Ceres Women's Fraternity
South Dakota State University Chapter
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Ceres Women's Fraternity South Dakota State University Chapter
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International History: At the 1984 FarmHouse Conclave a "Proposal for the Establishment of an Agricultural Sorority" was passed unanimously. Three of the women's groups which had been affiliated with FarmHouse as clubs or colonies (Colorado State , Alberta , Cal Poly-Pomona) for at least the previous two years indicated that they wanted to be a part of forming the proposed ag-related women's fraternity or sorority. A committee of members consisting of Roy Wilson, Don Stenberg, C.J. Gauger, Joan Blackwelder, Karen Whipple, Brenda Lea Rumohr, Nora Hirons, John Bard, and Bob Off began the process to make this group a reality. This group chose the name Ceres International Fraternity and developed its by-laws and rituals, all of which was subsequently ratified by what were to be the three founding chapters and by the FarmHouse International Executive Board. On October 12, 1985 , Ceres International Fraternity became a reality. On that date, nineteen women were initiated as chartering members of the Colorado State Chapter. They were the first members of the new agriculture related women’s fraternity. This chartering culminated years of discussion and work by the members of FarmHouse International Fraternity and of women in agriculture. Together these two groups attempted to sort out what role or relationship these women would have with FarmHouse Fraternity. The first Biennial Conclave of Ceres International Fraternity was held August 4-7, 1986 at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in conjunction with the FarmHouse Conclave. Joan Blackwelder was elected as the first woman president of the International Board of Ceres. Linda Hawk, Alumna of the Alberta Chapter, was elected vice president. Other board members included Kathy Pogge, Cal Poly-Pomona; Brenda Lea Rumohr, Alberta; Chris Lembcke; Kenneth Overhults; Dwane Miller, and Don Stenberg. Ex-officio board members included Tom Kopacek, president of FarmHouse Executive Board and Bob Off, Executive Director of Ceres and FarmHouse International Fraternities. The agreement between Ceres and FarmHouse Fraternities was to continue until the 1988 Conclave. By the 1988 Conclave, Ceres had successfully grown. This Conclave marked the beginning of all Ceres board positions being held by Ceres alumnae. Delegates voted to have Ceres governed by a six-member board. With the current size of Ceres, a six-member board was deemed most economical. Donna Giampoli, Fresno; Claudia Sersland, Fresno; and Yolanda Munoz, Cal Poly-Pomona joined the three remaining board members to form the new all-woman team. The president of FarmHouse and Executive Director continued to serve as ex-officio members of the board. In 1994, Ceres celebrated their 10th anniversary at the 5th Biennial Conclave in Scottsdale, AZ. This conclave also marked the end of Ceres business being taken care of by the FarmHouse International Office. The delegation voted to create a Ceres Executive Director position for Ceres Women's Fraternity. Claudia Sersland was hired to fill the position. Ceres continues to maintain a six-member board of directors, an Executive Director and an Executive Assistant.
SDSU History: Meetings officially began on September 30, 1990, with approximately 10 to 15 interested women attending. The first Ceres advisor was Dana Schipull Halvorson, the FarmHouse House Mother. On October 14, Julie Bell, a Home Economics Professor, was introduced as our second advisor. Officers were elected at that meeting and were as follows: President – Denise Bauer, Secretary – Stephanie Vogel, Treasurer – Andrea Odenbrett. The first Meetings were set for Sunday nights at 8 pm in the University Student Union. The first committees formed were Rush, Social, Alumnae, and Constitution. Todd Headley, FarmHouse President, and Kevin Albrecht, FarmHouse Vice President, talked to the founding Ceres women at SDSU about the FarmHouse and Ceres Alcohol Policies and gave a workshop on parliamentary procedure. Agendas and dues were set and the constitution committee met one weekend to prepare the constitution for presentation to the group. A chaplain was installed. Clark Hanson, an Agricultural Education Professor, was asked to join our advisor team. On December 6, 1990, Donna Giamnaoli, Ceres International Board Vice President had the first chapter consultation at SDSU. The chapter presented their interest group to the SDSU Greek Council and were voted members. Donna then installed them as an official colony of Ceres with 14 pledges. A retreat followed with goal setting, both short and long term. They also adopted the constitution for the colony. Ceres celebrated Christmas and the new colony status at the home of Julie Bell. The spring of 1991 brought the first Ceres sweatshirts, the Adopt-A-Highway Community Service project, and an extensive search for a chapter house. The chapter worked on their first rush, with events such as roller-skating with FarmHouse, goofy games, a scavenger hunt, and information night. The first pledge class had 14 women. A Brookings Police Officer spoke to the chapter about alcohol and driving. Some members wrote a short Ceres song, adopted as the first real song. Letters were written to FarmHouse Little Sisters looking for willing associate members. Michelle Rook, Extension Specialist, joined our advisor team. Ceres hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Dance with Collegiate 4-H and invited all the SDSU Greeks. Approximately 300 people attended. At Easter, the colony dyed Easter eggs at a local nursing home. Members participated in H’y’per for MDA, Little International, and helping with FFA judging contests. April 28, 1991 brought the first annual “Parent’s Day”. Singing, slides, and talks were included in the program, followed by refreshments. The housing committee locked into a house where 7 members could live. Ceres coats and t-shirts were ordered. Summer activities planned were a picnic at Lake Okoboji, Iowa, a car wash, and cleaning the highway. Clark Hanson gave us our semesterly consultation. The first meeting occurred in the house on September 3, 1991 to start us in the Fall. Rush began with an all-Greek carnival, where Ceres held a fortune-telling booth. Rush events were a scavenger hunt, goofy games, a picnic, and information night. Our rush period ended by pledging 10 women. Gail Schenck, International Board member gave us our consultation on the weekend of September 19, 20, and 21. Long and short-term goals were set at a mini retreat with the help of Gail. The budget was set and voted on. A sign was cut and painted and placed on the front of the house. October 14 through the 18 was Greek Week, where we voted for our Greek Goddess, to raise money for United Way, finished second in Greek Olympics, and attended the Volstorff/Walder Awards. We were voted members of the Ag/Bio Prexy Council. We received 3rd Outstanding Organization at Hobo Days. We participated and initiated many socials with other Greeks. |
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