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Epsilon Kappa
EK
Founded	February 18, 1967 (1967-02-18) (57 years ago)
College	University of South Carolina
Location	Columbia, SC
Homepage	Epsilon Kappa Homepage
Media related to Epsilon Kappa Chapter

University of South Carolina established in 1801, Columbia, South Carolina

Founded February 18, 1967

1,764 initiates (as of June 2013)

Charter Members: Gloria Jean Allen, Mary Dolores Armstrong, Joy Alyce Cook, Betty Love Emmons, Marsha Gittinger, Deborah Ann Gough, Nancy Jane Groover, Jean Martha Huston, Marilyn Claudette Keen, Rebecca Suzanne Strange, Candice Jordan Walker, Julia Katherine Wilshin

Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:

Fraternity Officers: Anna Fowlkes, Chapter Consultant 1983-1984; Jamie Gardner, Headquarters Intern, 2013

Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:

Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Additional Outstanding Epsilon Kappa Alumnae:

The Early Years

From September 17, 1962, when an alumnae club was chartered in Columbia, there had been the hope that an active chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma would be installed at the University of South Carolina. The Kappas felt that South Carolina had been neglected by the Fraternity as far as colonizing chapters was concerned. However, this neglect was understood when only 120 Kappa alumnae living in South Carolina were listed in the first galley sheets send by Headquarters in 1962.

The University of South Carolina is a large university located in the heart of the city. Real estate in this area was quite high. Since a sorority house would have to be close to the university for the girls’ safety, it was the consensus of opinion that perhaps the university would make the next girls’ dormitory a Panhellenic dormitory.

In the spring of 1966, an evaluating team was sent by Kappa to the university, by invitation, to examine the possibilities of colonizing. The team was favorably impressed, and a “red carpet welcome” was extended by the university, culminating in a luncheon by Panhellenic with the dean of women as hostess. An invitation was extended to Kappa Kappa Gamma to become the eight national sorority on campus, the first since the early forties to establish a chapter on campus. Preceding was Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Pi Beta Phi. An inspection committee arrived shortly thereafter. Upon recommendation of this committee, a vote was taken by the Council and Associate Council, and was approved.

Frances Fatout Alexander, DePauw, Fraternity President at that time, lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, not far away. Mary Turner Witney, Cincinnati, lived in Beaufort, South Carolina. Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, and Dorothy McCampbell Nowell, Georgia, lived in Georgia. The last two were with the chapter during the first rush in September, 1966, as was Marsha Lynn Love, Florida State, slated to be the graduate counselor for the new Chapter. Some of the actives from Delta Upsilon, University of Georgia, came over for two weekends to put on skits and rushing parties, and later for initiation in February, 1967. They demonstrated Kappa loyalty to the fullest. Some actives from Epsilon Epsilon, Emory University, came, too.

It was agreed to enter recruitment in the fall, and the university provided a chapter room in the Wade Hampton Dormitory. On September 29, 1966, twelve girls accepted bids. Four more were added in informal rush. The twelve who made their grades became charter members of Epsilon Kappa and the four who did not make their grades became charter pledges. On February 17, 1967 the colony became the Epsilon Kappa Chapter at the University of South Carolina; Kappa's ninety-third Chapter and the first Kappa Chapter in the state.

First on the initiates' agenda was the Fireside Service at the Baptist Student Center, complete with members of sister Chapter, Georgia. This was followed by a social hour in the flower-filled Kappa room. Many Kappa songs, combined with shining faces and expectant smiles, produced a truly unforgettable evening. Twelve happy members received their new badges and long awaited charter in the Saturday afternoon ceremony. Immediately after installation, Epsilon Kappa Chapter adjourned to the Kappa room for the ceremony conducted by former Fraternity President Whitney to pledge five women to the newly installed Chapter. The gala banquet was held at Columbia's Palmetto Club and presided over by toastmistress and Central South Carolina Alumnae Association president, Barbara Grimsley Burns, UCLA. Various gifts to the Chapter were presented during the evening, including the awarding of three special keys. In addition, flowers, telegrams, and letters from Kappas coast to coast gave South Carolina's Kappa Chapter a warm welcome.

Highlights of the 1970s:

Due to the smallness of the chapter at the time, an active often had to hold two offices or chairmanships. Epsilon Kappa received an award at the Centennial Convention for scholarship improvement among smaller chapters and in 1973 had two members of Phi Beta Kappa.

Members of Epsilon Kappa earned honors in university scholastic organizations such as nursing, music, education, and the freshman honorary. The Chapter won in intramural swimming, two girls were voted sweethearts, and one Kappa was named the Sorority Woman of the Year.

Epsilon Kappa Chapter, along with the Columbia Alumnae Club, hosted the 1973 Mu Province meeting.

