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Gamma Eta
ΓH
Founded	May 7, 1920 (1920-05-07) (104 years ago)
College	Washington State University, formerly State College of Washington
Location	Pullman, WA
Homepage	Gamma Eta Homepage
Media related to Gamma Eta Chapter

Washington State University (formerly State College of Washington) established in 1890, Pullman, Washington

Gamma Eta founded May 7, 1920 with 26 charter members

2,223 initiates (as of June 2012)

Some of Gamma Eta’s Outstanding Alumnae: (If you have chapter alumnae who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)

Fraternity Officers:

Ann Fletcher Colvin, Director of Alumnae, 1980-1984; Susanne Wolfe Vander Heyden, Director of Alumnae, 2008-2012; Ann Fletcher (Colvin), Field Secretary 1963-1965; Linda Schink (Frizzell), Traveling Consultant 1986-1987; Ashley Delich (Fosbert), Traveling Consultant 1988-1989; Linda Finnegan (Elkin), Traveling Consultant 1989-1990;Allison Marker (Rider), Traveling Consultant 1991-1992;

Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:

Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Ellen Franzen Dissanayake, 2010, author and lecturer in art and anthropology

Additional Outstanding Alumna

Janet Wolters (Gottfredson), Graduate Counselor 1947-1949; Diane Gourley (Hogle), Graduate Counselor 1977-1979; Linda Finnegan (Elkin), Chapter Consultant 1990-1001; Kristin Holland (McKinnon), Chapter Consultant 1993-1994;

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

In a lonely 36-by-80 brick structure standing atop a bleak and windswept hill, with prairie on the rolling Palouse hills stretching as far as the eye can see, the Washington Agriculture College opened its doors, January 13, 1892, at Pullman. Enrollment consisted of 23 students, and there were six faculty members.

The town of Pullman had 350 residents; and the entire state of Washington had 350,000. Chartered in 1890, the beginnings of the land grant, coeducational college were humble indeed. In 1905, the name of the institution was changed to Washington State College. Effective September 1, 1959, the name officially became Washington State University. The University of Idaho campus in Moscow is just nine miles away.

In 1916, Dr. Ernest O. Holland became the third president of Washington State College. A local sorority, Zeta Phi, was organized, and immediately began working toward its goal of petitioning Kappa Kappa Gamma for membership. Several months later, on April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I. This had its inevitable effect on the college, as the young men marched off to war. Hundreds of soldiers were brought to the college for military training under the Student Army Training Corps (SATC). The trials of the influenza epidemic in the fall of 1918, when church and campus buildings became emergency hospitals, were vivid memories.

The girls of Zeta Phi did their full share in serving as volunteer nurses and doing Red Cross work. They worked hard and established a place of leadership on campus. All this time, the young women were petitioning Kappa. Exhausted, they welcomed spring vacation of 1920, as never before. And then came the happy news.

“SUSIE’S WELL!” A wonderful meaning was packed into those two words, which swiftly went by telephone, telegram and word of mouth to some 30 girls who had scattered throughout the State of Washington. When they left Pullman, the Zeta Phi president was waiting to hear from the officers of Kappa Kappa Gamma, telling them whether the petition from Zeta Phi would be accepted or rejected. If the decision was a rejection, the code message would be the doleful words: “SUSIE’S DEAD”; if the group was accepted: “SUSIE’S WELL.”

On May 7, 1920, the long-awaited Initiation arrived when 27 eager and happy Zeta Phi members became charter members of Gamma Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Fourteen others were initiated the next day. The installing officer was Estelle Kyle Kemp, Grand Secretary, Colorado, and Anna Scott (King) was the first chapter President.

Belle Ware Waller, Hillsdale, wife of Dr. O. L. Walker, longtime Vice President of Washington State College, worked tirelessly to help the local Zeta Phi group organize and petition Kappa Kappa Gamma, and long served as one of its advisers. The first Gamma Eta house at 614 Campus Avenue was purchased with the aid of Professor C. A. Issacs, who, with his wife, helped the chapter through many difficult years of organization.

