Difference between pages "Gamma Zeta" and "Iota"

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{{Infobox Fraternity
 
{{Infobox Fraternity
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|Name= Gamma Zeta
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|Name= Iota
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|GreekSymbol= ΓZ
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|GreekSymbol= I
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|Image= [[File:Gamma_Zeta.jpg|200px]]
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|Image= [[File:Iota.jpg|200px]]
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1920|01|03}}
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1875|11|13}}
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|College= [http://www.arizona.edu/ University of Arizona]
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|College= [https://www.depauw.edu/ DePauw University, formerly Indiana Asbury University]
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|Location= Tucson, AZ
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|Location= Greencastle, IN
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|Homepage= [http://www.arizonakkg.com/ Gamma Zeta Homepage]
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|Homepage= [https://depauw.kappa.org Iota Website]
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|Media= [http://wiki.kappakappagamma.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Zeta Media related to Gamma Zeta Chapter]}}
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|Media= [https://wiki.kkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Iota Media related to Iota Chapter]
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}}
  
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'''University of Arizona, established in 1885'''
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'''DePauw University established in 1837, Greencastle, Indiana'''
  
  
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'''Gamma Zeta founded on January 3, 1920'''
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'''Founded March 13, 1875 '''
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'''3,101 members (as of June 2012)'''
 
  
  
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'''3,126 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
  
 
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'''Some of Gamma Zeta’s Outstanding Alumnae:'''
 
  
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'''Fraternity Council Members:''' (If you have chapter alumnae who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
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'''Charter Members:'''
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Ida Anderson, Ada Oliver, Amy Puett, Margaret Purviance, Finetta Victorine Wiggs, and Lillian Wiggs
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Loretta McCarthy, Field Secretary 1968-1970;
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'''Fraternity Officers:'''
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Ellen Ruth (lvey), Field Secretary 1971-1974;
 
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Vicki Luciani, Leadership Consultant 2010-2011
 
  
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Margaret Noble Lee, Grand Secretary 1881-1882; Minnetta Theodora Taylor, Editor of the Key 1882-1886; Harriet Moore Thomas, Grand Secretary 1898-1900; Eliza Jean Nelson Penfield, Grand President 1900-1902; Mary Sidelia Starr Donner, Delta Province President 1917-1921; Ann Watts Hostetler, Beta Province Vice President 1925-1929, Beta Province President 1929-1931, Lambda Province President 1929-1931; Jane Ramey Knox, Lambda Province President 1929-1933; Hannah Hunt Stokes, Lambda Province Vice President 1931-1935; Mary Ann Scholl Elliot, Delta Province Vice President 1941-1945; Josephine Torr Kuttler, Zeta Province Vice President 1943-1945; Mary Singleton Wamsley, Theta Province President 1943-1947; Alice Anne Longley Roberts, Field Secretary 1943-1945; Mary Elizabeth Davis Wampler, Graduate Counselor 1946-1947; Frances Shahan Ulen, Delta Province President 1945-1947; Frances Fatout Alexander, Mu Province President  1947-1953, Director of Chapters 1954-1956, Vice President 1958-1962, President 1964-1968; Bernice Read Mayes, Mu Province Vice President 1947-1949; Elizabeth Zimmermann Howard, Epsilon Province Vice President 1951-1953; Rebecca Rhue Dooley, Gamma Province Director of Alumnae 1955-1957; Mary Louise Williams Rapp, Epsilon Province Director of Alumnae 1957-1959; Margaret Haun Groetsch, Zeta Province Director of Chapters 1963-1965; Caryl Gernandes Wilhoite, Graduate Counselor 1965-1966; Jean Wilcox Morris, Alpha Province Director of Alumnae 1965-1967; Linda Buell Corrigan, Graduate Counselor 1974-1975; Sally Milbourne,  Graduate Counselor 1975-1976; Carolyn Steele, Zeta Province Director of Chapters 1975-1977
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'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
  
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'''Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
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Frances Fatout Alexander, 1970. She was a Mu Province Director of Chapters from 1949-1953. Next, she served as Fraternity chairman of pledge training and then as Director of Chapters from 1954-1958. She became the Fraternity’s Vice President in 1959 and served two terms. She went off Council in 1962 to become Kappa’s National Panhellenic Conference delegate from 1962-1964. She was Fraternity President from 1964-1968. She became the chairman of Fraternity research and Panhellenic alternate delegate in 1968. 
  
  
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
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Eliza Jean Nelson Penfield, 1950- Grand President of Kappa. Outstanding record as a platform speaker, parliamentarian, lawyer, and leader in the cause of voting rights for women. She had toured the west with the late Carrie Chapman Catt to work for ratification of the woman’s suffrage amendment. She helped to found the League of Women Voters.
  
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
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Bertha Fain Tucker, 1954. She has been elected judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1953, the first woman elected to judgeship in Cook County since 1923. She had built a reputation for fearlessness and fairness among the legal profession.
  
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Loretta McCarthy, 1984, A top executive with American Express;
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Anne Elder, 1976. She was a talented script writer and received an Emmy Award. She acted at “Second City” in Chicago, was a regular on television’s “Laugh-In.” She produced two Billy Jean King Specials, “Women In Sports”; “Bill Daleys’ Hocus-Pocus”; and an ABC special filmed at Sea World, Cleveland. Anne co-authored the Mitzi Gaynor specials for TV, and was a guest on many TV game shows.
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Doris Born Monthan, 1984, Author, authority on American Indian culture;
 
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Holly Busche Cottor, 2012, Founder of Ryan House;
 
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Jewell McFarland Lewis, 2002, Former chairman of the board of Media America
 
  
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Gretchen Kiger Cryer, 1994, theater actress, musician, entrepreneur
  
  
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'''AdditionalOutstanding Gamma Zeta Alumnae:'''
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'''Additional Outstanding Iota Alumnae:'''
  
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Molly Roller (Spingler), Graduate Counselor 1958-1959;
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Minnie Royse Walker, deputy to three Fraternity Presidents, was prominent as an antiques collector and authority on old English silver, pewter, and furniture. A silver tankard from her collection is awarded on a rotating basis at biennial conventions as the Fraternity’s Scholarship Award for Chapters on campuses where there are more than ten Panhellenic groups competing for the top position. The diamond fleur-de-lis designed for her is worn now officially by presidents of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Mrs. Walker also wrote the first Fraternity history in 1903, Kappa’s Record.
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Sue Forster (Vincent), Graduate Counselor 1959-1960;
 
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Loretta McCarthy, Graduate Counselor 1969-1971;
 
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Mary Hendershott (Itani), Graduate Counselor 1969-1971;
 
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Ellen Ruth (Ivey), Graduate Counselor 1971-1972
 
  
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Iota authors include Grace Ruthenberg, Mary Montgomery Galliland, Annie Payne Ader, 1883, and Cora Bennett Burlingame, 1891; Mildred Trares Schaefer, 1950, actress; Marjorie Call, concert harpist; Dr. Martha Travell,compiled the ''National Guide to Sunday School Lessons''; Cora Effinghouse Wilson, 1888, received the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award; Dr. Alice Watts Hostetler, 1919, 1929 recipient of the DePauw Citation, journalist, business woman, speaker, politician, and clubwoman.
  
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Members active in education and public life were Mary Jorzick, Betty Lupton Fairchild Wood, Carolyn Costin Tucker, 1946.
  
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Iota initiated three honorary members, One of which was Mary Ashton Livermore, 1879. She was an internationally known author, editor, and lecturer. She was a very prominent worker in the cause of women’s suffrage and temperance reform.
  
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==The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)==
 
  
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The story of Gamma Zeta's growth is also the story of the growth of the University of Arizona from the small 1,088 student Land Grant school of the 1920s to the fine university of over 27,000 students which it is today. The few university buildings of the past and the simply-structured student government have resulted in the complex campus of the 1970s.
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==The Early Years==
  
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Several Tucson women not then attending college organized Alpha Sigma, a local sorority, in the fall of 1916 for the purpose of "obtaining a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, also to derive social and scholastic benefits, and to promote college spirit as an organized society." The following year only one member, Norma Brazee (Sexton), returned to the university. Two other local groups existing then were receiving charters from Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi so it was important to reorganize Alpha Sigma quickly. Eight freshmen were pledged who became the core members of the reorganized Alpha Sigma.
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Soon after the Civil War, the movement for higher education of women began. Depauw was one of the first colleges in the United States to heed this demand. In the fall of 1867, the first women entered the freshman class. Fraternities came into DePauw early in its history. A year or two after women were admitted to all educational privileges of the college, they began to notice the great pleasure in which their brothers derived from their fraternities.
  
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In 1918-1919 Alpha Sigma partitioned Kappa, and on January 3, 1920, Grand President Lydia Voris Kolbe, Akron, and members of Gamma Beta (New Mexico) installed Gamma Zeta Chapter and its 24 charter members. Norma Brazee. whose "History of Alpha Sigma" is part of Gamma Zeta's was not able to be initiated,
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Eager to experience the joys of such an organization, they put in some months of hard work and as a result, Kappa Alpha Theta became the first Greek letter fraternity for women on the campus on January 27, 1870. For five years, Theta flourished on campus. Kappa Alpha Theta became the pride of both the city and the college. Theta had, of course, heard that over in Monmouth, Illinois, another fraternity for women had appeared, but it was scarcely probable that any group would have the courage to come into Theta’s own territory.
  
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The chapter's first decade was one of varied activities distinct social pattern. Teas, dinner dances, house dances (girls only), and powdered wig banquets were the order. Early records
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Then came the spring of 1875.  The date of the “Sophomore Performance” was March 25, which was an annual event where each member of the class was required to give an original oration. The entire college and town attended these exercises. Such was the occasion chose by Ida Anderson, Ada Oliver, Amy Puett, Finetta Wiggs, Lillian Wiggs, and Margaret Purviance for their first appearance wearing little golden keys. Not a hint of the new chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had reached the college world until that evening. It is recorded that the sensation created by their badges was in every way as great as they had anticipated.  
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refer to wedding and baby gifts for members, notably silver card trays and silver salt and pepper shakers.  
 
  
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Decorous behavior was the rule: no smoking in public, no smoking together of actives and pledges, and no smoking by men in the Gamma Zeta house. Pledges could not date before
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Investigation revealed that on March 13th, these women had slipped away to Bloomington, Indiana, and had been initiated in the home of Anna Buskirk as charter members of Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Kappa Kappa Gamma was a very secret organization during the first few years. Even the place of meeting was kept a profound secret from all but the members. The college year was divided into three terms, and officers were elected at the end of each term. New members were initiated just as soon after pledging as it was possible to arrange for it; therefore, time was required at practically every meeting for either initiation or installation or both.
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4:30 p.m. nor during weekday nights. Juniors and seniors were allowed week night dates between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. after which the house was locked for the night.
 
  
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Intersorority tournaments were big campus events. Gamma Zeta won many basketball and hockey games. Individuals excelled in horseshows and other sports, dramatic presentations, and work on the Desert yearbook and Wildcat newspaper. YWCA also made up a busy program for the Arizona Kappas.
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When the Chapter was organized, the girls lived at home or boarded and roomed in the homes of the town. The meetings were held at the homes of the members. Refreshments were served, games played, confidences and gossip exchanged, and the girls grew to know each other as only comrades can. The men’s fraternities had halls in the second and third floors of business blocks. The Kappas were progressive when they decided that there was no reason why the girls, too, should not have halls.  After much discussion and argument, they hired one which was dedicated formally on February 14, 1885. The Kappa mothers looked on the plan with disapproval, and after a term, the girls themselves realized that it was an impractical undertaking for women. They went back to the old custom of meeting in the homes, but the desire for a chapter house grew. It was not until the second term of 1894 that the first Chapter house was rented. The first meeting was held there on February 11, 1894. Thus began thirty years of wandering about from one house to another. In those thirty years, Iota moved twelve times. The houses, having always been built for family use, were always over-crowded and inadequate for Fraternity requirements.    
  
