Difference between revisions of "Eta Upsilon"

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Wichita State University

Founded November 16, 2013

Wichita State University (WSU), Wichita, Kansas, established 1895

Colonizing new members: 40

Charter members initiated: 40 undergraduates, plus three alumnae initiates

49 Total Initiates as of (June 2014)

Some of Eta Upsilon’s Outstanding Members:

Fraternity Officers:

Fraternity Loyalty Award:

Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

History of the University

In 1895, Fairmount College opened collegiate classes for men and women with funding by the Congregational Education Society. Sports were of interest to students from the beginning. On the second day of school, some of the men met under a tree to discuss forming a football team. In addition to football, basketball, baseball and track were added to the men’s roster and basketball to the women’s.

In 1905, under the glow of Coleman lanterns, the Fairmount Wheatshockers won the first-ever night football game played west of the Mississippi River. That same team instigated the first forward pass in collegiate history on Christmas Day of that year.

By the mid-1920s, financial concerns threatened the young college. Public ownership seemed to be the obvious solution to loyal Fairmount supporters, but the first campaign for public ownership failed at the polls in 1925. A renewed effort in 1926 was overwhelmingly approved, however, and the 569-student Municipal University of Wichita, popularly known as Wichita University or WU, became the first in a new era of city institutions in the American West. From the very beginning, Wichita University served students whose financial circumstances and family responsibilities limited their options for higher education.

A long and arduous battle that began in 1955 finally culminated in 1963 with legislative approval of a new state university. The citizens of Wichita responded in the form of a $1.5 million levy to pay the bonded indebtedness and provide a perpetual endowment for the new state institution. In 1964, it officially entered the state system of higher education as Wichita State University with an enrollment of nearly 7,000 students, the third largest university governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

October 2, 1970, was one of the blackest days in Wichita State history. One of two planes carrying players, coaches, staff and fans to a football game at Utah State crashed near Silver Plume, Colo., killing 31. Football was discontinued in 1986 because of mounting debt.

In 1975, the women’s bowling team won the national title. Baseball returned to campus in 1978, finishing second in the College World Series in 1982 and winning the national championship in 1989. The men’s basketball team qualified for the Final Four in 1965 and 2013.

As Kansas’ only urban-serving research state university, WSU combines a traditional college atmosphere with the opportunities of the state’s largest city. As of 2013, Wichita State enrolled nearly 15,000 students. The Beginning

In April 2012, the Wichita State University Panhellenic Council voted to establish a committee for the purposes of exploring extension. In October, the WSU Panhellenic Council voted to open for extension for the purpose of a local sorority, Gamma Epsilon, to affiliate with a National Panhellenic Conference group and for non-affiliated women on the campus.

In November, Extension Chairman Barb Adams Goettelman, Syracuse, and Zeta West Province Director of Alumnae Melissa Smith, Kansas, made a visit to Wichita State and met with Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life Gina Stewart and Peggy Ward, adviser to Gamma Epsilon, a local sorority. The Fraternity sent its extension applications and letter of interest packets to the campus and received notification that it and another NPC group had been selected to make a presentation. Kappa’s on-campus presentation was scheduled for February 20, 2013.

A 14-inch snowstorm hit Wichita the evening of February 20. Due to the heavy snowstorm, flights were canceled, and the Kappa presentation team couldn’t get out of Wichita until February 22. Everyone had a great time while “grounded” and strengthened the bonds of sisterhood, working on projects together, while making several attempts to “get out of Dodge!” We had the opportunity to celebrate Extension Coordinator Lisa Lunney Thomson’s, Bowling Green, birthday together due to Mother Nature’s plans.

Gamma Epsilon Insight

Two undergraduate women who transferred from the University of Kansas to Wichita State University founded the local sorority Gamma Epsilon at WSU.

In 2012, members of Gamma Epsilon contacted the Wichita State College Panhellenic and asked it to invite a Panhellenic group to join Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta. From its founding, Gamma Epsilon’s goal had been to affiliate with an NPC group.

Its purpose statement was “It shall be the purpose of Gamma Epsilon to foster positive connections within our organization and throughout the community. This student organization will instill respect for all women by promoting values of leadership, integrity, sisterhood, scholarship and philanthropy.” Gamma Epsilon’s five purposes were sisterhood, leadership, integrity, community service and scholarship. Its colors and symbols were turquoise, canary yellow, the owl, paisley, daisy and the locket.

