Difference between pages "Mu" and "Gamma Mu"

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{{Infobox Fraternity
 
{{Infobox Fraternity
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|Name= Mu
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|Name= Gamma Mu
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|GreekSymbol= M
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|GreekSymbol= ΓM
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|Image= [[File:Mu.jpg|200px]]
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|Image= [[File:Gamma_Mu.jpg|200px]]
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1878|01|02}}
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|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1924|06|07}}
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|College= [http://www.butler.edu/ Butler University]
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|College= [https://oregonstate.edu/ Oregon State University]
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|Location= Indianapolis, IN
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|Location= Corvallis, OR
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|Homepage= [http://chapters.kappakappagamma.org/mu/ Mu Website]
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|Homepage= [https://oregonstate.kappa.org/ Gamma Mu Homepage]
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|Media= [http://wiki.kappakappagamma.org/index.php?title=Category:Mu Media related to Mu Chapter]
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|Media= [https://wiki.kkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Mu Media related to Gamma Mu Chapter]}}
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}}
 
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'''Butler University established in 1855, Indianapolis, Indiana'''
 
  
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----
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'''Oregon State University (formerly Oregon State Agricultural College) established in 1868 in
 +
Corvallis, Oregon'''
  
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'''Founded January 2, 1878'''
 
  
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'''Gamma Mu founded June 7, 1924'''
  
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'''2,878 initiates as of August 2018'''
 
  
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'''2,479 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
  
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'''Charter Members: '''
 
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Flora E. Frazier, Louise Landers, Letitia Laughlin, Jeanette Teeter, Minnie Tresslar
 
  
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------------------------------------------------
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------------------------
  
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'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''  
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'''Charter Members:'''
  
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Louise Arnold, Enid Beal, Flossie Mae Blackburn, Ruth Cleland, Edna Belle Cobbledick, Wava Farley, Ida Granbreg, Cleda Hilderbrand, Frances Jones, Ann H. Karlson, Dolores Kelsey, Doris Elnor Lake, Helen Leonard, Ruth Lyon, Jessie McDonald, Vida McKern, Marie McNair, Helen Edythe Miller, Thelma Jean Miller, Edna Morback, Ruth Price, Mary May Swarm, Eleanor Thomas, Irma Van Hollebeke, Mildred Wallace, Kathryn Wightman, Zelia Zigler.
  
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'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
 
  
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Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, 1958
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'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
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Susan McGinty Riches, Director of Alumnae 1998-2000
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'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
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Gladys Miller, 1956, Author, consultant, educator and editor in home building and interior design;
 +
 
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Zelma Reed Long, 1996, Winemaking expert, CEO of Simi Winery;
 +
 
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Dr. Carrie Case Worcester, 1996, Director of neonatal intensive care at Children’s Hospital, Orange County, Calif.;
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Lou Seibert Pappas, 1998; writer and pioneer in the field of cooking
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Mary Carlin Yates, 2002, U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Burundi;
 +
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Ruth Shellhorn Kueser, 2006, Architect, urban planning expert (First received the award in 1960)
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 +
 
 +
-----------------------------
 +
 
 +
==The Early Years  (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)==
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At the end of World War I when servicemen returned to Oregon State University, Corvallis, in the heart of Willamette Valley, there was a major housing problem.
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Small groups of men and women were encouraged to organize. One such group of coeds, living in Waldo Hall, carefully studied Baird’s Manual and Banta’s Greek Exchange. They decided to work toward the goal of becoming a Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter, regardless of the time and effort required. They pledged themselves to accept no other affiliation if Kappa did not accept them.
 +
It was in 1917 that this group took the name Gamma Iota. Gamma for the Gamma of the Fraternity and Iota for Iota Province, the province in which Oregon State was located.
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Lorna Collamore Jessup, who gave the fledgling group her wisdom, enthusiasm, and help, found a house for them to rent at 530 NW 11th Street. They floored the attic, which was then filled with two rows of cots to be a dormitory for 20 girls.
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==Highlights of the 1920s==
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Gamma Iota members were especially active in debate, music, and dancing. From the beginning, emphasis was on scholarship and character. On Homecoming Weekend in 1921, when the big football game between Oregon Agricultural College and the University of Washington was played, the group hosted visiting Kappas and alumnae. The house was in perfect order, the girls gracious and poised, and the guests impressed. They wondered how this small group in a modest house could carry out an extensive program of after-game courtesies, dinner, overnight guests and breakfast without flurry or confusion. The answer was that the members of Gamma Iota were making every effort to show the visitors how hard they were working toward their goal of receiving a Kappa charter.
  
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The petition was presented to the Fraternity in March of 1924 and, in June of that same year, word came that Gamma Iota would become Gamma Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma!  F. Marie Leghorn, Washington, was the installing officer and Oregon, the installing chapter. Twenty-seven charter members were initiated.
  
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In 1922, the College Committee on Student Housing approved plans for Gamma Iota to purchase a $24,459 house, using $1,000 the girls saved as a down payment. It took courage to sign on the dotted line. The group moved from the 11th Street house in 1923 to 242 NW 10th Street. This house was in use at the time the charter was acquired and remained the Kappa house until 1935 when the “Castle” was purchased. Often renovated, it is still the house today.
  
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'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
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This particular house was financed entirely by the fraternity of Tau Delta and was ready for occupancy by fall term of 1928. The house was truly a castle to the men, and virtue they emphasized in their petition to the national fraternity Chi Phi in 1929. Designed by the Portland architectural firm of Thomas and Mercer, and constructed by Portland contractors Hanson and Hammond, it is one of the largest and most impressive Greek living group houses in the college neighborhood. It was constructed at a cost of $45,000 and accommodated 40 men.
  
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Anne Howell Clarke, 1998; Marathon runner, fitness instructor
 
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Nancy Ostrander, 1980; Foreign-service diplomat
 
  
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==Highlights of the 1930s==
  
 +
In March of 1931, Tau Delta became the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Phi fraternity, but the group only lived in this house through the 1934–35 school year. The following year, the house was turned over to Kappa Kappa Gamma.
  
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'''Additional Outstanding Mu Alumnae:'''
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The Kappa Kastle is one of the finest examples of the Tudor style for fraternity houses in Corvallis. It has changed very little since it was first built; the most noticeable changes are in the mature landscape that surrounds the house. The house maintains very high integrity and is a prominent landmark in architecture in the immediate neighborhood. Its association with the prominent architectural firm and Thomas and Mercer adds to its significance.
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Amanda Lantz, Leadership Consultant 2001-2002;
 
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Emily Fetcho Barclay, Leadership  Consultant 2010-2011 and Province Director of Chapters-Kappa Central 2015-2016
 
  
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==The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870 to 1976)==
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In the chapter’s selection of Mrs. George Leekley as House Director in the fall of 1938, the House Board demonstrated remarkable insight for she stayed for 14 rewarding years. Her name became synonymous with good taste and graciousness. Her warmth and competence seemed to personify Kappa ideals to everyone who entered the Kappa Castle. Her hallmark of perfection showed in the lovely teas and the “touch-of-home trimmings” for holiday dinners. She was always compassionate and knew the perfect time for a treat of hot cocoa,. With the help of finance advisers Fern McCroskey Price, Peggy Mulligan Blackledge and Mrs. Leekley’s wise management, the mortgage was ceremoniously burned on March 23, 1944.
  
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"An excellent chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been started here...They have the best wishes of the students..." So Mu Chapter was introduced to the world in the "Irvington Items" of the ''Indianapolis Journal'', Saturday, January 12, 1878.
 
  
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On January 2, Lillie Adams (Telfer) and Kate Hight came from Delta, Indiana University, to conduct the initiation at the home of Louise Landers (Neff), charter member of Mu. The initiates were students at Butler, then in Irvington, five miles east of downtown Indianapolis. The college had been in this "beautiful and healthful suburb" only three years. From the start this Kappa chapter was attached to a school which would continue to move and build new buildings as enrollment increased.
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==Highlights of 1940s and 1950s==
  
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Northwestern Christian University was granted a charter by the Indiana State legislature in 1850, the first to admit men and women of all races, with students permitted to choose their courses. By 1877, the student body had grown from 113 to 345, the town of Irvington had offered inducements of land and money, and building was begun. The name was changed to Butler University, honoring Ovid Butler, benefactor.  
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War risk insurance was discussed during the early months of World War II, and desserts replaced dinners during Membership Recruitment. Elaine Kollins Sewell (Jones) and a Gamma Phi Beta friend co-edited a newsletter for all Oregon State servicemen.
  
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After World War I enrollment again increased and expansion was in order. Fairview Park was purchased in 1923 and classes opened in 1928 with an enrollment of 1500. In 1974 the official enrollment was 4363; the faculty, 275. About 1600 students live on campus in seven sorority houses, eight fraternity houses, and a men's and women's residence hall.  
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The Kappas won second place in the 1947 homecoming contest with the theme “Reunion After Tokyo,” which treated all the years to follow as post-war years.
  
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Mu gave the Fraternity two presidents, Tade Hartsuff (Kuhns) and Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, and Mu members, ardent supporters of Kappa policies, have been campus leaders in scholarship and activities.  
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The Kappas were the first chapter at Oregon State to install a dishwasher when the outdated kitchen was remodeled in 1950. The dining room’s capacity was increased to 90, and Mrs. Leekley’s suite was improved.
  
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Important in the lives of students in 1878 were the literary societies which studied the "arts of conversation, debating, and oratory." Mu meetings included literary programs and were held in members' homes or in dormitory rooms. Travel to meetings was by mule car and by foot, later by electric car.  
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A “appreciation” reception was given for Mrs. Leekley in 1953. A check was presented to her, and a fund for small emergency loans to individuals was set aside and named for her.
  
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In 1878 Tade Hartsuff (Kuhns) became the seventh initiate of Mu. When the 1881 Kappa Convention was held in Bloomington, Indiana, Mu was one of the nine chapters represented of the 17 then organized. ''The Golden Key'' later stated, "Tade Hartsuff...rose and presented the plan of the Grand Council. Debate ensued and the new scheme was adopted..." Tade had known that Phi Delta Theta had just changed to his form of government; she was anxious that Kappa be more efficient; she was prepared for discussion. It is not surprising that the vivacious Miss Hartsuff was elected the Fraternity's first grand president under the Grand Council System.
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The years 1940–1958 have been called Gamma Mu’s Golden Age. During those years, the chapter scholastically ranked first, seven times; second, five times; and third, four times. High grades were emphasized at banquets each term with presentation of awards and a cup honoring Blanche Hinman Smith, Syracuse, longtime Scholarship Adviser.
  
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Mu was also prepared to propose a Fraternity publication at the convention and Lou Landers (Neff) made the motion that a magazine be called ''The Golden Key''. She is listed as a member of the first staff.
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Carrie Case (Dully), Zelma Reed (Long) and Nancy Austin (McCoy) were scholastically the top three women in the 1965 graduating class. All three were Mortar Board; Zelma was chapter President; Nancy was president of AWS; and Carrie was the only coed ever to win both the coveted Chi Omega and Drusilla Shepard awards. To recognize this trio, the alumnae tapped them for “Hoo’s Hoo” and presented them with scrolls, sterling silver owl charms, and owl glasses. These members sound exceptional, yet the whole chapter was of similar caliber, sharing honors such as Mortar Board, Girls of Achievement, student leaders, scholars, fraternity sweethearts and Homecoming attendants.
  
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Tade Hartsuff, at 23, was reelected grand president in 1882. In 1884 ''The Golden Key'' reported, "Honor to our first president...as a wise and active rule." Eight chapters had been added and division into three provinces made during her term of office.
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Busy Kappas always find time for fun … whether at a Friday afternoon exchange or a solemn initiation ceremony. Black paint, applied to the big engine at Avery Park, good food, and helping hands turned a service project into a date dinner. The chapter maintained a “Rush Closet” … a small room where members could leave outdated clothes. Before a house dance with a “Fifties” theme, eager girls rummaged through it, asking with a laugh, “Did they really wear these?”
  
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Bona Thompson, an 1897 graduate, died in 1899 of typhoid fever, and in 1901 her parents donated funds for a library in Bona's memory. This library was a meeting and studying spot during all the Irvington years. It is now one of the Headquarters buildings of the Christian Church of Disciples of Christ and the United Christian Missionary Society.
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One time a love letter was found from one of the long-gone Kappas to her swain. The contents of the closet were a longtime source of delight and were used to dress up for a rushing skit, a scholarship dinner, or even a special date.
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--------------------------------
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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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Jennie Armstrong Howe, an 1889 graduate, organized a Kappa alumnae club in Berlin, Germany. Her Butler professor husband, Dr. Thomas Carr Howe, was the university's president from 1907 to 1920. Their daughter Charlotte Howe, also of Mu, is a retired member of the Bryn Mawr College faculty.
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==Highlights of the 1970s==
  
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In 1917, college men left for service and college women worked for the Red Cross and collected tin foil. Two war bonds bought with Mu foil became an investment which paid for the first rent on the chapter house.
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The chapter celebrated its golden anniversary on October 5, 1974, with a luncheon and program. Nine of the original 27 members appeared for a picture, and two others arrived too late. More than 900 Gamma Mus of the 1,100 initiated members were still living then. Mary Lou McKay Green was chairman and Heloise Lee Stewart was toastmistress. Charter members sat at the head table. Gladys Miller spoke of Gamma Iota’s origin and presented the original petition to the chapter for its archives. Jessie McDonald Acklen, first chapter President, read from the Gamma Mu history, revealing the emotion of the day Gamma Mu was chartered. Fashions from 1924 to 1974 were modeled with Eleanor Francis Fouch as commentator. Special honor awards were presented to Peggy Mulligan Blackledge, Fern McCroskey Price, Mary Kollins Reed, and Irene Hazlett Saling for their long service to the chapter.
  
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==Highlights of the 1920s==
 
  
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Until 1921, there was a university ban on organizational housing. The chapter longed for its own quarters, and quick action was taken when the ban was lifted. A house was rented, a house association formed and incorporated in November of 1921.
 
  
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Two groups, the Kappa Mothers Club, organized in 1921, and Mu Club, have made important contributions to the chapter. Mu chapter has drawn the majority of its members from Indianapolis, and members have been able to serve both the alumnae association and the chapter.
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==Highlights of the 1980s:==
  
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On March 11, 1925, the first issue of ''Mu Murmers'' appeared. Honored by the Fraternity, ''Mu Murmers'' was given a first place award in 1962, and in 1970, honorable mention, for chapter publications. The mailing list for the fiftieth issue, in 1975, was about 1200 alumnae.  
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Gamma Mu was very involved on campus and in the Greek system, holding many offices and winning many awards.
  
