Difference between pages "Eta" and "Gamma Epsilon"

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{{Infobox Fraternity
 
{{Infobox Fraternity
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|Name= Eta
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|Name= Gamma Epsilon
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|GreekSymbol= H
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|GreekSymbol= ΓE
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|Image= [[File:Eta.jpg|200px]]
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|Image= [[File:Gamma_Epsilon.jpg|200px]]
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1875|02|02}}
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1919|02|21}}
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|College= [http://www.wisc.edu/ University of Wisconsin]
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|College= [https://www.pitt.edu/ University of Pittsburgh]
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|Location= Madison, WI
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|Location= Pittsburgh, PA
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|Province= Epsilon North
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|Homepage= [https://pittsburgh.kappa.org/ Gamma Epsilon Homepage]
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|Homepage= [http://chapters.kappakappagamma.org/eta/ Eta Homepage]
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|Media= [https://wiki.kkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Epsilon Media related to Gamma Epsilon Chapter]}}
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|Media= [http://wiki.kappakappagamma.org/index.php?title=Category:Eta Media related to Eta Chapter]
 
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}}
 
  
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'''University of Pittsburgh – founded in 1787''' as Pittsburgh Academy on what was then the American frontier. It is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of higher education in the United States.
  
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'''University of Wisconsin established in 1848, Madison, Wisconsin'''
 
  
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'''Chapter founded as Gamma Epsilon in 1919'''
  
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'''Founded February 2, 1875 - 8 charter members'''
 
  
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'''1,717 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
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'''3,228 initiates (as of June 2014)'''
 
  
  
 
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'''Charter Members:'''
 
'''Charter Members:'''
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Agnes Allis Haskill, Carrie (Caroline A.) Hobart, Elizabeth Antoinette Meyer, Juliet Meyer, Helen Remington, Helen Dougal Street, Fannie Walbridge, Fannie West
 
  
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'''Outstanding Eta Alumnae:'''
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Irene Garrison Cramblet, Ruth Brown Crawford, Helena Kathryn Flinn, Thelma Marie Herron, Emma Irene Hopkins, Sarah Hudson, Katherine Ruth Johnson, Mary Alma Barton Johnson, Margaret Davis Loomis, Janet McDonald, Anna Marshall, Vera Leone Neish, Laura Elizabeth Niebaum, Harriet Elizabeth Smith, Elsie May Young.
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'''Fraternity Council Members:'''
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'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''  
  
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E. Josephine Sarles (Simpson), Grand Secretary 1882-1884; Florence C. Moseley, Grand Treasurer 1888-1890; George Challoner Tracy, Grand Treasurer 1904-1906; Grand Secretary 1906-1908;
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Helena Flinn Ege, Fraternity Director of Alumnae 1944-1988, Fraternity President 1948-1952; Kelly Matyas Magyarics, Traveling Consultant 1995-1996; Leanne Aurich, Leadership Consultant 2009-2010
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Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones, National Director of Provinces 1924-1926; National President 1926-1928, 1928-1930, National Panhellenic Delegate , 1930-1932; Almira Johnson McNaboe, Director of Provinces 1932-1934; Grand Vice President 1934-1936, 1936-1938, 1938-1940; Gail Guthrie (Valaskakis), Field Secretary 1962-1964; Laurie Schmidt (Severino), Field Secretary 1982-1984; Janet Meinheit, Traveling Consultant 1988-1989
 
  
  
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
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'''Additional Outstanding Gamma Epsilon Alumnae:'''
  
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award recipients:'''
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Patricia Nealon (Burt), Graduate Counselor 1970-1972
  
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Edith Clarke, 1955, First woman to earn electrical engineering degree from MIT; first woman elected fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; Nancy Olson Livingston, 1960, stage and screen actress (starred in Disney’s Pollyanna); Gena Rowlands Cassavetes, 1960, screen and television (nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Mabel Longhetti in A Woman Under the Influence, 1974, played Allie Calhoun in The Notebook, 2004); Gail Guthrie Valaskakis, 1972, Education pioneer; awarded numerous research grants and honors; author
 
  
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'''Other Notable Alumnae:'''
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The University of Pittsburgh was chartered in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy. It became Western University of Pennsylvania in 1819, and in 1908 was named the University of Pittsburgh. The Cathedral of Learning, focal point of the university, is a 42 story building occupying two acres. It contains the famed Commons Room, which is modeled after an English castle great hall, and the nationality classrooms, which are furnished with materials and decorations from the respective countries. The nationalities represented are those to be found in the make-up of the diverse people who built Pittsburgh.
  
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Patricia Beth O’Kelley—TV actress, author and producer who has appeared on Emeril, That Was Then, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gilmore Girls; film work includes Outside Sales and Weather Girl; Nancy Hanschman Dickerson—White House correspondent; publisher of Among Those Present, a 1976 memoir covering the Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford administrations; Marilyn Fox (Rutherford), Graduate Counselor 1950-1951;
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==The Early Years  (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)==
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Gail Guthrie (Valaskakis), Graduate Counselor 1961-1963; Suzette Gotta (Jaskie), Chapter Consultant 1984-1987
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Gamma Epsilon Chapter received its charter in 1919 and since then has stood continuity and innovative change in fraternity life at the University of Pittsburgh. A Panhellenic first in housing is listed among the innovative changes.
  
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Epsilon Rho Omicron was formed February 22, 1916 with the purpose of petitioning Kappa Kappa Gamma for membership. On February, 1919, this dream came true when Grand President Lydia Voris Kolbe, Akron, conducted installation ceremonies for the fifteen charter members.
  
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Home for Epsilon Rho Omicron had been a room in Carnegie Library, or a member’s house. As Kappas, meetings were held in Heinz House which is a building given by H.J. Heinz as a place of recreation for women of the university. In 1921 Kappas shared their first house at 4633 Center Avenue with the Chi Omegas. Neither could have managed alone. Gamma Epsilon moved into its first home, 272 Bellefield Avenue, on May 13, 1922.
  
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The chapter loved this house but soon knew it needed a larger one, so in 1929 a move was make to 401 Neville Street, next door to the Theta chapter. These were happy years, but as the chapter continued to grow, the desire grew to own a house. The fall of 1938 found the group at 165 North Dithridge Street, a house that was bought later. The move was celebrated with a party for all Greeks on the campus and a visit from Grand President Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, Butler.
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All the women’s fraternity houses at Pitt were also student houses. There were many commuters and not enough Kappas living on campus to fill the house. Any woman student who was approved by the dean of women could live there. It was not until the 1959-60 school year that the house became all Kappa. By the time the mortgage burning celebration had been held for the house which twenty years before had been described as “the most beautifully decorated woman’s fraternity house on campus” and the future looked promising.
  
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==The Early Years==
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A bitter blow was struck in 1959. The university condemned the third floors of all the women’s houses as unsuitable for occupancy because of fire code violations. This made operation of the houses economically unsound. An so began the story of the building of the present Kappa house at 4401 Bayard Street, which is also the Kappa Alpha Theta house on Bellfield.
  
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A University of Wisconsin student, Juliet Meyer (Brown), received a letter from a Kappa Kappa Gamma member at Indiana University in the fall of 1874, inviting her to form a Chapter at Wisconsin. Juliet’s name had been selected from the university catalog, and she casually chose roommates and dormitory neighbors as Chapter mates. It happened that, of the eight girls occupying two suites of rooms in the dormitory, two were seniors and six were juniors.
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The first meeting of the Pittsburgh Kappas and Thetas took place at the suggestion of Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, on April 14, 1959. The decision of bother groups was that they did not want to move their chapters into the dormitory suites offered by the university so they chose to build together.
  
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This was the first year that women had been officially integrated at Wisconsin. There were two men’s fraternities, none for women, and faculty attitudes were reputedly hostile. For this reason, the organization of Eta was secretly performed by correspondence.  
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What seemed like hundreds of meetings later, money was raised by a joint Building Fund Committee. A Building Committee met with architects, builders and lawyers and the informal partnership became legal, establishing a Theta-Kappa Board of Management. Selling the Kappa house and tearing down the Theta house enable the cornerstone to be laid in January, 1964.
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On September 8, 1964, the two chapters moved into “their house.” It marked a Panhellenic first: the housing of two fraternity chapters in one building, financed by monies given by alumnae and actives of the two groups from all over the world.
  
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After considerable correspondence, Juliet and her seven friends signed the constitution and oath of initiation, which had been received in cipher. The Chapter was established on February 2, 1875, by the Grand Chapter. The first pledge was Mary Hill. She was relieved when the key to the cipher arrived, and wrote “great relief was felt when the really harmless nature of the dark deed was revealed to the founders of Eta.”
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The Kappa – Theta duplex provides identical, but separate units. Each unit contains a living room, chapter room – dining room, kitchen, ten bedrooms which house twenty girls, a house director’s room and bath, the usual storage rooms, powder rooms and bathrooms. The chapters share a central fire tower which separates one unit from the other, as well as the mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, sunken patio, roof, and driveway. Inside, except for the size, the rooms bear no resemblance to one another, for each group decorates according to its own wishes. From the outside the pink brick building has a “town house” appearance. The house’s rectangular shape and the corner lot enabled the Thetas to retain the old Bellfield address, while the Kappa entrance is on Bayard Street.
  
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From the beginning, regular meetings were held in the private rooms of members, and literary exercises were always a part of the program. Informal spreads, guarded with secrecy and mystery, occasionally took place in some bedroom reached through a parlor that acted as a buffer between the festive rites and inquisitive teachers and fellow students. It was not until the golden keys appeared that it began to be rumored that a secret society had been organized. Indignation was great in some quarters.
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Even Dedication Day, October 4, 1964, was a joint Kappa – Theta affair, with each fraternity holding its own service, and then joining with an open house for all fraternity and university friends. Now, more than ten years later Kappas and Thetas continue to live happily in “their house”.
  
