Olive Burnett Clark

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Olive Burnett Clark
Although all of the Founders are important figures in the Fraternity's history, Olive Burnett (Alpha, DePauw University) was described as "the best known and most popular" among the Founders. It was Olive who created detailed first-hand accounts of the founding and also provided vibrant descriptions of the other six Founders and of Dean Howe.Olive was born in Greencastle, Indiana on June 10, 1867. With her childhood friends Anna Allen (Alpha, DePauw University) and Bessie Grooms (Alpha, DePauw University), Olive enrolled in the DePauw University School of Music in the fall of 1885. There she studied piano, violin, cello and double bass, the last two at Dean Howe's request in order to play in the orchestra. She served as a member of the School of Music faculty from 1886-88, teaching pianoforte and primary work on the violin, cello and double bass. She also served as the organist at the College Avenue Church. In the spring of her junior year, Olive left school and took a job teaching piano and violin in Anderson and Franklin, Indiana.Olive married Ralph B. Clark, a businessman and musician from Anderson, Indiana, in 1889. She and Ralph had three children, two sons and a daughter, all of whom went on to attend DePauw. The boys became members of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and her daughter, Mary Ellen Clark (Alpha, DePauw University), became the first daughter of a Founder to become an Alpha Chi Omega.In 1917, the Clark family moved to Indianapolis, where Olive lived for the rest of her life. She was an active member of the Beta Beta (Indianapolis, Indiana) alumnae chapter for almost 40 years and served as one of its early presidents. A close friend of fellow Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham since their first year at DePauw, the two were reunited in Indianapolis and remained dear friends until Bertha's death in 1950. Olive Burnett Clark died at her home on April 18, 1957, just two months before her 90th birthday.
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Olive Burnett Clark Portrait Cabinet Card
Olive Burnett Clark Portrait Cabinet Card
Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) grew up in Greencastle, Indiana before eventually moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. She set the example for grace, civility and dignity that defined the Fraternity.
Olive Clark to Ruth Suppes Letter, March 28
Olive Clark to Ruth Suppes Letter, March 28
Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) writes to Ruth Tewinkel Suppes (Rho, University of Washington) about a recent Indiana State Day event that Suppes was unable to attend. Clark also writes that she is happy to speak about the f…
Olive Clark and Jean Sorenson at Convention Photograph, July 1953
Olive Clark and Jean Sorenson at Convention Photograph, July 1953
Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) poses with Jean Sorenson Daiker (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho), who served as a page at the 1953 National Convention in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Echoes of Tau, Vol. 6, February 27, 1931
Echoes of Tau, Vol. 6, February 27, 1931
This Tau (Brenau University) chapter newsletter provides updates about the chapter, including articles on the new chapter house and the annual alumnae banquet and profiles on some of the collegiate members. Also of interest is an article a…
Starr, Hough, Rude, Paul and Burnett at Thanksgiving Photograph, November 1888
Starr, Hough, Rude, Paul and Burnett at Thanksgiving Photograph, November 1888
Four Alpha (DePauw University) chapter members and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma pose together at Thanksgiving. They are: Sidelia Starr (KKG), Anna Hough, Maud Rude Link, Grace Paul Kerr and Olive Burnett Clark.
Olive Clark Telling Founding Story at Convention Photograph, June 1953
Olive Clark Telling Founding Story at Convention Photograph, June 1953
Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) poses by a chair as she tells the story of the founding of Alpha Chi Omega at the 1953 National Convention in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Founders Forum at Headquarters Photograph
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In 2006, The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation built and dedicated the Founders' Forum on the headquarters property. There were seven pillars on the outside featuring the signature of each Founder. The large sculpture in the center represented th…
Ryan, Burnett and Deniston Cabinet Card, April 1886
Ryan, Burnett and Deniston Cabinet Card, April 1886
Anna Ryan (Wells) (Alpha, DePauw University, left) poses with Alpha Chi Omega Founders Olive Burnett (Clark) (Alpha, DePauw University, center) and Bertha Deniston (Cunningham) (Alpha, DePauw University, right).
The Early Years, Video
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Olive Burnett Clark, Founder Burial Marker
Olive Burnett Clark, Founder Burial Marker
DATE OF BIRTH: June 10, 1867 DATE OF DEATH: April 18, 1957 CEMETERY Crown Hill Cemetery 700 West 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46208 Section 73, Lot 334