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Delta Alpha
ΔA
Founded	October 3, 1930 (1930-10-03) (94 years ago)
College	Pennsylvania State University
Location	University Park, PA
Homepage	Delta Alpha Homepage
Media related to Delta Alpha Chapter

Pennsylvania State University, formerly the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania established in 1855. At that time, it was a village in the wilderness in the geographic center of Pennsylvania with no name.

Chapter founded October 3, 1930

1,941 initiates as of June 2012

Some of Delta Alpha’s Outstanding Alumnae:

Fraternity Council Members:

Gay Chuba Barry: 1976 – 1980, Director of Alumnae; 1980 – 1988 Fraternity Vice President; 1984 – 1988, Director of Field Representatives; Patricia Coffee Gesell: 1988 – 1990, Director of Chapters; Marjorie Gohn (Felsburg): Field Secretary, 1970-71; Anne Riley: Field Secretary, 1964-1966; Linda Pierson (Henkelman): Field Secretary, 1980-1981; Catharine Carbonetta (Mayer): Traveling Consultant, 1990-1991; Niki Rawlins (Salata): Traveling Consultant, 1998-1999; Erin Wischum: Leadership Consultant, 2004-2005; Lauren Sullivan Paitson: Executive Director, 2005-2009; Beth Ann Sharp: 2010 – 2014, Director of Programs and Education, 1973-1974, Graduate Counselor at Arizona;

Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:

Gay Chuba Barry - 1996

Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Ruth Johnson (Holden) – 1980, Educator; inventor, pioneer in speech and hearing programs and tools; Jane McCormick (Lewis) – 1978, Leader in higher education; served as president of National Association of Women Deans and Counselors;

Additional Outstanding Alumnae

Patty Meily (Mershon): Graduate Counselor, 1948-1950; Ella Louise Williams (Bassett): Graduate Counselor, 1951-1952; Silvia Brown (Trumbower): Graduate Counselor, 1965-1967; Christine Lowry (McKeag): Graduate Counselor, 1970-1972;

Beth Ann Sharp: Graduate Counselor, 1973-1974;

Deborah Smith (Fischer): Graduate Counselor, 1975-1977; Linda Pierson (Henkelman): Graduate Counselor, 1981-1983; Carol Bender (Mason): Chapter Consultant, 1986-1988;

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

Chartered in 1855 to provide a scientific agricultural education, the so-called Farmers High School, a misleading title, became the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862. This experimental college was designated the commonwealth’s representative in the national system of state land-grant colleges in 1863. Benefits from this innovative federal-state contract to support higher education came slowly to Penn State, but in 1871 the first women were admitted, and in 1874 the name became Pennsylvania State College. In 1930 the college celebrated its 75th anniversary at “Old Main” on the site of the building which had been the entire campus when the first students arrived in 1859. Since 1953 it has been the Pennsylvania State University. The non-university locality is still State College, Pennsylvania, and the Kappa alumnae association is the State College Alumnae Association.

The first coeds, occupying part of an upper floor dormitory in “Old Main,” followed strictly enforced rules for “association with the opposite sex.” Separate housing began after the first state appropriation for buildings. Maintenance was granted in 1887, a milestone year, when intercollegiate and extracurricular activities were added, national affiliations for men’s clubs developed, and campus buildings were constructed. Faculty, enrollment, and curricula grew steadily, checked only by the two world wars and the Depression.

When Pennsylvania State trustees authorized the organization of women’s social groups in 1922, six girls met in a campus oak grove and founded Sychor. The plan was to petition Kappa Kappa Gamma as soon as national affiliations were permitted.

Sychor, Pennsylvania State’s second women’s local, became Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa in 1930, the sixth women’s national sorority on campus. Sychor’s green and gold colors and its little gold acorn badge were replaced by Kappa’s light and dark blue and the key October 3, 1930, at the Wesley Foundation Hall of the State College Methodist Church.

Fraternity President Florence Tomlinson Myers (Wallace), Drake, conducted the service with Fraternity Director of Provinces Eleanor V.V. Bennett, UC Berkeley, and Kappa’s new Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, officiating for the first of many times. Province officers and University of Pittsburgh actives assisted.

The reception was given in Beta Theta Pi’s new chapter house. The next day the chapter’s first President Margaret Knoll (Oliver) conducted initiation for 28 Sychor alumnae including two founders, Elsie Kohler Moore and Ruthanna Sharpless Ely. Founders Day dinner was in the Centre Hills Country Club.

