Ceres (women's Fraternity)

Ceres was an international women's fraternity focused on agriculture. It was created as a women's version of FarmHouse fraternity. Its first chapter was chartered at Colorado State University in 1984. The fraternity ceased operations in the fall of 2024. However, a chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville continues to operate as a local fraternity.

History

In 1978, the international board of FarmHouse fraternity proposed creating chapters for women. At its 1980 international conclave, FarmHouse passed a proposal to establish women's 4-H clubs on select college campuses, including Colorado State University, University of Alberta and California State Polytechnic University, Pomoma. FarmHouse also surveyed 4-H chapters and associations, finding that 65 percent were in support of the creation of a women's agricultural fraternity.

A proposal for the “establishment of an agricultural-related women's sorority formed in the image of FarmHouse” was unanimously approved by conclave delegates on August 17, 1984. A committee of 4-H men and women selected the name Ceres Fraternity for the separate women's fraternity.

On October 12, 1985, Ceres chartered its first chapter at Colorado State University, initiating nineteen members. This was followed by chapters at the University of Alberta and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1986. The fraternity held its first biennial conclave in August 1986 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Joan Blackwelder became the first present of the fraternity's international board.

The international office for FarmHouse provided staffing and programming support until 1994 when Ceres had grown to the point that it could hire a part-time executive director. Its international office was at 690 Prisk Street in Belleville, Wisconsin.

By 2000, Ceres had chartered fourteen chapters in the United States and Canada. In September 2024, the national Ceres fraternity ceased its operations due to declining membership. At this time, all chapters disbanded but had the option of continuing as local fraternities. A chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville continues to operate as a local women's fraternity.

Symbols

The organization was named Ceres after the Roman goddess of agriculture. Ceres' motto was "Commitment to Build". Its five attributes or pillars were commitment, agricultural orientation, leadership, scholarship, and fellowship.

The fraternity's colors were violet and gold. Its flower was the sterling silver rose. Its jewels were the amethyst and pearl. Its publication was ''The Rose and Scroll''.

Chapters

In the following list, active chapters are in bold and inactive chapters in ''italics''. The main archive URL i
The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage
Ceres Membership Handbook
Ceres Fraternity, 2017.

See also

* List of social sororities and women's fraternities
* Professional fraternities and sororities

References

External links

*

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Ceres
Student organizations established in 1984
International student societies
Student societies in the United States
1984 establishments in Colorado
Women in agriculture
Women's organizations based in the United States
Sororities
Fraternities and sororities in the United States