Gamma Zeta
| Gamma Zeta | |
|---|---|
| ΓZ | |
 | |
| Founded | January 3, 1920 |
| College | University of Arizona |
| Location | Tucson, AZ |
| Homepage | http://www.kappa.org |
| Media related to Gamma Zeta Chapter | |
University of Arizona, established in 1885
Gamma Zeta founded on January 3, 1920
__________members (as of 2012)
Some of Gamma Zeta’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Council Officers:
Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
The story of Gamma Zeta's growth is also the story of the growth of the University of Arizona from the small 1,088 student Land Grant school of the 1920s to the fine university of over 27,000 students which it is today. The few university buildings of the past and the simply-structured student government have resulted in the complex campus of the 1970s.
Several Tucson women not then attending college organized Alpha Sigma, a local sorority, in the fall of 1916 for the purpose of "obtaining a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, also to derive social and scholastic benefits, and to promote college spirit as an organized society." The following year only one member, Norma Brazee (Sexton), returned to the university. Two other local groups existing then were receiving charters from Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi so it was important to reorganize Alpha Sigma quickly. Eight freshmen were pledged who became the core members of the reorganized Alpha Sigma.
In 1918-1919 Alpha Sigma partitioned Kappa, and on January 3, 1920, Grand President Lydia Voris Kolbe, Akron, and members of Gamma Beta (New Mexico) installed Gamma Zeta Chapter and its 24 charter members. Norma Brazee. whose "History of Alpha Sigma" is part of Gamma Zeta's was not able to be initiated,
The chapter's first decade was one of varied activities distinct social pattern. Teas, dinner dances, house dances (girls only), and powdered wig banquets were the order. Early records refer to wedding and baby gifts for members, notably silver card trays and silver salt and pepper shakers.
Decorous behavior was the rule: no smoking in public, no smoking together of actives and pledges, and no smoking by men in the Gamma Zeta house. Pledges could not date before 4:30 p.m. nor during weekday nights. Juniors and seniors were allowed week night dates between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. after which the house was locked for the night.
Intersorority tournaments were big campus events. Gamma Zeta won many basketball and hockey games. Individuals excelled in horseshows and other sports, dramatic presentations, and work on the Desert yearbook and Wildcat newspaper. YWCA also made up a busy program for the Arizona Kappas.
Special note is made in early chapter records of three non-related events: a 1921 pledge-sponsored Christmas formal (which continued in 1975 as a pledge sponsored Christmas activity); the sudden death in 1922 of charter member Dorothy Andrews, who was "so lively and enthusiastic and ... very talented in music and athletics and a brilliant student who was admired by every student and faculty member"; and a house fund started in 1923 into which every active, pledge, and alumna put $25.
When a larger chapter house became necessary (a small house had been bought in 1923) a lot was purchased with a Fraternity loan and ground was broken on Founders Day 1934. The chapter moved into the new house on February 10, 1935. The "Kappa Kottage," a house on an adjacent lot, was remodeled and first used in 1956-1957. In 1963-64 a complex of adjacent to the Kottage was used for the first time after having been purchased by the Gamma Zeta Building Association. During 1966-67 the house was completed with the addition of the Dorothy Musser room, a large recreation room which connects the apartments and the west wing (formerly the Kottage).
The second decade started off slowly socially, but well scholastically. All national sororities at Arizona were denied social privileges during the first semester for rush irregularities, and Gamma Zeta lost its social privileges in the spring because of failure to keep a sign-out book. Eventually parties resumed which included mother-daughter banquets, scavenger hunts, brother and sweetheart dinners, "intellectual hours" and serenade, slumber and roller skating parties. Social life was maintained "in spite of the Depression."
Kappas were busy with campus activities: drama, athletics, Associated Women Students. Rush was conducted for a few girls at a time, and swim parties, shows, and spring teas for high school girls were common. Freshmen and pledges were required to attend all football games, chewing gum was not allowed in public, pledges could smoke only in the basement, and had to be in bed by 11:00. Secret marriages were in vogue. During this time it seemed perfectly natural that two members of Delta Delta Delta had their meals for a year at the Kappa house since there was as yet no Tri Delta chapter on the Arizona campus.