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Chapter finance was of the utmost importance during the 1920s and budgets were studied and formed. In 1928 Elizabeth Bogert Schofield became Fraternity chairman of budgeting and bookkeeping. It might be said that her Kappa career started when she was named delegate to the 1910 Convention "because she was going anyway." She was president of Delta Province in 1915, Indianapolis alumnae president in 1919, became the third president of the house association in 1923, held the office for 25 years, and was also finance adviser to the chapter. She was director of provinces from 1938 to 1940, and, at her 16th convention, in Sun Valley, she was elected Fraternity president. At the 1942 Convention she was reelected. Four chapters were added during her administration, which also had been concerned with Service Women's Centers and the Nora Waln Fund to aid refugee children.  
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A new tradition was started in the late 1980s of developing a chapter goal and motto for each year. Gamma Mu also changed their initiation G.P.A. requirement from a 2.0 to a 2.25 to strengthen their emphasis on scholarship. The chapter also worked to achieve more unity within the house, to be more active on campus, and to improve their relationships within the Greek system. In the fall of 1988, Gamma Mu organized an alcohol awareness workshop for the Greek system. One member won the Miss OSU pageant, and another won Greek Woman of the Year.  
  
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In 1923, the student body at Butler had been taken across town by streetcar to view the intended campus at Fairview. May Day was celebrated there in 1926 and ground was broken for the Administration Building. In April of 1927, a lot was chosen by Mu for a new house and first payment made by the chapter from the savings fund. The old house corporation was dissolved and reincorporated as Mu Chapter Foundation of Kappa Kappa Gamma (November of 1929), and 15 board members were elected. On January 2, 1930, the 52nd anniversary of Mu's founding, ground was broken for the English Tudor chapter house at 821 West Hampton Drive, the first house on the new campus. The chapter was ready for its next 50 years. On May 5, 1948, a mortgage burning ceremony was held to celebrate the last payment on the mortgage contracted for in 1929.  
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Several members of the chapter enjoyed attending the 1987 Pi Province Meeting hosted by Pi chapter at the University of California – Berkeley. A highlight was a ritual workshop presented by Fraternity Ritualist Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, and the Candlelight Banquet. Gamma Mu received the Outstanding Chapter Program award for the second consecutive time. At the 1989 Pi Province Meeting, Gamma Mu received an Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Communications.
  
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==Highlights of the 1950s==
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An unusual program for the Greek system in 1988 was the “Swap-a-Sis” where girls from each sorority would go live in a different house for a week. The chapter also saved one weekend each term for a house retreat to focus on being good sisters and improving unity.
  
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Butler's expansion continued. A men's and a women's residence were built in 1951 and 1955. All prior housing had been provided by the organized groups or from rented rooms. By that time more than a third of the student body was coming from outside the state, a third from the state, less than a third from the area.
 
  
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Mu chapter found it would have to do some building too. After some inside remodeling, the university president was interviewed, visits were made to other houses, and finally the house board authorized the procuring of pans, and eventually estimates and a loan. By November of 1966, the addition was ready with 17 new bedrooms, new dining room, kitchen and pantry areas, house mother's suite, new heating system, and other accommodations.  
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'''Housing:'''
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In 1983, the chapter welcomed a new House Director. Gamma Mu was busy fundraising to pay for a new roof that was put on the “Kappa Kastle” chapter house in 1987. Rooms were repainted and the TV room furniture was repaired and recovered. The House Board successfully encouraged contributions to the chapter by holding a drawing for gifts in three categories. Alumnae were able to use the chapter house for class reunions during the summers.
  
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Mu alumnae remember the traditions of their own eras. The pledge stunt and senior breakfast of the 1920s have given away to the pledge walkout and the senior banquet. "Geneva Stunts" ant the Spring sing (YWCA sponsored) still inspire Kappa talents. Many remember the Christmas "Orphans Party."
 
  
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There are cherished stories: the "solid gold keys" telegram sent to Beth Schofield performing in her 50th Civic Theater play, The Solid Gold Cadillac. The telegram she received read, "The girls with the solid gold teeth send love to Beth and the solid gold Cadillac." Later she admitted, "I couldn't quite figure it out." (There had been an error in transcription.)
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'''Philanthropy:'''
  
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Another story concerns a certain pledge class that didn't like the hard antique sofa in the upstairs hall so took it to the basement. The group was reproved, the sofa returned, and in 1952 it was presented to Headquarters. It had belonged to Tade Hartsuff Kuhns!
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Gamma Mu hosted a Balloon Derby as a fundraising event for the Oregon Lung Association. They also competed in the Sigma Chi Derby Days, and earned money for the United Way. Another project was to carve Halloween pumpkins for a local retirement center. Money was raised for the Y-Round Table children and Christmas gifts were given to them. Following the earthquake in San Francisco, the chapter sent money to Kappas in that area that needed help. In the spring of 1989, Gamma Mu participated in a community-wide service project of building a children’s park by providing meals for workers during their breaks.
  
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==Highlights of the 1960s==
 
  
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Beth Schofield organized a group of Mu alumnae who chartered a bus to go see Headquarters. On the way to Columbus they stopped for lunch. Headquarters surprised the visitors with a beautifully laid table. Lunch was enjoyed for a second time and no one ever knew.
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'''Convention Awards:'''
  
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Mu is proud of a long list of individual and chapter honors. There are at least three Panhellenic Scholarship Cups that have been retired after three successive years of top rank. Mu was the first to receive the prestigious Westermann Efficiency Award in 1926.
 
  
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Special badges are chapter awards: Lou Landers Neff's key, garnet set, was given by Tade Hartsuff Kuhns, and is awarded for top scholarship. The garnet set key of Jeanette Teeter Ritter, another founder, is worn by the chapter president. The True Blue (junior) award key belonged to Cora Smith, an 1879 initiate. To honor Jennie Armstrong Howe, the house board purchased a sapphire key for the first vice president; the pearl and diamond key of Laurena McComb Fox, 1925 initiate who died while living in China, was presented by her parents, and goes to the "outstanding" pledge. The key of Marguerite Hubbard Coffee, initiated in 1908, was given by her family, and is worn by the house chairman.
 
  
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In 1964, the Mu Advisory Board received first place recognition at convention and in 1966, Mu Advisory Board offered owl bookends to the chapter whose advisory board receives the award. This "traveling" gift was given in the name of Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, first adviser to Mu Chapter.
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==Highlights of the 1990s==
  
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The chapter and the Fraternity were saddened in April of 1962 by Beth Schofield's death. Following her terms as president she had received the Loyalty Award (1958) and was Fraternity ritualist. Between 1908 and 1960 she had attended 25 General Kappa conventions. Interest on a special fund is given as a scholarship in her name to a Mu senior who has shown exceptional service and loyalty to the chapter.
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Gamma Mu chapter continued to be active in campus and community activities and events during this period. They had members in honoraries Panhellenic executive council, ASOSU student government, MUPC student event planning council, Rush Counselors, and volunteer work for local schools and children’s organizations. They also improved the chapter’s GPA, and worked to meet the requirements for the Challenge to Excellence.
  
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This recounting of highlights of almost 100 years has been a familiar journey. Each person and event holds a special importance in Mu's history for each member of the chapter.
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At the 1991 Pi Province Meeting held in Eugene, Gamma Mu received the Outstanding Chapter Award. The chapter continued to participate in the Greek system’s Swap-a-Sis program where sororities exchange several members for a week. The chapter members were very involved in campus activities ranging from student government to sports. Other traditional chapter events were the Dad’s Weekend during winter term, and Mom’s Weekend in the spring that included a fashion show.  
  
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==Highlights of 2012==
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Scholarship became a focus to increase the chapter’s G.P.A. The chapter received the Greek system’s Sorority of the Year award in both 1996 and 1999. Gamma Mu hosted the Pi Province Meeting in 1999.
  
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The spring semester of 2012 started off with the addition of 40 new members.  Initiation was held at the end of February, marking the official addition of 40 new Kappas for Mu Chapter.  Soon after, the new member formal was held. It took place in downtown Indianapolis and was a lot of fun for everyone! The theme, which was chosen by the new pledge class, was Superheroes.  In accordance with the theme, each Kappa and their dates dressed up as Superheros.  People got really creative with the theme and some dressed up as "Kappa Superheros."  "Freshmen Skits" provided a great opportunity for the new members to bond and get to know each other better. 
 
  
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Last year's theme was "Greek Olympics." The new members worked really hard on the skits, and made a lot of memories while practicing.  Another opportunity to compete with the other greek houses arose with Spring Sing.  Last year Kappa was paired with Sigma Chi, and won the Spirit Award. Spring Sports Spectacular, a 24 hour athletic event to benefit Special Olympics, was held in the spring of 2012.
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'''Housing:'''
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The Gamma Mu chapter room was redecorated with new carpeting, wallpaper, paint, tables and lamps, and new upholstery. The second floor study rooms were also repainted, and a second sleeping porch was added. Alumnae class reunions held in the Kappa Kastle continued to be popular.
  
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All the members had a great time competing in the events such as ping pong, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and many more.  The Walk Against Domestic Violence was held in the spring; Kappa teamed up with Alpha Chi Omega to raise money and awareness for a good cause (Julian Center and Coburn Place - both centers for battered women and children).  Other events in the Spring of 2012 that Kappas participated in included, Dance Marathon (to benefit Riley Children's Hospital, where we won an award for the most attendees from our chapter), Relay for Life, SNUperbowl (where we won 1st place), and Polar Bear Plunge. 
 
  
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Everyone looked forward to their return to Butler (and to Kappa) in the Fall of 2012.  Spirits were high, making it a great atmosphere to head up our biggest philanthropy event, Kappa Kickoff.  We raised a record amount of money for Coburn place, one of our local philanthropies, and had a fantastic turnout.  We had fraternities participate in our lip syncs, and they were a huge success. The boys held nothing back as they sang and danced for the judges, with Delta Tau Delta winning the first place title. Homecoming 2012 was a fun event for Kappa.  We were paired with Delta Tau Delta and had Mouse Trap as our theme.  We had a great time working with the fraternity and being creative as we made a lifesize game board of Mouse Trap in our front yard.  Overall, 2012 was a wonderful year for Kappa Kappa Gamma's Mu Chapter, and it will be one that we all remember. As for challenges, Mu Chapter did encounter some challenges.  Among these was the issue of knowing Kappa ritual.  We have worked on that by going over ritual at formal chapters and it has helped the issue significantly. 
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'''Philanthropy:'''
  
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'''Campus:''' Butler University was founded in 1855 and continues to serve as a wonderful liberal arts institution. Butler offers more than 65 majors. Over the past five years, Butler's graduates have had an average 96 percent job placement rate, with 100 percent in education and pharmacy. The campus is home to approximately 4,771 students, many of whom are working towards completing an undergraduate degree. The majority of Butler students are white Caucasian. Butler represents 49 countries and 45 states. With over 150 organizations, many of Butler's students are involved on campus. Roughly 33% of the students are affiliated with a Greek organization, which includes 7 sororities and 6 fraternities.
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A Balloon Derby philanthropy continued in this decade as a means to raise money. The annual Kappa Kristmas party continued to benefit a local children’s organization. In 1999, the chapter held a Kappa Klassic golf tournament as a fundraiser. The tradition of Halloween pumpkin carving with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club continued. For another philanthropy project, the chapter invited three local retirement centers to the chapter house to share Thanksgiving dinner.
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Convention Awards:
  
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'''Chapter:''' Mu Chapter welcomed 40 new members in February, and is now thriving with 163 members.  Although many women call Indiana their home state, there are a variety of other states represented: Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. The diversity of the house is represented through our fields of studies and passions, ranging from pharmacy to dance. Along with these respective majors, many Mu Kappas are involved in a variety of other activities outside of Greek life, such as Butler University Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, Academic and Business Fraternities, and Student Government.  Mu members also participate in a number of athletic programs, including swimming, soccer, lacrosse, dance team and cheerleading.  We are well represented throughout campus and are proud of the many achievements of our members.
 
  
  
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==Highlights of 2013==
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==Highlights of 2000-2010==
  
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The spring semester of 2013 began with the addition of 56 new members. Several events transpired during their time as new members. Freshman Skits provided a wonderful opportunity for the new pledge class to bond and work together. Last years theme was Once Upon a Time at Butler. The new pledge class used their creative minds to develop a theme, which consisted of a mix between The Bachelor and the Disney Princesses. The event was fun-filled and allowed active members to show their pride for the new pledge class. The next big event was the spring formal. The theme, picked by the new members, was Sapphire Ball. All Kappas dressed in different shades of blue and the dates dressed in formal attire. Celebrating our wonderful sorority and dancing the night away was a great way to start off the semester.  
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(Information from chapter’s History Report: 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.:)
  
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The new members were initiated on March 2nd, which made for the official inclusion of 56 new members for the Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Staying up all night playing sports to raise money for the Special Olympics was another huge event, named Spring Sports. Kappas competed in several activities including tug of war, swimming, and flag football. The Walk Against Domestic Violence was also held in the spring semester. Kappa teamed with a fellow sorority on campus, Alpha Chi Omega, and made a lap around campus to raise awareness and money for domestic violence and for two outstanding philanthropies Coburn Place and Julian Center.
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'''Housing:'''
  
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Kappas also threw an even entitled Kool off with Kappa in which we sold snow cones and raised around five hundred dollars for Coburn Place. Other events that transpired during the spring semester were Dance Marathon (for Riley Children’s Hospital), Relay for Life, and Polar Bear Plunge. After the excitement of the spring semester, everyone was excited to return to campus, particularly the Kappa Kastle, for the fall semester of 2012. Back and ready for some fun, everyone was ecstatic to throw Kappa Klassic (renamed from Kappa Kickoff). During this event, fraternities and sororities came to Kappa to enjoy delicious cookout themed foods, kickball, and lip-syncs. The crowd was wild and the gentleman of Delta Tau Delta claimed the first place trophy in lip syncs. The highlight of this event was the announcement that we had raised a record breaking fourteen thousand dollars for Coburn Place!
 
  
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Our last major philanthropy event, Kappaccino, transpired in the fall with the coming of the cooler weather. Kappas sold different flavored coffees to raise money for our national philanthropy Reading is Fundamental. Homecoming 2012 was another success. Kappa was paired with the freshmen class members living in Schwitzer Hall and Ross Hall. The excitement of the freshmen made for a thrilling experience. Last year, the theme was Books Turned into Movies. We chose the movie The Wizard of Oz. We spent a late night decorating our yard and transforming it into the Land of Oz. We also performed an excellent Oz-themed skit for the annual “Yell Like Hell” and clenched first place in both the skit and lawn decorations! Overall, Kappa placed second among the paired sorority and fraternity pairs! We were beyond proud of our efforts in homecoming and were thrilled to bond with the new freshmen class. At the end of the semester, we were excited to find out that we had improved in our grades and earned the Highest GPA on campus. Overall, 2013 was a spectacular year!
 
