Delta Gamma - University of Iowa

Delta Gamma page 5 Taus Through Time: The 1950s S everal members of the '58 and '59 classes have made an effort to stay close through their lifetime of sisterhood. One member of this close-knit group, Jo Herbrechtmeyer '58, shares some memories of these women who have remained close in their decades together. What are some of your favorite memories from your time in the DG house? Dad's Day weekend was always special because on Sunday afternoon "The Toilet Bowl" football game was held in City Park. It was sponsored by the SAEs and pitted the Kappas against the DGs for the honor of taking home the toilet bowl for the year. We had coaches and practices for a couple of weeks before the game. Much fun was had by all. We remember many hours of bridge, late-night study sessions, standing in line to use the phone, and trying to sneak AWOL sisters back into the house after hours. How have you stayed in touch with your sisters from DG over the years? We had a core group of four sisters from Cedar Rapids who saw each other when they were back in Iowa at holidays. Through Christmas cards and other letters all of us managed to keep in touch with one of the Cedar Rapids group. We also have a business major who keeps all of us organized and up to date now. Interestingly enough, when we get together it is as if we saw each other every week. What are some of your favorite memories you've created with sisters since graduating from Iowa? Since we are all retired, a few years ago we started getting together every year or two. We've had reunions in Chicago where we did art and architecture; Hilton Head where we kayaked, toured Savannah and cocktailed on the beach; Vermont where we saw quirky museums, had amazingly interesting lunches, and saw gorgeous fall leaves and views while staying at the vacation home of one of our sisters. In 2014 we planned our reunion for Homecoming in Iowa City. We had a tour of the campus, breakfast with University of Iowa President Sally Mason (and 300 of her other closest friends), saw the Hawks win a football game, and had a tour of the DG house. Of course the highlight of these meetings is always the talk! We are looking at Arizona for our next get-together. What was your impression of the Chapter during your last visit? When we visited the Chapter house last October, only a couple of the group had ever seen it, because we spent our DG years at 932 East College. For us it was the new house. We were stunned by the number of members in the house. When we were in school every sorority was limited to 63 members, and we were required to live in university housing until we graduated or were married. How do you think Delta Gamma helped you become who you are today? It provided us with a home group of like-minded young women and urged proper behavioral standards and academic excellence, which undoubtedly has continued to influence us today. The closeness we have is probably not possible today. All but one of our pledge class lived in Currier as freshmen. We had study table every afternoon at the main library and four nights a week at the physics library. We were locked up every night, 10:30 p.m. on week nights and 12:00 a.m. on weekends. We had lots of time to bond after 10:30 p.m., even as freshmen, because we were all together. We had those same hours at the house as upperclassmen for three years. We also were a bit of an oddity for the time, because so many of us stayed to graduate. It was usual at that time for half a pledge class to marry before graduation. As a group, we made a donation to the capital campaign as a memorial to the two sisters we have lost in the last few years. Alumnae from far and wide gathered at the DG house for Homecoming in the fall. Jo Cochran Johnson '58, Barbara Bjornstad Quinn '58, Sharon Reitveld Miller '58, Jean Harman Dooley '58, Ginny Dunn Laats '59, Barbara Brown Arnold '59, Jo Roberts Herbrechtsmeyer '58, and Linda Dameron Edison '59. Alumnae from the class of '58 enjoy reconnect. Barbara Bjornstad Quinn '58, Sarah Dunkerton Lande '58, Jean Harmon Dooley '58, Mary Sackett Carson '58, Jo Roberts Herbrechtsmeyer '58, Linda Dameron Edison '59, and Sharon Reitveld '58; seated (from left): Virginia Dunn Laats '58, Judy Gardner Beisner '58, and Jo Cochran Johnson '58.

• Cover