The excellent grades of the early 1930s began to drop by the mid-1930s. The initiation average was lowered, and scholarship seemed to hit a new low in 1940 when the requirement for initiation was lowered again, yet ten out of 28 pledges still did make their grades.
At this time World War II was a reality for most of the world and the University of Arizona felt its impact. Girls gave dances for officers at Davis Monthan Air Base and for the Cavalry Post. Victory Fund dances and War Bond contests were waged between sororities and fraternities. Kappas worked in canteens and rolled bandages. Gamma Zeta adopted an English war orphan and decided that house fines would purchase bonds. Girls saved their razor blades, magazines, and old clothes, and turned their ration books in to the house director. However, the house director was given an alligator purse and a sterling silver compact for Christmas.
With men so scarce, the girls concentrated on rodeos, swimming and volleyball. In November, 1941, the members were shocked to learn that a member had been thrown while riding and died. In the spring of 1945 another death occurred, that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the spring formal was cancelled in respect of mourning traditions.
The late 1940s found Gamma Zetas excelling in journalism and by 1949 they were dominating many activities. They built shiny whales, pink elephants, "Arks of Triumph," and storks "expecting expansion." The chapter won top honors and took Sweepstakes prizes with these constructions. There were pledge classes of 40. Individual and team honors were won in golf, swimming, tennis, rifle, and fencing. Gamma Zetas were officers of Associated Women Students, Student Government, and drama organizations. Repeatedly they took scholarship trophies among living groups (dormitories, sororities, fraternities). There were several queens and a Miss Alaska. Near the decade's end the chapter was delighted to pledge daughters of two film stars, the cowboy idol Johnny Mack Brown and the versatile Anthony Quinn.
In 1956 the chapter began its foreign student program by inviting a young student from Denmark to live in the house. Since then the girls have enjoyed guests from Uruguay, Holland, Argentina, Peru, Germany, and Norway.
The Gamma Zetas of the 1960s didn't rest on past laurels. Scholarship was of paramount importance, and members were in almost every honorary. There were many queens, many hostesses, recognition in swimming and dance groups. In 1963-1964 the presidents of all four class levels of women's honoraries (Mortar Board, Chimes, Spurs, and Alpha Lambda Delta) were Kappas. They excelled individually and as a group, but perhaps in reaction to the war years seemed unconscious of the outside world, turning away from interest in or participation in anything beyond the campus.
At the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s social concerns again began to be of importance to members of Gamma Zeta. They participated in voter registration drives, political campaigns, and stepped up their philanthropy concerns. The Vietnam War divided the chapter as it did the American people, but the girls were able to resolve their differences peacefully and respect each other's rights to differing opinions.
Across the country the legal age of maturity was being lowered in Arizona to 18, and the University of Arizona Regents debated whether drinking on campus concept and began to stress individual rights and privacy. House keys were now issued to each girl, her hours were hers to decide, and her grades were to be given to her alone (not even to her parents). The scholastic rank of a chapter could be found out but not the names of houses above or below. Individuality and “doing your own thing" held sway. Apprehension arose among the alumnae concerning scholarship, almost always Gamma Zeta’s outstanding quality. Fears ceased when, in the spring of 1972, 22 pledges out of 22 were initiated and a Kappa won one of the two awards for outstanding senior women.
"You're a university woman," the statement made to pledges, implies dignity, personal responsibility, and promise for the years to come for Gamma Zeta.
Gamma Zeta members who have given special service to the Fraternity include graduate counselors Sue Forster (Vincent), 1959-60; Molly Roller (Spingler), 1958-59; Mary Hendershott (ltani), 1969-70; and Natalie Graff; and field secretary Ellen (Missy) Jester Ruth, 1971.
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
Highlights of the 1970s
Women's liberation was a large factor in influencing the activities in this time period, especially reflected through social and clothing trends. The Vietnam war divided the chapter in differing opinions about the war. Also important to the members at the time was conservation. An increased awareness about reusing and recycling took effect.
The inaugural year for U of A's Spring Fling was 1975, a carnival themed event that involved all organizations on campus.
