Eta Iota
| Eta Iota | |
|---|---|
| HI | |
 | |
| Founded | April 2, 2005 |
| College | Creighton University |
| Location | Omaha, NE |
| Homepage | Eta Iota Homepage |
| Media related to Eta Iota Chapter | |
Eta Iota, Creighton University, established in 1878 in Omaha, Nebraska
Chapter Founded April 2, 2005
338 initiates (as of June 2012)
Some of Eta Iota’s Outstanding Alumnae: (If you have chapter alumna who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Council Officers: Leadership Consultant Tara Singhal 2008-2009; Leadership Consultant Sarah Roszhart 2010-2011
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Contents
The Early Years
Edward Creighton, born in Ohio in 1820, was a successful businessman before he moved to Omaha in 1856. In addition to his significant role in developing the transcontinental telegraph line, Edward figured prominently in cattle ranching, banking and freight operations. When he died in November 1874 without a will, his fortune passed to his wife, Mary Lucretia Creighton.
Mary Lucretia Creighton was known for her charitable work; Mary personally delivered food, money and other items to needy Omaha families. After her death in 1876, Mary’s will — drafted after inheriting her husband’s wealth — provided $100,000 as a memorial to her late husband “to purchase the site for a school in the city of Omaha, and erect buildings thereon for a school of the class and grade of a college.”
The responsibility of starting a school with Mary Lucretia Creighton’s bequest fell to Bishop James O’Connor, and it was the bishop who enlisted the Society of Jesus to operate Creighton University. Since Fr. Roman Shaffel led five Jesuits (and two lay teachers) to open Creighton in September 1878, Creighton has been home to hundreds of Jesuits. More than 50 Women attended Creighton University as early as 1892, when Kate Drake was part of the first class of the College of Medicine. As members of Creighton’s professional schools and University College, women attended many of the same classes as male undergraduates. However, it was not until fall 1951 that women were allowed to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The First Year (From The Key, spring 2005)
On April 2, 2005, 44 Creighton University women were initiated as members of the Eta Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The new members were initiated and the chapter installed by Fraternity President Priscilla Murphy Gerde, Purdue. Katie Rieff, Eta Iota’s first chapter President, was honored to have the Fraternity President pin her badge on her during this memorable occasion.
Assisting in the Installation service were Susie Eynatten Hughes, Missouri, Director of Membership; Joan Cook Cohen, Colorado, Extension Chairman; Stacie Quinn Neely, Idaho, Regional Director of Alumnae; Mary Campbell Ford, West Virginia, Regional Director of Chapters; Jayme Morris-Hardeman, Kansas State, Province Director of Alumnae; and Risa Pierce Flanders, Kansas State, Province Director of Chapters. Carlan Lind Wolfe, Nebraska, served as Eta Iota’s Coordinator of Chapter Development, and Kara Albert, Westminster, served as the Chapter Leadership Consultant.
Sigma, Nebraska, was Eta Iota’s Key Sister Chapter with members of Theta, Missouri; Omicron Deuteron, Simpson; Omega, Kansas; Chi, Minnesota; Beta Zeta, Iowa; Gamma Alpha, Kansas State; Gamma Theta, Drake; Gamma Iota, Washington (St. Louis); Delta Omicron, Iowa State; and Zeta Zeta, Westminster, serving as Key Sisters for the charter members. All those involved in the weekend’s activities provided a warm welcome to the new chapter.
Highlights of 2000-2010
Creighton University is a top ranked Jesuit University with more than 7,000 students of diverse faiths and races from across the United States and 41 countries.
Eta Iota has grown steadily from their initial 44 charter members. The Creighton Greek community has also grown from five to seven NPC members.
Our chapter is full of charming, intelligent young women who enjoy spending time with each other. Some of Kappa's best moments are the Sisterhood retreats we have every semester. These retreats are a great way to bond with the older active members, and can be a lot of fun; Just last year we sported our very own "Kappa Olympics." We also have many social events throughout the year, from date parties and formal dances to sisterhood retreats and study hours. Over half of our chapter is involved in three or more organizations outside of Kappa, and many hold executive positions in those organizations. Kappas are known for their presence at other Greek organizations' philanthropies, and most recently, Eta Iota was recognized for its superb involvement in Relay for Life, an all night event to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Locally, Kappa Kappa Gamma can provide a welcoming “home away from home” for any woman who wants to pursue new avenues, challenge conventional wisdom, and seek a leadership organization whose main goal is the success of each individual member. Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma can support each other and learn about themselves while participating in philanthropic endeavors, social events, academic pursuits, and leadership opportunities
Many philanthropic efforts involved the gift of time, including volunteering at the medical center, teams for Race for the Cure and Relay for Life, KORE groups volunteering at the Hope Center, and Hunger Clean Up. The Chili Feed fundraiser became a regular philanthropic event.
Campus Panhellenic honors for Eta Iota included Scholarship Honorable Mention, Excellence in Recruitment and Campus Involvement, New Member Scholar and New Member of the Year, Kallie Woodward. Eta Iota was recognized at Zeta Province meetings.
Convention Awards
The chapter received received Risk Management Honorable Mention and Excellence in Chapter Management at the Fraternity Biennial Convention.
Highlights of 2011-2019
2012
Formal Recruitment for Mu Class, Bid Day at Jones Bros., Sisterhood Event, New Officer Installation, Formal Pledging, Sisterhood Retreat at Family Fun Center, Kappa’s Best Dance Crew Date, Party, New Member Retreat, Reading is Key Philanthropy Event, Inspiration Week, Sisterhood Event, Big/Little Sister Reveal,Fireside, New Member Sleepover, Relay for Life Teams, Initiation and Brunch, Sapphire Ball Formal, Greek Unity Week, Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention, Composite Picture Taken, Kickball for Kids, Philanthropy Event, Alumnae Spring Banquet, Greek Awards, Senior Night, Greek Lip Sync Contest,Kappa Kooldown Public Relations Event, Continuous Open Bidding Process for Nu Class, Jones Bros. Pizza Party for Bid Day, Formal Pledging, Tiki Tiki Date Party, Sisterhood Retreat, Homecoming Week,Leadership Consultant Visit, Kappa Kupcakes Philanthropy, Academic Excellence Appointed,Nomination Committee, Kappa Goes to the Kapitol Date Party, New Member Retreat, Pre-Recruitment Workshops, Founder’s Day, Kappa Parent’s Day, Reading is Key Philanthropy Event, Kentucky Derby Semi-Formal, Inspiration Week, Big/Little Sister Reveal, Fireside, New Member Sleepover, Initiation and Brunch, History Night before Chapter, Christmas Card Photo Shoot, New Officer Installations,Kappa Kissmas Public Relations Event, Weekly Tutoring for Girls Inc., Weekly Study Hours, Mid-Terms and Finals Study Breaks, New Member Program and Study Hours, Themed Programming Nights,Intramural Teams (Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football, and Volleyball)
Campus: Creighton University has approximately 4,000 undergraduate students. There are 7 established Panhellenic sororities, including Kappa. There are 5 Male Fraternities. Academically, Creighton is the top ranked Jesuit school in the Midwest. A small campus size allows for a close-knit community where all student organizations support each other.
Chapter: Starting from 44 charter members only 7 years ago, it is amazing to see that our chapter has grown to 105 active members. Involvement in and out of Kappa makes for a rich diversity in our chapter. Many leaders in and out of council lead us on as we are still changing, adapting, and setting traditions for future Kappas.
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!
