| Gamma Gamma | |
|---|---|
| ΓΓ | |
 | |
| Founded | April 29, 1918 |
| College | Whitman College |
| Location | Walla Walla, WA |
| Homepage | Gamma Gamma Homepage |
| Media related to Gamma Gamma Chapter | |
Whitman College – founded 1859, Walla Walla, Washington
Chapter Founded April 29, 1918 by 24 members of the Beta Sigma
1,747 initiates (as of June 2012)
Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Council Officers:
Bee Whittlesey Pierce, Traveling Consultant 1958 – 1961
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Lulu Holmes, 1948, U.S. Army adviser on women’s education; dean of women at Columbia and Washington State; Nita Lohnes Frazier, 1960, Children’s fiction writer; educator; journalist; Mary Shuham Dore, 2004, Co-founder of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Foundation
Additional Outstanding Gamma Gamma Alumnae
Florence Tobey Fey, Graduate Counselor 1946 - 1947
Contents
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
The beginnings of Gamma Gamma chapter go back to about 1910 when the groups was a local sorority known as Beta Sigma. The group was urged by four local Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae to petition that fraternity for membership. At that time, between 1910 and 1918, Whitman was a small college and most of its students came from the inland Northwest, east of the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps Whitman students were considered by some people on the more heavily populated western part of the state as unsophisticated, or perhaps they were thought of as country cousins, totally unsuitable for membership in a national sorority. For whatever reason, the Theta charter was opposed by the nearest chapter on the western side of the state, and the petition for membership in Kappa Alpha Theta was denied. Beta Sigma then decided to petition Kappa Kappa Gamma, and with better results. The charter was granted in the spring of 1918.
Whitman College began as a monument to Marcus Whitman, who had served as a missionary to the Indians of the Columbia Valley for 12 years. In 1847, he was massacred by Cayuse Indians at his mission Waiilatpu, only five miles from Walla Walla. Cushing Eels, one of Whitman’s associates, secured a charter from the Oregon Territory for Whitman Seminary.
In 1883, the school’s charter was amended to reflect the admission of Washington as a state, and the name was revised to Whitman College. In 1915, Whitman was one of seven institutions west of the Rockies rated in Class One by the United States Department of Education. The campus occupies about 30 acres of land almost in the center of Walla Walla.
In 1917 or 1918, when Beta Sigma submitted its petition to Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Greek population at Whitman was 111. At the time of the petition, Whitman College had an enrollment between 230 and 250 students, most of them from the area surrounding Walla Walla
The Whitman College Pioneer reported April 12, 1918: “Prominent Fraternity to Install Chapter at Whitman – The national fraternity, Kappa Kappa Gamma, has granted a charter to the Beta Sigma fraternity….Beta Sigma, the local which will become Gamma Gamma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded in 1910…Beta Sigma has always been one of the leading organizations in the college and her members have been represented in almost every line of college activities. With the exception of one semester, Beta Sigma has outstripped other organizations in scholarship. The members are to be most warmly congratulated for the great honor which they have brought upon themselves and upon the college.
Several weeks later, on May 13, 1918 the Pioneer carried the following account and comment: “The formal installation of Kappa Kappa Gamma was held Monday evening, April 29, 1918 at the home of Ethel Cornwell on Boyer Avenue. Mrs. Parke R. Kolbe, grand president, acted as installing officer. She was assisted by members of Beta Kappa, University of Idaho, who acted as sponsors to Gamma Gamma…The entrance of Kappa Kappa Gamma into Whitman College forms yet another bond which unites not only the members of Gamma Gamma Chapter, but the college as well, to other institutions of learning, and should do much to give Whitman a still higher place in the collegiate world.” A picture of the founders appeared on the front page of the paper.
Housing and Traditions
For many years after Kappa Kappa Gamma was established at Whitman, the group met in private homes. The chapter did not have any space at Whitman until 1926, when the first dormitories were built. To this day, Gamma Gamma members are still housed in a wing of Prentiss Hall designated for Kappa Kappa Gamma members, where they also maintain a chapter room.
Anecdotes told by alumnae of Gamma Gamma show how the standards and ideas of propriety have changed since Gamma Gamma’s beginnings. In the early days of Kappas at Whitman all students had to wear hats and gloves off campus. In 1914 one Kappa active was ordered out of the swimming pool in Spokane for being improperly dressed – she wore no stockings. During one of the first years three was a very serious discussion in chapter meeting about putting a girl on probation because she didn’t wear a girdle to class.