Housing:
There was a period of transition for the house "mom" after the chapter had to dismiss one woman who apparently falsified her application and treated the members in a harsh manner.
Highlights of the 1980s:
In 1985, Gamma Zeta strived to reach their chapter goal of "Image of Excellence" by making themselves more visible in the community. The three main points emphasized with this chapter goal were to excel in scholarship, increase awareness of fraternity standards, and exhibit respect and consideration to one another.
Some of the challenges they faced involved delinquent payments and alcohol infractions. The bylaws were amended to reflect current standards, and stricter enforcement of the rules were put in place.
Gamma Zeta experienced a sad loss of one of its members in 1985. Lauren Kay McLaughlin was killed in an automobile crash. Members of the chapter, alumnae, and the Greek system at Uof A mourned her loss.
The pledges of 1985 won the scholarship award for the highest pledge class GPA among the sororities on U of A's campus. The women of Gamma Zeta continued to participate in many campus clubs and organizations, and many members were named to honorary societies. Gamma Zeta consistently had strong and successful rush events, and one of the favorite party themes continued to be "Willy Wonka and the Kappa Factory."
The many social events included theme parties, holiday gatherings, homecoming float decorating, football game gatherings, Parents Weekend, and formals.
The Gamma Zeta chapter hosted Province Meeting in 1989. In 1989 University of Arizona's student body was 35,000. Gamma Zeta had 203 active members the same year.
The members of Gamma Zeta maintained positive morale by introducing programs like Sisterhood Cozies, Kappa of the Week, Hoots & Salutes, Sweetest Kappa, Outstanding Pledge, and Outstanding Senior.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy continued to be an important focus of Gamma Zeta. Some of the organizations that benefited from the chapter's support were the Tucson Boys Club, Cancer Center, local women's shelters, the Rose McGill Fund, American Red Cross, and the Tucson Table.
Chapter Convention Awards:
At the 1983 Province Meeting in Santa Barbara, Gamma Zeta received an award for chapter excellence as well as an award for the highest grade point average in the Kappa Province. At the 1985 Province Meeting held in San Diego, Gamma Zeta won the House Board Award, alumna Thelma Dahlen, Minnesota, won the Betsy Prior Loyalty Award, and the chapter won the Chapter Excellence Award.
Gamma Zeta earned the Norma Dow Patton Gracious Living Award at the 1989 Province Meeting.
Highlights of the 1990s
The members of Gamma Zeta continued to maintain a high profile on the campus of University of Arizona. The women of the chapter were involved in scholarship honorary clubs, campus-wide efforts, student government, special interest clubs, and Greek hosted events.
Ritual, standards, and sisterhood were core values that the Gamma Zetas focused on through their activities and programming. Big Sis/Little Sis programming was successful, along with non-alcoholic exchanges, Parents Weekend events, alumnae events, and scholarship events. The Gamma Zetas shared chapter news through its newsletter, Keyholes. Reports from officers were included, highlights from campus activities, adviser spotlight section, and a dedication to graduating seniors all contributed to a rich publication full of information.
In 1990 the sisters of Gamma Zeta initiated the Irimajiri Art Scholarship Fund in memory of one of their members, Maki Irimajiri, a student who died in an automobile crash. Director of Chapters, Jennie Helderman, Alabama, visited the chapter in 1991.
The members focused on scholarship with quiet study hours after 7 p.m., study buddies, scholarship awards, and study files. The chapter goal in 1991 "Shoot for Pi - 3.14" earned recognition in Kappa's Key magazine.
In Spring of 1991, eleven Gamma Zetas earned a 4.0 GPA.
In 1995 there were 16 sororities on the campus of University of Arizona. Aproximately 15% of the U of A students are members of the Greek system.
Fall recruitment theme parties included Kappa Kountry and Kappa Goes to Hollywood. In the fall of 1998, 55 women were initiated. This was the most women the chapter had ever initiated at one time. This was the first year that the chapter transitioned into the New Member program.
Chapter meetings were made interesting by adding a Romance Award, Hoots and Salutes, A's for the Week, Scholarship Bucks, and the Friendship Award each week.
