Difference between revisions of "Zeta Pi"

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Zeta Pi
ZΠ
Founded	November 14, 1987 (1987-11-14) (37 years ago)
College	College of Idaho
Location	Caldwell, ID
Homepage	http://chapters.kappakappagamma.org/zetapi/pages/welcome.php
Media related to Zeta Pi Chapter

College of Idaho founded in Caldwell, Idaho 1891

Zeta Pi founded November 14, 1987 -- 15 Charter Members

195 Initiates (as of June 2012)

Some Outstanding Zeta Pi 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 Council Members:

Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:

Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Additional Outstaning Zeta Pi Alumnae

Holly Hihath (Weymouth), Chapter Consultant, 2002-2002; Jennifer Voshell (Jordan), Chapter Consultant, 2002-2003

The Early Years

The college was conceived in 1884 when the Presbyterian Church's Wood River Presbytery, meeting in Shoshone, formed a commission to examine the possibility of establishing a Presbyterian college somewhere in the Idaho Territory. The commission found support for such a venture and in 1890 the Presbytery accepted an offer from a group of Caldwell citizens, led by William Judson Boone, to locate the institution in that community.

The college was founded in 1891 by Dr. Rev. William Judson Boone with the support of the Wood River Presbytery. It first opened its doors to students on October 7, 1891. Nineteen students showed up at the College of Idaho for the first classes in 1891. The first classes were held downtown in the Caldwell Presbyterian Church and a year later the college moved into its own downtown building. The campus moved to its present site on the east side of town in 1910 when Henry and Carrie Blatchley donated 20 acres of land. Sterry Hall, a classroom and administration building, and Finney Hall, the first residence hall, were built that year. Voorhees Hall, the second of what would become a total of five residence halls, opened two years later.

In 1893, it was incorporated under the laws of the State of Idaho and placed in the hands of a self-perpetuating board of trustees. Dr. Boone served as president of the college for 45 years until his death in 1936.

C of I has a more than century-old tradition of educating some of Idaho's most accomplished graduates, including six Rhodes Scholars, three Marshall Scholars and another ten Truman and Goldwater scholars. The College is home to three of the past five Idaho Professors of the Year, including 2010 winner Dr. Rochelle Johnson, demonstrating its professors' commitment to helping each student succeed.

Located in Caldwell, the C of I students are 30 minutes from downtown Boise and have easy access to world-class opportunities for skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

The College of Idaho is a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,010 students in 2011 located in Caldwell, Idaho. From November 1991 until October 2007 it was known as Albertson College of Idaho

In 1991, the college changed its name to Albertson College of Idaho to honor alumnus and long-time donor Joe Albertson and his wife, Kathryn. The Albertsons, who founded one of the country's largest supermarket chains, Albertson's Inc., were generous benefactors of the college. On October 10, 2007, college president Bob Hoover announced that the name would revert to The College of Idaho, with the mutual agreement of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, to promote acceptance and gain financial backing from alumni who were unhappy about the original name change. This coincided with a ten million dollar donation by the Foundation for the community College of Western Idaho.

The College of Idaho, dedicated to preparing students better than any other small college in the West, is the state’s oldest private college. The school’s students enjoy small class sizes, a close-knit community, a competitive NAIA athletics program, outstanding visual and performing arts activities and a beautiful residential campus.

Highlights of the 1980s

In the spring of 1987, 19 women pledged themselves to Zeta Pi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. This chapter was installed on November 14, 1987, as the Fraternity’s 142nd chapter, located at the College of Idaho. Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first National Panhellenic organization to colonize at the College of Idaho.

Founded in 1891, the college continues as a private liberal arts institution with a distinguished faculty and approximately 1,000 students at the time of the installation. Fraternity president Marian Klingbeil Williams, Missouri, presided over the weekend activities and was assisted by Juliana Fraser Wales, Ohio State, director of chapters and Mary Wells Rathbone, Colorado, chairman of the installation committee.

Installation

The installation weekend festivities began on Thursday evening with a dessert party for the chapter, advisers and visiting Fraternity officers. After the Fireside Service on Friday evening, the Iota Province Officers, Mary Shuford Johnson, Washington, and Betty Carol Gest, Ohio Wesleyan, hosted a shower of gifts. Saturday events included the initiation of the chapter members, the chapter installation, a pledging service for the colony pledges, a model chapter meeting and a campus reception for parents, college faculty and administration officials, students and friends.

