History of Zeta Lambda
Written by Jane Cooper 1/11/99
Melinda Spurlock's sister was a member of the Alpha Kappa chapter at Kansas state. An alum from Dallas, Judy Parker, came over and met with us. We never really considered anything else. The greek system was not very firm at that time, so it was up to us. We liked what we heard and said yes when we were invited to join. We loved the pin.
Our pledging was at the Ramada Inn on Beach St. Delta Psi led the ceremony. Yes, we were scared because we didn't know what to do. Linda Siebold was our first chapter advisor. She was really nice and worked with us on songs. We went over to the practice rooms in the Fine Arts Auditorium and she taped some piano stuff for us so we could learn some songs. We enjoyed that. We also got some shirts so that we could wear them on campus.
You asked about the transition from a local to a national group. It was hard because none of us knew what it was like to be affiliated with a national group. There was a lot of competition on campus, so there wasn't much campus reaction. I have my original pledge book. As the first president, I helped us go from a colony to a chapter. Melinda Spurlock was actually president at the time of installation. We were happy to find out that the dean's wife was an Alpha Xi Delta, Mrs Bernie Gross. That was really nice.
Our installation and initiation was at Hemphill Presbyterian Church, located on Hemphill and Allen St. That was strange because it was my own church. It had been arranged by Marjorie Young, a member of that church and an Alpha Xi. It was a big secret as to where the ceremony would be, so you can imagine how shocked I was that it was at my own church, in a very familiar place. It was down in the basement in the fellowship hall, a nicely furnished room and very large. We had a large group of visitors. The national delegation was led by Mary Winters, the Alumnae VP who lived in Tulsa OK. She told me later, on many occasions, that I was the most beautiful initiation and installation she had ever seen, and she had seen quite a few. It was all dark and candlelit when we came in the room. Yes, I was scared. I guess we didn't know what to expect. It was all shadowy, but beautiful. The ceremony was lovely and moving. With all the people there, the singing was especially good and there was someone playing the piano. Everything was so meaningful, and no matter how many initiaons I go to, I always remember that one. It was very serious to sing the charter.
We had our installation banquet at the Fort Worth Club, arranged by one of the local alums. We had a good time and enjoyed meeting everyone. There were collegiate members from Beta Alpha, Delta Psi and North Tx State. We were so proud at chatper roll call to stand when they read our name for the first time. It was amazing how many different chapters were represented. We had wonderful time and sang "The Sisterhood of Women". We had practiced a lot. Every time I sing it now, I think of that banquet and all the sisters there. Delta Psi served as our big sisters.
Being the first president, I had a lot to learn. Things weren't all that organized and we had a lot of strange local customs on campus. Now as an adult looking back on this, I'm amazed at some of the things we did, which would now be considered hazing, but were basically harmless.
We struggled a lot at the beginning, but we were very close. Sharon Mauldin was my best friend and had been one of the first people I met in Deka. We're still friends to this day. As with any small group, we all had to take more than one office. We didn't seem to mind the workload, even though at times we worked really hard. I was alway proud of who we were and what we stood for. It's amazing to think back on those days and realize that Phi Mu didn't make it. They were the strongest group at that time (They were snobby to us).
It makes me really proud to know that we're "Xi Best" on campus. I first became a province president and held that office for two terms. I was appointed Region I Alumnae Director when the regions were drawn differently. I held that two terms also. My region was the whole western US. I have remained active in alum groups ever since college days. I was the first Zeta Lambda to join the Fort Worth alum group and held offices there: yearbook chairman, treasurer, president, local membership chairman. I've lived in Houston since 1981 and have been active in our group here. From about 1986, I have held a province or regional office. I have attended quite a few conventions and still enjoy friends I've met all through the years from coast to coast.
Fraternity History
In April of 1893, at a college in Illinois, 10 very courageous young women established a bond, and formed Alpha Xi Delta. Harriet Luella McCollum and Cora Bollinger were roommates attending Lombard College. They shared an interest in forming a local sorority. The two were looking for an organization that would stress personal friendships, advance friendlier contacts with the entire student body, and be of active service to the school. The two women met in secrecy in the room they shared to discuss their plans. Lucy Gilmer, Eliza Curtis, and Frances and Almira Cheney joined them. Before long, the group of ten was completed with the inclusion of Bertha Cook, Julia Maude Foster, Lewie Strong, and Alice Bartlett. During this time, there were only three social organizations on campus, only one of which was available to women, Pi Beta Phi. The other two were Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Nu, which provided social opportunities to the men of Lombard College. Phi Delta Theta had assisted in the organization of Pi Beta Phi on campus, and the Men of Sigma Nu were eager for a similar opportunity. After several ideas from the Nus had been heard, the ten women drafted the Constitution and Bylaws, composed a song, whistle, and yell, and designed a badge. After presenting their plans to the college administration, the date of April 17 was chosen to make the Sorority public. The proud ladies, with knots of double blue and pink roses pinned to them entered the college chapel together and sat at the back of the room. The Sigma Nus started a round of congratulatory applause. After Chapel, the new sorority displayed their spirit by performing the yell they had composed:
Delta! Delta! Alpha Xi Delta!
Anig Banan geefen way! (A collection of Anglo-Saxon syllables)
Sprechen sei wohl, Alpha Xi Delta! (German meaning, "You say well")
And thus, Alpha Xi Delta was formed. The National Fraternity now has over 120,000 initiated members, each of which live by the ideals of scholarship, friendship, responsibility, and understanding that our ten founders formed.
Our Founders:
Our Symbols:
New Member Pin:
The Quill:
Our flower, the Pink Rose
Our Mascot, the Teddybear