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Special note is made in early chapter records of three non-related events: a 1921 pledge-sponsored Christmas formal (which continued in 1975 as a pledge sponsored Christmas activity); the sudden death in 1922 of charter member Dorothy Andrews, who was "so lively and enthusiastic and ... very talented in music and athletics and a brilliant student who was  
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In the early days, there were taffy-pullings, picnics, and Valentine frolics. Iota never failed to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Kappa. The picnics sometimes lasted from dawn until almost dawn. These picnic parties always traveled in carriages. Sunday afternoon calling was a favorite social function. The girls gathered in groups of three or more at some home. Then the fraternity men, in groups, made the rounds of the various homes.  
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admired by every student and faculty member"; and a house fund started in 1923 into which every active, pledge, and alumna put $25.
 
  
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When a larger chapter house became necessary (a small house had been bought in 1923) a lot was purchased with a Fraternity loan and ground was broken on Founders Day 1934. The chapter moved into the new house on February 10, 1935. The "Kappa Kottage," a house on an adjacent lot, was remodeled and first used in 1956-1957. In 1963-64 a complex of adjacent to the Kottage was used for the first time after having been purchased by the Gamma Zeta Building Association. During 1966-67 the house was completed with the addition of the Dorothy Musser room, a large recreation room which connects the apartments and the west wing (formerly the
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Iota Chapter always had musicians, and the singing of Kappa songs was one of the features of any Iota crowd. For more than twenty years, the entertainment for the annual formal party was a minstrel. An invitation to the Kappa minstrel was a much coveted bit of cardboard. During WWI, the Kappas were allowed to use Meharry Hall and gave their minstrel performance for the entire S.A.T.C. For several years, the women repeated their program for the benefit of a needy church of other organizations.
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Kottage).
 
  
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The second decade started off slowly socially, but well scholastically. All national sororities at Arizona were denied social privileges during the first semester for rush irregularities, and Gamma Zeta lost its social privileges in the spring because of failure to keep a sign-out book. Eventually parties resumed which included mother-daughter banquets, scavenger hunts, brother
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Iota has had her great days and her outstanding achievements to which she “points with pride.” Iota entertained the first Convention in 1876. Iota is also proud of the fact that one of her members, Minnetta Taylor, was the first editor of The Golden Key.
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and sweetheart dinners, "intellectual hours" and serenade, slumber and roller skating parties. Social life was maintained "in spite of the Depression."
 
  
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Kappas were busy with campus activities: drama, athletics, Associated Women Students. Rush was conducted for a few girls at a time, and swim parties, shows, and spring teas for high school
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==Highlights of the 1920s:==
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girls were common. Freshmen and pledges were required to attend all football games, chewing gum was not allowed in public, pledges could smoke only in the basement, and had to be in bed by 11:00. Secret marriages were in vogue. During this time it seemed perfectly natural that two members of Delta Delta Delta had their meals for a year at the Kappa house since there was as yet no Tri Delta chapter on the Arizona campus.  
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It was believed that the high cost of after-the-war building would make a new house for Iota Chapter impossible. But after looking the ground over, it was decided it would be poor economy to remodel and that they must build. As soon as possible, a lot was secured on campus. An architect was employed and a plan was selected during the summer of 1921. Affairs progressed so successfully that in the spring of 1923, the cornerstone of the Kappa house was laid. The cornerstone laying was an inspiring service. A large crowd of alumnae and friends was present, in addition to the entire active Chapter. The girls sang Kappa songs as the crowd gathered. The house was finished in the spring of 1924 and the Chapter moved in in April. It was dedicated on the afternoon of Monday, June 2, 1924. There were over two hundred people present. Iota was the first of the sororities on campus to build. The ritual for the house dedication was written by Sidelia Starr Donner.  It was soon adopted for national use.
  
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The excellent grades of the early 1930s began to drop by the mid-1930s. The initiation average was lowered, and scholarship seemed to hit a new low in 1940 when the requirement for initiation was lowered again, yet ten out of 28 pledges still did make their grades.
 
  
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At this time World War II was a reality for most of the world and the University of Arizona felt its impact. Girls gave dances for officers at Davis Monthan Air Base and for the Cavalry Post.
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==Highlights of the 1940s:==
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Victory Fund dances and War Bond contests were waged between sororities and fraternities. Kappas worked in canteens and rolled bandages. Gamma Zeta adopted an English war orphan and decided that house fines would purchase bonds. Girls saved their razor blades, magazines, and old clothes, and turned their ration books in to the house director. However, the house director was given an alligator purse and a sterling silver compact for Christmas.
 
  
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With men so scarce, the girls concentrated on rodeos, swimming and volleyball. In November, 1941, the members were shocked to learn that a member had been thrown while riding and died.
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Over the years, many traditions have come and gone as interests changed: the skit given before Christmas by new members; the Dad’s Day football game with Delta Gammas, played during the 1940s and 1950s; publication of the Keyhole; and the Kappa Pickers.  
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In the spring of 1945 another death occurred, that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the spring formal was cancelled in respect of mourning traditions.  
 
  
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The late 1940s found Gamma Zetas excelling in journalism and by 1949 they were dominating many activities. They built shiny whales, pink elephants, "Arks of Triumph," and storks
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Several outstanding women helped to mold the maturing chapter. Sidelia Starr (Donner) graduate from DePauw in 1891 and was instructor at the academy and Depauw University before her 1897 marriage. Financially organized by her husband and aided by loyal alumnae, she organized the Iota Chapter House Board, found a location, and secured funds for building a permanent Chapter House. She became the mentor and guardian angel of the Chapter. In 1941, she retired as House Board president against unanimous protest. After her death in 1950, it was written in the Keyhole, “To every freshman, she was the prototype of the ideal Kappa. To the senior, the goal to be emulated. To the alumnae, the unchanging heart of KKG.”
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"expecting expansion." The chapter won top honors and took Sweepstakes prizes with these constructions. There were pledge classes of 40. Individual and team honors were won in  
 
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golf, swimming, tennis, rifle, and fencing. Gamma Zetas were officers of Associated Women Students, Student Government, and drama organizations. Repeatedly they took scholarship
 
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trophies among living groups (dormitories, sororities, fraternities). There were several queens and a Miss Alaska. Near the decade's end the chapter was delighted to pledge daughters of  
 
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two film stars, the cowboy idol Johnny Mack Brown and the versatile Anthony Quinn.  
 
  
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In 1956 the chapter began its foreign student program by inviting a young student from Denmark to live in the house. Since then the girls have enjoyed guests from Uruguay, Holland, Argentina, Peru, Germany, and Norway.  
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Most of the previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1930 and 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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The Gamma Zetas of the 1960s didn't rest on past laurels. Scholarship was of paramount importance, and members were in almost every honorary. There were many queens, many
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==Highlights of the 1990s==
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hostesses, recognition in swimming and dance groups. In 1963-1964 the presidents of all four class levels of women's honoraries (Mortar Board, Chimes, Spurs, and Alpha Lambda Delta) were Kappas. They excelled individually and as a group, but perhaps in reaction to the war years seemed unconscious of the outside world, turning away from interest in or participation in anything beyond the campus.  
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The 90s were a period of hard work and commitment to developing a strong chapter and building chapter unity for the Iota members. To promote chapter unity the Standards Committee planned weekly themed diners, roommate appreciation days and those who participated were awarded with candy and other small treats. While measuring chapter unity is a difficult task the different chapter councils of the 1990s put in a tremendous effort to bring their sisters closer together and to recruit new sisters as well. This hard work paid off twice during the decade. The first in 1997 when the sisters of Iota were awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Membership” at the 34th annual Province Meeting. The second ended the 90s on a high note when in 1999 the chapter won the “Outstanding Membership” at the 36th annual Province Meeting.
  
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At the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s social concerns again began to be of importance to members of Gamma Zeta. They participated in voter registration drives,
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The Iota chapter continued to shine in the area of academics by increasing their over all GPA year after year. Over the decade the chapter jumped from 8th in grades to 3rd out of all 11 sororities at DePauw. The Greek community at DePauw recognized the sister’s hard work at the yearly spring Greek Awards with not one but two awards, the “Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship – Most Improved GPA” and the “Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement in Educational Programming”.  
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political campaigns, and stepped up their philanthropy concerns. The Vietnam War divided the chapter as it did the American people, but the girls were able to resolve their differences
 
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peacefully and respect each other's rights to differing opinions.  
 
  
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Across the country the legal age of maturity was being lowered in Arizona to 18, and the University of Arizona Regents debated whether drinking on campus concept and began to stress individual rights and privacy. House keys were now issued to each girl, her hours were hers to decide, and her grades were to be given to her alone (not even to her parents). The scholastic rank of a chapter could be found out but not the names of houses above or below. Individuality and “doing your own thing" held sway. Apprehension arose among the alumnae concerning scholarship, almost always Gamma Zeta’s outstanding quality. Fears ceased when, in the spring of 1972, 22 pledges out of 22 were initiated and a Kappa won one of the two awards for outstanding senior women.  
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Chapter and campus involvement was at a peak for the chapter over the 90s. With sisters involved across campus in organizations such as Union Board, Mortar Board, PanHellenic executive council, Order of Omega and DePauw Community Service, they were very prominent in their respective areas. In 1999, the Iota chapter was once again recognized for their dedication to involvement and won “Most Involved” at the annual Greek Awards.  
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==Highlights of 2000-2010==
  
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"You're a university woman," the statement made to pledges, implies dignity, personal responsibility, and promise for the years to come for Gamma Zeta.  
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To continue the work for the 90s the chapter councils of the 00s decided to focus on senior involvement and chapter bonding as their main goals. Senior members in a chapter are the ones who show the younger pledges what being in a sorority is actually like. They are the elders that are looked up by those who are just entering. The Beta Delta chapter realized that if seniors are not involved then a domino effect of younger members wanting to not be involved will follow. To counter attack this effect senior appreciation dinners were held through the years as well as various retreats for the whole chapter. These small changes helped boost morale and spirit for the seniors whom in return helped boost the spirits of the younger classes.
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All around campus involvement was still on a high coming into the new decade. With growing pledge classes year after year Kappa continued to be a strong force on the University of Michigan campus. Recruitment continued to help establish strong bonds between actives and drew in many girls wanting to discover what it meant to be a Kappa. With the tragedy of September 11th  all of Panhellenic at UofM postponed recruitment that year to allow time for grieving. Beta Delta participated in a campus wide candle vigil before continuing with the recruitment process.  
  
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Gamma Zeta members who have given special service to the Fraternity include graduate counselors Sue Forster (Vincent), 1959-60; Molly Roller (Spingler), 1958-59; Mary Hendershott (ltani), 1969-70; and Natalie Graff; and field secretary Ellen (Missy) Jester Ruth, 1971.  
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Helping those in need was still in the forefront of the minds of the chapter for the decade. Beta Delta annual partnered up with Phi Kappa Psi to donate toys to underprivileged children during the Christmas holidays. Every year the two chapters would pick a child to buy presents for and, would then invite the child over to the Kappa house for a Christmas party of opening presents. The chapter would also participate in Relay for Life over the years.  
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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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The Beta Delta chapter over the ‘00s found the perfect balance of respecting the history and traditions of Kappa Kappa Gamma with the drive and dedication of building a bright future.
  
