It’s was a reunion over 40 years in the making as the sisters of Chi Omega returned home to their former sorority house. A replica owl, their mascot, perched on the mantel above the fireplace, welcomed the owlets back to the nest.
The 1927 Arts & Crafts house, currently home to Rose Cottage, served as the Chi Omega sorority house from 1974-1983. The Alpha Theta chapter of the national sorority was one of three active sororities associated with Wayne State College campus. In addition, there were three active fraternities.
The sisters traveled from Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, Iowa and South Dakota and across the state of Nebraska. The house at 303 E. 10th Street in Wayne served as the home base for the reunion. Other sisters stayed nearby in an Airbnb three doors down, while some shared a sorority sisters’ home in Laurel.
Many of the sisters had not been in their sorority home since they graduated from Wayne State College. Several others had once lived in the brick house along with 10-13 other sisters. Those who had not had the opportunity to live in the chapter house had fond memories of weekly meetings, rush parties and other gatherings held at their home away from home.
The sisters acknowledged Marie Mohr and Judy Peters, former Chi Omega advisors who were present for the reunion. At that time deceased advisors were also remembered, including Nana Petersen, Marilyn Lesh, Maria Grovas, Ginny Seymour and Ann Barclay.
Prior to lunch, a list of deceased sorority sisters was read as all observed a moment of silence to honor their memory.
The sisters enjoyed a social hour on Friday and then had dinner at the Max in downtown Wayne. Many reminisced about time spent in this building when it was known as Big Al’s. During the 1970s and early 80s, Wayne State College students packed the establishment and danced to disco songs every Thursday night.
After dinner, they enjoyed the parade of vintage and unique cars as they cruised Main Street for Wayne’s Cruise Night. A couple of the sisters hopped on a motorcycle and made a new friend of the owner.
"I was tickled to death to be able to cruise in my old Mazda Miata convertible nicknamed “Pearl” with its new owner, Johnny Lemke. Johnny is a sorority sister’s son," Elizabeth said.
Saturday morning two young men, representing Wayne State College, gave 21 sisters a tour of the campus. They enjoyed visiting former dormitories, “the Gag,” the newly renovated library and the halls of learning.
Following the tour, a catered fried chicken lunch with all the trimmings was enjoyed. Afterwards, the girls visited historic downtown Wayne to shop and explore all it had to offer.
At the close of the reunion on Sunday, it was announced that the sisters will meet again in two years for their biennial reunion. The house will celebrate its 100th birthday and the theme of the gathering will be a roaring 20s celebration complete with flapper style attire.
"Of course, it will be a 'hoot!'" Elizabeth said.
