GAMMA ETA CHAPTER HousE--MAssAcHUSETTs STATE CoLLE<;F Kappa Alpha Theta
e. Theta~ s Newest Chapte" Gamma Eta Chapter at Massachusetts State College i Main st. Essex Junction.
p IONEERING in the East has ber 1, and pledging -0f charter members Decem marked the fraternity's progress during this ber 12, Massachusetts State Panhellenic had college year. First came Gamma Zeta chapter, conducted its fall rush, and the chapter to be 't. Lawton, Interbay, and the first national fraternity chapter for girls on come Thetas, had acquired sixteen new pledges. the campus of Connecticut State college, char Under their Panhellenic rules, these pleqges ter,,,.granted at convention, and chapter installed must acquire sophomore standing before they in October 1942. may be initiated. And, the week-end of pledging And now,_ ~n February, comes the installa for charter members, was the same week en.4.,,on tion of Gamma Eta chapter. At the time of last which Kappa Kappa Gamma installed a cha~~er summer's convention the petition of Phi Zeta at Massachusetts State, the group to whiC~lit for a charter at Massachusetts State college, had had granted a charter at its 1942 summe.t/:on- not been on file long enough to permit con vention. . -~0 vention to vote the charter, it desired to grant. -~~ But, convention promised the group, that unless Massachusetts State Coll~g~:: some unforeseeable problem arose, a charter would be forthcoming November 1. No such One of the outstanding achievemet#;· of the yself grow daily, physi- problem arose, and so, November 1 the group middle of the nineteenth century was the- 're 1ally, emotionally, and received a wire stating the charter was granted. markable development in the field of science. All hoped for installation before Christmas This, in turn, brought about great. changes in lighten any temporary -but the time between November 1 and Christ industry, transportation, and agriculture, which in youth or middle age, mas vacation was so short that, in view of war stimulated the desire for new information and ttitude-"What's the i1se time restrictions on travel and demands on the further training. People were enthusiastic about to get as much out of time of Council members, it became impossible the possibilities of the future. It is not surpris as I possibly can." for those hopes to materialize. So, precedent ing, therefore, that scientific courses gradu~lly ually alert, awake, alive was broken, and though the promised fraternity found their way into the academies and col c, say and do not say. badges were not ready to wear home for the leges, though not·-without opposition from the :ally seek to preserve my holidays, pledge pins were. Mts Cook, president friends of the old classical training. In many r time, through adequate of District IV, went to Amherst and on Decem instances institutions founded along lit
on the faculty and fou campus. The number < creased during the first 1867, forty-seven had b now over twelve hund On April 15, 1931, the was changed by legislat chusetts State college. l ning the college has gr fluence has been felt in t Women were as scare when two co-eds grad1 The number has increas when over one-third of of females. They are Women's Student gov their head. In 1940, th honor group) was foun and senior girls outsHm arship, and extracurricu Massachusetts State tories for women, and · women's fraternities. Women's Fral On the campus there three national women's Kappa Kappa Gamma, : Phi Zeta was the third affiliated with a Natior All year long, W.A.i sor Inter-Greek compet ball, hockey, volleybal spring, the Intersororit sponsors the annual si which time, each house two declamers-one in Two plaques are aware of the sing, and one f the two most outstan members of the faculty Frequently, Phi Zet members with one of evening meal. It also E. pledges of other grout Of course, competitic election of the Honora: ing of the Winter C Court. Two Phi Zeta' court last year. This y GAMMA ETA CHAPTER-GAMMA ETA PLEDGES chosen queen, and Mc Kappa Alpha Theta 185
on the faculty and four wooden buildings on Murrey were members of her court. campus. The number of students steadily in Phi Zeta has its own scholarship plaque creased during the first term and by December, upon which is engraved each year the name of 1867, forty-seven had been admitted. There are the girl with the highest average, and the name now over twelve hundred. students attending. of the girl showing the greatest improvement in On April 15, 1931, the name of the institution her marks. It also has a plaque upon which was changed by legislative enactment to Massa is placed each May, the name of the senior girl chusetts State college. From its modest begin who has done the most for her chapter. ning the college has grown steadily and its in Under the direction of Helen Berger, elected fluence has been felt in many parts of the world. Head Usher this year, the women's fraternities Women were as scarce as bananas until 1917, usher at the various college Social unions. All when two co-eds graduated from the college. of the groups usher at some time during the The number has increased amazingly until now, year for Sunday Vesper services. when over one-third of the