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→The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)
==The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)==
Epsilon Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma became the second chapter in South Carolina on March 7, 1970, at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina.
The first semester as Kappas was a busy one, with participation in the annual Dixie Day events games competition among the sororities on campus, sponsored by Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. The Kappas won the overall trophy and took other trophies also.
The Kappas participated in an anti-pollution rally. All the sororities and fraternities on campus competed collecting trash around the Clemson area. Epsilon Mu placed first among the sororities.
In 1970-71 the chapter's main goal was to become well known on campus, especially among the independent girls. Also, the girls strove to have better relationships with the fraternities and the other sororities on campus. For Halloween Kappa gave carved pumpkins to the other sororities to put on their floors. Then many of the sisters went pumpkin carving through the three girls' dorms.
Instead of building a Homecoming display, the Clemson Kappas decided to try a Tigerama skit. Tigerama is an annual entertainment presented the night before the Homecoming game. It is produced by Blue Key, and is run entirely by students. The sisters had never planned or participated in Tigerama before, but with everybody working together- writing a skit, practicing parts, making costumes and props, and taping voices- Epsilon Mu nervously entered the try-outs.
When the announcement was made of the accepted skits, the Kappas were overjoyed to be included. The following weeks brought more practicing and polishing, and even rebuilding much of the scenery when a rainstorm on a night before the performance did a great deal of damage. Finally the big night arrived, and the Kappas were proud of a good first try. To their amazement, it was announced that the Kappas had placed first- $250 cash prize, and never-to-be forgotten memories.
In February some of the sisters got together and made Valentine cakes for each fraternity. These were a big hit with the brothers, and the girls received several thank you notes and requests for another cake.
Two distinguished guests visited the chapter in 1970-71. One was Marjorie Gohn (Felsburg), Delta Alpha- Penn State. Epsilon Mu was fortunate to have her help as it complete its first year as a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The other visitor was Louise Little Barbeck, Gamma Phi- Southern Methodist, president of the Fraternity. She spoke with the pledge class of 1971 and they entertained her with a skit portraying "a possible situation in the founding of the Fraternity one hundred years ago". The actives also heard Mrs. Barbeck in a formal meeting as she encouraged hard work in the future to maintain excellence.
During the Magnolia Pageant, the Sorority Sing competition was held. Kappa placed first with a tribute to Walt Disney. Kappas were dressed as Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, Clubbers, the Seven Dwarfs, Jiminy Cricket, siamese cats, and a bear. Because they won Sorority Sing, the girls presented their program again at Fraternity Sing. Also the presentation was made at Mothers' Banquet in April.
Epsilon Mu combined service with social in a dance for the benefit of a local charity. Contributions taken at the door were donated to the Pickens County United Fund. Independents as well as other fraternities and organizations on campus were invited to join the party with music provided by a band. The chapter was also busy collecting things for a needy family that lived in the Clemson area. The Kappas participated in planting flowers for a garden club in Clemson.
Perhaps the biggest social event of the year was the spring formal in honor of Epsilon Mu's founding on March 7 a year before. The Kappas also sponsored a Mother-Daughter Weekend with a Saturday night banquet and Sunday breakfast. The mothers spent the weekend with their daughters and learned more about Kappa.
Epsilon Mu had two finalists in the Miss Clemson University contest and a runner-up in the Magnolia Beauty Contest. The Tiger Band's solo twirler was a Kappa. A Kappa held the office of commander of the Light Brigade and a Kappa served on the Student Government Election Board.
Again Epsilon Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma stood out above the other sororities on campus. Its high average enabled it to win the Panhellenic Scholarship Trophy. Epsilon Mu's twenty-six pledges had the highest scholastic achievement of the three pledge classes on campus.
There can be no question in any Clemson Kappa's mind that Epsilon Mu had come a long way on the road to the top this year, and one of the reasons was the guidance and friendship of Graduate Counselor Dale Brubeck, Gamma Kappa- William and Mary.
In 1971
==Highlights of 2012==