SUNY at Fredonia - Fredonian Yearbook (Fredonia, NY)

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TI-IE GAMMA CHAPTER OF THE AGONIAN FRATERNITY. REVIOUS to the year 1890 there were no exclusively feminine literary societies connected with KE, the Fredonia Normal School. During the session of 1890-QI two young women's societies were 9 formed. These were known as the Neosophic and Alpha Mu societies. They thrived during the ' ' 'Al year of their organization and recommenced their activities in the following school year,-but they were destined to be short lived. In March, 1892, two delegates from the Agonian.Fraternity-one from Oneonta, the other from'Gene- seo-came to Fredonia for the purpose of forming a Chapter. After several days of work on the part of the delegates, and of consideration on the part of the existing societies, the idea of duality for the sake of compe- tition was, With some other early precepts, overruled for the time. The two societies were merged, afarewell banquet was given, and the Gamma Chapter of the Agonian Fraternity, with fifty-three charter members, was formed. The new organization was destined for a longer life and wider bounds of helpfulness. Its ac- tivity has been stimulated from the nrst by the co-operation of the sister Chapters, while latterly the element of competition has not been wholly lacking. Aside from these influences, the Chapter has enjoyed a vigorous and useful existence through its own strength and its energetic application to its chosen department-literary work-with business conducted according to parliamentary and healthful intersprinkling of social intercourse. The Chapter has outgrown two rooms and now occupies its third apartrnent.VVhile the roll varies in length from year to year, as the older members join the Alumni, and their places, as active members, are taken by new- corners-the spirit and power of the society waxes strong with increasing years. As 'time goes on the work done improves in many respects. As an illustration of this and of the co-operative spirit which aids -the com- petitive in the perfection of designs, by the different literary organizations now exisiting in the school, attention is directed to the improvement in the lecture courses presented. The first annual convention of the Agonian Fraternity, as such, was held at Oneonta in October of 1892. The Fraternity then consisted of' three Chapters. Since that time the yearly convention has met with the different Chapters in the month of October. The Chapters of the Fraternity are now seven in number: The 1. Alpha, at Genesog 2. Beta, at Oneonta, 3. Gamma, at Fredoniag 4. Delta, at Plattsburgg 5. Epsilon, at Mansfieldg 6. Zeta, at.Brockport, 7. Eta, at jamaica. , , 29

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PHILALETHEAN FRATERNITY. ' N September, 1894, owing to dissensions in the Zetesian Society, twenty-one young men withdrew from that society and formed a second young men's literary society in the school. The Hrst meet- X ing was held September ro for the purpose of electing officers, consisting of president and minor , A, oiiicers, and the transaction of other business. The late William D. Adkins was the fir-st presi- dent of the society. Following his election a committee was appointed to prepare a temporary constitution and also a committee to investigate in regard to a room for a society home. , The society met in the Methods room in special session September 12, under the name of the Young Men's Literary Society, This name was retained until October ist, when, by a vote of twenty to one, it was decided to join the Philalethean Fraternity and the society has since been known as the Epsilon Chapter of the Philalethean Fraternity. The first program, given by the society after its temporary organization, commenced by singing Our Country 'tis of Thee. A more loyal, devoted and conscientious class of young men never lifted their voices in song in the Fredonia Normal School than the young men who, on that September evening, sang the national anthem. The young men who sang that song were undergoing a struggle which was not only to effect them- selves, but the future history of the society and the histories of the other literary societies in the school It was fitting, therefore, that they should herald the birth of the new organization by singing the song that has in- spired the millions to do grand and noble work. Interest in the new society increased until, on March 9, 1895, there were thirty three active members, and more were constantly being added. The permanent constitution was adopted October 27. It has since remained as then adopted, with the exception of a few amendments made necessary in order to meet the changing ond itions From the time of the adoption of the constitution until the school year, ,97-'98, the society enjoyed a gradual growth. The members were deeply 'interested in the work being carried on and found in the meetings that training which is so essential when the prescribed course is completed, the Normal halls receive the last good-bye and the stu- dents go out into the world to do and to dare for that which is elevating and just and noble and right. -' 3l