Medal Award however, my deepest passion has been to promote a culture of to improve the economic and for exemplifying meritorious philanthropy, both personally and among alumni. As chair of the political unions. service to the legal profession, SUAA’s new philanthropy committee, i worked with development community, and humanity. staff to launch the Generation orange initiative, which seeks to Paul Zuckerman ’51 (A&S), G’67, G’97 (edU) of Salt lake Robert Pressman G’67, G’70 engage Syracuse University graduates from the past 10 years, city designed and constructed (edU), a pediatric psychologist and also to reach out to alumni clubs around the country. Wasatch Wildflowers, a in Providence, r.i., his wife My journey continues as SUAA president, a position i take photographic exhibition that stephanie Donaldson- Pressman ’69 (A&S), a licensed very seriously. i hope to be a bridge for those of you who want provides easy identification of wildflowers in the central clinical social worker and trainer to reconnect with SU like i did. i also want to be a resource for Wasatch and Western in family therapy, and their important information about SU so you can stay informed. in rocky Mountain ranges. the daughter, rebecca Jackson, co- fact, i recently launched a monthly president’s blog, which you exhibition, which was created wrote Good Night and Matilda & Maxwell’s Good Night (Good can find at alumni.syr.edu and read about my unique perspective for the summer Utah State fair and the Salt lake county Parent inc.

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