Presentation:

After Gamma Epsilon members reviewed proposals, the women chose Kappa Kappa Gamma as one of the NPC groups to make a presentation. They informed their faculty adviser and fellow Gamma Epsilon Peggy Ward, and she entered the exploratory visit and time with KKG thinking, “Don’t blow this, we really want Kappa.” Peggy expressed later, “the pressure was really on me to seal the deal.” Kappa Kappa Gamma wanted them as well and to become a part of this Panhellenic community.

Kappa Kappa Gamma presented at Wichita State on February 20, 2013. Members of Kappa’s presentation team were Fraternity President Julie Marine Leshay, Colorado College; Director of Chapters Collett Beers Rangitsch, Wyoming; Director of Programs & Education Beth Uphoff Black, Illinois Wesleyan; Barb Goettelman; Region 3 Director of Alumnae Linda Price Patton, Oklahoma State; Social Media Coordinator Claire Davis, Auburn; Lisa Thomson; and Executive Director Kari Kittrell.

The Wichita State College Panhellenic made the final decision as to which additional NPC group to invite with the recommendation from the local sorority Gamma Epsilon taken into consideration. Kappa Kappa Gamma joined Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta as the fifth Panhellenic group on campus.

Colonization:

On March 16, the College Panhellenic of WSU invited Kappa Kappa Gamma to establish a chapter on its campus. This was welcome news not only for the Fraternity Council but also for a special group of collegiate members of the local sorority, Gamma Epsilon.

The Fraternity appointed Susanne Wolff Vander Heyden, Washington State, as Colonization Chairman and Chelsea Dyer, Oklahoma State, as Chapter Consultant after which the planning for the fall colonization began. In July 2013, Chelsea Dyer moved to Wichita, enrolled in a master’s program and began the process of spreading the word that Kappa Kappa Gamma was coming to campus. Her first event, the Activities Fair on August 28, brought “Be Kappa” posters, a bright blue table cloth, blue balloons and local alumnae wearing blue and their badges, and our campaign was launched. Women unaffiliated with the local group took notice. Some wanted to be a part of something new, some were intrigued with our national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental and the ability to choose a philanthropy project that was a passion for them.

On September 5 and 6, with the assistance of local alumnae under the direction of Wichita Alumnae Association President Judy Hardman Rapp, Kansas; local liaison Val Laham Learned, Kansas; and the undergraduates members of Gamma Alpha, Kansas State, under the leadership of President Claire Carlson and Vice President – Organization Hannah Smith, Kappa participated in the first and second rounds of formal Recruitment. Phi Delta Theta opened its beautiful home, and the Kappas recruited just like every sorority on campus with songs, T-shirts, owl cookies, blue punch, a program describing KKG and lots and lots of chatter!

On September 26, Kappa held its colonization kickoff event, in the National Institute for Aviation Research Building. Assisting with the presentation were Leadership Consultants Jordan Newsom, Knox, and Madison Taylor, Arkansas. Chelsea Dyer, Madison Taylor and Susanne Vander Heyden shared their personal accounts of the advantages of membership in Kappa Kappa Gamma. Two days of interviews conducted by local alumnae followed on September 27 and 28. The final day of colonization, Preference, on September 29 consisted of an event with cupcakes, tulle and twinkly lights and a reading about “What Kappa Is” from the members of Gamma Alpha Chapter. On a bright, breezy fall afternoon, Kappa Kappa Gamma welcomed 40 new members into Eta Upsilon Colony.

Installation:

Fraternity Installation Chairman Kristi McCune Rowland, Kansas State, oversaw the details for the installation with assistance from Chelsea Dyer and Coordinator of Chapter Development Risa Flanders, Kansas State. A very special aspect of this installation was that three Gamma Epsilon alumnae, Laura Gerber, Julie Scherer and Peggy Ward, were initiated along with the 40 undergraduate colonizing members.

The Fireside was held November 15 at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita, and the Installation Service was conducted the following day at the Wichita Marriott. Gamma Alpha Chapter served as the sponsor chapter and took part in the Installation Service.

A beautiful installation brunch was held at the Wichita Marriott. Barb Goettelman was the toastmistress. Fraternity President Julie Leshay welcomed Kappa to the campus and spoke about how the Fraternity fits into the Wichita State Greek system. Barb Goettelman shared a letter from Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life Gina Stewart:

Women of Kappa Kappa Gamma, First, my apologies for not being with you on this momentous occasion. Please know my thoughts are with each of you as you complete your journey of becoming initiated members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and receive the charter acknowledging that Wichita State University officially has a fifth NPC group represented on our campus. This has been a long journey. It would be discourteous of me to not mention first the meeting held years ago with Phoebe, Alex (the founders of the local sorority Gamma Epsilon) and Peggy Ward (Gamma Epsilon’s faculty adviser). Had it not been for the energy and determination of those women and the founders of Gamma Epsilon, we would not be here today. Thank you to the women of Gamma Epsilon who worked hard to maintain a strong chapter, recruit the best and for making the decision to pursue membership with an NPC organization. This drive motivated the WSU Panhellenic to pursue extension and helped the Panhellenic extension team to determine that Kappa Kappa Gamma truly was the best sorority for us.