enrollment consists of females. They are self-governed, with the Theta Activities Women's Student government association at their head. In 1940, the Isogon society (senior Six of the new Theta chapter are members honor group) was founded, made up of junior of the Women's Student government associa and senior girls outstitnding in character, schol tion: Olive Tracy, member of the Board; Betty arship, and extracurricular activities. Bates and Helen Beaumont, Sophomore repre Massachusetts State college has two dormi sentatives on Council; and Cynthia Leete, Bar tories for women, and thete are five houses for bara Crowther, and Jean Burgess, Proctors in the women's fraternities. Womens' dormitories. Jean is also vice-president of the Home economics club. Women's Fraternity Groups Ruth Baker is president of the Women's ath letic association, of which Patricia Anderson is On the campus there are two local groups and secretary. Five Thetas are sports managers: Olive three national women's fraternities, Chi Omega, Tracy, skiing; Jane Smith, dancing; Shirley Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Kappa Alpha Theta. Salsman, hockey; Virginia Julian, volleyball; Phi Zeta was the third local group tp become and Marilyn Hadley, bowling. Louise Pennock, affiliated with a National fraternity. pledge, is well known for her beautiful figure All year long, W.A.A. Sports managers spon skating. sor Inter-Greek competition in swimming, soft Reporting for the college newspaper, The ball, hockey, volleyball, bowling, etc. In the collegian is Betty Bates. Marcia Green was a spring, the Intersorority council (Panhellenic) member of the Index, yearbook board. sponsors the annual sing and declamation, at Mary Jean Carpenter and Cynthia Leete are which time, each house presents two songs, and vice-presidents of the senior and junior classes, two declamers-one in prose and one in verse. respectively. Mary Jean is also president of the Two plaques are awarded, one for the winner Intersorority council and is a member of the of the sing, and one for the house presenting active Student Defense council. the two most outstanding declamers. Three Helen VanMeter, manager of the Women's members of the faculty judge the contests. Glee club, also managed our annual operetta. Frequently, Phi Zeta exchanged 10 or 15 Helen and Betty sang solo parts in the Yeomen members with one of the other houses for an of the Guard and seven of the girls from the evening meal. It also gave teas for seniors and house were members of the chorus. Nine Thetas pledges of other groups. sing in Glee club; Barbara Bird and Lee Hodges Of course, competition is keen for the annual sing in Statettes, a quartette, and Betty Bates election of the Honorary Colonel and the judg and Helen VanMeter sing in the Bay Statettes, ing of the Winter Carnival queen and her a sextette. Pledges sing in the Freshman choir. Court. Two Phi Zeta's were on the queen's Irene Strong, Sandy Sanford and Helen Van court last year. This year Daphne Miller was Meter play in the Massachusetts State College chosen queen, and Marilyn Hadley, and Jane band, of which Jean Gould, pledge, is Drum 186 Kappa Alpha Theta
Majorette. All of the cheer leaders for the past Installation service and Installation luncheon Of course Helen Van two,years have been Phi Zetas and now, Thetas. followed on Sunday, February 7, both at the central influence in her Seven of our girls are members of Roister lord Jeffrey Inn, in Amherst. Then all the but she is always interf Doisters, dramatic society. lee Hodges, Jean Thetas returned to the "Kappa Alpha Theta And there is another Gould, and Nancy Andrews achieved member house" for a reception, where Gamma Eta's one hand is "Ditto" Srr ship through their excellent work in the Fresh official guests were introduced to the faculty avenue-aren't the blue man play which won the interclass· competition. friends of the new chapter. neat novelty songs she Pinky Smith, senior, has been an active member Delegates from college chapters who assisted wolf when it comes to t for four years. Frances Judd, Patricia Anderson, in the installation were-Virginia Shaw, Iota, House chairman beautif and Irene Strong are sophomore members. Corrine Hollowell and Doris Welsh, lambda, of.the lack of heat, by h( Annually, M.S.C. celebrates Dad's-day. For Betty Hughes and Caroline Dawson, Mu, Doro Opposite Tracy is Mary . the third consecutive year, Helen Smith and thy Borchert, Chi, Leslie Bodner, Alpha Kappa, you should see her ;vhe Daphne Miller have been members of this com and Betty Deu, Gamma Zeta, the latter two be serious and efficient, mittee, this year acting as chairman and secre substituting for the two Canadian chapters· of settling down to be a go1 tary. Betty Bates was also a member of the com District IV, who because of war restrictions on fourth, not the dummy, mittee. travel from their country could not be present. She's really taking this J Mary Jean Carpenter and Daphne Miller are Alumnre delegate was Marianne Harcourt Eagle nati.Iral neatness and a· members of the senior honorary society, Isogon. son, Boston alumnre, visiting alumna, Miss Har real helpmate. Each year at the Junior-senior processional pre riet