| Gamma Beta | |
|---|---|
| ΓB | |
 | |
| Founded | April 5, 1918 |
| College | University of New Mexico |
| Location | Albuquerque, NM |
| Homepage | Gamma Beta Homepage |
| Media related to Gamma Beta Chapter | |
University of New Mexico, established in 1889 in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Gamma Beta founded April 5, 1918
1,946 initiates (as of 2011)
Some of Gamma Beta’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Officers: Janice Harenberg Stockhoff, Fraternity Vice President 1992-1994; Linda Hoffman (Barela), Traveling Consultant, 1989-90; Adrienne Betzen, Traveling Consultant, 2003-2004; Shaylee Beasley, Leadership Consultant, 2009-2010
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipient:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
The Early Years
The University of New Mexico, home of Gamma Beta Chapter, is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a beautiful city that enjoys ever clear and bright blue skies and is bounded by mountain ranges and inert volcanoes. Below these lie fertile valleys, yielding an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Sunsets are masterpieces, and the evening skyline is unsurpassed in brilliance. Albuquerque is a blend of Spanish, Mexican and Indian traditions.
The University of New Mexico was created by an act of the Territorial Legislature in 1889 and began full term instruction in 1892, almost 10 years before New Mexico became the 47th state in January 1912.
Alpha Gamma, a local sorority, was organized in 1914. When members expressed an interest in becoming a Kappa chapter in 1917, Grand Secretary Estelle Kyle Kemp, Colorado, inspected the group and plans were made for an installation. On April 5, 1918, Grand President Lydia Voris Kolbe, Akron, and three Colorado undergraduates initiated seventeen charter members. Gamma Beta became the 51st chapter of the second national sorority at UNM. Phi Mu was the first national sorority on this campus.
For a number of years Gamma Beta rented houses or used a rented dormitory room for meetings and activities. The first chapter house, built in 1931, was an Indian pueblo-style structure, in keeping with the campus architectural style. It housed 26 Kappas and cost approximately $29,000. The mortgage-burning ceremony took place at the Founders Day Banquet in 1948.
The UNM campus grew from 20 acres in 1892 to over 500 in 1966, and the enrollment increased proportionately. Gamma Beta found it needed more space. The current chapter house at 1620 Mesa Vista Road NE was completed November 14, 1966. Civil engineering students carrying placards of protest because the Kappas, who had been their across-the-street neighbors for 30 years, were moving staged an affectionate demonstration. There were tears as Gamma Beta left their hacienda but the new $325,444 multi-level white brick house offered New Mexican spaciousness of 19,000 square feet, more than enough room for 58 members.
Since April 5, 1918, the chain reaction of Gamma Beta’s accomplishments, small and large, personal and professional, continues to be felt. Rosalie Furry Doolittle is a nationally known rosarian and gardener, a recipient of the Outstanding Rosarian Award for the Pacific Southwest district of the American Rose Society. Her book, Southwest Gardening, received a national literary award from the Council of State Garden Clubs. Lucille Lattanner Reid Brock, whose paintings are in collections in 20 states and four foreign countries, is listed in the Who’s Who of American Women 1968-69, Who’s Who in the Arts, 1972, and in 2000 Women of Achievement, Devon, England 1971-72. The accomplishments of Harvena Richter, author of The Human Shore and Virginia Wolfe: The Inward Voyage, are enumerated in Authors’ and Writers’ Who’s Who, 2000 Women of Achievement, and Who’s Who of American Women, 1964-65.
Many Gamma Beta alumnae have remained in New Mexico to give of their time, effort and monies. As nurses, dental hygienists, hospital volunteers, and members of state and local hospital boards, Gamma Betas have shown a constant interest in meeting community health needs. They have been officers and volunteers for the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center Auxiliary and have raised funds necessary to purchase all the equipment for the Center’s Cleft Palate Clinic through the Albuquerque Alumnae Association. Alumnae contributions also aided in purchasing a bus for patient transport. Gamma Betas have presented dental health puppet programs to audiences of school children and gave Christmas parties for indigent children in a daycare center. They are an ever-present helping hand in the All Faiths Receiving Home, take part in urban renewal programs, and Albuquerque’s cultural programs. The alumnae association assumed the delightful task of furnishing the Brides’ Room at the University Memorial Chapel, built in 1963 to honor the deceased of World War II, and completed the project in 1972.
In an effort to maintain high educational standards, Gamma Betas have served not only as members of the University’s Board of Regents but as instructors from kindergarten to university level. The Albuquerque Alumnae Association contributes annually to the Kappa Memorial Scholarship Fund, originally known as the Irene Fee Lighton Memorial Fund. The fund has helped many Kappas complete work toward their degrees and is interest-free while the girls are in school. Panhellenic awards for outstanding scholarship dominate Gamma Beta trophy cases.