  
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The Iota chapter focused on philanthropy work during the 00s. They held one event during each semester to benefit Reading Is Fundamental and local food pantries. In the fall semesters the members put on the Kappa Fashion show, in the later years would be partnered with Rent the Runway to raise money. During the spring semesters a poetry slam was held and hosted by the sisters.
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Kappa members not held philanthropy events but made a tremendous effort to participate in other Greek life philanthropies besides their own. Over the decade the Iota chapter participated in Sigma Chi Derby Day’s, Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash, Sigma Nu’s Taste of Depauw and Alpha Chi Omega’s Ring Sing. Outside of the Greek community the chapter participated in the yearly Dance Marathon and Relay for Life.
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Staying involved on campus was a strong ideal that the Iota chapter held over the years. The chapter had members represent Kappa in other organizations on campus such as National Society of Honor Scholars, Women of Science, Union Board and Mortor Board. Throughout the years they were represented in the Panhellenic community by having sisters serve as Rho Gamma’s and sisters on the Panhellenic Exec Board.
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The Iota chapter held themselves to the Kappa standard and work extremely hard to stay a power organization on campus. This hard work did seem to pay off during the 00s as they had more girls become involved and stay involved.
  
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==Highlights of the 1970s==
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==Highlights of 2011==
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Women's liberation was a large factor in influencing the activities in this time period, especially reflected through social and clothing trends. The Vietnam war divided the chapter in differing opinions about the war. Also important to the members at the time was conservation. An increased awareness about reusing and recycling took effect.
 
  
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The inaugural year for U of A's Spring Fling was 1975, a carnival themed event that involved all organizations on campus.
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This past spring, Iota held a philanthropy for Reading is Fundamental. We hosted a tea party and invited some younger grade school students to join us for a day of crafts, food and of course reading. We started the fall semester with a bang by getting the chapter involved in Greek Week events (trivia, a greek god and goddess dance and more) Alpha Chi Omega's Ring Sing fundraiser events (such as their monon bell dance).  
  
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Throughout the course of the year, Iota has improved getting involved with events held by other chapters on campus as well as campus wide events. In December, KKG won the Taste of Depauw competition with a delicious Oreo ball dessert, beating out other houses on campus. Our annual Kappa Fashion show for Dress for Success was extremely successful this year--having paired with Rent the Runway and filling every single seat. In the fall, our Vice President of Academic threw a scholarship dinner that gave our professors as well as hardworking Kappas the chance to acknowledge their accomplishment.
  
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'''Housing:'''
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Iota also welcomed a brand new chapter council and held a chapter council retreat so the officers could get to know each other better as well as discuss ways we can improve the chapter. KKG Iota went pumpkin picking for our informal in October and went to the Sapphire Ball that the event chair organized and planned for the members.  
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There was a period of transition for the house "mom" after the chapter had to dismiss one woman who apparently falsified her application and treated the members in a harsh manner.
 
  
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Campus: Some recent changes on campus this year occurred when there weere issues of bullying, hazing and homophobic remarks. While this created a stir around campus, the women of Iota's chapter used these incidents as an opportunity to get more involved on campus and support the LGBT community on campus by attending rallies, a debate with our college president, Brian Casey, and students on campus and participate in discussions that brought awareness to the issue. Not only did our chapter came together during these events but we also supported other organizations as well, proving that we are leaders in the Greek community.
  
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Some of our chapter's challenges included adjusting to our new house director and readjusting to living in the house and the responsibilities that follow (keeping the rooms clean, keeping noise levels down during study hours and times when girls were sleeping. Our house manager and president worked closely together to accommodate the changes that came with the new house director gracefully.While there were some major conflicting opinions-- the members of chapter council tried as best they could to keep the lines of communication open with the new house director and worked extremely hard to meet her halfway to attain a smoother transition.
  
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==Highlights of 2012==
  
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==Highlights of the 1980s:==
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The 2012 spring and fall semesters provided challenges to overcome as Iota chapter. During the spring semester, Iota chapter was put on a refocus letter that made us take a deeper look upon ourselves. As a chapter we had lost track and began to experience many respect issues within and to the house, and because of this, changes needed to be made. To confine to our new expectations, as a chapter, we were no longer allowed to participate in 'flower ins'--a serenading tradition between DePauw fraternity and soroity new member classes. Through this challenge though, we collectively came up with a new plan of action and created a new tradition called "serenades" that emulates the original purpose of the tradition. The University was pleased with our new outlook and the GLC even funded money to Iota chapter to make the upcoming events a success--and if all goes well, the univeristy is planning on implementing these new events for the new member classes at DePauw in the near future.
  
−
In 1985, Gamma Zeta strived to reach their chapter goal of "Image of Excellence" by making themselves more visible in the community. The three main points emphasized with this chapter goal were to excel in scholarship, increase awareness of fraternity standards, and exhibit respect and consideration to one another.  
+
In Spring of 2013, Iota also held a Social Media Policy discussion, and planned a section of our by-laws regarding online social media expectations for the chapter. These bylaws are likely to be modeled by other Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters. Iota chapter has also become very involed in sustainability and is becoming a model for other greek houses on campus. Along with this, Iota chapter has had a successful year of philanthropy, once again putting on the Kappa Fashion show for Dress for Success, supporting Kappa's national philanthropy Reading is Fundamental, participating in Arts Fest for local children of Greencastle, as well as supporting other philanthropies across campus. Our new chapter coucil, elected in the fall, is dedicated to working through our refocus letter and we will be a stronger chapter because of it.  
  
−
Some of the challenges they faced involved delinquent payments and alcohol infractions. The bylaws were amended to reflect current standards, and stricter enforcement of the rules were put in place.
+
Fall 2012 brought exciting changes to DePauw's campus. The location change of our school bookstore, which moved from the Union Building on campus to downtown Greencastle, was a novel change for the campus. In addition to the amazing new bookstore, now named Eli's Books, a Starbucks was also established and connects to the bookstore. By providing a great coffee shop and bookstore downtown, it has encouraged students to visit the community of Greencastle more frequently. Along with this, the Anderson Street Project construction was completed, providing a striking new gated entrance to DePauw's campus.  
  
−
Gamma Zeta experienced a sad loss of one of its members in 1985. Lauren Kay McLaughlin was killed in an automobile crash. Members of the chapter, alumnae, and the Greek system at Uof A mourned her loss.
+
The university has also adopted a new tiger logo. During the fall semester, which was also a celebration of DePauw's 175th anniversary, DePauw President Brian Casey announced many incredible future renovations to the campus, including the Lilly Fitness center, Roy O. West Library, Olin Biological Sciences building and the construction of a new dining hall. In terms of our chapter, the challenges brought upon us have seemed to bring us closer together. We are a chapter filled with incredible, involved, and inspiring women, and together we have been working through hurdles together.
  
−
The pledges of 1985 won the scholarship award for the highest pledge class GPA among the sororities on U of A's campus. The women of Gamma Zeta continued to participate in many campus clubs and organizations, and many members were named to honorary societies. Gamma Zeta consistently had strong and successful rush events, and one of the favorite party themes continued to be "Willy Wonka and the Kappa Factory."
 
  
−
The many social events included theme parties, holiday gatherings, homecoming float decorating, football game gatherings, Parents Weekend, and formals.
+
==Highlights of 2013==
  
−
The Gamma Zeta chapter hosted Province Meeting in 1989.
+
This year we hosted the Provence Meeting, which was held at the Butler Mu chapter. We got to showcase Iota history as well as historical pictures. We were awarded the Most Improved chapter overall. The event went very well and visiting the Butler Chapter was fun as we got to meet new sisters from all over the Midwest.
−
In 1989 University of Arizona's student body was 35,000. Gamma Zeta had 203 active members the same year.  
 
  
−
The members of Gamma Zeta maintained positive morale by introducing programs like Sisterhood Cozies, Kappa of the Week, Hoots & Salutes, Sweetest Kappa, Outstanding Pledge, and Outstanding Senior.
+
This year during recruitment, we got 37 news members! This was a bigger pledge class than the previous year, which we were very happy about. It has been very fun getting to know all our wonderful new members. Every year we participate in Derby Days, which is Sigma Chi’s philanthropy. Our new members competed in the dance competition and we took first place for the second year in a row.  
  
 +
We also made changes to some very old traditions. Instead of having Flower-ins, we know how mixers. We are working with the university to formulate the process and we have been successful thus far. We meet with each fraternity and participate in an activity such as cookie decorating or swing dancing. It has been a different but wonderful experience!
  
−
'''Philanthropy:'''
+
We also had a very fun formal. We went to the Indianapolis Dolphin Dome! It was a wonderful event!
 +
In chapter council, we changed a few of our bylaws regarding attendance to insure members of chapter council and all members were held accountable for coming to meetings and chapter events. So far, these laws have been very successful.
  
−
Philanthropy continued to be an important focus of Gamma Zeta. Some of the organizations that benefited from the chapter's support were the Tucson Boys Club, Cancer Center, local women's shelters, the Rose McGill Fund, American Red Cross, and the Tucson Table.  
+
Our campus received a $20 million grant from the state of Indiana to revamp and renew the campus. They have started more construction this year on various buildings and landmarks on campus. Specifically, all sport fields and stadium and the campus gym (Lilly Center) are being renovated. Rector Village as well as the Senior sidewalk also had construction. The administration has added signs to the campus to give it more of a campus-feel. Our school is really looking great and we are very excited to see what else they will be doing!
  
 +
Our Chapter Council is doing a lot to remove us from the focus letter. The overall atmosphere of our house has changed as we are all focusing on sisterhood and the pursuit of what is womanly and true. We have taken great strides to improve our chapter as well as our image. We have definitely taken strides in the right direction and will be continuing to do so in this upcoming year.
  
−
'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
 
  
−
At the 1983 Province Meeting in Santa Barbara, Gamma Zeta received an award for chapter excellence as well as an award for the highest grade point average in the Kappa Province.
+
==Highlights of 2014==
−
At the 1985 Province Meeting held in San Diego, Gamma Zeta won the House Board Award, alumna Thelma Dahlen, Minnesota, won the Betsy Prior Loyalty Award, and the chapter won the Chapter Excellence Award.
 
  
−
Gamma Zeta earned the Norma Dow Patton Gracious Living Award at the 1989 Province Meeting.
+
This past year began very strongly!  We were above the All Sorority GPA and had a fantastic recruitment.  We received 36 New Members and got 4 Open Bids.  Our Formal Pledging took place on February 3rd, and it was a great experience for everyone involved.  We continued our new tradition of Mixers instead of Flower-Ins, which all went very well.  It actually went over so well that the rest of our campus is mandating that each house do something like our mixers in place of their former Flower-Ins.  Our Leadership Consultant came to stay for about five days in early March, and shortly after that we had I-Week as well as composite pictures taken.  All of the New Members enjoyed the I-Week festivities; it was a fantastic week for the whole chapter!  We had Initiation on March 15 that went swimmingly.
 +
 
 +
Just like last year, Sigma Chi Fraternity put on their main philanthropy event called Derby Days in April, and just like the past few years, we won the dance competition!  The New Members worked very hard and put on a phenomenal dance performance.  We also had a super fun formal this year!  It was themed the Sapphire Ball and took place in the Skyline Club in Indianapolis.  Everyone wore a blue dress and danced the night away! 
 +
That same weekend we had our Mom’s Weekend events!  So many mothers came, and we enjoyed the brunch and Relay-for-Life activities that were planned for us.
 +
 +
In June of 2014, Convention was held in Houston.  Three of our members went, including our president!  They had a very rewarding experience and came back with a lot of fantastic ideas for our chapter, as well as some great photos!
 +
 +
A new tradition was started in the fall this year for our Iota Chapter—Kappa Karnival!  Our wonderful Philanthropy Chairman, Kristen Dickman, organized the Karnival this year, and many of our other DePauw fraternities and sororities set up carnival booths to host a game or to sell a snack.  We had a great turn out, especially for a first year event, and the DePauw Community had a great time!  It was really fun for us all to be put in charge of a booth, table, or game for the event in order to raise money for the Kappa Foundation.
  
