Rowena Longmire (Group A)
This exhibit includes the beloved English teacher and accomplished role model from the Florida State College of Women, Rowena Longmire.
Rowena Longmire was born on January, 24, 1869, in Palmyra, Marrion county Missouri. Miss Rowena Longmire was a very popular english professor during her time at the Floirda State College for Women. She was a native of Palmyra, Missouri, and earned a teaching degree from peabody normal school in Nashville, Tennessee. Longmire then went on to earn her masters degree from the Floirda State College of Women. She also had a Ph.B and A.M degree from the University of chicago. Rowena became the alumna chapter initiate of the Gamma chapter of chi omega. The chapter was proud to mention that she presented two addresses to state educational associations. She would go on to become the president of the Floirda Educational Association. The february 1910 issue of "The Eleusis" contained a founders day toast written by longmire. Longmire had a promient role in the chi omega soriety, even long after she was in college. During commencement week for the Class of 1916, Longmire entertained the chapter with an informal farewell party. White carnations, Chi Omega’s flower, were presented to the members. The February Eleusis told of a six o’clock dinner hosted by Longmire. A 1922 Eleusis boasted that “Miss Rowena Longmire, Gamma’s beloved active alumna, attended the University of Chicago this summer and will resume her place as an English instructor” in the fall.
Rowena Longmire played a major role in the tallahasse community. In may, 1929, The floridian hotel hosted the senior banquet given by the chi omega chapter. Longmire was the faculty advisor at the time and offered toasts to seniors. Ms. O.S Lanier the chapters chaperone and Longmire were entertained with tea on April 4, 1930, at the chapter house. Longmire and Lanier were in the receiving line along with the chapters officers. Rowena Longmire soon after wrote the Floirda supplemnet to Dodge's Geographies. She also wrote a biographical sketch of Caroline Mays Brevard in A history of Florida from the treaty of 1763 to our own times. Her accomplsihments to Florida Sate in the early days have left a lasting impact.
The Rowena Longmire Building at Florida State University was the first building on the campus that was named for a faculty member. The building was built in 1938 and displays hand painted plaster ceilings, paneled walls, and medieval art. The very popular english teacher has a lasting impact on her students and peers. She was the founder of the Alumnae Association of the Florida State College for Women. She also was in charge of activities like the YWCA, a student lounge, a locker room for day students, accommodations for visiting alumnae and distinguished guests, end even a soda shop.Longmire died on July 18, 1938. She had been on the faculty for 32 years and was president of the Alumnae Association from 1917 until the year of her death. She was one of seven graduates presented with an award honoring distinguished attainment when the award was first presented in 1936.
On April 18, 1908, Beta Rho, a 3 year old sorority organization at FSCW, became the Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega. Rowena Longmire was an alumna charter initiate of the chapter. In a Founder's Day Toast, Longmire states: "Should you ask me whence these banquets, These dear feast days and traditions, I should answer, "Chi Omega ;" How the girls in all the chapters, On the Fifth of every April, Celebrate the great beginning Of our glorious Chi Omega. From its little band to westward, Spread its influence south and eastward, Even to the distant Northland, Moves the power of Chi Omega. Ever waving Straw and Cardinal And the odorous White Carnation And the mystic signs and symbols Of a growing Chi Omega. May she grow and live forever, Binding loyal hearts together, Bind in ties that do not sever, Living ties of Chi Omega."
Works Cited
Rowena Longmire (1869-1938) - Find A Grave... (2005, January 12). Retrieved April 18, 2002, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10317087/rowena-longmire
Becque, F. (2018, March 31). Rowena Longmire, Chi Omega, #WHM2018, #notablesororitywomen. Retrieved April 18, 2020, from https://www.franbecque.com/rowena-longmire-chi-omega-whm2018-notablesororitywomen/
Longmire Building, Alumni and Beth Moor Lounges. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2020, from https://legacywalk.fsu.edu/locations/longmire-building/
“Rowena Longmire, Chi Omega, #WHM2018, #Notablesororitywomen.” Fraternity History & More, 31 Mar. 2018, www.franbecque.com/rowena-longmire-chi- omega-whm2018-notablesororitywomen/.