| Beta Eta Deuteron | |
|---|---|
| BHΔ | |
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| Founded | June 10, 1892 |
| College | Stanford University formerly The Leland Stanford Junior University |
| Location | Stanford, CA |
| Homepage | Beta Eta Deuteron Homepage |
| Media related to Beta Eta Deuteron Chapter | |
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Beta Eta Deuteron Chapter, Stanford University
1,197 initiates (as of June 2014)
Some of Beta Eta’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.)
Emily Caskey Johnson, Vice President 1944-1948, Director of Alumnae1940-1944, Director of Provinces 1936-1938, Director of Standards 1934-1936; Elizabeth Voris Lawry, Grand Treasurer 1906-1908
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Additional Outstanding Beta Eta Deuteron Alumnae: Lola Nashashi, Graduate Counselor 1977-1978
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)Beta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, survived an earthquake; the chapter house was twice ravaged by fire; and members adjusted to the changes of two World Wars. But suddenly, in 1944, Beta Eta Chapter was gone, removed with all other women’s fraternities from the Stanford campus. By a special act of the California Legislature, the act of endowment embodying the charter of the institution, and a gift, 80,000 acres of land was made public in November, 1885. The Leland Stanford Jr. University, endowed by Senator and Mrs. Stanford as a memorial to their only son, was formally opened October 1, 1891. It was the opinion of many persons that California already had its university so why have another? But attracted by its possibilities, 465 students, many older than the average, arrived that first year from all over the world. Beta Eta was established June 10, 1892, six months after a chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. The two fraternities, in an agreement about bidding procedures, set the stage for the Panhellenic organization. Lou Henry (Hoover) was a sophomore and not yet a Kappa when Lucy Evelyn Wight (Allan), BB—St. Lawrence, grand president in 1890-1892, went to Stanford for graduate study. The two women became close friends. Evelyn Wight became Stanford’s first dean of women, and Lou Henry was initiated in 1896 when the chapter was four years old. Initiations had taken place in the music room of Roble hall, and the chapter met in member’s rooms. Later a second-floor apartment was rented, and then a house on campus. By the spring of 1899, business arrangements had been made for building on the west side of Lasuen Street where the only other structure was the Phi Delta Theta house. Kappas made daily trips to watch the progress of construction, and the move was made in January, 1900. Beta Eta was the first Kappa chapter to build its own house and the first to own a house. The beloved house was described in the July, 1900 issue of The Key as having “sloping moss green roofs, pointed gables, dormer windows. The wrought iron lattice over the door bears the letters KKΓ and the art glass windows with the fleur-de-lis embedded in the cardinal, form an artistic entrance… the third floor, the abode of the freshmen, and familiarly known as ‘the attic’ is one large room… the most delightful place for initiation and informal spreads, while from its many windows one gains the best view of the surrounding hills covered with oak trees and, in the spring, ablaze with the glorious California poppies… From its setting of green foothills, (the house) looks across the level fields, over the treetops of the Arboretum to the narrow line of bay and the hazy blue mountains beyond.” The earthquake of April 18, 1906, brought normal college life to a halt. There was great damage on the Stanford campus. When the chapter returned to school in September, member found that the house had remained untouched during the summer, rather than repaired, since labor and materials were so scarce. A luncheon for freshmen had been scheduled for registration day. Because their dishes were broken and the plaster down, the resourceful Kappas partied on the porch. Early in September, 1918, the house was badly damaged by fire; and again during summer quarter of 1927 there was a fire and chapter members returned to find the roof gone. By January, 1928, aware of the difficulties of separation, the chapter was able to get back together. The alumnae corporation and the Fraternity had made it possible to repair the damages, and the Mother’s Club had raised a considerable fund to help refurnish the house. In 1934 the house association constructed a much-needed wing to provide additional bedrooms, a chapter room, and a lounge. Field Secretary Helen Snyder (Andres), BΠ—Washington, wrote