Installing Officer:
Grand President Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg,
Ohio Alpha
Installation at Wisconsin Delta
In early October of 1988, Kappa Xi Kappa, a local sorority at Marquette University was formed. From the beginning, they sought national affiliation. By the fall of 1989 the group had grown to 50 members. Two National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) groups made presentations to Kappa Xi Kappa, but they wanted to be members of another women's fraternity, Pi Beta Phi. Their persistence and perseverance was being noted by the national Fraternity. In spite of its full expansion schedule, the international Fraternity grew more curious about the group and Pi Beta Phi sent the Milwaukee Alumnae Club President and two others from the club to meet with the members of Kappa Xi Kappa. The women were very impressed with the chapter.
The chapter was quite shrewd in its next step. One of the Pi Phi alumnae who met the chapter, Debbie Reitz, was teaching at Marquette University. Kappa Xi Kappa asked Debbie to be the chapter’s academic advisor, making the first tangible connection between the two groups. Eventually, Pi Beta Phi pledged the women of Kappa Xi Kappa three weeks before the end of the academic term, which made them Wisconsin Delta Colony of Pi Beta Phi.
The installations weekend of Wisconsin Delta, held the weekend of November 10, started off with the reading of the Constitution and Preparatory Service. Then, Pi Phi New Members, alumnae and national officers took part in a traditional Pi Phi Cookie Shine. All events were held Friday evening in the First Unitarian Church. Initiation was held at the church the following day. Grand President Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg, Ohio Alpha, was assisted by Grand Treasurer Carol Inge Warren and Grand Vice President of Membership Carolyn Pavletich Lesh. Forty-two women were initiated.
The Installation Banquet was held in the Regency Ballroom of the Marc Plaza Hotel. The room was very elegant and formal with the tables covered with wine tablecloths. Pink and white lilies accented with roses and gold angel garland graced the tables as centerpieces. Barbara Damm of the Milwaukee Alumnae Club served as toastmistress for the evening. After dinner, special guests and initiates were introduced to all in attendance. Then everyone was entertained by the Wisconsin Delta rush skit, The Big Chill. Gifts were presented and the installation ceremony was performed by Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg, Ohio Alpha. Following a Candlelighting Ceremony and Loving Cup Ceremony (no longer a Pi Phi ceremony), the evening closed with a slide presentation recapping the fall activities of Wisconsin Delta. A reception was held at the Marc Plaza on Sunday for the charter members.
Living at Wisconsin Delta
The first house for the Wisconsin Delta Chapter was at 911 North 14th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin being very close to the Marquette campus. The house was opened in the 1999–2000 year with twelve occupants. One occupant was collegiate Mia Gentithes who eventually served as the first Chapter Housing Corporation Member for the Chapter. Mia also received a National Award for her service with the Wisconsin Delta CHC.
Overtime, Wisconsin Delta moved locations several times, all houses being rented. The current facility serves as a home for the Chapter that holds weekly meetings and sisterhood activities to strengthen the Wisconsin Delta bond!
Panhellenic Groups on Campus
Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta, Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Kappa