House Dedication
Lambda Iota Chapter’s new home They say a house is not a home without laughter and love. For the women of Lambda Iota Chapter (Vanderbilt University), their ZTA house became a home before they even moved in. And on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation honored this home’s warm, sisterly spirit as a part of its house dedication celebration. Upon ZTA’s selection to colonize at Vanderbilt in spring 2011, the FHC and university immediately began to secure a home for ZTA. With Pi Beta Phi moving into a new home, the decision was made for the soon-tobe vacant, university-owned house at 118 24th Ave. South, in Nashville, Tenn., to house campus Panhellenic Council officers during the 2011-2012 academic year. The next fall, ZTA would move into the property. Thanks to the generosity of the Panhellenic Council, ZTA colony members did not have to wait to enjoy their future home. During colonization recruitment, potential new members were given the opportunity to tour the house, and later, colony members were invited to use it as a gathering place for sisterhoods and meetings.
the supervision of FHC Director Susan Beard, each room received new paint, flooring, furnishings and décor. As you enter the front door, a cozy living room provides a place for sisterhood and studying. To the left is a chapter room large enough to accommodate all members. The property also provides living space for six women. Ms. Beard served as toastmistress for the dedication and presided over the House Dedication Service. Honored speakers included: Jordan Sala, Lambda Iota Chapter president; Tesha Garcia-Taylor, local house association president; Kristin Torrey Shorter, Vanderbilt’s Director of Greek Life; and Mrs. Conrad. These women were joined by Vanderbilt Associate Director of Greek Life Krystal Clark for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Chapter members served as tour guides for the dedication’s 150 guests.
Per ZTA tradition, the FHC gifted the chapter with an engraved doorknocker, presented by Ms. Beard. Nashville, TN Alumnae Chapter president Sheila Porada and Mrs. Garcia-Taylor also presented the chapter with a beautiful glass and silver beverage urn. But for chapter members, no gift was greater than having a place to call home. “I want to thank my beautiful sisters of Lambda Iota for coming together to create this amazing sisterhood,” Jordan said. “Thank you for filling this house with laughter, memories and love.”
“The time our members spent together in this house in the spring, getting to know one another and building life-long friendships, helped lay the foundation for our new chapter,” said ZTA Extension Director Marlene Dunbar Conrad. During the summer, the FHC and university worked diligently to make updates in time for members to move in for the fall 2012 semester. Under 30 · Themis
(Top) Lambda Iota’s living room (Bottom, from left) Associate Director of Greek Life Krystal Clark, Director of Greek Life Kristin Torrey Shorter, Lambda Iota president Jordan Sala, FHC Director Susan Beard, Extension Director Marlene Dunbar Conrad, local house association president Tesha Garcia-Taylor.