 +
Our Founder’s Day Ceremony was lovely, and many alumnus came back to visit for the occasion.  Also in October, DePauw has Greek God and Goddess!  Greek Week is a week full of fun Greek Unity events, concluding with a dance performance by each Greek house!  Just like Derby Days, Kappa won!!!  We must have some phenomenal dancers and choreographers in our house!
  
 +
November began with a Kappa Trainer visit.  A week later we had our Fall Formal at The Barn at Kennedy Farms in Linden, Indiana!  The venue was gorgeous, and everyone in attendance had a very nice time.  We hope to make The Barn an annual event!
  
 +
Later in November, we had another Initiation for one of our members that had a conflict with her pledge class’ Initiation Ceremony.  It was great that we could make it just as special for her as it was for the rest of the pledge class!  Also in November, Panhellenic Council awarded us the superlative of Most Improved Chapter.
  
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==Highlights of the 1990s==
+
December came and went so fast!  Just a few weeks after Thanksgiving, we had finals week and then Winter Break!  2014 was a great year for Iota, and we know that 2015 is going to be just as fantastic! 
  
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The members of Gamma Zeta continued to maintain a high profile on the campus of University of Arizona. The women of the chapter were involved in scholarship honorary clubs, campus-wide efforts, student government, special interest clubs, and Greek hosted events.
+
DePauw University is undergoing some major structural changes.  The 20 million dollar grant that our campus received is being put to great use!  This year we opened a new addition to our Lilly Fitness Center called the Welch Center. This is an incredible addition to our campus that everyone enjoys using.   Our campus is also currently constructing a new dining hall next to our current one. It will hold many more students and be a better use of space. DePauw looks so great and is only getting better. DePauw is developing a new focus on creating a climate of inclusion. A movement that strides to make students of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds feel more welcome on our campus.  
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Ritual, standards, and sisterhood were core values that the Gamma Zetas focused on through their activities and programming. Big Sis/Little Sis programming was successful, along with non-alcoholic exchanges, Parents Weekend events, alumnae events, and scholarship events.  
 
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The Gamma Zetas shared chapter news through its newsletter, Keyholes. Reports from officers were included, highlights from campus activities, adviser spotlight section, and a dedication to graduating seniors all contributed to a rich publication full of information.
 
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In 1990 the sisters of Gamma Zeta initiated the Irimajiri Art Scholarship Fund in memory of one of their members, Maki Irimajiri, a student who died in an automobile crash. Director of Chapters, Jennie Helderman, Alabama, visited the chapter in 1991.
 
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The members focused on scholarship with quiet study hours after 7 p.m., study buddies, scholarship awards, and study files. The chapter goal in 1991 "Shoot for Pi - 3.14" earned recognition in Kappa's Key magazine.
 
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In Spring of 1991, eleven Gamma Zetas earned a 4.0 GPA.
 
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In 1995 there were 16 sororities on the campus of University of Arizona. Aproximately 15% of the U of A students are members of the Greek system.
 
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Fall recruitment theme parties included Kappa Kountry and Kappa Goes to Hollywood. In the fall of 1998, 55 women were initiated. This was the most women the chapter had ever initiated at one time. This was the first year that the chapter transitioned into the New Member program.
 
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Chapter meetings were made interesting by adding a Romance Award, Hoots and Salutes, A's for the Week, Scholarship Bucks, and the Friendship Award each week.
 
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In 1998 Gamma Zeta was voted Most Outstanding Panhellenic Chapter on U of A's campus. Also exciting for the chapter was receiving first place in Social Programming, second place in Scholarship Programming, Most Outstanding Adviser, a Kaplan Scholarship, and both the Freshman and Sophomore Greek Woman of the year.
 
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'''Housing:'''
 
 
   
 
   
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In 1991 a new house director started at Gamma Zeta; Shirley Roy.
+
Our Chapter Council has made a few changes to Iota bylaws. We made our attendance policy clearer, which is probably the most recognized change. Overall, 2014 was a outstanding year in Greencastle, Indiana!
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In 1997 the house installed three new computers in its library to aid with studying. This computer lab was the first time Gamma Zeta had Internet access in the house.
 
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In 1998 much of the house was remodeled. Tile replaced carpeted areas in the TV room, bulletin boards were placed in the front hall making it easier to get announcements to all of the women in the house, and some rooms were repainted and recarpeted.
 
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'''Philanthropy:'''
 
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The Gamma Zetas continued to excel in the area of philanthropy. They participated in the American Red Cross blood drive, Cedric Depmsey Cancer Run, the American Cancer Society's Climb "A" Mountain to Conquer Cancer Benefit Walk, Tucson Area Literacy Coalition aerobics-a-thon, receycling events, ALS foundation fundraiser, senior home volunteer hours, Casa de los Ninos holiday party, and Ronald McDonald House meal preparation.
 
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==Highlights of 2000-2010==
+
We hold chapter meetings in our chapter room in our house. Our house was built in 1924 and is the oldest Greek house on our campus.  Most members get to live in all three years if they choose to.  We rent our house from our House Board. Approximately 66 women can live in our house at a time.  Before this house was built, our Iota founders hosted secret meetings in 12 different locations around campus. 
  
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The members continued to focus on sisterhood. This was particularly important because the size of their house is so large. They focused on activities such as Greek Week, Spring Fling, Kore family activities, sisterhood retreats, all house lock-ins, Scholarship Recognition dinners, Apple Polisher Dinners, House Board Appreciation Dinners, Homecoming, Dad's Weekend (one year), Mom's Weekend (the next year), and Staff Appreciation Dinners.
+
On the back of one of the badges it is inscribed "Mary Ann Elliott 3/22/47"
  
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The Gamma Zeta chapter received recognition and a variety of awards from the University of Arizona. Members were involved in intramural sports, all-Greek competitions, student government, homecoming festivities, clubs, and honorary societies.
+
==Highlights of 2016==
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Gamma Zetas often shared their archives at the Founders Day brunch. Old scrapbooks were the favorite item on display, and some years the Gamma Zetas put together a slide show to show the brunch attendees.
 
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In 2006 there were 11 housed sororities on the U of A campus and more than 20 fraternities.
 
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The 2007 newsletter of Gamma Zeta was titled "Keys and Fleur-de-Lis."
 
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In 2007 the pledge class of Gamma Zeta was composed of 70 new members.  Members of Gamma Zeta attended the Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Conference in San Diego in 2009. Scholarship was an area of focus during this time frame. Study tables were a popular way to encourage members with a low GPA to spend more time on their school work.
 
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Some of the challenges faced by Gamma Zeta in 2009 and 2010 were communications and stealing. Officers improved their ways of communicating with chapter members regarding mandatory event attendance. Measures were taken to reduce the risk of stealing personal items in the house and in members' mailboxes.
 
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'''Housing:'''
 
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Seventy-five Gamma Zeta members lived in the house in 2006.
 
  
 +
This past year began very strongly!  We were above the All Sorority GPA and had a fantastic recruitment.  We received 34 New Members.  Our Formal Pledging took place on February 1st, and it was a great experience for everyone involved.  We continued our new tradition of Serenades instead of Mixers, which all went very well.  Our Leadership Consultant came to stay for about five days in early March, and shortly after that we had I-Week as well as composite pictures taken.  All of the New Members enjoyed the I-Week festivities; it was a fantastic week for the whole chapter!  We had Initiation on March 12th that went swimmingly. 
 +
Just like last year, Sigma Chi Fraternity put on their main philanthropy event called Derby Days in April, and our new members proudly pressented their dance!  The New Members worked very hard and put on a phenomenal dance performance.  We also had a super fun formal this year!  It took place at Phi Kappa Psi headquarters and it was a beautiful venue.
  
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'''Philanthropy:'''
+
Then, the weekend of April 10-11th we had our Mom’s Weekend events!  So many mothers came, and we enjoyed the brunch and Relay-for-Life activities that were planned for us.  On May 22nd we said goodbye to our seniors as they graduated.
  
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The primary organization that Gamma Zetas supported was the Giving Tree Foundation, an effort that supports homeless and needy children. In 2009 Gamma Zeta was able to raise $12,000 for this organization through their Hoops4Hope basketball tournament. Other organizations that received financial or volunteer support from the members included Race for the Cure, Rose McGill Magazine Drive, RIF, the Ally Adelman Foundation, and the Bobbi Olsen's Foundation for Women's Cancer Research.
+
In June of 2016, Convention was held in San Diego. Three of our members went, including our president!  They had a very rewarding experience and came back with a lot of fantastic ideas for our chapter, as well as some great photos! 
  
 +
As the school year started our philanthropy chair organized the Kappa Karnival this year, and many of our other DePauw fraternities and sororities set up carnival booths to host a game or to sell a snack.  We had a great turn out, especially for a first year event, and the DePauw Community had a great time!  It was really fun for us all to be put in charge of a booth, table, or game for the event in order to raise money for the Kappa Foundation. 
  
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==Highlights of 2011-2019==
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On September 30th ,  we initiated out last four new members who could not attend initiation with the rest of their pledge class in the spring. We also had a wonderful Leadership Consultant, Kristina, help us with initiation , and it went smoothly.
  
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==2011==
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Our Founder’s Day Ceremony was lovely, and many alumnus came back to visit for the occasion.   Also in October, DePauw has Greek God and Goddess dance competition. Greek Week is a week full of fun Greek Unity events, concluding with a dance performance by each Greek house!  Just like Derby Days, Kappa won!  We must have some phenomenal dancers and choreographers in our house!
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Social, scholastic, and philanthropic events continued to fill the calendars of members of Gamma Zeta. Activities included Dad's Weekend, study hours, sisterhood events, Sigma Chi Derby Days philanthropy, Firefighter Challenge philanthropy, recruitment review sessions, Hoops for Hope philanthropy for Cystic Fibrosis, Spring Fling, theme parties, Greek Week, Senior Week, Recruitment, War of Roses philanthropy, Parent's Weekend, Founders Day, and Homecoming Week. A Kappa Trainer visited the chapter in 2011 and educated the members about Kappa standards and protocol.
 
  
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As of current 86 women live in the house, located across the street from campus. It is the hub of the chapter members and creates the dynamic and lasting friendships between the members of Gamma Zeta.  
+
In November, we elected our Nomination Committee  and slated new Chapter Council members. We also had a training day put on by out VPO, it went very well and we leaned how to communicate better with each other.  
  
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Philanthropy efforts included Toast for Technology, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, cooking meals at the Ronald McDonald House, and working at a community food bank. As a chapter, Gamma Zeta hosts a 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the University of Arizona, Hoops for Hope.
+
Later in November, we had our informal at Dave and Busters and it was pajama themed. It went well and everybody had a good time wining tickets and prizes.  
 +
December came and went so fast!  Just a few weeks after Thanksgiving, we had finals week and then Winter Break!  2016 was a great year for Iota, and we know that 2017 is going to be just as fantastic! 
  
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==2012==
+
DePauw University is undergoing some major structural changes.  The 20 million dollar grant that our campus received is being put to great use!  This year we opened a new dining hall and it is gorgeous.  This is an incredible addition to our campus that everyone enjoys using.  DePauw looks so great and is only getting better.  DePauw is developing a new focus on creating a climate of inclusion.  Throughout this rough election season, many actions are being taken to be inclusive and understanding of others. 
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Throughout the year of 2012, the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma participated in a variety of events, both social and also philanthropic, representing our chapter on campus.  Classes resumed on Wednesday, January 11th, but our house re-opened several days before, Sunday, January 8th, to allow the girls time to unpack and get settled before beginning classes again.   
+
Our Chapter Council has made a few changes to Iota bylaws.  We also got off of our focus letter which was long overdue.  Overall, 2016 was a outstanding year in Greencastle, Indiana!
  
