Alpha Epsilon Chapter History
The Alpha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Delta Pi started out as a group of high school girls in a club called the Just Us Girls Club. Initially, this club was only for women of high school age, but as time passed, most of these members enrolled in the University of Nebraska. They decided to expand their membership by allowing non-residents to join. They soon decided to rename their club, and they became the Owasco Club, a name inspired by the Native American word for bridge. In the spring of 1915, the Owasco Club petitioned to affiliate with Alpha Delta Pi. According to the Adelphean, nine members of the Owasco Club were installed as the charter members of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi on June 11, 1915. Those women were Clarissa Delano, Zeta Ruth Higgins, Gladys Hughes, Gwendolyn Hughes, Ethel Florence Kittinger, Mary Alice Kittinger, Mary Krause, Agnes Meline and Ruth Margaret Pope (read more about these sisters).
During the Great Depression, the chapter was strained by economic hardships, as with many other Greek organizations at UNL and nationwide closed during this time. Many Alpha Epsilon alumnae kept its name alive until the chapter was later revitalized. Inez Coppom, known to every visitor or delegate at Alpha Delta Pi conventions during this time as an "Old Timer"--this appellation with love and affection for one who has served Alpha Delta Pi as a province vice-president, convention traffic manager, regional alumnae director, Nebraska state chairman, and as Convention Secretary in 1929, 1936, 1948, and at every convention from 1948 to at least 1965. Mildred Othmer Peterson, Adelphean editor in 1939, also a prominent alumna, was honored as Outstanding Alumna at the convention in 1957.
Alpha Delta Pi at UNL was recolonized by Sherry Foster, an initiate of Phi chapter at Hanover College, and Donna McFarlin, an initiate of Gamma Mu chapter at Southwest Missouri State College in 1962. They were assisted by the sorority's traveling secretary Linda Hill. During March 29-31, 1963, the chapter was officially reinstalled with 32 collegiate members and six honorary alumnae initiates. Grand Council President Maxine Blake presented the chapter its charter. The charter recognizes our recolonizing charter members: Kathleen Bishop, Linda Bukacek, Adeline Dinnis, Billie Hugelman, Virginia Kramer, Judy Maddox, Rosie Mann, Kathleen Marsh, Barbara Milford, Janet McCune, Carol Nootz, Susan Rogers, Mureen Schlueter, Susan Smith, Debra Voorhees, Sharon Bonham, Geraldine Davis, Sharon Harris, Marsha Harshaw, Jon Anne Henderson, Karen Hoppe, Mary Lee Jepsen, Marilyn Jilek, Barbara Lawrence, Della Meyer, Kathleen Miller, Marilyn Olander, Genevieve Peterson, Anne Pierce, Mary Rakow, Alice Speece, Suzanne Young, Sharon Foster and Donna Jean McFarlin.
Alpha Delta Pi at UNL was recolonized by Sherry Foster, an initiate of Phi chapter at Hanover College, and Donna McFarlin, an initiate of Gamma Mu chapter at Southwest Missouri State College in 1962. They were assisted by the sorority's traveling secretary Linda Hill. During March 29-31, 1963, the chapter was officially reinstalled with 32 collegiate members and six honorary alumnae initiates. Grand Council President Maxine Blake presented the chapter its charter. The charter recognizes our recolonizing charter members: Kathleen Bishop, Linda Bukacek, Adeline Dinnis, Billie Hugelman, Virginia Kramer, Judy Maddox, Rosie Mann, Kathleen Marsh, Barbara Milford, Janet McCune, Carol Nootz, Susan Rogers, Mureen Schlueter, Susan Smith, Debra Voorhees, Sharon Bonham, Geraldine Davis, Sharon Harris, Marsha Harshaw, Jon Anne Henderson, Karen Hoppe, Mary Lee Jepsen, Marilyn Jilek, Barbara Lawrence, Della Meyer, Kathleen Miller, Marilyn Olander, Genevieve Peterson, Anne Pierce, Mary Rakow, Alice Speece, Suzanne Young, Sharon Foster and Donna Jean McFarlin.
Since then, Alpha Epsilon has enjoyed many years of sisterhood at UNL and has initiated hundreds of sisters who will always have Alpha Delta Pi memories wherever they go.