Elliott, lambda, from Northampton, and Next, on the couch, l ceding Commencement, seven junior girls are resident alumnre, Mrs Grace law Foorde, Iota, Goodhue, our etiquette tapped for membership to this society. Mary and Miss Mildred Briggs, Alpha. Officers who job. But even she gets I Jean and Daphne were also selected to have conducted the service were Mrs Higbie, Grand till you hear her laugh their biographies appear in the 1942-43 Who's president, Mrs Browne, Grand vice president our tall blonde, just refa who in American universities. (in charge), Miss Green, editor, Mrs Cook, Dis curl up in front of the Elinor Koonz is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, trict president, and Mrs Aline Smith Wright, favorite tricks ; Betsy hi scholarship fraternity. former Grand vice-president. she is one of the juniors And so, after historical formality let's take a program-ambitious ?- Installation ' peek at the charming girls of Gamma Eta chap Sitting cross-legged c Plans went forward for installation to be ter, as they see, and love, each other. of bridge. Pat Andersor. the week-end of Kappa Alpha Theta's birthday, who have showed gre the last week-end in January. And then Personality Sketches members and taking ff Massachusetts State college, picked that week Could it be that there are outstanding per quite an instigator whei end for its annual Winter cornival ! And so, sonalities in our chapter? Certainly there are. of thing ; but she's also installation dates were shifted to the following Just come into our living room and I'll tell you and buying to do while week, though Phi Zeta had offered to give up about a few of them. this games is Kay Stock participation in the Carnival for the excitement You'll see a typical after dinner scene most who has a wonderful v of installation. Fortunately this sacrifice was any night when most of the girls are gathered We move on to Bar not approved by Kappa Alpha Theta, because in •this room, for a bit of relaxation before the front of the fireplace. 1 if it had been Theta would have missed the evening grind session begins. but always willing to s1 distinction brought to installation by Phi Zeta Right over in the big corner chair sits "Pinky" There are a few miss yes the distinction of claiming the Queen of the Smith, smoking a cigarette and making quips couple more. Daphne carnival, Daphne Miller, and two of her court, a small girl who keeps in trim by being head of job-she keeps herself Marilyn Hadley and Jane Murray, pledge. the Modern dance class. At her feet is a set of ing her time and her So, finally on February 6, two members who bridge "the whizer," a rather whacky foursome. with that singing man had been away at the time of pledging and four Pete Arnold, you should see her when she really And if we go to the alumnre were pledged to Kappa Alpha Theta: gets excited over a bridge game; Betty Jane dent and brain child, J Olive Tracy and Ann Sullivan, junior and sopho Atkinson, one of our good-natured cooks; Betty most excellent officer, g more, and four alumnre: Doris Jenkins French, Clapp, watch the dainty movement of her hands; out being the least bit Mary Berry, Gladys Archibald Hager, and Elea and Doris Johnson, definitely and whole heart Two of the girls wl nor Curtis. A few hours later these six, along edly a psychology major. These four get a kick weeks' training period with the original twenty-four pledges, were ini out of life by being continually happy and house. Bake, our most tiated as Gamma Eta's thirty charter members. fun-loving. Kappa Alpha Theta
and Installation luncheon of course Helen VanMeter is handling the Vic. Music is the , February 7, both at the central influence in her life; she lives, talks, and breathes music, rr Amherst. Then all the but she is always interested in the activities of her sisters, too. the "Kappa Alpha Theta And there is another bridge game-the "blue jeans girls." On :ion, where Gamma Eta's one hand is "Ditto" Smith the girl from the penthouse on Park introduced to the faculty avenue-aren't the blue jeans typical? and you should hear the chapter. · neat novelty songs she sings. Next is Olive Tracy, the big bad llege chapters who assisted wolf when it comes to the fuel oil-she carries out her duties as ere-Virginia Shaw, Iota, House chairman beautifully and has kept the girls happy in spite 1d Doris Welsh, Lambda, of .the lack of heat, by her straightforwardness and good example. roline Dawson, Mu, Doro Opposite Tracy is Mary Jean Carpenter, an imp from away back slie Bodner, Alpha Kappa, you should see her when she goes on a silly streak-but she can nma Zeta, the latter two be serious and efficient, too, which is why we can imagine her two Canadian chapters of settling down to be a good wife within a few months. And for the iuse of war restrictions on fourth, not the dummy, though-is our ladylike, Lennie Berger. ntry could not be present. She's really taking this marriage business seriously, and with her Marianne Harcourt Eagle naforal neatness and adaptability, we' re sure she will make a visiting alumna, Miss Har- real helpmate. from Northampton, and Next, on the couch, Roz is curled up reading a magazine. Roz ; Grace Law Foorde Iota Goodhue, our etiquette chairman, is· definitely the one for the iggs, Alpha. Officer~ wh~ job. But even she gets to acting up now and then, and just wait were Mrs Higbie, Grand till you hear her laugh-she gurgles ! Beside Roz is Betty Tilton, ne, Grand vice president our tall blonde, just relaxing at the moment, but perhaps she will !en, editor, Mrs Cook, Dis curl up in front of the fire later on and go to sleep, one of her l'!:rs Aline Smith Wright, favorite tricks; Betsy has her gay moods and her sober moods esident. she is one of the juniors who is taking advantage of the accelerated rical formality let's take a program-ambitious ?