It all began when a member of Upsilon chapter at Washington State University visited three University of Washington students who were living off campus and asked them to move to Clark Hall and form Alpha Delta local sorority. The three (Zella Swartz, Jeanette Barrows, and Mary McKee) agreed. In the fall of 1915 Alpha Delta with the assistance of Upsilon and Psi ADPis petitioned Alpha Delta Pi for membership.
In April of 1917, Irene Patchett Smith, Grand Secretary (later Grand President) visited the Alpha Delta local. Sunday morning the girls and Mrs. Smith went for a hike to Ravenna Park and Mrs. Smith broke the news to the girls that they were to become Alpha Delta Pis. The following Wednesday, April 25, Mrs. Smith installed the group assisted by Josephine Morris of Psi, Margaret DeLong of Theta, and Verona Hull and Margaret Reisenauer of Upsilon. The girls signing the origina1 petition were the charter members. The next day Alpha Theta's first initiation took place with the Installation Banquet in the evening at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle.
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| PYRAMID OF PI: Members of Alpha Delta Pi sorority gather in an unconventional setting in the 1970s. |
Alpha Delta Pi was the 15th sorority to be installed on the University of Washington campus. Alpha Theta was founded in the year of US entrance into war. Alpha Theta was among three newly founded sororities at the University of Washington, Phi Mu, and Zeta Tau Alpha. Based on the circumstances, school was subject to close, and Alpha Thetas awaited their pins, hoping to receive them as an icon of membership before the college might close.
Seven hundred boys were given full credit for the term and sent to farms and canneries where they would begin training for the military. Girls began taking first aid work, two Alpha Theta's began taking lessons in ambulance driving, and the house collectively practiced bandaging.
In 1818, Alpha Theta's moved to a new home nearer to campus. In addition, in 1919, they were blessed with having Miss Olive Kunz, Province President as a housemother. The same year, influenza made rushing difficult, and no new girls pledged Alpha Theta.
Jeanette Barrows left to serve in the military as a Red Cross nurse and died of pneumonia on March 15, 1919 in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. She was honored with a gold star of the University's Service Flag, as was the only female honored at the University of Washington as a war hero during a service by University President Suzallo. She was buried in Seattle in the spring of 1920 with full military honors. A tree was planted on memorial lane, and her name is listed with the male heroes on the entrance pillars to campus.
After the war, in 1922, Alpha Theta decided to build at 4547 18th N.E. The house cost about $25,000 and in October 1925, Alpha Thetas settled into their new house.
In 1927, active Maxine Blake (a Theta Sigma Phi member) became editor of the Tyee, the University of Washington yearbook. Maxine Blake also served as Alpha Theta President, graduating in 1928. For ten years, Maxine served the University of Washington as executive secretary of Panhellenic and originated the "Washington Rushing System," which has been copied by major colleges and universities all over the country.
In 1929-30, the house was remodeled with a new porch, green shutters, and new pink china and glassware. Scholarship became an increased priority at Alpha Theta, closed weekends were observed, where the two weeks before the end of each quarter girls were required to study at the house. In 1930, Virginia Freise was editor of the Daily, and President of Theta Sigma Phi.
After working for Alpha Delta Pi national as a Province President, National Vice-President, and National Panhellenic Delegate, Maxine Blake is crowned International Grand President 1948.
 Alpha Theta began considering new construction also and a lot was purchased for future use. Ground was broken in May 1950 for a large chapter house on the corner of 18th. and 47th Alpha Theta has called 1805 N.E. 47th home ever since. The original house was U shaped around an open courtyard. in 1966 the property directly south of the house was purchased and an addition built enclosing the courtyard. Each property upgrade during the years resulted in increased housing capacity. Today, Alpha Theta collegians living in the chapter house number close to 100.
Alpha Thetas have always been active in campus affairs. Through the years, several Alpha Thetas have held many campus and class offices as well as been honored by membership in many honoraries.
| Alpha Theta has been awarded the Diamond Four Point numerous times and is also a Golden Lion recipient, which is the highest honor an Alpha Delta Pi chapter can receive. |
- In 1991, Alpha Theta received the prestigious Golden Lion award for Chapter Excellence.
- In 1999, the Golden Lion award was renamed the Maxine Blake Golden Lion Award in honor of her 75-year membership.
- In 2007, Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi will celebrate its anniversary of 90 years of sisterhood.
Alpha Thetas have served Alpha Delta Pi in a variety of positions, most notably Miss Maxine Blake. Several Alpha Thetas have also served as Traveling Collegiate Secretaries, now referred to as Leadership Consultants who travel from campus to campus advising and assisting the chapters with their various activities.
Alpha Theta celebrates our newest Leadership Consultant, Kimberly Woiwod, who will be serving during the 07-08 term. |
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