QFA Celebrates 100 Years of The Compass

QFA Celebrates

100 YEARS OF

THE

BY LAUREN SVEC GALLO, BETA BETA, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATION/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In June 1921, The Compass of Theta Phi Alpha was born. The magazine served as the official communication of the Fraternity and was the best way to communicate news to all members. Filled with information about alumnae, chapter highlights, and Fraternity announcements, The Compass also served as the Fraternity’s first directory, sharing members’ information from Alpha to Zeta Chapters. The same information would continue for many years, and as the Fraternity grew larger, only the directory information for National Officers was shared. Highlights of National Conventions, extension news and updates, historic milestones, and photos started in the early years and continue through today.

The magazine has been a pillar of history for Theta Phi Alpha, being one of the few constants for the past 100 years. The inaugural issue was dedicated to Amelia McSweeney, Founder, and Mildred Connely, Fraternity President, gave the first President’s Message (excerpts taken below).

When one reads the pages of this small but interesting book, one must certainly experience a little thrill of joy and distinct gratification in the thought that the banner of Theta Phi Alpha has gone steadily forward under such happy auspices. Although the Fraternity is less than a decade old, the beautiful ideals embodied in its principles by its Founders have given it strength and courage to meet and overcome many difficulties and to maintain steady progress toward the realization of its aims. Of itself, the mere possession of such ideals would not have so fostered the growth of Theta Phi Alpha; other factors contributed their measure of help. Among these may be counted the loyalty, service, unlimited devotion, and unquenchable enthusiasm on the part of Theta Phi Alpha's daughters, who realize that in the privilege of wearing her badge lies the obligation of doing their utmost to uphold every one of its principles and create traditions which shall be sources of inspiration to the college women of the future. . . . . .Do you ask yourself these days, “What AM I doing, what CAN I do for Theta Phi Alpha?” If you are thinking about these matters, there can be no doubt of your interest. . . …In conclusion, let us believe that the measure of success which Theta Phi Alpha will attain next year, and the year after and in future years, will be calculable in terms of our loyalty to her ideals. The best proof of our devotion and loyalty lies, not altogether in a high percent gained in a fraternity examination, nor yet in expressing all sorts of good wishes for our success, but rather, in addition to these elements, in a high degree of enthusiastic, unswerving, daily devotion to the teachings, the purpose, and the ideals of Theta Phi Alpha. Loyally yours in the Bonds of Theta Phi Alpha, Mildred M. Connely

June 1923 – Frances Best, B, Editor: “Instead of having to send in the regular chapter news each editor will be required to submit one article in addition. This may be an article on anything under that sun that would be our interest to members of the fraternity. It may be a good editorial, or a tale, or a biography, or most anything.” The Compass was also looking for poems for a poetry contest, for both individual and chapter poems. The lifetime dues program was started and dues were set at $35.

1924 1926 1926

June 1924 – Train schedules for National Convention from Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, and Cincinnati to Columbus, Ohio, were advertised. Frances Best, again, “The opportunity of knowing our three living founders, afforded to us by this conclave, is an occasion which will inspire us all to greater effort in following closely the ideal which they set for us, and give a zeal that we may ‘build better than we know.’”

June 1926 – Lifetime dues were raised to $50.

July 1928 –

After a revision to the Coat of

Arms, The Compass published an article about Heraldry and the Coat of Arms of Theta Phi Alpha.

August 1929 –

The Fraternity pushes a drive for 100% lifetime membership to all chapters and alumnae.

January 1930 –

First photo appeared on the cover of the magazine.

October 1932 – Theta Phi Alpha voted to all have the same badge going forward.

1933 – The Guard of Honor was established and was to be awarded at National Convention in 1935.

July 1934 – One line of color graced the cover of the issue.

1936 – Changes to the magazine included a new design for the cover, color on the front (more than one line), and an inside directory page.

June 1936 – The Compass pricing was $1 for a yearly subscription or $0.25 an issue.