Most of 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 2011 - 2019

Highlights of 2011==

In the spring of 2011 the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had its largest spring pledge class with eight new members. After a great recruitment in the fall of 2011 the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma gained 98 new members.Our annual fall philanthropy event, Kappa Kickoff, was a successful flag football tournament, with participation from other Greek organizations and University sports teams.

Chapter: The Epsilon Kappa chapter has grown drastically in the past year. We nearly doubled in size after our spring and fall recruitment, growing from 159 members to 262.

Highlights of 2012

Scholarship:

- Kappa Kappa Gamma logged the most hours in the Library out of the entire greek community last year. -Our chatper improved our GPA both semesters, ranking us 5th in the entire greek community.

Philanhropic Involvement: -This fall we held Kappa Kickoff, a flag football tournament open to all campus organizations, on November 18th. This event raised money for a scholarship fund that we call the Hill Family Fund, started by our chapter, for the children of one of our former chefs who tragically passed away along with his wife in a car accident. The event itself raised over $2,500.

-We had 2 members on the Panhellenic Circle of Sisterhood Committee and as a chapter raised around $300 for that effort. -We had 16 girls participate in Dance Marathon, an organization that supports Children's Miracale Network Hospitals and our team raised over $6,500 -Through a combination of t-shirt sales, percent nights and other various philanthropic efforts we raised over $3,000 and divided it between the Hill family fund and The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. -We made weekly trips to read to children at local elementary and middle schools. As well as held a book drive to donate hundreds of books to local schools through RIF. -We hosted the CEO of RIF for an informational session which was such a treat!

Leadership:'

-Riley Shipman and Jamie Gardner attended SLDC (Student Leadership and Diversity Conference on Feburary 4th) as well as SEPC (South Eastern Panhellenic Conference March 29-April 1st) representing both Kappa and USC’s Sorority Council. -Members of the 2012 Chapter Council also attended Kappa Kappa Gamma Annual Convention June 20-24th in Jacksonville, Florida. -On September 13-16th 2012, collegiate Rachel Haselden and alumni Myra Morton attended Kappa’s annual Leadership conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Goals: -The three main goals from 2012 of the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma were as follows: to be more involved in the Greek community at the University of South Carolina, to improve academically, and to be more active in our national philanthropy Read is Fundamental (RIF). The chapter accomplished these goals ten-fold and will continue to do so in the future. Two main examples of our increased involvement in the Greek community are the fact that we had to representatives of Kappa Kappa Gamma on Sorority Council as well as our sisterhood event with Alpha Kappa Alpha and Phi Mu in September 2012. In this sisterhood event, Alpha Kappa Alpha was able to educate the sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Mu about Incorporated Sororities and their sorority’s history as well. It was a lot of fun and cultivated many diverse friendships.

The second goal of academic improvement was carried out through increased study hours and availability of educational tools, such as sister tutors. We also increased the amount of academic incentives that we gave out, for example, gift cards and gift baskets. Using these tools, we were able to increase our average GPA to 3.43 and are continuing to improve that with our New Member class having a GPA average 3.45. The third goal of becoming more involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma’s national foundation was carried out through many different ways. We began a program in which a group of about 10 sisters went to BC Grammar School (a RIF certified school) in Columbia, and read with children in the school library for a few hours on Friday afternoons. We also had to honor of having Reading is Fundamental’s CEO, Carol Hampton Rasco, speak to our chapter this fall. She not only spoke with us about the RIF organization and how we could become more involved but also about being a woman in leadership. Our sisters benefited immensely from this experience. All in all, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma set high goals for itself and delivered in reaching each one. We are excited to continue to work on these goals that we have set and set new ones for the future of our chapter.

Programs:

-We invited all alumni to attend a mock-recruitment showcase round before the rounds started on August 4, 2012 at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house. They got to see what we were presenting during recruitment for the upcoming year, and then stay for sweet tea and desserts.

-Our parents event this year was the Parents’ Cocktail, held September 26th, 2012 at our house in the Greek Village. We hold this event every year to allow parents to meet other sisters and also enjoy a social gathering. The night included food, presentations from our exec board, house tours and a silent auction to raise money for our philanthropy.

During the fall, We hosted a Yoghut Percent night with Alpha Delta Pi and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. to raise money for Sorority Council’s Philanthropy, Circle of Sisterhood.

Last spring, We hosted a Sister Sorority of the Month Event with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Phi Mu on October 13, 2012. We did a bonding evening at the KKG house where we learned about one another’s sororities and histories. Had dinner and dessert and then gave speeches to one another about what makes us who we are.

Last Spring, our chapter sent 5 of our largest committees to attend a drunk driving seminar at the Delta Zeta House. Not only did this give our members a real perspective on Drunk Driving and how it affects family members, but it also provided us a chance to support another organization’s educational efforts.