With dormitory space at a premium in the 1920s, women’s social organizations enjoyed the use of former faculty residences, but had all meals in the McAllister Hall dining commons. The three-story frame Willard Cottage became the Sychor and later the Kappa house, and was operated as dormitory. When it was moved slightly west in 1938 for the building of Pattee Library, Delta Alpha had the one and only private chapter room in the new basement. Moves to McElwain Hall in 1949 and to Cooper Hall in 1958 were to suites in the large residence hall complexes that Penn State had begun to build. Each group rents a living room, kitchenette, and storage closet unit; occupies adjacent dormitory rooms; and shares larger facilities for meetings and initiations. The old Kappa house, renamed Moffat Cottage, was torn down in 1964 to make way for the west addition of the library.

Sensing problems which might arise in an unhoused (by Kappa definition) chapter bound by the local Panhellenic policy of sophomore pledging, the Fraternity assigned a graduate co-organizer, Marion Cheyne (Felton), William and Mary, to live with the Delta Alphas during 1931-32. Marjorie Matson (Converse), Purdue, was Delta Alpha’s Graduate Counselor 1945-46.

Delta Alpha’s small group of State College alumnae served as advisers and formed an association in 1933, with Margaret Oliver again as first President. The chapter and association were hostesses for Beta Province Conventions in 1933, 1955 and 1967.

Anne Riley was Delta Alpha’s first Field Secretary, 1964-66. She was followed by Marjorie Gohn (Felsburg,) 1970-71. Ella Louise Williams (Bassett) was sent to Beta Phi, Montana, 1951-52; Silvia Brown (Swiss) was the Graduate Counselor for the Puget Sound, and Beth Sharp was Graduate Counselor at Arizona in 1973-74.

Helen Kinsloe, charter member and notable Kappa personality, has been honored by the chapter’s only memorial award for Fraternity loyalty and scholarship. It was established by Delta Alpha alumnae and State College Kappas in 1963 after her death, which deprived the Fraternity of a dynamic leader whose rapport with the chapter was enhanced by her faulty position as student adviser and teacher of bacteriology.

A Kappa memorial scholarship for graduate study abroad, in languages, was endowed in 1966 by the husband of Susanna Stover Root, a Sychor alumna. The chapter supports a university scholarship in memory of Alona Williams, who died of leukemia in 1969, her junior year.

Individual interests give a chapter its personality. Delta Alphas are recognized for scholarship, student leadership, and the arts, in publications and in athletics. Before beauty and talent queens were out of fashion, Kappas frequently wore their crowns, including that of Miss Penn State. Delta Alphas were among the charter members when Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Alpha Lambda Delta, Cwens and other honor societies were installed.

In 1972, Rhonda Egidio was one of the two first women elected to Lion’s Paw, a prestigious senior “men’s” honorary. A Sychor-Delta Alpha, Dr. Mary R. Freer Keeler, was an early recipient of the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award. She was Penn State’s “Women of the Year” in 1959 for academic achievement and as dean of faculty of Hood College. When the title of “Dean of Women” was abolished, Jane E. McCormick, Penn State, became head woman administrator in the university’s student affairs office. Donna Symonds Clemson, associate editor of the Penn State Alumni publications, now limits her Kappa activity to chapter advising. Another good friend to Delta Alpha was Doris M. Seward, Delta, Indiana, executive assistant to president of Pennsylvania State and professor of human development.

Consistently high rating among Penn State’s Panhellenic groups strengthened Delta Alpha for survival during the partial eclipse of the Greeks in the late 1960s, and membership quotas were maintained. By 1970 sorority chapters on the campus were in the low 20s with smaller memberships, after peaking at nearly 30 in the early 1960s.

Firmly established chapters are coping with changes in campus situations, and playing a vital role on campuses where liberalized housing creates problems. By exerting Panhellenic leadership in the 1970s, Delta Alpha hoped to become free of the unstructured disunity of the chaotic 1960s and to combine recognition of individuality with Kappa’s traditional values of honor through group organization and the loyalty of members.

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:

Delta Alpha, like many of our chapters, was affected by the events of the world. The campus became more involved in issues of our country and the ongoing war in Vietnam. Saigon fell, the Watergate scandal, President Nixon had left office and Gerald Ford became president, which all left their mark. Peace movements began and hippies were everywhere. The Delta Alphas answered by focusing on philanthropies hoping to attract more members. Disco fashion were sweeping the nation – bellbottoms, platform shoes, mini-skirts were in vogue and flower power influence permeated the campus

Rush (Recruitment) numbers were noticeably lower in the 1960s and continued into the 1970s. For those years the total membership was just in the 30s. It wasn’t until 1979 that it was back in fashion to be a Greek. Academic achievement was foremost on the members’ minds and the GPA average for the decade was 3.21.

