Theta Phi Alpha
Encyclopedia
Theta Phi Alpha women's fraternity was founded at the University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
on August 30, 1912. Theta Phi Alpha is one of 26 national sororities recognized in the National Panhellenic Conference
. Originally a Catholic
sorority, Theta Phi Alpha has opened its doors to women of all faiths and celebrate a proud tradition of religious diversity amongst its members.
By the Spring of 1912, Omega Upsilon was failing financially and membership was low. Kelly, now the Bishop of Grand Rapids, requested the assistance of Amelia McSweeney, whose great great grand-nephew is Andrew McSweeney resides in West Chester, PA; who graduated from the University in 1898. Amelia and other alumni of Omega Upsilon began actively to redesign the failing sorority. Andrew recently married Caitlin Gaultney President of a local chapter. They have three children (ages 5, 3, and 2); Kale, Henry and Murron. Caitlin wants you all to know she is MORE than half Irish.
Throughout the summer of 1912, Amelia McSweeney, seven other alumnae, and two undergraduate women worked tirelessly, meeting at the home of Dorothy and Katrina Caughey, to prepare the plans for the new organization. May C. Ryan contributed the name, motto, and original coat of arms, and the membership selected the Fraternity's flower, jewels, and colors.
Two undergraduate members of Omega Upsilon became members of Theta Phi Alpha. They were Eva Stroh, a sophomore, and Otilia Leuchtweis, a senior, who became Theta Phi Alpha's first Chapter President. Plans for the coming school year were completed on August 30, 1912, and Theta Phi Alpha began operation on the campus of the University of Michigan.
Otilia and Eva, the undergraduate members, proved an enthusiastic team. During the first week, they pledged Kathlyn Holmes, Theta Phi Alpha's first pledge sister, and Marie Sullivan. With the aid of the alumnae, they held their first initiation on November 16, 1912.
In the early 1950s, Theta Phi Alpha absorbed Pi Lambda Sigma, the only other national Catholic sorority. Pi Lambda Sigma's badge was a black aureole with the letters Pi, Lambda, Sigma, in gold, written vertically.
At the 46th Bi-Annual National Convention in 2006 held in Atlanta, the Convention body of Theta Phi Alpha approved the expansion of its Grand Council from five to seven members to accommodate the fast growing national fraternity. The current seven member Grand Council, elected and installed at the 2008 National Convention, consists of President - Kathy Gaver; National Vice President of Collegians - Jennifer Kreiman; National Vice President of Alumnae - Cathy Sniegocki Billoni; National Vice President of Programming - Karen Jenkins Rubican; National Vice President of Extension - Michelle Coppola; National Secretary - Laura Foley; National Treasurer - Amy Bailles. Theta Phi Alpha will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the site of its founding Alpha Chapter.
Upon death of a member, her badge is either sent to the Fraternity's archives or buried with her. Each member has the responsibility to see that her family knows of these alternatives, and should arrange to have one or the other followed at her death.
Theta Phi Alpha recognizes Saint Catherine of Siena as the patroness. Her motto, "Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring," is the sorority's official motto. The Siena Medal, awarded by the fraternity, is the highest award given to a non-member of Theta Phi Alpha. Because of the deep respect and reverence for Saint Catherine, her feast day, April 30, is used to celebrate the sorority's founding because the original date, August 30, frequently does not fall within the academic year and most universities.
Theta Phi Alpha Creed:
Some Past Recipients of the Siena Medal:
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
- Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
on August 30, 1912. Theta Phi Alpha is one of 26 national sororities recognized in the National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
. Originally a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
sorority, Theta Phi Alpha has opened its doors to women of all faiths and celebrate a proud tradition of religious diversity amongst its members.
History
In early 1909 the organization, originally Omega Upsilon, was started as a sorority for Catholic women. Bishop Edward D. Kelly was the pastor of the student chapel at the university and saw a need for Catholic women to have a place to go for socialization and friendship. At the time, other sororities on campus openly discriminated against Catholic women and would not welcome them into their organizations.By the Spring of 1912, Omega Upsilon was failing financially and membership was low. Kelly, now the Bishop of Grand Rapids, requested the assistance of Amelia McSweeney, whose great great grand-nephew is Andrew McSweeney resides in West Chester, PA; who graduated from the University in 1898. Amelia and other alumni of Omega Upsilon began actively to redesign the failing sorority. Andrew recently married Caitlin Gaultney President of a local chapter. They have three children (ages 5, 3, and 2); Kale, Henry and Murron. Caitlin wants you all to know she is MORE than half Irish.
