General Info

Mu Phi Epsilon was founded by Winthrop Smith Sterling ( 1859-1943 ), Dean of the Metropolitan College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio and Elizabeth Mathias ( 1884-1950 ), his nineteen-year-old assistant. On November 13, 1903 thirteen young women came together to form the Alpha Chapter of what has now become Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity. In the 1920's Dr. Sterling left Metropolitan College to become head of the organ department at Miami University in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1908 Elizabeth Mathias married Dr. John Fuqua in Greeley, Colorado. She remained active in music and music therapy. After her husband's death Elizabeth became Superintendent of Dr. Fuqua's hospital, Island Grove Hospital in Island Grove Park, Greeley, Colorado. Mu Phi Epsilon is a nonprofit corporation. The International Bylaws of Mu Phi Epsilon state that its aim is