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The college year 1875-76 was a stirring one in college history. Meetings began and ended in a row. New literary societies were formed from schisms in old ones, and members of Eta were leading members of the literary societies.
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Through the years Gamma Epsilon have striven to maintain a chapter of which the Fraternity could be proud. There are members of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Cwens, and many other honorary fraternities. Gamma Epsilon members have word the Homecoming Queen often, have been fraternity sweethearts many times, have been elected Senior Queen, and have served as president of the Women’s Self Government Association, Student Congress and Panhellenic members. Many editors of student publications have been Gamma Epsilons. Pitt’s Hall of Fame lists many Kappas, and each ear it is evident that Kappa keys are worn by student leaders. The chapter has taken first place in Greek Week, Greek Sing, and Homecoming, as well as other events. Gamma Epsilon has won both Fraternity and Beta Province awards for program and scholarship, including the Fraternity Finance Award and the Province Royalty Award.
  
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As soon as they became known as Kappas, they could do nothing without having their motives questioned. They were accused of using their influence to secure appointments and class offices for members, of forming a clique, and of being an aristocracy. The fraternities were all hated by the non-fraternity students, who formed themselves into an anti-secret society league that actually did what it was accusing the fraternities of doing.
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Visits of Fraternity officers through the years have highlighted chapter meetings. A tea was given in honor of Helena Flinn Ege, Gamma Epsilon’s own charter member and former chapter president, when she became Fraternity president in 1948. Excitement, joy, and pride on such festive occasions were happily recorded.
  
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In spite of adverse circumstances, Eta, strong in its seniors, flourished. But when the girls of 1876 graduated, there was little left, and dark days began for Eta. Of the university’s incoming senior class, only two were Kappas, and there was only one in the junior class. In three years, membership dwindled to four. These four were determined to pledge only girls who embodied their ideals of Kappa or die as a chapter. They found their pledges and Eta flourished. Mary Hill was secretary to the 1878 General Convention, and Eta was convention hostess in 1882.
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The shape of the times is evident in the yearly chapter histories. They tell of banquets in the 1920s in the Schenley Hotel and the custom of making toasts. Members sold Fab soap to earn money to wallpaper a room. An influenza epidemic in 1928 forced cancellation of a formal dance. They tell of The Doll Cabaret used during rushing in 1929 when rushees were given French dolls to make and stuff by Kappas. Today owls are made for rushes.
  
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The Kappa sponsored Sychor Club at Penn State, assisted in the installation of Delta Alpha in 1930 and in 1931, agonized over the Panhellenic ruling of “rushing without men.” The Gamma Epsilons purchased a baby grand piano in 1932, installing the first payphone in 1933, and christened it with a bottle of Coke.
  
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'''Housing'''
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The first annual Kappa –Delt reception for faculty took place in 1941. The Kappas sold Defense Bonds in 1942 and worked on benefit committees to earn money for the dean of women’s 12th floor.
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On its 25th anniversary in February, 1944, Gamma Epsilon helped install Delta Xi Chapter at Carnegie Institute of Technology (renamed Carnegie Mellon University in 1967). Chapter members attended the installation of Delta Phi Chapter at Bucknell University in 1948.
  
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By 1883, fraternities at Wisconsin were accepted. In 1884, Dr. John Bascom, president of the university, whose daughter was a Kappa, gave Eta the use of three rooms in South Hall. These rooms were needed for other uses in the spring of 1891, but happily, a professor going on a leave of absence rented Eta his home, completely furnished. The experiment was so successful that the chapter rented another house in the fall, and with the help of alumnae, found furniture to go in it. In 1894, the girls gave up the house and rented rooms in the home of Mrs. C. N. Brown. This also proved to be too expensive, so Eta was again without a chapter house. In 1901, Eta moved to 425 North Park Street, the second Chapter house and the first women’s fraternity in Madison to build its own house.  
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Pitt adjusted to the trimester plan in 1959 and the KKΓs lived in the dormitory suite while their house was being built in 1963. They rejoiced because the chapter limit was raised from 30 to 50 members and watched the demise of women’s self government and the establishment of student government.
  
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Mary Hill, now a faculty member, moved into the new house with the girls and became the center of the household. She labored over the card catalogue, answered questions about early members of Eta, tutored in French and English, wound the Kappa clock, and beamed at banquets. She attended 114 initiation services, “which always seemed new and beautiful to me,” and saw more than 470 young women become Kappas.
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Gamma Epsilon hosed Beta Province Convention in 1969 and celebrated Gamma Epsilon’s 50th anniversary at the same time, saying “thank you” to the wonderful alumnae who worked with the chapter as advisers and house board members through the years.
  
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Life on North Park Street began uniquely when members were quarantined for two weeks during a smallpox scare. At first, Kappas outside the house were sorry for their imprisoned sisters, but they soon began to envy them. None of the victims will ever forget the festivities of those two weeks … the White House Dinner, the Military Hop, the mock wedding. It brought members closer together.
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A Kappa was selected as the first Pitt Woman in 1972 and there was pride in the fact that the chapter president of 1969-1970, Patrica Nealon, was chosen to be a graduate counselor.
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Women students are important in the life of the university today, although it was not until 1895 that Pitt became coeducational. Today women are admitted to every school, and Gamma Epsilon members are currently enrolled in the schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and law, in addition to those working for undergraduate and other graduate degrees. Today women are members of the faculty, administration, and even Board of Trustees. In 1971 for the first time, a member of the student body was appointed to the University’s Board of Trustees. The student was a woman, a member of Gamma Epsilon. It is the hope of the chapter that it will continue to contribute much to the University of Pittsburgh, and that it will continue to instill into the lives of its members the high standards of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
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The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually.  
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In 1903, the Chapter had its first death when Rosamund Parish, a freshman, died in the Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago. A sophomore and four young alumnae died in the influenza epidemic in 1918.
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==Highlights of the 1980s:==
  
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During World War I, older male students and some of the girls left to do war work; those remaining knitted and worked for the Red Cross. Eta’s dear home was requisitioned by the government. One Eta member “felt as if she had a boy at the front” as she helped measure the rooms and estimate how many men could be quartered there. The chapter was patriotic enough to be thankful they had something Uncle Sam wanted, but heartsick at the coming sacrifice. Then Eta rejoiced as word came that sororities were not to be disturbed.
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'''Housing:''' Paid off their mortgage in 1989
  
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In 1918, and 1919, Eta Chapter contributed $584 to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Fund for Meudon, $1,400 to the Memorial Union Fund, $300 to the national scholarship fund, and $150 to the university scholarships, a yearly pledge.
 
  
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==Golden Jubliee==
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'''Philanthropy:'''
  
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Eta’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated February 14, 1925, as finals fell on the actual date. It was most rewarding for actives and alumnae alike. A charter member said, “What we began so long ago in secrecy and humility has proved very well while.”
 
  
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A quotation from an active of that time expresses the feeling of Eta toward the alumnae: “It is all very well to talk of Kappa and to sing of Kappa, but it is the lives of these women who have lived Kappa for 50 years that made an ineradicable impression upon those who are to follow them. In their dignity, in their grace, in their humility, we see the real Kappa.”
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'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
  
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The University Board of Regents bought the Park Street House in 1926, and plans for a new house to be build at 601 North Henry Street were made. Eta members moved into the old Phi Gamma Delta house, across the street from where the new dream house was being constructed.
 
  
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In September of 1929, the chapter and Miss Hill moved into the new home. Moving into it also was Carrie Ruden, a young woman who had been born in Norway, and came to the Kappas as a housekeeper. But she became much more than that. She listened to the girls’ problems, rejoined in their successes, and kept history alive through the years as she talked of earlier Eta members.
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'''Trends:''' 
  
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The 1930s were years of happy harmony. Kappas were in Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board and Crucible; active in Women’s Student Government Association and Union Committees; and listed as prom queens and in courts of honor. Always stressing academic achievement as a primary goal, the chapter maintained a commendable scholastic record.
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After looking through the chapter scrapbooks, it was obvious that the members loved spandex, big hair, and bright colors, specifically neon, and denim.  Ronald Regan was elected president in 1980, and the chapter participated by campaigning as a sisterhood together.
  
  
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==Highlights of the 1990s==
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In 1991, Gamma Epsilon became more recognized on campus by having four executives on Greek Week committee. High campus involvement continued after a sister was attacked in a campus building. The sisters ensured that campus was a safe place for studying and living with the help of Student Government to institute a shuttle and escort system. Sisters participated with MTV and their campaign “Rock the Vote” to get more students to vote.
  
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==World War II Years==
 
  
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World War II brought many changes to campus. Military personnel were again housed in dormitory and fraternity houses, and Eta chapter gave half of its social budget toward the war effort. The girls sang Kappa songs or listened to the radio while knitting articles for Kappa’s Nora Waln layette program for Norwegian babies. They also adopted two “CARE” families. Dateless dances arrived. Students conducted a scrap drive in lieu of Homecoming and the chapter donated all its trophies. The 1942 queen was called “Blue Jean Queen of Work Day.”
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'''Housing:'''
  
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During the 1940s, chapter scholarships slipped. Three pertinent bylaws were passed in 1949 and five years later, Eta was first in scholarship on the Madison campus. In the seven years after the new bylaws, Eta had more members elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Mortar Board than in the previous 20 years. Between 1952 and 1962 the chapter was first in scholarship among the Panhellenic groups five successive times, and other years placed second or third.
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30-years after the house was built, each room received a facelift and the kitchen was renovated.
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Changing Times
 
  
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In 1964, the university’s Human Rights Committee issued two certificates to be signed by all university organizations. Eta at once stated that KKG’s Constitution had no discriminating policies. In 1970, Eta was able to say that the Fraternity and the university had the same requirements regulating recommendations. The chapter also established the elective position of human relations officer to bring related matters to the attention of the members.
 
