| The first meeting of an interest group was held on December 12, 1995 followed by two sessions March 28, 1996, conducted by Dr. Ann Estill, Phi C Province Officer. Later on, the group selected the name, "The Gothic Muses," and led by Tracy Reinhardt, President, and Dr. Colleen Conway, Advisor, appeared before the Inter-Greek Council, which recognized them officially on October 7, 1996. Dr. Van Alen, an alumnae member of the Central New Jersey Chapter, became our advisor on October 8th, 1997. On February 9th, 1998, the Formal Petition was successfully submitted under the guidance of Dr. Janice Van Alen, Advisor. Mrs. Barbara Staton made the Post Petition visit on March 4, 1998. A little over two months later, on May 16, 1998 "The Gothic Muses" became the Theta Upsilon Chapter. The Chapter Initiation and Installation Ceremonies were led by Mrs. Shelby G. MacFarlane, National Vice President, Extension and Fraternity Development. Our chapter founders were of very distinct and different backgrounds, both in music and in life. The girls, Rose Cabbagestalk, Maryann Corso, Darrell Jean Donelan, Paula Gallaway, Jessica J. Kochanski, Kathy Kozachock, Claire Lisanti-Sanchez, Kim Malloy, Anna Mancini, Giselle Mitchell, Karen Moreno, Sharon Osenenko, Tracy A. Reinhardt, Maria Ina San Diego, Alyssa Storm and Samantha Tweedie, joined together in a most admirable way and started a tradition of friendship and sisterhood. In 1999, the chapter successfully increased membership with the Alpha Class consisting of one woman, Danielle Romano. In May of 1999, we initiated our first honorary member as a Friend of the Arts, Dr. Edward Raditz, Chairman of the Department of Music, Dance, and Theater at New Jersey City University. Theta Upsilon instituted its first chapter award called the Maryann Corso Fundraising Award at the first Founders' Day Celebration. The award was first given to Ms Corso, herself. In October of 1999, Dr. Min Kim and Ms. Rosanne Bricker became the first two patronesses of the Theta Upsilon Chapter. On this date we also initiated our second honorary member, Dr. Melanie Mitrano. College membership was increased in Fall of 1999 with the Beta Class consisting of one woman, Rose Wheeler, and followed by the Gamma Class in the spring of 2000 consisting of two women, Sarah Thomasson & Victoria Wefer. Each girl brought her own special background and helped contribute in the growth of our chapter. During our second Founders Day Celebration, Sharon Osenenko became the third recipient of the Maryann Corso Fundraising Award. In following spring of 2001, the Delta Class was initiated, another class of two, Jillian Bedkowski & Jaimelynn Lennon. During our 2001 Founders' Day Celebration, we gave out our first Sisterhood & Dedication Award to Miss Victoria Wefer. The award was created to recognize outstanding dedication to the chapter on a community level. Miss Wefer also received the Maryann Corso Fundraising Award, the Sword of Honor, and the Province College Leadership Award. In November of that same year, after joining an alumnae chapter, Victoria received the Ruby Sword of Honor. The Fall of 2001 brought us two more dedicated and talented women for the Epsilon Class, Jessica Janis & Kristyn Kaminski. In May of 2002 we initiated two more sisters. Ayako Morino and Paula Ribeiro, who were the Zeta Class. At our Founders' Day Celebration in 2002, Jaimelynn Lennon received the Sisterhood and Dedication Award, as well as the Maryann Corso Fundraising Award. Miss Lennon was also one of ten recipients of the Sigma Alpha Iota Undergraduate Scholarship given by Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies,Inc. In Fall 2002, we had our largest pledge class since our founding!! The Eta Class!! Our talented ladies were Angelica Cabrera, Nicole Clavell, Rosemarie Flores, Morgan Rainville and Megan Sheridan. On Feb 10th 2003,Theta Upsilon initiated two new members as Friend of the Arts. They were Dr.Bernard and Dr.Prowse. Our next class to be filled in the fall 2003 was the Theta Class. Stephanie Arguelles and Melissa Welz both joined our chapter in this class! We also aquired a new advisor . Our wonderful NJCU faculty music teacher, Dr. Warren. This past Spring 2004 semester, our pledging began for 3 great girls! Sarah Chammas, Courtney Grogan and Tara Kulbatski crossed over towards teh end of teh semester. We recently added a new advisor, Victoria Wefer, into Membership & Pleding. This slow and steady increase in membership, has helped us get to know each other on a more personal level. |
| The History of Theta Upsilon |
| As of September 2003, Sigma Alpha Iota consists of 99, 462 members worldwide in 204 college chapters, 116 alumnae chapters, and 1 international chapter. |
| If you have any questions about becoming a member of the Theta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, please contact our V.P. Membership, Sarah C. and visit the SAI National website. |
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| Sigma Alpha Iota Theta Upsilon |