in the February, 1933, issue of The Key, after her first visit to Stanford, “… my fondest expectations realized in its fine students, beautiful buildings with arcades, quadrangles, magnificent memorial chapel, palm trees, and landscaped grounds… long a fine chapter… scholastic and activity honors are many… a congenial chapter.” Her first official act as grand president in June, 1935, was to call for ratification of the appointment of Beta Eta’s Emily Caskey Johnson as director of standards. Emily’s ability, energy, and a frequently changing address made her the best-known Kappa in the northwest. The Palo Alto alumnae loved to have an excuse to bring Emily into the conversation. The relationship between Beta Eta, Π—California, and the alumnae was good, with a common meeting ground in the annual fashion show in which the actives modeled. Although proceeds of the fashion show were usually marked for scholarships, in 1942 they were earmarked for national defense. The show was given in the daytime because of rules against off-campus night parties, and the possibility of blackouts. During World War II several rooms in the chapter house were blacked out so the girls could study, and there were changes in their living habits. The girls squeezed their own orange juice for breakfast, when oranges were available; did their own house cleaning; and skipped an occasional meal “to humor the cook.” And they understood “It is a very little part of war’s reality… These changes show that life on a college campus need not be as carefree as ‘the good old days’ in order to be one of the most wonderful times in our lives.” During World War II, social affairs and volunteer work were often combines, taking the form of benefits. The chapter was interested in Belgian War Relief, and the plans of the food administration. The chairman of the Stanford Women’s Red Cross Unit was a Kappa, and there were regular Red Cross hours and much knitting. Three actives left for service in France. Lou Henry Hoover, wife of the ex-president of the United States, herself a scholar and adventurer as well as the devoted patron of the Girl Scouts of America, died suddenly January 7, 1944, in New York. Four days later Ann Claire Brokaw, daughter of Claire Booth Luce, a senior majoring in political science, was killed in an automobile accident. Although Beta Eta had acquired new pledges early in 1944, and initiation was conducted that spring, by the term’s end, Beta Eta too was gone, removed with all the other women’s houses from the Stanford campus. The administration and the dean of women, a fraternity woman herself, had shown a consistent disapproval for the fraternity system and for 20 years sororities and their alumnae fought a losing battle against the final outcome. (In 1923 a vote had been taken to discover the feeling of sororities concerning “the justification of their existence,” and from 1925 Panhellenic, with Beta Eta taking a leading part, had tried to prove to the university that sororities had a definite place in the life of a university women.) By fall of 1944 the chapter house had become a university residence, and the December, 1944, letter from the Palo Alto alumnae mentions that three of the no-longer-active chapter members had been guests at an alumnae meeting and “the alumnae regretted losing the inspiration of the actives.” The chapter was known for its interesting, active women. Among them were Barbara Griffith Dolfini, whose miniature rooms were displayed at the Golden Gate Fair; Dr. Florence Mable Holsclaw, directing head of Babies Aid, San Francisco; Bertha L. Chapman Cady, Ph.D., botanist and author; Ethel Wallace Bryant, dean of the Castilleja School; Harriet Ford Griswold, civic worker for rehabilitation of cripples; and Jean Henry Large, author of Girl Scout books. Anna Henrietta Martin was a writer, an associate of Jane Adams in the International League for Peace, and chairman of the National Women’s Party. Before the turn of the century she had been chairman of the Beta Eta committee that compiled the Fraternity Catalogue, giving the name and record of each of the 3000 members. “Edited by Beta Eta” is on the title page of that 1898 volume. And of course there was Mrs. Hoover, Beta Eta’s “proudest possession,” even though she refused to have a Kappa key placed on her effigy’s bosom in the Smithsonian. In the last chapter picture of Beta Eta members ever taken, all but two are smiling, because smiling is what is done for pictures. It might almost be thought that 1944 had been another good year in the history of “an alive and stimulating chapter.” 