1920's

In the spring of 1921, there being only fifteen national sororities on the University of Michigan campus, the suggestion was made that in an institution of that size would accommodate additional sororities. As a result of this suggestion, Margery and Josephine Lane organized Pi Kappa. In January 1922, a constitution was drawn and permission was granted by the Dean of the University to eleven charter members to form this local sorority. In November 1922, Pi Kappa was combined with another local sorority known as Lambda Tau Sigma, retaining the name and the constitution of Pi Kappa. During the first year after its founding, Pi Kappa did not maintain a chapter house. Following the consolidation, Lambda Tau Sigma’s house at 822 Oakland Avenue sheltered the group and became the first home of Alpha Mu Chapter of Sigma Kappa. 

Pi Kappas were prominent in campus activities, held positions in the various associations, and on the board of student publications, were members of dramatic and literary societies, and were elected to honorary societies. The organization attained throughout its existence a high scholarship average among the sororities, and in 1922-23 even higher than the campus average. Dorothy Mummery represented the group in Phi Beta Kappa. 

The Alpha Mu Chapter at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor was officially installed on February 16, 1924, by Lorah Monroe and Eliza Alexander (Eta), Audrey Dykeman (Theta), Katherine Reif (Alpha Beta), and Elizabeth Whipple Butler (Alpha). Pledging of the members of Pi Kappa took place at the chapter house on February 15, 1924. Initiation ceremony took place the next day at Wesleyan Hall and was followed by a banquet held at the Michigan Union with Elizabeth Whipple Butler serving as toastmistress. A tea for the Grand Officers and other visiting Sigma Kappas concluded the festivities. Nineteen Sigma Kappas from eleven older chapters attended the installation which brought into the mystic bond the following charter members: Mildred Campbell Fox, Margaret E. Taft, Grace L. Bessner, Elise Butts, Lois Scandling, Irene I. Schuler, Josephine Lang, Margery Brando, Daisy Harder, Maxine Cromwell, Ester Barth, Pauline Canby, Margery Lang, Carol Reader, Lora Belle Corson, Florence Larned, Charlotte Cromwell, Helen W. Weidler, Lucille Canby, Winifred Shimp, Marian Gough, Phyllis Delf, Frances Thomas, Ruth Warner, Pauline Summy and Margaret Martin. In 1927, members of the Alpha Mu Chapter were contacted by the national organization to go to East Lansing and meet members of a local sorority at Michigan State University, who were interested in becoming affiliated with Sigma Kappa Sorority. Several of them went, met the women, and recommended that they become members of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Thus, the Alpha Tau Chapter became established at MSU.

Early papers show a petition was filed with the State of Michigan on February 21, 1928, filing as a non-profit corporation for “College and Alumnae Members of Alpha Mu Chapter – Sigma Kappa Sorority.” The papers further indicate that property located at the 808 Oakland Avenue was being purchased as a chapter house on a land contract for $26,000, and indicate ownership of furniture and furnishing with an estimated value of $1,500. Josephine Lane Ruten (one of the charter members from 1924), is listed as “President” on these papers presumably was president of the alumnae chapter at the time. Mrs. Ruten’s husband, William Ruten, was one of the early bus boys at the original Sigma Kappa house. After both the Rutens had passed away, the chapter was surprised to learn that he had left $30,000 in his will to go to the chapter in Josephine’s memory. Thus, the Foundation Room at the current chapter house remains named in her honor.