Beta Kappa
| Beta Kappa | |
|---|---|
| BK | |
 | |
| Founded | February 26, 1916 |
| College | University of Idaho |
| Location | Moscow, ID |
| Homepage | http://www.kappa.org |
| Media related to Beta Kappa Chapter | |
University of Idaho established 1889, in Moscow, Idaho
Beta Kappa founded February 26, 1916 with 21 charter numbers
1,998 initiates (as of 2011)
Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Officers: Kerrie Quinn Murray, Treasurer, 1992-1996; Foundation President, 2004-2011
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Mary Elizabeth Thomas Brooks, 1974, Director of the U.S. Mint; Idaho state senator; owned and operated a sheep/cattle ranch;
Irene West Gaskins, 1986, Educator specializing in reading disability;
(Carolyn) “Kelley” Frizelle Yost, 1996, Pianist, recording artist; producer;
Dr. Karen Stedtfeld Offen, 2012 Add achievement from Spring 2012 The Key
Additional Outstanding Alumnae:
Joan Wallington (Old), Field Secretary;
Katherine Caples. “Kit” Caples, Field Secretary, graduate counselor;
Jill Payne, Traveling Consultant, 1995-96
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
The University of Idaho was established by territorial act in January, 1889, and there were six in the first class of 1892. Located in the heart of the Palouse hills in a setting of great beauty, the university has inspired thousands of Idahoans since that time. Colleges of Letters and Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Mines, Forestry, Education, Business, and Law are included in the complex. The graduate program dates from 1913, the doctoral from 1959.
Omega Pi, the nucleus of Beta Kappa chapter, was officially recognized by the University of Idaho faculty on February 10, 1911. Gamma Phi Beta and Delta Gamma were already established and Omega Pi soon decided on Kappa Kappa Gamma as its goal. The faculty adviser arranged for the purchase of property, a 125 foot lot with a comfortable house, and by fall the group had moved in to the house. Pictures of the living room from the 1916-1918 era revealed wicker and mission furniture, cushions in the window seat, the hanging flower baskets on either side, “Omega Pi” on an animal skin hanging over the mantel, college pennants, an upright piano, and the pure, familiar Galahad to keep company with the chapter composites. The deed to this property was held by the incorporated alumnae association of the old local.
A unique and excellent finance system, put in action by the faculty adviser, controlled the early fortunes of this chapter. Business was divided into four funds, each fund to be controlled by four members of the organization working under a chairman, so that each girl shared responsibility and was familiar with all sides of the financial situation. Reports were checked monthly by the faculty adviser. Within a few years this system became so efficient that other campus organizations patterned their accounting from it and in 1915 it was considered by Kappa’s Grand Council for use in all chapters. Considered, yes, but the budget system was selected. Two Kappas, Alice Ankeny Von Ende and Ann DeSellem Griffith, Iowa, were Omega Pi patronesses. They, with Mrs. S.E. Hutton, another patroness, were untiring in helping the girls to build a strong organization.
Not until March, 1915, did an official inspector, Mary Rodes Leaphart, Kentucky, then Grand Secretary, visited the chapter. She charmed the girls, who were convinced more than ever that a Kappa charter was their desire. The following summer Grand Council gave Omega Pi unanimous approval to establish a chapter at the University of Idaho, and November 15, 1815, brought the news of the granted charter. Installation was held, with Grand President Eva Powell, California, presiding, February 26, 1916. A large reception in the gymnasium followed. Next day initiation was held for those who had joined the group after the petition was signed, and that evening a banquet honored 48 new Kappas.
Just two years later Beta Kappa served as “mother chapter” for Gamma Gamma in Walla Walla, Washington; and again in 1919 helped install Gamma Eta in Pullman, Washington. Since 1920 Beta Kappa has been fortunate in having the strong alumnae group in Boise, Idaho, giving interest and support, financial and otherwise. An early gift was a fine baby grand piano. One member was Nellie Johnson Davis, Hillsdale, whose husband was Governor of Idaho from 1919 to 1923. In 1919 a Kappa Club and a Mothers Club were organized in Moscow. Clubs also existed in Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, and a Mothers Club in Lewiston. All have been of great value to Beta Kappa, and the alumnae association of Spokane has given scholarship awards and gifts.
Housing and Chapter Traditions
A new house, which utilized part of the old house on the old site, was erected in 1923. The Colonial style building accommodated 35 girls and a housemother.
In the spring of 1945 a special ceremony was held to burn the mortgage. Then plans were begun for enlarging the house. By February, 1955, the new wing was completed, and 60-65 girls could be accommodated. The basement was remodeled in 1965 magically changing a dark storage area into study rooms with wood paneling, carpeted stairs, desks and good lighting.
The Beta Kappa house is a three-story plus basement structure, a gracious and comfortable college home. The dining room is of such size and shape that one long table can seat the entire chapter. With housemother at one end and house president at the other of the table, mealtime fosters a spirit of special unity. A $1,000 gift, bequeathed by Charlotte Works, a loving charter member, was used to redecorate the ground floor television room in 1961.