  
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'''Campus:'''
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'''Philanthropy:'''
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Butler University was founded in 1855 and continues to serve as a respected liberal arts institution. The 290-acre campus contains 31 buildings and offers a variety of 60 degrees. Butler is home to approximately 4,771 students, most of whom are working towards an undergraduate degree. The majority of the students are white Caucasian, but the minority population is about 7%. Butler offers over 100 organizations for students to be involved in and many students choose to be involved in these organizations.  Approximately 35% of students choose to be affiliated with Greek houses, which include 6 fraternities and 7 sororities.
 
  
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'''Chapter:'''
 
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Mu chapter welcomes 56 new members, and is now thriving with 180 members. Many members call Indiana their home, but many states are represented through our members including New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and many others. Exemplifying our diversity, our members’ majors range from Pharmacy to dance. Along with these majors, the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma also participate in many activities outside of Greek life such as Butler University Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, academic and business fraternities, and student government. Members also participate in a number of athletic activities including lacrosse, softball, and cheerleading. Mu chapter is well represented throughout campus and we take pride in the accomplishments of our new members.
 
  
  
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==Highlights of 2014==
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'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
  
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The women of Mu at Butler University, had a wonderful year in 2014. Mu welcomed 50 new members into Kappa and could not be more excited! The new members were able to bond over Freshmen skits (a dance competition between Greek Houses), Spring Sports Spectacular, and their first philanthropy event, Kappaccino, during their first two months before being initiated on March 28th!
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2002 – Recruitment Honorable Mention
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Philanthropy Honorable Mention
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Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention
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2004 – Chapter/Advisory Board Relations Award
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2006 – Standards Honorable Mention
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Panhellenic Honorable Mention
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Greatest Improvement Honorable Mention
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2008 – Sally Moore Nitschke Lifelong Education Honorable Mention
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Recruitment Award
  
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In the fall Mu Kappa kicked off a wonderful semester and hosted "Kappa Kickoff" a backyard barbeque style event where the other Greek Houses compete in a kickball tournament and then there are lipsyncs after, the women of Mu raised money for Coburn Place. Kappas had their fall semi formal in which the theme was "Beauty and the Geek." The women dressed in as beauties in dresses and their dates in geek or nerd costumes! We were able to welcome a new philanthropy event to campus called, Kappa Harvest. This was our fall philanthropy where we sold three different types of pie and hot or cold cider. This event received great response from campus and it was a fun way to get excited for fall time!
 
  
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Homecoming at Butler was a magical and fun time for Kappa, who took home most of the fun filled week's victories. The week is full of competitions such as Yell Like Hell, Lawn Decs, and Homecoming King & Queen. Mu won overall for homecoming events and were thrilled! Our members are involved in so many ways around campus outside of Kappa. Members take part in leadership positions for clubs and organizations such as CHAARG, Answers for Autism, BAMA, Butler University Dance Marathon and many others. There are numerous women who play sports on campus such as tennis, lacrosse and club teams.
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==Highlights of 2011-2019:==
  
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The women of Mu take pride in our chapter's history and success. We have struggled in the past with ritual and being sure that guidelines for ritual are met. We are making a conscience effort to better our chapter's understanding of ritual and hoping that with practice and repetition we will continue to get better in the years to come. The women of Mu were able to achieve the top GPA on campus with a 3.522. Mu also raised over $14,000 for our three philanthropies, and won multiple events on campus such as Yell Like Hell and were the top fundraising sorority for Polar Plunge. At Province our chapter won Most Improved for Academics. Many ladies in Mu took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS awareness or helped by donating to the cause. The women of Mu look forward to more memories together and a brighter and even better 2015!
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(Information from chapter’s History Report: 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.:
  
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Our campus is growing in size and in infrastructure. The members of Mu are quick and adaptable to these outside changes and are ready to overcome any obstacle. Butler University is a private university and is small in size. There are about 4,800 students and growing! Butler offers over 100 clubs and organizations on campus to students. Butler is proud of its small size but big heart, in that the student body believes in a Community of Care, the responsibility to care for your fellow students and the university as a whole. The students at Butler are hardworking and receive a lot of guidance from professors and advisors. The job placement rate at Butler University is 96% or 100% for Education and Pharmacy.  
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==Highlights of 2012==
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The past year for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Gamma has been a busy one as usual. It is nice that a majority of our girls are involved in Kappas but also in a lot of other organizations in the community. It helps bring a lot of diversity and knowledge into the house.In winter 2012, we welcomed a new chapter council and that had a lot of goals. Hilary Drake and Maddie Kaufman made up or President and vice president of standards. Some of the goals that our chapter excelled in was incorporating carpooling to chapter meetings for the new members, enforcing our 5 hour per term community service requirement and changing our communication throughout the house to a blackboard page.  
  
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Mu holds its chapter meetings in our chapter owned home. We hold our chapter meetings in our basement or kitchen. Our house was built in the 1930s with some expansion work done in the 60s. The house is chapter owned and about 72 girls can live in the house. Mostly the new pledge class will live in the house with council members and other junior girls making up the rest of the live in members.
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One thing Gamma Mu continues to work on is achieving first in grades. While our overall GPA is higher than the all greek average, we are striving to achieve an overall GPA of 3.02. We are determined to make it happen and all the girls are motivated. Our VPAE has done a great job of creating study tables at the library for an allotted amount of time so girls in our chapter can get studying done in a productive environment. This past year we participated in a numerous philanthropies. Our chapters favorite philanthropy, Kappa Delta’s Mock rock, which occurred in March. While we did not place first in the competition, our house raised the most money for CARDV which is also the local organization we support as well. One fun sisterhood event we did on April 21st was an MS walk that our house participated in. It was meaningful for everyone because a girl in our chapter is dealing with that particular condition and I know it meant a lot to her to have us all support and walk for her. We also did a community service project last spring with Sigma Pi in which we did a park clean at Avery Park in corvallis. There were people who painted park benches, picked up trash and got rid of weeds on the walking path.We had philanthropies in spring and fall 2012.  
  
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Our spring term philanthropy, Kick it with Kappa, was brand new to our sorority. Even though it was our first year of the philanthropy it went very well. It consisted of a soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities on campus on Saturday as well as a 5K run on Sunday. We raised quite a bit of money for Center against rape and domestic violence (CARDV). In the fall, we held our Reading is Fundamental philanthropy and that was a success as well. We had a book drive as well as read children in our community. We rewarded the highest placing fraternities with an ice cream social, thanksgiving dinner, or christmas themed meal. This past fall term we also paired up with the corvallis Phi Gamma Delta chapter and helped walk dogs at the local humane society on Sundays. Every year Gamma Mu participates in the all-university sing competition between fraternities and sororities on campus which happens during Mom’s Weekend. We were paired with Theta Chi and received the theme of Beauty and the Beast. Each house worked extensively for months long working on their performances and working through the audition process. Although there were some bumps in the road, our chapter ended up coming in first place! Our house always takes participation in sing very seriously. The last time we had won first place was in spring 2010, in 2011 we got second and in 2012 received first again. A lot of the girls were happy to have the trophy back in its rightful home! During fall term we voted for our 2013 partners and we voted to do it with Phi Kappa Psi who are our neighbors which will be very convenient.
  
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==Highlights of 2015==
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Recruitment this year was also a success for Gamma Mu. For formal recruitment in the fall a lot of changes were made as far as the process of recruitment. They included a philanthropy day which is something that I know a lot of the girls enjoyed very much. Our PDC Amanda Ruffo also was with our chapter for the recruitment process and the girls in the house got to form a close relationship with her. Overall, we received 46 new members and initiated 44 of them! We were so excited to welcome a group of women who embraced Kappa and everything it stood for as well as a group determined to help our grow and thrive.
  
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Our chapter is still located at 14th and Van Buren making it very close to campus which is convenient for a lot of the girls in our house! The overall nature of our chapter is positive motivated. A lot of the girls in our chapter are working hard to not only make Kappas better but also the community that we live in better. Having a lot of motivated girls in the house also pushes other girls to get involved which is never a bad thing! One of the major things that happened on our campus in 2012 was that Oregon State University became a smoke free campus on September 1st. 
  
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The ladies of Mu had a wonderful year full of sisterhood, philanthropy, and scholarship in 2015. In January members welcomed 50 new sisters to the incredible sisterhood that Kappa has to offer. Mu continues to grow each year and the women could not be more excited. There were numerous women in the chapter who received 4.0 GPAs throughout 2015, and many others who received above a 3.75. We implemented a new system for tracking study hours on an app and that seems to be really benefiting our members, there is even a little prize for members with the most study hours during a month!
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Another big thing that happened in September was that a new University student success center opened on campus which serves OSU students with study rooms, tutoring as well as many other academic advantages. Oregon State also passed a bill in March of 2012 that is going to allow them to build a new residence hall that will open as early as 2014.
  
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The Mu chapter support a local safe haven for women called the Coburn Place. Normally the only way we have been involved with Coburn has been spreading awareness and raising money for them, however this year we were able to send a few members to Coburn Place to learn more and help out any way they could. We are hoping to be able to do more things like this with Coburn in years to come.
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==Highlights of 2013==
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In the Indianapolis community, Mu was able to be involved in collecting old cell phones for homeless people and other people who were trying to get back on their feet. Some of the members were able to go to Lucas Oil Stadium before a Colts game to help collect old cell phones and they had a blast volunteering!
 
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One goal Mu had for the semester was to try to get more members involved, not just in Kappa Kappa Gamma, but also in our community and on campus as a whole. We really focused on making sure we made a presence on campus throughout the year and it really paid off! The ladies of KKG at Butler did really well in all 2015 Homecoming activities including, decorating our lawn like the Flintstones, competing in a dance performance, and queen festivities! It was really fun to have all of our members participate and it really made a difference. We also saw a difference in attendance at philanthropy events for not only Kappa but also other sororities on campus which is awesome!
 
  
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The Mu chapter is located on Butler University’s campus in Indianapolis, Indiana and while the campus is generally small, it is growing! Our campus is making a lot of changes including, new parking garages, restaurants and even a new sophomore dorm. Although the construction is a lot to take in the ladies of Mu are very excited for how much Butler is growing.
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The past year was a very exciting one for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We have been expanding, growing, and becoming more involved with the community. Last Fall of 2012, one of our members became the Judicial chair for Panhellenic council. This was a huge success and really set off a great year for our chapter. In Winter 2013, we welcomed Kamelyn Bovinette and Alyssa Rollins as our President and Vice President of Standards. With the start of our new chapter council, we came up with a very effective list of goals to help bring our chapter together and work better as a whole. We want to increase our member involvement, encourage each other, and become more academically driven.  For the past few terms our chapter has been below the all sorority average. Gamma Mu wants to raise our overall GPA from a 2.93 to a 3.1. With the help of our VPAE, we have set up quiet hours for studying in the house and have reserved rooms in the library for midterms and finals. As a chapter we are determined to raise our GPA and all the girls are motivated.  
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As Butler is changing and growing, so is Mu chapter. We are growing with every new pledge class and it is extremely exciting, by 2016 we will have around 200 women in our organization. We have a lot of inner pledge class bonding but something unique about Mu is that all of our sisters mix and mingle regardless of pledge class which is something many of our members appreciate and love about our chapter. Even with a large number of women, we still find ways to include all members and truly enjoy the time we have with one another.  
 
  
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Chapter Philanthropy:
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Over this past year we participated in many philanthropies as well as community service projects. Kappa Delta’s Mock Rock was once again our chapters’ favorite, and this past year we won third place! Since their philanthropy supports CARDV, which is the local organization we raise money for as well, all the girls love to get very involved. Last winter and spring term, we teamed up with another fraternity, FIJI, and walked dogs at the local humane society. This was a great community service project because it benefited the animals and the girls! Along with the dog walking, we volunteered with Habitat for Humanity several times. The girls got to paint a few houses and help build the front patio. We also got to support Kappa at the University of Oregon in their philanthropy last winter.
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What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
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Our spring term philanthropy was Kick It With Kappa, and it was a huge success. We had a two-day soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities, as well as daily check-ins and activities. Our Kappa sisters from the University of Oregon came up to participate in the tournament and they tied for first place! We raised about $3,000 for Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV).
  
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The Mu chapter of KKG supports three organizations every year these include, Reading is Fundamental, The Kappa Foundation, and our local philanthropy the Coburn Place. Our members raise money and donate for each organization through different philanthropy events throughout the year. In 2015 Mu held Kappaccino, Kappa Kickoff, and Kappa Harvest for all of the students on campus. We sell different things like pie, apple cider, coffee, and grill food at these events. At Kickoff we host a kickball tournament against the fraternity houses on campus, which is always very fun. After the tournament there are lip syncs that the boys make up and perform!
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Every year Gamma Mu participates in the all-university sing competition during Mom’s Weekend. We chose to work with Phi Kappa Psi for the years show and got to perform songs from the band Styx. Phi Psi had only participated in Sing once before, but the coaches and members worked very hard over the long months. For the past three years Kappa has placed in the top two, and this past year was no different with a second place win! Our house always takes the competition very seriously and it shows in the final performance. This year we decided to partner with Lambda Chi Alpha, who we have previously won first place with. We have high hopes for this year’s performance and hope to bring the trophy back home!
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The members of Mu also volunteer time at The United Methodist church, this is where members read to kids and try to promote literacy at a young age. The kids are really fun and eager to have us come see them so our members have enjoyed this. We also have had members volunteer at Gleaners which is a food bank in downtown Indianapolis. For the past year we had members going to Gleaners a few times a month, or so.  
 
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Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
 
  
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Our chapter chose to support the Coburn Place because we value women supporting women. Our chapter is highly motivated in depending on one another and holding each other accountable and in many ways the Coburn Place helps teach women who were victims of really bad domestic violence, these values as well.
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Recruitment this year was also a success for Gamma Mu. Overall we received 48 girls and got to initiate 43 of them! We were thrilled to welcome a group of young women who were eager to learn what being a Kappa means and help us in our goals for involvement and growth.  
  
