Chi Omega - Kansas State University

T he Theta Chi Club of Kansas State Agricultural College was organized October 28, 1914 with seven charter members. A house was rented in January, which was the home of the members of Theta Chi, until college closed in June. We were fortunate in having as chaperon, Miss Louise Fewell, an instructor in the college and a Chi Omega from Epsilon chapter. She and the three other Chi Omegas in college, Helen Crane, Fern MacLean, and Hildegarde Mense, all of Lambda chapter, have helped us in many ways. In the early spring, after our petition had been sent in, several of the Theta Chi girls went to Lawrence to see Mrs. Collins, who was visiting Lambda chapter at that time. We were very fortunate in being able to meet Mrs. Collins and in having the opportunity to talk to her about our local organization and our desire for a charter of Chi Omega. The members of Theta Chi have tried to keep a high standard of scholarship and to be active in student affairs. As our membership increases we hope to have a still larger representation in college activities. This fall, about the time we were starting back to college, we received word that we had been granted a charter of Chi Omega. So we returned with renewed interest and entered upon the rushing season with enthusiasm. Our installation took place on September 22, and our happiness is complete now that we can say that we of Theta Chi are Chi Omegas. We know that our responsibility is greater, but we are agreed that we will work hard and make Chi Omega's standards and policy ours. Keeping Close with Kappa alpha Χ Ω 3 Kappa Alpha's 100th Birthday is One Year Away W hen I went to spend ten days with Kappa chapter, I did not know that during that time, I should have the pleasure also of attending the installation of a new chapter. When the news reached the girls at Lincoln that Kappa Alpha chapter would be installed Wednesday, September 22, there was much excitement. Manhattan seemed so near that we thought a great many could attend. However, as the first week of college does not permit many absences from classes, when the time came to leave only three of us could go. When we arrived in Manhattan, we found several Chi Omegas waiting for us and we were hurried to the fraternity house. It was truly a Chi Omega House, even before installation, in its wonderful atmosphere of welcome and hospitality. We were more than delighted with our new sisters and glad to meet so many Chi Omegas from other chapters. As they were having pledge day at the University of Kansas, only a few members of the active chapter could attend, instead of the whole chapter as they had hoped and planned. Our S.H., Sister Mary C. Love Collins, arrived soon after we did and arrangements were completed for the installation. I only wish that every member of the fraternity could have shared in that impressive and beautiful ceremony and welcomed with us our new sisters in Chi Omega. Dr. Mary Harmon, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Epsilon Zeta, was taken into the chapter as a graduate member. The other members are Florence Mitchell, Betty Denman, Marie Story, Mida Smies, Margaret Mann, Inez Brandt and Annette Perry. Following the installation a model initiation was given by members of Kappa and Lambda chapters. The banquet following the installation was an extremely happy occasion and I am sure each one of us felt that it was a great privilege to be a Chi Omega, if the enthusiasm with which the songs were sung was any indication of our feelings. Toasts were given by our S.H., by representatives from Kappa Alpha and by each of the five other chapters represented. Kappa Alpha is fortunate in having Louise Fewell, Epsilon, as chaperone and Helen Crane, Fern MacLean, Hilda Meuse, Lucille Armstrong and Viola Stiles, all of Lambda, as affiliates. The undergraduate members from Lambda present at the installation were Louise Imus, Ruth Ewing, Edna Shinn, Cora Shinn and the alumnae were Helen Degen, Clare Morton and Ruby Phillips Bramwell. Kappa chapter was represented by Lea Bowker and Florence Hill. Upon reaching the Chi Omega house after the banquet, we were loath to put an end to that "perfect day" and so stayed up for a comfortable chat until the "wee sma-hours." We felt sorry for the girls who had to rush back to Lawrence early the next morning and still more sorry for ourselves when we left that afternoon, for all of us had learned to love our Kappa Alphas in our short stay with them. Initiates of Kappa Alpha Chapter, 1915 Marie Story Annette Perry Florence Mitchell Margaret Mann Bess Denman Meda Smies Inez Brandt Dr. Mary Harmon FrOm the ArchIves the history of Kappa Alpha By Florence Mitchell 1915 Installation of Kappa Alpha By Alma Menig, Zeta 1906 Chi Omega's home in 1916. The Chapter rented this house for about five years. The home Chi Omega purchased in the early 1920s housed members until the 1940s. It still stands today.

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