Beta Kappa was hostess to Iota Province Meetings Conventions in 1927 and 1955, and to the Province Meeting in 1973.
The long-awaited 50th anniversary celebration in 1966 was attended by nearly 90 alumnae, some coming from as far away as Florida. Events included a fireside, a luncheon, and a formal banquet. The Golden Anniversary gift of nearly $1800 was presented to the university in the form of art for the student union building.
Early records of the chapter membership are vague, but top grades were noted in 1919, and there is mention of 15 years when Beta Kappa led the campus. (Between 1933 and 1948 there were yearly elections to Phi Beta Kappa, and one year six chapter members received this honor. For 27 of the years between 1933 and 1970 Beta Kappas made the freshman women’s honorary, Alpha Lambda Delta. The chapter often received national scholarship awards and awards from alumnae groups. Mortar Board membership was first noted in 1923 and for at least 30 years of chapter history Beta Kappas were tapped. Kappas have been members of Spurs (the sophomore women’s honorary) for at least 33 years since 1931, and Beta Kappas in many other honoraries were a source of pride to the chapter (Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Iota, Cardinal Key [not presently on this campus], Phi Upsilon Omicron, Pi Beta Lambda, I Club, Curtain Club, Orchesis, Helldivers, Vandalettes, Phi Sigma, and Sigma Xi.
In the seven years between 1960 and 1967 four chapter members served as president of Associated Women Students, and many were elected officers of campus and class organizations. Members were honored as queens, fraternity sweethearts, ROTC sponsors, Navy Corvettes, and in Angel Flight and various fraternity little sister organizations.
Beta Kappa had the good fortune to exist on a campus which always encouraged the Greek system, and the National Panhellenic Conference groups have yet to feel the lack of interest in Greek living that was noted in larger campuses, and in larger metropolitan areas.
The 15 buildings at the university of 1916 now number 65, and 92 faculty members are now 650, and the undergraduate body (including summer session) of 864 has grown to 7,110. Beta Kappa’s lifetime has seen many changes.
Chapter traditions are important in Beta Kappa life – the annual pledge dance, spring dance, Christmas fireside, Valentine fireside; the special dress dinner held each winter honoring Kappa sons and brothers on the Idaho campus; the diamond key worn by the member showing the greatest grade improvement; and, of course, the traditional “Mrs. Borgerg” who visits Beta Kappa Chapter every fall to meet the new pledges. A special dress dinner is held in her honor, (the actives come casually dressed while the pledges are in their best after a last minute cram session with pledge manuals). Mrs. B. produces laughter-provoking tidbits about each pledge – she is always played to perfection by the “hammiest” active. Mrs. B. is an intimate friend of Fraternity officers.
There are high points and firsts in chapter history to remember: 1916 when the university quartet was 100 percent Kappa, 1917 when Dorothy Forch was the first woman on the university debate team, and Frances Bailey (Jackson) the first Beta Kappa May Queen and highest honor student; 1919 when Beta Kappas had the presidency of every woman’s organization on campus (top grades besides); 1964 when Janice Rieman Gisler was the first woman to be graduated from the university with a 4.0 accumulative grade point average; and 1969 when Mary Thomas Peavey, Brooks was appointed Director of the United States Mint.
Among Fulbright Fellows are the names of Rosanna Chambers, Karen Lee Hurdstrom, and Karen Stedtfeld (Offen). Karen Longeteig is a Junior Foreign Service officer. Karen Dreizenbeck Archer has served as program chairman for the American Women’s Club in True des Primenerer Bel Air, Grand Duchy of Luxemborg.
In 1968 Carol Sternberg Lafferty received the Ballard (Seattle, Washington), Exchange Club “Book of Golden Deeds” for her long, successful and expanding business career; Sally Ann Mace Gallagher is the author of Aims (study guide), and producer of Aims films; Nina Louise Varian, under the professional name of Nina Jones, serves as director of the Rockefeller family public relations office; Helen Patten Miller has directed the American Cancer Society in San Luis Obispo County for a number of years.
There is a special place in Beta Kappa’s memory for singer Anne Elizabeth “Betty” Bollinger Nielson whose brilliant concert and operatic career in Europe and the United States was ended when she died of cancer in July, 1962.
Loyal Beta Kappa sisters, so many of them, have given generously of their talents while they were actives, and continue to support Kappa in various ways in the communities in which they live.
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 Beta Kappa was very strong during these years. They were known for winning songfests, Greek Olympics, Turtle Derby and several members were selected as Fraternity queens and sweethearts. The chapter was top in grades and pledge classes numbered approximately 26 each year.
Housing:
The house was different in appearance with walls mostly covered in wallpaper, the house did not have shutters, and the foyer was about to be remodeled.
Philanthropy:
The largest amount raised by philanthropy was $6,700 (marathon).
