Alpha Chapter Celebrates Its Centennial

The More Things Change...
the more they stay the same. That’s what we learned when 527 Chi Omega Sisters, some from as far away as the East Coast and France, reunited April 17–19 in Seattle to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Alpha Chapter on the University of Washington campus.

The weekend festivities began Friday night with class celebrations taking place in many locations in the Seattle area. Classes from the ’60s held a reception at the University Club and welcomed special guest Letitia Fulkerson, S.H., along with two other guests from Chi Omega Executive Headquarters: Sarah Hamilton, director of development for the Chi Omega Foundation, and Katie Keane, director of alumnae development. The class of 1974 was invited to the Bainbridge Island home of Heidi Stamm and treated to a beautiful party, while classes from the ’80s gathered at the W Hotel. Meanwhile, the collegians were busily preparing the chapter house for the tour and reception to take place the next day.

The main event was Saturday’s luncheon on campus at the Husky Union Building Ballroom, where eight decades of Chi Omega Sisters were represented. Many happy reconnections were made after years and sometimes decades apart. What better way to be reminded of Chi Omega’s gift of life-long bonds than for Sisters to celebrate together the notable achievement of a chapter’s centennial anniversary? We found that as much as times have changed, the bonds of Sisterhood remain strong and the cherry blossoms on campus continue to bloom.

The president of the University of Washington...
Dr. Mark Emmert, joined us for lunch and thanked Chi Omega for supporting the campus for 100 years. He spoke of the past, present, and future of the UW, announcing that it is now ranked the 16th finest university in the world.

In the Alpha tradition of philanthropy and to note our centennial, we proudly presented two scholarships to Dr. Emmert for the University. They will be awarded to two students employed by the University of Washington Libraries and may be used for academic expenses or to launch themselves into the world as they graduate from the University.

Our special guest, Letitia Fulkerson, S.H., spoke about the roots of our Fraternity, beginning in 1895 with Victorian-era teenagers, and marveled about how far we have come.

Another special part of the program featured a presentation by a representative from each of the eight decades attending the centennial celebration. These speakers shared memories about life in the Chi-O house during their college days. Mollie McBride Carey, class of 1937, spoke fondly of her college life when tuition was $30 per quarter and women wore skirts, sweaters, saddle shoes, and socks on campus. She remembers the Varsity Crew of 1936 going to the Olympic Games in Berlin and winning, all arriving home with gold medals. Her parting words to us: “It’s a new era. Treat it well.”

Alpha Points of Pride in 2009
Alpha Chapter has outstanding collegiate members. There are women majoring in psychology, neurobiology, business, public health, communications, cinema studies, and more. This year, members have had internships with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and the Seattle Mariners, and volunteered in Africa. They are involved in activities ranging from Mortar Board to cheerleading; one Alpha is the featured baton twirler and another the president of Beta Alpha Psi.

Awards
• Alpha received an Award of Excellence at Convention 2008—one of only 16 of 173 Chi Omega Chapters to receive the honor.
• Alpha Chapter received an award for excellence in Risk Management at the Annual Pan-Hellenic Association and Interfraternity Council Greek awards banquet this winter, 2009.

Scholarship
Alpha Chapter has consistently averaged a 3.35 GPA and has surpassed the all-sorority and all-women’s average on campus. This outstanding GPA has also placed Alpha in the top half of the all-Chi Omega GPAs.

Recruitment
• In fall 2008, Alpha surpassed quota and pledged 36 women.
• In January 2009, 100 percent of our 2008 new members were initiated; all exceeded the GPA requirement and completed the new member program.

Philanthropy
Alpha Chapter has a strong tradition of philanthropy. The chapter supports a number of local charitable organizations and Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

Centennial Celebration
Alpha collegians are proud of their 100-year history of success and contributions on the University of Washington campus. And there’s lots more to discover about the weekend of events.