You are all now founding members of a sorority. This is an honor which has not been bestowed upon a woman at WSU since 1958. Please do not take this task lightly. It is a privilege, one that comes with hard work, probably some tears and many, many sweet memories as you develop deep bonds with your fellow founding sisters as you Aspire to Be who you are meant to be.

Recently, I ran into a founding member of my own sorority at a WSU men’s basketball game. She sits with her husband and three other founding members of the organization at every game, every year. They are all now in their 70s, but their passion for their sorority and for WSU is still just as deep as it was 55 years ago. In 1958, they experienced the same emotions you are experiencing today: the butterflies, the excitement, the nervousness. In another 55 years, these women will be gone, you will be the legacy women at WSU look up to as the founding members of a sorority. No one knows what our future will hold, but we do know that the WSU Greek community will need you to carry on that legacy. Fifty-five years from now, may you still be present and passionate so you may pass on the torch and inspire a new generation of Kappa Kappa Gamma women at WSU. Please know you have an entire force of sorority women behind you, ready to go to work to make you a strong chapter. If each one of you is willing to put in the effort, then we will roll up our sleeves and work together to make you the best. You have been given the key; the door is yours to open.

Now, it is time to be. There are children waiting for you to help them learn to read. Alumnae waiting to feel the energy of young collegians. Sisters waiting to lean on your shoulder. Fraternity men waiting to partner with you for Hippodrome. Campus traditions waiting for you to carry them on. Sorority women waiting to embrace their new Panhellenic sisters. Most importantly, there is a woman within you, waiting to be who she is supposed to be. May Kappa Kappa Gamma help you to become the best you can be. Not just for yourself, but for the community you will now impact and the world you will now change.

Interfraternally, Gina Stewart Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Judy Rapp presented the President’s badge to Eta Upsilon President Whitney McBryde at the brunch. The members of the installation team were led by Kristi Rowland and included Fraternity President Julie Leshay, Fraternity Treasurer Nancy Eyermann Foland, Tulsa; Region 6 Director of Chapters Angela Disalvo, Iowa; Region 6 Director of Alumnae Jennifer King, Utah; Barb Goettelman, Susanne Vander Heyden; Melissa Smith; Zeta West Province Director of Chapters Katy Stovall, Drake; Jordan Newsom; Madison Taylor; Leadership Consultant Mallory Glazier, Michigan State; and the following Headquarters staff members: Lisa Thomson; Membership Services Chapter Support Libbi Rettew, Virginia Tech; and Creative Content Specialist Ali Brown, Ohio State. The model chapter meeting followed at the Wichita Marriott with Fraternity President Julie Leshay presiding. Following her installation as Eta Upsilon’s President, Whitney McBryde presided and closed the meeting. Charter members’ thoughts about becoming Kappas: “Installation weekend was one of the best weekends of my life. The whole experience was beautiful and will be a day I never forget. I can’t wait to see what our chapter can do on campus and what we can do in the future while working together to better those around us.” - Whitney McBryde, Eta Upsilon Chapter President.

Highlights of 2013

In the fall of 2009, Alexandra Miller and Phoebe Holeman created the local sorority, Gamma Epsilon, at Wichita State University (WSU) campus. They created this group with the intention of bringing a new sorority to the Wichita State campus. During the following spring semester, Alexandra and Phoebe recruited Peggy Ward, faculty member at Wichita State, to serve as the Gamma Epsilon faculty adviser. In the fall 2010 semester, Phoebe and Alexandra, along with Lindsay Ann Dickmeyer, Laura Gerber, Julie Scherer and Ashley Abedini, all founders of Gamma Epsilon, recruited the first class of Gamma Epsilon. They also created the symbols and ritual during this semester. In the spring 2011 semester, Gamma Epsilon presented their intentions to become an NPC sorority to the Wichita State Panhellenic. The Wichita State Panhellenic community voted to open for extension in the fall 2012 semester. WSU sent information to NPC regarding the university’s and Gamma Epsilon’s intentions. During the spring 2013 semester, Gamma Epsilon became an associate member of the Women’s Panhellenic Association at Wichita State after growing to a member count of 35 women. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Mu were each chosen to present to the Wichita State Panhellenic community. Gamma Epsilon and WPA voted to extend an invitation to Kappa Kappa Gamma to join the Wichita State Greek community.