There have been so many outstanding members of Gamma Gamma Chapter it would be impossible to name them all without doing an injustice to someone not named. Authors, Iota Province presidents, professors and civic leaders are a few of the positions held by Gamma Gamma members. One member was Librarian at Whitman’s Penrose Library 42 years.
Gamma Gamma was hostess to Iota Province Conventions in 1929, 1951, and 1967.
1968 found Gamma Gamma chapter greeting its 50th year. The toastmistress for the banquet, on April 27, at the Royal Motor Inn at Walla Walla, was Henrietta Baker Kennedy. Her topic was “And the Circle Comes Round Again.” Present at the banquet were Gamma Gamma actives, alumnae and guests. Lulu Holmes, prominent educator and former dean of women at Washington State and Columbia Universities, received at 50-year pin from the Fraternity with special recognition. She had served on General Douglas MacArthur’s staff as adviser on women’s education. 1946-47, and had received the Alumnae Achievement Award in 1948. Fifty-year pins were also awarded to Gamma Gamma alumnae Henrietta Baker Kennedy; Carrie, Margaret, and Charlotte Reynolds; Fay Hamm; Florence Long; and Mary Elizabeth Jones.
There are many Gamma Gamma traditions. One of them has been the June Breakfast for graduating seniors, their mothers, and visiting alumnae. The breakfast began as a gathering at the Reynolds sisters’ country home just outside Walla, and for many years fresh Walla Walla strawberries, dipped in powdered sugar, were featured. In 1937, one of the active Kappas commented in the chapter scrapbook, “Each year it seems better than the last and is a fitting way of saying bon voyage to the seniors.”
For years, chapter officers have sent May baskets to their alumnae advisers. These have been personally delivered by the girls. The Walla Walla alumnae sponsored a Kappa Style Show for many years as a money-making project for the benefit of the active chapter.
Philanthropy:
Gamma Gamma’s contribution to the community is noteworthy. The chapter has given volunteer time for the women prisoners at the Washington State Penitentiary, the Sequin School for retarded children, the local nursing home and provided boots and shoes for 50 children of Mexican migrant-worker families.
On campus the chapter started an inter-sorority “coffee exchange.” Gamma Gamma chapter has had innumerable honors – from scholarship and athletic trophies to campus queens. The high regard which Whitman and its students have for Gamma Gamma Chapter can be expressed best by the words of Mrs. S. B. L. Penrose, wife of an early Whitman president: “the aims and ideals of the fraternity have always been high and the girls have faithfully endeavored to l live up to them.” It can also be expressed in the words of Miss Helen L. Burr, former dean of women at Whitman: “The members have always been girls of high ideals and good scholarship and their loyalty to Whitman and its standards are unchallenged.”
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
During these times, Gamma Gamma held recruitment within the first week of coming back to school. The chapter changed its membership selection system in 1977 and paid close attention to which girls would make the best Kappas. The Chapter Council, which consisted of only seniors and juniors (all but one senior held positions - it helped seniors continue to stay involved), implemented the committee system in 1977 to assist the officers. Their chapter goal later became "Kappa FACES: Fraternity Appreciation through Consideration, Education and Service." As Jan Rolfe, the Chapter Adviser during 1977 said, "Gamma Gamma is developing a very caring attitude," and continues to be.
In 1976, Gamma Gamma chapter received a Letter of Concern. The Chapter Council had advisers help to raise their reputation and clear the letter. They wrote a letter to Kay Larson, the Director of Chapters, once a month, and continued to hold up their standards. The letter was removed in 1978. The chapter also faced a minor problem of girls transferring in 1977.
Hazing became a big and notable problem across the nation. Fraternities and sororities were encouraged to watch a new film, "Fraternity Row," based on a factual hazing incident that occurred in the 50's that lead to a death of a pledge; it was made to portray the good and the bad of fraternity life. Otherwise, Gamma Gamma loved directly helping those around them. Not only would they help in the hospital and held dinners for the mentally ill adults in Walla Walla, but they would also help other people on campus. In 1976, Indrani Sigamany, an exchange student from India, had trouble finding money for tuition at Whitman. Kappa responded by raising $400 and offered her a room in Kappa section. She soon became a pledge.