  
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An addition to the house in 1964 was at first thought too small, but suddenly seemed a blessing when the number of new members dropped by half, increased briefly, and then declined steadily in the 1970s. The House Board found certain expenses difficult to meet, and by 1971 Eta was seriously facing the prospect of radical change.
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'''Philanthropy:'''
  
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The health of beloved Carrie Ruden, who had gone into a nursing home, declined and it seemed to some as if Carrie and Eta would be leaving the world together. Carrie died in October 1972, but not Eta. That fall, Eta was renewed in the form of a large and talented pledge class and the renewal seemed permanent.
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Every year, the sisters of Gamma Epsilon volunteered at a Halloween party benefiting the Children’s Hospital. They also worked for several years to gain the Cathedral Award through being involved in volunteer activities.
  
  
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==Centennial==
 
  
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Two hundred alumnae, actives and new members gathered at the chapter house February 2, 1975, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Eta’s founding. Husbands of members were also invited to attend this family birthday dinner party, beautifully organized by the actives. A continuous showing of slides made from pictures in the archives and those sent by alumnae around the country, and a display of newspaper clippings and other historic photographs provided enjoyment and memories for the guests.
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==Highlights of 2000-2010==
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In remembrance of the one year anniversary of September 11th, sisters attended a ceremony wearing their letters to show chapter support. The chapter continued to show a strong presence on University of Pittburgh’s campus through having a high GPA and in 2010, they were awarded External Relations Award at the Cathedral Awards.
  
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Alumna coordinators mobilized the actives and beautifully organized the house for serving 200 people supper and providing room for them to circulate and visit. A continuous show of slides made from pictures in the Eta archives and sent by alumnae and a display of some of those historic pictures and newspaper clippings provided amusement and memories for guests.
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'''Housing:'''
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Alumnae who have served Eta Chapter for many years were honored and the story was told about the building of the Kappa house. In honor of the Centennial, Eloise Ryder Pingry, Purdue, Fraternity Director of Philanthropies, presented a scholarship of $1,000 from the Fraternity to the chapter to be used during the 1975–76 school year.
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In 2006, Gamma Epsilon bought the other half of their house and moved in. After an initial struggle of filling the house, the women were excited to have the whole house to themselves. To help in the housing transition, for Founders Day each sister created a quilt square that included chapter memories and inspiring quotes about sisterhood.
  
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New members and actives sang current Kappa songs and alumnae sang songs from their time in school. It was an evening of reminiscing and renewed friendship—and an inspiring display of the true meaning of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
 
  
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At Kappa’s fourth Biennial Convention, held in Madison in August of 1882, Josephine Sarles (Simpson) was elected grand secretary, the first Eta member to serve on the Council. For a Caroline Mosely was elected Grand Treasurer in 1888 at the ninth Convention in Minneapolis. George Challoner Tracy, who served as Grand Secretary from 1904–06 before her marriage, was re-elected to the Council as Grand Treasurer at the 18th Biennial Convention, again hosted by Eta Chapter.
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'''Philanthropy:'''
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In 2009, Gamma Epsilon continued to hold many philanthropy events including Bowl-a-thon.
  
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Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones was elected Grand President of Kappa in 1926 and re-elected in 1928. Almira Johnson McNaboe served on the Grand Council from 1932–40. Eta members Nancy Olson Livingston, stage and screen star, and Gena Rowlands Cassavetes, screen and television actress, were named Alumnae Achievement Award recipients at the 1960 General Convention.
 
  
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Eta has made significant contributions to the Fraternity and shares with pride the honors her members have received. In the hustle and bustle of Wisconsin’s ever-expanding campus, members of Eta Chapter find warmth and close friendship in the cordial, Georgina, grey-stone house on the corner of Langdon and North Henry Streets. 
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'''Convention Awards:'''
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2002 Risk Management Award
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The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
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2006 Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention
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2006 House Board Award
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2006 Panhellenic Honorable Mention
  
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==Highlights of the 1980s==
 
  
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In 1987 167 women belonged to the Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Eta received 44 pledges in the fall. On October 15 the chapter marked its 118th founder’s day. Alumnae, actives, and pledges gathered to talk about old times and plan for new, while enjoying coffee and dessert. For philanthropy the chapter participated in a program called Head Start. For this philanthropy the chapter planned a Christmas celebration for underprivileged children. In the spring Eta won awards of merit for pledge programming, communications and fraternity education at province.
 
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In 1988-89 Eta received 52 pledges during fall recruitment. The chapter celebrated Founders Day at the Tamarack Condominiums Clubhouse for a catered dinner with 81 actives and 25 alumnae in attendance. In addition to participating in Head Start, the chapter also put on a triathlon to benefit the Special Olympics.
 
  
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==Highlights of the 1990s==
 
  
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Scholarship banquet held each semester to recognize those who have excelled in their studies. Those with a 3.0 are given an award as well as the most improved and highte4st cumulative GPA. Pledges are encouraged to maintain their best grades by attending study tables. In the spring, chapter members volunteers with Special Olympics races and events.
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==Highlights of 2011-2019:==
  
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Eta pledged 38 women during recruitment in 1991.  The chapter had a member on Homecoming Court and three on Homecoming Committee. They celebrated 120th Founders Day at the house with great participation and a slide show for members and alumnae. The chapter worked on increasing participation by using a phone chain and recognition for those attending three meetings in a row.
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==Highlights of 2012==
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Spring 1991: Eta hosted Epsilon Province Meeting.
 
  
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Eta received 39 pledges during recruitment 1991. The chapter continued to work on attendance issues. The chapter again participated with Head Start hosting a Christmas party for underprivileged children for its philanthropy.  
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In the spring our chapter participated in Greek Sing with Pi Kappa Alpha, although we did not place in the competition. Our chapter did succeed however in winning a week-long philanthropy event in April, Derby Days, which was hosted by Sigma Chi. As a result of this win, our chapter received a trophy in recognition for our efforts and a donation to a charity of our choice. Additionally, we received the Gracious Living Award from Nationals in June, while our Vice President of Standards attended the convention. Also in June, our house underwent renovations that resulted in improved conditions in two dorm quadrants of the building and our study room.  
  
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Eta pledged 37 women in the fall of 1994. The chapter also hosted a program called Dad’s Day were members and their fathers attended a Brewers baseball game in Milwaukee. The Head Start philanthropy did not go through this year because of miscommunications with the office. Instead, the chapter paired up with Pi Beta Phi to host a basketball tournament. Eta received 38 pledges in the fall of 1995. The basketball tournament co-sponsored with Pi Beta Phi was named Hoops for Hope.  
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In September, our chapter sponsored a member's mother's artwork exhibit titled "Portraits of Lupus" by raising money through a Lunch Box Auction with members of Delta Tau Delta. Our chapter participated in a second  Lunch Box Auction with the fraternity in November. Our chapter also raised money for the charities which we support through our annual Hot Dog Days. This year, we raised more money than we have ever raised in the past. In terms of campus-wide events, our chapter had many members participate in Pitt Make a Difference Day. In terms of nation-wide events, our chapter witnessed the fall 2012 election resulting in the re-election of President Obama.  
  
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Eta met quota by accepting 35 women during fall 1997 recruitment. The Fraternity editor used new computer technology to recruit more alumnae to attend founder’s day celebrations. Additionally, chapter members were paired with local alumnae as pen pals and wrote them letter throughout the school year. The chapter again hosted Hoops for Hope with Pi Beta Phi.  
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There have been a variety of changes this year on campus. The first of which was a series of bomb threats targeted at various university buildings. The threats began in February and persisted through April. Members of our chapter were forced to evacuate their classrooms multiple times per week. The threats were both a nuisance but also a legitiate concern to many of our sisters. The person responsible for these threats was eventually identified by the FBI and resulted in an arrest. Students on campus were relieved of the burden of having their belongings searched before entering classrooms when they returned to campus in the fall.  Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett came to campus this past spring as well to explain the severe budget cuts that higher education will face (including Pitt). Some positive changes on campus included a new football coach, who coincidentally is one of our newer sister's father. The university is also in the process of building a new dorm building for freshmen that wil be complete this spring.
  
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In the fall of 1999 Eta made quota, accepting 35 pledges.  The chapter again hosted Hoops for Hope with Pi Beta Phi. The event raised almost $3,000 to benefit UW Children’s cancer research fund. 
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==Highlights of 2014==
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Awards: Cathedral Standards of Excellence Risk Management Award
  
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Special Events: Trip to Pittsburgh Zoo, "Welcome to the Sweet Life" Bid Day Celebration, Trip to Soergel's Orchard
  
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Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies (sweets awarded weekly to sisters who have received an outstanding grade or employment/internship), Participation in Greek Sing and Pitt Dance Marathon
  
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==Highlights of 2000-2010==
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Philanthropic Involvement: Lunchbox Auction (fraternities bid for meals prepared by the sisters) and the Kappa Spelling Bee to benefit Reading Is Fundamental, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation; Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day; Kappa Dog Days (sold hot dogs) to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteer at Boys and Girls Club   
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Eta chapter did not commemorate September 11, 2001 by doing anything in particular to memorialize the tragedies, but the campus did recognize it in a couple of ways.  Classes were canceled on September 12, 2001 and candle lights were set up throughout Memorial Library.
 
  
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'''2004 –05:''' Eta Chapter had a very successful year.  Eta has been striving to strengthen and improve since being put on a letter of concern. Behavior at the social events has improved greatly and the chapter held a number of sisterhoods throughout the year that strengthened its sisterly bonds. In the spring, Kappa received an award for the highest new member grade point average, which led Eta to obtaining the highest sorority grade point average.
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Our chapter has grown substantially as a result of taking 33 new members during Fall '14 Recruitment. We're very excited about the diversity, creativity, and leadership experience these girls have brought to our chapter.  
  