At the banquet Saturday evening, Dr. Robert L. Hendres, Jr., brought greeting from the College, Marian Williams was the featured speaker and Nancy Malone Symms, Texas, and Marjorie Matson Converse, Purdue, chairman of extension, served as toastmistresses. Kay Smith Larson, Washington, director of personnel, read greetings from Fraternity officers and other Kappa chapters.

Jane Fields Strohecker, Idaho, was coordinator of chapter development for Zeta Pi and Caroline Gates, Virginia Tech, chapter consultant. Piper Danielle Price was the first president of the new chapter.

Charter members of Zeta Pi were: Samantha Brakefield, Andrea Bruce, Melony Ann Caswell, Karen Lynn Geist, Margaret Kathleen Hage, Susan Renee Hayes, Denise Inda, Noel Larsen, Machell Hinkle Levitch, Deborah Louie, Laurie Ann Newcomb, Annette Beaubien Nowling, Darcy Jane Shaw, Shawna Swanson, Kristen Wallace.

Highlights of the 1990s

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 2000-2010

There are currently approximately 1,000 students in attendance at Albertson College of Idaho, a small four-year college which offers 26 majors and 37 minors and is in the process of expanding its majors to fit the student body. The Zeta Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma is one of three national sororities on campus, and there is one local sorority. All of the national sororities on campus participate in Panehellenic recruitment in the fall. Though the chapter is unhoused, it is able to meet in classrooms or other on-campus facilities.

In 2005, the chapter held an annual Daffodil Days with proceeds going toward the American Cancer Society, an Easter Egg hunt helping out the children of the Valley Crisis Center, the Giving Tree with gifts going to the Salvation Army, and also helping out a local retirement community with winter essentials. In addition, members also made flower pens and journals for the children's ward of St. Lukes Regional Medical Center. Chapter events such as the Heart Sister Dinner, the Founder's Day Brunch, and gift exchanges were highlights of the decade as were inter-Greek functions such as a turkey dinner with the Sigma Chi chapter, Greek Week events hosted by all the Greek Council, a kick ball game with the Gamma Phi's and also a get together with the local Sigma Epsilon Chapter. Recruitment proved productive for Zeta Pi, as the chapter sought to increase its membership. Zeta Pi sent delegates and members to the Biennial Conventions during the decade and also to Leadership Academy.

2006 was a busy year for Zeta Pi as the chapter participated in several philanthropic activities throughout the year, including some new ones. In February, members organized the Kappa Kasino which raised 200 dollars for the Valley Crisis Center. A RIF-benefit volleyball tournament was held in which participants donated books as an entry fee, netting a donation of 60 books to RIF. The annual Heart Sister Dinner was held at a fondue restaurant called the Mona Lisa. Members joined in coloring Easter eggs with the Kappa Alpha Thetas and both groups journeyed to the Valley Crisis Center, where they held an Easter egg hunt for the children there. Energies were focused on the Sigma Chi Derby Days, where the chapter achieved a very close second place award, despite being a significantly smaller house than others on campus.

During the 2006 academic year, Zeta Pi participated in Greek Week with all the other sororities and fraternities on campus. Seven of the chapter’s fourteen members attended Convention in Salt Lake City – 50% of the membership! In the fall a book drive for RIF involved the whole school, collecting 165 books for donation to Americorps. The entire chapter attended the annual Founders Day brunch with the Boise Alumnae Association and held its annual turkey dinner with the Sigma Chis in Blatchley Parlor.

The 2007 Academic year was filled with many exciting events for Zeta Pi chapter. Members successfully sponsored the annual Kappa Kasino event to benefit its local philanthropy, the Valley Crisis Center and its special Heart Sister Dinner, an opportunity to bond and spend some quality, stress free time together. Province Meeting was in March and nearly every one from the chapter was able to attend. It was a memorable event, with members meeting sisters from several other chapters in the area and learning about their traditions. Also in March, the chapter assisted with the second annual Mercy Community Sale Gala on March 23rd.

Tradition continued as Zeta Pis decorated Easter eggs along with the two other national sororities at The College of Idaho, Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Theta. The Easter eggs were donated for the annual Easter egg hunt at the Valley Crisis Center. The much anticipated Derby Days, hosted by the Sigma Chi Fraternity, finally occurred in April. In this weeklong competition, all the campus sororities participate in several events, and one sorority gets the coveted title of Derby Days champion. At the end of the week, Kappa Kappa Gamma came out as the victors

In May 2nd, the annual scholarship banquet was held, with certificates presented to members who met the Academic Excellence criteria The final major event of the year was a “giving tree” to benefit the Salvation Army that was set up in the student union building. Nearly all of the gift tags were taken (about 75) and all things considered, it was one of the most successful events of the year.