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We have also traditionally supported Gleaners because it is a large organization that contributes to a lot of people’s meals who cannot get one themselves. This is just another example of people helping people. These organizations value what Kappa values most, which is our sisterhood. The women truly love to support these organizations because these organizations love to support people in our community!
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Our chapter is still only two blocks from campus, which is convenient for a lot of the girls in our house! Oregon State just started their Freshman Experience campaign, which requires all freshmen to live on campus. Having the Chapter house so close to campus makes it easy for all the New Members in the dorms to come over. In light of this new change, OSU has started building a new dorm on campus, which hopes to open in 2015. They also have continued work on the new Business building and the Student Success Center which both plan on opening later in 2014. Our chapter is a very positive place, and having very motivated members keeps the house involved with Greek life and the community. We hope to keep the momentum of last year going within our new pledge class and the house as a whole.
  
  
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==Highlights of 2016==
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==Highlights of 2014==
  
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The year of 2014 was an exciting and busy year for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Our chapter takes pride in being involved with the other chapters at Oregon State as well as the community. Last fall, two of our members were selected as the president and vice president for Panhellenic council. These girls represent our chapter wonderfully, along with Kappa Kappa Gamma as an organization. Our new chapter council worked together to make chapter goals and how they would go about accomplishing them. Member involvement and encouragement, academics, and committee use are a few examples of the goals they set. We started off the year with the GPA of 2.99, which is below the all sorority average, and ended the year with an improved chapter GPA of 3.12, which is above the all sorority average and ranked us fourth in the panhellenic rankings. Our VPAE did a fantastic job going above and beyond by meeting with girls, setting up study tables during midterm and finals weeks, and establishing quiet hours in the dining room to give the girls a quieter place to study in the house. As a chapter, we are determined to continue improving our study habits and GPA.
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Our participation in other chapter’s philanthropies and community service continues to be a priority at Gamma Mu. Mock Rock, a huge philanthropy of Kappa Delta’s, has always been a chapter favorite and gets the girls excited to raise money for such a great cause. This year, we won the philanthropy with our outstanding participation and fundraising.
  
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In 2016, Mu Chapter of KKG accomplished many goals and noticed chapter growth in the areas of scholarship, traditions, philanthropy and sisterhood. As a chapter, we continued to value our education and learning at Butler University. We had 25 girls earn a 4.0 GPA and 23 earn a 3.75 or above in the spring of 2016. In 2016, we hosted several philanthropy events to raise money for Kappa Foundation, Reading is Fundamental and our local philanthropy, Coburn Place. These events are outline below. Our sisters had fun participating in chapter sisterhood events, including two different Freshly Brewed (a campus women's accapella group) concerts. In addition, both Kappa Kappa Gamma and Mu Chapter traditions were upheld to the highest of standards. In 2016, our chapter faced a setback and were challenged by our leaders to grow and improve upon our chapter. Our chapter council, as well as every sister, truly worked diligently to improve on our sisterhood and reflect upon KKG's values and expectations. After four of our sisters attended Convention in California in the summer of 2016, our chapter council utilized ideas from other chapters to improve in several areas including Risk management and sisterhood.
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We had two philanthropies this past year. During winter term, our philanthropy was a hot wing-eating contest called Too Hot To Handle, which we hosted in our chapter’s parking lot. Despite the cold temperatures, we had a great turnout and time, and raised $2500 for Reading is Fundamental. For spring term, we did Kick It With Kappa, a soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities, as well as daily check-ins and activities. The sunny day and good spirits made it a great day to be a Kappa and raise another $2500 for our chosen charity, the Center of Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV).
  
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Throughout 2016, Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was honored both by Butler University and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Order of Omega hosted Greek Excellence Awards in the spring and as a chapter we were awarded a 4 Star Sorority plaque, Emerging Sorority Leader Award (Libby Moyer), Silver in Philanthropy and Service, Bronze in New Member Programming, and Bronze in scholarship. In addition to these, Mu chapter received honorable mentions in Academic Excellence, Risk Management, and Standards at Kappa Convention in the summer.
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Every year, Gamma Mu participates in an all-university competition called Sing. Sing is held during Oregon State’s designated Mom’s Weekend, and is similar to a Broadway production where coed groups, usually sororities and fraternities, team up and sing three songs all while dancing and stunting to routines. Sing is taken very seriously here at Gamma Mu, with a tremendous amount of  hard work, time, and effort put into five months of practicing. Last year, that hard work paid off with a win for both us and Lambda Chi Alpha, the fraternity our house paired up with. We hope to continue this tradition of winning Sing with our freshmen pledge class and many more to come!
  
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In 2016, Butler University’s campus experienced a lot of change with the opening of a parking garage, two new restaurants and a new dorm. Located on the first floor of the parking garage, Scotty’s Dawghouse and Pita Pit opened up in late 2016. Fairview, the new dorm, welcomed its first students in the fall of 2016. The ladies of Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma have been excited and motivated throughout this past year. The chapter has been working hard to make sure it is at its very best every day, and it has shown in our philanthropy events, involvement on campus and sisterhood.  
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Gamma Mu had a successful year of formal recruitment last fall. We received 49 girls and initiated 44 of them. Recruitment is always so exciting because another wonderful group of girls joins our chapter with the same values and morals that we all share.
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Oregon State University has been rapidly evolving to fit the high demand of becoming an even more prestigious university and adjusting to the increasingly higher number of students that enroll in the university each year. Our campus has been expanding, and also renovating old buildings on campus to keep up with the demand for classrooms, study rooms, etc. In the fall of 2014, Austin Hall had its grand opening in its own brand new, spectacular building on campus for all of the business students. The construction on Austin Hall seemed to last forever, but the final product of the building was a beautifully modern student oriented building with classrooms, study rooms, cafes, and much more. Located right behind Austin is an enormous building made only for classrooms, with a unique lecture hall that is completely circular, seating 600 students. It is said to be the only fully circular lecture hall in the United States. The addition of a new dorm was also completed this fall to help with the increasing number of students living on campus for their first year as part of the First Year Experience the university projected the fall of 2013. A student experience center is currently in its final chapter of construction on campus as well, which will host the beavers news, student leadership associations, and many other organizations and clubs, all with the goals of creating a more broadened and well rounded student body here at Oregon State.  
  
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The Kappa Foundation is a foundation specifically for members of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity. The foundation offers scholarships to its members and financial support to members experiencing hardships. Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Butler University raises money for the Kappa Foundation through two philanthropy events; the first philanthropy event was kappaccino and the second was Kappa Harvest in the Fall of 2016. Kappaccino is an annual event held to raise money for the foundation by selling coffee and hot chocolate. Kappa Harvest is Mu chapters annual fall philanthropy event. Kappa harvest includes the sales of hard cider and pie, and featured live music. All the proceeds from both the events went to the Kappa Foundation.
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Gamma Mu is fortunate enough to have a house owned by house board a couple of blocks off of campus where we hold our chapter meetings.  Gamma Mu has owned and lived in the chapter house since 1935, marking our 80th year in the house. The house was bought and owned from Chi Phi during World War I when many of their members were drafted for the war. The capacity of the house gives 60 girls the opportunity to live in each year, and is conveniently located two blocks off of campus, allowing for short walks to class. It is usually during a member’s sophomore or junior year when they live in the house.
  
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Coburn Place
 
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Their Mission: Coburn Place empowers victims of intimate partner violence to live as survivors.
 
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Their Vision and Mission Statement: The vision of Coburn Place is of a world where every adult and child may live free from intimate partner violence, housed stably and safely, with adequate financial resources.
 
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They Serve: In the Indianapolis area, they serve adult victims of intimate partner violence and their dependents regardless of age, ability, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, religion, income, or sexual orientation.
 
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Kappa Kickoff: Kappa Kickoff is a Mu Kappa ran philanthropy event that raises money and awareness for Coburn Place. We host events all week that raise money for the cause, along with independent donations. This year we raised the most money yet for Coburn Place raising $14,193.00.
 
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Coburn Trick or Treating: Coburn Trick or Treating is an event hosted at Kappa for the kids who live at Coburn. They come right around Halloween and are allowed to trick or treat through the halls of Kappa. Girls dress up and hand out candy, and everyone is very lively and excited! This gives the kids a chance to step outside of Coburn and get some candy and do a fun craft. 
 
  
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Reading is Fundamental:
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==Highlights of 2015==
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As our national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental is very close to Mu Kappas’ hearts. Throughout the year we hold events to promote and improve children literacy.
 
  
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Grabba Grabba Donut:
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The year of 2015 has been successful for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. One of our most exciting achievements has been our rise in grade point averages, which went from 3.12 in 2014 to 3.21 this year. Not only were we awarded most improved within the Panhellenic council, we are currently ranked in second place overall for sororities. Our VPAE has put much time and effort into our goal of increasing grades, such as meeting with girls to discuss academics and study plans, organizing quiet study hours for finals week, and overall doing a fantastic job of bringing energy and motivation to academics, inspiring girls to do well in school.
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This Spring was Mu’s first time hosting Grabba Grabba Donut, and it was an amazing success. Participants could sign up to run a 5k, or watch and enjoy delicious donuts and drinks. Overall Mu Chapter raised 600 dollars with all the proceeds going towards Reading is Fundamental.
 
  
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Reading Is Key:
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In May we held our philanthropy, Too Hot to Handle, to support our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. This philanthropy consists of a hot wing-eating contest among other fraternities and sororities on campus, and we received great participation. We held the event in front of Reser Stadium to accommodate more people than in previous years, which provided for a great turnout. Fall term was particularly exciting for our chapter because we hosted Kappa Klassic, a golf tournament that we haven’t had at Oregon State for several years. This brought a new and exciting element for both our members and the participants, and we successfully raised money for our local philanthropy, the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV).
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This event in September Mu went to an elementary school and read to kids dressed up like famous super heroes. The Kappas got to play games with the kids, eat some snacks, and help kick start these kids on their path to become passionate readers.  
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The first philanthropy we participated in during the 2015-2016 school year was Sigma Nu’s lip sync competition, and we won the entire event, kicking off fall term to with an exciting start. Mock Rock, Kappa Delta’s philanthropy, has been a chapter favorite for numerous years, and something we also put a lot of value in because they support CARDV as well. We are extremely proud to hold second place in the competition, given how competitive it is among all houses. We also received second place in Anchor Splash, Delta Gamma’s philanthropy.
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One of our main goals this year was to increase participation both in other philanthropies and in the community, and we have been making tremendous strides. Our philanthropy chair has created teams throughout the house, and each team will go to different philanthropy events both to participate and support, which has also helped to motivate members on other teams to do the same. She has done an exceptional job of motivating our members to get involved in the community by continuously informing us about new service opportunities.
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Every year Gamma Mu participates in Oregon State’s all-university competition, Sing. This competition consists of fraternities and sororities pairing to create teams, in which they will learn a dance/sing routine to perform during Mom’s Weekend. We have a history of taking this competition extremely seriously, and we have received either first or second place for the previous five years. This year, with the help of Sigma Phi Epsilon, we brought home the first place trophy once again and are hopeful for 2016.
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We had the pleasure of welcoming our LC into our home for three weeks during recruitment, and she was wonderful to have with us. She gave us insight to the recruitment process as well as chapter organization in general, and also shared a lot of her knowledge about Kappa Kappa Gamma as a whole. We received 44 new members this year, and were able to initiate 41 of them. This group of women is such a great fit for our chapter, and we are proud to have them carry on our values.
  
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Weekly Readings:
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Oregon State University is continuously improving in many aspects, both physically and academically. The grand opening of the Student Experience Center was held spring term. The center is designed to foster diversity and cultural engagement, student leadership, and experiential learning. The Learning Innovation Center was a new addition to campus starting fall term, and this holds classrooms and study areas for all subjects.
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Mu knows how important it is to teach kids the importance, and the magic books can provide. So, Mu Kappas read twice a week at Jonathan Jennings School to elementary school children.
 
  
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As Mu Chapter we feel very passionate about our three different philanthropies. We, as well as other Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters, are proud to support RIF and Kappa Foundation because we want to help any fellow Kappa and spread a passion for reading. As a chapter, we are excited that we can join forces with so many chapters to support the same philanthropic charities.
+
The house of Gamma Mu is still located two blocks from campus, which is close and convenient for both members living in and for our newly initiated members who are currently living in their dorms.
  
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As for Coburn Place, as Mu Chapter, we feel very passionate about serving the community that we are apart of. We have seen first hand the great impact that Coburn Place has on families in the Indianapolis area and are proud to support their endeavors in any way we can. In addition, we enjoy serving the children in our community and incorporating our love for RIF by sharing books with these children as well.
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Chapter Philanthropy:
  
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The Mu chapter of Kappa is full of inspiring and hardworking women and we are very proud of what our sisterhood offers us. One member in particular, Libby Moyer, a current senior would be a great example to show how Kappa changes its members' lives. Libby is a recent recipient of the Marisol Scholarship which was a crucial element in this member completing her college education. The amount of love and appreciation Libby has expressed because of this scholarship is heartwarming. We think that Libby would be perfect to have as an example of what Kappa love and sisterhood means for members. Libby, pledge class 2015, said “This year in Kappa, I have been challenged and rewarded in the greatest of ways. I have discovered my own capabilities and watched my sisters aspire to be their best selves in their schoolwork, relationships, and service. I enjoyed sharing my Kappa values of hard work and commitment with the Panhellenic Association and individuals beyond the membership of Kappa.”
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What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
  
 +
Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and Reading is Fundamental
  
−
==Highlights of 2017==
+
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
 +
 +
We believe that continuous learning is important for everyone, and reading is a large aspect of that. Everyone should have access to books, which is why we take so much pride supporting Reading is Fundamental. We also take the safety of women everywhere extremely seriously, and believe that the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence does a great job of supporting women who have been hurt and need help.
  