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Our first chapter meeting was held on Monday, January 16th.  During the first few weeks back, the new members attended many rookie recruitment meetings with the recruitment chair, Amy Noble, in order to prepare for fall recruitment.  Ritual Review meetings also took place with our Marshall, Allie Finnegan, to become informed of initiation and chapter rituals.
+
We raise money for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, RIF, and Reading is Key, to help local school children learn to read and support this process by giving books and having pen pals.
  
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Throughout the month of February, many philanthropy projects were held, such as Adopt a Street and Ronald McDonald volunteering. On the 14th of February, we held a Valentine’s Day Sisterhood event and later in the month we had Mom’s weekend, February 24th-26th, in which the ladies were able to spend time with each other and their moms.  On February 19th, a Kappa Trainer gave a presentation to the girls to inform them about regulations and life as a Kappa.  Study hours were implemented during the semester to ensure that the girls were keeping their grades up.  Study hours occurred every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for 3 hours.  This helped our chapter, for our all house GPA average for the spring semester of 2012 was 3.060 and our new members had an average of 3.106. 
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==Highlights of 2017==
  
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We held our annual philanthropy event, Hoops for Hope, headed by the philanthropy chair, Taylor Sloan. Taylor ran a very smooth, successful, and organized event. $10,500 was raised and the money was donated towards the Steele Children’s Research Center.  During March, the girls participated in Sigma Chi’s “Derby Days” field day philanthropy as well as Pi Kappa Alpha’s “Firefighter Challenge.”  Spring break was March 11th-18th. When the girls returned from break, there were multiple recruitment meetings for the entire chapter in preparation for fall recruitment. 
+
We began our year strongly with a new member pledge class of 24 members. We then received 3 open bids! We conducted our formal pledging and our new members began their new member education training. Big little reveal was March 6th, and we added to our families! Our new members were initiated on March 18th with a successful inspiration week. We had blue and blue dinner and our new members got their paddles!
  
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Throughout the semester we had a few date dashes as well as our annual formal.  We had Spring Fling from April 9th-13th.  It was a week filled with festivities, fun, and games. Later in the month was Senior Week.  After Senior Week was complete, girls took their finals and then moved out and back home with their families for a nice summer vacation.  The girls returned to the Kappa Kappa Gamma house on August 3rd, for Work Week and Formal Recruitment. Bid Day took place on August 19th, where the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma welcomed 82 new members.  The president was Lauren Mueller and the recruitment chair was Amy Noble. The new member chair, Audrey Lewter, did a fantastic job informing the new members of the history of the Gamma Zeta chapter.
+
In April, we had formal on a rooftop venue in Indianapolis. The following weekend we had our mom's weekend! We had lunch and crafts on Saturday and a brunch for our moms and guests on Sunday. The last weekend of April every year our school hosts Little 5, a bike race meant to resemble the Indianapolis 500. We had 5 women represent Kappa in the race. We also hosted our philanthropy event this weekend, Kappa Cakes! The morning of the race we prepare and sell pancakes to everyone on campus. We paired with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to have a very successful event for both of our chapters.  
  
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Key Sis week began near the end of August and continued through the middle of September.  These weeks were when the new girls were paired up with the older active members in order to get to know them and feel even more welcome in the chapter, as well as to potentially find their big/little. The ladies participated in Pi Kappa Phi’s War of Roses philanthropy. This was a great way for the new members to get involved, as well as the older members. We had our first date dash of the semester at the end of September.  This was the first date dash for the new members and ending up being a very successful and safe night.  Big/Little week occurred shortly after.  The big sisters left anonymous clues and treats for the little sisters each day of the week, leading up to the exciting reveal. We then had Inspiration Week beginning October 8th, where the new members were introduced to the rituals and values of Kappa Kappa Gamma through a variety of sisterhood events. Each day the girls were encouraged to wear certain colors that highlighted a few of the main aspects of Kappa Kappa Gamma (Blue for Beauty, Red for Integrity, Yellow for Friendship, and Green for Loyalty).  This week was also filled with a variety of sisterhood events that gave the girls another opportunity to bond with one another.  The new members were then initiated on October 13th and the Founder’s Day Tea was hosted later that morning.  The education chair, Ali Castillo, ran the event which was a great day involving the participation of many alumni.
+
In August we welcomed everyone back to campus, and our new pledge class moved into their first semester living in our chapter house. We started classes on August 23rd. Anna Nagy, a sophomore, represented Iota at the Kappa Leadership Conference September 14th-17th. She loved her experience and met lots of Kappas from all over the country. On September 17th we took an all-Greek photo with all of the Greek chapters at DePauw. On September 23rd our chapter participated in Greek God and Goddess, an event in which each chapter choreographs a dance and competes to win. This year, chapters joined together to compete. That same weekend was also DePauw's family weekend! Everyone went out to see our Tigers play some football.  
  
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Following this, we had Parent’s Weekend, as well as Pledge Presents.  The new members were given the opportunity to show their parents the Kappa Kappa Gamma house and to also introduce them to the lovely ladies of the chapter.   On October 24th, a pumpkin carving event was hosted with our members as well as with the ladies of Delta Gamma. Girls from both chapters got together to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday by carving pumpkins with each other. Homecoming Week began on November 5th, with the men of Pi Kappa Phi.  On Thursday, November 8th, we had a date dash with those gentlemen. Our Reading is Key philanthropy event was held on November 16th.  Each member went to Rio Vista Elementary School were the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma promoted the fun and importance of reading to the children through activities such as creating bookmarks, snacks, and reading one of their favorite books.  
+
In October, we painted pumpkins as a sisterhood event! Our house mom, Mom Sue, and house dog, Prince Harry, chose the winners. On October 7th we invited our dads to campus for our dad's weekend! It was the weekend of our Old Gold football game, which is our alumni weekend. We loved spending time with recent Kappa graduates and our dads and families! On November 11th the Tigers played in our Monon classic against Wabash College. The 124-year old tradition brings alumni and families back to campus to watch the football classic. We finished off the semester strong and all headed home for winter break.
  
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The first part of the election process for the new Chapter Council began on November 19th, and voting occurred the week of Thanksgiving break.  The new members of Chapter Council were installed on November 26th, and began training with the old Chapter Council on December 3rd.  To celebrate the holidays, Kappa hosted the Kappa Kozy event on December 4th, in which the girls participated in a gingerbread house decorating competition, was well as other holiday games.  As the end of the semester came to a close, the girls really buckled down for their upcoming finals; the last day of finals being December 13th.  Overall, the year of 2012 for the Gamma Zeta chapter was an outstanding and successful year.  The values and ideals of Kappa Kappa Gamma were upheld and the meaning of sisterhood was expressed throughout the various activities throughout the year.
+
==Highlights of 2018==
  
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==Highlights of 2020s:==
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This year was full of awards. Spring semester 2018, we awarded the Sally Sommer Flynn Scholarship to Mackenzie Jones '18. We also won an Order of Omega award from Panhellenic on campus. We threw a philanthropy event in coordination with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the spring semester and raised over $800. In the fall semester 2018, we threw 2 philanthropy events, Kappa Kappa Guacamole and Kappacino for Reading is Fundamental. We also participated in the Day of the Girl with our Panhellenic council members to create sheet signs to bring awareness to sexual assault and harassment.
  
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(Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
+
==Highlights of 2020==
  
 +
Spring initiation was held virtually last school year. DePauw was sent home before Spring break, so the Iota chapter had to initiate our 22 new members virtually. This initiation included our entire new member class, as well as our marshal, new member chair, and president. This initiation was planned by ritual advisors. Fall recruitment was held virtually over zoom this year. Our chapter received one new member from fall recruitment. She was initiated virtually with our new member chair, president, and marshal. Two other Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters participated in the initiation, as well as our ritual specialist. Our bid night celebration, big little reveal, and blue and blue dinner were combined into one evening. We celebrated on our porch following COVID-19 guidelines. We dressed up and decorated the porch to welcome our newly initiated member! Our chapter has also continued to contribute to our philanthropy during this pandemic. We collected children’s books and wrote short letters in them. We distributed these books to a local elementary school in Greencastle, Indiana.
 +
We have continued to have chapters every Monday, but all of our chapter meetings have been virtual. This includes formal chapters. We have been asking members to wear formal clothes and have cameras on during formal chapters, as we have continued to include ritual in these meetings. We have also continued to have CC meetings every Sunday evening, but these are also virtual.
  
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'''Housing:'''
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Chapter Philanthropy. What organization does the chapter support?
 +
This chapter supports reading is fundamental.
  
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Why did the chapter choose this organization?
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Reading is fundamental helps kids discover the joy of reading and books. Twenty-five million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently. Without a strong start, children will fall behind in school, struggle to graduate and cannot thrive as members of the workforce. Kappas want to make a difference and set children on a path of growth and opportunity.
  
  
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'''Philanthropy:'''
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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We have a multicultural chair and an education chair at Iota. These positions have incorporated many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into our programming chapters this year. We have had a programming chapter on being an ally. This programming chapter focused on how to be an ally and was led by our multicultural chair and education chair. We have also had a programming chapter on understanding microaggressions. This programming chapter focused on understanding white privilege, tokenism, and microaggressions. This discussion was led by our multicultural chair, along with several sophomores. It was excellent to see the youngest members of our house leading a programming chapter on DEI.
  
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Sesquicentennial Celebration
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How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary? Share what you have done this year.
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We celebrated during an informal chapter on the week of Kappa’s 150th anniversary. This was a virtual event. Our education chair read about Kappa history and members of CC participated in reading poems or other readings. Our education chair also shared photos from Iota chapter history. These pictures were of women in the Iota chapter and many were taken in rooms or throughout the house.
  
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Photographs
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Are there any interesting photos from this year to share? e.g., screenshots of virtual meetings, pictures of chapter events that followed all public health guidelines (mask wearing, physical distancing, etc), pictures of masks, drive-thru bid days, etc. 
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1st photo: A picture of our KKG masks given to all chapter members by alumni.
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2nd photo: A picture of a panhellenic philanthropy event. Members from each panhellenic chapter joined a zoom call to celebrate halloween with elementary school students.
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3rd photo: A picture that was shared with the chapter in celebration of kappas 150th anniversary.
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4th photo: Socially distant and mask wearing pumpkin painting sisterhood event.
  
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'''Convention Awards:'''
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[[File:Depauw 1.JPG|thumb|DePauw 1]]
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[[File:Depauw 2.jpg|thumb|DePauw 2]]
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[[File:Depauw 3.jpg|thumb|DePauw 3]]
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[[File:Depauw 4.JPG|thumb|DePauw 4]]
  
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==Highlights of 2021==
  
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We started off this year with virtual recruitment, leading to the eventual initiation of fifteen new
 +
members. Following the process of recruitment, we were able to organize a fun virtual bid night
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for all of the new members involving trivia and bonding games where new members and active
 +
members were able to get to know each other better. We were able to hold a virtual initiation as
 +
well and a virtual pinning ceremony. As the year progressed, we were also able to have a
 +
couple of philanthropy events, which included donating dog toys to the local animal shelter,
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signing and then donating books to the local elementary school, and completing individual acts
 +
of service in the winter as well as having a fundraising event in the fall where we had games,
 +
food, and a dunk tank. We also awarded the Sally Summer Flynn award to a member of the
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2021 senior class that the chapter voted on as a whole. As for goals that the chapter had, one
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main goal was to resume in-person chapter and committee meetings as well as have the
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opportunity to have an in-person recruitment and initiation process. We have been able to start
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having in-person chapter and committee meetings and we plan to have an in-person recruitment
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and initiation process in the spring.
  
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----------------------
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Chapter Philanthropy
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Our philanthropy supports the organization of Mental Health Alliance. We support this
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organization because we felt it was very applicable and relevant in the everyday life of our
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members and was most strongly favored when voting on which philanthropy our chapter wanted
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to support.
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At the beginning of the fall semester we held a fundraising event to raise money for our
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organization in which we had food, games, and allowed students on campus to dunk our
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members in a dunk tank for donations.
  