In 2008, the chapter again held its annual philanthropy event "Kappa Casino" to benefit RIF, raising over $300…triple the amount from the previous year. The chapter put its heart and soul into the Derby Day competition sponsored by the Sigma Chis and placed 2nd in Lip Sync and found the Golden Derby in the Olympics event for first time ever.

During the Leadership Consultant’s visit in early October, the chapter learned it had the highest GPA of all Greek organizations (except for the Order of Omega) on campus. During Inspiration Week, members attended the college play "Lapis Blue and Blood Red" to support a Zeta Pi sister playing one of the major roles.

Zeta Pi continued its annual Turkey Day Dinner with Sigma Chi during 2009 as well as its other successful campus activities and fundraisers. The chapter focused efforts on building membership through formal recruitment and Continuous Open Bidding processes.

In 2010, Zeta Pi enjoyed a most successful formal recruitment process and doubled its 2009 chapter membership. By spring, the chapter had tripled its size and restructured its officer responsibilities for greater efficiency and effectiveness. The Chapter President, Samantha Sink, was also selected to serve on the Fraternity Nominating Committee in March and shared her learning experiences with the chapter. She then attended Convention, which sparked a newfound motivation to further the chapter's development and growth. Zeta Pi received several Honorable Mention certificates at Convention, reflecting its commitment to excellence and improvement.

In the Spring of 2010, the Kash for Keys program was created, a program which allows for members and new members to work for local alumnae, doing odd-jobs (i.e. yardwork, babysitting, housesitting), to earn money to purchase badges and pay for dues. The program is still functioning and has not only helped our members financially, it also has strengthened our alumnae relations.

During the year, Zeta Pi re-established a former tradition of hosting a professors’ dinner, to which all members invite at least one professor to help with public relations and to promote Kappa’s image on campus. It was a great success and was coupled with a Founder's Day Dessert Reception which included all Greek organizations on campus. The chapter shared its history and the history of Kappa Kappa Gamma with the other sororities and fraternities and received considerable recognition and support through this event. The chapter also sponsored the KIND Campaign’s visit to Albertson, during which students watched the KIND Documentary and donated money to the cause.

The Fraternity has played a role in Zeta Pi’s growth, having provided a Leadership Consultant in both Spring and Fall 2010 and a Chapter Coordinator of Development in Fall 2010. The leaders of this chapter are now much more well-prepared for the offices they have and understand their role within the chapter as a whole. The chapter conducts an annual retreat for leadership development, calendar planning and sisterhood. A member attends Leadership Academy annually and returns to assume a leadership role in the chapter, using the skills and training gained to benefit Zeta Pi.

Philanthropy:

For more than ten years, Zeta Pi has supported the Valley Crisis Center, a shelter for abused women. The chapter colors and fills plastic Easter eggs that are donated to the center for its annual egg hunt which the chapter carries out. In addition, the chapter sponsors campus-wide fund raising events such as Kappa Kasino to raise funds for the shelter. Zeta Pi also sponsors a “Giving Tree” annually for the students of Albertson College to donate gifts to the children served by the Valley Crisis Center.

Reading is Fundamental is a major recipient of Zeta Pi’s philanthropic efforts, including book drives, fund raising and hand-crafted book marks made by the members, which are donated to RIF projects.

Housing:

Zeta Pi is an unhoused chapter which meets in campus classrooms and other facilities.

Chapter Convention Awards

06/29/2000 Heritage Honorable Mention

06/29/2000 Scholarship Honorable Mention

06/29/2002 Chapter/Advisory Board Relations Honorable Mention

06/29/2002 Finance Award

06/29/2006 Chapter Advisory Board Relations Honorable Mention

06/29/2006 Greatest Scholarship Improvement Award

06/29/2008 Most Improved Academic Excellence Award

06/29/2008 Panhellenic Honorable Mention

06/29/2008 Philanthropy Signature Honorable Mention

Highlights from 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.:

== Chapter History Report ==

January 1st 2011- December 31 2011 -compiled by Stephanie Cochran, Registrar, and the Business Supercommittee

