ALPHA ETA CHAPTER CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL MILESTONE By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer
Alpha Eta Chapter’s centennial celebration reflected the amazing strength of Zeta Tau Alpha’s connections, bringing together sisters initiated across eight decades back to the University of Cincinnati on April 2, 2022. The celebration took place after Ohio Zeta Day at the Graduate Cincinnati hotel. Chapter President Liv Hart, initiated in 2019, gave the invocation. A trio of alumnae who had sung together in the university choir in the 1980s led the Zeta Prayer. Pann Wehrmeyer Webb, initiated in 1971, served as planning committee chair and created a video of historical photos and songs. Mary Lippelman Corley, initiated in 1954, who had been a speaker at the chapter’s 50th anniversary, led the traditional roll call. Eunice Engelke Snyder, initiated in 1948, delighted collegians with memories of her college experiences. “Seeing alumnae from so many years ago reminded me that Zeta Is Forever,” Liv said. “I’m so glad National Officers came to share the moment with us. The collegiate women felt more connected to the chapter after the experience.” Alpha Eta alumna and ZTA Foundation Vice President of Scholarship Catherine G. Slaughter shared her personal remembrances of collegiate life in the 1970s. “The college experience and sorority life has changed a lot in the past 100 years, but the values we believe in as Zeta Tau Alphas remain the same. Friendship, 6
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service, leadership and love are still relevant in today’s world,” she said. Ms. Slaughter, who served on National Council as Vice President Collegiate I for eight years, credited chapter leadership opportunities for launching her National Officer journey. “My collegiate experience helped shape who I am today,” she said. “Serving as Alpha Eta’s President started a lifelong desire to learn, develop as a leader, and mentor rising leaders in our collegiate chapters.” National President Alicia Patten Williams recounted the chapter’s history and commended the loyalty of the alumnae who were instrumental in helping to reactivate the chapter in 2018, after 27 years of closure. “Your chapter’s story represents the power of friendship and the ties that bind us together in sisterhood,” she said. “You should be very proud of your history and view the future with confidence.”
Mrs. Williams and Ms. Slaughter presented a Waterford clock, the traditional centennial gift from National Council, to Liv as chapter President. The Cincinnati ZTA Alumnae Association gave the chapter a stained-glass panel of the ZTA crest that had been in the door of the chapter’s second house. The following morning, attendees toured the current chapter house and joined in the House Dedication Service. Alpha Eta Chapter was installed June 18, 1921, as the 32nd link in the Chain of Chapters. Since then, 1,328 Zetas have been initiated into Alpha Eta.
above: Collegians pose for a photo with 1948 initiate Eunice Engelke Snyder. left: Mrs. Williams, Ms. Slaughter and Ohio National Officers take a photo to commemorate the occasion.
