Founders

“Let us strive to make the utmost of the time allotted to us; then shall ‘life, death and eternity be one grand, sweet song.”  -Helen M. Dodge Ferguson, 1932
 
“The Scholar,” Helen Mary Dodge Ferguson was a member of the second class ever admitted to Syracuse and the first Founder to graduate. She was a talented musician and avid reader who loved to discuss and debate issues that arose in her studies. Helen often looked for avenues of service to others and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also traveled to locations like the Middle East, France, Belgium, India and China to complete mission work for her church. Helen died in 1937, leaving a substantial bequest to Syracuse University for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta.  
Helen was always extremely committed to Gamma Phi Beta and was selected by the other three founders as the first president of Alpha Chapter (Syracuse). She is also responsible for drafting the initial constitution for the Sorority and wrote “List the Watchword,” the first official song of Gamma Phi Beta, in honor of the first anniversary of the Sorority. At each biennial Convention, Gamma Phi Beta presents the Helen M. Dodge Award to an outstanding collegiate chapter advisor. The criterion for this esteemed award is based on the traits Helen had as a mentor.