Incorporation
In the fall of 1914 the fraternity was incorporated by the State of Illinois. Phi Beta, at that time consisting exclusively of women, rented a house at 1928 Sherman Avenue in Evanston. Susan B. Davis, an admired member of the faculty, was chosen as the first honorary member of Phi Beta. Grace Mattern, who penned many of Phi Beta's rituals and ceremonies, was not initiated until 1914, when she returned to Evanston to pursue her Master's degree and join the faculty at Northwestern's School of Speech.
In 1915 the Alpha chapter of Phi Beta also petitioned the social women's fraternity Alpha Delta Pi for a charter. Because most of Phi Beta's members were enrolled in professional two- or three- year coursework, as opposed to traditional four-year programs, the petition was denied. Phi Beta remained a professional organization.
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