Awards: -Our chapter was awarded with Most Improved GPA at our General Convention (national conference) in June 2010. We were also awarded and award for Gracious Living, Academic Most Improved, Opal Humphrey Membership Award, and the Felice Wood Pralle House Board Relations Award at our National Convention on October 20, 2012. -Received the Silver Excellence Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Academic Excellence Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Chapter Involvement Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Recived the Challenge The Process Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Highlights of 2013

Scholarship: Kappa Kappa Gamma logged the most hours in the Library for 2013. Our chapter has continued to improve our GPA both semesters, however, the rank is not known yet.

Philanthropic Involvement: This Fall, we held Kappa Kickoff, a flag football tournament open to all campus organizations, on October 13, 2013. This event raised money for a scholarship fund that we call The Hill Family Fund, started by our chapter, for the children of one of our former chefs who tragically passed away along with his wife in a car accident. The event itself raised over $7,000.

We had 25 girls participate in Dance Marathon, an organization that supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We also had 5 girls on moral, a selected group of people who help organize and run the event. Our team raised over $4,500.

We made weekly trips to read to the children at local elementary and middle schools. Participated in Reading Rocks a book drive event and celebration of reading at local elementary school. Through a combination of t-shirt sales, percent nights and other various philanthropic efforts we raised over $3,000 and divided it between the Hill family fund and The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.

Leadership: - We sent new member, Taylor Kessock, to 2014 SLDC. -2 women of Epsilon Kappa were selected to be resident mentors on campus -5 new members selected to participate in Greek Emergaing Leaders Program -Riley Shipman and Jamie Gardner attended SLDC (Student Leadership and Diversity Conference on Feburary 4th) as well as SEPC (South Eastern Panhellenic Conference March 29-April 1st) representing both Kappa and USC’s Sorority Council. Lindsay Webb will be attending SEPC this year. Both Riley and Jamie are going to be Leadership consoltents next year.

Goals: The three main goals from 2013 of the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma were as follows: to be more involved in the Greek community at the University of South Carolina, to improve academically, and to be more active in our national philanthropy Read is Fundamental (RIF). The chapter accomplished these goals ten-fold and will continue to do so in the future.

Two main examples of our increased involvement in the Greek community are the fact that we had sisters on Sorority Council, Greek Conduct and Programming board, as well as Greek ambassadors and Pi Chi’s. We also held an informational sisterhood event with Sororos of Delta Sigma Theta which gave them a chance to present about NPHC & their national organization. It was an very interactive event and I think our girls learned a TON and had fun doing it. The second goal of academic improvement was carried out through increased study hours and availability of educational tools, such as sister tutors.

We also increased the amount of academic incentives that we gave out, for example, gift cards and gift baskets. The third goal of becoming more involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma’s national foundation was carried out through many different ways. We continued our program in which a group of about 10 sisters at a time went to BC Grammar School (a RIF certified school) in Columbia, and read with children in the school library for a few hours on Friday afternoons. We continued to participate in the back to school parade and collected books to donate with local elementary and middle schools. Our sisters benefited immensely from both experiences. All in all, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma set high goals for itself and delivered in reaching each one. We are excited to continue to work on these goals that we have set and set new ones for the future of our chapter.

Programs: Members from the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma participated in an event called Make Moves for Martha benefit concert- an event that raised awareness and support of a young lady who was tragically paralyzed while she was in downtown Columbia.

We invited all alumni to attend a mock-recruitment showcase round before the rounds started on August 4, 2012 at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house. They got to see what we were presenting during recruitment for the upcoming year, and then stay for sweet tea and desserts. Our parents event this year was the Parents’ Cocktail, held September 26th, 2012 at our house in the historic Seibels House and a bruch on Sunday for the parents and family at our house in greek village. We hold this event every year to allow parents to meet other sisters and also enjoy a social gathering. The night included food, presentations from our exec board, house tours and a tshirt sale to raise money for our philanthropy.

We hosted a Sister Sorority of the Month Event with Delta Zeta Feb 20th . We did a bonding evening at the KKG house where we learned about one another’s sororities and histories. There was dinner and dessert and then gave speeches to one another about what makes us who we are.

Sisterhood Events March 20th 2013 – Tye Dye Sisterhood Event – 90% attendance August 25th 2013 – Bid Day event at the Riverbanks Zoo, 100% attendance October 30th – Pumpkin Painting Sisterhood event – 90% attendance October 13th 2013– Founders Day Celebration – 90% attendance

Awards: -Received the Silver Excellence Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Academic Excellence Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Chapter Involvement Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Challenge The Process Award from The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life -Received the Outstanding Academic Excellence Award at Mu Province Spring 2013 -Received the Most improved Advisor Relations Award at Mu Province Spring 2013

Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter. After gaining 110+ girls, our chapter meetings had to be held in the Nursing Building Auditorium to fit such a high capacity. USC is set to have Pi beta Phi on campus in the fall

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!