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Eta had a very successful recruitment in the fall. Thirty-two wonderful girls pledged on September 30.-Many sisterhoods: ice skating, movie theaters, pumpkin carving, etc.-new members went on a retreat to Wisconsin Dells-Trick-or-treat for alumni kids: games, cookie decorating and trick-or-treating for kids throughout the Kappa house-"Hoops for Hope"- philanthropy that raised money for children at UW Hospitals.
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The chapter owns a house on Bayard Street which we acquired in full in 2006. Our chapter-owned house is occupied by approx. 35 sisters and a house mom. It is a 3-story building with a study room, TV room, dining room, formal room, and two kitchens. Our cook prepares meals for the sisters who live in on most days of the week.  
  
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Eta Chapter was still on the letter of concern, therefore measures were taken to further improve our behavior at socials. Rules were carefully read to the new members to ensure they were aware of our policies concerning socials. These precautions were also read again to active members to reinforce the importance of them.  The chapter's behavior improved throughout the year and no further incidences of inappropriate behavior occurred.
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Historical Badge: This badge is traditionally and currently worn by the chapter president. It once belonged to Olive Phillips, born 4/15/1815 and deceased 4/01/1915. Olive was initiated into the Rho Deuteron Chapter (Ohio Wesleyen) and as an "honorary" member.
  
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'''In 2005 –2006,''' Eta Chapter has had a great year, filled with learning experiences that have strengthened the chapter.  We achieved the highest GPA in our Greek system, and set the highest GPA record in the history of the Greek system on our campus.  We have taken great pride in this honor, and have encouraged our members to keep pursuing such wonderful academic achievements. Last semester, our chapter participated in Humorology, a competition where sororities and fraternities are paired together to create a musical comedy sketch.  Unfortunately we did not make the cut for next semester, however we did learn a lot from the experience, and it helped to strengthen our bonds within the Greek system. Kappa also raised money for the UW Children's Hospital in our philanthropy "Hoops for Hope," and attended many other philanthropic events.  We also had a wonderful Founders Day.  We heard wonderful storied from past members that made us grateful to have such strong sisterly bonds.
 
  
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This year Eta Chapter had budget concerns, due to over spending during fall rush.  With such extravagant expenditures, the chapter has had to make adjustments in other committee's budgets.  However, after dealing with the problem, our chapter is back on the right budget for the new upcoming chapter council. We have also had to deal with lack of participation in other sorority and fraternity philanthropy events.  We have encouraged our new members to participate more, and have also influenced the seniors to attend more events to promote attendance.  Our goal for the upcoming year is to come up with a system of issuing house points for participation in philanthropy and sisterhood events.  Hopefully this will increase attendance and participation with in our Greek Community.     
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==Highlights of 2015==
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Awards: Cathedral Standards of Excellence Risk Management Award
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'''In the fall of 2006''', Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was presented with an archive display created by last semester's registrar.  The display contained an exhibit of photos of past Kappa members and interesting facts from years ago.  The archive display also contained photos from the past year, with a lot of pictures from the new member retreat.  Members found this very interesting, especially the interesting facts from Kappa's past.
 
  
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This last semester, Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma achieved the highest GPA out of all of the sororities and fraternities on campus, and also set the highest GPA record in the history of the Greek system.  We are very proud of our accomplishments.  Our VP- of Academic Excellence, Terra Chorney influenced us to study more by arranging Kappa spies, that brought treats to Kappa's studying at the campus libraries.  We also have become more involved in other sororities and fraternities philanthropies, and have encouraged our new members to get involved. 
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Special Events: Sapphire Ball, Mardi Gras Bid Day Celebration, Trip to Soergel's Orchard, Alien Invasion Greek Sing Theme, Movie night bonding event with Tri Sigma, Holiday Decorating Party
  
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This year Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma initiated 34 wonderful young women.  Elizabeth Gulotta guided the girls through their first busy weeks as new members, and Lindsey Crysler educated the girls about Kappa history.  The new members were taught how to prevent sexual assault and were educated about the dangers of drinking underage in a seminar hosted by the Greek Community.  The new members went on a fun retreat to a ropes course, where they strengthened their friendship bonds. In response to an over budget usage during rush week, the chapter has concentrated on managing and dispersing funds wisely.  We are now within budget for the rest of our committees.  We have also seen an increasing amount of sisterhoods, in which we strengthened our sisterhood bonds through such events as movie night, cookie decorating, going to a pool outside of Madison, and seeing a hypnotist. 
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Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Supportive Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies (sweets awarded weekly to sisters who have received an outstanding grade or employment/internship), Parent's Brunch
  
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This year Eta Chapter has had budget concerns, due to over spending during fall rush.  With such extravagant expenditures, the chapter has had to make adjustments in other committee's budgets.  However, after dealing with the problem, our chapter is back on the right budget for the new upcoming chapter council.              
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Philanthropic Involvement: Participated in Pitt Dance Marathon and Pitt Make a Difference Day, Lunchbox Auction (fraternities bid for meals prepared by the sisters), hosted Kappa Dog Days (hotdog stand and block party), and volunteered to read to and play with children from the Boys and Girls Club.  We support Reading Is Fundamental, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, and participate in numerous philanthropic events of other organizations.  
  
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We have also had to deal with lack of participation in other sorority and fraternity philanthropy events.  We have encouraged our new members to participate more, and have also influenced the seniors to attend more events to promote attendance.  Our goal for the upcoming year is to come up with a system of issuing house points for participation in philanthropy and sisterhood events.  Hopefully this will increase attendance and participation with in our Greek Community.              
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A huge change that we had to adjust to was deferred recruitment.  I order to switch from fall to spring, we had a formal recruitment in the fall for sophomores and ware gearing up for another one in January for freshman.  This created a lot of extra work and innovation for our chapter as we had to make many adjustments to our schedule, housing, and budget.  Additionally, changes were made to the housing board staff, we gained 10 new members in the fall, and we integrated the GYN system into our chapter to track study hours and maintain an accessible calendar.
  
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Eta Chapter has had a wonderful 2006-2007 year and strengthened the bonds between the members.  Academically, our chapter still holds the highest GPA when compared to the rest of the Greek system at Madison.  All of the women take great pride in this accomplishment and want to continue our strong emphasis on grades and success at this university.  Our dedicated cast for Humorology, a musical and witty skit performed in order to raise money for charity, has qualified for this year's show, which will take place in April.  They continue to work very hard using two to three practices each week to perfect their routine.  We are all more than excited to see the final product! Founders Day was a great success.  We had many previous members join us for dinner and games, and some shared their memories from their experiences in Kappa.  It proved to be a great way to improve the knowledge of our house, while making lifelong bonds as sisters.
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==Highlights of 2016==
  
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We, as an entire chapter, have made it a goal to promote Greek life on campus, while taking the time to improve Kappa's image. We still have Kappa spies that surprise individuals at the libraries across campus with treats for their hard work and academic dedication.  Also, we offer study tables at the house as another method to keep our cumulative GPA at the top.
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This year, Gamma Epsilon had their first formal spring recruitment and informal fall recruitment. This past
 +
calender year we gained Spring 2016 and Fall 2016, making wonderful additions to our chapter. We
 +
received an award for parent and alumni engagement in Cathedral Standards of Excellence, as well
 +
as a Standards award at the Kappa convention. We had several successful sisterhood events; in
 +
October, we went to Sorgels, the local pumpkin patch, and in December, we had a holiday event
 +
where we decorated the house for the holidays and decorated cookies.  
  
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This fall, we initiated 38 wonderful women. Lizzie Muench, our very hard-working new member chair planned numerous activities to help the new individuals get involved in Kappa.  All new members attended sexual assault and alcohol seminars hosted by the Greek Community to help prevent any incidents that may occur. Additionally, the new women went on a retreat to the Dells to help form important bonds that will ultimately strengthen our entire chapter.  So far, it has been a busy, but productive year.
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We participated in several philanthropy events hosted by other sororities and fraternities; we won Pi Kappa Alpha's wiffleball tournament, which raised money for one of their brothers that was diagnosed with Leukemia. We also placed first in Tri Sigma's Twister event, which raised money for their philanthropy. Our
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chapter has also focused a lot on enhancing our leadership skills. In order to improve on this, one of our upcoming Chapter Council members volunteered to participate in a Greek leadership
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academy, which taught Greek members how to be a supportive member, a strong leader, and handle conflict.
  
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One challenge our chapter faced was dealing with better, more efficient ways to manage our budget. We took more time to plan for large events, such as rush, which helped curb our spending problems from previous years. As a chapter council, we discussed our goals for the next year and the ways we can achieve them without bringing up any other unforeseen problems.   Also, we made it a point to attend more Greek philanthropic events because our attendance in the past was somewhat lacking. However, our chapter has focused on improving our support to other sororities and fraternities and as a result; we have improved our image on campus.
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This year, our chapter really focused on trying to become more involved both in our Greek comminuty and on our campus with other non-greek organizations. One way we showed a great deal of support for greek life was by participating in the University of Pittsburgh's annual Pitt Dance Marathon. There, we had seventeen of our sisters raised over one hundred dollars each for Children's Miracle Network by either participating as a dancer (participants who stood and danced for the full sixteen hours) or dreamers (participants who remained active for eight hours). Through this, our sisters spent the day dancing and raising money with other greek organizations in order to raise money for the kids. Gamma Epsilon also wanted to support other clubs outside of the greek community, and one way we achieved this goal was by supporting one of Pitts improvisation clubs,
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Rukus. We collaborated with Rukus in order to support the arts and raise money for the club by sending almost half of our chapter to watch one of their performances and provide them with
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monetary contributions, part of which they donated to us to help support our philanthropy.
  
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Eta Chapter has had an exciting '''2008-2009''' year defined by numerous chapter events that have led us to strengthen our members individually as well as at large. Continuing our academic excellence and standing, Eta Chapter won the Panhellenic "Study Table" event. Our members logged the most study hours at College Library during first semester and recently received a DVD player for our consistently outstanding turnout. Eta Chapter also participated in Humorology, a musical performance competition that raises money for an all Greek philanthropy. Although Eta Chapter's cast did not make it to finals, the members did not feel defeated but rather proud of their dedication and diligence. Eta Chapter also decided to take this experience and build upon it by entering the competition for the coming year.             
 
