Delta Beta
| Delta Beta | |
|---|---|
| ΔB | |
 | |
| Founded | October 25, 1930 |
| College | Duke University |
| Location | Durham, NC |
| Homepage | Delta Beta Homepage |
| Media related to Delta Beta Chapter | |
Duke University, founded 1823
Delta Beta founded October 25, 1930
2,357 initiates (as of June 2014)
Some of Delta Beta’s Outstanding 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:
Ann Wescott (Mayo), Field Secretary 1958-1960; Hillary Holmes (Archer), Traveling Consultant 1999-2000;
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Additional Outstanding Delta Beta Alumnae
Sophie Martin (Wood), Graduate Counselor 1957-1958; Ann Wescott (Mayo), Graduate Counselor 1957-1958; Elizabeth Helmer (Pfiffner), Graduate Counselor 1959-1960; Judith Mayers (Bryan), Graduate Counselor 1959-1960; Corinne Mani (Yancy), Graduate Counselor 1979-1981;
Shelley Moore Capito—U.S. Congresswoman (R-WV), first elected in 2000. Representative Capito has been honored by the North American Interfraternity Council (NIC) with its “Award of Distinction” for extraordinary support of the Greek community. Shelley supports a bill allowing tax-deductible donations to be used for housing and infrastructure improvements to Greek chapter facilities. Also notable, she co-sponsored the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program signed into law in December 2003.
Housing and healthcare are not new initiatives to Shelley. A third-term representative, she prides herself on being approachable, accessible and in touch with the needs of her West Virginia constituents. As the only female and only Republican congresswoman from West Virginia, she works hard to visit the 18 counties in her district while serving on the House Rules Committee, Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, and the Congressional Steel Caucus. (Shelley was originally featured in the spring 2001 issue.)
Shelley freely admits that juggling family time with her Congressional commitments is difficult. She has felt guilty for not being a part of all of her teenaged daughter’s activities. “But,” says Shelley, “my daughter reassured me that she was proud of me and knew I was involved in something bigger than both of us.” Shelley’s entire family— daughter, husband and two sons—have all worked together to interact with constituents, make speeches and conduct research.
Shelley also credits her Kappa affiliation with providing her with an instant network of mentors. “Kappa taught me to look for the best in people and to appreciate diversity,” adds Shelley. “Washington, D.C., is a haven for interested, intelligent, service-minded young women.” Shelley encourages all young people pursuing a career in politics or public service to complete internships, volunteer and work on campaigns.
Entertainment: Annabeth Gish—TV and film actress, Film credits include Mystic Pizza Natalie Garibian Peters, author, The Love of My Life: the Memoirs of Howard G. Minsky Susannah Gora, author, YouCouldn’t Ignore Me If You Tried: the Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation
Contents
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
The history of Delta Beta Chapter can be seen as a microcosm of the history of the Women’s College of Duke University. As the college women changed, so changed the lifestyle of the Kappas.
In 1897, Washington Duke, a pioneer tobacco manufacturer established an endowment for Trinity College, Durham, with the condition that women be admitted “on equal footing.” The next year a small dormitory for women was completed, but it was not until World War I, when men were scarce that women’s enrollment increased significantly.
The year in the history of Duke was 1924, for it was that year that James Buchanan Duke’s famous Duke Endowment was announced, with 40 million dollars going to education, charity and the relief of human suffering. The tobacco king considered the Duke Endowment his greatest achievement. In time the value of the fund multiplied several times. The greatly expanded institution became Duke University, and the name Trinity College was retained for the undergraduate men’s division of the university. A new campus, West, or Men’s Campus, designed and built in Gothic style, was ready for occupancy in 1930. Some of the Trinity College buildings were remodeled and new ones constructed in Georgian architecture for East, or Women’s Campus. The two areas were one mile apart, joined by a private boulevard. The Women’s College became a coordinate of Trinity in 1930. Between 1930 and 1972, women at Duke had an autonomous student government, a Y.W.C.A., and all lived on East Campus.