  
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2017 kicked off with Primary Recruitment in January. Active members started returning on New Year’s Day for an early start to our recruitment preparations. We had an incredible week meeting a record number of Potential New Members! We enjoyed the company of Leadership Consultant Lindsay, Epsilon Kappa (South Carolina), who helped us transition our new council and gave us endless wisdom during the week. We held a galaxy-themed Bid Day celebration to welcome home 62 incredible new members, including 7 legacies! This is the largest pledge class in Mu chapter history. On Sunday, we held a game night at the house with plenty of snacks and laughs. On Monday, we spent the evening at Skateland and had a blast rollerskating and eating pizza!
+
==Highlights of 2016:==
  
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The first few months of the Spring Semester are always packed with activities, within both Kappa and the entire Butler community. Our big-little festivities were especially fun with twenty sets of twins in PC17. Pledge Class ’17 also performed in a time-honored Butler tradition – First-Year Skits – and earned the award for Best Dressed! We were enormously proud of the effort they put into their skit. Initiation was beautifully performed on February 25th, and we were especially honored to host a handful of sisters from neighboring chapters for their initiation. We also had numerous Kappa relatives in attendance to celebrate with their newly-made sisters.  
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2016 was another banner year for the Beta Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. This year we improved in areas of overall grade point average and rank, and also our awareness of college campus issues such as substance abuse and sexual assault prevention. It continued to be a strong year for philanthropy, sisterhood, and recruitment.
 +
 +
At the beginning of 2016, Beta Omega once again held our winter philanthropy event, Kappa Dodgeball. We are fortunate to have this event increase every year and continue to be the most attended Greek event on campus. This year raising over 10,000 dollars, Beta Omega was able to donate a full playground to our local philanthropy, Early Childhood Cares, which helps children under the age of five with developmental disabilities. Our most successful aspect of philanthropy this year was creating groups within Kappa to attend other Greek life philanthropic events. This created a huge increase in our Greek community involvement and gave more support to all Greek life philanthropic organizations.
 +
 +
In the spring we held our Barn Dance, Spring Fling, and Mom’s Weekend. This year our mom’s club helped raise even money to renovate our living room to be beautiful and recruitment ready!
 +
 +
In the fall we had another successful recruitment gaining 62 wonderful new members into the chapter. Our Bid Day Theme was “Go Kappa Went Kappa” and decorations and food of all shades of blue and blue filled our house as the new members ran to their new home.  
 +
 +
On October 13th, we held a Founder’s Day with a dessert celebration and time capsule activity. The members of Beta Omega wrote down their favorite memories and blessing that Kappa has given them, to be opened by the new freshmen on their senior Founder’s Day. It was a sweet idea that gave the graduating seniors time to think of all they have gained from Beta Omega, while the new members were excited to experience Kappa Kappa Gamma for the next few years.  
 +
 +
Overall, 2016 proved to be another year of growth for the Beta Omega women, who consistently strive to be good examples of women and sisterhood, and who wear their letters proud.  
  
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In February, we hosted Kappaccino at our home, serving cups of hot chocolate, hot coffee, and iced coffee to our fellow Bulldogs. We raised $751 to donate to the Kappa Foundation. Mu sisters also had fun participating in campus-wide philanthropic events, including Dance Marathon, Relay For Life, and Spring Sports Spectacular. We were the top-fundraising sorority for Polar Plunge, an event in which sisters jump into freezing-cold water to raise money for the Special Olympics of Indiana!
 
  
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In March, we held our formal at the beautiful Hotel Alexander in downtown Indianapolis, dancing the night away while watching the Butler Bulldogs play in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA March Madness Tournament. In April, we hosted the women in our life at a beautiful Mom’s Day, featuring desserts, shopping from a local boutique, a silent auction, and a panel of three successful women in various fields from around Indianapolis, including Maggie Anderson Phelps, a Mu Kappa from the Pledge Class of 2010. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great break from end-of-semester stress!
+
==Highlights of 2017==
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Our chapter was sad to see our seniors, the Pledge Class of 2014, graduate, but we know that big things lie in their futures. Two of our newest alumnae were even selected to join the staff at Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters! Katy Robinson is serving as a Leadership Consultant and Libby Moyer is working as a Chapter Consultant at Beta Nu, Ohio State. We are enormously proud of their commitment to Kappa.
 
  
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The fall semester commenced with our large 2017 Pledge Class moving into 821 West Hampton Drive. They have enjoyed getting closer as a class and have provided a great home for our live-out members to come home to. In September, we hosted Kappa Kickoff, our annual fundraiser for Coburn Place. Coburn Place is our chapter’s local philanthropy and is a shelter for battered women and children just a few blocks south of campus. We were incredibly proud to break our fundraising record, raising $14,334 for Coburn Place. Our sisters, fellow Greeks, and greater Butler community enjoyed a fun barbecue, king competition, and lip syncs, all with a Rock and Roll theme. We also teamed up with students at Jonathan Jennings Elementary school in Indianapolis for a Reading Is Key event in September. We spent a gorgeous afternoon with sisters and students alike and were especially excited to be joined by Butler’s live bulldog mascot Trip, a.k.a. Butler Blue III. 
+
2017 has been a year of notable advancement for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. For the winter term of 2017, we had many fun activities for our members to attend. One of the most fun events was our house dance, which was a Great Gatsby themed Sapphire Ball. We all had a great time and thought the theme was creative. We also participated in many philanthropies this term to support the causes of our Greek Community. For Sigma Alpha Epsilon, we had a many members participate in their field day, which included the always-muddy tug of war competition. We also participated in Phi Kappa Psi’s philanthropy, which the main event was a game show themed event called Phi Psi feud. An added bonus this term was winning the Barre3 Corvallis Instagram competition, which gave us all a free month of Barre3 classes.
 +
 +
Spring term was busy, yet fun, as always. We hosted our philanthropy, Too Hot To Handle, and the proceeds went to Reading is Fundamental. We hosted this hot-wing eating contest in the Student Experience Center Plaza, and had a lot of chapters from our Greek Community participate. This year we created more of an emphasis on the book drive portion of the event. We donated 250 books and raised $2760 for RIF. We also had our spring Barn Dance this term, which was a great event catered with food and fun. Another highlight of this term was our Mom’s Weekend activities. We hosted our first Mom’s and Mocktails event with food and shopping at the Kappa Kastle. We also participated in Sing with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which was a great opportunity for our newly initiated members to bond with each other and the fraternity. In June we said goodbye to our lovely seniors and wish them the best in their next stages of life! We also said goodbye to our House Mother, Ms. Liza, and wish her the best as well.  
  
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We were joined by a new Greek chapter on campus this fall. The Alpha Psi colony of Beta Theta Pi (Beta) began its journey at Butler and initiated their first class and formally installed their chapter in November. We were also excited to be paired with the Betas for Homecoming 2017, which had a theme of “Animal Kingdom”. Together with Beta and the Campus Apartments, we selected a theme of “BUrassic Park”. We were absolutely thrilled to receive the top score for our lawn decorations, which featured a ten-foot-tall Jurassic Park gate, a Jeep, numerous wooden dinosaurs, full-scale dinosaur eggs, flying velociraptors, and a twelve-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex, all while the Jurassic Park theme played across our lawn. We also received third place overall for the week, and best of all, the Butler Bulldogs defeated the Campbell Camels in the football game!
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Fall term came up quick after a summer filled with internships, work, and Kappas abroad. Fall term was an eventful term for our chapter. We hired a new House Mother, Windy, a new chef, and got a new houseboard chairwoman. Our chapter had a very successful Fall Formal recruitment. We had a 98% retention rate and received 37 kappatastic women into our chapter. The theme for bid day was Sapphire City, so all of our members were dressed in their most eye-catching blue outfits. We had four women volunteer as Gamma Chi recruitment counselors for our Panhellenic community, so we were excited to welcome them back into our chapter after months of disaffiliation. This term we hosted our Too Hot To Handle hot-wing eating contest for the second time in 2017. We hosted it at our Kappa Kastle and it was a great success. We were able to donate 1200 books and raised $5000. We also had a fun Dad’s Weekend with the men of Pi Kappa Phi. We had a brunch at the Kappa Kastle, and were able to see our families before heading home for Thanksgiving. Before we all left for winter break, we had a Kappa Khristmas party at our house with holiday treats, gift exchanges, and caroling.
  
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In October, we had a beautiful formal at the Regions Tower in downtown Indianapolis. The sophomore pledge class chose a “Kappa Kappa Gatsby” theme, so the gorgeous rooftop venue was decorated in pearls, feathers, and all things 1920s. In November, we hosted Kappa Harvest at our home, raising money for Kappa Foundation by selling slices of pie and serving apple cider. We also featured live music by three of our sisters to entertain our guests.  
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As far as grades for 2017 goes, we were consistent with our GPA. We were above the all sorority average by .08 points for winter term. We also had two members each term nominated as academic scholars of the term. We hope to keep increasing our GPA and look forward to being successful in our studies in the future.  
  
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As our chapter grows and changes, so does our campus. The Butler 2020 plan is still in action, and additional building redesigns or construction have been announced. A new suite-style dorm, Irvington House, will open across the street from Kappa, in the space that Schwitzer Hall once occupied, in the Fall 2018 semester. The beginning of a new building for the Andre B. Lacy School of Business has begun, and plans for the revitalization of Gallahue Hall, which hosts classes in the natural sciences, and the Holcomb Building, which currently holds classes for the business students were recently announced.  Our student population continues to increase, with approximately 4650 undergraduates and 550 graduate students in attendance. Lately, we have been gearing up for our upcoming primary recruitment, in which seven of our sisters who are recruitment counselors and two of our sisters who serve on the Panhellenic Executive Board will help the women of Butler find their new homes on Greek Row. We have also just elected our new Chapter Council and are very excited for the future of Mu. Overall, 2017 has been a wonderful year full of growth and sisterhood for our chapter.
 
  
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==Highlights of 2018==
+
==Highlights of 2018:==  
 +
Winter term - During our 2018 winter term we hosted multiple different study tables for our
 +
sisters to come to the Kappa Kastle and get homework and studying done to help achieve their
 +
academic goals for the term. On March 3rd, we had a fun house dance with the theme being
 +
Dynamic Duos. We also participated in Delta Upsilons philanthropy and won it! We were able to
 +
put $150 toward the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation from winning their philanthropy. We also
 +
won the Lambda Chi Alpha philanthropy, Watermelon Bash. Sophia Wooley and Laura White
 +
were our scholars of the term. Alessandra Ferriso won the Kappa Kappa Gamma scholarship for
 +
Gamma Mu.
 +
Spring Term- In April we hosted our first ever Kappas in the Key which was a 3 on 3 basketball
 +
competition. It was a very successful philanthropy and in the end we raised $4,000 for the Kappa
 +
Foundation and $2,000 for CARDV. We were able to participate in continuous ongoing bidding
 +
and received 8 new members and also initiated them in the spring. In May we hosted Mom’s
 +
weekend at our Kappa Kastle which included the all university Sing competition on friday night.
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The new members were able to establish a close relationship with the men of Delta Upsilon. We
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ended the term with a very fun Kite and Key house dance with Kappa Alpha Theta, which only
 +
happens every 4 years at Gamma Mu.
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Fall Term- After a summer full of internships, study abroad and new house renovations we
 +
moved back in to the Kappa Kastle to begin our work week to prepare for an amazing Fall
 +
Formal Recruitment. We had a 100% retention rate and received 39 new members, 7 of them are
 +
kappa legacies. Our bid day theme was Kappa Karnival. This theme was really fun as it allowed
 +
members to dress in colorful fun outfits. We even had a bouncy house obstacle course and cotton
 +
candy for the new members to enjoy! We celebrated Kappa Kappa Gammas 148th founders day
 +
with a brunch at the house with the local alumni. We had 8 seniors head up to Portland, Oregon
 +
to attend the Portland Alumnae Association Founder’s Day. November was a busy month as we
 +
celebrated Dad’s Weekend with the men of Delta Upsilon and hosted our annual brunch on the
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Sunday of dads weekend. We recently initiated 39 new members and 1 alumnae Jennifer
 +
Stegerholt which was a very special experience for all Gamma Mu members. Our fall term house
 +
dance was themed as a pajama party! It was the coziest house dance we’ve ever had. To end the
 +
busy month we hosted our chicken wing eating contest philanthropy, Too Hot to Handle at the
 +
Kappa Kastle. We raised $6,600 and donated 558 books to children. To end the term before going
 +
home for winter break we had a sisterhood bonding Kappa Khristmakkah at our lovely Kappa
 +
Kastle.
 +
'''Describe the recent changes on campus and describe the chapter’s overall nature.'''
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This year Gamma Mu strived to be more involved on campus. All members of Gamma Mu are
 +
currently in or joining clubs on campus as well as working on-campus jobs. We have partnered
 +
more with OSU and the community. We want to focus our attention on improving inclusiveness
 +
in the community.
 +
'''Chapter Philanthropy
 +
What organization does the chapter support?'''
 +
Reading is Fundamental and Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV)    
 +
'''Why did the chapter choose this organization?'''
 +
We believe that continuous learning is important for everyone, and reading is a large aspect of that. Everyone should have access to books, which is why we take so much pride supporting Reading is Fundamental. We also take the safety of women everywhere extremely seriously, and believe that the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence does a great job of supporting women who have been hurt and need help.   
 +
'''Chapter Facility'''
 +
'''Where does the chapter meet?'''
 +
All Gamma Mu members meet in our chapter room in the basement of our Gamma Mu chapter house, the Kappa Kastle 
  
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Mu chapter started 2018 with primary recruitment. We held a “Dreaming of Mu” Bid Day celebration to welcome 49 amazing new members, 2 of whom are legacies. That night we went to Sky Zone and spent time jumping around together! In February we held our big-little reveal. This year, we did a partner reveal. On the last day of the week, bigs left costumes for their littles as a way to find their bigs. The older members stood in a large circle on the front lawn, and the new members were sent out one by one to find their bigs! Some costumes included Starbucks cup sizes, Dunkin’ Doughnuts (basketball players with doughnuts), share a Coke, and Little Miss Sunshine. In February, Mu chapter also experienced their first Hockey game fundraiser. We partnered with the Butler University Hockey team for a game; a part of the entry fees went to the Kappa Foundation.
 
