Theta Phi Alpha
| Theta Phi Alpha | |
|---|---|
| ΘΦΑ | |
 |
|
| Founded | August 30, 1912 University of Michigan |
| Type | Social |
| Mission statement | "to create close comradeship, to advance educational, social and philanthropic interests and leadership training; to encourage spiritual development and adherence to the highest moral standards; and to promote lifelong bonds of friendship" |
| Motto | "Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring." |
| Tagline | "Ever Loyal, Ever Lasting" |
| Colors | Blue Gold Silver |
| Symbol | Compass |
| Flower | White Rose |
| Jewel | Sapphire, Pearl |
| Mascot | Penguin |
| Patron saint | St. Catherine of Sienna |
| Publication | The Compass |
| Philanthropy | Glenmary Home Missioners, The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built, The Theta Phi Alpha Foundation |
| Chapters | 54 (active) |
| Headquarters |
27025 Knickerbocker Road Bay Village, Ohio USA |
| Homepage | http://www.thetaphialpha.org |
Theta Phi Alpha (ΘΦΑ) (commonly known as Theta Phi) is a women's fraternity founded at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor on August 30, 1912. Theta Phi Alpha is one of 26 national sororities recognized in the National Panhellenic Conference. Today, Theta Phi Alpha has 54 active chapters across the United States and three colonies, with alumnae clubs and associations in almost every major city. The organization is involved in the philanthropies Glenmary Home Missioners and The House that Theta Phi Alpha Built which help the homeless and underprivileged, specifically in the Appalachian Mountain region, and Camp Friendship, a summer camp in northeast Mississippi for children from disadvantaged and low-income homes.
Theta Phi Alpha was born out of the demise of a local Catholic sorority, Omega Upsilon. Father Edward D. Kelly contacted Amelia McSweeney to discuss the possibility of a new organization. Amelia and nine other founding sisters, active collegiates and alumnae of Omega Upsilon, banded together to organize Theta Phi Alpha throughout the summer of 1912. Theta Phi Alpha continued to grow, especially after the merger with another Catholic social women's fraternity, Pi Lambda Sigma, in 1952. Although Theta Phi Alpha began as a sorority for Catholic women, the organization opened its doors to all women in 1968.
Father Edward D. Kelly (later bishop), a pastor of the student chapel at the University of Michigan saw a need for Catholic women to have a place to go for socialization and friendship. From this need, he started the women's fraternity Omega Upsilon in 1909 for Catholic women. Several women students were originally very interested in joining, partly because Catholics were not always welcome in the other Greek-letter sororities on campus. By founding this new sorority, Catholic women had sorority life opened to them.
By the Spring of 1912, Omega Upsilon was failing financially and membership was low. Father Kelly requested the assistance of Amelia McSweeney, who graduated from the University in 1898. Amelia and other alumnae of Omega Upsilon began actively to redesign the failing organization.Throughout the summer of 1912, the ten founders prepared for the new organization. Plans for the coming school year were completed on August 30, 1912, and Theta Phi Alpha began operation on the campus of the University of Michigan.
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