Under the four deans of the Women’s College, the complexion of Duke women gradually changed as did the sorority system and Delta Beta in particular. Under Dean Alice M. Baldwin, 1930-1937, women freshmen and sophomores had classes separate from the men. Enrollment doubled from 506 to more than 1000 in that period.
During Florence Brickley’s tenure, 1947-1962, enrollment increased slightly, and admissions standards rose. During the 1950s there was a shift to university-wide activities. Interest in class organization declined. The first two years became coeducational. Efforts were made by M. Margaret Ball, 1963-1969, to revitalize the Women’s College. Intellectual activities, liberalized regulations, emphasis on living-learning dormitories put substance into the college. Dean Juanita Kreps, 1969-1972, administered the first women’s move to the men’s campus and vice versa. Women were allowed to live off campus for the first time. In 1972, the colleges were officially closed, and by fall all students returned as students of Duke University.
By 1929 there were four national sororities and several local groups at Duke. That year the local, Sigma Beta, was added to the Pan-Hellenic Council and remained local for two years. With the help of sponsors Miss Eva Malone (Ellis) and Mrs. Clarence Pemberton and under the guidance of Rheva Ott Shryock, Pennsylvania, the girls decided to petition Kappa Kappa Gamma. The request for a charter accompanied by a film prepared by the members was granted at the 1930 Convention. Installation, October 25, 1930, was attended by Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, Province Directors, alumnae and actives from 12 Eastern chapters.
Although there was a National Depression and strict rules on campus, locally, the Kappa mood was busy and fun-loving. Members of the new chapter were active on campus and Ruth Phillips (Polack), president of the senior class, was responsible for getting decent restroom facilities in the West Campus library.
Chapter Traditions
Mondays nights were “closed nights” – no phone calls, no men in “East,” no women off campus. Meetings were held on Monday – there was no excuse for missing a meeting! Throughout the 1930s there was participation but as yet no chapter-sponsored philanthropy. The 1937 Chanticleer, (yearbook) said …”and so with a dash and a smash you have the Kappas -possessors of happiness and beauty, and the essential elements to make a good chapter.”
The early 1940s were clouded by World War II. “It was practically like a girls’ school with a Navy base a miles away,” remembers a Delta Beta of those days. “The Kappas were a very close chapter – probably because so many of our boyfriends were far away. Many of the Kappas rolled bandages and entertained soldiers at the nearby Navy base. Women for the first time assumed leadership posts previously held by men.
One of the many traditions of Delta Beta is the awarding of the Standards Key each semester to the senior who best exemplifies Kappa. This key was formerly worn by Rheva Ott Shryock. She presented it to the chapter in 1948.
Turbulent Times
Sorority life at Duke in the early 1960s can best be described as a period of adjustment. In September 1959, when the Pan-Hellenic building had been condemned as a fire hazard, the change to classrooms of the Carr Building was accepted, yet the move was a shock to many sororities which had just finished extensive redecorating, as had the Kappas. Headquarters purchased Delta Beta’s furniture and rush schedules were rearranged. Everyone thought this change was only temporary.
All sororities were threatened by a loss of spirit and lack of communication; because members saw each other regularly only once a week. Delta Beta made use of “dorm reps,” dorm parties, secret buddies,” the big-little sister program, and planned to eat together. At a time when everyone was predicting the demise of the Greek system, chapter spirit suddenly was high. Sorority life, as always, had serious and lights sides. At a seminar program in 1960, faculty and administration members spoke on issues related to their fields. Cystic Fibrosis Clinic was still part of its philanthropy efforts, there were parties for faculty children, block tickets to the campus concert-lectures series, and required study hall for pledges and low-average upper classmen. But sororities in general were assailed and asked to justify their existence.
By the 1967-68 school year, criticism reached a peak. The president of Pan-Hellenic resigned from her office and her sorority in the middle of fall rush. Isolated student involvement grew into great student participation in political and social concerns. Sorority life seemed more irrelevant than ever to many, and one group dropped its national affiliation because of the rules, which bound its members in this increasingly liberal institution.
