Zeta Tau
| Zeta Tau | |
|---|---|
| ZT | |
 | |
| Founded | May 1, 1989 |
| College | Washington and Lee University |
| Location | Lexington, VA |
| Homepage | http://www.kappa.org |
| Media related to Zeta Tau Chapter | |
Washington and Lee, Lexington, Va. Founded in 1749,
Zeta Tau founded May 1, 1989 -- 84 Charter Members
812 initiates (as of 6/2012)
Some of the Outstanding Zeta Tau Alumnae
Fraternity Council Members
Loyalty Award Recipients
Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients
Washington & Lee is a small, private, liberal arts university nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in Lexington, Va. It is the ninth oldest institution of higher learning in the nation.
In 1749, Scotch-Irish pioneers who had migrated deep into the Valley of Virginia founded a small classical school called Augusta Academy, some 20 miles north of what is now Lexington. In 1776, the trustees, fired by patriotism, changed the name of the school to Liberty Hall.
Four years later the school was moved to the vicinity of Lexington, where in 1782 it was chartered as Liberty Hall Academy by the Virginia legislature and empowered to grant degrees. A limestone building, erected in 1793 on the crest of a ridge overlooking Lexington, burned in 1803, though its ruins are preserved today as a symbol of the institution's honored past.
In 1796, George Washington saved the struggling Liberty Hall Academy when he gave the school its first major endowment--$20,000 worth of James River Canal stock. The trustees promptly changed the name of the school to Washington Academy as an expression of their gratitude.
In 1813, the name of the academy was changed to Washington College. By then, the college was established on its present grounds in Lexington. General Robert E. Lee reluctantly accepted the position of president of the College in 1865. Because of his leadership of the Confederate army, Lee worried he "might draw upon the College a feeling of hostility," but also added that "I think it the duty of every citizen in the present condition of the Country, to do all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony."
After Lee's death in 1870, the trustees voted to change the name from Washington College to Washington and Lee University. Once an all-male institution, Washington and Lee first admitted women to its law school in 1972. The first undergraduate women matriculated in 1985. Since then, Washington and Lee has flourished.
Washington and Lee University observed its 250th Anniversary with a year-long, national celebration during the 1998-99 academic year.
a Liberal Arts College in a small town with a population of 7,000, and a Student Faculty ratio of 10:1. Originally a male-only institution, women were first admitted in 1985. Six Panhellenic sororities are present: Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta and Chi Omega.
Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Council Officers:
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
The Early Years
Zeta Tau held its first initiation on May 1, 1989 with many Fraternity officers, Kappa relatives and Big Sisters from other chapters in Lambda Province in attendance. All but four members of the pledge class, who were abroad, were initiated. Members of Epsilon Sigma, Virginia, served as Big Sisters. Installing officers from the Fraternity included Fraternity President Kay Smith Larson, Washington; Jennie Miller Helderman, Alabamd; J. Dale Brubeck, William and Mary and Marian Klingbill Williams, Missouri. On Sept. 19, Zeta Tau began its first informal rush and welcomed eight new members on Sept. 30.
Highlights of the 1980s:
The first group of 87 members in January of 1989 went on to become charter members of Zeta Tau with initiation and installation in May 1989. An informal rush was held in the fall of 1989 and Zeta Tau gained eight new pledges. The main challenge was actually becoming a chapter, learning the responsibilities of the officers and of the chapter as a whole. The chapter goal was Unity.
Some of the events held included a Fancy Dress dinner, Grab-a-Date bowling party, Kite and Key party with Kappa Alpha Theta, Parent's Weekend cocktail party, Big/Little sister drive-in movie, Bowl-a-Thon for United Way and Senior's Night Out. Kappas were active on campus in many activities, sports and honor societies, such as Phi Beta Kappa.
Housing:
Since the colonization of sororities on the Washington and Lee campus, the Panhellenic Housing Committee has been actively working with faculty, and a poll was conducted as to the long term and immediate needs of the sororities. Results showed a desire for houses comparable to the fraternity houses, followed by a desire for a permanent space for storage and ritual. The housing committee will continue to seek alternatives to Kappa housing.
Philanthropy:
Bowl-a-Thon for United Way, weekly visits to the Mayflower Retirement Home, Babysitting to benefit the Adelphe Campaign.