  
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Another event that the members of Eta Chapter particularly enjoyed was Founder's Day. It was wonderful to have the current members interact with a number of Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni. The alumni joined Eta Chapter for dinner and participated in fun Kappa Kappa Gamma trivia games as well as shared personal memories. It was a fantastic way to educate the current Chapter's understanding of Kappa Kappa Gamma's history and lifelong values.
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==Highlights of 2017==
  
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Eta Chapter has continued to uphold our goal to promote Greek life on campus as well as uphold Kappa Kappa Gamma's standards for its members. Eta Chapter has been able to display our academic expectations through study tables and other varies academic activities that are fun as well as rewarding. Eta Chapter's philanthropy, Hoops for Hope, is a campus wide event that allows members and non-members of the University's Greek societies to help Eta Chapter raise money for the Children's Hospital as well as gather a better understanding of Greek life and Kappa Kappa Gamma.
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The year has brought many fabulous events for Gamma Epsilon and they are as follows by each month:
  
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This fall Eta Chapter initiated 36 wonderful women. Regan Grumley was our outstanding New Member Chair who did a phenomenal job in helping the new members feel comfortable with Eta Chapter and get involved with both Kappa and non-Kappa related events and opportunities on campus. All new members attended a sexual assault and alcohol seminar hosted by the Greek Community to help promote awareness and prevention. The new members attended a retreat to the Dells to help allow them to create important bonds independently. The new members have strengthened Eta Chapter and are eager to become even more engaged in this coming calendar year.
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January
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World EventsInauguration of President Donald Trump
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Kappa Events: Successful Formal Recruitment, Bid Day (welcomed 39 new members, biggest pledge class yet)
  
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One challenge that Eta Chapter has experienced is promoting all actives to participate as much as possible. Because Eta Chapter is a large Chapter, we are faced with the challenge of hosting events and sisterhoods that are able to include the entire Chapter. Although our sisterhoods are wonderful and successful, they have become more and more sparse. As a Chapter, we are striving to strengthen this particular issue and plan to see improvement within the next semester. Another chapter challenge that Eta Chapter is currently dealing with is the fact that we finished the year off with the fourth highest overall GPA in the Pan-Hellenic community. Although all of the members are working extremely hard, Eta Chapter would like to regain the highest GPA. Eta Chapter is currently planning new academic events that go above and beyond study tables and other current academic opportunities for our members. Eta Chapter is very proud of all of its members, especially when it comes to our academic standings, but there are still areas that need some improvement and we, as an entire Chapter, plan to address such issues and collaborate to promote and raise our overall GPA for this next semester.
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February
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World Events: Super Bowl between the New England Patriots & the Atlanta Falcons with the Patriots winning, annual Stadium Series Penguins vs. Flyers hockey game with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning
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Kappa Events: BIG MONTH IN THE WORLD OF KAPPA! successful Big/Little Reveal, annual Date Skate, participation in Sigma Chi Wrap-Up philanthropy event, Valentine’s Day bake sale with Delta Chi, Dean’s List Lunch composites, Initiation of all the new members, 2 sisters participated for the Steel City Step Show for the second year in a row
  
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==Highlights of 2011-2019==
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March
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World Events: Celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of warm weather FINALLY
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==Highlights of 2011==
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Kappa Events: Greek Week, partnered with Pike for this year’s Lunchbox Auction and raised $828
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Throughout 2011, the Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has focused its energies trying to build strong relationships within the Greek community at UW- Madison as well as the forming stronger sisterly bonds within our chapter.  Our dedication to academic and scholarly excellence placed us once again at the top of the Pan-Hellenic “Study Table” competition.  The Eta chapter logged the most study hours at libraries around the campus.      
 
  
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Kappa Kappa Gamma dedicated much of the year to philanthropic events throughout the Greek system. We participated in Humorology, a musical performance competition that raises money for an all Greek Philanthropy. Kappa Kappa Gamma, paired with Kappa Sigma, won the award for “Funniest Show” and “Best Female Lead”.  Our members were completely dedicated to raising money for The Chris Farley Foundation and Camp One Heart Land.    
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April
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Kappa Events: Senior Recognition Night, Bed Time Story themed Greek Sing with our partners Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, and ZBT, participated in many panel events such as Delta Zeta’s soccer tournament and Pike’s volleyball tournament, annual PDM, Senior Date Party
  
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The Eta Chapter invited the Kappa Alumnae from the area and their families to Trick or Treat at our sorority house this fall. Also, we had a very successful Founders Day where we were joined for dinner, trivia, and sharing stories with the alumni. It was wonderful to hear about the history and fun times of Kappa from the alumni! 
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September
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World Events: Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, heat wave in Pittsburgh
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Kappa Events: Apple Picking, Dog Days (raised $600)
  
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The Eta chapter at University of Wisconsin has dedicated itself to promoting Greek life in and around the campus. Through our campus wide philanthropy Hoops for Hope, the Eta chapter has been able to not only raise money for the Children’s Hospital but also allows members and non-members of the Greek system to gather a better understanding of Greek life as well as Kappa Kappa Gamma. Additionally, the Pan-Hellenic “Study Table” competition has promoted the Greek system’s academic excellence and standing throughout the campus.
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October
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World Events: Las Vegas Shooting
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Kappa Events: Founder’s Day, Soergels Trip, KD Shamrock Powder Puff, sisters participating in Donut Dash, PMADD, Delta Chi Haunted House
  
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This year, the Eta Chapter was challenged with trying to help older and younger girls to be closer despite their age division. All grades struggled to get to know girls from classes above and below them, so the Eta chapter, in hope to nullify this problem, had more sisterhoods. The sisterhoods, ranging from a self-defense class to movie nights to decorating holiday cookies, allowing all the active members to get to know and form stronger relationships within the chapter.
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November
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Kappa Events: DIY Box with ATO, Dinner with ADPi, Formal, slate nominations & voting
  
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Additionally, the Eta chapter was faced with the challenge of how many girls could live in the sorority house for the 2010-2011 academic year. Many girls wanted to live in their junior year; they spent the year attending events, running for positions and trying to gain enough house points to be able to live in. However, this presented a problem: there wasn’t enough space for all the juniors and sophomores to stay in the house. The Eta chapter spent a lot of time working with individual members of the chapter, and calculating points, being completely fair and honest with the members. Before winter break came, the entire housing situation had been fixed and all the members had been taken care of in a very gracious manner, many Kappas came together a figured out the best situation for everyone.
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December
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Kappa Events: election of new Executive Board, Leadership Day
  
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Eta Chapter has had an exciting, fun-filled year of rewarding events that have helped to strengthen our bonds as sisters as well as the name of Kappa Kappa Gamma itself.  In a display of our academic focus and excellence, Eta Chapter won the Panhellenic "Study Table" event.  Our member s logged the most study hours at the University of Wisconsin's various libraries and were recognized for our hard work and dedication to academic success.                 
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Awards: Risk Management
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In addition to striving to maintain our strong focus on academics, Eta Chapter also dedicated much of its time and activities to philanthropic events.  Eta Chapter once again participated in Humorology, a musical performance competition that raises money for an all Greek philanthropy.  The cast made it to finals and placed second overall, in addition to winning various awards such as "Best Female Lead" and "Best Dance Break".  The entire chapter was proud of the time and effort participants dedicated to support The Chris Farley Foundation and Camp One Heart Land, both wonderful philanthropies.                 
 
  
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The Eta Chapter invited Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni to attend a trick-or-treating event at the house with their families, as well as participated in Trick or Treat With The Greeks.  Eta Chapter had a successful Founder's Day consisting of a beautiful dinner, trivia, and storytelling with Kappa alumni.  All participants had a blast learning about Kappa's interesting past!
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Special Events: Olympics themed Bid Day Celebration, Date Skate, Senior Date Party, Sapphire Ball, Trip to Soergel's Orchard
  
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Eta Chapter has continued to promote the Greek Community as well as our individual sorority campus wide.  The chapter has displayed its focus on academics through study tables events as well as other various activities, such as our sisterhood dedicated to matching freshman with upper classmen with similar majors who can help them be as successful as possible in their chosen field of study.  Eta Chapter's philanthropy, Hoops for Hope, is a campus wide event available to all students that raises funds for the Children's Hospital.  Eta Chapter has been striving to increase our participation throughout our campus and community. 
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Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies, Participation in Greek Sing, Pitt Dance Marathon
  
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This fall Eta Chapter initiated 39wonderful women.  Our New Member Chair, Meghan Macnamara, did an amazing job welcoming the new members into Eta Chapter, as well as educating them on the chapter itself and encouraging participation in both Kappa related and campus wide activities and opportunities.  All new members were required to attend a sexual assault and alcohol seminar hosted by the Greek Community to educate them and promote awareness.  The new members have further strengthened Eta Chapter and are eager to become more participated in the semesters to come. 
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Philanthropic Involvement: Lunchbox Auction, Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day, Kappa Dog Days to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, Sigma Chi Wrap-Up, Derby Days, Support Reading is Fundamental & the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
  
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Eta Chapter is continuing its efforts to strengthen our bonds as sisters by holding more numerous and significant sisterhood events and activities. One sisterhood that was extremely successful was our yoga sisterhood, where two separate groups of girls went to Kaivalya, a yoga studio on campus, and had a fun, relaxing experience.  It is difficult for our chapter to have large sisterhoods with all members because we have so many, so we are concentrating on planning events that all members can participate in together.      
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Campus Events: Our chapter has grown by about 50% as a result of taking 39 new members during Spring '17 Recruitment. We're very excited about the what they will all individually bring to the chapter and the friendships and connections they will make along the way.
  
