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Durham, Andrew Everett, 1882-1954

"Epistles from Pap: Letters from the man known as 'The Will Rogers of Indiana'"

That
brought another blast. Today Kappa Alpha Theta is the oldest,
largest and wealthiest of the 35 to 50 others that have followed.
Its assets run into the millions. And Bettie's name is known
throughout the civilized world wherever a "Theta," as they call
themselves, lives, because all Thetas are required to memorize
the names of the founders as a prerequisite to initiation. I
know. My five daughters are Thetas.
Another thing about the fabulous Bettie. When it came time to
graduate, Bettie and some young man were nip and tuck as to
leadership in scholarship, but Bettie's grades were a shade
higher. What to do about Class Valedictorian? The College
authorities approached the formidable Bettie on behalf of the
young man. He was to become a famous Methodist minister and would
go out into the world preaching the Gospel. It would add greatly
to his prestige to go out as having been Valedictorian of his
graduating class. As for her, she would probably marry, and by
inference, thereby be relegated to the kitchen, nursery--and
oblivion.
Our indomitable Bettie . . . told the good, kindly, God-fearing
faculty members that her father had sent her all the way from Mt.
Sterling, Kentucky, to Greencastle for her education and at
considerable expense, and with much trepidation and prayerful
contemplation.


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