Housing:
Philanthropy:
Gamma Gamma loved directly helping those around them. Not only would they help in the hospital and hold dinners for the mentally ill adults in Walla Walla, but they would also help other people on campus. When an exchange student from India, had trouble finding money for tuition at Whitman, Kappa responded by raising $400 and offered her a room in Kappa section. She soon became a pledge. Also, a sophomore independent woman was paralyzed from the neck down in 1976, so all the students on campus gave up their Friday dinner, allowing the Director of Food Service to give the money that would have been spent on the Friday dinners to this student’s family to assist with their hospital fees.
Convention Awards:
Gamma Gamma chapter received Honorable Mention for Outstanding Achievement for Greatest Improvement for the years of 1976-1978.
Highlights of the 1980s:
In the mid-late 1980’s the chapter focused on improving their Public Relations with both the administration and the outside world. They embraced the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership and pursuit of academic excellence. The officers took their positions more seriously and worked collaboratively to accomplish the goals of the chapter. Gamma Gamma consistently recruited outstanding new members during the 80’s.
Kappa took a stronger role in Panhellenic and were excited about the chance to change the image of the Greek System to the outside world. The chapter worked on overcoming financial issues and impressed an administrator at the college as they made great improvements.
Housing:
Philanthropy:
In the fall of 1988, Kappa easily won Sigma Chi Derby Days and the proceeds from their victory were given to the National Red Cross. The annual philanthropy was Haunted House which was done in conjunction with the men of Delta Tau Delta. Through their combined efforts they were able to give $900 to the Children’s Home Society in 1987 which was the largest donation they had given to this organization.
Convention Awards:
Highlights of the 1990s
Gamma Gamma members were involved in a variety of activities in the 1990’s. Many of the members participated in sports teams, Panhellenic, radio, volunteering, drama and more. They continued to work to improve the chapter’s financial situation. It was proving to be a slower task than originally planned, but the chapter Treasurers worked hard to continue the forward progress. Kappa continued to have strong representation on Panhellenic during the 1990’s. Traveling abroad became popular during this decade and many Kappas saw the world.
In 1995 the chapter lost a pledge to leukemia. This was a difficult time for everyone. Housing: Prentiss Hall was renovated in 1991-1992 which caused challenges for the chapter during Rush and the storing of the archives. The chapter was excited about the finished result. There was a push to have the campus go dry. Many fraternities were already starting to incorporate these standards.
Philanthropy:
Kappa participated in a myriad of philanthropic endeavors during the 1990’s. They established hour goals of community service for each member which improved the overall participation.
Convention Awards:
1990 – Honorable Mention for Most Improved Chapter
Highlights of 2000-2010
In 2005, the chapter purchased a glass display case where it organized and displayed some of its most important and interesting archives. It was placed in the chapter room so that the items would be visible to all members and chapter guests. The remainder of the archives not displayed in the case are organized on carefully maintained bookshelves in the chapter room.
During the decade, Kappas at Whitman College kept themselves very busy with a multitude of social, academic and charitable events through both the college and the chapter. Its philanthropy events were particularly successful with such events as Mr. Whitman and The Breast Run Ever that collectively raised approximately $10,000 -$25,000 annually. Gamma Gamma won Awards for Excellence from the college administration in the areas of alumnae relations, chapter management, community service, membership Recruitment, educational programs, new member education, and Panhellenic participation. Recruitment was also very successful and this resulted in large new member classes of outstanding women. The members of Gamma Gamma Chapter continued to strive to maintain a tradition of leadership.
Kappas at Whitman participated in varsity sports such as swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, skiing, tennis and golf. Members also participated in a number of intramural sports, from the popular intramural football team to ultimate Frisbee, biking and softball. A number of members were active in clubs, student government (the Associated Students of Whitman College), the Campus Activities Board, residence life and class committees. Members were involved in chorale, a capella groups, the dance team and ballet productions through the college.
Many Kappas volunteered as mentors, peer listeners and for a number of other organizations. A large number of women from the chapter participated in Whitman's Study Abroad program, pursuing their academics around the world. Finally, Gamma Gamma Chapter won seven out of eleven awards from Whitman's Awards for Excellence competition for the calendar year of 2004. During Whitman’s annual Greek Week competition, Gamma Gamma won the Choral Contest and also had members win the Greek Week talent contest
At the beginning of fall semester before school started, all members attended a Recruitment planning and teambuilding retreat. In tribute and to commemorate the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Kappas annually pinned red, white and blue ribbons on their shirts.
