Written by Doug Goodnough
The Chi Omega sorority celebrates its 100th anniversary on the Hillsdale College campus this year. And Ronda Doane Deer, ’60, has been around for nearly 70 years of it.
When she pledged the house in the fall of 1956, there were just 14 active members. Her pledge class of 24 was the beginning of a “revival” of sorts for the house. By the time she graduated, the Chi-Os had approximately 65 members. Now, they are firmly entrenched on the Hillsdale campus and are ready to celebrate their centennial at this year’s Homecoming.
Deer, who has remained active in chapter activities throughout the decades, said the house has kept its identity of being a “fun” and well-rounded sorority.
“I would say fun because we had girls from every walk of life and every kind of background,” said Deer, who attended the recent White & Blue Weekend and stayed in Chi Omega’s guest room. “We had some who came from very rough backgrounds and had trouble paying their bills. But we all made it through.”
Deer said her longtime involvement with the chapter has given her a unique perspective, and although times—and the young women—have changed from era to era, some things have remained constant.
For starters, the 96-year-old house on the corner of Barber Drive and Hillsdale Street remains in pristine condition. A recent painting and renovation of the main rooms in the house includes a spacious living room, and the house’s original lighting fixtures were restored to their former grandeur.
Chi Omega bylaws require actives to live in the house at least one semester during their time at Hillsdale. Deer said she lived in the house for three of her four years because women were not allowed to live off campus when she was a student. The 10:30 p.m. curfew is also no longer in place for actives. Deer and fellow sorority sister Karen Burleyson Engel, ’65, who also attended White & Blue Weekend, said the friendships they made during their time in the house are lifelong and meaningful.
Deer said she hopes that Greek life continues to thrive at Hillsdale College because it helps teach so many life lessons.
“To me it meant learning to live with other people besides your mom and dad and your siblings,” she said of living in the house. “Learning to make time for things. Learning how to take care of yourself. But also having support from friends. If you had a problem, you had maybe 13 or 14 other girls there that would help you with your problems.”
Deer formerly served as the house’s corporation president, and she also was involved in the national Chi Omega organization, helping to start a chapter at John Carroll University during the time she lived in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. But the Rho Chapter holds a special place in her heart. She and generations of her Chi Omega sisters are ready to commemorate the house’s 100th anniversary at Homecoming on October 12.
The house will be open from 9-11:00 a.m. that morning, with several displays of Chi Omega history and memorabilia available to those visiting. At 11:00 a.m., there will be a luncheon in the Searle Center, where representatives from the national organization will honor the chapter’s centennial. Finally, at 2:00 p.m., the party will move to the Sports Complex, where they will tailgate before Hillsdale’s home football game.
“My friends from Chi Omega have been a great support throughout my life,” Deer said. “I am still friends with many, too. And I’ve made more friends. I’ve really gotten to know the girls at the house because of my involvement.”
The Chi Omega centennial celebration is just one of many events slated for Homecoming Weekend. Mark your calendars and join us on October 11-12, 2024!
Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.
Published in July 2024