In 1998 Gamma Zeta was voted Most Outstanding Panhellenic Chapter on U of A's campus. Also exciting for the chapter was receiving first place in Social Programming, second place in Scholarship Programming, Most Outstanding Adviser, a Kaplan Scholarship, and both the Freshman and Sophomore Greek Woman of the year.
Housing:
In 1991 a new house director started at Gamma Zeta; Shirley Roy. In 1997 the house installed three new computers in its library to aid with studying. This computer lab was the first time Gamma Zeta had Internet access in the house.
In 1998 much of the house was remodeled. Tile replaced carpeted areas in the TV room, bulletin boards were placed in the front hall making it easier to get announcements to all of the women in the house, and some rooms were repainted and recarpeted.
Philanthropy:
The Gamma Zetas continued to excel in the area of philanthropy. They participated in the American Red Cross blood drive, Cedric Depmsey Cancer Run, the American Cancer Society's Climb "A" Mountain to Conquer Cancer Benefit Walk, Tucson Area Literacy Coalition aerobics-a-thon, receycling events, ALS foundation fundraiser, senior home volunteer hours, Casa de los Ninos holiday party, and Ronald McDonald House meal preparation.
Highlights of 2000-2010
The members continued to focus on sisterhood. This was particularly important because the size of their house is so large. They focused on activities such as Greek Week, Spring Fling, Kore family activities, sisterhood retreats, all house lock-ins, Scholarship Recognition dinners, Apple Polisher Dinners, House Board Appreciation Dinners, Homecoming, Dad's Weekend (one year), Mom's Weekend (the next year), and Staff Appreciation Dinners.
The Gamma Zeta chapter received recognition and a variety of awards from the University of Arizona. Members were involved in intramural sports, all-Greek competitions, student government, homecoming festivities, clubs, and honorary societies.
Gamma Zetas often shared their archives at the Founders Day brunch. Old scrapbooks were the favorite item on display, and some years the Gamma Zetas put together a slide show to show the brunch attendees.
In 2006 there were 11 housed sororities on the U of A campus and more than 20 fraternities. The 2007 newsletter of Gamma Zeta was titled "Keys and Fleur-de-Lis."
In 2007 the pledge class of Gamma Zeta was composed of 70 new members. Members of Gamma Zeta attended the Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Conference in San Diego in 2009. Scholarship was an area of focus during this time frame. Study tables were a popular way to encourage members with a low GPA to spend more time on their school work.
Some of the challenges faced by Gamma Zeta in 2009 and 2010 were communications and stealing. Officers improved their ways of communicating with chapter members regarding mandatory event attendance. Measures were taken to reduce the risk of stealing personal items in the house and in members' mailboxes.
Housing:
Seventy-five Gamma Zeta members lived in the house in 2006.
Philanthropy:
The primary organization that Gamma Zetas supported was the Giving Tree Foundation, an effort that supports homeless and needy children. In 2009 Gamma Zeta was able to raise $12,000 for this organization through their Hoops4Hope basketball tournament. Other organizations that received financial or volunteer support from the members included Race for the Cure, Rose McGill Magazine Drive, RIF, the Ally Adelman Foundation, and the Bobbi Olsen's Foundation for Women's Cancer Research.
Highlights of 2011-2019
Social, scholastic, and philanthropic events continued to fill the calendars of members of Gamma Zeta. Activities included Dad's Weekend, study hours, sisterhood events, Sigma Chi Derby Days philanthropy, Firefighter Challenge philanthropy, recruitment review sessions, Hoops for Hope philanthropy for Cystic Fibrosis, Spring Fling, theme parties, Greek Week, Senior Week, Recruitment, War of Roses philanthropy, Parent's Weekend, Founders Day, and Homecoming Week. A Kappa Trainer visited the chapter in 2011 and educated the members about Kappa standards and protocol.
Kristen Hranicka, a Chapter Consultant, was able to offer assistance to the chapter officers and members during her visit.
The overall house GPA in spring, 2011 was 3.18.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy efforts included Integrative Touch for Kids Gala, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, cooking meals at the Ronald McDonald House, and working at a community food bank.
Highlights of 2020s: (Information from chapter history reports, 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.)
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!