In January, Zeta Pi hosted its Kappa Casino event to raise money for Reading is Fundamental, the Kappa Kappa Gamma national philanthropy. Despite early local reservations and advertising on campus, the turn-out to Kappa Casino was lower than anticipated due to a last-minute schedule change on behalf of another campus event. Kappa Casino was able to raise $350 to send to RIF for the 2011 year. This same month, Zeta Pi conducted a successful COB season, resulting in the initiation of 6 new members that raised the total number of chapter members from 12 to 18. The following month, the sisters of Zeta Pi celebrated their sisterhood and friendship at their annual Heart Sister Dinner, which took place at the Mona Lisa restaurant where the sisters greatly enjoyed spending time together while eating delicious fondue. In March, a contingent of the Zeta Pi chapter attended the Province meeting hosted in Pullman, Washington, at Washington State University. While attending Province, the women of Zeta Pi gratefully took advantage of the hospitality of the Beta Kappa chapter at the University of Idaho by staying at their beautiful chapter house. While attending Province meetings and dinners, the Zeta Pi women found kindred spirits in the Beta Phi chapter at the University of Montana, who indicated that they too suffered the same issues that come with small chapters and low membership. April witnessed the occurrence of Greek Week on the College of Idaho campus, which is a week-long celebration and promotion of Greek life. Zeta Pi sponsored a pie-walk that proved successful in establishing good relations with other Greek organizations and the campus at large. Immediately following, the NPC sororities on campus competed in the annual Derby Days competition sponsored by the local chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Despite losing the overall competition, the women of Zeta Pi continue to celebrate their victories in the lip sync and sorority Olympics competitions. In May, our chapter was recognized at the Greek Awards. We received "Greek Organization of the Year: 2011," "Outstanding Service Event 2011" for the Giving Tree, and our former president, Samantha Sink received a well deserved "Greek Woman of the Year 2011." The end of May witnessed the graduation of three senior Zeta Pi women, Lani Boykin, Keeley LeGore and Samantha Sink, who all proudly sported Kappa Kappa Gamma stoles over their graduation gowns. All available members of Zeta Pi were spontaneously reconvened in late July, where the beautiful and suspenseful candle-light ceremony revealed that Keeley LeGore was recently engaged. The final week of August witnessed the annual Zeta Pi chapter work week, renamed Sisterly Love Week, that allowed the women of the chapter to prepare for the upcoming formal recruitment in mid-September. During Sisterly Love Week, the chapter practiced recruitment skills, reviewed ritual materials, and strengthened the bonds of friendship and sisterhood that proved extremely necessary and beneficial. Shealene Zitny attended Leadership Academy in mid- September, where Beta Phi extended an invitation to Zeta Pi for their annual Sapphire Ball, which the women of Zeta Pi gratefully accepted and anticipated for the next several months. During the week of formal recruitment, in the presence of a greatly appreciated and much-beloved leadership consultant, Gracie Rice, met with all chapter officers and provided guidance and advice regarding issues that frequently arose within the chapter. At Rice's suggestion, the chapter was reconstructed into super-committees, which allowed the chapter to better utilize all of its members and to redistribute the ever-accumulating tasks that were becoming too much for those individuals holding multiple offices. At the end of September, Zeta Pi celebrated the removal of the focus letter that had been invoked in 2009. The College of Idaho NPC sororities experienced their greatest turn-out for formal recruitment ever, during which time approximately 90 women expressed an interest in participating in Greek life. This is largely attributed to the Panhellenic Council changes to formal recruitment, which allowed Greek women to advertise Panhellenically prior to the actual recruitment date. Zeta Pi chapter attained 16 new members, which is the largest contingent of new members ever attained by the College of Idaho Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter. Due largely to vociferous protests on behalf of the NPC sororities on campus, the local Greek Council decided to hold its annual Greek Week celebrations the week after formal recruitment. Although this put more pressure on the sororities as the prepared for recruitment, the KKG pie-walk once again proved successful and enjoyable. October saw the continuation of the New Member Program, which proved successful in preparing new members for sorority life and initiation. A portion of the chapter travelled to the much-anticipated Sapphire Ball at the University of Montana, where they stayed overnight at the Beta Phi chapter house and later reported that the experience was so good that Zeta Pi hoped to reciprocate with a similar invitation when the opportunity arises. Simultaneously, a small group of women from Zeta Pi attended the Founder's Day ceremony with the Boise Valley Alumnae Association, where Zeta Pi created new bonds with the alumnae and enjoyed a classy luncheon while experiencing the generational ties that Kappa offers. The final chapter of the month resulted in a surge of creativity during the Halloween-themed chapter. The Fraternity's Founders day was celebrated with a small ceremony, which, while very special to the Kappa women, saw only a mild turnout by the rest of the Greek community. The Fraternity's Founders day was celebrated with a small ceremony, which, while very special to the Kappa women, saw only a mild turnout by the rest of the Greek community. The Zeta Pi Founders day was celebrated with a small ceremony, which was also attended by a small portion of the Greek community. November proved to be a crucial month for the women of Zeta Pi. The middle of the month witnessed the initiation of 14 new members, after losing one during the new member program and one electing to remain on New Member status until financial problems regarding tuition could be worked out. This pledge class was the largest ever initiated by Zeta Pi chapter, and almost doubled the number of active members, raising the chapter member count from 18 to 31. Initiation went very well, and Zeta Pi enjoyed exceptional alumnae turnout and participation. Due to changes in the structure of the academic terms, Zeta Pi also set up its annual Giving Tree, sponsored through the Salvation Army, in November and December. The first Monday of December also witnessed the women of Zeta Pi chapter supporting the local Salvation Army by sorting cans at the food bank. Another unscheduled meeting and candle-light ceremony revealed that Zeta Pi sister Amanda Stearns was recently engaged. The chapter greatly looks forward to two weddings in the impending future. Finally, before the holiday break, the new Nominating Committee met for the first time and determined a preliminary slate of officer nominations for the upcoming year.

