| Eta Gamma | |
|---|---|
| HΓ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 24, 1997 |
| College | University of San Diego |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Homepage | http://www.kappa.org |
| Media related to Eta Gamma Chapter | |
University of San Diego, established in 1949 in San Diego, California
Eta Gamma founded September 21, 1997
________members (2011)
Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Council Officers:
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
The University of San Diego is an independent Catholic institution known for its commitment to teaching and the liberal arts. Students live and work in a setting of Spanish Renaissance architecture overlooking Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The university serves approximately 4,000 undergraduates and more than 2,000 graduate students. Close to 90 percent of the freshman and a majority of upperclass students live on campus. The university offers 16 NCAA Division I sports as well as a variety of club and intramural level sports.
Installation
Two trips to the sunny coast of San Diego, Calif., have resulted in a new addition to the Kappa family. The University of San Diego (not to be confused with UC San Diego) became home to Kappa Kappa Gamma's 126th active chapter, Eta Gamma.
An outstanding group of young women became a Kappa Kappa Gamma Colony during a Colonization Recruitment held on campus September 19-21, 1997. Installation of the chapter was held November 7 -8, making these women charter members of Eta Gamma Chapter. Fifty-one colony members were initiated by Fraternity
President Cathy Thompson Carswell, Illinois Wesleyan; Chairman of Extension Juliana (J.J.) Fraser Wales, Ohio State; and the Fraternity's second delegate to the Panhellenic Conference Carol Morrison Sobek, Arizona State, also assisted with the Installation.
Alumnae from the San Diego area and members from Zeta Nu, UC San Diego; Zeta Eta, UC Irvine; Gamma Zeta, Arizona; and Epsilon Delta, Arizona State, participated in Installation activities, as well. Eta Gamma's Chapter Consultant is Anne Kieselbach, UC San Diego; Ragen Bradner, UC San Diego, is serving as the Coordinator of Chapter Development.
Other Panhellenic groups on campus are Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Beta.
Highlights of the 1990s
Eta Gamma Chapter was officially colonized on September 21, 1997 when 53 young women were informed that they were to represent this chapter as part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity at the University of San Diego. These women were installed as Charter Members on November 8, 1997. At that time, the University of San Diego had 4,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students. Approximately 23% of the study body was involved in Greek life. There were five fraternities; Phi Kappa Theta, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Tau Delta, and Sigma Phi Epsilon. There were four sororities; Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, and the newly colonized Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Under the supervision of Anne Kieselbach, the Chapter Consultant, and Regan Bradner, the Coordinator of Chapter Development, the new pledge class took on the responsibilities of continuing the Kappa traditions.
During the first new member Recruitment in 1998 the chapter pledged 30 new members. Party themes included "Kappa Kappa Chino" coffee house, "Kappa Academy Awards," and "Kappa is Your Candle on the Water."
In 1998 Eta Gamma's President, Bridgett O'Neil was honored as the Greek Woman of the Year at USD. Also, that year the chapter reported the highest GPA among the sororities on USD's campus. The chapter goal in 1998 was P.P.U.R.C. - building a meaningful foundation through "Participation, Planning, Understanding, Respect, and Communication." The chapter worked toward this goal through philanthropy, social, fraternity education, sisterhood, and scholarship efforts.
Challenges facing the chapter in the 1990s included low participation and lack of communication. The chapter instituted a variety of ways to improve both of these areas including attendance awards for individual members, email distribution groups, reminders of upcoming events, and personal notes read at the end of meetings.
Eta Gamma members participated in many organizations and honorary societies on USD's campus. Through their newsletter, the Eta Gamma Gazette, they shared events and current activities that the chapter was involved with to the greater Kappa sisterhood of readers.
The chapter incorporated some successful scholarship ideas that included honoring members with high GPAs, hosting Scoops Night by grouping members in majors to assist each other with choosing classes, and treating the members to massages and relaxation sessions during Kappa Relief Days before finals.
Philanthropy:
The chapter participated in a variety of events that raised money and awareness, many of which were co-hosted with other campus fraternities or sororities. These efforts included a book drive, after-school tutoring, volunteering at a resale clothing store, building homes in Mexico, and gift giving to needy families during the holiday season.
In 1999 the chapter members logged more than 2,000 volunteer hours in philanthropic efforts. Some of the organizations that benefited from Eta Gamma's philanthropy included St. Vincent de Paul Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Project Mercy, and the Children's Miracle Network.
Awards:
At the 34th Biennial Province Meeting, Eta Gamma received the Marian Williams-Mitch Pflugh Public Relations Award.
Highlights of 2000-2010
The chapter continued its member bonding through theme parties, sisterhood events, social exchanges with other Greek groups, retreats, campus-wide events, intramurals, Moms Weekend, and Dads Weekend. The chapter also held theme nights for each class (sophomore, junior, and senior) to honor Eta Gamma members from each school year.
Participation continued to be a challenge, and the chapter committees worked on innovative efforts to increase attendance at events. These challenges also had an effect on finances, but the chapter was able to reorganize their budget to accommodate for the deficit. Also challenging the members were standards issues. The Standards Committee, along with other committees/officers on Chapter Council strengthened communication and sisterhood through events and awareness in order to improve morale overall for the chapter.
In 2005 the chapter reported that they received the honorable USD Dean's Trophy for the sixth consecutive year.
The chapter continuously displayed archives for members to see during Recruitment and throughout the year at meetings.
Eta Gamma hosted a successful Province Meeting in San Diego in 2009.
In 2010, the USD campus welcomed a new multicultural sorority; Sigma Theta Psi. Through Recruitment in 2010 the chapter pledged 46 new members. The chapter's many sisterhood activities, including Key Sis themed events, strengthened the relationships between actives and new members.
Scholarship remained a core value, and members were rewarded for logging study hours and maintaining a high GPA.
Philanthropy:
Strong philanthropy efforts continued through the support of AVID, Haiti earthquake relief (UNICEF), breast cancer awareness, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, MS Walk, Rady Children's Hospital, and STEP.
Highlights of 2011-2019
In 2011, 54 new members were initiated - Eta Gamma's largest pledge class to date. In 2011, the USD campus welcomed two new Greek organizations; Kappa Delta and Phi Gamma Delta.
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!