The following is taken from pages 8-9 of the 60th Anniversary Issue of Pan Pipes, published in May 1964 by Sigma Alpha Iota.
Ann Arbor, Michigan was the birthplace of Founder Elizabeth Campbell. Her early years were spent on her father's farm near Ann Arbor. Elizabeth's parents, both musical, deeply interested in education and college trained, moved into Ann Arbor to further the education of their two children.Elizabeth Campbell graduated from the University of Michigan's School of Music, with a B.A. Degree, a Voice Major. She did post graduate work with Dr. William Howland at the University and at Martha's Vineyard and with Frederick Bristol of New York. Elizabeth joined the Music Faculty of the University, serving from 1903-1909. She became assistant Voice teacher to Dr. Howland.
Because of her mother's illness, it was necessary for Elizabeth to resign her Voice position at the University in 1909. Having graduated also from the University Literary College and possessing fine executive ability, it seemed wise to her after this interim of several years away from music and the accompanying strain of long family illness, to pursue another field. Elizabeth accepted the appointment of Recorder of Transcripts in the College of Engineering at the University, a position she held over twenty-five years.
In Sigma Alpha Iota's first year, Elizabeth was Vice President of Alpha Chapter. She, with Frances Caspari and Leila Farlin, prepared the first Constitution and Bylaws. She was also of much assistance to Elsa Gardner Stanley in one of the most important sections of the Ritual.
Active in Sigma Alpha Iota's early extension, on December 3 Elizabeth accompanied Alpha's second President, Elsa Gardner Stanley, to the Northwestern University Campus at Evanston, Illinois for the installation of Beta Chapter. During her National Presidency in 1913-1914, she was the installing officer for Eta Chapter at the College of Music of Cincinnati in February of 1914. She was assisted by Frieda Heider, president of Zeta Chapter. During the National Presidency of Charlotte Webber, 1915-1916, Elizabeth, then a Traveling Delegate, assisted her with the installation of Lambda Chapter at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
The fraternity's National President in 1913-1914, Elizabeth had served in virtually every office in Alpha chapter and in the national organization. She was twice the fraternity's Historian. Elizabeth attended many national Conventions and during the World War II years, she brought much warmth, wisdom and general guidance to the enlarged National Council meetings held in Chicago at The Palmer House and at The Drake Hotel.
In the field of Finance, Elizabeth was close to the pulse of the fraternity's needs over a twenty-year span. In 1929 she was made Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance. She was a member of the National Executive Board as Chairman of Finance and Director of Finance from November 1932 until November 1948, a year before her death.
When asked "How does it feel to be a Founder?" Elizabeth replied: "My answer is that the feeling is a mixture of humility and pride. Humility because so much has been worked out by others since we made the first venture. Pride in our sisters who have caught up and developed our ideals even beyond our highest expectations."
Final services for Elizabeth Campbell were held on September 28, 1949, in Ann Arbor. The following are from the many tributes to Elizabeth: "To know her was to love her," the comment of her sister-Founder, Nora Crane Hunt . . . "Her sincerity, humbleness, gentleness, lack of personal ambition, and the faculty of always believing the best of everyone, should be an example to all. Surely she has left a heritage in works and ideals, that will touch many. I shall always cherish the privilege of having had the personal contact with her." And from another -- "She will be, for us an immortal part of Sigma Alpha Iota, and the glow that she imparted to all that was and is Sigma Alpha Iota, will remain a priceless heritage."
Elizabeth Campbell passed away on September 18, 1949