Housing and Chapter Traditions

The thriving chapter soon outgrew its first home. In 1929, a beautiful new $35,000 chapter house, designated to accommodate 35 members, was built on the same site as the original house. Of Colonial design with tall, stately columns, it was a most outstanding house. To celebrate the final payment on the house, large numbers of alumnae came to Pullman to help burn the mortgage on October 12, 1947. “Shall I bring a match?” inquired one alumna.

During World War II, 1941-1945, actives and Pullman alumnae again gave their wholehearted efforts toward victory—entering into Red Cross bandage rolling, USO activities, War Bond drives and more. They helped solve the critical wartime food problem by going to the Pullman Canning Center en masse and canning more than 800 cans of tomato juice, hundreds of cans of plums, and a year’s supply of grape conserve—during a single weekend!

Jeanne Norbeck, WASP lieutenant who was killed in 1944 in the line of duty, was the first Kappa in the U.S. to give her life in the service of her country during World War II. WAVES, WACS, SPARS, WASPS, Red Cross and USO workers from Gamma Eta saw service in Burma, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Italy, France, England and Germany. Joy Johnson Write, a senior staff assistant served with the American Red Cross in Europe.

Immediately following the war, Irene Kruegel Van der Meulen, a member of Gamma Eta who, with her husband and children had returned to The Hague, Holland, sent a plea to the Gamma Eta actives and alumnae for used clothing for Dutch Relief. For several years, Pullman Kappas sent boxes of used clothing to Mrs. Van der Meulen for distribution to needy Dutch whose joy and appreciation were indeed gratifying.

Scholarship has always been emphasized by Gamma Eta, but actives and alumnae alike were joyously surprised when the chapter received the Fraternity’s Scholarship Award at the 1946 Biennial Convention at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

In tribute, the December 1946 issue of The Key featured Gamma Eta Chapter and Washington State College. In 1956, the chapter received the runner-up Scholarship Award during Convention, and in 1972 received the honorable mention (large campus) Scholarship Award.

Throughout history, Gamma Eta has maintained high academic standards. In the 1950s, City Panhellenic awarded permanent possession of a Scholarship Cup to the women’s living group that placed first in scholarship for three consecutive semesters. After Gamma Eta placed first for eight consecutive semesters and won permanent possession of not only one, but two cups, City Panhellenic decided to make the cup a traveling trophy—to keep from going broke buying new award cups for the Kappas.

In 1957, Gamma Etas also topped the women’s living groups for the quantity of blood donated in the annual campus blood drive. “If it isn’t grades, it’s blood!” quipped the girls. Honors

Throughout the years, many Gamma Eta undergraduates and graduate students have been recipients of scholarships and fellowships, have held high campus officers and editorships have been campus queens, and members of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta, Alpha Lambda Delta, Mortar Board, Spurs, and other honoraries. On several occasions, foreign students have been invited to live in the chapter house for a year and given room and board. Among Gamma Eta’s most treasured traditions are the scholarship banquet, senior banquet, pledge semiformal, Big-Little Sis program, Founders Day observance, spaghetti dinner, Christmas party and Initiation banquet.

As enrollment at the university grew, the need for a larger chapter house became imperative. In 1961, a large, new addition was added to the house at a cost of more than $100,000. The house is ideally located near campus and across the street from the university president’s home. More than 100 alumnae returned for the open house and dedication, and more than 600 guests attended the tea on Sunday, March 18, 1962.

The Centennial year of the Fraternity and the Golden Anniversary of Gamma Eta Chapter were incentives for a never-to-be-forgotten weekend April 17-19, 1970. Eighteen of Gamma Eta’s 36 “Young-at- Heart” charter and 50-year members came to Pullman from a dozen states, including Hawaii. Young and old alike enjoyed the festivities, from the opening Fireside on Friday evening, through the Anniversary Tea on Sunday afternoon at the house. Typical “squeal day” scenes prevailed as Kappas who hadn’t seen each other for untold years eagerly embraced and began reminiscing where they left off—10-, 15-, 25- or even 50-years earlier.

