Gamma Epsilon Pi (ΓΕΠ) was a business honor society for women. In 1933, the group merged into Beta Gamma Sigma, a similar organization.
History
Gamma Epsilon Pi was founded at the University of Illinois on March 26, 1918.[1][2] It was a honor society for female business students.[1] The founders were five junior women in the College of Commerce who felt that a similar organization to Beta Gamma Sigma was needed for women.[1]
The society merged with Alpha Gamma Pi and Phi Sigma Chi in 1922. Alpha Gamma Pi was established at University of Wisconsin and Phi Sigma Chi was established at University of Washington at approximately the same time. The name and badge of Gamma Epsilon Pi were adopted for the merged group; a new constitution and ritual were created.
On April 29, 1933, the group merged into Beta Gamma Sigma, which began allowing female members in February 1932.[3][4] The 983 members of Gamma Epsilon Pi became lifetime members of Beta Gamma Sigma.[4]
Symbols
The society's badge was in the shape of a key bearing the Greek letters ΓΕΠ. This pin exhibits a golden post and swinging signboard bearing the letters Γ, Ε, and Π, arrayed in the center of a gold key. In print this insignia may be set on a black shield.[3][5]
The society's colors were coral and grey. Its publications were The Signboard and The Post.
Membership
Active membership was limited to junior and senior women who ranked in the top fifteen percent of the women enrolled in the school's College of Commerce.
Chapters
The chapters of Gamma Epsilon Pi include the follow; all chapters merged with Beta Gamma Sigma.[1][6]
^This chapter originated as Phi Sigma Chi (local) approximately in 1918, likely soon after the formation of Alpha chapter of ΓΕΠ. At the consolidation of the sorority in 1922 it was given its off-cycle chapter name, to indicate it was one of the originators of the sorority.
^This chapter originated as Alpha Gamma Pi (local) approximately in 1918, likely soon after the formation of Alpha chapter of ΓΕΠ. At the consolidation of the sorority in 1922 it was given its off-cycle chapter name, to indicate it was one of the originators of the sorority.
^As indicated by its off-cycle name, this chapter may have been considered another of the founding chapters of ΓΕΠ, but it was not specifically noted as such in Baird's records.
^As indicated by its off-cycle name, this chapter may have been considered another of the founding chapters of ΓΕΠ, but it was not specifically noted as such in Baird's records.
^As indicated by its off-cycle name, this chapter may have been considered another of the founding chapters of ΓΕΠ, but it was not specifically noted as such in Baird's records.
^"Sorority Directory". Banta's Greek Exchange: Published in the Interest of the College Fraternity World. George Banta Company, Incorporated. September 1922. p. 264.
