Delta Gamma - University of Iowa

Delta Gamma at the University of Iowa Housing Corporation Plans for Future of Delta Gamma Fall 2013 inside: DG Celebrates Accomplishments p. 2 • Welcome, New Members p. 3 Improvements Needed to Maintain Tau Excellence T his summer, the House Corporation of Tau worked through the season, and with the aid of the nice weather, the board was able to complete several projects for the Delta Gamma house both inside and out. Some of the improvements included new flooring in the dining room and kitchenette, as well as fresh wall colors and contemporary furnishings, giving the dining room a new and beautiful look. However, our house at 305 S. Summit Street is more than 50 years old, and the board is very aware of the current reputation of our facility in comparison to other sorority houses on campus. During a recent conversation with the house corporation president of another UI sorority, the board learned that this particular sorority's recruitment numbers greatly improved after they renovated the bathrooms and other common living areas of their house. It is the board's vision that Delta Gamma needs to stay competitive among the sororities by providing a safe, wellmaintained, and beautiful chapter house for our collegians and visiting alumnae. From this, the House Corporation of Tau is developing a strategic plan to initiate significant upgrades to our chapter house. We look forward to keeping you updated and informed as we move forward with our plans. Stay tuned! If you would like to get involved with Tau on the Advisory Board, the House Corporation, or volunteering behind the scenes during recruitment, let me know! Your support is much appreciated! ITB, Jan Brodie Riley '76 House Corporation President (970) 846-5543 janetbriley@gmail.com Longtime House Director Bev Palmer stands in front of the DG Columbus chapter house during a national DG house director's conference. Mary Louise Petersen '47 Embodies DG Pride Lifetime of Involvement behind Passion for Tau Chapter I n the fall of 1947, Mary Louise Petersen'47 set her feet on the University of Iowa shortly after the end of World War II. The university was not able to hold a fall rush (now known as recruitment) her freshman year because of the rapid growth of the school from the G.I. Bill. "That year there were so many freshmen, and we were put in dorms alphabetically, and I was fortunate enough to live in a dorm with many upperclassmen," Mary Louise said. "After a short while, I knew I wanted to join a sorority!" In the final semester of her senior year, she married her husband, Rand, but shortly after, he went to serve his country in Korea. Mary Louise graduated with a bachelor of science and, upon her husband returning, she embarked on a life of community service, inspired by the dedication of Elizabeth Sackett's mother, Edith Sackett, Drake '27, a district officer for Delta Gamma. Over the years, Mary Louise served on the National Girl Scout Board on local, regional, and national levels, as well as for many other organizations. She was also on Mary Louise Petersen '47 serves as grand the Iowa Board of Regents from 1969 to Mary Louise was familiar with sororities, marshall in the 1973 Homecoming parade with her mother and aunt being members 1981, serving as president of the board for for the University of Iowa. of Tau Chapter as well, so when she went nine of those years. through recruitment, she knew Delta Gamma was the place for her. Along with her pledge sisters Joanie Van Alstine White '47, Looking back on her time in DG, Mary Louise praises the social Joanie Baul '47, and Elizabeth Sackett Fleming '47, life in the experiences she gained while serving. "I really learned how to get DG house was special. "I remember going to all the basketball along with people, to not be judgmental, and put a strong emphasis games in the old fieldhouse, the football games, and dancing to the on academics. I remember those days of being at the chemistry lab (Continued on page 3) big bands at the Union with my DG sisters. It was so much fun!"

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