-yes. . girls of Gamma Eta chap Sitting cross-legged on the floor near her is the third foursome )Ve, each other. of bridge. Pat Anderson and Mac Hadley are our two sophomores who have showed great interest in the chapter by becoming ity Sketches members and taking over duties immediately. Marj Aldrich is 1ere are outstanding per quite an instigator when it comes to playing pranks and that sort )ter? Certainly there are. of thing; but she's also very stable, what with the meal planning ing room and I'll tell you and buying to do while Bake's in the Homestead. The fourth in this games is Kay Stockwell, a rather quiet, very capable member, l after dinner scene most who has a wonderful way with children. of the girls are gathered We move on to Barb Crowther and Barb Thayer talking in t of relaxation before the front of the fireplace. They are continually together, quiet, quiet, begins. but always willing to serve in any way. ~ corner chair sits "Pinky" There are a few missing-but if we look around we will find a rette and making quips couple more. Daphne Miller is upstairs doing some odd little . in trim by being head of job-she keeps herself busy all the time, like a little bee, arrang ss. At her feet is a set of ing her time and her work so that she has time off to go out rather whacky foursome. with that singing man of hers. Id see her when she really And if we go to the study, we'll find Elinor Koonz, our presi 1ridge game; Betty Jane dent and brain child, finishing up a bit of work: Koonzie is a :ood-natured cooks; Betty most excellent officer, getting work accomplished efficiently, with r movement of her hands ; out being the least bit officious. :finitely and whole heart Two of the girls who live at the house are having their six :ir. These four get a kick weeks' training period at the Homestead, the home management continually happy and house. Bake, our most excellent treasurer, is one of them; even
GAMMA ETA AT PLAY 188 Kappa Alpha Theta
an error of one cent in the accounts would keep Finale her up half the night, till she found it. With her What did the visiting Thetas think of the is Pat Bentley. new chapter? Well, they found them interesting, And last of all are the four who neither live and soon the fellowship had progressed where nor eat at the house. The pair from Amherst are it was not easy to tell new initiates from visiting "Popsy" Nestle and Anna Sullivan~always seniors from the chapters of Districts IV and ready for fun, and always a smile. And Midge VII-just as it should be, they were Thetas all. Gunther, a quiet, self-possessed member, keeps Many a promise to visit our campus, and many an apartment, uptown with three other girls a promise to come again, floated through the good experience. Then lastly, Jean Burgess, air as the college visitors dashed to take. a bus small in stature, but dynamic in personality, a as the first step toward getting back to their own sponsor in Butterfield dormitory. campuses. I hope you enjoyed meeting us? Come again! What did the officers think of the group they PAT BENTLEY had sponsored and guided in the work for a Theta chapter? Well they left with considerable Back to Business smug satisfaction, that they had been among the Thetas who had seen the wisdom of Mrs The last caller gone, the receiving line ate, Boyce's recommendation of this field of exten and then Gamma -Eta's first chapter meeting, sion. Confident are they that never will Theta where Grand officers gave instructions and tried have to apologize for, or regret the establish to answer questions! Conferences and just visit ment of its two farthest east chapters, who after ing filled eve~y following hour, except a few for so many years join Lambda in making New sleep, until the installing officers left at noon England a Theta center. on Monday. That is all left but Mary Browne, And as for alumnre, Boston alumna:: and who stayed to help Gamma Eta get its ma Springfield club, have long wanted a chapter chinery adjusted and to aid in the pledging to at Massachusetts State-only the combination of Kappa Alpha Theta of the 29 Phi Zetas still winter weather and gas rationing kept them in college. The sophomores of this group, will away from installation-and when conditions be initiated after six weeks pledge training, improve they'll be often calling on Gamma Eta; and the freshmen as soon as they are eligible while the Thetas of Northampton, only eight under Massachusetts State Panhellenic regu miles away, under the leadership of Miss Elliott lations. promise to be active friends too.
DELEGATES AND OFFICERS