Chapter Convention Awards:
Highlights of the 1990s
The early '90s consisted of learning the rules and rituals of Kappa, attending our first Biennial Convention in Dallas, and welcoming a new sorority on campus, Delta Gamma, which has since dissolved. With the help of Chapter Consultants to guide us, we stayed near the top academically with a 3.0 and socially with campus activities. 1990 will be remembered by the completion of our first formal rush, pledging 33 girls. We returned from Convention filled with ideas. At Province Meeting in Chapel Hill in 1991 we received honorable mention for Social Awareness and our Pledge Program, plus the Trendsetters Award for overall excellence. In the wake of the failure of Delta Gamma, Zeta Tau worked especially hard with Panhellenic to see that Pi Beta Phi was established. New activities were the Jump Rope for the Heart for the American Heart Association, sponsoring a foreign child and collecting Christmas presents for Lexington-area underprivileged children.
In 1996 we had our first ever “Kappa Kickoff” retreat and continue our commitment to academic excellence with sisters on the Honor Roll, Dean's List, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Eta Sigma. We welcomed a new sorority, Kappa Delta, helped at a retirement home and in building a Habitat for Humanity house. In 1997 at Province Meeting in Williamsburg we placed in the Founders' Circle for achieving excellence in all aspects of Kappa life as outlined by the Challenge to Excellence. We also received the Membership Award and honorable mention for finance and trendsetting chapter.
In 1999, we celebrated the colonization of Kappa, Theta and Chi Omega ten years ago. The switch to the New Member program went smoothly and we received a Philanthropy Award at Province Meeting for supporting an underprivileged boy in Mexico. For several years our chapter goal was enthusiasm which increased attendance at chapter events.
Housing:
By 1994 the University gave each of the four women's groups a campus suite in a residential hall for storage space, a guest room and office and meeting area. It is discouraging that at the same time two fraternities received new chapter houses, showing male/female disparities are still evident.
In 1997, the former Delt house has become a Panhellenic dorm annex for Greek women, housing 19 girls and a student RA. We have an option to put four sophomore girls in the house by 1998. Also, in 1998, the news is out about a proposal for the construction of five sorority houses to go before the Board of Trustees. They will be on a wooded site, close to campus and able to house 20-25 girls and a house mother, have a common room and a meal plan for the entire chapter. August 1999 saw the completion of the new Kappa house, which would house 20 women and host all of Zeta Tau's activities. Finished in August, all the Greek women at Washington and Lee finally had a place of their own.
Philanthropy:
Projects such as co-sponsoring the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart, sponsoring a foreign child, faculty baby sitting, Christmas gift collection for Lexington area underprivileged children; Balloon Sales Parents' Weekend, annual Bowl-A-Thon benefiting United Way, activities at Mayflower Retirement Home, participating in the Rose McGill Holiday Sharing Program and many activities supporting other Panhellenic philanthropies kept us busy in the community and campus.
Chapter Convention Awards:
1996 – Tarpon Springs Convention, Honorable Mention for membership and Panhellenic.
Highlights of 2000-2010
In the Fall of 2000 the women of all five sororities became the first to move into the incredible new houses. Panhellenic was also focusing on the possibility of the future colonization of a sixth sorority on campus.
In 2005, Zeta Tau welcomed 39 new members and had an impressive 3.364 GPA for the 2004-2005 school year. Members are involved in varsity athletics, the Student Recruitment Committee, Williams Investment Society, Fancy Dress Committee, school newspaper staff and 40 Kappas were on the Fall 2005 Dean's List. Our “Senior Star” program for upperclassmen gave incentive to participate in Kappa events.
Some challenges have been keeping upperclassmen participation high. The implementation of a “senior star” system as well as increased enforcement by the standards committee has helped our upperclassmen find new incentive to participate in Kappa events.
In 2009, Zeta Tau ranks number one for the highest GPA of all sororities on campus. The addition of Apha Delta Pi extended a sixth sorority to W & L's row. Most of the challenges faced this year were within the realm of recruitment. But we had great participation and the process went smoothly. With the addition of a sixth sorority, more competition is always challenging.
Housing:
Campus built houses on sorority row house the Panhellenic chapters.
Philanthropy:
Supporting a foreign child, Pictures with Santa, volunteering at a retirement home, pumpkin carving at an elementary school, an annual Race for Charlie to benefit neuroblastoma cancer research, powderpuff football to benefit the Children's Miracle Network, support of other groups' philanthropies. Chapter Convention Awards:
Highlights of 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.:
Housing:
Philanthropy:
Chapter Convention Awards:
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!