“Tribute to Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Centennial” was the subject of an inspiring address by Marian Schroeder Graham, Montana, Fraternity Director of Membership.

More than 160 Kappas attended the Saturday evening banquet. Belle Wenz Dirstine, Gamma Eta charter member and former Iota Province President, was toastmistress. She appeared in a glamorous gown she had worn as an undergraduate, including a showy fur necklace of yesteryear and her 1920 horn-rimmed glasses.

“Gamma Eta Reminiscences” by Wilma Porter Yoder, charter member, drew many chuckles. Anna Scott King, first President of Gamma Eta, introduced guests by decade. Fifty-year pins were presented by Louise Ott Webb, a member of the first fall pledge class.

The $3,000 Kappa Kappa Gamma Centennial Rehabilitation Graduate Fellowship was awarded to Barbara Hebbert Jesson, a Washington State graduate student in the Child and Family Studies Department.

At the Centennial Convention in French Lick, Ind, in June 1970, the Pullman Alumnae Association with a membership of 25 was awarded the coveted McNaboe Silver Cup Award for excelling as the top alumnae association of 50 members and under. In 1966, the Pullman Association won honorable mention at the General Convention for its assistance to Gamma Eta Chapter.

In 1950 and 1960, Gamma Eta received honorable mention for its chapter publication, and in 1972 it was named one of the top five chapter publications.

Perhaps one of the many factors that have helped to keep Gamma Eta vigorous throughout its existence has been the tireless work and inspiration of its Advisory and House Boards. Since the beginning, Gamma Eta House Board members have always taken pride in maintaining a high credit rating and have never failed to meet obligations on time, although it sometimes has been a struggle.

Lulu Holmes,Whitman, always an inspiration to actives and alumnae alike, came to the Washington State campus in 1936 as dean of women and remained there 20 years. Recipient of Kappa’s Alumnae Achievement Award at the Sun Valley Convention in 1948 for outstanding work in education, Lulu Holmes served on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo, Japan, in 1946, as adviser on women’s education.

Ann Fletcher (Colvin) served as Fraternity Field Secretary in 1963, and as Fraternity Chairman of Chapter Programs and Pledge Training, 1970-72. Audrey Owen McCall became first lady of the state of Oregon in 1967.

From its small and humble beginning of 23 students in 1892, Washington State University’s enrollment is now more than 14,000. The campus covers some 2,000 acres. Thus from the horse-and-buggy age of 1892 through the era of the railroads, the automobile, the airplane, the atomic age in 1945, through 1975 the changes in the world since Kappa Kappa Gamma’s first century have been vast indeed.

Convention Awards:

1972 Scholarship Cup-second place

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 1980s:

Gamma Eta chapter truly set the standard in the 80’s an outstanding chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. In 1988 they won the highest award of the Fraternity – the Standards Award. Years of hard work and dedication to being the best paid off when their chapter was presented with the sterling silver punch bowl and cups by President Marian Williams.

High academic goals, Recruitment of outstanding young women, quality chapter programming, strong finances, an emphasis on leadership development, participation by members in all aspects of chapter life and respect for ritual are just a few of the things Gamma Eta does so well. Members shine on campus and participate in Cougar Guys and Gals, Homecoming Committee, Intramuruals, Mortar Board, Blue Key, SPURS, WSU Rally, President’s Honor Roll, Student Alumni Connection and Yearbook Staff.

Social activities run the gamet from Monmouth Duo and the Kite and Key Dance to Triads and Quads (exchanges with other WSU fraternities and sororities.) The ever popular pledge dance and senior dance were always a highlight of the year. Mom’s Weekend and Dad’s Weekend are long standing traditions on campus and Gamma Eta parents are involved with chapter and campus events throughout the weekends.