During the rest of the spring 2013 semester and the following summer, Kappa Kappa Gamma worked with WPA and Wichita State to prepare for its upcoming colonization. Kappa Kappa Gamma participated in the first two days of formal recruitment in fall 2013. After the end of formal recruitment, Kappa Kappa Gamma began its marketing campaign which consisted of tabling, information sessions, communication with the fraternities and sororities, and use of display cases and bulletin boards around campus. Kappa Kappa Gamma also participated in the WSU Back to School Bash and the Student Involvement Fair.

On September 26, Kappa Kappa Gamma held two Colonization Kick-Off Events in the National Institute for Aviation Research building on WSU’s campus to formally introduce interested women to the opportunity of membership in Kappa Kappa Gamma. The colonization team was assisted by several Wichita area alumnae and women from the Gamma Alpha chapter at Kansas State University. The weekend continued with Kappa Interviews conducted by Wichita alumnae on September 27 and 28 in Devlin Hall on campus and an invitation-only final preference round on September 29 in the National Institute of Aviation Research building. The celebrations continued into the afternoon with Greek reception and bid day activities.

The 40 new members of the Eta Upsilon colony were given their first Kappa t-shirt, a KKG tote bag and several KKG swag items. Their chapter supplement and Kappa Notebook were also given to them to use during the New Member program. The colony also took its first official bid day pictures with large wooden blue KKG letters made by a local alumna’s husband. The New Member program started the following day on September 30 and ended on November. At the end of the week, the chapter’s fireside was held at a local country club and the installation ceremony took place at the Marriott on November 16.

As new members, the original women participated in many activities that could support the bonds of sisterhood. KKG women participated in Shockertober fest capture-the-flag events and won first place. They also participated in intramural flag football, volleyball and supported other WSU and Greek events such as Songfest, Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Chili feed, Gamma Phi Beta’s Grilled Cheese feed, Phi Delta Theta’s Spaghetti Feed, Delta Upsilon Teeter-Thon and many more activities. KKG women also personally supported Wishes over Wichita by volunteering to sell tickets and assisting in running the event at the Benton airport. They also had a few sisterhood events including movie nights, a new member retreat and various outings. Also during the New Member Program the women learned exactly what it means to be a kappa.

Inspiration week began with Leadership Consultants, Jordan Newsom and Madison Taylor, coming back to Wichita to install Eta Upsilon with Chelsea Dyer, Chapter Consultant. On the first night of Inspiration Period, the last new member meeting consisted of officers being elected. Throughout the rest of the week, the new members went to a local corn maze and decorated pin boxes for their keys. Friday November 15, Eta Upsilon began the chartering process by joining Gamma Alpha chapter of Kansas State University, and alumnae for Fireside at a local country club. On November 16, 2013, the official Eta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was chartered with Julie Leshay, the current Fraternity President, who resided over the Installation.

After installation, the ladies of Eta Upsilon had two official meetings before the end of the semester. They discussed their plans to help Kappa grow into a lasting sisterhood. With a strong start, the women of Eta Upsilon know they have all the keys for success.

Wichita State University has been under construction since 2012. Different buildings are being remodeled including the Rhatigan Student Center. The main parking lot on campus is becoming a new student dormitory, Shocker Hall. These changes are projected to be done, hopefully, by this coming summer of 2014. Marshallville was a trending topic created by the student body at Wichita State during the Fall 2013 to raise support for the men's basketball team due to their achievement of making it to the NCAA’s Final Four Tournament in their previous season.

Highlights of 2014

In January 2014 Eta Upsilon had the opportunity to do joint training with the women from Gamma Alpha at Kansas State University (K-State). Then Wichita State University (WSU) had their annual Springfest to kick off the start of the new semester. Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) participated by having their first spring recruitment. Through spring recruitment, six new women became a part of the Eta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. As a new chapter tradition, Eta Upsilon created the Minerva award. This award is given to a New Member who encapsulates the ideals of Kappa. During the brunch after Spring Initiation, Angie Hobbs received the Minerva Award. Soon after recruitment Eta Upsilon was getting ready to participate in their first ever Hippodrome at WSU. Eta Upsilon was paired up with men of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Together they wrote, choreographed, built sets, and performed a skit. Their hard work paid off by getting third place in sets/props category.

