Founding Date

Sep 19th, 1951

Florida State University’s origin is traceable to a plan set by the 1823 United States Congress to create a system of higher education. The 1838, the Florida Constitution codified the basic system by providing for land allocated for the schools. In 1845, Florida became the 27th State of the United States, which permitted the resources and intent of the 1823 Congress regarding education in Florida to be implemented. In 1851, the Florida Legislature voted to establish two seminaries of higher education on opposite sides of the Suwannee River. The land and buildings in an area formerly known as Gallows Hill, site of public executions in early Tallahassee, was accepted as the site of the state seminary for male students in 1856. Two years later, the institution absorbed the Tallahassee Female Academy founded in 1843 as the Misses Bates School and became coeducational. The West Florida Seminary became part of Florida University in February 1883, the first state university in Florida. The Florida Legislature recognized the university under the title "University of Florida" in Spring 1885 but committed no additional financing or support. In 1947, the Florida Legislature returned the system to coeducational status and designated the school as Florida State University. A local sorority, Lambda Delta, was established at FSU, but was forced to disband in 1932 following the Depression. They were reorganized at the beginning of WWII and began petitioning Delta Gamma for a charter in 1942. On May 31, 1948, the dean of women Katherine Warren wrote to the Fraternity, stating that Delta Gamma was chosen to establish a chapter at FSU. At Convention the next month, it was decided that the Fraternity would not establish at FSU, and the expansion chairman wrote the dean of women on January 25, 1949, saying that Delta Gamma felt it unwise to establish a chapter at FSU at the time. A second petition was sent to the Fraternity in 1950. This petition was ultimately accepted by the Fraternity. Gamma Mu chapter was established on March 5, 1951. Establishment was directed by Dorothy Knight Wildasin, Alpha Omicron-Miami, First Vice-President; and Roberta Abernethy, Epsilon-Ohio State, Executive Secretary. Installation took place September 19, 1951. The charter members were: Barbara Lewis, Claire Bailey, Martha Baker, Margaret Earnest, Jane Freel, Mary Garst, Shirley Gregory, Evelyn Gustafson, Patricia Lyon, Patricia Martin, Ann Mize, Jo Anne Norfleet, Jean Rairford, Katherine Thomas, Frances Tuttle, and Betty Jo Woods. The chapter’s first president was Barbara Lewis. An Installation banquet was held the next day on September 20 in the LaFayette Room on campus. Upon Installation, Gamma Mu became the 16th National Panhellenic Conference group on campus. Gamma Mu held its first Anchor Splash® in the fall of 1979 at the FSU pool. In 1981, Gamma Mu celebrated its 30th anniversary with a brunch for local alumnae and collegiate members. An honorary dinner was also held to thank local alumnae for their additions to the chapter house and their continued support as chapter advisers. Gamma Mu initially rented a house on College Avenue in the spring semester of 1952. The first anchor outside of the house was painted and set in concrete by Mr. Anthony D. Flitcraft (FSU Sigma Alpha Epsilon 1951, and husband of Gamma Mu initiate Barbara Jones Flintcraft). Their own house was built in 1958 at 143 North Copeland Street, and a second anchor was given to the Delta Gammas from the Sigma Nu Fraternity at FSU. A dedication ceremony and reception were held on Sunday, November 16, 1958. An addition was added in 1966.