| Lambda | |
|---|---|
| Λ | |
 | |
| Founded | June 10, 1877 |
| College | University of Akron |
| Location | Arkon, OH |
| Homepage | Lambda Homepage |
| Media related to Lambda Chapter | |
University of Akron founded in 1914, formerly Buchtel College founded in 1870
Lambda chapter: founded June 10, 1877
1,853 members as of (June 2015)
Some of Lambda’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.)
Fraternity Council Officers:
Marion Bell Slade (Ransom), Grand Marshal 1884-1986; Mary Krenzke (Grandlin), Grand Secretary, 1886-1888; Lydia Voris Kolbe, Grand President 1916-1918, Grand Treasurer 1908-1914; (Lydia) Elmie Warner Mallory, Grand President 1904-1906, Grand Registrar 1900-1904; Elizabeth Voris Lawry, Editor of The Key 1904-1905, Martha Simmons (Murray), Field Secretary 1961-1963; Lesley Dillon (Lage), Traveling Consultant 2001-2002
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Frances McGovern, Attorney; legislator; first female chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Additional Outstanding Lambda Alumnae:
Dale Hinton (Hertel), Graduate Counselor 1944-1945; Martha Simmons (Murray), Graduate Counselor 1960-1961; Jill Hughes (Mealy), Chapter Consultant 1996-1997
Contents
THE FOUNDING OF LAMBDA CHAPTER
The University of Akron, previously known as Buchtel College, has a long history of Greek life. Men’s fraternities have existed there for many years but in 1877, the Greek community decided that something was missing: a women’s fraternity. J. Augustine Gutherie, a Phi Delta Theta at Buchtel College, contacted Indiana University’s chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma to tell them about three Buchtel College women and the Greek community was on its way to changing for the good.
These three women, Mary B. Jewett, Harriet Evelyn Pardee, and Elizabeth O. Slade, signed Lambda Chapter’s charter on June 10, 1877 and held its first meeting on January 14, 1878. Five honorary members were in attendance including the wife of the Buchtel College president. This makes Kappa Kappa Gamma the first women’s fraternity on Buchtel College’s campus and the longest continuing Greek letter organization on campus.
A lot has changed since that first meeting including the landscape of campus, women’s rights, fashions, and even the name of the college itself, but several things remain the same. Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has had over 1700 members since it first started. These active members still aspire to be good sisters, good leaders, and good students. They work to serve campus and the community. Lambda alumni still display these qualities as well, because you can’t become a Kappa and remain unchanged. Kappa is for life.
The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
Generally speaking, Lambda Kappas at the University of Akron live at home with their families. Many members work to assist with their college expenses; they are active in the chapter and on campus, are community-minded and maintain high scholastic standing.
As individuals, chapter members have contributed much since Lambda’s founding, June 10, 1877. The college was called Butchel at the time, named for John R. Butchel, and Kappa was the first women’s fraternity to be placed there, and is the oldest continually active Greek letter organization on the Akron campus.
Buchtel College, founded in May, 1870, designated by the Universalist Church as its contribution to education in Ohio, was dedicated September 20, 1872, and nine days later 217 students became involved in a simple course of study with seven faculty members. Discipline was rigid: a certificate of good behavior was required for admission; abstention from tobacco and liquor insisted upon for scholarship holders; daily chapel, (cut to three days a week in 1912 and finally ended as compulsory in 1934), was a firm rule.
In 1877, young J. Augustus Guthrie, a Buchtel Phi Delta Theta, told some Kappas at Indiana University about three Buchtel girls. Letters were exchanged, and on June 10, Mary B. Jewett, Elizabeth U. Slade (Voris), and Harriet E. Pardee (Parshall) signed Lambda’s charter. The first Kappa meeting was on January 14, 1878. Five honorary members were taken in, one the wife of the college president. Literary meetings and sponsored lectures were held in members’ rooms and on the top floor of Buchtel Hall.
The first woman editor-in-chief of The Buchtelite was Elmie Warner (Mallory). The first YWCA president was Ethel Davies (Read), and the first five Mary Queens were Kappas. The first Panhellenic president was Rachel Fleming (Hertz) and the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate from the university was Evelyn Church Smith. The Lambdas were the first to wear rush outfits (1968) and by 1970 every sorority had followed their example.
