Zeta Tau Alpha FRED (Fraternity Education)
The State of ZTA
August 2009:
ZTA
“Washington—Oregon—New Mexico”
Note: Information regarding chapter histories is provided from The History of Zeta Tau Alpha
by Shirley Kreasan Strout, 1956 Edition, and its supplements.
WASHINGTON STATE:
State Fun Facts:
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Nickname – The Evergreen State
Capital – Olympia
Largest City – Seattle
Tourist Attractions – Washington State is the home of
Snoqualmie Falls, whose water plummets over 270 feet
onto the rocks below. Snoqualmie Falls is 100 feet taller
than Niagara Falls and is the second most popular natural
attraction in the United States.
Psi
Chapter
Sisters Crossing
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
ZTA Link #25
Installed: September 15, 1917
Area III; Province XIX-A
Founding History:
Sisterhood
Ahead
STOP
for ZTA
Psi, Zeta Tau Alpha’s first chapter in the far Northwest, had its beginning in another Panhellenic friendship.
With the help of an Alpha Xi Delta, Margaret Myers, a local organization—first merely known as Zeta—came
into existence in the spring of 1916. Miss Myers worked tirelessly for the new group until her departure from
the university, at which time she left the group in the care of another Alpha Xi Delta, Ella Richter. Miss Richter
helped the girls secure “a most desirable chapter house in one of the best locations possible, in the very heart of
Fraternity Row.”
Finally, in the fall of 1917, amid “feverish arrangements” and “hysterical wailing,” the girls prepared for their
initation into Zeta Tau Alpha and to entertain ZTA’s Grand President, Dr. May Agnes Hopkins. In the November
1917 issue of Themis, Psi Chapter charter member Eleanor McGrew described the event: “It is betraying no
secrets of the order to tell the world frankly that the members of the Washington petitioning group were openly
frightened […] when a quota left to meet Dr. Hopkins.” But according to Dr. Hopkins, the women did not
need to worry as she was impressed by her welcoming committee. “Upon my arrival in Seattle, Friday night, I
was met by most of the girls composing the chapter members,” she said. “Can you imagine that picture at the
station?”
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During an all-day session at the chapter house the following day, Dr. Hopkins explained the purposes and ideals
of Zeta Tau Alpha and described the girls’ expected conduct of the girls on the night of Initiation. The “actual
ceremonies” were held the following Monday at the chapter house, 4718 University Boulevard, where Dr.
Hopkins installed Psi chapter and initiated ten women.
Sisters Crossing
Following Initiation, a spread was held at the chapter house, and the following day, a reception was held at the
Women’s University Club which included representatives of various women’s fraternities on the campus as well
as women of the faculty and wives of faculty members. Psi Chapter was well on her way—“a houseful of girls
as enthusiastic about their new fraternity, and hopeful of future prospects, as it is well possible to be.”
Psi Chapter Today:
Psi Chapter today is known for its Panhellenic excellence: Winner of 2006-2007 University of Washington’s
Panhellenic Association Most Improved Chapter, Finalist of the 2007 Excellence in Recruitment Programming,
and Winner of 2007 Excellence in Risk Management Programming. In addition, Psi Chapter won PHC’s award
for Alumna Advisor of the Year (for Kelly Willer).
Psi Chapter Throws
ZTA
a
Party:
Psi Chapter knows how to keep a party fun and fresh by constantly recreating date parties and exchanges.
For example, as the speed-dating craze hit the country, the Psi Chapter women participated in a Speed-Dating
exchange! Other exchange ideas include Flour Fight exchange (what a fun mess!), Salsa Dancing exchange,
Pumpkin-Carving exchange, BBQ-Dinner exchange, and a Graffiti T-shirt making exchange. And it doesn’t
stop there—when these women want to grab-a-date on the spur-of-the moment, they head to some fun locations,
including the comedy club, dinner and a movie, Gameworks, miniature golf, and ice skating!
Fun Facts
about
University
of
Washington:
l Established – 1861 (It is the largest university in the northwestern United States and the oldest public
university on the West Coast.)
l Mascot – Huskies
l Enrollment – 42,907 students
l Web site: www.washington.edu
Visit Psi Chapter on the Web: www.uwzta.com
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OREGON:
State Fun Facts:
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Sisters Crossing
Nickname – The Beaver State
Capital – Salem
Largest City – Portland
Tourist Attractions – Oregon has more unusual sites to
visit than one might think! Don’t miss various wineries,
the Oregon Vortex, Prehistoric Gardens, the birthplace of
U-Haul, and McMinnville’s own Spruce Goose Airplane. If
you’re interested in the world’s smallest and largest things,
you can find the world’s smallest park in Portland, and the
world’s largest hairball in Saint Benedict! If hats are your
thing, visit Portland’s own Hat Museum.
