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Anna Ryan (Wells) (Alpha, DePauw University, left) poses with Alpha Chi Omega Founders Olive Burnett (Clark) (Alpha, DePauw University, center) and Bertha Deniston (Cunningham) (Alpha, DePauw University, right).
This portrait of Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) would have been taken during her music teaching years at Union City Public Schools. The back of the photo is inscribed with "For Frances Koch, May 31, 1910. Estella Leonard Music (Piano) Teacher"
Alpha (DePauw University) chapter members pose together for a formal portrait. Four of the women are identified: Lillian Moore Cottingham (Alpha, DePauw University, upper right corner), Anna Allen Smith (Alpha, DePauw University, second row, left), Daisy Steele Wilson (Alpha, DePauw University, lower left corner) and Mary Janet Wilson (Alpha, DePauw University, lower right corner).
Anna Allen Smith (Alpha, DePauw University) lived her entire life in Greencastle, Indiana, and was childhood friends with Bessie Grooms Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University and Olive (Ollie) Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University). She was always interested in music and was the youngest student to do advanced work at DePauw's School of Music. She was just 15 years old when Alpha Chi Omega was founded. Anna was the Founder most associated with Alpha chapter and until her untimely death in 1932, she knew every initiated Alpha (all 700 of them).
When Bertha Deniston Cunningham's (Alpha, DePauw University) parents decided their musically advanced daughter should continue her studies at DePauw, she had to play for Dean Howe to determine just how advanced she was. She went on to become the envy of the school’s music students because of her composing skills. She also was an accomplished performer and successful teacher in the School of Music for 10 years. Hers is the only one of five original badges that exists today.
Fifty-year members pose together at the 1972 National Convention. Each woman is individually identified on the back of the photograph.
Bessie Grooms Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University) began studying music as a young child and was an accomplished pianist by the time she entered DePauw. Near the end of her first year there, she strained the muscles of her left hand from over-practice and had to give up the ambition of her life. However, she gave much of her time to help build Alpha Chi Omega. Her daughter, Hannah Keenan, eventually became director of Alpha Chi’s central office, today known as headquarters.
Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) entered university hoping to make a living as a musician. Most of her time was spent practicing or studying. She also served as Dean Howe’s secretary for two years. Though she had serious goals and a “dignified appearance,” she was known for playing practical jokes on her colleagues. She graduated in 1891 and had a full career, teaching music, publishing piano compositions and reporting for the local newspaper. Long involved with Alpha Chi Omega, she attended more conventions than any other Founder. She was described in our 1948 History as “distinctly modern in her ideas” and as having “developed independence, decision, and a rather bohemian attitude.”
This view shows the interior of the living rooms in Alpha (DePauw University) chapter's leased house at 408 Elm Street.
Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) poses with Jean Sorenson Daiker (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho), who served as a page at the 1953 National Convention in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
The cast of the founding pageant takes a curtain call during the 1960 National Convention. Alpha Chis from Indianapolis played the seven Founders and five of the first new members (and were joined by one Alpha Chi husband who portrayed Dean James Hamilton Howe).
Ellen Little Vanden Brink (Alpha, DePauw University) was elected National President during the 1988 National Convention. Eight years earlier she began her volunteer work with National Council while simultaneously volunteering with the NPC as the alternate delegate until 1991. From 2004-06, Ellen served as the NPC delegate. She is remembered by many for her tremendous love of Alpha Chi Omega and the sorority experience.
The 1984-85 Collegiate Field Consultants pose together outside during the 1984 Training Leadership Seminar at DePauw University. They are (front row) CFC Melissa Ford Taylor (Alpha Upsilon, The University of Alabama), AFC Vicki Womack Chase (Delta Pi, University of Tennessee, Knoxville), CFC Kim Morrison Joyce (Beta Phi, Bowling Green State University), (back row) CFC Debbie Thomas (Beta Eta, Florida State University), CFC Nancy Reed Aichholz (Alpha Omicron, The Ohio State University) and AFC Tammie Clarke Northrop (Delta, Allegheny College). This photograph was featured on page 16 of the summer 1984 issue of The Lyre.
(left to right) Lenore Ruark Sutherlin (Alpha, DePauw University), National President Burnette Grimes Jones (Omega, Washington State University), Catharine Appleby Toole (Alpha, DePauw University) and Ruth Tewinkel Suppes (Rho, University of Washington) pose with DePauw University President Dr. Russell Humbert and the temporary Founders memorial installed at DePauw on DePauw Day during the 1960 National Convention. The temporary plaque was installed as a token of Alpha Chi Omega's promise to provide a proper memorial to the Founders at a later date. This photograph was featured on page 14 of the September 1960 issue of The Lyre.
This membership report includes the names, home addresses, years, academic focuses and high schools of all collegiate members of Alpha (DePauw University) chapter.