Coach Joe Paterno had a decade of winning football seasons. Saturdays were always a highlight for the campus known as “Happy Valley.” The campus continued to grow not only in the number of students but in increasing the number of academic buildings.

Spring Week and Greek Week were major highlights for the Delta Alphas as well as for the campus. The Delta Alphas in conjunction with their partner fraternity always gleaned several awards each year.

January 15, 1979, the 1,000th member of Delta Alpha was initiated.

Philanthropy:

The Kappas were well-known on campus for their participation and involvement in philanthropies. They participated in the Delta Gamma Anchor Splash and THON, now one of the largest student run philanthropic events in the country as well as other Greek groups’ events. THON is short for a mara”thon” dance competition which takes place during a four-day period.

Highlights of the 1980s:

On campus the Paterno Library was dedicated and named in football Coach Joe Paterno’s honor not only for his major gift to the project but because of the importance he placed on academics with his teams. It almost doubled the size of the existing Patee Library.

“The Dairy” continued to be a favorite of undergraduates and returning graduates. Penn State began as the Farmer’s High School so it is only natural that the Agricultural degree were highly acclaimed. Various flavors of ice cream and cream cheese were the favorites.

Ice skating, square dances and popcorn parties were held monthy and were well attended. Tailgating occurred before each home football game and “mother/daughter” events were held often culminating in a Mother’s Day tea party.

The chapter continued to maintain a high GPA and the members participated in many campus events. Since the chapter was essentially unhoused it was difficult to plan sisterhood events on campus. The chapter strived to maintain the importance of sisterhood. Founders Day was celebrated every year with the State College alumnae and was one of the opportunities to bring together the whole chapter.

Many of the members were involved in intramural sports and student councils across the campus. March 31, 1980, Delta Alpha was recognized as the outstanding chapter on Penn State campus. This award is given by an administrative committee and was most prestigious.

Philanthropy:

For the third decade THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, was not only the major focus of the entire campus but of Greeks in general. The money raised was for the Four Diamonds Fund of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center which primarily treated children with cancer. Kappas and their partners raised on average more than $40,000 a year.

Highlights of the 1990s:

Delta Alpha continued to be proud of its many philanthropic efforts.The members were proud to be carrying on the traditions of the past. For example, still participating in Derby Days and winning Spring Week with the Sigma Chis as well as the participation in THON. Kappas maintained a great relationship with other Greek organizations by continuously attending their events and getting to know other members involved in Greek life. This helped to boost Kappa’s reputation on campus and in the community.

During these years the Delta Alpha Chapter won the outstanding chapter at Penn State award multiple times. The award was based on activities in philanthropies and involvement in THON. Kappa was one of the top organizations that raised money for THON over the course of years. Delta Alpha was excited to host the Beta Province Meeting. The chapter prided itself on its GPA for the decade and continued to express the importance of academic studies.

Highlights of 2000-2010:

Penn State is known for having excellent academic programs. In fall 2010 The Wall Street Journal named Penn State as the number one school where business recruiters seek to hire students. Also, the Women’s Volleyball Team won its fourth consecutive national championship. Here at Penn State the chapter is very well respected. It has a reputation on the campus and among fellow students of having outstanding members. The chapter continues to participate in Greek Week and Spring Week – a major event on the campus each year.

The chapter focused on promoting sisterhood with special events and retreats. Campus involvement by so many members left little time for sisterhood. Founders Day continued to be a favorite event among sisters and a time when they can all be together.

Scholarship was once again a prime focus with a decade average of 3.42. The chapter also hosted a LEAD seminar with the Dickinson and Bucknell chapters.

Philanthropy:

In 2004, Delta Alpha with its partner fraternity raised $81,875 to contribute to the fight against pediatric cancer – THON. The campus in total raised $3.5 million.In 2006, $91,1798 was raised; in 2009 Delta Alpha raised an unbelievable $136,443 for THON, placing third. Also, in 2004 the chapter began its decade association with Reading Is Fundamental. The first activity was a story time and help with an elementary school. Other RIF activities for the decade to raise money were an ice cream eating contest, “Kappa Klassic” tennis tournament; Kappa Winter Tales – children attended an event to listen to a profession story teller.

The Delta Alphas are proud of their long heritage of contributing to society and at the same time making academic success and philanthropy involvement its top priorities.

Chapter Convention Awards:

2000 – Scholarship Honorable Mention: Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention 2002 – Efficiency Award, Ritual Honorable Mention, Scholarship Honorable Mention, Recruitment Honorable Mention, Advisory Board Honorable Mention, 2006 – Risk Management Honorable Mention 2008 – Panhellenic Award, Standards Honorable Mention

Highlights of 2011-2019:

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:

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

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