Installing Officer:
Grand Vice President Lida Burkhard Lardner, Colorado Beta
Installation of Missouri Gamma
The Missouri Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi was originally established as the Mu Beta sorority in 1906 on Drury College’s (later renamed Drury University) campus the chapter was notified via telegraph that the chapter was granted a charter for membership in Pi Beta Phi. The Pi Beta Phi chapter was officially installed on January 9, 1914. The Initiation Ceremony took place in the chapter room in Burnham Hall on campus. The installation banquet was held at the Colonial Hotel. In lieu of speeches, the banquet featured a morality play written for the occasion by charter member Mary Criss.
Living at Missouri Gamma
The Missouri Gamma Chapter at Drury University is special because in that it does not have a typical chapter house. Instead, the chapter has their own suite in the Panhellenic building, which includes three other chapters on campus. Chapter members come to the suite for chapter meetings, to do homework, watch TV and to hang out. To every member, the suite is a special gathering place filled with laughs and support, which makes it easy for the Missouri Gammas to feel at home.
An interesting item in the suite is the pin of Orpha Smith Dillard. Orpha is the mother of Dorothy “Dottie” Dillard who won two Grammy Awards as a singer with The Anita Kerr Quartet. After Dottie passed away, her estate was put up for auction and Missouri Gamma alumnae saw her original pin. Together, they secured the pin in the auction, and had it framed and donated it to the Missouri Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi. The original pin is now on display in the chapter suite.
Panhellenic Groups on Campus
Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Pi Beta Phi and Zeta Tau Alpha
Philanthropic Service
Missouri Gamma hosts many philanthropy events every year including, Wing Ching Ching, Pie a Pi Phi and Lemonade for Literacy. However, the main philanthropy event is Puttin' on the Lips. Otherwise known as POL, it is the highest attended philanthropic event on Drury's campus. Any group from across the campus can enter to dance and perform in this lip-syncing contest! This event began when the chapter lost their beloved sister, Andrea Newbold, who was hit by a drunk driver in 2001. Missouri Gamma proudly host annual Puttin' on the Lips in her memory to raise awareness about drunk driving and literacy.
Notable Alumnae
- Dorothy “Dottie” Dillard, who won two Grammy Awards as a signer with The Anita Kerr Quartet
Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award Winners from Missouri Gamma
- Cindi Arnett Hemm (2013)
- Marcia Mobley Mitchell (1992)
Young Alumna Achievement Award
