INT'L SWEETHEART BARBARA TANNER '48-'50
Sigma Chi's First International Sweetheart Is Our Own.
Story source: Sigma Chi Magazine
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THESE TIRED OLD EYES have seen scores of covers on this, our favorite publication, but never before have they viewed such stunning beauty, such youthful vim and vitality, and such trim lines as those possessed by the comely and curvacious lass who "fronts" this opus. What say, men? Shall we pause for to trek to another look at that gal?
Look as long as you like and long as much as you desire, for she’s yours - in a sense, that is. She's Barbara Tanner, a Kappa Alpha Theta from Michigan State College. And what's most important is the fact that she is Sigma Chi's first National Sweetheart! |
Int'l Sweetheart Barbara Tanner '48-50, Kappa Alpha Theta
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She's our dream girl — and that makes us just about the most envied college lodge in the running. Common sense and good eyesight lead us to believe that statistics are unnecessary — just another good look at Barbara on, the cover ought to convince any die-hards.
Don't go away with that undernourished look. Drink in the honey-sweetness to be found on the bottom of this page.
But wait a minute! In our frustration, we almost forgot to tell you how it all came about — why this lovely Wolverine Theta wears a diamond-studded Sweetheart pin which proves that she's the girl of our dreams.
Don't go away with that undernourished look. Drink in the honey-sweetness to be found on the bottom of this page.
But wait a minute! In our frustration, we almost forgot to tell you how it all came about — why this lovely Wolverine Theta wears a diamond-studded Sweetheart pin which proves that she's the girl of our dreams.
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It really all started when another native of the Wolverine State scribbled a few musical notes 37 years ago. Yep, F. Dudleigh Vernor, unknowingly, set off the inspiration for this honor long before Barbara was born. Barb wouldn't be the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi if it weren't for a beautiful and lingering college melody of the same name. You might say that Brother Vernor filled the tub with water. We just pulled the plug.
And speaking of plus, practically every daily bulge in the states gave space to the announcement that the six finalist that had been selected to trek to Seattle for National Sweetheart honors. On August 28 newscast over WMAQ - Chicago’s NBC outlet - reported to its half-a-million listeners: |
Many a young lady has been declared unofficially the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi, but today there's no doubt about her identity. She's Barbara Tanner, 20-year-old coed from Michigan State College. Miss Tanner won the title of National Sweetheart of Sigma Chi in a contest sponsored by the Fraternity in Seattle, Washington. The judges who picked her — a couple of old Sigma Chis who certainly should be qualified to pick a Sweet-heart, were John Wayne of the movies and publicist Steve Hannagan.
Milton Caniff, Sigma Chi's famous cartoonist, should sue for something or other. He was the third judge and served admirably — even if, at the last minute, he did have to pull up stakes to get his EX friend, Steve Canyon, out of the clutches of an evil female! |
These three well-versed men whipped through over 80 presentations which our active chapters sent in to substantiate their claims that their gals deserved to walk off with the prize. They finally clipped the list to six finalists. They must have drawn lots, for all of the nominees were, in our book, the most pjnuptuous coeds ever assembled in one envelope!
The coronation was held at the Grand Chapter Ball on August 27. And every one of the 900 couples who crowded into the Spanish Ballroom of Seattle's Olympic Hotel vigorously endorsed the selection of the unenvied three.
Besides the aforementioned diamond-studded Sweetheart pin, a generous gift of Past Grand Consul L.G. Balfour, Barb received a huge 45-inch trophy (also presented by thoughtful Bromer Balfour) and a kiss from John Wayne.
The coronation was held at the Grand Chapter Ball on August 27. And every one of the 900 couples who crowded into the Spanish Ballroom of Seattle's Olympic Hotel vigorously endorsed the selection of the unenvied three.
Besides the aforementioned diamond-studded Sweetheart pin, a generous gift of Past Grand Consul L.G. Balfour, Barb received a huge 45-inch trophy (also presented by thoughtful Bromer Balfour) and a kiss from John Wayne.
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But amid this thunderous applause and apoplexy, let's not forget the other five swell girls who formed a court that would shame the gorgeous Cleopatra into a balcony seat! They were the talk of the convention and endeared themselves to one and all: Joan Rehm, Delta Delta Delta, University of Kentucky; Glorya "Billie" Klapp, Kappa Kappa Gamma, George Washington University; Sammie Nell Eldred, Chi Omega, Louisiana State University; Jean Forsythe, Kappa Alpha Theta, Denison University; and Carolyn Slocum, Pi Beta Phi, Williamette University.
Sweetheart Contest judges Milton Caniff, Ohio State '30, left, noted cartoonist, and Steve Hannaga, Purdue ’22, America's No.1 press agent, had a terrific job on their hands in singling out the 1948 National Sweetheart of EX. Movie Star John Wayne, Southern California '29, was the third contest judge. This photograph was taken in Steve's New York Office. |
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Ariel McDonald, Sweetheart of Upsilon Upsilon Chapter at the University of Washington, acted as hostess for the Sweethearts, and she deserves oceans of praise for her sincere and successful determination "to help the coeds in every way possible. If any one thing contributed to the good time had by the six dream gals, it was the "busy little bee" attitude and manner of Washington's Alpha Gamma Delta lovely.
