Alpha Phi

Organization History
Other Names:
Date Organized: 1959

History: At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers—and therefore not in need of higher education—our ten founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our founders sought support from each other.

There was a need for a social center, a place of conference, a tie which should unite, a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another in their perplexities. They formed Alpha Phi in 1872 at Syracuse University.

Clara Bradley Wheeler Baker Burdette …lived the longest, most active life of all of the Founders. She was born in East Bloomfield, New York. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she graduated in the class of 1876. She was a writer, lecturer, business woman, philanthropist, a trustee of Syracuse University, and held many volunteer positions that filled her nearly ninety-nine years. Nationally recognized for her achievements, Clara was listed in Who’s Who of America.

Hattie Florence Chidester Lukens...was born in Utica, New York. She received her B.S. degree in 1875 at age 21, and her M.S. degree in 1879. Upon graduation she became an elocutionist and teacher of higher mathematics in the high school in Bedford, Pennsylvania. She also taught in Minnesota, Clifton Springs, New York, and in Teacher's Institutes in Pennsylvania and Iowa.

Martha Emily Foote Crow ...was born at Sacketts Harbor, New York. She received a Ph.D. in English literature. She taught and wrote, and went abroad to study at Cambridge, Oxford, and Leipzig.

Ida Arabella Gilbert DeLamanter Houghton...was born in Phoenix, New York. She received her B.S. in 1876 and in 1879 she received an M.S. degree in modern languages. After college, she taught school and wrote for newspapers and magazines.

Jane Sara Higham ...was born in Rome, New York. She received her B.A. degree in 1876 and her M.A. degree in 1879. After college she taught for a short time in Syracuse, then from 1882 to 1892 she taught at the High School in Rome, New York. She then traveled in Europe for a year. Thereafter, for forty years she taught Latin at the Rome Free Academy.

Kate Elizabeth Hogoboom Gilbert . . . was born in Ovid, New York. She received her B.S. degree in 1875 in the scientific course at age 20, her M.S. in 1878, and a music degree in 1879.

She was the first recording secretary of the chapter and, along with Mattie Foote, wrote the Ritual and the first Constitution. Her enthusiasm for Alpha Phi was infectious, and she was very popular. She also became the mother of the first Alpha Phi daughter, Ruth Gilbert Becker, Alpha.

Elizabeth Grace Hubbell Shults . . . was born in Rochester, New York. She was a brilliant student who graduated with marked honor from the Rochester Free Academy at age thirteen. At sixteen she taught in the Rochester Collegiate Institute, then took a brief preparatory course in the Genesee Wesleyan Conference Seminary, entering Syracuse University in the fall of 1872. She graduate with honors from the four year classical course, displaying unusual ability in Latin, mathematics, and political science.

Rena A. Michaels Atchison. . . was the first president of Alpha Phi, and the Michaelanean Society derives its name from hers. The Michaelanean Society still exists as a corporation and owns the Alpha Phi Syracuse chapter house. She was in the class of 1874, engaged in the study of the classics and literary work, which she continued to study from 1874 to 1877. She received her M.S. degree in 1879 and her Ph.D. in history in 1880.

Louise Viola Shepard Hancock. . . was an inseparable friend of Jane Higham. Born in Rome, New York, she attended Rome Free Academy with Jane, and together they entered Syracuse University. Louise and Jane remained the closest friends till Louise's death, and Louise's children called her "Aunt Janie." She was in the class of 1876 and received a master's degree two years later.

Clara Sittser Williams ...was born in Weedsport, New York. She was the only Founder not to graduate from the University, leaving in 1874. Her course had been Latin-scientific. She had taught school for a time. Clara was the only farmer's daughter among the Original Ten. The first Alpha Phi meeting was held in her room.

Purpose as stated in ECU Clue Book - To contribute to the betterment of each individual in the areas of personal growth, scholarship, and social development; in essence, to build character.

Officers:

1961 President - Bobbie Bethune, Vice President - Janice Langston, Recording Secretary - Rebecca Coley, Corresponding Secretary - Barbara Eidson, Treasurer - Nancy Kinsey, Faculty Advisor - Gay Hogan

1962 President - Kay Faucette, Vice President - M. Loftin, Recording Secretary - K. Brown, Corresponding Secretary - A. Calhoun

1963 President - Laverne Blackley, First Vice President - Patsy Wiley, Second Vice President - Eleanor Poole, Recording Secretary - Carol Barrett

1964 President - Joan Wetherington, Vice President - Joyce Brown, Secretary - Pat Moore, Treasurer - Eleanor Poole

1965 President - Nancy Freeman, Vice President - Carol Joyner, Secretary - Sue Rouse, Treasurer - Charlyn Billings

1966 President - Gayle Morris, Vice President - Luray Mitchell, Secretary - Sandra Davis, Treasurer - Miriam Jones

1967 President - Lauren Keller, Vice President - Carol Alligood, Secretary - Beth Taylor, Treasurer - Jan Smith