Ceres (women's fraternity)
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| Ceres | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | October 12, 1985 Colorado State University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Defunct date | September 2024 |
| Emphasis | Agriculture |
| Scope | North America |
| Motto | "Commitment to Build" |
| Pillars | Commitment, Agricultural Orientation, Leadership, Scholarship, Fellowship |
| Colors | Violet and Gold |
| Flower | Sterling silver rose |
| Jewel | Amethyst and Pearl |
| Patron Roman deity | Ceres |
| Publication | The Rose and Scroll |
| Chapters | 1 active, 13 inactive |
| Headquarters | 690 Prisk Street Belleville, Wisconsin 53508 United States |
| Website | ceresfraternity |
| [1][2] | |
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.
In 1978, the international board of FarmHouse fraternity proposed creating chapters for women.[3] 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.[3][4][5] FarmHouse also surveyed 4-H chapters and associations, finding that 65 percent were in support of the creation of a women's agricultural fraternity.[3]
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.[3][1] A committee of 4-H men and women selected the name Ceres Fraternity for the separate women's fraternity.[3]
On October 12, 1985, Ceres chartered its first chapter at Colorado State University, initiating nineteen members.[6][1][4][5] This was followed by chapters at the University of Alberta and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1986.[6][1] The fraternity held its first biennial conclave in August 1986 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.[4] Joan Blackwelder became the first president of the fraternity's international board.[4]
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.[7][4] Its international office was at 690 Prisk Street in Belleville, Wisconsin.[8]
By 2000, Ceres had chartered fourteen chapters in the United States and Canada.[6][9] In September 2024, the national Ceres fraternity ceased its operations due to declining membership.[10] At this time, all chapters disbanded but had the option of continuing as local fraternities.[10] A chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville continues to operate as a local women's fraternity.[11]
Symbols
The organization was named Ceres after the Roman goddess of agriculture.[3][5] Ceres' motto was "Commitment to Build".[12][5] Its five attributes or pillars were commitment, agricultural orientation, leadership, scholarship, and fellowship.[13]
The fraternity's colors were violet and gold.[12][5] Its flower was the sterling silver rose.[12] Its jewels were the amethyst and pearl.[12] Its publication was The Rose and Scroll.