Sigma Alpha Iota • Beta Eta Chapter

History of the Beta Eta Chapter

Charter Members

SEEN HERE are the members of Beta Eta with Mrs. Edna Hutton, National Editor, Mrs. Gertrude Wood, National Treasurer, and Mrs. Blanchard, Advisor, in the West Room of Walwood Hall immediately following the formal business meeting during installation days.

Left to right, first row: Edna Smith, Miss Mary Doty, Mrs. Lynette Blanchard, Mary Ellen Ward, Lillian Sundquist, Mrs. Hutton, and Mrs. Wood.

Second Row: Lynette Pardee, Geraldine French, Marie Krust, Ruth Gundy, Pat Dewey, Geraldine Dimmick, Barbara Brown, Mary Ellen Pas, Phyllis Malarney, Marilyn Hammond, Mrs. Dorothea Snyder, Marilyn Van Wagner, Miss Ethel Green, Carolyn George, Beta Eta's president, Adele Kuemple, and Mrs. Margaret Beloof.

The Beta Eta Chapter had its first full year of active participation with Sigma Alpha Iota during the 1949-1950 school year. The formal initiation of the founding members and installation of the chapter took place March 25 and 26, 1949 in the Arcadia Brook Faculty lounges.

The memorable weekend began with the pledging service and initiation March 25, with Mrs. Gertrude Wood, National Editor, participating in both ceremonies. Following the ceremonies, a formal dinner was held in the faculty dining room to celebrate the newest chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Western Michigan College. Beta Eta members, national officers, patroness members, sponsors and guests were all present. Representatives of Phi Mu Alpha, Delta Iota Chapter, were also present and welcomed the new music fraternity with greetings and flowers. A celebratory musicale was held after the dinner at the home of Mrs. Camerson Davis of Kalamazoo.

A business luncheon was held the following day, March 26, in the VanGogh Room of Walwood Hall. The officers of the new chapter also conferred with Mrs. Hutton and Mrs. Wood in regards to running an efficient chapter of SAI. Beta Eta then met for its first formal meeting that afternoon in the West room of Walwood Hall.

The Beta Eta chapter was the 90th chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. The Chapter was installed with the assistance of two other nearby chapters: Alpha at the University of Michigan and Iota Pi at Albion College.

In February of 1999, Beta Eta celebrated it 50th anniversary. A two-day celebration was held in the honor of this occasion on February 27th and 28th. The first day of the celebration consisted of an opening ceremony, presentation, formal dinner, musicale and a special moment at East Hall. The second day of the celebration consisted of a 50 year ceremony, a remembrance time for deceased sisters, a sing-a-long, luncheon, open discussions, and a closing ceremony. Included in the guests for the weekend were many alumnae, 2 of the charter members of Beta Eta and Virginia Johnson, the National President.