1905
In 1892, the Athenaean Society was founded as a Literary Society here at Geneseo. At that time, the Society was a sister organization of the Zetomateans Fraternity. In 1894, the Zetomatheans were invited to join the Gamma Sigma Fraternity (brother fraternity of Arethusa at Brockport) and became a chapter. Due to Gamma Sigma's influence the Athenaean Society became the Gamma Chapter of Arethusa in March of the same year. In 1955, Arethusa took on the Greek letters of Sigma Gamma Phi. Proir to that time, an Arethusa girl would distinguished herself with a uniquely shaped "A" on her sweater.
The only Chapters still in existance today are Geneseo, Potsdam, Oneonta, and the newly founded chapter in Fredonia.
1929
1942Arethusa Chapters and when they existed: Brockport Normal School - Alpha Chapter (1870-1939)
Rochester Free Academy - Beta Chapter (1892-1914)
SUNY Geneseo - Gamma Chapter (1894-present)
SUNY Oneonta - Delta Chapter (1894-present)
SUNY New Paltz - Epsilon Chapter (1897-1973)
Buffalo Normal School - Zeta Chapter (1902-1926)
SUNY Oswego - Eta Chapter (?-1973)
SUNY Cortland - Theta Chapter (1926-1989)
Potsdam Normal School - Lambda Chapter (1930-1932)
Community College of the Finger Lakes- Arethusa Eta Chapter (1969-?)
SUNY Potsdam/Clarkston U. - Iota Chapter (1989-present)
SUNY Fredonia - Kappa Chapter (2000)With the help of the Geneseo chapter (that's us!) the Potsdam Chapter was founded in 1989. The pledge mistress, Jean Suszczynski, and her assistant, Lori Sydney were members of the Gamma chapter at Geneseo. Today, Arethusa is the third oldest Sorority at Geneseo. The Arethusa House at 20 Wadsworth Street holds within it's walls a rich tradition and history.
In 2006, the girls had to move. With a heavy heart, they packed up every piece of their beloved sorority. Unfortunatly, the years of signatures on the walls and the history could not be packed into a box. The new Arethusa House is now located at 68 Court Street where the girls strive to rebuild the lost memories and continue to build new ones.
Arethusa Meeting Room
when SUNY Geneseo was still
the Geneseo Normal School
The House at 20 Wads
Interested in learning more about the individual histories of the other chapters? Click Here!
