Theta Nu Alpha (Pacific University) Collection
Scope and Contents
The Theta Nu Alpha collection includes newsletters, photographs, alumni records, a banquet invitation, and a patch with Theta's greek letters on it. Although the material all dates from the late 1940s through the early 1960s, information about earlier members is included in the Alumni Records section. The photographs include two images of Lu'au celebrations at Pacific University from the early 1960s.
Dates
- Creation: 1949-1969
Creator
- Theta Nu Alpha (Pacific University) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Pacific University owns the copyright to some, but not all, of the materials housed in its archives. Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of Pacific University is retained by Pacific University and requires its permission for publication. Copyright status for other collection materials varies. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Historical Note
Theta Nu Alpha is a Pacific University sorority which was founded in 1921. The March 8, 1921 issue of the student newspaper, "The Index," gave this account of its founding:
GIRLS PLAN NEW SOCIETY
A number of girls under the leadership of Miss Willard and Dean Farnham [the Dean of women students] met at Herrick Hall [the women's dormitory], Thursday evening in view of organizing a new society. During the business meeting, Dean Farnham gave a much appreciated talk on the requirements and obligations of a new organization.
The April 5, 1921 issue has the next mention:
THETA NU
The St. Patrick's Day program of the Theta Nu society proved exceedingly interesting. [A description of a program of humorous rhymes and serious talks follows.] A business meeting resulted in the adoption of the name Theta Nu for the society. In a very short time the society's constitution will be ready to present to the faculty for ratification.
Later issues of the newspaper give updates on Theta's activities, which seem to have been held weekly on Thursday nights. The first elected president was Lillian Yost. Like other fraternities and sororities at this time, Theta Nu appears to have started out as a literary society. The principle activities that they engaged in were, at first, mostly organized around lectures, poetry readings and musical performances.
In later years, Theta Nu ran annual events collaborating with other Greek societies. They often partnered with the fraternity Gamma Sigma, holding rush parties and informal dinners together. The Thetas also hosted special events on campus such as a P.J. Dance, May Day breakfast, and a Spring Formal banquet.
Extent
1 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Summary
Theta Nu Alpha is a Pacific University sorority which was founded in 1921. This collection includes newsletters, photographs, alumni records, a banquet invitation, and other material. Although the material all dates from the late 1940s through the early 1960s, information about earlier members is included in the Alumni Records section.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
Subject
- Theta Nu Alpha (Pacific University) (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Theta Nu Alpha (Pacific University) Collection
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Eva Guggemos
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Repository Details
Part of the Pacific University Archives Repository