The Delta Beta President advocated that Delta Beta also “go local” to the shock of many members. During the next school year 10 to 12 Kappas resigned in protest, calling Delta Beta an irrelevant, social and selective group.
To survive these difficult times, Delta Beta had to redefine its goals. Officers planned activities which combined fun and intellectual stimulation: efforts were made to get together frequently. Often meetings became forums for invited speakers.
By the time of Kappa’s Centennial and Delta Beta’s 40th birthday, morale had been regained and Kappa was recognized as the most high-spirited and close-knit group on campus. The Kappas were often kidded as too “gung-ho.”
One can see than that the increased involvement in campus activities during the late 1940s and early 1950s led to a university rather than a college focus by Women’s College students. These attitudes of concern, combined with the facts of integration of the campuses, more women living off campus, more night classes and no central meeting place, provided a challenge to Kappa to spur interest and sustain morale. Both the sorority and fraternity systems were challenged to continue to adapt and offer new ways to provide the much needed warmth and friendship on the campus of Duke University.
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 1980s:
From chapter’s History Report: In 1989, Delta Beta won Greek Week.
Housing:
Philanthropy:
In 1989, Delta Beta sponsored CHANCE “Battle of the Bands.”
Chapter Convention Awards:
Highlights of the 1990s:
Delta Beta tied for first place in the 1990 Greek Week. Pledge Initiation was held at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Fraternity Education was the chapter goal. A standards workshop was held in the fall semester. The chapter went to Wrightsville Beach with the new initiates. Delta Beta attended a Founder’s Day Banquet at UNC. Delta Beta held a scholarship banquet to celebrate individual achievement and improving to fourth place in scholarship among all sororities on campus. Delta Beta conducted an informal chapter evaluation and two mandatory all-member rush retreats. Delta Beta placed fourth in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days.
Delta Beta won two honorable mentions at the 1991 Province Meeting for scholarship and philanthropy. Delta Beta held a two- day officer training workshop. Initiation was held at UNC. The chapter goal was using committees effectively. Events included: a council retreat, chapter beach trip to Wrightsville Beach with the new initiates, an Alcohol and Substance Abuse program, Founder’s Day Banquet at UNC, a Scholarship Banquet, and a stress management program. Delta Beta placed third in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days. Delta Beta was noted in the Keyhole for its scholarship.
In 1994, the chapter competed with other Greek organizations and won a Pictionary contest for charity. Delta Beta tried to increase interaction with the Duke and Durham community through their AIDS fund raiser in which various retailers helped sell t-shirts. The chapter goal was to increase sister participation through all-sister activities. Delta Beta held a scholarship banquet each semester to recognize sisters for their academic achievement and in the fall named a sister-of-the-week at each meeting to highlight a sister’s recent accomplishments. Delta Beta held a ritual workshop each semester.
Delta Beta had three members of Phi Beta Kappa, two members on the volleyball team, two members on the golf team, and one member on the track team. Several Kappa relatives of pledges were able to attend their initiation this year, including one new member’s grandmother. Social events included Kite and Key, Psychedelic 60’s, and Holiday Formal. In October, Delta Beta hosted a table to sell pink ribbons and provide information about self-breast exams in honor of National Self Breast Exam Awareness Month.
Delta Beta’s chapter goal in 1995 was increased sister attendance and ritual awareness. Delta Beta strengthened the role of Standards in upholding lateness and attendance policies.
Delta Beta held a Valentine’s Day semi-formal in 1997. A representative from the Career Development Center came to speak to the chapter. Two Delta Betas gave a talk about depression and seeking help for this illness. Delta Beta held an “April Fool’s” function at the Durham Ballpark. Other social events included spring formal, “Psych- 60’s”, a Barn Party, Kite and Key, and winter formal. A representative from the Healthy Devil spoke to the chapter about health resources on campus. A Delta Beta was a member of the cheerleading squad and two Delta Betas were members of student government.