The educational atmosphere on this campus today is definitely space age, although there are reminders of the past. Current courses of study, chosen by today’s chapter members, include nuclear medicine and communicative disorders.
The First International World Hot Air Balloon Championship took place in Albuquerque in February 1973. A yellow balloon carried New Mexico’s first licensed female commercial hot air balloon pilots, both Gamma Beta alumnae.
Looking at Albuquerque’s skyline, Kappas can reflect upon the many accomplishments of Gamma Betas since 1918. Through the example of so many members the surroundings have become better and more beautiful. Gamma Beta has helped to achieve a more lasting skyline!
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 1970’s
The 1970’s brought new political awareness to the University of New Mexico. Protests over the Vietnam War and the Kent State massacre led to arrests and an eventual state of emergency on campus. Students proudly watched as Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, only to be horrified at the massacre of Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists days later. Earth Day was celebrated for the first time and students demonstrated their concern for the environment.
Hodgin Hall, the University’s oldest building, was listed on the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties in 1974 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. New facilities for the medical and law schools were constructed on North Campus while new buildings were built on Main Campus on the site of the demolished Zimmerman Field and Stadium. These included Ortega Hall, Woodward Hall, the Humanities Building and the Art Building. A new landscaping plan was undertaken, leading to the construction of the duck pond west of Zimmerman Library and the conversion of many streets to pedestrian malls in order to make the campus more pedestrian friendly.
Embroidered denim shirts and jeans, Dr. Scholl’s wooden sandals, and bell-bottom pants were the dress of the day. Pet rocks were a big hit and students flocked to theaters to see Saturday Night Fever and Star Wars.
The Kappas continued their involvement on campus, participating in various philanthropic events and numerous social events. Baby Triad, held with the Pi Beta Phis and Kappa Alpha Thetas, was a popular barn dance. The end of the fall semester brought Monmouth Duo with the Pi Phis. Formal Triad, once again held with the Pi Phis and Thetas, was held in the spring of each year. Homecoming was a major activity every year, with each fraternity and sorority decorating their house and competing for various awards. Members of Gamma Beta were often selected as members of the Homecoming Court.
The 1974 Kappa General Convention was held in Columbus, Ohio and Gamma Beta received awards for Public Relations and Pledge Training. In the spring of 1975 Gamma Beta chapter hosted the Kappa Province Meeting. Delegates from chapters in Arizona and southern California were invited to the Gamma Beta chapter house to participate in a number of workshops and seminars. It was not long after that Gamma Beta was moved into Eta Province, which included New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Housing
A variety of factors influenced Gamma Beta’s housing situation throughout the 1970’s. The costs associated with the new chapter house required as many of the chapter members as possible to live in the house. Over several years, new live-in policies were considered and tested. Some members chose to resign their membership rather than living in the chapter house for four years. At the same time recruitment numbers remained constant, making it difficult to build up membership numbers to allow for flexibility in the housing situation.
Phone and door duty was required of all members, with everyone taking a turn on a rotating basis. Members on duty answered the house phones during the evening, using the intercom to alert others of their phone calls. Door duty required the member to answer the front door for visitors.
Highlights of the 1980’s
The 1980’s began with the election of Ronald Reagan and continued with the selection of Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman Supreme Court justice. Sadly, the country watched as the Challenger space shuttle exploded just 74 seconds into its flight. Among the seven astronauts on board was a teacher, Christa McAuliffe. Personal computers were becoming more prevalent in businesses and schools.
On campus, the University continued to grow, with an ever-expanding enrollment and new facilities constructed. The University of New Mexico Hospital saw dramatic expansion while new facilities were built for the business and engineering schools. The Centennial Library was also built during this time. A Homecoming King was selected for the first time in 1980 in response to a male student running for Homecoming Queen in 1979.
Recruitment numbers remained stagnant during this time. Sadly, more Panhellenic groups left, leaving just four sororities on campus. More and more women students went to work part-time in order to pay for their tuition and Kappa dues.
Housing
Live-in policies and alcohol consumption within the house were continuing issues for the chapter and House Board. The Standards Committee worked diligently with the House Board to help solve these problems.
Chapter members continued to eat dinner together. Fraternity men who received meals as pay served chapter dinner on Monday nights. On other nights dinner was served family buffet-style. Typically, this was the opportunity members looked forward to as they re-connected with each other after a day of class and work. Lunch was served as a buffet over a period of an hour and a half as members came in from class.
Members relied on the house phones less and less because it became more prevalent for phones to be installed in the individual bedrooms. At the beginning of each semester it was a common sight to see a telephone company employee installing phones throughout the house. Often several sets of roommates would share a phone with a long cord, which could be moved from one room to another.