Lambda alumnae have become doctors, lawyers, artists, authors, educators. They have taught in Egypt, Okinawa, Pakistan… Patricia Rose Costello was a Rockette; Gretchen Bock was associate editor of Sesame Street; Antonia Blackletter Nichols became the head of the Red Cross volunteer program in the Far East. Three Lambdas have been president of the University of Akron Alumni Association: Lucy Danforth Felt (1893), Margaret Cruickshank Fleming (1944) and Lois Waltz Burgner (1959). Margaret ( Maggie ) and Lois, as well as Evelyn Church Smith and Virginia Lyon Hardwick, have been honored by the university as outstanding alumnae.
Since Akron rubber companies send people all over the globe, Akron Kappas, with their husbands, are representing the United States in almost every country of the world.
A happy event mentioned in early minutes told of a visit in 1882 to the Wooster chapter (two years later the Wooster girls were refused a return visit by their rigid faculty), and the two groups celebrated Thanksgiving together with dinner, a reception, and, next morning a sleigh ride.
Strawberry festivals, taffy pulls, and chestnut roasts were popular pastimes. A Lambda girl was fined $2 for wearing a gentleman’s fraternity pin. Term dues to the Grand Chapter were $1; personal dues, 25 cents; initiation fee, $1.25; fines for absence, tardiness, and disorderly conduct, 25 cents, 10 cents, and 5 cents. The most tragic event ever associated with Lambda was the fire of 1890, started at the praeceptress’s party for birthday girls. A Mother Goose cap, made of paper and tufted with cotton, took fire from a gas light. Two girls died that night and another later; five others were badly burned. The whole college mourned.
Lambda’s interest in the Fraternity at Large was spurred by the election of Marion Bell Slade (Ransom) as grand marshal in 1884. The 1886 Convention was held in Akron, costing considerably less than $75. Lambda presented another honorary member, Emma White Perkins, who sang at the Convention. Mary Krenzke (Grandlin) was Grand Secretary, 1886-1888. Lambda had continuous representation on Council. Elmie Warner (Mallory) served four years as Grand Registrar and two as Grand President after her marriage, 1904-1906; Elizabeth Voris Lawry was Editor of The Key and then Grand Treasurer; Lydia Voris Kolbe was Grand Treasurer six years, Business Manager of The Key two years, and Grand President, 1916-1920. She was also the first Gamma Province president. Helen Farst Walace wrote the Lambda chapter report for the 1870-1930 History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity. Turn of the Century
In 1901, after a period of fund raising and rebuilding following a serious campus fire, Dr. Augustus Church became college president. He was a man of many virtues and well acquainted with Kappas: his wife a Beta Beta; and two daughters, Evelyn and Dorothy, initiates of Lambda and Beta Beta ∆ and Gamma Chi. After his sudden death in 1912, Parke R. Kolbe became president, and Lydia, his Lambda wife whose mother Elizabeth Slade Voris was a charter member was often a gracious hostess to the chapter.
Under Dr. Kolbe’s supervision the City Council of Akron accepted the land, buildings and endowment, and, with Buchtel College as a nucleus, established the University of Akron, September, 1914.
Hezzelton Simmons became president in 1933. Under him, Simmons Hall was built, and a student building, opened in 1939, was run by a student crew with a Kappa co-manager, Antonia Blackletter (Nichols). She was the first woman to ever hold such a position in the United States. President Simmons had three Kappa daughters and a Kappa daughter-in-law. He himself always presented Kappa bids to each new girl. Catherine Simmons Russell, who earned a graduate degree at Goucher College while she helped organize Delta Theta Chapter there, remembers her father’s sense of humor… She mentions an instance when she was delegated to do the Kappa laundry which conflicted with a special date. Her father, then a chemistry professor, sent her off on the date and did the laundry himself.
During the Depression many Kappas worked part time, dues were lowered, and the spring formal was cancelled. Song Fest took place for the first time in 1933.
World War II Years
World War II found Kappas knitting, wrapping bandages, selling savings stamps, writing letters to servicemen, and working at the USO. Veterans flooded the campus after the war ended.
Mary Giddings Keating was named dean of women, responsible for counseling all women student. In 1945, after years of rented rooms and houses, Lambda took the first step toward home ownership since 1900, when an unsuccessful attempt had been made. With Margaret Zink Brewster as chairman, the Lambda House Association was founded with 164 contributing charter members. In 1948 the move was made to 204 Spicer Street, a home which the chapter purchased.