Gamma Eta is a leader in Panhellenic holding offices and chairing committees. Homecoming participation is a must and the chapter pairing with a fraternity is an opportunity to show school pride and have some fun.

In 1987, the College of Idaho’s, Zeta Pi Chapter was installed and Gamma Eta served as a big sister chapter to the new chapter.

Housing:

The House Board installed new carpet and furniture in the living room and lounge and refurbished the dining room with a new hard wood floor, wallpaper and dining room seat cushions

Philanthropy:

Gamma Eta collected money for the March of Dimes and donated the proceeds to the Missing Children’s Organization. They also created and delivered Valentine’s cards to a Pullman convalescent home and organized a “Kappa Karnival” for the Pullman children. Their community philanthropy also included cleaning a local park with the Phi Delta Theta chapter.

Chapter Convention Awards:

1980 Crabtree Panhellenic Award Commendation, Greatest Scholarship Improvement; 1984 Gracious Living Award Commendation, Finance Excellence, Housed Chapters-Honorable Mention; 1986 Finance Excellence, Housed Chapters; 1988 Standards Cup

Highlights of the 1990s

Cooperation, loyalty, appreciation and sincerity were key words in the goals of the chapter throughout the decade. Learning to live with others in a cooperative manner while balancing academics, extra-curricular activities, work and chapter responsibilities is a big order. The women learned and lived the values of the Fraternity with an amazing support system that will last for a lifetime.

The chapter sought to retain top scholarship standing on campus and also received recognition from Iota Province for scholastic excellence. The Scholarship Committee implemented several creative ideas and recognized chapter members for academic achievements at the annual Scholarship Dinner.

Social events include The Sapphire Ball, Monmouth Duo and Kite and Key Dance which happened each year. Exchanges had great themes and destinations including a Beach Bash, boat trips on Lake Coeur d’ Alene in Idaho and a Halloween Dance. Study breaks with fraternities were also a poplar social activity.

Many campus organizations had Gamma Eta’s as members. A few of these include: WSU Crew, Tennis Team, Pre-Law Club, Cougar Guys and Gals, Homecoming Committee, Intramurals, Mortar Board, Blue Key, SPURS, WSU Rally, President’s Honor Roll, Student Alumni Connection and Advertising Club.

Philanthropy:

Partnering with another fraternity or sorority was a great way to double the effort for a philanthropy. Fundraising and service projects included: a Haunted House, cleaning local parks, carving pumpkins with elementary children, promoting Breast Cancer Awareness and looking after children while parents received counseling or comfort during hard times.

Convention Awards:

1998 Greatest Scholastic Improvement

Highlights of 2000-2010

Chapter members knew that friendship and sisterhood help to maintain a successful chapter. By growing through the challenge of college life with the support of friends, women of the chapter created bonds, support systems and they became confident leaders and well-rounded individuals. Gamma Eta is a highly recognized chapter at Washington State because they maintain academic success at the individual, chapter and university level.

The chapter struggled with several issues that resulted in Gamma Eta utilizing the assistance of Chapter Consultant Tiffany Dawkins, Oregon. With her help and guidance, the chapter focused on correcting problems and following Fraternity recommendations for improvement. Always a goal oriented chapter, the members worked on solutions and to continue to be the strong and proud chapter they had always been.

Housing:

Celebration of 20 years with House director Ms. Mina Neet

Philanthropy:

The chapter supported several fundraisers for charities. "Check your Boobies," benefiting early breast cancer detection, "Cupcakes for a Cause," benefiting cancer care for kids, a dodge ball tournament benefiting the Rose McGill Fund and "Kappa Tau-lo-ween," a Haunted House fund raiser benefiting Reading is Fundamental.

Convention Awards:

2000 Greatest Scholarship Improvement-Honorable Mention; 2002 Scholarship-Honorable Mention; Heritage-Honorable Mention; 2008 Most Improved Academic Excellence-Honorable Mention; Philanthropy 1-2-3 – Honorable Mention

Highlights of 2011-2019

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:

Highlights of 2020s:

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:

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!