Installing Officer:
Grand President Jean Wirths Scott, Pennsylvania Beta
Installation at Pennsylvania Zeta
The chapter was installed on November 10, 1979, a few years after the College began admitting women. National Panhellenic Delegate Annette Mitchell Mills, with local chairmen Joyce Rogers Vettel and Virginia McCrory Hester, planned the installation weekend. Guests began arriving Friday afternoon as pledges gathered on campus to listen to the reading of the Constitution. Excitement was in the air for all concerned and everyone pitched in to make the weekend a most enjoyable success.
Several West Virginia Alpha Pi Phis were present at the Cookie Shine that evening to act as big sisters of the charter members, giving them gifts and helping with the festivities. A special Cookie Shine sheet was made for the chapter and members present signed it for posterity! The charter members, under the capable supervision of Nancy Strine, Resident Graduate Counselor, had learned some Pi Phi history through skits, and these added to the special fun of the occasion. In Pi Phi spirit and tradition, the group also sang, including one of the songs that won them second place at Greek Sing. Pledge pins were returned in a meaningful ceremony and many beautiful gifts were presented to the colony and received by President Bernadette Luketich.
Saturday morning was initiation of the 29 charter members and one alumna initiate at the First Presbyterian Church. As the guests, both active and alumnae, gathered for the banquet that evening, each was caught up in the enthusiasm of events. Toastmistress Mary Jane Chandler Seamans introduced several speakers and led the group in a most memorable evening. Sunday morning was the model chapter meeting, conducted by Doris Brown Fawcett, Grand Secretary. That afternoon members of the campus community, families and friends were invited to a tea in the Faculty Lounge to introduce the new chapter. Many attended and feelings of sisterhood were high as the festivities of the weekend drew to a close and life as Pennsylvania Zeta began.
