Installation News
Alpha Gamma Chapter returns to Michigan
P
atience, loyalty and dedication have resulted in great rewards for Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae with ties to Alpha Gamma Chapter at the University of Michigan. On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, in Ann Arbor, the 28th link in our Chain of Chapters, closed since 1995, was reactivated following the Initiation of 140 new members. “The alumnae of Alpha Gamma Chapter and throughout the state of Michigan have waited patiently for this day,” said Extension Director Karen Farmer Mills. “They have stayed organized and dedicated, waiting for the time to come back to this prestigious campus.” Alpha Gamma Chapter was originally installed June 1, 1920. It remained active until 1951 when it closed due to decreases in membership. In 1956, the number of women registering for recruitment at Michigan grew and the chapter was recolonized. Alpha Gamma remained active for another 39 years before closing in 1995. National Council has looked forward to the opportunity to return once more to the University of Michigan. The 15-member Michigan Panhellenic Association offered that opportunity in 2009. A team of Traveling Leadership Consultants (TLCs) held a public relations week in spring 2009 to announce ZTA’s fall arrival. Colonizing on a campus with 26,000 undergraduate students required a large Extension team. Mrs. Mills, National President Laura Ladewig Mauro, Secretary-Treasurer Dinah Jackson Laughery, ZTA Foundation President Becky Hainsworth Kirwan, ZTA Extension Committee Chairman Marlene Dunbar Conrad, Director of New Chapters Kristen Humeston Harthorn, Province President Kristen Moeller Faure and Executive Director Deb Ensor made up the team, along with TLCs Sharon Binford, Annette Dimeck, Taryn Kadar and Kat Lopez, who nicknamed themselves “Team Blue” in honor of Michigan’s school colors. The impressive colonization effort culminated with a Bid Day celebration on Founders’ Day, Oct. 15.
The 140 new members of Alpha Gamma were the largest Installation class for Zeta Tau Alpha in two decades.
“The passion that National Council, the TLCs and the alumnae showed was incredible and inspiring to us,” said chapter president Elizabeth Britt who transferred to Michigan from Saint Louis University where she was a charter member of Kappa Omega Chapter. “We are so grateful for all the support we have received and to understand that Zeta stretches far past this campus.” Collegians from Beta Phi Chapter (Michigan State University), Gamma Omicron Chapter (Central Michigan University) and Zeta Omega Chapter (Ferris State University) conducted the Initiation Services for the 140 new members on Saturday, Jan. 16. The Reactivation Service was held on Sunday, with Mrs. Mauro as the Installing Officer and Mrs. Mills assisting, followed by a celebratory luncheon with over 400 in attendance. All the events were held at the Marriott Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti and were coordinated by Installation Chairman and General Advisor Tamara Kutter. In her keynote address, Mrs. Mauro recognized the loyalty of those who made the reactivation possible. “Take a look at the long list of those people whom we have thanked in your program,” she said to the new members. “They are loyal Zeta Tau Alphas who have heard the call and volunteered to do all they could to bring our Fraternity back to this campus. They never wavered from their desire to share our bond of sisterhood with you.” On behalf of the TLCs, Kat Lopez thanked the new members for their friendship during the colonization. “You taught this New Mexican how to ice skate, a New Yorker how to appreciate a different accent, and you even taught a (Michigan State) Spartan how to say ‘Go Blue.’ But most importantly, you constantly reminded us why we do this job,” Kat said.
Vice President II/New Member Coordinator Jessica Cadena and President Elizabeth Britt accepted the chapter’s installation gifts.
The chapter received the traditional Baby Cup from the TLCs, as well as gifts presented by Kristen Faure and District President XIII-A Amy Davison Maddox, including the three-volume History of Zeta Tau Alpha signed by National Council. Spring 2010
• 7