Alice Bartlett Bruner

Alice Bartlett Bruner was the youngest and last recruit added to the group of Alpha Xi Delta Founders. She was also the only local woman in the group: she was born on January 30, 1878 in Galesburg, Illinois, and grew up in the town. After graduating from Lombard College in 1898, she studied piano, organ, and music theory at Knox Conservatory. Alice served as organist of the Universalist Church of Galesburg, where she married Dr. Murry T. Bruner in 1904. She also taught harmony and theory at Lombard College. Alice stands at the head of four generations of Alpha Xi Deltas: her two daughters, Lois Bruner Barr and Helen Bruner Welch, were initiated into the Alpha Chapter; her granddaughter Judith Welch Barry was a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter; and her great-granddaughter Christine Barry Nelson was a member of the Zeta Tau Chapter.In addition to her family legacy, Alice served Alpha Xi Delta in many roles. She was the first national vice president, hosting the business sessions of the first convention in her home. She helped with the installations of the Beta and Beta Epsilon Chapters and served as chaplain at the 1934 National Convention. When the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation was founded in 1957, Alice sat on the board of trustees. After a long life of service to church and community, Alice died in 1966 at the age of 88.