Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Chapter, 1885, 1891

History of Kappa Alpha Theta - Wesleyan Bee, January 1, 1883, pg. 7

Kappa Alpha Theta entered the Illinois Wesleyan University during the spring term of 1875. Miss Hoyt, of Greencastle, Indiana, established this, the Illinois Alpha Chapter, at that time, enrolling the following sisters as charter members: Misses Mae Phoenix, Libbie Lawrence, Julia Parkhurst, Jennie Hodge and Ada Bassett.

The Theta society justly claims its portion of the best musical talent that has been and is now connected with the institution. She takes pride in her honored and much-esteemed sister, Miss Electa Hull, who, after establishing herself among us as the leading vocalist and instrumentalist, is now pursuing her course in Indianapolis. Among others are Miss Phoenix, mentioned elsewhere, and Misses Johnson and Errickson. The present members recognize in their sister, Miss Lelia Breed, extraordinary musical talent, whose fame is likely to be recorded in the future history of the Kappa Alpha Theta.

The experience of this chapter, like all others, has been that of discouragement and adversity side by side with that of improvement and success. At present it is prospering in its attempts for gaining useful knowledge, in both the literary and social spheres. The Theta sisters are deeply interested in each other's welfare, and are striving to make good records in the university. They are glad to know that between them and their rival society exists the best of friendship, and hope as much for the future. The sisters who are now enrolled as active workers number ten. In addition to these are several who meet occasionally with them. S. M. P.

History of Kappa Alpha Theta - 1895 Wesleyana

KAPPA ALPHA THETA was organized at Greencastle, Indiana, January 17, 1870. At that time the Greek Letter fraternity for women first became a reality. A local literary society formed before this date afterward became a fraternity, but Kappa Alpha Theta was the first society of its kind. In the early days of this organization, the spirit toward co-education was not very favorable, and not more popular were men's Greek Letter fraternities. So when this, a woman's organization, and a secret Greek one, first came to notice it met with the most decided opposition. Even the men who wore their own Greek emblems so proudly were among" the worst enemies of their sister Greeks. Indeed, the little kite-shaped badge which now is worn with love and pride, was then quite often secretly worn to protect it from the attacks of the friends of the owner. However, such rough treatment served only to strengthen the growth of the woman's fraternity, and very soon other chapters and other fraternities came into existence. The progress since that year has been remarkable.

No chapter can now be placed in any college which has not three hundred or more students enrolled in the literary department. The membership roll of the fraternity at large bears the names of over three thousand members; that of Delta Chapter, one hundred and fifty. No student below freshman, or carrying less than three studies in a course leading to a degree, can be initiated. This regulation brings the membership within a limit which excludes all but those students who have given some proof of their intention to complete a college course. Delta Chapter, as her name indicates, was the fourth established, and was placed in this college June 9, 1875. Preparatory students have never been initiated into this chapter. The desiderata in members have always been creditable scholarship, upright character, and social disposition. Many of Delta's members have graduated, while others have been in school for a time and then gone out to fill positions of trust and honor. Mrs. Laura B. Humphreys, whose death occurred in 1885, spent the last years of her life as the Dean of the WESLEYAN College of Music.

This sorority disbanded in the late 1880's.