The chapter's goal was “Unity through co-operation and communication." The members established close contact the chapter advisers and frequently updated and included them in many chapter activities. The fun-loving and diligent chapter loved helping the community in small, yet effective volunteer jobs and loved singing Kappa songs whenever they could. They strived to raise and/or maintain the chapter's G.P.A. every year, especially by creating scholarship bulletin boards, holding study tables and going around the library and giving chocolate to those who were studying. They honored those that earned 4.0 G.P.A.s every semester.
Challenges faced by Gamma Gamma during the decade included attendance at chapter and other mandatory events. Reaching a quorum to conduct business was an occasional problem which the chapter diligently tried to address through use of Standards procedures and emphasizing the importance of participation. Its greatest challenge was maintaining financial responsibility by members. Thanks to implementation of Standards procedures for bill delinquencies, the chapter became solvent and was successful in recovering dues and fees from members who had graduated with outstanding bills. The introduction of Bill Highway by the Fraternity also proved to be of benefit to the chapter in establishing a sound financial base.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy remained a focal point of the chapter, striving to increase participation and the general number and success of philanthropy projects. The chapter instituted a number of new policies, requiring 10 hours of community service from each member and establishing the Kore Family Olympics. This program involves giving points to Kore families with particularly high philanthropy participation. All of these things helped to increase participation and thus the success of philanthropy events. “Mr. Whitman,” the chapter’s annual male beauty pageant, grew increasingly successful. The tickets sold out, and the contest was a huge hit with the general student body and Kappas alike.
In 2009, the chapter raised more than $4,200, which was donated to the family of one of Gamma Gamma’s new members, whose sister was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and needed a transplant not covered by her health insurance because it was considered an experimental procedure. The new member was the donor, and the chapter elected to give all proceeds to her family in keeping with the Fraternity goal of women helping women, and as a show of support and the strength of sisterhood.
Another event was “The Breast Run Ever,” a fundraiser for breast cancer research, with all proceeds going to the University of Washington Foundation. Participants ran laps around a field in the center of campus for pledged donations. In coordination with the event, the chapter sold shirts and wristbands to promote the event and raise more than $5,300. In addition to a number of other annual events such as highway clean-up, faculty children’s Easter egg hunt, and caroling at a local retirement home, these events achieved the goal of improving chapter philanthropy.
Dr. Seuss Day was established and was attended by more than 300 members of the community. The goal of the annual event was to enhance literacy, and each child who attended was given a free book. One Saturday a month, 15-20 chapter members went as a group to the community library for "Kappa Saturdays," to read to kids and help them make seasonal crafts.
Additionally the chapter sponsored a breast cancer fundraiser in honor of a professor, and sold cards to raise money for the cause. Mr. Whitman, the chapter’s largest annual philanthropy event, was a growing success. In 2009, the event raised more than $21,000 to send to the Lake Nkruba Orphanage in Uganda, which one of Gamma Gamma’s members helped found as an organization and was the one to get funding up and running for the program.
In 2010, the chapter again hosted its annual male beauty pageant,"Mr. Whitman," in which all proceeds go to a charity selected by a committee of Kappas. This year, the chapter held its most successful pageant ever, raising a total of nearly $50,000 to donate to the Chris Elliot Fund to find a cure for brain cancer. This charity was selected because a member of Delta Gamma at Whitman had recently lost her mother to the specific sort of brain cancer this fund researches. By choosing a charity so close to the heart of a member of another sorority on campus, the chapter was able to get the support of the entire Whitman community.
The chapter also focused on Reading Is Fundamental, including "Dr. Seuss Day." For this event, the chapter partners with the local library to invite children and their families watch a play of "Cat in the Hat" put on by the chapter. The play is followed by arts and crafts, games and reading. At the end of the day, each child leaves with a free book to help promote reading in the home.
In addition, Gamma Gamma engaged in smaller projects throughout the year, such as writing letters to troops overseas.
Convention Awards:
At the 2010 Convention, the chapter received the Sally Moore Nitschke Lifelong Education Award and Honorable Mention awards in the categories of Chapter Management, House Board, Philanthropy 1-2-3, and establishment of a signature philanthropy event for its Mr. Whitman pageant.
Highlights of 2011-2019
(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 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.