Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2010 - (Page 44)

44 RememberWhen? A lo o k b Ack into Ry eR son’ s his to Ry Omega Mho was one of several Ryerson fraternities that flourished in the ’50s and ’60s. Ryerson’s first female fraternity, Chi Gamma Rho, was founded in 1968. Frat times S by Andy lee Ryerson’s first female fraternity, Chi Gamma Rho, was founded in 1968. Like Rho Alpha Kappa, the fraternity included RTA, journalism and photographic arts students. “We didn’t call ourselves a sorority because it sounds like a ‘tea and cookies’ type of thing,” said then-president Karen (McLellan) Davies. “We were hoping to fashion ourselves as a credible association and establish professional connections.” By the end of the ’60s, desire for greater individual freedom, the counterculture movement, rising housing costs and declining student enrolment culminated in the decline of fraternities at Ryerson. Today, the fraternal spirit lives on in the Rho Alpha Kappa Alumni Association. While the fraternity closed its doors in 1972, the association remains active and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. Thanks to fundraising efforts, the association established an endowed bursary for a current RTA student. “Our members genuinely believe in giving back to the Ryerson community and this is the driving force behind our efforts,” said president Richard Todd, RTA ’70. RU With files from Ryerson Rambler hortly after Ryerson was founded in 1948, fraternities emerged on the campus landscape. These organizations provided places for students to live, socialize and network with peers. In 1954, 16 graphic arts students established Gamma Epsilon Tau as the only Canadian chapter of the American Graphic Arts Association. “Basically, it was for comradeship. And we wanted to get together to pass along different ideas,” said founding president David Yarush, Graphic Arts ’53. Also that year, 528 Church St. became home to Tau Epsilon Nu, named after the initials T.E.N. since its founders were 10 chemical technology students. Tau Epsilon Nu became the first Ryerson frat to establish itself on another campus in 1967, with the creation of a chapter at Mohawk College. In 1958, seven radio and television arts students formed Rho Alpha Kappa and opened a house at 88 Gould St., now the site of the Rogers Communications Centre. Rho later expanded to include journalism and photographic arts students. Other Ryerson fraternities included Delta Sigma Phi, Omega Mho, Pi Epsilon Sigma and Theta Kappa Chi. Annual membership fees in 1968 ranged from $56 to $170. Photo courtesy of ryerson Archives

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2010

Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2010
Contents
President's Message
What's New
Ryerson People in the News
Science Revolution
High Fliers
Board Profiles
Serious Games
A Report Card for Early Learning Plan
VP Viewpoint/Alumni Diary
AlumNews
Remember When?

Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2010

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