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Eta Chapter was unfortunately placed on Social Probation for the last half of the Fall 2010 semester.  The entire chapter evaluated its performance and really strove to uphold our values as a chapter and improve our position in the Greek system, and can proudly say that we were successful and are no longer on probation.  Eta Chapter came together as a whole and accomplished our goals throughout the year.
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==Highlights of 2017==
  
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==Highlights of 2012==
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January Events: Successful Formal Recruitment, Bid Day (welcomed 39 new members, biggest pledge class yet)
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Eta Chapter has had an extremely thrilling and fun filled year. It consisted of several exciting events that have helped strengthen our bond as sisters and better the name of Kappa Kappa Gamma itself. Our members are very dedicated to their work and strive for academic success. Throughout the year, we had sisterhoods every week where members could become closer while also getting work done with each other.
 
  
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In addition to our strong focus on academics, Eta Chapter also has dedicated much of its time and activities to philanthropic events. Once again, the chapter participated in Humorology, a musical performance competition that raises money for an all-Greek philanthropy. Humorology is one of the oldest traditions at the university and has become the largest non-profit student service organization in Wisconsin. The cast made it to the finals and placed second overall with the additional awards such as “Best Female Lead”, “Best Set”, “Best Large Group Number”, and several others. The chapter came to watch, and it was a great time for both the people involved and the audience. The entire chapter was extremely proud of the time and effort participants dedicated to support Camp One Heartland.
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February Events: BIG MONTH IN THE WORLD OF KAPPA! successful Big/Little Reveal, annual Date Skate, participation in Sigma Chi Wrap-Up philanthropy event, Valentine’s Day bake sale with Delta Chi, Dean’s List Lunch composites, Initiation of all the new members, 2 sisters participated for the Steel City Step Show for the second year in a row
  
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In addition to Humorology, Eta Chapter also participated in Trick or Treat with the Greeks, where kids from local schools come to our campus and trick or treat to different sorority and fraternity houses on campus. We also hosted “Trick or Treat with the Alumnae Kids”, where Kappa Alum in the area bring their children to the house for candy and games. This was a great way to meet new people and for Kappa alums to reconnect and spend time together.
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March Events: Greek Week, partnered with Pike for this year’s Lunchbox Auction and raised $828
  
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The 2012 year included many exciting events, one large one being the Presidential campaign. The chapter was very involved with the campaign of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. All watched the debates and final election and had a lot of fun teaching each other more about the candidates and issues going around the country and world.
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April Events: Senior Recognition Night, Bed Time Story themed Greek Sing with our partners Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, and ZBT, participated in many panel events such as Delta Zeta’s soccer tournament and Pike’s volleyball tournament, annual PDM, Senior Date Party
  
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Eta Chapter has continued to promote the Greek Community as well as our individual sorority campus wide.  The chapter consistently displayed its focus on academics through study tables and other various activities. Everyone shares their majors and classes so people can find others for help. Sisterhoods consisting of studying and snacking in the house are weekly where upper classmen can help freshmen with similar majors to be as successful as possible. Eta Chapter’s philanthropy, Hoops for Hope, is a campus wide event available to all students that raises funds for the Children’s Hospital. A new philanthropy we tried this past fall was Kappa Karaoke. People were invited to come and sing karaoke while we welcomed donations. It was a successful event, which not only raised money for a great cause but also brought our chapter closer together. Eta Chapter continues to strive to increase our participation throughout our campus and community.
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September Events: Apple Picking, Dog Days (raised $600)
  
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This past fall, Eta Chapter initiated 51 amazing women. Our New Member Chair, Ali Niemann, did an outstanding job welcoming the new members into Eta chapter. The new members have been well educated on the chapter itself and are encouraged to participate in both Kappa related and campus wide activities. All new members were required to attend a sexual assault and alcohol seminar hosted by the Greek Community to educate them and promote. The organization, called P.A.V.E., consistently benefits our chapter continuing good behavior and awareness on campus. The new members have further strengthened Eta Chapter and are enthusiastic to become even more involved every semester.
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October Events: Founder’s Day, Soergels Trip, KD Shamrock Powder Puff, sisters participating in Donut Dash, PMADD, Delta Chi Haunted House
  
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Eta Chapter has had some difficulties in the past following certain rules and regulations. However, the year of 2012 was very successful full of several events and activities that made our chapter one of the strongest on campus. Eta Chapter continues to mature and learn from its mistakes, making every year better than the last. Our bonds as sisters continue to strengthen. We cannot wait for all the new, exciting things to come.
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November Events: DIY Box with ATO, Dinner with ADPi, Formal, slate nominations & voting
  
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==Highlights of 2013==
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December Events: election of new Executive Board, Leadership Day
  
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Eta Chapter has had a very fun and exciting year. It has consisted of several enjoyable events that have helped strengthen our bond as sisters and better the name of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After a relatively tough academic year, our members strived for and dedicated themselves to academic success. Throughout the year, we had sisterhoods every week, academic or philanthropic, where members could bond while also getting work done with each other.
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'''Awards:''' Risk Management
  
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In addition to our strong focus on academics, Eta Chapter also has dedicated much of its time and activities to philanthropic events. Once again, the chapter participated in Humorology, a musical performance competition that raises money for an all-Greek philanthropy. Humorology is one of the oldest traditions at the university and has become the largest non-profit student service organization in Wisconsin. The cast made it to the finals and received awards for “Best Female Lead” and “Best Villain”. The chapter came to watch, and it was a great time for both the people involved and the audience. The entire chapter was extremely proud of the time and effort participants dedicated to support Camp One Heartland
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'''Special Events:''' Olympics themed Bid Day Celebration, Date Skate, Senior Date Party, Sapphire Ball, Trip to Soergel's Orchard
  
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In addition to Humorology, Eta Chapter also participated in Trick or Treat with the Greeks, where kids from local schools come to our campus and trick or treat to different sorority and fraternity houses on campus. Last year we again hosted “Trick or Treat with the Alumnae Kids”, where Kappa Alum in the Madison area bring their children to the house for candy and games. This was a great way to meet new people and for Kappa alums to reconnect and spend time together. We also organized a new philanthropy even we titled “Grabba Grabba Doughnut” where we sold Krispy Kream doughnuts in library mall during fall midterms. It was a success and everyone enjoyed participating. 
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'''Traditions:''' Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies, Participation in Greek Sing, Pitt Dance Marathon
  
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Eta Chapter has continued to promote the Greek Community as well as our individual sorority campus wide. The chapter consistently displayed its focus on academics through study tables and hours with other various activities such as academic sisterhoods. Everyone shares their majors and classes so women can find others in similar classes and receive tutoring or help. Sisterhoods consisting of studying and snacking in the house are weekly where upper classmen can help freshmen with similar majors to be as successful as possible. Eta Chapter’s philanthropy, Hoops for Hope, is a campus wide event available to all students that raises funds for the Children’s Hospital. Eta Chapter continues to strive to increase our participation throughout our campus and community.
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'''Philanthropic Involvement:''' Lunchbox Auction, Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day, Kappa Dog Days to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, Sigma Chi Wrap-Up, Derby Days, Support Reading is Fundamental & the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
  
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This past fall, Eta Chapter initiated 59 wonderful women. Our New Member Chair, Emily Bruksch, did an outstanding job welcoming the new members into Eta chapter. The new members have been well educated on the chapter itself and are encouraged to participate in both Kappa related and campus wide activities. All new members were required to attend a sexual assault and alcohol seminar hosted by the Greek Community to educate them and promote. The organization, called P.A.V.E., consistently benefits our chapter continuing good behavior and awareness on campus. The new members have further strengthened Eta Chapter and are enthusiastic to become even more involved every semester.
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'''Campus Events:''' Our chapter has grown by about 50% as a result of taking 39 new members during Spring '17 Recruitment. We're very excited about the what they will all individually bring to the chapter and the friendships and connections they will make along the way.
  
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This past year the existing chapters at Wisconsin Madison voted to welcome a new sorority chapter to our campus. Alpha Xi Delta will be joining our campus next year and we are looking forward to expanding the Greek presence at Madison. Here at Kappa, our bonds as sisters continue to strengthen. We cannot wait for all the new, exciting things to come.
 
  
 
==Highlights of 2020s:==
 
==Highlights of 2020s:==
  
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(scholarship, honors/awards, special events, philanthropy and service projects, etc.):
 
  
 
'''Philanthropy:'''
 
'''Philanthropy:'''
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'''Housing:'''
 
'''Housing:'''
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 +
 +
'''Convention Awards:'''
  
  
  
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'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
 
  
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--------------
  
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
 +
Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.
  
−
-------------------------------
+
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
−
'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
 
−
Please refer to your chapter archives and chapter meeting minutes to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board  members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance. Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
 

Latest revision as of 16:19, 15 December 2021

 

Gamma Epsilon
ΓE
Gamma Epsilon.jpg
FoundedFebruary 21, 1919 (1919-02-21) (106 years ago)
CollegeUniversity of Pittsburgh
LocationPittsburgh, PA
HomepageGamma Epsilon Homepage
Media related to Gamma Epsilon Chapter

University of Pittsburgh – founded in 1787 as Pittsburgh Academy on what was then the American frontier. It is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of higher education in the United States.


Chapter founded as Gamma Epsilon in 1919


1,717 initiates (as of June 2018)


Charter Members:

Irene Garrison Cramblet, Ruth Brown Crawford, Helena Kathryn Flinn, Thelma Marie Herron, Emma Irene Hopkins, Sarah Hudson, Katherine Ruth Johnson, Mary Alma Barton Johnson, Margaret Davis Loomis, Janet McDonald, Anna Marshall, Vera Leone Neish, Laura Elizabeth Niebaum, Harriet Elizabeth Smith, Elsie May Young.


