Rebecca Waterman left her job as a physician and her home in Zimbabwe, Africa, so her husband could complete his graduate work in statistics at Penn State.

Thrust into an unfamiliar area knowing only her husband, Waterman found support and friendship after she joined the Student's Wives Association of Penn State.

"I really needed to meet some American students," Waterman said. "And I think I made good friends with all of them."

Student's wives are generally the outsiders of the community -- they are not borough residents and not students. Because they were one of the most neglected groups on campus, the Student's Wives Association of Penn State -- then known as the Penn State Dames --began more than 60 years ago.

The club, primarily a social and support group, was founded in April 1931 for wives of male graduate students. Undergraduate wives joined in 1956.

The group's popularity grew each year, reaching more than 300 members in the 1960s.

Today, however, the club barely reaches 20 members including about 10 international members, said Waterman, the club's president.

The membership has decreased drastically over the years because of women's increased participation in the work force and a decreased awareness of the club's existence, said Alyson Naghshineh, a member and former president.

Initially, the club was independent of the University, but now it's sponsored and funded by the Faculty Women's Club, Waterman said.

The Dames' traditions live on in the association as wives of male graduate and undergraduate students meet weekly to discuss common problems and interests, Waterman said.

Club members discuss issues such as surviving in the borough as a student's wife, facing financial hardships and finding child care, since most of the members are also mothers, Waterman said.

The group's meetings resemble a gathering of friends, giveing wives the opportunity to just sit around and talk, Naghshineh said.

Waterman also agreed that the weekly meetings provide members with a "good means to escape their children for an evening." Waterman said future group activities include exchanging cookies with the Women's Faculty Club, baking pies for Thanksgiving and planning trips.

"This is one organization where we try to provide friendship," she added, "Most members are new to the area and have no friends."

Although the purpose of the group has not changed throughout its history, the name Penn State Dames has gone through some changes.

During the last 40 years, the title "Penn State Dames" came to be considered both derogatory and outdated, Waterman said, so members changed the name to the Student's Wives Association of Penn State.

At one point, fliers promoting the club displayed several women in aprons and high heels portraying the stereotypical "dame," Waterman said.

The club still gives traditional "Putting Hubby Through" certificates to wives whose husbands are graduating, Waterman said.

"Although it's certainly not of the importance as in the past, it's kind of fun to give somebody this certificate," Waterman said. The certificates are given only when requested by a leaving member.

In 1956, the club's Penn State chapter joined the national Association of University Dames, a nationwide campus organization, and in 1964, the University was one of 94 collegiate chapters. Wives of former University presidents Eric Walker and Milton Eisenhower were honorary members.

The club holds informal meetings in 124 Walker every Tuesday.