Kappa Mu
Chapter
ZTA
Linfield College
McMinnville, OR
ZTA Link #226
Installed: May 16, 1998
Area III; Province XIX-A
Founding History:
Kappa Mu’s installation journey is one of a fairytale. In December 1997, ZTA National President Nan Barkley Boettcher and Extension Director Alice McCann Mathews traveled to McMinnville, Oregon, to wow the
campus and Panhellenic community with ZTA’s extension presentation. Not surprisingly, a few weeks later, the
Fraternity received the invitation to colonize.
In February, Kaci Holloway and Allison Ross, enthusiastic Traveling Leadership Consultants, arrived on campus to spread the ZTA word, and spread it they did. With assistance from University of Washington Psi Chapter
sisters, the national extension team presented a groovy 1970s-style recruitment and a heartwarming Preference
Ceremony, helping the group to pledge 48 new members.
As Initiation approached, the new members bonded through Journey for a Lifetime and Link activities. Psi
Chapter members once again came to support their new sisters, as they, along with national officers and Kappa
Mu Colony advisors, performed the Initiation Ceremony. To commemorate the occasion, a banquet and dance
were hosted at Alfie’s Le Chardonnay Wine Cellars. Kay McCoy McKelvey served as the event’s toastmistress,
and Julia Marthaler Hill provided the keynote address. The new chapter welcomed gifts from the district, province, and nation, as well as the traditional Baby Cup, which was bestowed by two TLCs. The fairytale evening
ended to the lovely notes of “I Hear the Call of Zeta,” sang by the members of Zeta’s 226th link.
Kappa Mu Chapter Today:
Kappa Mu Chapter today is known for its sisterhood! Living the motto “A chapter that plays together stays together,” these young women participate in Zeta Princess and Sister-Speed dating—what a great sisterhood twist
on a dating phenomenon! But their sisterhood activities don’t stop there; Kappa Mu strengthens its sisterhood
by sharing it with others through activities like softball games with the Police Department (what a great PR tool,
too), Easter egg hunts, a Walk-a-Thon, and a Time Capsule Participation for Linfield. And this Crown Chapter
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doesn’t forget about its alumnae. Kappa Mu plays with its alumnae by participating together in Portland’s Race
for the Cure®, a senior dinner, a Fall BBQ, and Zeta Day.
Kappa Mu Chapter Throws
Sisters Crossing
a
Party:
The Kappa Mu members know how to throw an elegant party as the often host formal Spaghetti Dinners, a
Crown Ball, and Formals. The women also know how to keep it casual. To change it up, they often throw
informal, themed parties, such as ones with a a nautical theme. Fun events like these, keep Kappa Mu in smooth
sailings!
Fun Facts
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Linfield College:
Established – January 18, 1849
Mascot – Wildcats
Enrollment – 1,750 students
Web site: www.linfield.edu
Visit Kappa Mu Chapter on the Web: www.linfield.edu/greek/zeta
ZTA
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NEW MEXICO:
State Fun Facts:
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Sisters Crossing
ZTA
Nickname – The Land of Enchantment
Capital – Santa Fe
Largest City – Albuquerque
Tourist Attractions – Known for its delicious green and red
chilies and beautiful sunsets, this state includes sights such
as White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns.
New Mexico is also rich with history from the historic Old
Mesilla—a town where Billy the Kid used to hang out—to
Santa Fe rich, with its rich religious history. New Mexico also
features city life in Albuquerque, where you should make sure to catch the balloon festivals. But
don’t think New Mexico is just about the desert. Skiing can also be enjoyed in the mountains
like Taos and Ruidoso. Las Cruces—where New Mexico State University can be found—has a
little bit of all of the great features of New Mexico. With the Rio Grande running through it, Las
Cruces is full of history, culture and beauty. It is the perfect city for college life and Zeta Tau
Alpha.
Beta Nu
Chapter
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM
ZTA Link #62
Installed: November 29, 1928
Area III; Province XVIII-B
Founding History:
The pioneering spirit of New Mexico affected the women who founded the local sorority Delta Sigma, “the first
local organization for women on the campus of the New Mexico State University.” The new group dominated
campus life, including having the first female student to hold an office in the student body organization, the first
female to hold editorship of the campus newspaper, and other noted prominent women on campus, including the
college president’s wife, among its members. For five successive years, a Delta Sigma was elected May Queen
and the most popular girl at the Kollege Kactus Karnival. The first person to win a scholarship cup was also a
Delta Sigma!