The College of Idaho Campus: One significant change on campus pertains to the alteration of the housing policy for students, requiring students to live on campus until their junior year. The PEAK program recently instituted in 2010 and, requires 3 minors plus one major with the intention of emphasizing the diversity of education that Liberal Arts colleges offer. The Kappa Kappa Gamma delegate, Breanne Young, who has been involved in the Panhellenic Council since her freshman year, was Panhellenic president as a senior. Our campus has also witnessed an increased interest in Greek life, especially regarding sorority involvement. This renewed interest is largely due to changes in Panhellenic policies that now allow all NPC sororities to sport their letters before formal recruitment, along with increased cooperation between the NPC sororities and an overall movement towards being Panhellenically minded. The College of Idaho currently has three NPC sororities, representing the Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity, and the Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities. One local sorority exists on campus, Sigma Epsilon. The mens' national fraternities on campus include chapters from Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma and Delta Tau Delta.

The Chapter: The Zeta Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the College of Idaho continues to be a diverse, loving and ever-growing group of strong and intelligent young women. According to a recent chapter survey, the chapter considers itself well versed in the meaning of sisterhood, and seeks to increase these friendships through more bonding activities. A new sisterhood event, Kappa Craft Night, occurs weekly on campus with the intention of increasing sisterhood in a fun and creative environment. The initiation of the largest pledge class ever not only almost doubled the size of the chapter, but brought in many younger members that provide a strong base for future growth and management of the chapter itself. The new and returning members are very dedicated to the fraternity, and exhibit loyalty and friendship to one another within the chapter through good times and challenges.

Chapter Challenges: Zeta Pi Chapter faced several challenges in the past year, and not only met these challenges head-on, but overcame these obstacles to its success. Nominating Committee didn't function appropriately last year, largely due to dissention within the committee itself. Directly resulting from this lack of focus, the Nominating Committee did not conduct thorough evaluations regarding the qualifications and suitability of the individuals slated for particular offices, directly resulting in a lack of risk management/registrar position due to dismissal for a time, followed by a vote of no-confidence in replacing the position. The chapter overcame this issue temporarily by electing seniors, one per position, into the offices of Risk Management Chairman and Registrar. With the beginning of the new school year in September, a new senior was elected to fulfill the duties of both offices, which were built back up to their proper standing for the remainder of the year. One officer resigned from the fraternity over the prior summer vacation, while two officers were removed from office in September due to inability to fulfill grade requirements. The resulting vacancies of the positions of Panhellenic Voting Delegate (distinct from the executive member serving as Panhellenic President), Philanthropy Chairman, and Vice President-Organization, were immediately filled according to standard election procedures, and have functioned well thus far. Some officers ended up holding several positions on Chapter Council, directly resulting in the establishment of a super-committee system to alleviate the stress of overburdened officers. --Mindi price (talk) 01:31, 19 July 2012 (EDT)

Chapter Convention Awards:

6/22/2012 Recruitment Award

6/22/2012 Chapter Management Honorable Mention

6/22/2012 Panhellenic Honorable Mention

Highlights of 2020s:

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!