  
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Our 49 new members transitioned to active members on March 3rd where we also hosted a few sisters from other chapters for their initiation. Many Kappa alumnae joined us to welcome our new sisters. We were extremely blessed to have a Monmouth alumna join us in the initiation of her granddaughter. Later in March, we hosted Kappachino, an event where we served coffee and hot chocolate. The $500 we raised went to Kappa Foundation. We also held a lovely Mom’s Day with desserts, conversation, a silent auction, shopping from a local boutique, and a hypnotist!
+
==Highlights of 2021==
  
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Fall semester began with a return to 821 West Hampton Drive. Six of our sisters and our chapter advisor attended the Kappa General Convention. We were lucky enough to meet sisters from all over the country and to reconnect with Mu alumni. At the award ceremony, we received the greatest improvement and best new member programming awards as well as runner-up recognition for public relations and signature philanthropy event! Over the summer, our formal and trophy room received a full makeover, revealing beautiful hardwood floors. Sisters have enjoyed hanging out and studying in these renovated spaces. In September, we hosted our annual Kappa Kickoff, a fundraising week for our local philanthropy Coburn Place. Coburn Place is a shelter for battered women and children just a few minutes from campus. We once again broke our fundraising record this year raising $14,459.97! The Kappa lawn was filled with people enjoying food, lip syncs, and a king's competition throwing it back to the 90’s. For Homecoming 2018, we were paired with freshmen dorms Resco and Ross. We were extremely excited to help welcome the new students to Butler and show them getting involved is fun. For the theme of “Superheroes,” we chose “Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy,” the superheroes in Sponge Bob Squarepants. The Kappa lawn was transformed into Bikini Bottom with a life-size pineapple home, jellyfish, and a seven-foot tall magic conch shell.  
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This past year was challenged since we cut the capacity of our members living into half capacity, this meant only pledge class 2019 lived in the Kappa Kastle. We still held virtual chapter winter and spring term. We all had classes
 +
over zoom and most events were on zoom. Spring term, things went a little bit back to normal we  
 +
held a virtual barn dance and other virtual events such as functions with other fraternities and our
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philanthropy, Kappas in the Key. Our chapter is academically successful and amazing, we have
 +
amazingly educated women in our chapter, it’s unbelievable. For the year of 2021, we were
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Panhellenic Chapter of the year, we had both an upperclasswoman and a lower classwoman of the
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term, and in Spring 2021 we were above all women gpal!! I am so proud of this chapter and all the
 +
women. Fall term of 2021, we went back to in person classes on campus, with weekly in person
 +
chapter council meetings, as well as chapter meetings. It was a nice change and felt a little more
 +
normal. We had to wear masks on campus and in the chapter house for events, sisterhoods, chapter,  
 +
and even our fall term house dance, with the theme of Denim and Diamonds. In the fall during
 +
recruitment, we also welcomed 24 new women into our chapter and had our first in person Initiation
 +
since 2019, because of COVID. Everything went smoothly and we were able to have a successful
 +
Initiation. We also decided to switch philanthropies, instead of RIF we now support the JED
 +
Foundation. For our fall term philanthropy, Kappa Kasino night, all proceeds went to the JED
 +
foundation. We raised over $3,200 and 14 chapters participated.  
  
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Due to changes in the rules of Spring Skits, previously known as Freshmen Skits, Kappa did not participate. Instead, PC’18 hosted their own performance in October in which they choreographed their own dance and performed it for the whole house! The girls did an amazing job and it helped them to grow even closer. To celebrate Kappa’s founding, Mu held our inaugural Founder’s Day Celebration. Active Mu’s along with alumnae from all over the country gathered in the Reilly Room for a formal dinner. We heard beautiful descriptions of our founders and what Kappa has meant to different people.
+
The beginning of this year, Winter term 2021 we worked with the Heartland Humane Society here in Corvallis, Oregon with our Philanthropy called Kappa Kritters. We have worked with the Heartland Humane Society since 2019.
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We had a pet supplies drive where we raised over $1300 and collected over 100 items in donations to  
 +
help animals in need of toys, food, and beds. In the Spring of 2021, we held a virtual Kappa’s in the
 +
Key event to support the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. The KKG Foundation aids current and
 +
alumni Kappa members in times of financial need and crises. They give one woman in every chapter a
 +
$3,000 scholarship every year. Half of the money we raised from Kappa’s in the Key goes to the KKG
 +
Foundation. This term, fall 2021 we took away Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and instead partnered
 +
with the JED Foundation. Kappa Kappa Gamma nationally has partnered with six well established
 +
mental health related organizations. The JED Foundation protects emotional health and prevents
 +
suicide for teens and young adults. The Foundation gives skills and supports teens and young adults to  
 +
thrive today and tomorrow. Fall term we have our Kappa Kasino night event. Greek members can
 +
come play games, eat food, and dance to the music while supporting a good cause.
 +
Each event we partake in everyone has a specific job. Whether that’s check-ins, managing Crowd Change page, Chipotle night or even making the backdrop for Kappa Kasino night. We advertise on social media pages and throughout the Greek
 +
life community. The women of Kappa Kappa Gamma love partaking in our philanthropies and  
 +
especially love giving back to the community. One thing our new members said they were most
 +
excited about joining Kappa is our philanthropies.
  
−
November held new events for Mu. We held a new philanthropy event, Grilled Cheese with KKGs, in which we served grilled cheese and tomato soup. We raised $350 for the Kappa Foundation! On November 30th, we held a sisterhood event, an Escape Room. Members were split into random teams and challenged to escape from rooms with different themes in under an hour. The event, while at times stressful (we wanted to rescue the Mona Lisa, stop a train bomb, and rescue a kidnapping victim) was a great experience that brought girls across pledge classes together.
+
We have incorporated more DEI activities and education into our chapter with the addition of a DEI officer last year. We included and made more of an effort to hold workshops for the chapter and our officers throughout the year.
  
−
Mu chapter has grown and changed over the past year, just like Butler. The University’s 2020 plan is still in progress, and a new building has opened. Irvington House welcomed its first tenants in August, right across the street from Kappa. Mu has been preparing for primary recruitment, during which time 9 of our sisters will be recruitment counselors and one will serve as President on the Panhellenic Executive Board to help Butler women find their forever homes on Greek Row. Our newly elected Chapter Council is excited to help Mu grow even more. 2018 has been a great year of growth and sisterhood, and we can’t wait to see what 2019 holds!
+
COVID affected our events this year, not as much as last year which was super nice. For
 +
recruitment the first two days of Sisterhood rounds were online on zoom. After that the rest of the
 +
rounds were in person, with social distancing and masks required. For initiation, we did a sisterhood
 +
instead of a senior freshman dinner then the Fireside ceremony. The initiates did not spend the night
 +
at Kappa and instead returned to the house the morning of Initiation. We did a combined White
 +
Room and Red Room ceremony instead of separate ceremonies, with masks required. Before this
 +
term we still had chapter on zoom and most events were virtual. This term, we had in person chapter
 +
for the first time since COVID happened which is super nice. We didn’t do chapter dinners because of  
 +
everyone being in the same room with masks off while eating. Instead, we had a sign-up sheet for
 +
girls to still eat their “chapter dinner” just on a different day. Most other events have been in person,
 +
back to normal-ish with masks required and social distancing.
 +
[[File:GammaMu.jpg|thumb|sisters]]
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[[File:Gammamu2.jpg|thumb|sisters2]]
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[[File:Gammamu4.jpg|thumb|sisters4]]
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[[File:Gammamu5.jpg|thumb|sisters in masks]]
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[[File:Gammamu6.jpg|thumb|event in masks]]
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[[File:Gammamu7.jpg|thumb|big and little]]

Latest revision as of 21:57, 15 June 2022

 

Gamma Mu
ΓM
Gamma Mu.jpg
FoundedJune 7, 1924 (1924-06-07) (101 years ago)
CollegeOregon State University
LocationCorvallis, OR
HomepageGamma Mu Homepage
Media related to Gamma Mu Chapter


Oregon State University (formerly Oregon State Agricultural College) established in 1868 in Corvallis, Oregon


Gamma Mu founded June 7, 1924


2,479 initiates (as of June 2018)


Charter Members:

Louise Arnold, Enid Beal, Flossie Mae Blackburn, Ruth Cleland, Edna Belle Cobbledick, Wava Farley, Ida Granbreg, Cleda Hilderbrand, Frances Jones, Ann H. Karlson, Dolores Kelsey, Doris Elnor Lake, Helen Leonard, Ruth Lyon, Jessie McDonald, Vida McKern, Marie McNair, Helen Edythe Miller, Thelma Jean Miller, Edna Morback, Ruth Price, Mary May Swarm, Eleanor Thomas, Irma Van Hollebeke, Mildred Wallace, Kathryn Wightman, Zelia Zigler.


Fraternity Council Officers:

Susan McGinty Riches, Director of Alumnae 1998-2000


Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:


Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Gladys Miller, 1956, Author, consultant, educator and editor in home building and interior design;

Zelma Reed Long, 1996, Winemaking expert, CEO of Simi Winery;

Dr. Carrie Case Worcester, 1996, Director of neonatal intensive care at Children’s Hospital, Orange County, Calif.;

Lou Seibert Pappas, 1998; writer and pioneer in the field of cooking

Mary Carlin Yates, 2002, U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Burundi;

Ruth Shellhorn Kueser, 2006, Architect, urban planning expert (First received the award in 1960)


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

At the end of World War I when servicemen returned to Oregon State University, Corvallis, in the heart of Willamette Valley, there was a major housing problem.

Small groups of men and women were encouraged to organize. One such group of coeds, living in Waldo Hall, carefully studied Baird’s Manual and Banta’s Greek Exchange. They decided to work toward the goal of becoming a Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter, regardless of the time and effort required. They pledged themselves to accept no other affiliation if Kappa did not accept them. It was in 1917 that this group took the name Gamma Iota. Gamma for the Gamma of the Fraternity and Iota for Iota Province, the province in which Oregon State was located.

Lorna Collamore Jessup, who gave the fledgling group her wisdom, enthusiasm, and help, found a house for them to rent at 530 NW 11th Street. They floored the attic, which was then filled with two rows of cots to be a dormitory for 20 girls.

Highlights of the 1920s[edit]

Gamma Iota members were especially active in debate, music, and dancing. From the beginning, emphasis was on scholarship and character. On Homecoming Weekend in 1921, when the big football game between Oregon Agricultural College and the University of Washington was played, the group hosted visiting Kappas and alumnae. The house was in perfect order, the girls gracious and poised, and the guests impressed. They wondered how this small group in a modest house could carry out an extensive program of after-game courtesies, dinner, overnight guests and breakfast without flurry or confusion. The answer was that the members of Gamma Iota were making every effort to show the visitors how hard they were working toward their goal of receiving a Kappa charter.

The petition was presented to the Fraternity in March of 1924 and, in June of that same year, word came that Gamma Iota would become Gamma Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma! F. Marie Leghorn, Washington, was the installing officer and Oregon, the installing chapter. Twenty-seven charter members were initiated.

In 1922, the College Committee on Student Housing approved plans for Gamma Iota to purchase a $24,459 house, using $1,000 the girls saved as a down payment. It took courage to sign on the dotted line. The group moved from the 11th Street house in 1923 to 242 NW 10th Street. This house was in use at the time the charter was acquired and remained the Kappa house until 1935 when the “Castle” was purchased. Often renovated, it is still the house today.

This particular house was financed entirely by the fraternity of Tau Delta and was ready for occupancy by fall term of 1928. The house was truly a castle to the men, and virtue they emphasized in their petition to the national fraternity Chi Phi in 1929. Designed by the Portland architectural firm of Thomas and Mercer, and constructed by Portland contractors Hanson and Hammond, it is one of the largest and most impressive Greek living group houses in the college neighborhood. It was constructed at a cost of $45,000 and accommodated 40 men.


Highlights of the 1930s[edit]

In March of 1931, Tau Delta became the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Phi fraternity, but the group only lived in this house through the 1934–35 school year. The following year, the house was turned over to Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The Kappa Kastle is one of the finest examples of the Tudor style for fraternity houses in Corvallis. It has changed very little since it was first built; the most noticeable changes are in the mature landscape that surrounds the house. The house maintains very high integrity and is a prominent landmark in architecture in the immediate neighborhood. Its association with the prominent architectural firm and Thomas and Mercer adds to its significance.

In the chapter’s selection of Mrs. George Leekley as House Director in the fall of 1938, the House Board demonstrated remarkable insight for she stayed for 14 rewarding years. Her name became synonymous with good taste and graciousness. Her warmth and competence seemed to personify Kappa ideals to everyone who entered the Kappa Castle. Her hallmark of perfection showed in the lovely teas and the “touch-of-home trimmings” for holiday dinners. She was always compassionate and knew the perfect time for a treat of hot cocoa,. With the help of finance advisers Fern McCroskey Price, Peggy Mulligan Blackledge and Mrs. Leekley’s wise management, the mortgage was ceremoniously burned on March 23, 1944.


Highlights of 1940s and 1950s[edit]

War risk insurance was discussed during the early months of World War II, and desserts replaced dinners during Membership Recruitment. Elaine Kollins Sewell (Jones) and a Gamma Phi Beta friend co-edited a newsletter for all Oregon State servicemen.

The Kappas won second place in the 1947 homecoming contest with the theme “Reunion After Tokyo,” which treated all the years to follow as post-war years.

The Kappas were the first chapter at Oregon State to install a dishwasher when the outdated kitchen was remodeled in 1950. The dining room’s capacity was increased to 90, and Mrs. Leekley’s suite was improved.

A “appreciation” reception was given for Mrs. Leekley in 1953. A check was presented to her, and a fund for small emergency loans to individuals was set aside and named for her.

The years 1940–1958 have been called Gamma Mu’s Golden Age. During those years, the chapter scholastically ranked first, seven times; second, five times; and third, four times. High grades were emphasized at banquets each term with presentation of awards and a cup honoring Blanche Hinman Smith, Syracuse, longtime Scholarship Adviser.

Carrie Case (Dully), Zelma Reed (Long) and Nancy Austin (McCoy) were scholastically the top three women in the 1965 graduating class. All three were Mortar Board; Zelma was chapter President; Nancy was president of AWS; and Carrie was the only coed ever to win both the coveted Chi Omega and Drusilla Shepard awards. To recognize this trio, the alumnae tapped them for “Hoo’s Hoo” and presented them with scrolls, sterling silver owl charms, and owl glasses. These members sound exceptional, yet the whole chapter was of similar caliber, sharing honors such as Mortar Board, Girls of Achievement, student leaders, scholars, fraternity sweethearts and Homecoming attendants.

Busy Kappas always find time for fun … whether at a Friday afternoon exchange or a solemn initiation ceremony. Black paint, applied to the big engine at Avery Park, good food, and helping hands turned a service project into a date dinner. The chapter maintained a “Rush Closet” … a small room where members could leave outdated clothes. Before a house dance with a “Fifties” theme, eager girls rummaged through it, asking with a laugh, “Did they really wear these?”

One time a love letter was found from one of the long-gone Kappas to her swain. The contents of the closet were a longtime source of delight and were used to dress up for a rushing skit, a scholarship dinner, or even a special date.

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.

Highlights of the 1970s[edit]

The chapter celebrated its golden anniversary on October 5, 1974, with a luncheon and program. Nine of the original 27 members appeared for a picture, and two others arrived too late. More than 900 Gamma Mus of the 1,100 initiated members were still living then. Mary Lou McKay Green was chairman and Heloise Lee Stewart was toastmistress. Charter members sat at the head table. Gladys Miller spoke of Gamma Iota’s origin and presented the original petition to the chapter for its archives. Jessie McDonald Acklen, first chapter President, read from the Gamma Mu history, revealing the emotion of the day Gamma Mu was chartered. Fashions from 1924 to 1974 were modeled with Eleanor Francis Fouch as commentator. Special honor awards were presented to Peggy Mulligan Blackledge, Fern McCroskey Price, Mary Kollins Reed, and Irene Hazlett Saling for their long service to the chapter.