Each year, the women also planned a very busy calendar full of formal dances, autumn teas and picnics in the
mountains. It wasn’t until they held a tea in honor of the dean of women—Miss Doyne Koonce, a Zeta Tau
Alpha from the Indiana University chapter—that things would change. Soon, Delta Sigma set its pionnering
sights on becoming the first chapter of a national fraternity on the campus and the first ZTA chapter in the state
of New Mexico.
In 1927, two ZTA national officers visited the chapter, and a charter was soon granted. Installation took place
during the Thanksgiving vacation of 1928. Four days of events—including an afternoon meeting, numerous
dances, a Panhellenic tea, pledge services, examinations, a luncheon, Initiation services, a ritual service,
installation of officers, a closing banquet, and a Zeta breakfast—concluded with thirty-two new members of
Zeta Tau Alpha and “many never-to-be forgotten memories.”
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Beta Nu Chapter Today:
Beta Nu today upholds the winning tradition on the New Mexico State University campus and in the state! This
chapter boasts the 2007 NMSU Homecoming Queen (Kat Lopez), New Mexico’s Homecoming Queen 2007
(Mallory Trevino), Miss Greek/Miss NMSU 2006 (McKensi Karnes), and Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2005
and Top 10 Miss Teen USA 2005 (Brittany Toll).
Sisters Crossing
In addition, Beta Nu earns numerous campus awards, especially in the categories of leadership and scholarship:
Outstanding President Award, Highest GPA and, Highest New Member GPA for six consecutive semesters,
President’s Cup award, Greek Sing 1st place 2006 and 2007, Homecoming 1st Place 2005, 2006, and 1st Place
House Display 2007. Wow—what a list!
Beta Nu Chapter Throws
a
Party:
Whether it’s a Famous Couples party or a Winter Wonderland formal, Beta Nu loves a good party—especially
sisterhood parties. The Beta Nu members can be found together on karaoke night, movie night, scrapbook night,
game night, and make-over night. The parties sometimes even carry over to Monday night chapters as well. The
group will host dollar nights where every girl brings a dollar and one girl is drawn to win all the money. Sometimes there are treats under the seats or candy for all the girls. They also divide the seating with posters that read
“sit on this side if you like chocolate” or “sit on this side if you like vanilla.” These girls try to have as much fun
as they possibly can!
ZTA
Fun Facts
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New Mexico State University:
Established – 1888
Mascot – The Aggies
Enrollment – 28,821 students
Web site: www.nmsu.edu
Visit Beta Nu Chapter on the Web: www.nmsu.edu/~zta/
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Delta Pi
Chapter
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM
ZTA Link #113
Installed: April 28, 1962
Area III; Province XVIII-B
Founding History:
Sisters Crossing
In 1940, Kappa Delta Alpha sorority found a home on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University. The
thirteen women who founded KDA shared a commitment to friendship, truth, honor and duty, and they stood
by their motto of “Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest.” These shared values made
the women of KDA feel a closeness with Zeta Tau Alpha, and in January 1962, the women petitioned ZTA for
a charter—a petition was accepted, and on April 28, 1962, Kappa Delta Alpha became Delta Pi chapter of Zeta
Tau Alpha.
The formal Installation was held on Saturday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, and later that evening, the
Student Union Building was the site of the traditional Installation banquet. The chapter received numerous gifts
of silver, including the Baby Cup presented by Linda Black and Julie Davis and the silver service presented by
Mrs. Roberts from the National Fraternity.
Delta Pi Chapter Today:
ZTA
Delta Pi today is dedicated to raising money for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the
Cure®. Each year, Delta Pi sponsors “Running for Awareness,” a 5K run to support breast cancer education and
awareness.
Delta Pi Chapter
and
Recruitment:
The Delta Pi women love recruitment! Here are a few words of wisdom from them concerning their reasons for
joining a sorority:
• “I joined for the sisterhood. I wanted a family away from home and found my own home here with my
sisters.”
• “I wanted to make a difference with philanthropy.”
• “Zeta has helped me to learn some of the life skills I’ll need for after college.”
• “ZTA is not the stereotypical sorority. They accepted me for the things that make me unique, and encouraged me to pursue my interests. That’s what made me feel like I could belong to this organization.”
• “The friends you make here will be there for you now and after graduation.”
• “Delta Pi brings together people who may not have the chance to become such close friends otherwise. It’s
that diversity of our chapter that made me feel at home in ZTA.”
Fun Facts
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Eastern New Mexico University:
Established – 1934
Mascot – Greyhound
Enrollment – 4,000 students
Web site: www.enmu.edu
Visit Delta Pi Chapter on the Web: www.deltapizetas.com
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