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
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We included diversity, equity, and inclusion in our chapter programming by having special
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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.  
+
guests come to talk during programming chapters on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  
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We also held virtual meetings where we watched educational films surrounding diversity, equity,
 +
and inclusion and afterward held a discussion to debrief the film.  
  
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Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
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During the pandemic, we held virtual recruitment and initiation over zoom. We did recruitment
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like usual with bump groups and one-on-one conversation with PNMs using break out rooms.
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We also had virtual chapter and committee meetings until this fall semester when we resumed
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in-person meetings. We also had virtual activity nights and general chapter meetings to help
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reconnect with members not on campus or members not living in the house as social gatherings
 +
in the house were not permitted at the time.

Latest revision as of 00:18, 22 December 2021

 

Iota
I
Iota.jpg
FoundedNovember 13, 1875 (1875-11-13) (150 years ago)
CollegeDePauw University, formerly Indiana Asbury University
LocationGreencastle, IN
HomepageIota Website
Media related to Iota Chapter

DePauw University established in 1837, Greencastle, Indiana


Founded March 13, 1875


3,126 initiates (as of June 2018)


Charter Members: Ida Anderson, Ada Oliver, Amy Puett, Margaret Purviance, Finetta Victorine Wiggs, and Lillian Wiggs


Fraternity Officers:

Margaret Noble Lee, Grand Secretary 1881-1882; Minnetta Theodora Taylor, Editor of the Key 1882-1886; Harriet Moore Thomas, Grand Secretary 1898-1900; Eliza Jean Nelson Penfield, Grand President 1900-1902; Mary Sidelia Starr Donner, Delta Province President 1917-1921; Ann Watts Hostetler, Beta Province Vice President 1925-1929, Beta Province President 1929-1931, Lambda Province President 1929-1931; Jane Ramey Knox, Lambda Province President 1929-1933; Hannah Hunt Stokes, Lambda Province Vice President 1931-1935; Mary Ann Scholl Elliot, Delta Province Vice President 1941-1945; Josephine Torr Kuttler, Zeta Province Vice President 1943-1945; Mary Singleton Wamsley, Theta Province President 1943-1947; Alice Anne Longley Roberts, Field Secretary 1943-1945; Mary Elizabeth Davis Wampler, Graduate Counselor 1946-1947; Frances Shahan Ulen, Delta Province President 1945-1947; Frances Fatout Alexander, Mu Province President 1947-1953, Director of Chapters 1954-1956, Vice President 1958-1962, President 1964-1968; Bernice Read Mayes, Mu Province Vice President 1947-1949; Elizabeth Zimmermann Howard, Epsilon Province Vice President 1951-1953; Rebecca Rhue Dooley, Gamma Province Director of Alumnae 1955-1957; Mary Louise Williams Rapp, Epsilon Province Director of Alumnae 1957-1959; Margaret Haun Groetsch, Zeta Province Director of Chapters 1963-1965; Caryl Gernandes Wilhoite, Graduate Counselor 1965-1966; Jean Wilcox Morris, Alpha Province Director of Alumnae 1965-1967; Linda Buell Corrigan, Graduate Counselor 1974-1975; Sally Milbourne, Graduate Counselor 1975-1976; Carolyn Steele, Zeta Province Director of Chapters 1975-1977


Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:

Frances Fatout Alexander, 1970. She was a Mu Province Director of Chapters from 1949-1953. Next, she served as Fraternity chairman of pledge training and then as Director of Chapters from 1954-1958. She became the Fraternity’s Vice President in 1959 and served two terms. She went off Council in 1962 to become Kappa’s National Panhellenic Conference delegate from 1962-1964. She was Fraternity President from 1964-1968. She became the chairman of Fraternity research and Panhellenic alternate delegate in 1968.


Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Eliza Jean Nelson Penfield, 1950- Grand President of Kappa. Outstanding record as a platform speaker, parliamentarian, lawyer, and leader in the cause of voting rights for women. She had toured the west with the late Carrie Chapman Catt to work for ratification of the woman’s suffrage amendment. She helped to found the League of Women Voters.

Bertha Fain Tucker, 1954. She has been elected judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1953, the first woman elected to judgeship in Cook County since 1923. She had built a reputation for fearlessness and fairness among the legal profession.

Anne Elder, 1976. She was a talented script writer and received an Emmy Award. She acted at “Second City” in Chicago, was a regular on television’s “Laugh-In.” She produced two Billy Jean King Specials, “Women In Sports”; “Bill Daleys’ Hocus-Pocus”; and an ABC special filmed at Sea World, Cleveland. Anne co-authored the Mitzi Gaynor specials for TV, and was a guest on many TV game shows.

Gretchen Kiger Cryer, 1994, theater actress, musician, entrepreneur


Additional Outstanding Iota Alumnae:

Minnie Royse Walker, deputy to three Fraternity Presidents, was prominent as an antiques collector and authority on old English silver, pewter, and furniture. A silver tankard from her collection is awarded on a rotating basis at biennial conventions as the Fraternity’s Scholarship Award for Chapters on campuses where there are more than ten Panhellenic groups competing for the top position. The diamond fleur-de-lis designed for her is worn now officially by presidents of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Mrs. Walker also wrote the first Fraternity history in 1903, Kappa’s Record.

Iota authors include Grace Ruthenberg, Mary Montgomery Galliland, Annie Payne Ader, 1883, and Cora Bennett Burlingame, 1891; Mildred Trares Schaefer, 1950, actress; Marjorie Call, concert harpist; Dr. Martha Travell,compiled the National Guide to Sunday School Lessons; Cora Effinghouse Wilson, 1888, received the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award; Dr. Alice Watts Hostetler, 1919, 1929 recipient of the DePauw Citation, journalist, business woman, speaker, politician, and clubwoman.

Members active in education and public life were Mary Jorzick, Betty Lupton Fairchild Wood, Carolyn Costin Tucker, 1946.

Iota initiated three honorary members, One of which was Mary Ashton Livermore, 1879. She was an internationally known author, editor, and lecturer. She was a very prominent worker in the cause of women’s suffrage and temperance reform.


The Early Years[edit]

Soon after the Civil War, the movement for higher education of women began. Depauw was one of the first colleges in the United States to heed this demand. In the fall of 1867, the first women entered the freshman class. Fraternities came into DePauw early in its history. A year or two after women were admitted to all educational privileges of the college, they began to notice the great pleasure in which their brothers derived from their fraternities.

Eager to experience the joys of such an organization, they put in some months of hard work and as a result, Kappa Alpha Theta became the first Greek letter fraternity for women on the campus on January 27, 1870. For five years, Theta flourished on campus. Kappa Alpha Theta became the pride of both the city and the college. Theta had, of course, heard that over in Monmouth, Illinois, another fraternity for women had appeared, but it was scarcely probable that any group would have the courage to come into Theta’s own territory.

Then came the spring of 1875. The date of the “Sophomore Performance” was March 25, which was an annual event where each member of the class was required to give an original oration. The entire college and town attended these exercises. Such was the occasion chose by Ida Anderson, Ada Oliver, Amy Puett, Finetta Wiggs, Lillian Wiggs, and Margaret Purviance for their first appearance wearing little golden keys. Not a hint of the new chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had reached the college world until that evening. It is recorded that the sensation created by their badges was in every way as great as they had anticipated.

Investigation revealed that on March 13th, these women had slipped away to Bloomington, Indiana, and had been initiated in the home of Anna Buskirk as charter members of Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Kappa Kappa Gamma was a very secret organization during the first few years. Even the place of meeting was kept a profound secret from all but the members. The college year was divided into three terms, and officers were elected at the end of each term. New members were initiated just as soon after pledging as it was possible to arrange for it; therefore, time was required at practically every meeting for either initiation or installation or both.

When the Chapter was organized, the girls lived at home or boarded and roomed in the homes of the town. The meetings were held at the homes of the members. Refreshments were served, games played, confidences and gossip exchanged, and the girls grew to know each other as only comrades can. The men’s fraternities had halls in the second and third floors of business blocks. The Kappas were progressive when they decided that there was no reason why the girls, too, should not have halls. After much discussion and argument, they hired one which was dedicated formally on February 14, 1885. The Kappa mothers looked on the plan with disapproval, and after a term, the girls themselves realized that it was an impractical undertaking for women. They went back to the old custom of meeting in the homes, but the desire for a chapter house grew. It was not until the second term of 1894 that the first Chapter house was rented. The first meeting was held there on February 11, 1894. Thus began thirty years of wandering about from one house to another. In those thirty years, Iota moved twelve times. The houses, having always been built for family use, were always over-crowded and inadequate for Fraternity requirements.

In the early days, there were taffy-pullings, picnics, and Valentine frolics. Iota never failed to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Kappa. The picnics sometimes lasted from dawn until almost dawn. These picnic parties always traveled in carriages. Sunday afternoon calling was a favorite social function. The girls gathered in groups of three or more at some home. Then the fraternity men, in groups, made the rounds of the various homes.

Iota Chapter always had musicians, and the singing of Kappa songs was one of the features of any Iota crowd. For more than twenty years, the entertainment for the annual formal party was a minstrel. An invitation to the Kappa minstrel was a much coveted bit of cardboard. During WWI, the Kappas were allowed to use Meharry Hall and gave their minstrel performance for the entire S.A.T.C. For several years, the women repeated their program for the benefit of a needy church of other organizations.

Iota has had her great days and her outstanding achievements to which she “points with pride.” Iota entertained the first Convention in 1876. Iota is also proud of the fact that one of her members, Minnetta Taylor, was the first editor of The Golden Key.

Highlights of the 1920s:[edit]

It was believed that the high cost of after-the-war building would make a new house for Iota Chapter impossible. But after looking the ground over, it was decided it would be poor economy to remodel and that they must build. As soon as possible, a lot was secured on campus. An architect was employed and a plan was selected during the summer of 1921. Affairs progressed so successfully that in the spring of 1923, the cornerstone of the Kappa house was laid. The cornerstone laying was an inspiring service. A large crowd of alumnae and friends was present, in addition to the entire active Chapter. The girls sang Kappa songs as the crowd gathered. The house was finished in the spring of 1924 and the Chapter moved in in April. It was dedicated on the afternoon of Monday, June 2, 1924. There were over two hundred people present. Iota was the first of the sororities on campus to build. The ritual for the house dedication was written by Sidelia Starr Donner. It was soon adopted for national use.


Highlights of the 1940s:[edit]

Over the years, many traditions have come and gone as interests changed: the skit given before Christmas by new members; the Dad’s Day football game with Delta Gammas, played during the 1940s and 1950s; publication of the Keyhole; and the Kappa Pickers.

Several outstanding women helped to mold the maturing chapter. Sidelia Starr (Donner) graduate from DePauw in 1891 and was instructor at the academy and Depauw University before her 1897 marriage. Financially organized by her husband and aided by loyal alumnae, she organized the Iota Chapter House Board, found a location, and secured funds for building a permanent Chapter House. She became the mentor and guardian angel of the Chapter. In 1941, she retired as House Board president against unanimous protest. After her death in 1950, it was written in the Keyhole, “To every freshman, she was the prototype of the ideal Kappa. To the senior, the goal to be emulated. To the alumnae, the unchanging heart of KKG.”

Most of the previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1930 and 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.

Highlights of the 1990s[edit]

The 90s were a period of hard work and commitment to developing a strong chapter and building chapter unity for the Iota members. To promote chapter unity the Standards Committee planned weekly themed diners, roommate appreciation days and those who participated were awarded with candy and other small treats. While measuring chapter unity is a difficult task the different chapter councils of the 1990s put in a tremendous effort to bring their sisters closer together and to recruit new sisters as well. This hard work paid off twice during the decade. The first in 1997 when the sisters of Iota were awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Membership” at the 34th annual Province Meeting. The second ended the 90s on a high note when in 1999 the chapter won the “Outstanding Membership” at the 36th annual Province Meeting.

