Mu Epsilon Theta Explained

Mu Epsilon Theta
Letters:Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΜΕΘ
Crest:Mu_Epsilon_Theta_logo.png
Birthplace:University of Texas
Status:Active
Affiliation:Independent
Type:Christian sorority
Motto:"Our Strength is from Above"
Pillars:Spirituality, Service, Sisterhood
Colors: Black, Yellow, and Silver
Flower:Yellow rose
Jewel:Onyx, Topaz, and Diamond
Mascot:The Lamb
Patron Saint:Catherine Labouré
Chapters:1 active
Lifetime:3,841+
Emphasis:Catholicism
Scope:Local
State:Texas
City:Austin
Country:United States

Mu Epsilon Theta (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΜΕΘ) is an American collegiate Catholic sorority that was established at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas on January 16, 1987.

History

Mu Epsilon Theta was founded at the University of Texas at Austin as a local sorority based on Catholic principles on October 21, 1986.[1] [2] It was the fourth Catholic sorority to be established in the United States. Its purpose is to promote academics, community service, leadership, and moral and spiritual well-being for female students.[3] Its founders were Maria Alcocer, Evelyn Greenfield, and Patricia Perez.[4]

The sorority was officially recognized at the University of Texas on January 16, 1987. Its members participated in activities such as weekly rosary prayers, monthly religious activities, and a spiritual retreat each semester.

In the spring of 1996, a colony was formed at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). It was chartered as the Beta chapter in 1997. In April 2013, a colony was started at Arizona State University; it was chartered as Gamma chapter in the spring of 2015.[5] Epsilon was chartered at Northern Arizona University in December 2015.[6]

By 2021, the sorority had initiated 3,841 members.

Symbols

The motto of Mu Epsilon Theta is "Our Strength is from Above."[7] Its pillars are spirituality, service, and sisterhood.[8] Its colors are black, yellow, and silver.[9] Its mascot is the lamb and its flower is the yellow rose. Its jewels are onyx, topaz, and diamond. Its patron saint is Catherine Labouré.

Chapters

Following is a list of Mu Epsilon Theta chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Chapter Charter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatusReferences
AlphaAustin, TexasActive
BetaApril 26, 1997 – 2024San Marcos, TexasInactive
Gamma2015 – 20xx ?Tempe, ArizonaInactive
Delta2015 ? – 20xx ?Dallas–Fort Worth and Denton, TexasInactive
EpsilonDecember 5, 2015 – 20xx ?Flagstaff, ArizonaInactive

Notes and References

  1. Book: Torbenson, Craig LaRon . Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities . Parks . Gregory . 2009 . Associated University Presse . 978-0-8386-4194-1 . 222 and 230 . en . Google Books.
  2. Web site: Our Story . 2024-11-19 . Mu Epsilon Theta . en.
  3. Web site: Hammel . Ambria . 2013-05-13 . There's a new sorority at ASU — and it's Catholic . 2024-11-19 . The Catholic Sun . en-US.
  4. Web site: History . 2023-12-14 . Mu Epsilon Theta Beta Chapter . en.
  5. Web site: Our Story . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210228012506/https://www.muepasu.org/our-story . 2021-02-28 . 2024-11-19 . Mu Epsilon Theta ASU . web.archive.org.
  6. Web site: Hammel . Ambria . 2015-12-09 . Catholic sorority expands to Flagstaff . 2024-11-19 . The Catholic Sun . en-US.
  7. Web site: Home . 2023-12-14 . Mu Epsilon Theta Beta Chapter . en.
  8. Web site: Hammel . Ambria . 2016-01-15 . Catholics find faith-filled Greek Life opportunities at local universities . 2024-11-19 . The Catholic Sun . en-US.
  9. Web site: Our Brand . 2024-11-19 . Mu Epsilon Theta . en.