Early 1940s – The format became consistent and has really become streamlined. The magazine was roughly 20 pages at this time.

1940s – Most of the issues in this decade featured wartime efforts and advertisements.

Fall 1947 –

Katherine Keliher Moran, H, helped get the Fraternity into NPC as an associate member.

Summer 1949 – Founders’ Day Proclamation – “On this our Fraternity’s birthday I ask all Theta Phi Alphas, whether you be a members of an Alumnal group, a member of a City Association group or an undergraduate members, to unite solidly together in pledging ourselves anew to carry on unselfishly, untiringly in promoting the interests of Theta Phi Alpha. Johannes Jorgensen, one of St. Catherine’s biographers says, “The ultimate wisdom is to serve.” Let us not be hesitant to serve. Let us all share the responsibilities which we assumed on the day we became members of Theta Phi Alpha. We have a great Fraternity – let us all help to preserve and spread its traditions.” – Mary Louise Steigerwald, L, National President

1951 – The cover art appeared to be similar to that of the late 1930s/early 1940s.

1952 – Theta Phi Alpha merges with Pi Lambda Sigma.

Summer 1961 – Founders’ Foundation announces first scholarship recipients in this issue.

Fall 1963 – Theta Phi Alpha National Office becomes automated and membership information is kept on magnetic tape, thanks to the help of National Personnel Chairman Gloria J. Neises, Z. Every member received a Theta Phi Alpha identification number and labels are printed for mailings of The Compass. 1970s – The magazine covered a lot of collegian and alumnae updates, including Senior Service Award recipients and chapter and alumnae association updates. During this time, the Fraternity was down to only 10 chapters and the 1976 National Convention held discussions about the future of Theta Phi Alpha.

1980s – The Fraternity continued to report on National Conventions, Founders’ Foundation, and chapter and alumnae news. Fourteen chapters were open in the 1980s, from Alpha Omicron to Beta Delta. The magazine’s cover had a blue order and design, but all the photos were in black and white.

1990s – A full color photo donned the front of the Spring 1990 issue. A permanent National Office was established in Bay Village, Ohio; the Office moved to Knickerbocker Road in 1994. The Winter 1997 issue featured a story about Theta Phi Alpha’s first website, http://members/aol.com/TPAweb. Fraternity merchandise was advertised for order from the National Office, as well as a Theta Phi Alpha credit card. The Summer 1999 issue featured an entire color issue, the first in our history of The Compass.

2000s – The current format of the magazine started around the Fall 2000 issue, with some artwork thanks to Angie Zabala Palmer, BE, and a professional publisher. The Winter/Spring 2002 issue was published after 9/11 and highlighted service projects, community service, and philanthropy work. The Fall/Winter 2005 issue after Hurricane Katrina shared the same theming. The end of the 2000s is the first mention of Living Our History: Centennial History of Theta Phi Alpha, in preparation for the Fraternity’s Centennial.

2010s – In 2011, the Fraternity switched to Sigler, our current designer and printer. The change brought lots of color and a rebrand to the magazine. The 90th anniversary of The Compass was featured in 2011 as well. The Fall 2012 issue celebrated our Centennial Celebration in Ann Arbor, Mich., home of the Alpha Chapter. The 60-page issue showcased many memories from National Convention, including visiting Founders’ graves and initiating Helen Ryan Quinlan’s family members.

2020s – The format of the magazine remains unchanged, and highlighting sister profiles, National Convention, chapters, and alumnae associations are the main focus. Updates from the Fraternity are published as well. The Fall/Winter 2020 issue shared stories about the COVID-19 pandemic and how Theta Phi Alpha had to change with the global crisis.

I look forward to sharing many more wonderful stories about our members and the Fraternity in issues to come. Many thanks to anyone who worked on the magazine for the past 100 years. Your service to Theta Phi Alpha has made an impact on our Fraternity’s history.

HAPPY 100TH ANNIVERSARY to

THE

OF THETA PHI ALPHA