History
"To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable."
Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse University in New York in 1904
Our Founders:
Marguerite Shepard
Marguerite Shepard was born at Forestville, New York. After graduating from the
Teachers’ Training Course she taught at a rural school for a year. Marguerite
entered Syracuse University in the fall of 1900. After completing two years work
she taught another year in Dunkirk, New York, but returned to college in 1903.
The next spring Alpha Gamma Delta was founded. Marguerite served as chapter
vice-president until her graduation, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She
helped write and made many valuable suggestions for both the Ritual and
Constitution. Marguerite was First Grand Vice-President from 1907-1909 and
Second Grand President from 1909-1910.
Estelle Shepard Beswick
Estelle was born in Forestville, New York and educated at Fredonia Normal School
before entering Syracuse University in 1903. As Estelle was the first one to
respond with any enthusiasm to the idea of a new fraternity at Syracuse, every
Alpha Gamma Delta’s hat is off to her. When others were perplexed and
discouraged, Estelle often set them all laughing and solved their problems.
Estelle served as the first extension chairman. She is the author of “The Alpha
Gamma Delta Girl” and with Emily Helen Butterfield, co-author of “The Alpha
Gamma Delta Goat”, both popular songs in the early days. Estelle graduated in
1908 with Phi Beta Kappa and in the fall of 1909 became the first editor of the
Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly.
Georgia Alberta Dickover
Georgia was raised and lived all her life in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Before
entering Syracuse University, Georgia attended Wilkes-Barre public schools and
Wyoming Seminary. At the close of her freshman year in college she became the
third member of the Alpha Gamma Delta founders. With Edith MacConnel Hickok she
worked long and faithfully in compiling the Ritual. She was on the first
committee on the Constitution. As president of Alpha Chapter, Georgia had the
honor of presiding at the first session of the First National Convention of the
Fraternity in May 1907.
Jennie Titus Smith Morris
Jennie was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She gave as her reason for becoming a
founder of Alpha Gamma Delta, Dr. Coddington’s interest and his assurance of the
need of more women’s fraternities. Jennie was one of only two juniors in the
founding group. She served as the first president of the Alpha Chapter. She is
the author of the songs “Friendship” and “To Thee” and a considerable part of
the Ritual. Jennie wore the first Badge and treasured it always.
Ethel Evelyn Brown Distin
Ethel Evelyn Brown Distin was born in Euclid, New York. Ethel’s education, begun
at Euclid Free School, was continued at Baldwinsville Academy. At Syracuse it
was her admiration for the aims of Alpha Gamma Delta and for Jennie Titus that
brought her into the new fraternity. Ethel was president of Alpha Chapter from
1905-1906. After graduation, Ethel taught history and english at Saranac Lake,
New York and Glen Clove, Long Island.
Grace Mosher Harter
Grace R. Mosher Harter was born in Parish, New York. In the early days of Alpha
Gamma Delta, Grace’s energetic personality entered into many bits of work
important in the structure of the Fraternity. She served as vice-president and
also helped with the installation of Gamma Chapter—Wesleyan University.
Grace—also known as Midge—had the reputation of being a gracious hostess. In
fact, Grace seldom went home without her sisters. Through the years, no home was
thought to be more hospitable to Alpha Gamma Deltas and no hostess more
thoughtful, generous or cordial.
Edith MacConnel Hickok
Edith MacConnel Hickok was born in Hartford, Pennsylvania. Edith attended school
at Harford and at Wilkes-Barre. When a freshman in Syracuse in April 1904, a
fall on the ice so injured her that she spent the period of Alpha Gamma Delta’s
founding in a hospital. At her home in the fall, however, she and Georgia
Dickover wrote the beginning of the Initiation Ritual. Soon after she sent the
chapter its first songs, “Autumn Tints” and the “Initiation Song”. Edith was the
mother of the first Alpha Gamma Delta baby.
Mary Louise Snider
Mary Louise Snider was born at Walden, New York. During her freshman year at
Syracuse, her friendship with the Shepard girls led her to join in the
fraternity founding. In the winter of 1906, Mary carried on the correspondence,
which resulted in the installation of Gamma Chapter—Wesleyan University. Mary
was president in 1909 and presided at the Installation of Zeta Chapter—Ohio
University. In October 1909, Mary became a missionary under the board of the
Methodist Church to Concepcion College, Concepcion, Chile, teaching there and in
Santiago for 13 years. While there, she originated and helped to organize the
first summer institute of Epworth Leagues ever held in South America. Mary cared
for several of the young woman, and eventually adopted one as her daughter.
After returning to the United States, Mary invested her time working with the
blind.
Georgia Otis Chipman
Georgia was born in Wolcott, New York. In college, Georgia and her roommate
Grace were the staunchest of friends. In the development of the ritual, Georgia
wrote the part concerning Gamma. At different times she was recording secretary
and vice-president of Alpha Chapter. From 1909-1911 Georgia served as the first
business manager of the Quarterly.
Emily Helen Butterfield
Emily was born near Detroit, Michigan. Emily enrolled in the architecture
program at Syracuse University in 1903. Before entering college, Emily had
studied with her father the application of heraldic principles to design and in
her freshman year sold some exquisite work of this kind. In the spring of 1906
she completed the Alpha Gamma Delta Coat of Arms. Emily was the architect of the
Alpha Gamma Delta Summer Camp Lodges and the Alpha and Chi Chapter houses. Emily
also served seven years as the Editor of the Quarterly.
Flora Knight Mayer
Flora Knight Mayer was born in Sonora, Steuben County, New York. In September
1902, Flora enrolled at Syracuse for a full musical course. While a sophomore
she became acquainted with our Founders through Edith MacConnell and Georgia
Dickover. Flora served on several important committees and always actively
participated in fraternity activities, although she held no particular office
except that of chapter pianist. Music in those early days of group living meant
much in helping to strengthen bonds and to build a structure of real beauty.
Local History:
Alpha Upsilon used to be a literary
society. In the fall of 1940, Zeta Chi Alpha sorority was Organized.
ZXA went national in 1942 and became Theta Sigma Upsilon. This was to set up as
an educational sorority, not a social sorority. In 1952 Theta Sigma Upsilon
joined the National Panhellenic Council.
In 1955, Theta Sigma Upsilon went to the national convention in Virginia. On
November 21st, 1959, seventeen undergraduates and eighteen alumnae were
initiated into what is now the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta.
This occurred when Theta Sigma Upsilon combined with Alpha Gamma Delta.
This page was last updated on: June 11th, 2007