In 1998, the chapter raised $4000 for the Children’s Miracle Network through Kappa Kaddies, a charity golf tournament. Social events included Valentine’s semi-formal, spring formal, a Barn Party, “Pysch-60’s”, Kite and Key (with the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta), and winter formal. One Delta Beta was a star member of the women’s basketball team, who competed in the NCAA finals. Delta Beta also had one member of Phi Beta Kappa, one member of the cheerleading squad, and the star of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
Philanthropy:
1990: YMCA Day Care Center and Durham Battered Women’s Shelter 1991: YMCA Day Care Center; 1994: Easter egg hunt with children, Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Dance to Fight AIDS fundraiser, Walktoberfest; 1995: Dance to Fight AIDS, Easter egg hunt, bake sale fundraiser; 1997: Volunteering at EK POWE elementary, volunteering at the Methodist Retirement Home; 1998: Kappa Kaddies, a charity golf tournament
Chapter Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2000-2010:
In 2005, Delta Beta hosted the Nu East Province Meeting in Durham, NC. Also, Delta Beta had a very strong representation in Duke's Pan-Hellenic Council as its members served as both the President and the VP of Recruitment. As a chapter, its commitment to academic excellence was recognized by the Pan-Hellenic Council with the Outstanding Scholarship Award and a Delta Beta was honored as Duke Greek Woman of the Year. Three Delta Betas were inducted in to the Order of the Omega, the Greek Honor Society that recognizes exceptional leadership, scholarship and service.
In addition to its strong sisterhood, Kappas at Duke are devoted to academic excellence and selfless service. Delta Beta has maintained one of the highest GPAs within the Greek Community and has become an essential part of the Duke and Durham communities. With 142 members, Delta Beta is also one of the largest chapters on campus.
In 2005, Delta Beta’s chapter council vowed to work toward perfecting the devotion of its members to their commitments and responsibilities as Greek women. Delta Beta aimed to continue to increase ritual awareness and appreciation in order to strengthen our ties with the history of Kappa. In terms of responsibility to the tradition of Greek life, Delta Beta planned to work to maintain our high level of Pan-Hellenic involvement on campus. All of these goals were enthusiastically met last year. Delta Beta’s Marshall introduced a new ritual program that made learning about our ritual and history fun and interesting. Delta Beta had record turn out to these "ritual retreats" which led to our most successful initiation to date. A Delta Beta served Duke and the Greek community as the President of Duke's Pan-Hellenic Council. With one of its own sisters as the head of the Duke Greek community, Delta Beta chapter was more involved in both school and Greek activities than ever.
In 2006, Delta Beta worked really hard to maintain our involvement in the Panhellenic life. A Delta Beta was elected VP of Recruitment, and we have continued to invoke a Panhellenic spirit in all the events that we have held this year. Kappa was recognized again this year for our outstanding scholarship, and even had 4 members inducted into Order of the Omega, the Greek Honor Society. Furthermore, one of our members helped to start an organization in Africa this year, working for women's rights to equal education.
Kappas at Duke show a strong sense of sisterhood coupled with a devotion to academic success and a desire to give back to the community. Delta Beta is a very diverse chapter, always seeking to incorporate new ideas into the task at hand. In addition, Kappas at Duke are committed to supporting all forms of Greek life on campus.
This year Delta Beta worked really hard to reorganize the use of each of its committees. It sought to have more efficient committee meetings, using the talents of the many diverse girls in its chapter. Delta Beta’s VPO did a great job this year of invoking the use of these committees. In addition, Delta Beta wanted to improve our risk management program. After many new policies, it has finally cemented a program that is safe, efficient, and strong. With the strong leadership of its President, Delta Beta has worked to bring all of the pledge classes together in the bonds of sisterhood. This has been achieved through sisterhood dinners and committee outings.
Delta Belta was at or above the the all-sorority GPA during 2009. One Delta Beta was honored with a invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa. Six members were reported in the Spring 2009 issue of The Key as having a 4.0 GPA.