The Iota chapter continued to shine in the area of academics by increasing their over all GPA year after year. Over the decade the chapter jumped from 8th in grades to 3rd out of all 11 sororities at DePauw. The Greek community at DePauw recognized the sister’s hard work at the yearly spring Greek Awards with not one but two awards, the “Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship – Most Improved GPA” and the “Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement in Educational Programming”.

Chapter and campus involvement was at a peak for the chapter over the 90s. With sisters involved across campus in organizations such as Union Board, Mortar Board, PanHellenic executive council, Order of Omega and DePauw Community Service, they were very prominent in their respective areas. In 1999, the Iota chapter was once again recognized for their dedication to involvement and won “Most Involved” at the annual Greek Awards.

Highlights of 2000-2010[edit]

To continue the work for the 90s the chapter councils of the 00s decided to focus on senior involvement and chapter bonding as their main goals. Senior members in a chapter are the ones who show the younger pledges what being in a sorority is actually like. They are the elders that are looked up by those who are just entering. The Beta Delta chapter realized that if seniors are not involved then a domino effect of younger members wanting to not be involved will follow. To counter attack this effect senior appreciation dinners were held through the years as well as various retreats for the whole chapter. These small changes helped boost morale and spirit for the seniors whom in return helped boost the spirits of the younger classes.

All around campus involvement was still on a high coming into the new decade. With growing pledge classes year after year Kappa continued to be a strong force on the University of Michigan campus. Recruitment continued to help establish strong bonds between actives and drew in many girls wanting to discover what it meant to be a Kappa. With the tragedy of September 11th all of Panhellenic at UofM postponed recruitment that year to allow time for grieving. Beta Delta participated in a campus wide candle vigil before continuing with the recruitment process.

Helping those in need was still in the forefront of the minds of the chapter for the decade. Beta Delta annual partnered up with Phi Kappa Psi to donate toys to underprivileged children during the Christmas holidays. Every year the two chapters would pick a child to buy presents for and, would then invite the child over to the Kappa house for a Christmas party of opening presents. The chapter would also participate in Relay for Life over the years.

The Beta Delta chapter over the ‘00s found the perfect balance of respecting the history and traditions of Kappa Kappa Gamma with the drive and dedication of building a bright future.


The Iota chapter focused on philanthropy work during the 00s. They held one event during each semester to benefit Reading Is Fundamental and local food pantries. In the fall semesters the members put on the Kappa Fashion show, in the later years would be partnered with Rent the Runway to raise money. During the spring semesters a poetry slam was held and hosted by the sisters.

Kappa members not held philanthropy events but made a tremendous effort to participate in other Greek life philanthropies besides their own. Over the decade the Iota chapter participated in Sigma Chi Derby Day’s, Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash, Sigma Nu’s Taste of Depauw and Alpha Chi Omega’s Ring Sing. Outside of the Greek community the chapter participated in the yearly Dance Marathon and Relay for Life.

Staying involved on campus was a strong ideal that the Iota chapter held over the years. The chapter had members represent Kappa in other organizations on campus such as National Society of Honor Scholars, Women of Science, Union Board and Mortor Board. Throughout the years they were represented in the Panhellenic community by having sisters serve as Rho Gamma’s and sisters on the Panhellenic Exec Board.

The Iota chapter held themselves to the Kappa standard and work extremely hard to stay a power organization on campus. This hard work did seem to pay off during the 00s as they had more girls become involved and stay involved.

Highlights of 2011[edit]

This past spring, Iota held a philanthropy for Reading is Fundamental. We hosted a tea party and invited some younger grade school students to join us for a day of crafts, food and of course reading. We started the fall semester with a bang by getting the chapter involved in Greek Week events (trivia, a greek god and goddess dance and more) Alpha Chi Omega's Ring Sing fundraiser events (such as their monon bell dance).

Throughout the course of the year, Iota has improved getting involved with events held by other chapters on campus as well as campus wide events. In December, KKG won the Taste of Depauw competition with a delicious Oreo ball dessert, beating out other houses on campus. Our annual Kappa Fashion show for Dress for Success was extremely successful this year--having paired with Rent the Runway and filling every single seat. In the fall, our Vice President of Academic threw a scholarship dinner that gave our professors as well as hardworking Kappas the chance to acknowledge their accomplishment.

Iota also welcomed a brand new chapter council and held a chapter council retreat so the officers could get to know each other better as well as discuss ways we can improve the chapter. KKG Iota went pumpkin picking for our informal in October and went to the Sapphire Ball that the event chair organized and planned for the members.

Campus: Some recent changes on campus this year occurred when there weere issues of bullying, hazing and homophobic remarks. While this created a stir around campus, the women of Iota's chapter used these incidents as an opportunity to get more involved on campus and support the LGBT community on campus by attending rallies, a debate with our college president, Brian Casey, and students on campus and participate in discussions that brought awareness to the issue. Not only did our chapter came together during these events but we also supported other organizations as well, proving that we are leaders in the Greek community.

Some of our chapter's challenges included adjusting to our new house director and readjusting to living in the house and the responsibilities that follow (keeping the rooms clean, keeping noise levels down during study hours and times when girls were sleeping. Our house manager and president worked closely together to accommodate the changes that came with the new house director gracefully.While there were some major conflicting opinions-- the members of chapter council tried as best they could to keep the lines of communication open with the new house director and worked extremely hard to meet her halfway to attain a smoother transition.

Highlights of 2012[edit]

The 2012 spring and fall semesters provided challenges to overcome as Iota chapter. During the spring semester, Iota chapter was put on a refocus letter that made us take a deeper look upon ourselves. As a chapter we had lost track and began to experience many respect issues within and to the house, and because of this, changes needed to be made. To confine to our new expectations, as a chapter, we were no longer allowed to participate in 'flower ins'--a serenading tradition between DePauw fraternity and soroity new member classes. Through this challenge though, we collectively came up with a new plan of action and created a new tradition called "serenades" that emulates the original purpose of the tradition. The University was pleased with our new outlook and the GLC even funded money to Iota chapter to make the upcoming events a success--and if all goes well, the univeristy is planning on implementing these new events for the new member classes at DePauw in the near future.

In Spring of 2013, Iota also held a Social Media Policy discussion, and planned a section of our by-laws regarding online social media expectations for the chapter. These bylaws are likely to be modeled by other Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters. Iota chapter has also become very involed in sustainability and is becoming a model for other greek houses on campus. Along with this, Iota chapter has had a successful year of philanthropy, once again putting on the Kappa Fashion show for Dress for Success, supporting Kappa's national philanthropy Reading is Fundamental, participating in Arts Fest for local children of Greencastle, as well as supporting other philanthropies across campus. Our new chapter coucil, elected in the fall, is dedicated to working through our refocus letter and we will be a stronger chapter because of it.

Fall 2012 brought exciting changes to DePauw's campus. The location change of our school bookstore, which moved from the Union Building on campus to downtown Greencastle, was a novel change for the campus. In addition to the amazing new bookstore, now named Eli's Books, a Starbucks was also established and connects to the bookstore. By providing a great coffee shop and bookstore downtown, it has encouraged students to visit the community of Greencastle more frequently. Along with this, the Anderson Street Project construction was completed, providing a striking new gated entrance to DePauw's campus.

The university has also adopted a new tiger logo. During the fall semester, which was also a celebration of DePauw's 175th anniversary, DePauw President Brian Casey announced many incredible future renovations to the campus, including the Lilly Fitness center, Roy O. West Library, Olin Biological Sciences building and the construction of a new dining hall. In terms of our chapter, the challenges brought upon us have seemed to bring us closer together. We are a chapter filled with incredible, involved, and inspiring women, and together we have been working through hurdles together.


Highlights of 2013[edit]

This year we hosted the Provence Meeting, which was held at the Butler Mu chapter. We got to showcase Iota history as well as historical pictures. We were awarded the Most Improved chapter overall. The event went very well and visiting the Butler Chapter was fun as we got to meet new sisters from all over the Midwest.

This year during recruitment, we got 37 news members! This was a bigger pledge class than the previous year, which we were very happy about. It has been very fun getting to know all our wonderful new members. Every year we participate in Derby Days, which is Sigma Chi’s philanthropy. Our new members competed in the dance competition and we took first place for the second year in a row.

We also made changes to some very old traditions. Instead of having Flower-ins, we know how mixers. We are working with the university to formulate the process and we have been successful thus far. We meet with each fraternity and participate in an activity such as cookie decorating or swing dancing. It has been a different but wonderful experience!

We also had a very fun formal. We went to the Indianapolis Dolphin Dome! It was a wonderful event! In chapter council, we changed a few of our bylaws regarding attendance to insure members of chapter council and all members were held accountable for coming to meetings and chapter events. So far, these laws have been very successful.

Our campus received a $20 million grant from the state of Indiana to revamp and renew the campus. They have started more construction this year on various buildings and landmarks on campus. Specifically, all sport fields and stadium and the campus gym (Lilly Center) are being renovated. Rector Village as well as the Senior sidewalk also had construction. The administration has added signs to the campus to give it more of a campus-feel. Our school is really looking great and we are very excited to see what else they will be doing!

Our Chapter Council is doing a lot to remove us from the focus letter. The overall atmosphere of our house has changed as we are all focusing on sisterhood and the pursuit of what is womanly and true. We have taken great strides to improve our chapter as well as our image. We have definitely taken strides in the right direction and will be continuing to do so in this upcoming year.


Highlights of 2014[edit]

This past year began very strongly! We were above the All Sorority GPA and had a fantastic recruitment. We received 36 New Members and got 4 Open Bids. Our Formal Pledging took place on February 3rd, and it was a great experience for everyone involved. We continued our new tradition of Mixers instead of Flower-Ins, which all went very well. It actually went over so well that the rest of our campus is mandating that each house do something like our mixers in place of their former Flower-Ins. Our Leadership Consultant came to stay for about five days in early March, and shortly after that we had I-Week as well as composite pictures taken. All of the New Members enjoyed the I-Week festivities; it was a fantastic week for the whole chapter! We had Initiation on March 15 that went swimmingly.

Just like last year, Sigma Chi Fraternity put on their main philanthropy event called Derby Days in April, and just like the past few years, we won the dance competition! The New Members worked very hard and put on a phenomenal dance performance. We also had a super fun formal this year! It was themed the Sapphire Ball and took place in the Skyline Club in Indianapolis. Everyone wore a blue dress and danced the night away! That same weekend we had our Mom’s Weekend events! So many mothers came, and we enjoyed the brunch and Relay-for-Life activities that were planned for us.

In June of 2014, Convention was held in Houston. Three of our members went, including our president! They had a very rewarding experience and came back with a lot of fantastic ideas for our chapter, as well as some great photos!

A new tradition was started in the fall this year for our Iota Chapter—Kappa Karnival! Our wonderful Philanthropy Chairman, Kristen Dickman, organized the Karnival this year, and many of our other DePauw fraternities and sororities set up carnival booths to host a game or to sell a snack. We had a great turn out, especially for a first year event, and the DePauw Community had a great time! It was really fun for us all to be put in charge of a booth, table, or game for the event in order to raise money for the Kappa Foundation.

Our Founder’s Day Ceremony was lovely, and many alumnus came back to visit for the occasion. Also in October, DePauw has Greek God and Goddess! Greek Week is a week full of fun Greek Unity events, concluding with a dance performance by each Greek house! Just like Derby Days, Kappa won!!! We must have some phenomenal dancers and choreographers in our house!

November began with a Kappa Trainer visit. A week later we had our Fall Formal at The Barn at Kennedy Farms in Linden, Indiana! The venue was gorgeous, and everyone in attendance had a very nice time. We hope to make The Barn an annual event!

