Chapter History

“With pride and pleasure we looked to this symbol of the birth of Gamma Iota…the seed we had been nourishing had at last blossomed forth in all its glory.” 
- Mildred Langford
Gamma Iota Historian, 1949

The colonization of the Gamma Iota chapter began in 1947, the same year that UF was to become a co-ed University. Due to the strong presence of active ZTA alumnae in Gainesville, the alumnae as well as ZTA National officers wanted Zeta to be one of the first women’s fraternities on the campus. Gamma Iota’s charter was signed on April 2nd, 1949 and we officially became the 82nd link in ZTA’s chain of chapters with 26 members. By 1955, Gamma Iota Chapter had grown to 60 members. This was the year that we moved into a house on 1142 Panhellenic Drive that would become a home to our members for 64 years! In 2019, our house house was renovated, and it still retains the original foundation of love, memories, and laugher.  Today we are a chapter of over 250 members. 

With a storied history of pioneering women on the University of Florida's campus, we are so proud to be a part of the college experience for all of our amazing sisters and alumnae, with notable alumnae including noted sport journalist Erin Andrews, former Miss Floridas Laura Rutledge and Nicolette Jennings, and so many more. For every woman as a Florida Zeta, we are incredibly proud to have you represent us in all the amazing things you do. Gamma Iota women truly live by our creed, doing everything with "love, the greatest of all things."

Thanks to the pioneering ZTAs of Gainesville, Gamma Iota continues to be home to some of the best and brightest women at the University of Florida.  With such a rich history on this campus, we continue to serve as a beacon for service and excellence, never forgetting what ZTA stands for.