Montana Historical Society
Archives
MC 304
Alpha Tau Delta. Lambda
Chapter (Mont.)
Alpha Tau Delta. Lambda Chapter records
1940-1980
1.5 linear feet
These records of the Lambda chapter of Alpha Tau Delta, an
undergraduate student nurses honor society at Montana State University, consist of records
of the statewide organization, several local organizations, the alumnae organization, and
the national organization. The records include correspondence, financial records, membership
records, minutes, organizational records, publications, reports, and miscellany.
15:5-1
English
Historical Note:
Alpha Tau Delta is a professional fraternity for persons in collegiate nursing. It was
founded February 15, 1921, at the University of California and was incorporated the same
year. Through the years more than 30 college chapters were organized.
The purposes of Alpha Tau Delta were: to further higher professional standards for the
nursing profession; to inaugurate projects that strengthen the specific field of
professional nursing; to develop character and leadership, encourage high ethical standards
of professional conduct in which members may develop sound professional philosophies; to
encourage excellence of individual performance and develop the highest possible scholastic
attainments; to organize the social life of its members as a contributing factor in their
educational program, and maintain an intrafraternity spirit of cooperation; and to form a
close bond of friendship, fellowship, mutual helpfulness, and understanding among college
students in the nursing profession.
Authorized college chapters conferred membership in the fraternity. There were two
chapters at Montana State University: Lambda Chapter for academically qualified
undergraduate nursing students, and Lambda Pi Chapter for alumnae.
The original charter for the Lambda Chapter was issued to Montana State College on April
27, 1940, when initiation and installation of members also took place. The first annual
meeting appears to have been held on June 2, 1956. Divisions of Alpha Tau Delta were
organized in Butte, Billings, Bozeman, and Great Falls. In 1982 Alpha Tau Delta was replaced
at Montana State University by Montana's Zeta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau.
Lambda Pi Chapter was organized in 1963 with stated purposes: to inaugurate projects that
enrich the individual alumnae and specific fields of professional nursing; to assist Lambda
Chapter in their stated purposes; and to provide stimulation and guidance to Lambda Chapter.
The alumnae chapter elected its own officers and held quarterly meetings.
Records consist of Lambda Chapter records, including several local branches, plus Lambda
Pi Chapter records (the alumnae chapter), and a few national items.
Statewide records include biographical sketches on early members; interoffice
correspondence (1955-1980); general correspondence (1956-1979); financial records
(1948-1977); minutes (1956-1978); organizational records (1940-1977) including the charter,
constitution and bylaws, member and officer lists, policies and procedures, and rituals;
press releases (1973); a newsletter (1961-1978) entitled
Lambda
Hotlines; reports (1956-1973) to the national organization; subject files
(1961-1977); miscellany; and clippings (1955-1973).
There are small subgroups for the Billings Deaconess Division, the Bozeman Division, the
Butte Division, the Great Falls Deaconess Division, the Lambda Pi Chapter [alumni], and the
national organization.
Arranged by subgroup and series.
Collection open for research.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical
Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection.
In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright
owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers.
Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society
Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places
should search under these terms.
Alpha Tau Delta. Lambda
Chapter (Mont.)
Medicine--Societies, etc.--Montana.
Nursing--Study and teaching--Montana.
Medicine--Study and teaching--Montana.
Nurses--Montana.
Montana
Medicine and
Health
Detailed Description of the Collection
Alpha Tau Delta. Lambda Chapter
Biographical Materials
1 / 1
Biographical sketches and notes re early and
deceased members (includes E. Augusta Ariss, Shirley Joann Cox, June Leona Crane,
Joan Egnew, Rilla Einfeldt, Marjorie Ellen Hart, Blanche M. Fuller, Sheryl Gee,
Yvonne Knutson, Mary Peterson, Jo Ann Phillips, Ida Marie Randash, Janice M. Schoen,
Oddlaug Stene, Barbara Ann West, Bonnie Jean Wham)
undated
Interoffice Correspondence
1 / 2
Advisors (includes Shirley Duderstadt, Jeanne R.
Claus, Barbara Hauf, Milly Gutkoski)
1958-1980
1 / 3
Memoranda to membership
1955-1979
General Correspondence
1 / 4
Miscellaneous (includes Miriam Fay Furlong, Jo Ann
Phillips, Eleanor H. Newby, Avis Peterson, Merlyn Willett, Barbara Hauf, LaVerne
Rocereto, Marilyn J. McDaniel, Mollie Hatch, Myra Ridder, Loretta Birken Tagress,
Montana State University, National Alpha Tau Delta)
1956-1979
Financial Records
1 / 5
Journal
1948-1956
1 / 6
Miscellaneous (includes financial reports,
applications for tax-exempt status, etc.)
1956-1977
Minutes
1 / 7
Board of Directors minutes
1964-1976
1 / 8-9
Chapter minutes
1956-1978
Organization
1 / 10
Charter
1940
1 / 11
Constitution and bylaws
1964, 1967
1 / 12
Membership lists
1940-1973
1 / 13
Officers lists
1956-1977
1 / 14
Policies
1972-1975
1 / 15
Procedures and rituals
undated
1 / 16
Roll book
1940-1959
Press Releases
2 / 1
News releases (re meetings, admission of men)
1973
Printed Materials
2 / 2-3
Lambda Hotlines newsletter [title varies slightly]
1961-1978
Reports
2 / 4
Semi-annual chapter reports to National
1956-1973
Subject Files
2 / 5
Artwork
undated
2 / 6
Awards
1961-1975, undated
2 / 7
Epilepsy project
1973
2 / 8
Hosting of national convention
1973
2 / 9
Peace Corps project
1977
2 / 10
Scholarships
undated
2 / 11
Women's Day project
1974-1975, undated
Miscellany
2 / 12
Letterheads, envelopes, booklet, song
undated
Clippings
2 / 13
Re inductions, meetings, etc.
1955-1973
Billings Deaconess Division
Minutes
2 / 14
Division minutes
1957-1963, 1973
Bozeman Division
Financial Records
2 / 15
Journal
1973-1977
Minutes
2 / 16-18
Division minutes [some are in book, some are loose]
1953-1970
Butte Division
Reports
3 / 1
Report on officers
1977
Great Falls Deaconess Division
Financial Records
3 / 2
Journal; check registers
1956-1978
Minutes
3 / 3
Division minutes
1961, 1977
Subject Files
3 / 4
Fund raising
1962-1971
Lambda Pi Chapter
General Correspondence
3 / 5
Miscellaneous (includes Lois Landis, Barbara E.
Langlois, B.K. Jordan, Herva Simpson, Ruth McCullough, Ethel Nelson, C. Hazel
Sorenson, Merlyn Willett, Milly Gutkoski)
1959-1974
Financial Records
3 / 6
Dues paid (also includes list of letters sent,
1970)
1964-1970
Minutes
3 / 7
Chapter minutes
1960-1973
Organization
3 / 8
Constitution
1963
Reports
3 / 9
Semi-annual reports to National
1956-1974
National Alpha Tau Delta
Printed Materials
3 / 10
Cap'tions newsletter
1969-1976
3 / 11
Handbooks, pledge book, directories
1958-1975, undated