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. Women’s Fraternities Return to StanfordNestled in the Stanford Hills of Palo Alto, California, is a beautiful university campus whose focal point is its magnificent Hoover Tower. Ever since the rains started turning these beautiful hills green and covering them with abundant blankets of bright orange California Poppies, purple Lupine, yellow Mustard, and white Clover, and the Stanford Board of Trustees voted to lift a thirty-three year ban on sororities, a new purpose and interest has sprouted among many of the women students Now in full bloom-Sororities have returned to Leland Stanford University. In 1944, the Beta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was removed with seven other sororities from the Stanford campus by the University, leaving only men's fraternities to continue. Many months ago great enthusiasm started vibrating through the campus when there were rumors regarding the lifting of the ban on sororities. Local groups started forming around Active transfers and Legacies of NPC groups with the intent of organizing the return of the women's Greek system to Stanford, if in fact the ban was lifted, and then to petition their respective National Councils for reinstatement and/or chartering. In December, 1977, the ban was lifted but that did not mean what we had hoped it would. The lifting of the ban did not mean that the University was inviting sororities back on campus- only that they would not stop the women students from forming and/or joining any outside interest groups. It would instead mean restrictions on housing, meeting rooms, and University recognition. Even with this atmosphere, these women were determined to have NPC sororities back at Stanford and join with the already existing men's fraternities for a full Greek system. In the spring of 1978, a Kappa transfer from Bucknell Lola Nashashibi, showed her interest in starting a group. There seemed to be great interest to join with Lola and organize what they all hoped would someday become a Kappa chapter. This group worked together in a small number which, by the time they were ready to petition, was increased to an interested 45 women, with 34 signing the formal petition for the reinstatement of Beta Eta Chapter. These women met at their request, Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, (Fraternity President) and Pat Maness Kriz (Pi PDC) in early February, 1978, to discuss Kappa in full and to discover why this particular group of women was interested in Kappa. The subjects covered were finances, philanthropies, policies, standards, obligations and commitment, and their desire for a lasting tie to their college days. With all questions answered (both from Kappa and to Kappa) and the determination of these women, their petition to Kappa Council was in the mail within a week after this meeting. The petition was granted February. On February 21st, after a pot-luck dinner at the home of Mrs. Duane L. Hillyard, there was a candle passing ceremony announcing formal pinning of the blue and blue ribbons. Formal colonization was held March 2, 1978, in the lovely home of Erna Gaede Kurtzon, Northwestern, with 29 outstanding women pledged: Among those attending were VerMehr (Pi Province Magazine Chairman); Presidents of the Palo Alto, San Jose, and San Mateo Alumnae Associations – Janet Nelson Reimers, Oregon State, Barbara Reith Collier, San Jose State; and Louise Forve Barker, UCLA, respectively; and the colonizing team – Kay Smith Larson, Washington, Director of Chapters and Colonizing Officer; Pat Maness Kriz, Colorado, Pi, PDC; Ann Fletcher Colvin, Washington State, Pi PDA; and Patricia Ball Hillyard, San Jose State, Colonization Chairman. The Beta Eta Deuteron Colony consisted of its 29 pledges and two active transfers –Lola Nashashibi, Bucknell, who was to be Beta Eta Deuteron’s Undergraduate Counselor , and Elizabeth Abel, UC Davis. As spring Rush was fast approaching, the colony was soon to increase its size. As there had been much time and energy spent in organizing the individual sororities (Alpha Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi and Kappa plus two local groups hoping to be Nationally recognized by Chi Omega and Kappa Delta) so had there been in organizing an lntcr-Sorority Council complete with others. Their main goal was to have a successful and compatible “Panhellenic” spring Rush. And so it seemed that the women’s Greek system had indeed found a fertile place to grow and be strong. Beta Eta Deuteron had bloomed again was already enjoying togetherness through exchanges with fraternities, parties, dining together, philanthropic work, and a holiday for some in Hawaii. They worked well with the full Advisory Board and felt the women Greeks were there to stay – working hard toward the “total” Greek System – opportunity for all – again at Stanford.