In 2005, Delta Beta implemented a new strategy of presenting something interesting from our archives at each formal meeting. The chapter really enjoyed these presentations, which included photo albums, scrapbooks, old bylaws, chapter minutes and standing rules, and chapter composites from years past.
67th Biennial Convention: 2006-2008 Winners: Gracious Living, Unhoused Chapter
Highlights of 2011-2019:
2012
The Delta Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma thrived this year in academics, sisterhood, and philanthropy. This year we recorded the highest involvement in chapter events and meetings in recent history, and this commitment to the chapter and its women is evident in our outstanding class of new members. This dedication was also critical to the success of our local philanthropy event this fall: the fourth annual "5K for Camp K," or Camp Kaleidoscope-- a residential camp for terminally ill children. The women of Delta Beta recruited Duke students to participate in the race and support the philanthropy; as a result, the chapter raised $9,000 for Camp Kaleidoscope. Those funds--more than the chapter has ever raised--will send 25 children to camp this summer. The chapter was also highly involved in the national Kappa philanthropy of Reading Is Fundamental, and we had nearly all of our members volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Durham to support the organization. Kappas at Duke also volunteer in organizations such as Best Buddies, Camp Kesem (a camp for children with cancer in their families), and Duke Engage programs (international programs with a variety of service goals).
In addition to our philanthropic success, our chapter hosted weekly meetings in the house for the women of Delta Beta ("Kappa Keypsakes") to discuss personal experiences and struggles and further develop the support system within the chapter. During a chapter meeting this fall, our Vice President of Standards also led an open discussion about the alcohol culture at Duke and how to uphold our values and commitments in spite of social pressure. The new Kappa house on Duke's campus has been a wonderful opportunity for the sisters of Delta Beta to become an even more close-knit community. Beyond internal chapter activities, a member of Delta Beta--Hannah Hayward--actually served as the Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment, where she represented Kappa with leadership and grace. Finally, Delta Beta recognized the 81st anniversary of Founder's Day by celebrating both old and new traditions with alumni and active members.
In terms of challenges, our chapter faced a new struggle this year related to the new Kappa house; because the apartments have two single bedrooms and one double bedroom, our Standards Committee mediated several disagreements among roommates. The situations arose largely among sisters who either lived in a double and would have preferred a single or had living styles that were incompatible with those of their roommates. Standards sorted out these issues between roommates by arranging mutual agreements that allowed the members to compromise. Another issue that Delta Beta faces nearly every year is chapter attendance. While attendance has improved, some members (primarily seniors) missed more chapters than was acceptable. Council took a two-pronged approach to remedy this issue: first, the Standards Committee met with any women with incomplete attendance and sorted out the challenges they were facing. Second, the sisters began recognizing one member each chapter who had accomplished something that week by surprising her with a small gift, such as flowers or chocolates. The positive energy this new tradition fosters has encouraged members to attend chapter whenever they can.
Regarding campus changes, 2012 was the first year since the 1950s that sororities had housing on Duke's campus. Duke granted each of the nine sororities their own house this year; the houses are all located together on Duke's Central Campus, and comprise a number of apartments located together in the same building. A combination of approximately forty sophomore and juniors lived in the Kappa house at 1915 Erwin Road. The building consisted of three bedroom, four bed apartments for the Kappas, in addition to an apartment with a Central Campus RA. Living together has helped even stronger bonds to emerge among the chapter and the individual pledge classes; additionally, living in close proximity to the other sororities has produced a more cohesive and supportive Panhellenic community.
Within the chapter, the Delta Beta Council underwent a number of changes during 2012, largely involving the new house. House Chair became a newly significant position on Council responsible for ensuring that the house met the needs of its residents and fostered sisterhood among the Kappas living there. Council also had to determine which members of the Executive Board would be required to live in the house for the coming years, ultimately settling on the President, the House Chair, the New Member Chair, and the Vice President of Standards. Finally, Council decided this year to add Recruitment Assistant as another elected position for future years.
Highlights of 2020s:
(Excerpts 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.:
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!
