The Zeta House
Hear It Calling
Our History - 1990s
The decade began with the official mortgage burning which was held at the yearly Founder’s Day celebration at the Country Club of Louisiana on October 20,1991. It was a delightful ceremony and a time for all to reflect on the memories of the house. Mrs. Ferguson sent a note to the board after the event expressing her enjoyment of the wonderful program.
CHANGES IN HOUSE DIRECTOR
After 15 years, our beloved Ginger McCloskey retired. She was sent off in typical Zeta fashion with a wonderful celebration commemorating her retirement. Many Zetas came to Baton Rouge for the event and she so enjoyed the day.
Ginger wrote a beautiful thank-you letter to Lisa Wideman Jones, House Corporation President, following the celebration:
April 15, 1992My dearest Lisa,
Please convey to the House Corporation my deepest gratitude first, for the splendid friendship I’ve enjoyed with you all for these many years. The lavish and lovely party to which you all contributed your unique talents and diligent labor will always be a delightful memory.
Also, accept my most grateful thanks for the very beautiful old Chinese scroll box. It will be a feast for the eye always. I shall love it for its ageless beauty and because it came from you. Last of all, thank you all for the many generous checks, totaling a marvelously staggering amount of money for me to invest in my future. The beautiful cards, notes, and gifts, I will treasure.
Thanks to you all for these alone as well as a splendid and rewarding fifteen years.
Devotedly , Ginger
DELTA KAPPA WELCOMES NEW HOUSE DIRECTOR NINA CYPHERS
With Ginger’s retirement, the search was on for a new house director. A key group of chapter advisors and House Corp. members interviewed a number of candidates before hiring Nina Cyphers in the summer of 1992. Nina came to Zeta after serving at a private boarding school in Port Gibson, MS. That summer she enjoyed attending two House Director training programs at other universities and meeting some of ZTA’s national leadership. Nina recalls the former director of LSU’s Greek Affairs, Kathy Marcel, saying that Nina had been “baptized by fire” with Hurricane Andrew hitting just weeks after her arrival.
HURRICANE ANDREW
In August of 1992,The Zeta house, like most houses in Baton Rouge received hurricane damage. Terrified by the impending storm, Nina and staff member, Mr. Hung, sawed up old rush benches. Two chapter members nailed the wood from the benches across the downstairs windows on the front of the house. Unfortunately, the house still received extensive interior damage to the living room, wood floors, windows, and sheetrock. Although many members of the alumnae were dealing with the damage of their own homes, they rushed to the Zeta house to make sure that the girls were in safe hands. Things were all back to normal within a short time, however, due to their dedication.
New Dining Room Furniture
In February of 1993 the Board made the decision to purchase new dining room furniture. The original 28 year old French Provincial cane dining room chairs and oval tables could no longer be repaired. Chippendale style chairs and coordinating wood and laminate tables were purchased.
During the 1990’s the House Corporation concentrated on several projects in order to enhance the life of the collegiate residents.
In 1991, new carpet was added to 2nd and 3rd floor bedrooms and hallways, new security upgrades were initiated, fire security systems had to be enhanced to meet new fire codes, and the kitchen was updated with new appliances. The exterior landscaping also became more important. Also in the early 1990’s, Delta Kappa alumna and HC Board member Necia Lanius was asked to research the replacement of the glass transoms around the front door. She funded and supervised the installation of the beautiful beveled glass that personalizes the entrance to our ZTA home.
According to House Corporation meeting minutes, the Board voted to purchase household items including 58 desks for the bedrooms, stainless flatware, a copy machine, new mattresses, and tablecloths. The list is absolutely endless!! They also engaged in much dialogue on how to design, fund and build a new chapter room. As the chapter size of LSU’s sororities grew, so did the need for more meeting space. The Board knew the Zeta House must build an addition to accommodate the Chapter’s needs and remain competitive on campus.
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