Chapter History

Epsilon Chapter was founded at Knox College, Galesburg, in 1889, by transforming a local society formed in March, 1888, and known as Kappa Beta Theta, into the third Chapter of Tri Delta. Our charter was granted July 9, 1889, by the three grand officers. In August, 1889, Miss Hattie Berry, of Delta (Deuteron) Chapter, came and initiated the Chapter, that they might get their pins and arrange their plans before college opened. Regular organization and installation with some accompanying social events occurred at the Thanksgiving Eve following and in some way the date of the installation of Epsilon Chapter has always been given as Thanksgiving Eve, 1889.

A Chapter whose strength at home made it impossible for it to realize the struggles of a new and as yet unorganized national, Epsilon received something of a shock when it invited the First National Convention to come to Galesburg and witnessed the arrival of so few delegates. Those few, however, were royally entertained and went away very proud of the Chapter that had received them. Epsilon has the unique honor of having entertained two National Conventions, and the numbers of the Sixth Convention must have satisfied the wildest dreamer of them all. This Convention found that the hospitality, praised of old, was still characteristic there. With Epsilon also met the First National Alumnae Alliance session, at the time of a Beta Province Convention, 1898.
 

Some notable graduates from Epsilon Chapter:

• Almedia Laurson, '93, Grand President, 1893-1894.
• Harriet Stone, '97, Grand Secretary, 1897-1900.
• R. Louise Fitch, '02, Grand Vice President (Beta Prov.), 1904-1905
• R. Louise Fitch, '02, Editor of Trident, 1905-1908.
• R. Louise Fitch, '02. Visiting Delegate, 1905-1906.
• Irene Olson, '05, Grand Vice President (Beta Prov.) 1905-1906.