Fraternity Council Officers:

Helena Flinn Ege, Fraternity Director of Alumnae 1944-1988, Fraternity President 1948-1952; Kelly Matyas Magyarics, Traveling Consultant 1995-1996; Leanne Aurich, Leadership Consultant 2009-2010


Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:


Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:


Additional Outstanding Gamma Epsilon Alumnae:

Patricia Nealon (Burt), Graduate Counselor 1970-1972


The University of Pittsburgh was chartered in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy. It became Western University of Pennsylvania in 1819, and in 1908 was named the University of Pittsburgh. The Cathedral of Learning, focal point of the university, is a 42 story building occupying two acres. It contains the famed Commons Room, which is modeled after an English castle great hall, and the nationality classrooms, which are furnished with materials and decorations from the respective countries. The nationalities represented are those to be found in the make-up of the diverse people who built Pittsburgh.

The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)[edit]

Gamma Epsilon Chapter received its charter in 1919 and since then has stood continuity and innovative change in fraternity life at the University of Pittsburgh. A Panhellenic first in housing is listed among the innovative changes.

Epsilon Rho Omicron was formed February 22, 1916 with the purpose of petitioning Kappa Kappa Gamma for membership. On February, 1919, this dream came true when Grand President Lydia Voris Kolbe, Akron, conducted installation ceremonies for the fifteen charter members.

Home for Epsilon Rho Omicron had been a room in Carnegie Library, or a member’s house. As Kappas, meetings were held in Heinz House which is a building given by H.J. Heinz as a place of recreation for women of the university. In 1921 Kappas shared their first house at 4633 Center Avenue with the Chi Omegas. Neither could have managed alone. Gamma Epsilon moved into its first home, 272 Bellefield Avenue, on May 13, 1922.

The chapter loved this house but soon knew it needed a larger one, so in 1929 a move was make to 401 Neville Street, next door to the Theta chapter. These were happy years, but as the chapter continued to grow, the desire grew to own a house. The fall of 1938 found the group at 165 North Dithridge Street, a house that was bought later. The move was celebrated with a party for all Greeks on the campus and a visit from Grand President Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, Butler. All the women’s fraternity houses at Pitt were also student houses. There were many commuters and not enough Kappas living on campus to fill the house. Any woman student who was approved by the dean of women could live there. It was not until the 1959-60 school year that the house became all Kappa. By the time the mortgage burning celebration had been held for the house which twenty years before had been described as “the most beautifully decorated woman’s fraternity house on campus” and the future looked promising.

A bitter blow was struck in 1959. The university condemned the third floors of all the women’s houses as unsuitable for occupancy because of fire code violations. This made operation of the houses economically unsound. An so began the story of the building of the present Kappa house at 4401 Bayard Street, which is also the Kappa Alpha Theta house on Bellfield.

The first meeting of the Pittsburgh Kappas and Thetas took place at the suggestion of Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, on April 14, 1959. The decision of bother groups was that they did not want to move their chapters into the dormitory suites offered by the university so they chose to build together.

What seemed like hundreds of meetings later, money was raised by a joint Building Fund Committee. A Building Committee met with architects, builders and lawyers and the informal partnership became legal, establishing a Theta-Kappa Board of Management. Selling the Kappa house and tearing down the Theta house enable the cornerstone to be laid in January, 1964. On September 8, 1964, the two chapters moved into “their house.” It marked a Panhellenic first: the housing of two fraternity chapters in one building, financed by monies given by alumnae and actives of the two groups from all over the world.

The Kappa – Theta duplex provides identical, but separate units. Each unit contains a living room, chapter room – dining room, kitchen, ten bedrooms which house twenty girls, a house director’s room and bath, the usual storage rooms, powder rooms and bathrooms. The chapters share a central fire tower which separates one unit from the other, as well as the mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, sunken patio, roof, and driveway. Inside, except for the size, the rooms bear no resemblance to one another, for each group decorates according to its own wishes. From the outside the pink brick building has a “town house” appearance. The house’s rectangular shape and the corner lot enabled the Thetas to retain the old Bellfield address, while the Kappa entrance is on Bayard Street.

Even Dedication Day, October 4, 1964, was a joint Kappa – Theta affair, with each fraternity holding its own service, and then joining with an open house for all fraternity and university friends. Now, more than ten years later Kappas and Thetas continue to live happily in “their house”.

Through the years Gamma Epsilon have striven to maintain a chapter of which the Fraternity could be proud. There are members of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Cwens, and many other honorary fraternities. Gamma Epsilon members have word the Homecoming Queen often, have been fraternity sweethearts many times, have been elected Senior Queen, and have served as president of the Women’s Self Government Association, Student Congress and Panhellenic members. Many editors of student publications have been Gamma Epsilons. Pitt’s Hall of Fame lists many Kappas, and each ear it is evident that Kappa keys are worn by student leaders. The chapter has taken first place in Greek Week, Greek Sing, and Homecoming, as well as other events. Gamma Epsilon has won both Fraternity and Beta Province awards for program and scholarship, including the Fraternity Finance Award and the Province Royalty Award.

Visits of Fraternity officers through the years have highlighted chapter meetings. A tea was given in honor of Helena Flinn Ege, Gamma Epsilon’s own charter member and former chapter president, when she became Fraternity president in 1948. Excitement, joy, and pride on such festive occasions were happily recorded.

The shape of the times is evident in the yearly chapter histories. They tell of banquets in the 1920s in the Schenley Hotel and the custom of making toasts. Members sold Fab soap to earn money to wallpaper a room. An influenza epidemic in 1928 forced cancellation of a formal dance. They tell of The Doll Cabaret used during rushing in 1929 when rushees were given French dolls to make and stuff by Kappas. Today owls are made for rushes.

The Kappa sponsored Sychor Club at Penn State, assisted in the installation of Delta Alpha in 1930 and in 1931, agonized over the Panhellenic ruling of “rushing without men.” The Gamma Epsilons purchased a baby grand piano in 1932, installing the first payphone in 1933, and christened it with a bottle of Coke.

The first annual Kappa –Delt reception for faculty took place in 1941. The Kappas sold Defense Bonds in 1942 and worked on benefit committees to earn money for the dean of women’s 12th floor. On its 25th anniversary in February, 1944, Gamma Epsilon helped install Delta Xi Chapter at Carnegie Institute of Technology (renamed Carnegie Mellon University in 1967). Chapter members attended the installation of Delta Phi Chapter at Bucknell University in 1948.

Pitt adjusted to the trimester plan in 1959 and the KKΓs lived in the dormitory suite while their house was being built in 1963. They rejoiced because the chapter limit was raised from 30 to 50 members and watched the demise of women’s self government and the establishment of student government.

Gamma Epsilon hosed Beta Province Convention in 1969 and celebrated Gamma Epsilon’s 50th anniversary at the same time, saying “thank you” to the wonderful alumnae who worked with the chapter as advisers and house board members through the years.

A Kappa was selected as the first Pitt Woman in 1972 and there was pride in the fact that the chapter president of 1969-1970, Patrica Nealon, was chosen to be a graduate counselor. Women students are important in the life of the university today, although it was not until 1895 that Pitt became coeducational. Today women are admitted to every school, and Gamma Epsilon members are currently enrolled in the schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and law, in addition to those working for undergraduate and other graduate degrees. Today women are members of the faculty, administration, and even Board of Trustees. In 1971 for the first time, a member of the student body was appointed to the University’s Board of Trustees. The student was a woman, a member of Gamma Epsilon. It is the hope of the chapter that it will continue to contribute much to the University of Pittsburgh, and that it will continue to instill into the lives of its members the high standards of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually.

Highlights of the 1980s:[edit]

Housing: Paid off their mortgage in 1989


Philanthropy:


Chapter Convention Awards:


Trends:

After looking through the chapter scrapbooks, it was obvious that the members loved spandex, big hair, and bright colors, specifically neon, and denim. Ronald Regan was elected president in 1980, and the chapter participated by campaigning as a sisterhood together.


Highlights of the 1990s[edit]

In 1991, Gamma Epsilon became more recognized on campus by having four executives on Greek Week committee. High campus involvement continued after a sister was attacked in a campus building. The sisters ensured that campus was a safe place for studying and living with the help of Student Government to institute a shuttle and escort system. Sisters participated with MTV and their campaign “Rock the Vote” to get more students to vote.


Housing:

30-years after the house was built, each room received a facelift and the kitchen was renovated.


Philanthropy:

Every year, the sisters of Gamma Epsilon volunteered at a Halloween party benefiting the Children’s Hospital. They also worked for several years to gain the Cathedral Award through being involved in volunteer activities.


Highlights of 2000-2010[edit]

In remembrance of the one year anniversary of September 11th, sisters attended a ceremony wearing their letters to show chapter support. The chapter continued to show a strong presence on University of Pittburgh’s campus through having a high GPA and in 2010, they were awarded External Relations Award at the Cathedral Awards.

Housing: In 2006, Gamma Epsilon bought the other half of their house and moved in. After an initial struggle of filling the house, the women were excited to have the whole house to themselves. To help in the housing transition, for Founders Day each sister created a quilt square that included chapter memories and inspiring quotes about sisterhood.


Philanthropy: In 2009, Gamma Epsilon continued to hold many philanthropy events including Bowl-a-thon.


Convention Awards: 2002 Risk Management Award 2006 Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention 2006 House Board Award 2006 Panhellenic Honorable Mention



Highlights of 2011-2019:[edit]

Highlights of 2012[edit]

In the spring our chapter participated in Greek Sing with Pi Kappa Alpha, although we did not place in the competition. Our chapter did succeed however in winning a week-long philanthropy event in April, Derby Days, which was hosted by Sigma Chi. As a result of this win, our chapter received a trophy in recognition for our efforts and a donation to a charity of our choice. Additionally, we received the Gracious Living Award from Nationals in June, while our Vice President of Standards attended the convention. Also in June, our house underwent renovations that resulted in improved conditions in two dorm quadrants of the building and our study room.

