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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.
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.”
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 program includes pieces from The Daily Banner written between May 23-26, 1932 regarding the death of Founder Anna Allen Smith (Alpha, DePauw University). The articles discuss plans for Smith's funeral as well as biographical information about the deceased.
This article provides biographical information on Alpha Chi Omega Founder Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) and includes a photograph.
This brief article discusses a picnic in honor of Nellie Gamble Childe (Alpha, DePauw University), the last living founder of Alpha Chi Omega, and includes a photograph of Childe.
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham compiled 12 scrapbooks that are part of Alpha Chi Omega's archives collection. This scrapbook chronicles her journey to the 1930 national convention aboard the Alpha Chi Omega special train traveling from Chicago to Del Monte, California. It also incudes clippings about Alpha Chi sisters, notes and clippings about alumnae chapter events and greeting cards.