Beta Eta Deuteron installation was a huge success with more than 600 Kappas from near and far attending the events of the weekend at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. The weekend started Friday, October 20th at a fireside with Fraternity treasurer Jean Schmidt, Miami, presiding. The next morning an installation/initiation ceremony (led by Marian Klingbeil Williams, Missouri, director of membership; Kay Smith Larson, Washington, installation officer and former Fraternity officer; and Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, Fraternity president), saw 27 colonizers receive their pins. After a delicious box luncheon was enjoyed by the 200 in attendance, they again assembled to teach the new initiates the songs and procedures of initiation so they could in turn pin their little sisters. The afternoon initiation saw the first initiates pin 30 of the pledges from the previous spring rush, making a total of 57 active members to start Beta Eta Deuteron. Immediately following the initiations was a lovely reception in the Castilleja School in Palo Alto for parents, alumnae, sororities, fraternities, faculty, family, and friends. Sunday morning started with a Model Chapter Meeting, conducted by Fraternity President Wells. This was followed by a crumpous luncheon banquet, with the toastmistress Elizabeth Bennitt Denebeim, Missouri, former Kappa Province Director of Chapters, and the wonderful speaker Helen Snyder Andres Steiner, Washington, former Fraternity president. Many gifts were received by the chapter including a framed reproduction of the original Beta Eta charter given by California at Berkeley; an engraved guest book was presented by the Beta Eta Deuteron Advisory Board; and a pair of engraved silver candelabra from the Palo Alto Alumnae, made possible by a donation to the alumnae group by Mary Connor Bowles, Akron. Also given to the chapter was a framed composite of individual pictures of the first initiates by the first initiates and a beautiful patchwork quilt symbolizing Kappa events by the second initiates. Highlighting the luncheon were four special presentations. Edna Martin Parratt, UC Berkeley, who had three Beta Eta aunts, presented an 1894 emerald and diamond key, originally belonging to her aunt Gertrude Martin to be used the Beta Eta Deuteron president’s key (Edna was initiated into Pi Chapter in 1922 with this badge.) Gertrude's sister, Anna Henrietta Martin, had a sapphire and diamond key which Edna, in 1976, presented to Pi Deuteron for its president’s key. Isn’t it ironic that when Pi chapter was reinstated Beta Eta was the installing chapter, and when Beta Eta was reinstated Pi Deuteron was the installing chapter, and that both of their presidents' keys were presented. Edgarita Webster George, Washington, presented her own beautiful all diamond key which will be used as a special award badge. Presented by Linda Scatena, San Jose State, the last president of the chapter there was the Delta Chi gavel given to them by the SAE Fraternity, and the Delta Chi president’s key with the gavel guard which is an 1898 ruby and diamond key which belonged to Ethel McLellen Ward, Stanford. This key will also be used as a special award badge. Elizabeth Wohlford, the new Beta Eta Deuteron president, was initiated by her grandmother Mildren Finley Wohlford, Stanford, with an 1894 pearl and emerald key which had been given to Elizabeth by a family friend. It has belonged to Nellie Louise Parrit, Illinois Wesleyan. As the weekend came to a close, everyone felt a tremendous amount of gratitude for all those special people who made it possible. There was the overwhelming support from active chapters which included UC Berkeley, California State Davis, California State Northridge, UC Santa Barbara which has just been installed the previous weekend. Even Texas was represented. The very hard working alumnae included Contra Costa County, San Mateo, San Jose, and especially Palo Alto. With the help of Jeanne McCune Spaulding, UCLA, fireside chairman, Maggie Ely Pringle, Oregon, reception chairman, and Ann Norton Davis, Northwestern, luncheon chairman and their wonderful committees, the entire weekend became a very special memory for everyone who attended. Other Fraternity personnel attending were Patricia Maness Kriz, Colorado, Pi PDC; Ann Fletcher Colvin, Washington State, Pi PDA; Lola Nashashibi, Bucknell, undergraduate counselor; and Patricia Ball Hillyard, San Jose State, installation chairman and Marshall. Janeen Gould, St. Lawrence and Barbara Laitner, Colorado, both former Graduate Counselors and field secretaries, and Jean Ebright Elin, Ohio State, Fraternity Headquarters representative, were present. Since the spring, 1978 issue of The Key report, progress continued with the sorority system at Stanford. Now Alpha Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi chapters had been installed.
Highlights of the 1980s:(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:
Highlights of the 1990s:(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.)
Philanthropy:
Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2000-2010Beta Eta Deuteron was involved in many activities both on campus and within the Greek system. A Kappa Career night was held with local alumnae who shared career experiences and provided networking opportunities. As an unhoused chapter, Beta Eta Deuteron found it a challenge to find an appropriate place to hold chapter meetings every week, but negotiated with the University to use Breer Library for their meetings. Chapter unity and attendance at meetings and events was a focus for the chapter. Fun chapter events included the Kappa Kentucky Derby with everyone wearing hats, the Kappa Holiday Party, the Monmouth Duo and Kite and Key formals. Programs were presented on Substance Abuse and an interactive game of Kappa History Jeopardy. Greek Day brought together men and women from all of the sororities and fraternities for a rally in White Plaza before a football game. During this period, the chapter took steps towards publishing a quarterly newsletter for chapter members, alumnae and parents and redid its website. They considered their website to be an asset for Recruitment purposes since they did not have a chapter house. A successful workshop on resume building and career development was organized by the chapter and sponsored by Stanford’s Career Development Center. Scholarship was always important with high cumulative G.P.A.s for the chapter. Many members were involved in campus sports, with one member receiving the Herman Trophy for women’s soccer.
