Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SUMMER 2016 • PAN PIPES 3 N O P S T U X Y Z MUSIC NOTES irty-five years ago, ten women from Missouri Western State College were initiated into Sigma Alpha Iota at the National Convention in Washington, D.C. It was also there that the Eta Epsilon chapter was installed. Dixie Lou Morris was the National Vice President, Extension at that time and had been an integral part of Eta Epsilon's chartering. irty-five years later, the current Eta Epsilon chapter searched its history — seemingly lost eight years ago. Last fall, the chapter decided to host Pi A Province Day, something this chapter had not done for at least eight years. During the planning period for Province Day, the chapter also decided to hold an Anniversary Party to celebrate 35 years as a chapter on the same day. No easy feat, the chapter had its work cut out for them. e preparation came together quickly, but one thing was missing: our history. While visiting Missouri Western State University in October of 2015, Pat Setser, Pi A Province Officer, discovered that Dixie Lou Morris, honored SAI, served as a presiding officer over the chapter installation in 1981. Hearing that Eta Epsilon was planning their 35th Anniversary Celebration, 92-year-old Dixie Lou sent an e-mail to Eta Epsilon president Madeline Marx. e two began conversing about the history of the chapter and scheduled a date to meet. e rest, as they say, is history. Dixie Lou was kind enough to share the few documents she and National Headquarters had from 1979- 1981, including old letters, forms, invitations to initiation, maps of the university, and more. Connecting the dots and making a timeline of Eta Epsilon's journey as a chapter, Ms. Marx and Mrs. Morris spent hours exchanging information and finally got to the bottom of Eta Epsilon's history. Dixie Lou has given this chapter the greatest gi of all -- knowledge and understanding of our chapter's unique background. One of the interesting facts that came out of this exchange was that Grammy-winner Charles Bruffy, recently featured in Tempo!, the national newsletter of SAI, was a student listed in the music department roster at the time Eta Epsilon was being chartered. He is now the artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale in Kansas City, MO. Once information was confirmed, Province Day and the 35th Anniversary Celebration were right around the corner. Over 45 members from five chapters, both collegiate and alumnae, attended Province Day on Saturday, April 9. e day began with the Founders' Day ritual held by the current members of Eta Epsilon. Following the ritual, Jane Christison presented her workshop on "How to be a Professional Money-Making Musician." During the workshop she supplied tips and tricks she learned along her way to becoming a professional musician, while sharing her brilliant accordion skills (see more at: www. musicwithasmile. com). For lunch, Pi A ladies enjoyed a catered lunch while watching a video presentation, distributed by the NEB about the 2015 National Convention. Aer lunch, the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter presented a workshop on alumnae life, including a panel of alumnae that answered questions about how to stay involved in music and sisterhood aer graduation. is was a lively and informative workshop that many sisters looked forward to. Marilyn Miller, President of Kansas City Alumnae Chapter, closed the session by saying, "Once an SAI, always an SAI. You are an SAI until you are buried in the ground." is comment filled the room with applause. Eta Epsilon then held a musicale, complete with ukulele duets, piano solos, SAI history raps, and many other performances. e day ended with an SAI Sing-Along with a number of songs from the SAI song book, including "e Whistle Song," " Pan in Canon," "So Near So Dear," and "Inspiration Boogie." Province Day concluded with the Closing Ceremony, again presented by Eta Epsilon. While the rest of the chapters were saying their goodbyes, the Eta Epsilon chapter headed to their second celebration -- the Anniversary Party. Following Pi A Province Day, current and previous initiates of Eta Epsilon gathered together to celebrate their 35th Anniversary in Blum Student Union. President Madeline Marx shared a presentation of Eta Epsilon's history, complete with pictures of that very first initiation on July 31, 1981. Two of the ten charter members were in attendance. One special detail that Ms. Marx shared was that ten members were initiated at convention in 1981, and ten members were just initiated into Eta Epsilon on March 20, 2016; there has not been a class this large since the founding initiation. In a way, the new class of initiates represents a new beginning for Eta Epsilon. Dixie Lou Morris spoke next, sharing details of her memories with the Eta Epsilon charter members and their journey into Sigma Alpha Iota. Perhaps the most poignant moment of her speech was when she shared about her own lifetime in SAI and her two sons' involvement. Dixie Lou said, "One day, Kevin [her youngest son] was looking through a PAN PIPES and all of a sudden I heard this: 'Mom! Your name isn't here. ey just listed the founders of the fraternity and your name isn't here!' 1903 is a bit low." e Anniversary Party attendees erupted in laughter. e day ended with the Anniversary Ritual, a Sing-Along, and cake cutting. Many happy tears were shed when singing the chorale with alumnae, sharing memories, and creating new bonds of sisterhood. When posing for a group picture, Madeline Marx realized that this would be the only photo that the chapter had with both alumnae and current members. What a historical day it was! Marissa Sunderland, Editor of the Eta Epsilon Chapter, is a Psychology major at Missouri Western State University. Eta Epsilon Gathers History and Celebrates The charter members of Eta Epsilon at Missouri Western State College in 1981.

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