In 1936 Wisconsin State College – Whitewater welcomed multiple new Greek chapters to campus, including Theta Sigma Upsilon Sorority. The Rho chapter was founded by fifteen charter members and remained on campus until 1960.[1] In spring of 1960, Theta Sigma Upsilon was officially merged with Alpha Gamma Delta Women’s Fraternity, the first international Greek organization on Whitewater’s campus. The Rho chapter officially became the Beta Theta chapter.
The Beta Theta chapter participated in many campus activities and held events of their own every year. The women of the chapter held annual mother-father-daughter banquets, formals, and pledge parties. Their main service project was the annual basketball marathon where all proceeds from the event were donated to the Wisconsin Badger Camp.[2] The chapter members were also very active in campus organizations and homecoming. In 1980, Alpha Gamma Delta won first place for their house decorations and received the Chancellor’s Spirit Award.[3] The chapter’s house was originally on Main Street but later moved to one of the four newly built Greek houses on Fraternity Lane.[4] As the Beta Theta chapter celebrated their 25th year on Whitewater’s campus, they also celebrated their last.[5] The chapter officially left campus at the end of 1980 due to low membership numbers.
Twenty-seven years later, the Beta Theta chapter was reinstalled at UW-Whitewater. The founding members of the sorority were initiated in October of 2017. This October celebrates the fifth anniversary of their return to campus. Today, the women of the sorority continue to participate in homecoming and to support their philanthropy. The chapter won the Homecoming Spirit Cup in 2020 and placed first in the 2021 homecoming talent show. Members still host the annual BBQ Bash with Lambda Chi Alpha and Block Out Hunger to raise awareness for their philanthropy, Fighting Hunger. The chapter is now housed at 164 North Prairie Street and has grown to a membership of over 57 women. The current Beta Theta chapter members strive to remember the members before them and to uphold their motto, “Loving, Leading, Lasting.”
[1] Gertrude Zirbes, eds., Minnieska (Whitewater, WI: UW-Whitewater, 1937), 7:92.
[2] Irene Dries and Mary Liz Trewyn, eds., Minnieska (Whitewater, WI: UW-Whitewater, 1960), 51:63-65.
[3] Fran Geimer, ed., Minnieska (Whitewater, WI: UW-Whitewater, 1980), 72: 82.
[4] “Four New Greek Houses Will Be Ready by September 1,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.) July 12, 1960.
[5] Fran Geimer, ed., Minnieska (Whitewater, WI: UW-Whitewater, 1980), 72: 82.