Beta Eta Dueteron is an unhoused chapter. In 2010, the chapter established a Housing Committee to draft an application to the University stating the reasons the chapter should have a house.
Beta Eta Deuteron baked cookies for the children at the Ronald McDonald House near campus, and joined a fraternity one morning a week to cook breakfast at a local homeless shelter. The chapter was also involved with tutoring children, and spreading awareness about organ donation. Beta Eta Deuteron joined with a fraternity to host a Thanksgiving dinner at a retirement center in Palo Alto. With another fraternity, they participated in Garden-a-thon. The Light the Night walk raised money for Leukemia and Lymphoma.
2000 – Scholarship Honorable Mention 2008 – Academic Excellence Honorable Mention
Highlights of 2012Highlights include: -- A very successful Pi Province hosted by our chapter! -- A very successful Recruitment period in which passionate, wonderful, "true blue" girls joined our chapter -- A chapter GPA of 3.63 and eight members with GPA's of 4.0 -- We have two women on the Women’s Tennis team, who went on to win the National Championship. Our own Nicole Gibbs also went on to win Singles and is now playing professionally --Crew Members, Alicia Kapjian-Pitt and Jordan Duval-Smith also won the National Championship --Women’s Water Polo, which includes many members of Kappa, were #2 in the nation. --One of our new members, Maggie Steffens, was awarded FINA Player of the Year --Three members, Olivia Vagelos Abigail Andrews and Molly Welch, won “Hackathon” (a philanthropy competition started by our own Elizabeth Woodson) in which they created an App to help people find jobs -- Olivia Vagelos’ startup MountJuly was funded on KickStarter Chapter Growth Attendance: We noticed low chapter attendance at weekly chapter meetings in January. We increased this by trying to make chapter meetings more meaningful. We did this by giving out important chapter information at meetings instead of in emails sent out to the chapter. We also increased attendance by inviting powerful speakers to come to meetings, like California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who spoke about current legislation, her time as a woman at Stanford, and how to be a strong woman in politics. We also had Stanford faculty come speak about healthy body image and feminist studies. Sisterhood events: Sisters are so busy that sometimes sisterhood events are forgotten. This year, we made sure to have more sisterhood events and successfully hosted letter making, headband making, baking, study sessions, arts and crafts for Mother's Day, and a cooking event. Ritual: As ritual is what bonds together Kappa's across the country, our chapter wanted to appreciate ritual even more. We filled the year with ritual review, including activities to learn more songs, such as fill in the blanks with song lyrics. We also incorporated 15 minutes of ritual review into every meeting. Philanthropy: We wanted to increase the number of philanthropy events that Kappa's were involved in. This year, at our "Snowchella" event, we raised more than $7,000 that was donated to an organization called "Support for International Change." We also started a weekly reading program to children in East Palo Alto. Nature of Chapter Beta Eta Deuteron is made up of a group of women who are passionate, intelligent, graceful, kind, and giving. But, the quality that distinguishes our group of girls is a sense of confidence and drive. We make a difference on our campus. At Stanford's ISC Greek Awards, our chapter won the most awards of any chapter on campus, a testament to the fact that we have a strong presence at Stanford. Awards included: Outstanding New Member (Paige Fisher), Greek Woman of the Year (Tierney O’Rourke), Greek Involvement (Molly Hayes), Inter-Sorority Council Runner-up (Molly Hayes), Greek Collaboration Runner-up, and Chapter of the Year Runner-up. One of our sisters will be VP of Recruitment next year to continue our Inter-Sorority involvement. We are made up of powerful athletes, club presidents, leaders in the classroom, and would certainly be described as a group of very strong women. 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:
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! |