In September, our chapter sponsored a member's mother's artwork exhibit titled "Portraits of Lupus" by raising money through a Lunch Box Auction with members of Delta Tau Delta. Our chapter participated in a second Lunch Box Auction with the fraternity in November. Our chapter also raised money for the charities which we support through our annual Hot Dog Days. This year, we raised more money than we have ever raised in the past. In terms of campus-wide events, our chapter had many members participate in Pitt Make a Difference Day. In terms of nation-wide events, our chapter witnessed the fall 2012 election resulting in the re-election of President Obama.

There have been a variety of changes this year on campus. The first of which was a series of bomb threats targeted at various university buildings. The threats began in February and persisted through April. Members of our chapter were forced to evacuate their classrooms multiple times per week. The threats were both a nuisance but also a legitiate concern to many of our sisters. The person responsible for these threats was eventually identified by the FBI and resulted in an arrest. Students on campus were relieved of the burden of having their belongings searched before entering classrooms when they returned to campus in the fall. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett came to campus this past spring as well to explain the severe budget cuts that higher education will face (including Pitt). Some positive changes on campus included a new football coach, who coincidentally is one of our newer sister's father. The university is also in the process of building a new dorm building for freshmen that wil be complete this spring.

Highlights of 2014[edit]

Awards: Cathedral Standards of Excellence Risk Management Award

Special Events: Trip to Pittsburgh Zoo, "Welcome to the Sweet Life" Bid Day Celebration, Trip to Soergel's Orchard

Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies (sweets awarded weekly to sisters who have received an outstanding grade or employment/internship), Participation in Greek Sing and Pitt Dance Marathon

Philanthropic Involvement: Lunchbox Auction (fraternities bid for meals prepared by the sisters) and the Kappa Spelling Bee to benefit Reading Is Fundamental, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation; Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day; Kappa Dog Days (sold hot dogs) to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteer at Boys and Girls Club

Our chapter has grown substantially as a result of taking 33 new members during Fall '14 Recruitment. We're very excited about the diversity, creativity, and leadership experience these girls have brought to our chapter.

The chapter owns a house on Bayard Street which we acquired in full in 2006. Our chapter-owned house is occupied by approx. 35 sisters and a house mom. It is a 3-story building with a study room, TV room, dining room, formal room, and two kitchens. Our cook prepares meals for the sisters who live in on most days of the week.

Historical Badge: This badge is traditionally and currently worn by the chapter president. It once belonged to Olive Phillips, born 4/15/1815 and deceased 4/01/1915. Olive was initiated into the Rho Deuteron Chapter (Ohio Wesleyen) and as an "honorary" member.


Highlights of 2015[edit]

Awards: Cathedral Standards of Excellence Risk Management Award

Special Events: Sapphire Ball, Mardi Gras Bid Day Celebration, Trip to Soergel's Orchard, Alien Invasion Greek Sing Theme, Movie night bonding event with Tri Sigma, Holiday Decorating Party

Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Supportive Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies (sweets awarded weekly to sisters who have received an outstanding grade or employment/internship), Parent's Brunch

Philanthropic Involvement: Participated in Pitt Dance Marathon and Pitt Make a Difference Day, Lunchbox Auction (fraternities bid for meals prepared by the sisters), hosted Kappa Dog Days (hotdog stand and block party), and volunteered to read to and play with children from the Boys and Girls Club. We support Reading Is Fundamental, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, and participate in numerous philanthropic events of other organizations.

A huge change that we had to adjust to was deferred recruitment. I order to switch from fall to spring, we had a formal recruitment in the fall for sophomores and ware gearing up for another one in January for freshman. This created a lot of extra work and innovation for our chapter as we had to make many adjustments to our schedule, housing, and budget. Additionally, changes were made to the housing board staff, we gained 10 new members in the fall, and we integrated the GYN system into our chapter to track study hours and maintain an accessible calendar.

Highlights of 2016[edit]

This year, Gamma Epsilon had their first formal spring recruitment and informal fall recruitment. This past calender year we gained Spring 2016 and Fall 2016, making wonderful additions to our chapter. We received an award for parent and alumni engagement in Cathedral Standards of Excellence, as well as a Standards award at the Kappa convention. We had several successful sisterhood events; in October, we went to Sorgels, the local pumpkin patch, and in December, we had a holiday event where we decorated the house for the holidays and decorated cookies.

We participated in several philanthropy events hosted by other sororities and fraternities; we won Pi Kappa Alpha's wiffleball tournament, which raised money for one of their brothers that was diagnosed with Leukemia. We also placed first in Tri Sigma's Twister event, which raised money for their philanthropy. Our chapter has also focused a lot on enhancing our leadership skills. In order to improve on this, one of our upcoming Chapter Council members volunteered to participate in a Greek leadership academy, which taught Greek members how to be a supportive member, a strong leader, and handle conflict.

This year, our chapter really focused on trying to become more involved both in our Greek comminuty and on our campus with other non-greek organizations. One way we showed a great deal of support for greek life was by participating in the University of Pittsburgh's annual Pitt Dance Marathon. There, we had seventeen of our sisters raised over one hundred dollars each for Children's Miracle Network by either participating as a dancer (participants who stood and danced for the full sixteen hours) or dreamers (participants who remained active for eight hours). Through this, our sisters spent the day dancing and raising money with other greek organizations in order to raise money for the kids. Gamma Epsilon also wanted to support other clubs outside of the greek community, and one way we achieved this goal was by supporting one of Pitts improvisation clubs, Rukus. We collaborated with Rukus in order to support the arts and raise money for the club by sending almost half of our chapter to watch one of their performances and provide them with monetary contributions, part of which they donated to us to help support our philanthropy.


Highlights of 2017[edit]

The year has brought many fabulous events for Gamma Epsilon and they are as follows by each month:

January World EventsInauguration of President Donald Trump Kappa Events: Successful Formal Recruitment, Bid Day (welcomed 39 new members, biggest pledge class yet)

February World Events: Super Bowl between the New England Patriots & the Atlanta Falcons with the Patriots winning, annual Stadium Series Penguins vs. Flyers hockey game with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning Kappa Events: BIG MONTH IN THE WORLD OF KAPPA! successful Big/Little Reveal, annual Date Skate, participation in Sigma Chi Wrap-Up philanthropy event, Valentine’s Day bake sale with Delta Chi, Dean’s List Lunch composites, Initiation of all the new members, 2 sisters participated for the Steel City Step Show for the second year in a row

March World Events: Celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of warm weather FINALLY Kappa Events: Greek Week, partnered with Pike for this year’s Lunchbox Auction and raised $828

April Kappa Events: Senior Recognition Night, Bed Time Story themed Greek Sing with our partners Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, and ZBT, participated in many panel events such as Delta Zeta’s soccer tournament and Pike’s volleyball tournament, annual PDM, Senior Date Party

September World Events: Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, heat wave in Pittsburgh Kappa Events: Apple Picking, Dog Days (raised $600)

October World Events: Las Vegas Shooting Kappa Events: Founder’s Day, Soergels Trip, KD Shamrock Powder Puff, sisters participating in Donut Dash, PMADD, Delta Chi Haunted House

November Kappa Events: DIY Box with ATO, Dinner with ADPi, Formal, slate nominations & voting

December Kappa Events: election of new Executive Board, Leadership Day

Awards: Risk Management

Special Events: Olympics themed Bid Day Celebration, Date Skate, Senior Date Party, Sapphire Ball, Trip to Soergel's Orchard

Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies, Participation in Greek Sing, Pitt Dance Marathon

Philanthropic Involvement: Lunchbox Auction, Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day, Kappa Dog Days to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, Sigma Chi Wrap-Up, Derby Days, Support Reading is Fundamental & the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation

Campus Events: Our chapter has grown by about 50% as a result of taking 39 new members during Spring '17 Recruitment. We're very excited about the what they will all individually bring to the chapter and the friendships and connections they will make along the way.

Highlights of 2017[edit]

January Events: Successful Formal Recruitment, Bid Day (welcomed 39 new members, biggest pledge class yet)

February Events: BIG MONTH IN THE WORLD OF KAPPA! successful Big/Little Reveal, annual Date Skate, participation in Sigma Chi Wrap-Up philanthropy event, Valentine’s Day bake sale with Delta Chi, Dean’s List Lunch composites, Initiation of all the new members, 2 sisters participated for the Steel City Step Show for the second year in a row

March Events: Greek Week, partnered with Pike for this year’s Lunchbox Auction and raised $828

April Events: Senior Recognition Night, Bed Time Story themed Greek Sing with our partners Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, and ZBT, participated in many panel events such as Delta Zeta’s soccer tournament and Pike’s volleyball tournament, annual PDM, Senior Date Party

September Events: Apple Picking, Dog Days (raised $600)

October Events: Founder’s Day, Soergels Trip, KD Shamrock Powder Puff, sisters participating in Donut Dash, PMADD, Delta Chi Haunted House

November Events: DIY Box with ATO, Dinner with ADPi, Formal, slate nominations & voting

December Events: election of new Executive Board, Leadership Day

Awards: Risk Management

Special Events: Olympics themed Bid Day Celebration, Date Skate, Senior Date Party, Sapphire Ball, Trip to Soergel's Orchard

Traditions: Dean's List Celebrations, Chapter Dinners, Founder's Day Celebration, Sister of the Week, Smart Cookies, Participation in Greek Sing, Pitt Dance Marathon

Philanthropic Involvement: Lunchbox Auction, Participated in Pitt Make A Difference Day, Kappa Dog Days to benefit Children's Miracle Network, Volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, Sigma Chi Wrap-Up, Derby Days, Support Reading is Fundamental & the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation

Campus Events: Our chapter has grown by about 50% as a result of taking 39 new members during Spring '17 Recruitment. We're very excited about the what they will all individually bring to the chapter and the friendships and connections they will make along the way.


Highlights of 2020s:[edit]

Philanthropy:


Housing:


Convention Awards:



Note to Chapter Registrar: Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.

Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!

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