Gamma Pi Epsilon (ΓΠΕ) was the women's honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities. It was established in 1924 at Marquette University. In 1973, it merged with its male counterpart, Alpha Sigma Nu.

Gamma Pi Epsilon
ΓΠΕ
Founded1924; 100 years ago (1924)
Marquette University
TypeHonor society
AffiliationIndependent
StatusMerged
Merge DateMarch 30, 1973
SuccessorAlpha Sigma Nu
EmphasisJesuit college and university women
ScopeNational
MottoPour Gloise L'Ecole (For the Glory of the School)
Chapters14
Websitewww.alphasigmanu.org
[1]

History

edit

When Marquette University went co-ed in 1924, there was a desire for a women's honor society alongside the all-male Alpha Sigma Nu which had been created nine years prior. Gamma Pi Epsilon was approved in 1924 and the first chapter chartered on April 6, 1925 at Marquette University.[2][3] Josephine Newell O’Gorman is considered the founder of Gamma Pi Epsilon.[1]

Gamma Pi Epsilon was open to women of every academic discipline at a college or university that was a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Its motto was "Pour Gloise L'Ecole" or "For the Glory of the School".

It became a national society when it chartered a second chapter at Saint Louis University in 1947.[3][4] Gamma Pi Epsilon collaborated with Alpha Sigma Nu, with both groups chartering new chapters on campuses at the same time.[5]

At its annual convention in 1964, Alpha Sigma Nu decided to become a coeducational organization.[3] The boards of the two organizations met in March 1972 to discuss a merger.[3] On March 30, 1973, Alpha Sigma Nu and Gamma Pi Epsilon merged under the name of Alpha Sigma Nu (ΑΣΝ), becoming an honor society for both men and women.[5][4]

Chapters

edit

At the time of the merger in 1973, Gamma Pi Epsilon had chartered fourteen chapters.[2]

Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
April 6, 1925 – March 30, 1973 Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin Merged (ΑΣΝ) [3]
1947 – March 30, 1973 Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri Merged (ΑΣΝ) [3]
1950 – March 30, 1973 Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1951 – March 30, 1973 Le Moyne College DeWitt, New York Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1952 – March 30, 1973 Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1953 – March 30, 1973 University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, Michigan Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1958 – March 30, 1973 University of San Francisco San Francisco, California Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1959 – March 30, 1973 Wheeling Jesuit University Wheeling, West Virginia Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1962 – March 30, 1973 Seattle University Seattle, Washington Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1963 – March 30, 1973 Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1964 – March 30, 1973 John Carroll University University Heights, Ohio Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1966 – March 30, 1973 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1971 – March 30, 1973 Regis University Denver, Colorado Merged (ΑΣΝ)
1971 – March 30, 1973 Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio Merged (ΑΣΝ)

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Alpha Sigma Nu - Donor Information
  2. ^ a b "Alpha Sigma Nu Mission History And Bylaws" (PDF).
  3. ^ a b c d e f "History". Alpha Sigma Nu. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  4. ^ a b Runkel, Phil. "Finding Aid for the Alpha Sigma Nu and Gamma Pi Epsilon Records". Catholic Research. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ a b "History | Alpha Sigma Nu". Creighton University. Retrieved 2016-06-01.