Convention Awards:
1970 Scholarship, with small Panhellenic – Honorable Mention'
1972 Scholarship, with small Panhellenic;
1972 Publication Awards, Best Printed Paper, newsletter, publications/public relations;
1974 Publication, Best Printed Paper, newsletter, publications/public relations
Highlights of the 1980s:
Throughout the 1980’s Beta Kappa excelled at Recruitment, scholarship and campus involvement. Members expressed their pride in membership with the term, “That Kappa Feeling.” Enthusiasm, a commitment to excellence and sisterhood were all definitions applied to the chapter.
Beta Kappa’s were involved with a variety of campus activities and organizations including U of I Dance Theater, Jazz Choir, Track, Blue Key, U of I Band, Society of Women Engineers and Student-Alumni Board. The chapter hosted students during Explore Idaho and were successful in Fraternity and Greek Week competitions. Beta Kappa also served as Big Sister Chapter to Zeta Pi at College of Idaho when the chapter was installed.
When the Lionel Hampton Jazz festival started at the University of Idaho in 1984, Beta Kappa’s immediately volunteered on a yearly basis for this great community event.
Housing:
House Board worked quickly each summer to improve the chapter by adding new carpeting and wall paper throughout the house. The TV room and chapter room were remodeled as well.
Philanthropy:
Members trick-or-treated for UNICEF, helped with Special Olympics, cleaned downtown Moscow with other Greek groups and went Christmas caroling at a local care center.
Chapter Convention Awards:
1982 Greatest Improvement-Honorable Mention, Greatest Scholarship Improvement, with small Panhellenic, Woodman Award, Best Relations with Advisory Board-Honorable Mention, Helena Flynn Ege Award for Pledge Training-Honorable Mention, Personnel-Honorable Mention;
1984 Fraternity Appreciation-Honorable Mention, Gracious Living Award/Commendation-Honorable Mention
Highlights of the 1990s
In April 1991, more than 300 Beta Kappa’s assembled in Moscow in celebrate the 75th anniversary of the chapter. Decade gatherings, house tours, commemorative t-shirts and a gala banquet all combined to make it a memorable event.
The chapter maintained top academic honors throughout the decade and that was a factor in top women selecting the chapter during Recruitment. Awards for Scholarship, Public Relations and Membership were received from campus Greek Life, Iota Province Meetings and the Fraternity Convention award for Efficiency in 1998.
Membership in campus organizations was a source of pride to the chapter with members in Blue Key, Panhellenic, Student Alumni Relations Board, Golden Key, Dance Team, International Student Association, ASUI Activities Board, Mortar Board, Order of Omega and U of I Honors Program.
Housing:
New bunk beds, repapering the stairwell, remodeling the formal living-room, retiling the foyer and new plumbing were all improvements made to the chapter facility.
Philanthropy:
Adopting a troop from Operation Desert Storm, cleaning the streets of Moscow with other Greek living groups, serving as crossing guards one week a semester for the the Moscow School District and holding an annual Halloween party for Friends Unlimited were just a few of philanthropy projects of the chapter that reflected support of the university, community and country.
Convention Awards:
1998 Efficiency (Housed)
Highlights of 2000-2010
Beta Kappa's 90th anniversary was celebrated in March 2000. During the weekend Beta Kappa's toured the house reminiscing about when they lived in the "House on the Hill" and a ritual review was held for all Kappas. The banquet speaker was, Kerrie Quinn Murray, Idaho, President of the Kappa Foundation.
The chapter thrived in the tradition of high standards of Kappa Kappa Gamma in the first decade of the millennium. As a chapter, an emphasis was placed on academic excellence and positive community interactions. The strong chapter reputation was recognized by the University of Idaho Greek system. Awards for Chapter Excellence Scholarship, and Efficiency were bestowed on the chapter at the annual Greek Awards Banquet, Iota Province Meeting and Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention.
Members attended Leadership Academy and the chapter hosted a L.E.A.D.S. seminar with the Gamma Eta Chapter. The chapter kept a full social calender with the Kappa Krush dance, the Sapphire Ball, Fraternity exchanges and watching popular TV shows with other sororities.
Housing:
The upstairs bathrooms were remodeled with new countertops, sinks, toilets, showers, and fleur- de-li tiles. New couches were installed in the TV room and new carpeting in the study room. Flooding of the chapter room during Inspiration Week resulted in moving the archives and carpet replacement. The house also underwent a remodel of the formal room, the foyer, and second floor.
Philanthropy:
The chapter held the annual Kappa Kappa Gamma/Alpha Kappa Lambda food drive as well as philanthropy projects for Reading is Fundamental, Relay of Life, Saturday of Service and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The chapter teamed up with Kappa chapter at Washington State each year for the Kappa Fun Run during Mom’s Weekend, raising money for breast cancer research.
Convention Awards:
2000 Efficiency Award;
2004 Academic Excellence Award;
2006 Panhellenic Honorable Mention, Recruitment Honorable Mention, Academic Excellence Honorable Mention, Standards Honorable Mention
Highlights of 2011-2019
(Information from chapter’s 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.)
Housing:
Philanthropy:
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!