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This gal Barb is nobody's fool. She packs a real scholastic wallop, as her B-pIus collegiate average attests. Just one year ago, she landed another great national honor when she was selected by the editors of The Ladies Home Journal and a poll of 1,500,000 college men as "The Ideal Coed." "Vivacious intelligence, sweetness and warmth, and an outdoor whole-some look" were the requirements fulfilled by Barb to win this title. And, believe us, she's got 'em! From a gallery of pictures from scores of U.S. campuses, her facial features were found to coincide most nearly with the demands.
Twice within a year, she has appeared as cover girl on the Sunday Graphic section of The Detroit Free Press. Her last appearance was shared with F. Dudleigh Vernor and three members of Gamma Psi Chapter at Michigan State. She has been saluted on three coast-to-coast air shows. Jo Stafford gave her a send-off on her Chesterfield Supper Club; Vaughn Monroe congratulated her on his Camel Caravan show; and Tex Beneke chatted with her and played you-know-what-song on his “on the Beam” broadcast. |
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Miss Tanner entered her senior year at M.S.C. this fall and is majoring in geography and geology.
Just for the records, we pulled out ye old adding machine and turned statistician. Amazingly enough, Barbara is, in many respects, a great deal like her statistical counterpart. Upon gathering information on all 80 nominees, here's what we found out about the composite Sweetheart: her name is Barbara, she’s a sophomore member of Kappa Alpha theta Sorority. She stands five-feet-five-and-one-half 118 pounds, and has blue eyes and blonde hair. She measures 24 inches at the waist and 34 inches at the hips and bust. She lives and attends a school in the Midwest. She’s pinned to a Sig, has a good scholastic average, is personally personified, and is loved by all wearers of the White Cross.
A breakdown shows that 10 nominees wear the kite of Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi ran second with 7 entries. Third place goes to Kappa Kappa Gamma with 6. Others finished in the higher brackets were: Delta Delta Delta, 5; Alpha Delta Pi, 3; Gamma Phi Beta, 4; Alpha Phi, Kappa Delta, and Chi Omega annexing 2 each.
Eight beauties were christened Barbara, and the Marys came in for a count of 5. Dorothy and Margaret rang the bell 3 times, and Elizabeth, Jean, Joan, Marilyn, Ann, and Betty registered 2 each.
Just for the records, we pulled out ye old adding machine and turned statistician. Amazingly enough, Barbara is, in many respects, a great deal like her statistical counterpart. Upon gathering information on all 80 nominees, here's what we found out about the composite Sweetheart: her name is Barbara, she’s a sophomore member of Kappa Alpha theta Sorority. She stands five-feet-five-and-one-half 118 pounds, and has blue eyes and blonde hair. She measures 24 inches at the waist and 34 inches at the hips and bust. She lives and attends a school in the Midwest. She’s pinned to a Sig, has a good scholastic average, is personally personified, and is loved by all wearers of the White Cross.
A breakdown shows that 10 nominees wear the kite of Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi ran second with 7 entries. Third place goes to Kappa Kappa Gamma with 6. Others finished in the higher brackets were: Delta Delta Delta, 5; Alpha Delta Pi, 3; Gamma Phi Beta, 4; Alpha Phi, Kappa Delta, and Chi Omega annexing 2 each.
Eight beauties were christened Barbara, and the Marys came in for a count of 5. Dorothy and Margaret rang the bell 3 times, and Elizabeth, Jean, Joan, Marilyn, Ann, and Betty registered 2 each.
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Descriptions of photos as numbered top left: 1. Being an ideal coed and Sweetheart of Sigma Chi doesn't keep Barbara Tanner from enjoying her classwork. 2. Barbara makes sure the Gamma Psi Sigs and F. Dudleigh Vernor, Albion '14, com- poser of "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi," follow the lyrics. Walter Maslancka, Ted Kolbe, Jack Hayes, Bob Dodge, and Vernor make up the quintet. 3. Our 1948 Sweetheart was an exceptional choice as the first national winner, for her home town, Detroit, is also the home of Composer Vernor. 4. The popular coed keeps up her social contacts. 5. Composer and Sweetheart check up on Significant Sigs in "Who's Who." 6. Head of the Albion College organ department, Life Member Vernor plays the "Sweetheart Song" for the first National Sweetheart. 7. A favorite picture of Barbara. 8. Nationally-famed bandleader Tex Beneke saluted Barb on his "On the Beam" broadcast. 9. The White Cross has to be just right when it hangs in the Gamma Psi chapter house. 10. Geography Is one of Barbara's major studies. With Dr. S.G . Berquist, head of the department of geology and geography at Michigan State, she delves into a complex problem of national boundaries. 11 . Exercise is an important thing in keeping that healthy look.