Later in November, we had another Initiation for one of our members that had a conflict with her pledge class’ Initiation Ceremony. It was great that we could make it just as special for her as it was for the rest of the pledge class! Also in November, Panhellenic Council awarded us the superlative of Most Improved Chapter.

December came and went so fast! Just a few weeks after Thanksgiving, we had finals week and then Winter Break! 2014 was a great year for Iota, and we know that 2015 is going to be just as fantastic!

DePauw University is undergoing some major structural changes. The 20 million dollar grant that our campus received is being put to great use! This year we opened a new addition to our Lilly Fitness Center called the Welch Center. This is an incredible addition to our campus that everyone enjoys using. Our campus is also currently constructing a new dining hall next to our current one. It will hold many more students and be a better use of space. DePauw looks so great and is only getting better. DePauw is developing a new focus on creating a climate of inclusion. A movement that strides to make students of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds feel more welcome on our campus.

Our Chapter Council has made a few changes to Iota bylaws. We made our attendance policy clearer, which is probably the most recognized change. Overall, 2014 was a outstanding year in Greencastle, Indiana!

We hold chapter meetings in our chapter room in our house. Our house was built in 1924 and is the oldest Greek house on our campus. Most members get to live in all three years if they choose to. We rent our house from our House Board. Approximately 66 women can live in our house at a time. Before this house was built, our Iota founders hosted secret meetings in 12 different locations around campus.

On the back of one of the badges it is inscribed "Mary Ann Elliott 3/22/47"

Highlights of 2016[edit]

This past year began very strongly! We were above the All Sorority GPA and had a fantastic recruitment. We received 34 New Members. Our Formal Pledging took place on February 1st, and it was a great experience for everyone involved. We continued our new tradition of Serenades instead of Mixers, which all went very well. Our Leadership Consultant came to stay for about five days in early March, and shortly after that we had I-Week as well as composite pictures taken. All of the New Members enjoyed the I-Week festivities; it was a fantastic week for the whole chapter! We had Initiation on March 12th that went swimmingly. Just like last year, Sigma Chi Fraternity put on their main philanthropy event called Derby Days in April, and our new members proudly pressented their dance! The New Members worked very hard and put on a phenomenal dance performance. We also had a super fun formal this year! It took place at Phi Kappa Psi headquarters and it was a beautiful venue.

Then, the weekend of April 10-11th we had our Mom’s Weekend events! So many mothers came, and we enjoyed the brunch and Relay-for-Life activities that were planned for us. On May 22nd we said goodbye to our seniors as they graduated.

In June of 2016, Convention was held in San Diego. Three of our members went, including our president! They had a very rewarding experience and came back with a lot of fantastic ideas for our chapter, as well as some great photos!

As the school year started our philanthropy chair organized the Kappa Karnival this year, and many of our other DePauw fraternities and sororities set up carnival booths to host a game or to sell a snack. We had a great turn out, especially for a first year event, and the DePauw Community had a great time! It was really fun for us all to be put in charge of a booth, table, or game for the event in order to raise money for the Kappa Foundation.

On September 30th , we initiated out last four new members who could not attend initiation with the rest of their pledge class in the spring. We also had a wonderful Leadership Consultant, Kristina, help us with initiation , and it went smoothly.

Our Founder’s Day Ceremony was lovely, and many alumnus came back to visit for the occasion. Also in October, DePauw has Greek God and Goddess dance competition. Greek Week is a week full of fun Greek Unity events, concluding with a dance performance by each Greek house! Just like Derby Days, Kappa won! We must have some phenomenal dancers and choreographers in our house!

In November, we elected our Nomination Committee and slated new Chapter Council members. We also had a training day put on by out VPO, it went very well and we leaned how to communicate better with each other.

Later in November, we had our informal at Dave and Busters and it was pajama themed. It went well and everybody had a good time wining tickets and prizes. December came and went so fast! Just a few weeks after Thanksgiving, we had finals week and then Winter Break! 2016 was a great year for Iota, and we know that 2017 is going to be just as fantastic!

DePauw University is undergoing some major structural changes. The 20 million dollar grant that our campus received is being put to great use! This year we opened a new dining hall and it is gorgeous. This is an incredible addition to our campus that everyone enjoys using. DePauw looks so great and is only getting better. DePauw is developing a new focus on creating a climate of inclusion. Throughout this rough election season, many actions are being taken to be inclusive and understanding of others. Our Chapter Council has made a few changes to Iota bylaws. We also got off of our focus letter which was long overdue. Overall, 2016 was a outstanding year in Greencastle, Indiana!

We raise money for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, RIF, and Reading is Key, to help local school children learn to read and support this process by giving books and having pen pals.

Highlights of 2017[edit]

We began our year strongly with a new member pledge class of 24 members. We then received 3 open bids! We conducted our formal pledging and our new members began their new member education training. Big little reveal was March 6th, and we added to our families! Our new members were initiated on March 18th with a successful inspiration week. We had blue and blue dinner and our new members got their paddles!

In April, we had formal on a rooftop venue in Indianapolis. The following weekend we had our mom's weekend! We had lunch and crafts on Saturday and a brunch for our moms and guests on Sunday. The last weekend of April every year our school hosts Little 5, a bike race meant to resemble the Indianapolis 500. We had 5 women represent Kappa in the race. We also hosted our philanthropy event this weekend, Kappa Cakes! The morning of the race we prepare and sell pancakes to everyone on campus. We paired with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to have a very successful event for both of our chapters.

In August we welcomed everyone back to campus, and our new pledge class moved into their first semester living in our chapter house. We started classes on August 23rd. Anna Nagy, a sophomore, represented Iota at the Kappa Leadership Conference September 14th-17th. She loved her experience and met lots of Kappas from all over the country. On September 17th we took an all-Greek photo with all of the Greek chapters at DePauw. On September 23rd our chapter participated in Greek God and Goddess, an event in which each chapter choreographs a dance and competes to win. This year, chapters joined together to compete. That same weekend was also DePauw's family weekend! Everyone went out to see our Tigers play some football.

In October, we painted pumpkins as a sisterhood event! Our house mom, Mom Sue, and house dog, Prince Harry, chose the winners. On October 7th we invited our dads to campus for our dad's weekend! It was the weekend of our Old Gold football game, which is our alumni weekend. We loved spending time with recent Kappa graduates and our dads and families! On November 11th the Tigers played in our Monon classic against Wabash College. The 124-year old tradition brings alumni and families back to campus to watch the football classic. We finished off the semester strong and all headed home for winter break.

Highlights of 2018[edit]

This year was full of awards. Spring semester 2018, we awarded the Sally Sommer Flynn Scholarship to Mackenzie Jones '18. We also won an Order of Omega award from Panhellenic on campus. We threw a philanthropy event in coordination with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the spring semester and raised over $800. In the fall semester 2018, we threw 2 philanthropy events, Kappa Kappa Guacamole and Kappacino for Reading is Fundamental. We also participated in the Day of the Girl with our Panhellenic council members to create sheet signs to bring awareness to sexual assault and harassment.

Highlights of 2020[edit]

Spring initiation was held virtually last school year. DePauw was sent home before Spring break, so the Iota chapter had to initiate our 22 new members virtually. This initiation included our entire new member class, as well as our marshal, new member chair, and president. This initiation was planned by ritual advisors. Fall recruitment was held virtually over zoom this year. Our chapter received one new member from fall recruitment. She was initiated virtually with our new member chair, president, and marshal. Two other Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters participated in the initiation, as well as our ritual specialist. Our bid night celebration, big little reveal, and blue and blue dinner were combined into one evening. We celebrated on our porch following COVID-19 guidelines. We dressed up and decorated the porch to welcome our newly initiated member! Our chapter has also continued to contribute to our philanthropy during this pandemic. We collected children’s books and wrote short letters in them. We distributed these books to a local elementary school in Greencastle, Indiana. We have continued to have chapters every Monday, but all of our chapter meetings have been virtual. This includes formal chapters. We have been asking members to wear formal clothes and have cameras on during formal chapters, as we have continued to include ritual in these meetings. We have also continued to have CC meetings every Sunday evening, but these are also virtual.

Chapter Philanthropy. What organization does the chapter support? This chapter supports reading is fundamental.

Why did the chapter choose this organization? Reading is fundamental helps kids discover the joy of reading and books. Twenty-five million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently. Without a strong start, children will fall behind in school, struggle to graduate and cannot thrive as members of the workforce. Kappas want to make a difference and set children on a path of growth and opportunity.


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We have a multicultural chair and an education chair at Iota. These positions have incorporated many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into our programming chapters this year. We have had a programming chapter on being an ally. This programming chapter focused on how to be an ally and was led by our multicultural chair and education chair. We have also had a programming chapter on understanding microaggressions. This programming chapter focused on understanding white privilege, tokenism, and microaggressions. This discussion was led by our multicultural chair, along with several sophomores. It was excellent to see the youngest members of our house leading a programming chapter on DEI.

Sesquicentennial Celebration How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary? Share what you have done this year. We celebrated during an informal chapter on the week of Kappa’s 150th anniversary. This was a virtual event. Our education chair read about Kappa history and members of CC participated in reading poems or other readings. Our education chair also shared photos from Iota chapter history. These pictures were of women in the Iota chapter and many were taken in rooms or throughout the house.

Photographs Are there any interesting photos from this year to share? e.g., screenshots of virtual meetings, pictures of chapter events that followed all public health guidelines (mask wearing, physical distancing, etc), pictures of masks, drive-thru bid days, etc. 1st photo: A picture of our KKG masks given to all chapter members by alumni. 2nd photo: A picture of a panhellenic philanthropy event. Members from each panhellenic chapter joined a zoom call to celebrate halloween with elementary school students. 3rd photo: A picture that was shared with the chapter in celebration of kappas 150th anniversary. 4th photo: Socially distant and mask wearing pumpkin painting sisterhood event.

DePauw 1
DePauw 2
DePauw 3
DePauw 4

Highlights of 2021[edit]

We started off this year with virtual recruitment, leading to the eventual initiation of fifteen new members. Following the process of recruitment, we were able to organize a fun virtual bid night for all of the new members involving trivia and bonding games where new members and active members were able to get to know each other better. We were able to hold a virtual initiation as well and a virtual pinning ceremony. As the year progressed, we were also able to have a couple of philanthropy events, which included donating dog toys to the local animal shelter, signing and then donating books to the local elementary school, and completing individual acts of service in the winter as well as having a fundraising event in the fall where we had games, food, and a dunk tank. We also awarded the Sally Summer Flynn award to a member of the 2021 senior class that the chapter voted on as a whole. As for goals that the chapter had, one main goal was to resume in-person chapter and committee meetings as well as have the opportunity to have an in-person recruitment and initiation process. We have been able to start having in-person chapter and committee meetings and we plan to have an in-person recruitment and initiation process in the spring.

Chapter Philanthropy Our philanthropy supports the organization of Mental Health Alliance. We support this organization because we felt it was very applicable and relevant in the everyday life of our members and was most strongly favored when voting on which philanthropy our chapter wanted to support. At the beginning of the fall semester we held a fundraising event to raise money for our organization in which we had food, games, and allowed students on campus to dunk our members in a dunk tank for donations.

We included diversity, equity, and inclusion in our chapter programming by having special guests come to talk during programming chapters on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also held virtual meetings where we watched educational films surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion and afterward held a discussion to debrief the film.

During the pandemic, we held virtual recruitment and initiation over zoom. We did recruitment like usual with bump groups and one-on-one conversation with PNMs using break out rooms. We also had virtual chapter and committee meetings until this fall semester when we resumed in-person meetings. We also had virtual activity nights and general chapter meetings to help reconnect with members not on campus or members not living in the house as social gatherings in the house were not permitted at the time.

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