History

ALPHA OMICRON CHAPTER (1922)

On February 17, 1919, a group of girls met in Room 216 of Currier Hall, at the time a women’s dormitory, for the purpose of forming a local sorority.

A charter was granted to the group as Alpha Omicron Chapter, and Shirley Kreasan (Krieg), National Editor, conducted the installation services December 7-10, 1922. Alpha Omicron became the fortieth link of Zeta Tau Alpha chapters nationwide and the twelfth national women's fraternity to enter the University of Iowa.

After seven years of living in rented houses, the alumnae of Alpha Omicron were able to purchase an attractive chapter house on August 15, 1927. This house was located on the corner of Church and Clinton Street, across from the President’s home. We moved into our current chapter house in 1939. This house, which used to be the home of Sigma Kappa sorority, is located at 815 East Burlington Street, our home away from home!

Zeta Tau Alpha National History (1898)

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded on October 15th, 1898 by nine women at Longwood College in Farmville, VA.  Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired permanence to their friendships and hoped to continue their sisterhood long after college.  Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter group, the band of nine delayed selecting a formal name.  A temporary name of ??? was taken when a member of another group met with the Founders.  After a year of comtemplation, the group chose the formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.