Highlights of the 1990’s
The 1990’s very quickly became the beginning of the electronic age. The World Wide Web was born in 1992, changing the way we communicated, spent our money, and did business. Amazon.com became the biggest trend in bookselling. The United States military became involved throughout the world, including Kuwait, Haiti, and Bosnia. On the domestic front, President Bill Clinton narrowly survived a trial to remove him from office.
Growth was the mainstay at the University of New Mexico during this time. An Honors College was started, the current bookstore and Dane Smith Hall were constructed, and the Research Park on South Campus was expanded. The University now had one of the largest student and faculty Hispanic and Native American populations in the country.
For the Kappas, the 90’s represented opportunities to be active both on campus and within the Greek community. Numerous chapter members held positions as ASUNM senators, Trailblazers, cheerleaders, Chaparrals, and new student orientation leaders. Several members of Gamma Beta were named as Greek Woman of the Year during this decade as were several Kappa alumnae named as Alumna of the Year.
Scholarship was seen as an ongoing challenge with the chapter striving to achieve a 3.0 average for the overall chapter. After several years of working on this goal, the chapter was able to declare success. They were recognized for their improvement in scholarship both on campus and within the Fraternity. Presidential Scholarship and UNM Scholar recipients were common among the Gamma Beta membership.
The Gamma Betas took great pride in participating in Greek Week, winning the Greek Cup many times during the 1990’s. Greek Sing was also a popular event, with the Kappas often winning the Large Group events, both on their own and paired with a men’s fraternity.
Philanthropy moved up on the list of priorities for Gamma Beta during this time. The members often participated individually in philanthropic projects with more than 1600 hours of service in a year. In addition, the chapter worked together to put on a Fall Harvest Dance at a retirement community, helped out with the Albuquerque AIDS Walk, and raised funds with a pancake breakfast.
Sadly, the decade was not without great tragedy. In October 1998, a horrible car accident claimed the life of a Gamma Beta undergraduate and three other members were seriously injured. The chapter pulled together with the help of their advisers, alumnae members, Fraternity officers, and the University of New Mexico staff. An award is given annually at Founders Day in memory of the young woman who lost her life.
Towards the end of the decade, Gamma Beta implemented the Fraternity’s new six week New Member Education Program. As with anything new, the chapter had to work hard at incorporating the program. At the 1998 General Convention, Gamma Beta was the recipient of the Heritage Award and received Honorable Mentions for scholarship and standards.
Housing
One of the greatest accomplishments during this decade was the burning of the mortgage for the chapter house in 1991.
Highlights of 2000-2010
During a person’s lifetime, there are certain moments that define who they are, what they’ve done and where they’re going. Furthermore, if the certain moment affects more than just a handful of people, say the entire country, one will likely see an attitude shift and changes in the way things are done. Such was the case when the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked on September 11, 2001. Soon after the United States was involved in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Recession struck around the world. In the meantime, Google became the largest name in online search engines and one of the world’s largest corporations. Social networking became an ubiquitous part of everyday life.
The UNM campus saw a major expansion of medical facilities on North Campus and the construction of the current visitor center, a new engineering center, and George Pearl Hall, the home of the architecture and planning school. In addition, a branch campus was opened in Rio Rancho.
This decade was truly outstanding for Gamma Beta. From 2002-2007 Gamma Beta won the Greek Cup five years in a row. Later in the decade they were named a five star chapter, while meeting UNM’s Greek Life requirements. The chapter began a new philanthropic effort, called Kappa Kakes, to raise funds for the United Way, Reading is Fundamental, and the Kappa Foundation. The chapter participated in a variety of campus activities, including Spring Storm and Greek Week. In November 2006, the chapter was pleased to host the University’s new president, Dr. David Schmidly, and his wife during a Monday night dinner.
Early in the decade Gamma Beta had depended on informal recruitment to help meet its membership needs. However, with the support of leadership consultants during recruitment, a strong advisory board, and increasing numbers of women going through Fall Recruitment, Gamma Beta has pledged and retained larger pledge classes.
Housing
The Gamma Beta House Corporation took on a major project in this decade by deciding to refurbish the bathrooms on all three floors simultaneously. They meticulously planned the timing of the work so that it could be completed in the summer while the members were away. New countertops and plumbing fixtures were installed along with beautiful tile work. The chapter was most pleased!
A number of changes have also been seen in the housing policies of the chapter. For many years the University would allow women who had planned to live in the dormitories and then pledged a Greek group to break their contracts with the dorms and move into the chapter house. That is no longer allowed. Fortunately, the increase in membership numbers has allowed the chapter to maintain the number living in the house. The increase in numbers has also created some difficulties with parking around the chapter house. However, the chapter and House Board continue to be creative in solving these difficulties.
Highlights of 2011-2019 (Information 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.)
Highlights of 2020s (Information 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.)
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!