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Beta Alpha Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta

The Beta Alpha Chapter is the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority chapter at the University of Southern California. Founded on September 24th, 1938, the Beta Alpha chapter is one of the oldest sororities at USC.

The four founders of the sorority are Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham. The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority by Dr. Frank Smalley, a professor at Syracuse University.

History
In the 1870s, few colleges and universities admitted women. They argued that women had inferior minds and could not succeed academically the way that men could. Dr. Erastus Otis Haven, chancellor of Syracuse University and former President of the University of Michigan and Northwestern University, believed that women should receive the same advantages of higher education. He enrolled his daughter, Frances E. Haven, at Syracuse University. Frances asked three of her friends to help her organize their own society. With the help of Dr. Erastus Otis Haven, their brothers, and the faculty and members of two existing fraternities, Gamma Phi Beta was started. On November 11th, 1974 Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis, and Mary A. Bingham

The Beta Alpha chapter had its beginnings in the Gamma Phi Club, organized in 1937 by Florence Watt (Alpha Epsilon) for the purpose of petitioning Gamma Phi Beta. By September the following year, Beta Alpha was installed. The eight young women who petitioned the Beta Alpha chapter were initiated in 1938, becoming the first Beta Alpha pledge class. Within two years of installation, the Beta Alpha bought its home. It has since been enlarged and remodeled.

National Panhellenic Council sororities at the University of Southern California are (in order of founding): Kappa Alpha Theta, 1887 Delta Gamma, 1887 Alpha Chi Omega, 1895 Zeta Tau Alpha, 1910 (inactive) Phi Mu, 1915 (inactive) Pi Beta Phi, 1917 Kappa Delta, 1917 (inactive) Alpha Epsilon Phi, 1921 (inactive) Delta Delta Delta, 1921 Alpha Gamma Delta, 1923 (inactive) Delta Zeta, 1923 (inactive) Alpha Delta Pi, 1925 Beta Sigma Omicron, 1927 (inactive) Gamma Phi Beta, 1938 Chi Omega, 1940 (inactive) Alpha Phi, 1944 Alpha Omicron Pi, 1945 (inactive) Phi Sigma Sigma, 1945 (inactive) Kappa Kappa Gamma, 1945 Sigma Delta Tau, 2007

Mission Statement
The mission statement of Gamma Phi Beta is "To foster a nurturing environment that provides women the opportunity to achieve their potential through life-long commitment to intellectual growth, individual worth and service to humanity."

The creed, adopted in 1948: Gamma Phi Beta from the past has given A heritage that makes a fuller life. Gamma Phi Beta in the present bids Us strive for lasting values and ideals. Gamma Phi Beta in the days to come Will prove that fundamentals can endure. Therefore we shall embody in our lives The truths that make for finer womanhood. Once more we pledge a loyalty that means Adherence to all true and noble things; A learning that enriches all our days With magic gold that is forever ours; A labor that each hour will glorify The simple, common task, the common cause; A love that will be strong and great enough To encompass and to pity all the world. Love, Labor, Learning, Loyalty. The creed is most often broken down to—Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty.

Philanthropies
Beta Alpha strives to give back to the community as much as possible. Each year, Beta Alpha hosts a variety of philanthropies as well as participating in numerous other organizations' philanthropies

Crescent Classic
Each Fall, Beta Alpha holds a Handball Tournament, Crescent Classic. All proceeds from the philanthropy benefit Troy Camp, USC's Organization benefiting underprivileged neighborhood children. Numerous fraternities and other campus organizations participate in the all-day tournament, which includes food, music, and great prizes. Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity won the tournament in both Fall 2009 and Fall 2010.

French Toast Feast
The Beta Alpha chapter holds a French Toast Feast every November. From 10 pm until 2 am, the girls of Gamma Phi serve a feast of French Toast, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea on the front lawn in front of the sorority house. All proceeds benefit USC's Troy Camp. In past years, Beta Alpha has raised over $5,000 each year.

Have A Heart Dinner
Beta Alpha's Spring philanthropy is the Have A Heart Dinner. Held around Valentine's Day each year, Beta Alphas cook and serve pasta, garlic bread, salad, and a variety of desserts. Alumnae and USC students and staff come enjoy the dinner, music provided by the USC Trojan Men A Cappella, and good company. In 2010, all proceeds benefitted the UCLA Brain Cancer Research Foundation.

Philanthropy Participation
In addition to holding the many philanthropies each year, the Beta Alpha chapter also participates in a variety of philanthropies. Participation includes: Zeta Beta Tau's Jungle Ball, Alpha Epsilon Pi's Volleyball Tournament, Beta Theta Pi's Beach Philanthropy, Sigma Chi's Derby Days, Tau Kappa Epsilon's Gladiators, Phi Kappa Psi's "Phi Psi 500," Phi Gamma Delta's Survivor, Relay For Life, USC's Swim with Mike, and USC's Songfest benefitting TroyCamp.

Scholarship
Beta Alpha sisters consistently achieve a grade point average higher than the all-women's GPA, all-university's GPA, all-row GPA, and all-sorority GPA. Gamma Phi Beta strives to achieve the highest form of womenhood by performing extraordinarily in the classroom. Members are rewarded for meeting with university professors during office hours, for attending study sessions, and studying with sisters each week. In addition, the Beta Alpha chapter has a scholarship room, providing the perfect study environment. The room is a 24/7 quiet zone and has every necessary study resource: texts, professor reviews, study files, computers, printers, copiers, and school supplies.

Famous Beta Alphas
Linda Lyon Malony - current Gamma Phi Beta International president

L'Cena Rice – past president of the USC Alumni Association, past Gamma Phi Beta International President (two terms)

Carol Fox - Past president of USC Town and Gown, past president of USC Rossier School of Education Alumni Association, past president of the USC Alumni Association

Lisa Barkett - Current President of the USC Alumni Association

Heather McDonald - writer and producer of Chelsea Lately, cowriter of White Chicks, TV actress, writer for US Weeklys Fashion Police

Elizabeth Pitcairn - Famous concert violinist, whom plays the famous violin which the Academy Award winning film, The Red Violin was based.