Throughout the summer of 1912, Amelia McSweeney, seven other alumnae, and two undergraduate women worked tirelessly, meeting at the home of Dorothy and Katrina Caughey, to prepare the plans for the new organization. May C. Ryan contributed the name, motto, and original coat of arms, and the membership selected the Fraternity's flower, jewels, and colors.
Otilia and Eva, the undergraduate members, proved an enthusiastic team. During the first week, they pledged Kathlyn Holmes, Theta Phi Alpha's first pledge sister, and Marie Sullivan. With the aid of the alumnae, they held their first initiation on November 16, 1912.
In the early 1950s, Theta Phi Alpha absorbed Pi Lambda Sigma, the only other national Catholic sorority. Pi Lambda Sigma's badge was a black aureole with the letters Pi, Lambda, Sigma, in gold, written vertically.
At the 46th Bi-Annual National Convention in 2006 held in Atlanta, the Convention body of Theta Phi Alpha approved the expansion of its Grand Council from five to seven members to accommodate the fast growing national fraternity. The current seven member Grand Council, elected and installed at the 2008 National Convention, consists of President - Kathy Gaver; National Vice President of Collegians - Jennifer Kreiman; National Vice President of Alumnae - Cathy Sniegocki Billoni; National Vice President of Programming - Karen Jenkins Rubican; National Vice President of Extension - Michelle Coppola; National Secretary - Laura Foley; National Treasurer - Amy Bailles. Theta Phi Alpha will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the site of its founding Alpha Chapter.
Founders
Theta Phi Alpha reveres these ten women as the Founders:- Dorothy Caughey Phalan
- Katrina Caughey Ward
- Mildred Connely
- Selma Gilday
- Otilia Leuchtweis O'Hara
- Amelia McSweeney
- Camilla Ryan Sutherland
- Helen Ryan Quinlan
- May C. Ryan
- Eva Stroh Bauer Everson
Philanthropy
The Theta Phi Alpha Foundation of Theta Phi Alpha oversees the organization's philanthropic causes. Theta Phi Alpha nationally supports Glenmary Lay Missioners and The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built. Glenmary's work is in depressed rural areas of the United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains, where they distribute food, clothing, and books to needy persons, and assist in providing medical care, job training and tutoring. The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built is Theta Phi Alpha's newest philanthropic cause, established in 1993. The common goal through The House is to improve the plight of the homeless in any way. The chapter can seek to provide assistance to organizations that help the homeless, shelters, home building or neighborhood revitalization projects. This goal permits all Theta Phi Alphas to help those in need in their own community, while remaining united in our aim and purpose. Theta Phis also actively support Camp Friendship.Badge and motto
The badge is a gold letter "Theta" set with pearls, superimposed upon plain gold letters "Phi" and "Alpha." The badge of Theta Phi Alpha is worn only by initiated members and is at once a means of identification and a source of pride to the wearer. The Fraternity badge is to be worn over the heart and is always placed above any other piece of jewelry.Creed
The creed of Theta Phi Alpha is important to its members as a foundation of the sisterhood. The ideals of the sisters of Theta Phi Alpha are expressed in the creed. The creed connects pledge sisters, collegiates and alumnae of Theta Phi Alpha across generational and geographical distances.Theta Phi Alpha Creed:
Notable alumnae
- Marge SchottMarge SchottMargaret Unnewehr Schott was the managing general partner, president and CEO of the National League's Cincinnati Reds franchise from 1984 to 1999...
(Epsilon) - former managing general partner, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Reds. - Andrea SeastrandAndrea SeastrandAndrea Seastrand was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives.Seastrand was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from DePaul University with a B.A. in 1963. She worked as an elementary school teacher and was president of the California Federation of Republican Women...
(Alpha Gamma ‘60) - US House of Representative for California’s 22nd District. - Terry Meeuwsen (Alpha Delta) – 1973 Miss America & co-host of the 700 Club.
- Patricia Clancy (Epsilon ’71) – Ohio Senator from the 8th District (2004-present).
Siena Medal
The Siena Medal is an award given by Theta Phi Alpha. The medal is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member and is named after Saint Catherine of Siena.Some Past Recipients of the Siena Medal:
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