The success for Eta Upsilon did not stop there. At the annual Greek Awards, Eta Upsilon was awarded outstanding new member. At Shocker leadership Awards, Eta Upsilon received Outstanding New Organization Award. Along with the Greek Awards, Eta Upsilon had the 2nd highest GPA within all the sororities at WSU. March 1, 2014 marked the first philanthropy event. The event was called “Drop it the Fleur.” The event was a volleyball tournament where anyone could participate either by playing in the tournament or coming to watch. The proceeds went to their local philanthropy Fundamental Learning Center and the National Kidney Foundation. Eta Upsilon then went to Oaklawn Elementary School to read to the younger classes. The women plan on going back to Oaklawn Elementary. After participating in their philanthropy events Eta Upsilon participated in the All-Greek clean up.

As the school year was quickly ending, Eta Upsilon participated in the Parkinson’s basketball and soccer event. They then took part in their first passing of Senior Fleur tradition. The Gamma Alpha chapter from K-State also passed on their Friendship Fleur. Several members of Eta Upsilon were mortar board members.

Over the summer five members, two advisors, one chapter consultant, and the coordinator of chapter development were able to go to convention, in Houston, Texas. This was their first convention at a chapter of Eta Upsilon. At convention the president participated in the parade of flags with the flag that the chapter designed. The president then received a special award for being the first president of the Eta Upsilon chapter. The chapter also sent one member to the UIFI in June. Then in early August a special visit from Breeane, an alumna visitor, came during the first work week for recruitment.

WSU began to be an innovation campus at the beginning of the school year. Shocker Hall was opened as the new student housing building. The Rhatigan Student Center also had their grand opening of their student union center. WSU’s men’s basketball did exceptionally well. They entered the 2014 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament undefeated at 34–0.

In Greek life we had several milestones. Farmhouse fraternity was colonized as an official IFC Fraternity. Additionally Eta Upsilon participated in move-in day for freshmen, and Greeks get twisted, which is a new member academy.

The fall of 2014 was the first time Eta Upsilon participated in formal recruitment. It was a huge success due to the record breaking amount of women going through formal recruitment at WSU. During recruitment Eta Upsilon gained 30 new members, which helped of achieving the goal of membership growth. Two of the women from Eta Upsilon acted as Rho Gamma’s during formal recruitment. Additionally we now have a member serving on the Panhellenic council. We also had two members participated in Leadership Academy in Ohio that was put on by the fraternity.

Eta Upsilon was able to participate in other sorority and fraternity’s philanthropy events such as, Tri Delta Dodge N Dive, Delta Upsilon Nachofest, and Phi Delta Theta Spaghetti Feed. There were other events that they participated including, Mud Events, Shockerthon, Intramural volleyball team and kickball, October 25, 2014 Eta Upsilon participated in their first ever Songfest at WSU. They won 2nd place overall. They then turned around to throw their second philanthropy event of Kappa Olympics on November 15th. Where different teams participated in different Olympic Games. Farmhouse Fraternity did not participate in the event but they did donate money to Eta Upsilon’s philanthropy for helping out their new chapter. The next day Eta Upsilon celebrated their first birthday as a chapter.

To wrap up the year, Eta Upsilon held elections for new officer positions for the new year. The following are now the new officers. President is Mariah Smith, Vice President of Standards is Lauren McGuire, Vice President of Organization is Erin Kirchoff, Vice President of Academic Excellence is Rebecca Newton, Treasure is Maggie Arndt, Membership Chairman is Whitney McBryde, Corresponding Secretary is Pam Saenz, Recording Secretary is Lauren Stiles, Marshal is Czarina Cutaran, Registrar is Anne Perez, Education Chairman is Jade Conkle, House Chairman is Carol Gibbon, Philanthropy Chairman is Portia Montoy, Public Relations is Jessa Ragan, New Member Chairman is Taylor Warren, Panhellenic Chairman is Diona Mendoza, Risk Management is Haley Valcoure, and Event Chairman is Madison Jewell

Wichita State University began to be an innovation campus in the fall of 2014. Shocker Hall was opened as the new student housing building. The Rhatigan Student Center also had their grand opening of their student union center. WSU’s men’s basketball did exceptionally well. They entered the 2014 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament undefeated at 34–0.

In Greek life we had several milestones. Farmhouse fraternity was colonized as an official IFC Fraternity.

Eta Upsilon does not have an established chapter house yet, but they hope to have one in the future. The chapter meetings are held in classroom buildings at WSU.

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!