Highlights of the 1980s:[edit]

Gamma Mu was very involved on campus and in the Greek system, holding many offices and winning many awards.

A new tradition was started in the late 1980s of developing a chapter goal and motto for each year. Gamma Mu also changed their initiation G.P.A. requirement from a 2.0 to a 2.25 to strengthen their emphasis on scholarship. The chapter also worked to achieve more unity within the house, to be more active on campus, and to improve their relationships within the Greek system. In the fall of 1988, Gamma Mu organized an alcohol awareness workshop for the Greek system. One member won the Miss OSU pageant, and another won Greek Woman of the Year.

Several members of the chapter enjoyed attending the 1987 Pi Province Meeting hosted by Pi chapter at the University of California – Berkeley. A highlight was a ritual workshop presented by Fraternity Ritualist Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, and the Candlelight Banquet. Gamma Mu received the Outstanding Chapter Program award for the second consecutive time. At the 1989 Pi Province Meeting, Gamma Mu received an Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Communications.

An unusual program for the Greek system in 1988 was the “Swap-a-Sis” where girls from each sorority would go live in a different house for a week. The chapter also saved one weekend each term for a house retreat to focus on being good sisters and improving unity.


Housing:

In 1983, the chapter welcomed a new House Director. Gamma Mu was busy fundraising to pay for a new roof that was put on the “Kappa Kastle” chapter house in 1987. Rooms were repainted and the TV room furniture was repaired and recovered. The House Board successfully encouraged contributions to the chapter by holding a drawing for gifts in three categories. Alumnae were able to use the chapter house for class reunions during the summers.


Philanthropy:

Gamma Mu hosted a Balloon Derby as a fundraising event for the Oregon Lung Association. They also competed in the Sigma Chi Derby Days, and earned money for the United Way. Another project was to carve Halloween pumpkins for a local retirement center. Money was raised for the Y-Round Table children and Christmas gifts were given to them. Following the earthquake in San Francisco, the chapter sent money to Kappas in that area that needed help. In the spring of 1989, Gamma Mu participated in a community-wide service project of building a children’s park by providing meals for workers during their breaks.


Convention Awards:


Highlights of the 1990s[edit]

Gamma Mu chapter continued to be active in campus and community activities and events during this period. They had members in honoraries Panhellenic executive council, ASOSU student government, MUPC student event planning council, Rush Counselors, and volunteer work for local schools and children’s organizations. They also improved the chapter’s GPA, and worked to meet the requirements for the Challenge to Excellence.

At the 1991 Pi Province Meeting held in Eugene, Gamma Mu received the Outstanding Chapter Award. The chapter continued to participate in the Greek system’s Swap-a-Sis program where sororities exchange several members for a week. The chapter members were very involved in campus activities ranging from student government to sports. Other traditional chapter events were the Dad’s Weekend during winter term, and Mom’s Weekend in the spring that included a fashion show.

Scholarship became a focus to increase the chapter’s G.P.A. The chapter received the Greek system’s Sorority of the Year award in both 1996 and 1999. Gamma Mu hosted the Pi Province Meeting in 1999.


Housing:

The Gamma Mu chapter room was redecorated with new carpeting, wallpaper, paint, tables and lamps, and new upholstery. The second floor study rooms were also repainted, and a second sleeping porch was added. Alumnae class reunions held in the Kappa Kastle continued to be popular.


Philanthropy:

A Balloon Derby philanthropy continued in this decade as a means to raise money. The annual Kappa Kristmas party continued to benefit a local children’s organization. In 1999, the chapter held a Kappa Klassic golf tournament as a fundraiser. The tradition of Halloween pumpkin carving with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club continued. For another philanthropy project, the chapter invited three local retirement centers to the chapter house to share Thanksgiving dinner. Convention Awards:


Highlights of 2000-2010[edit]

(Information from chapter’s History Report: 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.:)

Housing:


Philanthropy:


Chapter Convention Awards:

2002 – Recruitment Honorable Mention Philanthropy Honorable Mention Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention 2004 – Chapter/Advisory Board Relations Award 2006 – Standards Honorable Mention Panhellenic Honorable Mention Greatest Improvement Honorable Mention 2008 – Sally Moore Nitschke Lifelong Education Honorable Mention Recruitment Award


Highlights of 2011-2019:[edit]

(Information from chapter’s History Report: 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 2012[edit]

The past year for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Gamma has been a busy one as usual. It is nice that a majority of our girls are involved in Kappas but also in a lot of other organizations in the community. It helps bring a lot of diversity and knowledge into the house.In winter 2012, we welcomed a new chapter council and that had a lot of goals. Hilary Drake and Maddie Kaufman made up or President and vice president of standards. Some of the goals that our chapter excelled in was incorporating carpooling to chapter meetings for the new members, enforcing our 5 hour per term community service requirement and changing our communication throughout the house to a blackboard page.

One thing Gamma Mu continues to work on is achieving first in grades. While our overall GPA is higher than the all greek average, we are striving to achieve an overall GPA of 3.02. We are determined to make it happen and all the girls are motivated. Our VPAE has done a great job of creating study tables at the library for an allotted amount of time so girls in our chapter can get studying done in a productive environment. This past year we participated in a numerous philanthropies. Our chapters favorite philanthropy, Kappa Delta’s Mock rock, which occurred in March. While we did not place first in the competition, our house raised the most money for CARDV which is also the local organization we support as well. One fun sisterhood event we did on April 21st was an MS walk that our house participated in. It was meaningful for everyone because a girl in our chapter is dealing with that particular condition and I know it meant a lot to her to have us all support and walk for her. We also did a community service project last spring with Sigma Pi in which we did a park clean at Avery Park in corvallis. There were people who painted park benches, picked up trash and got rid of weeds on the walking path.We had philanthropies in spring and fall 2012.

Our spring term philanthropy, Kick it with Kappa, was brand new to our sorority. Even though it was our first year of the philanthropy it went very well. It consisted of a soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities on campus on Saturday as well as a 5K run on Sunday. We raised quite a bit of money for Center against rape and domestic violence (CARDV). In the fall, we held our Reading is Fundamental philanthropy and that was a success as well. We had a book drive as well as read children in our community. We rewarded the highest placing fraternities with an ice cream social, thanksgiving dinner, or christmas themed meal. This past fall term we also paired up with the corvallis Phi Gamma Delta chapter and helped walk dogs at the local humane society on Sundays. Every year Gamma Mu participates in the all-university sing competition between fraternities and sororities on campus which happens during Mom’s Weekend. We were paired with Theta Chi and received the theme of Beauty and the Beast. Each house worked extensively for months long working on their performances and working through the audition process. Although there were some bumps in the road, our chapter ended up coming in first place! Our house always takes participation in sing very seriously. The last time we had won first place was in spring 2010, in 2011 we got second and in 2012 received first again. A lot of the girls were happy to have the trophy back in its rightful home! During fall term we voted for our 2013 partners and we voted to do it with Phi Kappa Psi who are our neighbors which will be very convenient.

Recruitment this year was also a success for Gamma Mu. For formal recruitment in the fall a lot of changes were made as far as the process of recruitment. They included a philanthropy day which is something that I know a lot of the girls enjoyed very much. Our PDC Amanda Ruffo also was with our chapter for the recruitment process and the girls in the house got to form a close relationship with her. Overall, we received 46 new members and initiated 44 of them! We were so excited to welcome a group of women who embraced Kappa and everything it stood for as well as a group determined to help our grow and thrive.

Our chapter is still located at 14th and Van Buren making it very close to campus which is convenient for a lot of the girls in our house! The overall nature of our chapter is positive motivated. A lot of the girls in our chapter are working hard to not only make Kappas better but also the community that we live in better. Having a lot of motivated girls in the house also pushes other girls to get involved which is never a bad thing! One of the major things that happened on our campus in 2012 was that Oregon State University became a smoke free campus on September 1st.

Another big thing that happened in September was that a new University student success center opened on campus which serves OSU students with study rooms, tutoring as well as many other academic advantages. Oregon State also passed a bill in March of 2012 that is going to allow them to build a new residence hall that will open as early as 2014.

Highlights of 2013[edit]

The past year was a very exciting one for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We have been expanding, growing, and becoming more involved with the community. Last Fall of 2012, one of our members became the Judicial chair for Panhellenic council. This was a huge success and really set off a great year for our chapter. In Winter 2013, we welcomed Kamelyn Bovinette and Alyssa Rollins as our President and Vice President of Standards. With the start of our new chapter council, we came up with a very effective list of goals to help bring our chapter together and work better as a whole. We want to increase our member involvement, encourage each other, and become more academically driven. For the past few terms our chapter has been below the all sorority average. Gamma Mu wants to raise our overall GPA from a 2.93 to a 3.1. With the help of our VPAE, we have set up quiet hours for studying in the house and have reserved rooms in the library for midterms and finals. As a chapter we are determined to raise our GPA and all the girls are motivated.

Over this past year we participated in many philanthropies as well as community service projects. Kappa Delta’s Mock Rock was once again our chapters’ favorite, and this past year we won third place! Since their philanthropy supports CARDV, which is the local organization we raise money for as well, all the girls love to get very involved. Last winter and spring term, we teamed up with another fraternity, FIJI, and walked dogs at the local humane society. This was a great community service project because it benefited the animals and the girls! Along with the dog walking, we volunteered with Habitat for Humanity several times. The girls got to paint a few houses and help build the front patio. We also got to support Kappa at the University of Oregon in their philanthropy last winter. Our spring term philanthropy was Kick It With Kappa, and it was a huge success. We had a two-day soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities, as well as daily check-ins and activities. Our Kappa sisters from the University of Oregon came up to participate in the tournament and they tied for first place! We raised about $3,000 for Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV).

Every year Gamma Mu participates in the all-university sing competition during Mom’s Weekend. We chose to work with Phi Kappa Psi for the years show and got to perform songs from the band Styx. Phi Psi had only participated in Sing once before, but the coaches and members worked very hard over the long months. For the past three years Kappa has placed in the top two, and this past year was no different with a second place win! Our house always takes the competition very seriously and it shows in the final performance. This year we decided to partner with Lambda Chi Alpha, who we have previously won first place with. We have high hopes for this year’s performance and hope to bring the trophy back home!

Recruitment this year was also a success for Gamma Mu. Overall we received 48 girls and got to initiate 43 of them! We were thrilled to welcome a group of young women who were eager to learn what being a Kappa means and help us in our goals for involvement and growth.

Our chapter is still only two blocks from campus, which is convenient for a lot of the girls in our house! Oregon State just started their Freshman Experience campaign, which requires all freshmen to live on campus. Having the Chapter house so close to campus makes it easy for all the New Members in the dorms to come over. In light of this new change, OSU has started building a new dorm on campus, which hopes to open in 2015. They also have continued work on the new Business building and the Student Success Center which both plan on opening later in 2014. Our chapter is a very positive place, and having very motivated members keeps the house involved with Greek life and the community. We hope to keep the momentum of last year going within our new pledge class and the house as a whole.


Highlights of 2014[edit]

The year of 2014 was an exciting and busy year for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Our chapter takes pride in being involved with the other chapters at Oregon State as well as the community. Last fall, two of our members were selected as the president and vice president for Panhellenic council. These girls represent our chapter wonderfully, along with Kappa Kappa Gamma as an organization. Our new chapter council worked together to make chapter goals and how they would go about accomplishing them. Member involvement and encouragement, academics, and committee use are a few examples of the goals they set. We started off the year with the GPA of 2.99, which is below the all sorority average, and ended the year with an improved chapter GPA of 3.12, which is above the all sorority average and ranked us fourth in the panhellenic rankings. Our VPAE did a fantastic job going above and beyond by meeting with girls, setting up study tables during midterm and finals weeks, and establishing quiet hours in the dining room to give the girls a quieter place to study in the house. As a chapter, we are determined to continue improving our study habits and GPA. Our participation in other chapter’s philanthropies and community service continues to be a priority at Gamma Mu. Mock Rock, a huge philanthropy of Kappa Delta’s, has always been a chapter favorite and gets the girls excited to raise money for such a great cause. This year, we won the philanthropy with our outstanding participation and fundraising.

We had two philanthropies this past year. During winter term, our philanthropy was a hot wing-eating contest called Too Hot To Handle, which we hosted in our chapter’s parking lot. Despite the cold temperatures, we had a great turnout and time, and raised $2500 for Reading is Fundamental. For spring term, we did Kick It With Kappa, a soccer tournament between sororities and fraternities, as well as daily check-ins and activities. The sunny day and good spirits made it a great day to be a Kappa and raise another $2500 for our chosen charity, the Center of Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV).

Every year, Gamma Mu participates in an all-university competition called Sing. Sing is held during Oregon State’s designated Mom’s Weekend, and is similar to a Broadway production where coed groups, usually sororities and fraternities, team up and sing three songs all while dancing and stunting to routines. Sing is taken very seriously here at Gamma Mu, with a tremendous amount of hard work, time, and effort put into five months of practicing. Last year, that hard work paid off with a win for both us and Lambda Chi Alpha, the fraternity our house paired up with. We hope to continue this tradition of winning Sing with our freshmen pledge class and many more to come!

Gamma Mu had a successful year of formal recruitment last fall. We received 49 girls and initiated 44 of them. Recruitment is always so exciting because another wonderful group of girls joins our chapter with the same values and morals that we all share.

Oregon State University has been rapidly evolving to fit the high demand of becoming an even more prestigious university and adjusting to the increasingly higher number of students that enroll in the university each year. Our campus has been expanding, and also renovating old buildings on campus to keep up with the demand for classrooms, study rooms, etc. In the fall of 2014, Austin Hall had its grand opening in its own brand new, spectacular building on campus for all of the business students. The construction on Austin Hall seemed to last forever, but the final product of the building was a beautifully modern student oriented building with classrooms, study rooms, cafes, and much more. Located right behind Austin is an enormous building made only for classrooms, with a unique lecture hall that is completely circular, seating 600 students. It is said to be the only fully circular lecture hall in the United States. The addition of a new dorm was also completed this fall to help with the increasing number of students living on campus for their first year as part of the First Year Experience the university projected the fall of 2013. A student experience center is currently in its final chapter of construction on campus as well, which will host the beavers news, student leadership associations, and many other organizations and clubs, all with the goals of creating a more broadened and well rounded student body here at Oregon State.

Gamma Mu is fortunate enough to have a house owned by house board a couple of blocks off of campus where we hold our chapter meetings. Gamma Mu has owned and lived in the chapter house since 1935, marking our 80th year in the house. The house was bought and owned from Chi Phi during World War I when many of their members were drafted for the war. The capacity of the house gives 60 girls the opportunity to live in each year, and is conveniently located two blocks off of campus, allowing for short walks to class. It is usually during a member’s sophomore or junior year when they live in the house.


