Chapter History

In 1988, three women of Lake Forest College, Marlene Rapp, Jayne Papp and Adrienne Backsinski, founded the beginning of our strong tradition of sisterhood . We started off as a local sorority, Gamma Phi Omega, which brought a group of women together that were committed to each other and the well being of others.

The women of Gamma Phi wanted to be an asset to the college as well as give back to the community, so they participated in a safe ride program, volunteered at nursing homes, helped with a drug awareness program at a local junior high, and organized clothing drives.

Sisterhood, along with community service, was just as important to these founding sisters as it is today.  Throughout their history, Gamma Phi Omega pledged 179 women who shared these same ideals and beliefs.  They held sister only activities and socials, hosted etiquette dinners for women, and had quality sister time.  But most importantly, Gamma Phi Omega was a venue to foster and expand friendship and promote the life long bond of sisterhood. 

In 2004, Gamma Phi Omega decided to expand their family to a larger one, that of Delta Gamma.  Some of the women chose Delta Gamma for the increased leadership opportunities, some for the commitment to community service and some for Delta Gamma’s commitment to education and scholarship.  Most importantly, Delta Gamma allowed for the sisterhood of Gamma Phi Omega to grow and expand while remaining committed to the principles on which Gamma Phi was founded.

At the Eta Mu Installation ceremony, Molly Smith, while giving the chapter’s history, said “We have experienced the love of Gamma Phi Omega, strong and persistent.  But now we are given the chance to experience a greater love, the love that is Delta Gamma.  The strength of this love is unchanging, only now will it come from thousands of women scattered all around the world, strong, persistent and never-ending.”