The Xi Chapter facility as shown in The Story of Gamma Phi Beta, 1921.
Xi Chapter (Idaho)
Xi Chapter was installed at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, on February 3, 1910.
Xi Chapter (Idaho) became the first national sorority on campus when 27 members of a local society were initiated in a three-day ceremony. Juniors and seniors were initiated February 3, alumnae and sophomores on the following day and freshmen on February 4. Installation was conducted by Helen Riheldaffer (Minnesota-Twin Cities), Rosella Mohr Gates (University of Washington, 1906), Helen McDonald Sander (University of Washington, 1904) and Edith Prosch (University of Washington, 1904).
100 is Amazing
On November 22, 1909, a telegram arrived at the University of Idaho for local sorority Alpha Delta Pi President Mary Meldrum. After reading the message to her sisters, Mary was reportedly overwhelmed and excused herself from the room. Even the house cook dissolved in tears. The news: After 10 years of petitions, Gamma Phi Beta had accepted the local sorority's request to affiliate. It would become the first national sorority on the university's campus upon installation in February 1910.
This year, Mary and 13 other founding members will be honored at the 100th anniversary of Xi Chapter's installation. Festivities will commence with a reception at the student union building on Friday, March 5, and conclude following a continental breakfast on Sunday, March 7. At Saturday evening's banquet (for members only), history will come alive as seven decades of sisters are expected to attend along with international and regional sorority officers.
The above excerpt is from the winter 2010 issue of The Crescent, page 14. To learn more about Xi Chapter, visit GPBArchives.org > 1900-1929 > 1910 > June (pages 178-179) and GPBArchives.org > 1990-2019 > 2010 > Spring (page 35).