Highlights of 2015[edit]

The year of 2015 has been successful for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. One of our most exciting achievements has been our rise in grade point averages, which went from 3.12 in 2014 to 3.21 this year. Not only were we awarded most improved within the Panhellenic council, we are currently ranked in second place overall for sororities. Our VPAE has put much time and effort into our goal of increasing grades, such as meeting with girls to discuss academics and study plans, organizing quiet study hours for finals week, and overall doing a fantastic job of bringing energy and motivation to academics, inspiring girls to do well in school.

In May we held our philanthropy, Too Hot to Handle, to support our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. This philanthropy consists of a hot wing-eating contest among other fraternities and sororities on campus, and we received great participation. We held the event in front of Reser Stadium to accommodate more people than in previous years, which provided for a great turnout. Fall term was particularly exciting for our chapter because we hosted Kappa Klassic, a golf tournament that we haven’t had at Oregon State for several years. This brought a new and exciting element for both our members and the participants, and we successfully raised money for our local philanthropy, the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV). The first philanthropy we participated in during the 2015-2016 school year was Sigma Nu’s lip sync competition, and we won the entire event, kicking off fall term to with an exciting start. Mock Rock, Kappa Delta’s philanthropy, has been a chapter favorite for numerous years, and something we also put a lot of value in because they support CARDV as well. We are extremely proud to hold second place in the competition, given how competitive it is among all houses. We also received second place in Anchor Splash, Delta Gamma’s philanthropy.

One of our main goals this year was to increase participation both in other philanthropies and in the community, and we have been making tremendous strides. Our philanthropy chair has created teams throughout the house, and each team will go to different philanthropy events both to participate and support, which has also helped to motivate members on other teams to do the same. She has done an exceptional job of motivating our members to get involved in the community by continuously informing us about new service opportunities. Every year Gamma Mu participates in Oregon State’s all-university competition, Sing. This competition consists of fraternities and sororities pairing to create teams, in which they will learn a dance/sing routine to perform during Mom’s Weekend. We have a history of taking this competition extremely seriously, and we have received either first or second place for the previous five years. This year, with the help of Sigma Phi Epsilon, we brought home the first place trophy once again and are hopeful for 2016. We had the pleasure of welcoming our LC into our home for three weeks during recruitment, and she was wonderful to have with us. She gave us insight to the recruitment process as well as chapter organization in general, and also shared a lot of her knowledge about Kappa Kappa Gamma as a whole. We received 44 new members this year, and were able to initiate 41 of them. This group of women is such a great fit for our chapter, and we are proud to have them carry on our values.

Oregon State University is continuously improving in many aspects, both physically and academically. The grand opening of the Student Experience Center was held spring term. The center is designed to foster diversity and cultural engagement, student leadership, and experiential learning. The Learning Innovation Center was a new addition to campus starting fall term, and this holds classrooms and study areas for all subjects.

The house of Gamma Mu is still located two blocks from campus, which is close and convenient for both members living in and for our newly initiated members who are currently living in their dorms.

Chapter Philanthropy:

What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?

Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and Reading is Fundamental

Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?

We believe that continuous learning is important for everyone, and reading is a large aspect of that. Everyone should have access to books, which is why we take so much pride supporting Reading is Fundamental. We also take the safety of women everywhere extremely seriously, and believe that the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence does a great job of supporting women who have been hurt and need help.


Highlights of 2016:[edit]

2016 was another banner year for the Beta Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. This year we improved in areas of overall grade point average and rank, and also our awareness of college campus issues such as substance abuse and sexual assault prevention. It continued to be a strong year for philanthropy, sisterhood, and recruitment.

At the beginning of 2016, Beta Omega once again held our winter philanthropy event, Kappa Dodgeball. We are fortunate to have this event increase every year and continue to be the most attended Greek event on campus. This year raising over 10,000 dollars, Beta Omega was able to donate a full playground to our local philanthropy, Early Childhood Cares, which helps children under the age of five with developmental disabilities. Our most successful aspect of philanthropy this year was creating groups within Kappa to attend other Greek life philanthropic events. This created a huge increase in our Greek community involvement and gave more support to all Greek life philanthropic organizations.

In the spring we held our Barn Dance, Spring Fling, and Mom’s Weekend. This year our mom’s club helped raise even money to renovate our living room to be beautiful and recruitment ready!

In the fall we had another successful recruitment gaining 62 wonderful new members into the chapter. Our Bid Day Theme was “Go Kappa Went Kappa” and decorations and food of all shades of blue and blue filled our house as the new members ran to their new home.

On October 13th, we held a Founder’s Day with a dessert celebration and time capsule activity. The members of Beta Omega wrote down their favorite memories and blessing that Kappa has given them, to be opened by the new freshmen on their senior Founder’s Day. It was a sweet idea that gave the graduating seniors time to think of all they have gained from Beta Omega, while the new members were excited to experience Kappa Kappa Gamma for the next few years.

Overall, 2016 proved to be another year of growth for the Beta Omega women, who consistently strive to be good examples of women and sisterhood, and who wear their letters proud.


Highlights of 2017[edit]

2017 has been a year of notable advancement for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. For the winter term of 2017, we had many fun activities for our members to attend. One of the most fun events was our house dance, which was a Great Gatsby themed Sapphire Ball. We all had a great time and thought the theme was creative. We also participated in many philanthropies this term to support the causes of our Greek Community. For Sigma Alpha Epsilon, we had a many members participate in their field day, which included the always-muddy tug of war competition. We also participated in Phi Kappa Psi’s philanthropy, which the main event was a game show themed event called Phi Psi feud. An added bonus this term was winning the Barre3 Corvallis Instagram competition, which gave us all a free month of Barre3 classes.

Spring term was busy, yet fun, as always. We hosted our philanthropy, Too Hot To Handle, and the proceeds went to Reading is Fundamental. We hosted this hot-wing eating contest in the Student Experience Center Plaza, and had a lot of chapters from our Greek Community participate. This year we created more of an emphasis on the book drive portion of the event. We donated 250 books and raised $2760 for RIF. We also had our spring Barn Dance this term, which was a great event catered with food and fun. Another highlight of this term was our Mom’s Weekend activities. We hosted our first Mom’s and Mocktails event with food and shopping at the Kappa Kastle. We also participated in Sing with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which was a great opportunity for our newly initiated members to bond with each other and the fraternity. In June we said goodbye to our lovely seniors and wish them the best in their next stages of life! We also said goodbye to our House Mother, Ms. Liza, and wish her the best as well.

Fall term came up quick after a summer filled with internships, work, and Kappas abroad. Fall term was an eventful term for our chapter. We hired a new House Mother, Windy, a new chef, and got a new houseboard chairwoman. Our chapter had a very successful Fall Formal recruitment. We had a 98% retention rate and received 37 kappatastic women into our chapter. The theme for bid day was Sapphire City, so all of our members were dressed in their most eye-catching blue outfits. We had four women volunteer as Gamma Chi recruitment counselors for our Panhellenic community, so we were excited to welcome them back into our chapter after months of disaffiliation. This term we hosted our Too Hot To Handle hot-wing eating contest for the second time in 2017. We hosted it at our Kappa Kastle and it was a great success. We were able to donate 1200 books and raised $5000. We also had a fun Dad’s Weekend with the men of Pi Kappa Phi. We had a brunch at the Kappa Kastle, and were able to see our families before heading home for Thanksgiving. Before we all left for winter break, we had a Kappa Khristmas party at our house with holiday treats, gift exchanges, and caroling.

As far as grades for 2017 goes, we were consistent with our GPA. We were above the all sorority average by .08 points for winter term. We also had two members each term nominated as academic scholars of the term. We hope to keep increasing our GPA and look forward to being successful in our studies in the future.


Highlights of 2018:[edit]

Winter term - During our 2018 winter term we hosted multiple different study tables for our sisters to come to the Kappa Kastle and get homework and studying done to help achieve their academic goals for the term. On March 3rd, we had a fun house dance with the theme being Dynamic Duos. We also participated in Delta Upsilons philanthropy and won it! We were able to put $150 toward the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation from winning their philanthropy. We also won the Lambda Chi Alpha philanthropy, Watermelon Bash. Sophia Wooley and Laura White were our scholars of the term. Alessandra Ferriso won the Kappa Kappa Gamma scholarship for Gamma Mu. Spring Term- In April we hosted our first ever Kappas in the Key which was a 3 on 3 basketball competition. It was a very successful philanthropy and in the end we raised $4,000 for the Kappa Foundation and $2,000 for CARDV. We were able to participate in continuous ongoing bidding and received 8 new members and also initiated them in the spring. In May we hosted Mom’s weekend at our Kappa Kastle which included the all university Sing competition on friday night. The new members were able to establish a close relationship with the men of Delta Upsilon. We ended the term with a very fun Kite and Key house dance with Kappa Alpha Theta, which only happens every 4 years at Gamma Mu. Fall Term- After a summer full of internships, study abroad and new house renovations we moved back in to the Kappa Kastle to begin our work week to prepare for an amazing Fall Formal Recruitment. We had a 100% retention rate and received 39 new members, 7 of them are kappa legacies. Our bid day theme was Kappa Karnival. This theme was really fun as it allowed members to dress in colorful fun outfits. We even had a bouncy house obstacle course and cotton candy for the new members to enjoy! We celebrated Kappa Kappa Gammas 148th founders day with a brunch at the house with the local alumni. We had 8 seniors head up to Portland, Oregon to attend the Portland Alumnae Association Founder’s Day. November was a busy month as we celebrated Dad’s Weekend with the men of Delta Upsilon and hosted our annual brunch on the Sunday of dads weekend. We recently initiated 39 new members and 1 alumnae Jennifer Stegerholt which was a very special experience for all Gamma Mu members. Our fall term house dance was themed as a pajama party! It was the coziest house dance we’ve ever had. To end the busy month we hosted our chicken wing eating contest philanthropy, Too Hot to Handle at the Kappa Kastle. We raised $6,600 and donated 558 books to children. To end the term before going home for winter break we had a sisterhood bonding Kappa Khristmakkah at our lovely Kappa Kastle. Describe the recent changes on campus and describe the chapter’s overall nature. This year Gamma Mu strived to be more involved on campus. All members of Gamma Mu are currently in or joining clubs on campus as well as working on-campus jobs. We have partnered more with OSU and the community. We want to focus our attention on improving inclusiveness in the community. Chapter Philanthropy What organization does the chapter support? Reading is Fundamental and Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV)     Why did the chapter choose this organization? We believe that continuous learning is important for everyone, and reading is a large aspect of that. Everyone should have access to books, which is why we take so much pride supporting Reading is Fundamental. We also take the safety of women everywhere extremely seriously, and believe that the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence does a great job of supporting women who have been hurt and need help.    Chapter Facility Where does the chapter meet? All Gamma Mu members meet in our chapter room in the basement of our Gamma Mu chapter house, the Kappa Kastle 


Highlights of 2021[edit]

This past year was challenged since we cut the capacity of our members living into half capacity, this meant only pledge class 2019 lived in the Kappa Kastle. We still held virtual chapter winter and spring term. We all had classes over zoom and most events were on zoom. Spring term, things went a little bit back to normal we held a virtual barn dance and other virtual events such as functions with other fraternities and our philanthropy, Kappas in the Key. Our chapter is academically successful and amazing, we have amazingly educated women in our chapter, it’s unbelievable. For the year of 2021, we were Panhellenic Chapter of the year, we had both an upperclasswoman and a lower classwoman of the term, and in Spring 2021 we were above all women gpal!! I am so proud of this chapter and all the women. Fall term of 2021, we went back to in person classes on campus, with weekly in person chapter council meetings, as well as chapter meetings. It was a nice change and felt a little more normal. We had to wear masks on campus and in the chapter house for events, sisterhoods, chapter, and even our fall term house dance, with the theme of Denim and Diamonds. In the fall during recruitment, we also welcomed 24 new women into our chapter and had our first in person Initiation since 2019, because of COVID. Everything went smoothly and we were able to have a successful Initiation. We also decided to switch philanthropies, instead of RIF we now support the JED Foundation. For our fall term philanthropy, Kappa Kasino night, all proceeds went to the JED foundation. We raised over $3,200 and 14 chapters participated.

The beginning of this year, Winter term 2021 we worked with the Heartland Humane Society here in Corvallis, Oregon with our Philanthropy called Kappa Kritters. We have worked with the Heartland Humane Society since 2019. We had a pet supplies drive where we raised over $1300 and collected over 100 items in donations to help animals in need of toys, food, and beds. In the Spring of 2021, we held a virtual Kappa’s in the Key event to support the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. The KKG Foundation aids current and alumni Kappa members in times of financial need and crises. They give one woman in every chapter a $3,000 scholarship every year. Half of the money we raised from Kappa’s in the Key goes to the KKG Foundation. This term, fall 2021 we took away Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and instead partnered with the JED Foundation. Kappa Kappa Gamma nationally has partnered with six well established mental health related organizations. The JED Foundation protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. The Foundation gives skills and supports teens and young adults to thrive today and tomorrow. Fall term we have our Kappa Kasino night event. Greek members can come play games, eat food, and dance to the music while supporting a good cause. Each event we partake in everyone has a specific job. Whether that’s check-ins, managing Crowd Change page, Chipotle night or even making the backdrop for Kappa Kasino night. We advertise on social media pages and throughout the Greek life community. The women of Kappa Kappa Gamma love partaking in our philanthropies and especially love giving back to the community. One thing our new members said they were most excited about joining Kappa is our philanthropies.

We have incorporated more DEI activities and education into our chapter with the addition of a DEI officer last year. We included and made more of an effort to hold workshops for the chapter and our officers throughout the year.

COVID affected our events this year, not as much as last year which was super nice. For recruitment the first two days of Sisterhood rounds were online on zoom. After that the rest of the rounds were in person, with social distancing and masks required. For initiation, we did a sisterhood instead of a senior freshman dinner then the Fireside ceremony. The initiates did not spend the night at Kappa and instead returned to the house the morning of Initiation. We did a combined White Room and Red Room ceremony instead of separate ceremonies, with masks required. Before this term we still had chapter on zoom and most events were virtual. This term, we had in person chapter for the first time since COVID happened which is super nice. We didn’t do chapter dinners because of everyone being in the same room with masks off while eating. Instead, we had a sign-up sheet for girls to still eat their “chapter dinner” just on a different day. Most other events have been in person, back to normal-ish with masks required and social distancing.

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