The 1950s
During the early 1950s, all was not well with women’s fraternities. The expected increase in enrollment was mostly men. An alumnae steering committee, headed by Lambda’s Marion Barnes Zehender helped pull the chapter back to its former level.
The actives worked hard to set up a tight budget, coordinate activities, and regulate studies. Results were good and morale rose, the common goal drawing the members into close harmony. The summer of 1957 found Lambda with membership up, finances under control, scholarship excellent. So it was with disbelief the chapter read a letter from the Fraternity Council requesting a surrender of its charter due to inadequate women’s facilities on the campus. Chapter President Ann Whiting (Baldwin) called an emergency meeting of actives and alumnae. Result: a reply stating that the charter would not be voluntarily relinquished.
The Akron Beacon-Journal featured the situation on the front page, and the university President Norman Auburn invited the Council to come to Akron. Accepting the invitation were Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, Fraternity President Eleanore Goodridge Campbell, Colorado, and Director of Chapters Frances Fatout Alexander, DePauw. The decision: the situation had been misconstrued. The committee was impressed with the university and was proud to have Lambda Chapter on the campus. Its delegate to the 1958 Convention returned to Akron with a large silver tray inscribed: First Place—Greatest Chapter Improvement Award—Lambda. In 1959 a new award, given in the name of Jayne Pesar, a beloved member who died that spring, was offered to the Lambda member best exemplifying a Kappa woman.
To encourage members to stay in school the Akron Alumnae Association inaugurated the Memorial Scholarship Fund, a no-interest loan fund through which alumnae can remember a Kappa sister by temporarily easing the financial burdens of an active student.
The 1960s
Once again, in 1966, the Kappas found themselves in the path of an expanding university, and the Lambda House Association, led by Carol Aspell Messmore, bought three parcels of property, containing four houses. Two were then rented, one was razed, and one renovated to house 12 university students. Plans for a future chapter house for 40 members were drawn up, and a fund drive launched with hopes of building in 1971. By 1968 the university no longer needed the housing, so the Kappa Annex came into being. The house on Spicer Street was sold to the university and the annex became the Kappa House. It was realized that Lambda would never need a structure to house all members and plans for a lodge-type house were made. The realization of this dream came true in 1975 when a new lodge was dedicated.
The Early 1970s
1970 was a year of great change. Greek activities lost emphasis. The events at Kent State, so close to home, had a serious effect on Akron students. Lambda Kappas ranged from those who mourned the loss of traditional events to those who gladly turned their attention to national and political action. The Kappa Centennial was celebrated on Founders Day, 1970 with 100 alumnae and 70 actives in attendance. Virginia Bader (McGuckin), who was named Outstanding Greek Woman of the Year and the Akron recipient of Kappa’s Centennial Scholarship, was a featured guest.
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
Trends on campus and within the chapter included the importance of performing arts and speaking up about issues on campus. Many influential speakers visited the University of Akron to inform students about current issues, a variety of bands performed on campus, and many theatre productions were held. Fashion trends included the Farah Fawcett hairstyle, leather jackets, short dresses, wedge shoes, different prints and patterns, and big accents on clothing.
The Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma faced very few difficulties during these years. The chapter was doing very well and was successful in many aspects. They had the highest GPA on campus for several years in a row, had successful rush weeks where they pledged more than 20 women during the fall Recruitments, and they were very involved on campus and in Greek life.
The biggest challenge that the Kappas faced was maintaining such a high reputation on campus. They were able to deal with this challenge by continually recruiting outstanding women, hosting and attending many events with other Greek groups, and participating in activities throughout the campus and in the community. Kappa Kappa Gamma had a very positive reputation and was a highly respected sorority on the University of Akron’s campus.
Through the passing years, some important events occurred that influenced the chapter, like the opening and dedication of the new chapter house in October of 1975. This was very significant to the chapter and even to the surrounding community, and the mayor of Akron declared that October 26th of that year was Kappa Kappa Gamma Day. Also, members of the chapter attended Kappa’s 51st biennial convention held at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Calif. in the summer of 1976. The women of Lambda chapter were very excited that they got to participate in and attend that event.
During the weekend of June 10, 1977, they celebrated Lambda chapter’s 100th anniversary with many of their alumni and national Kappa Kappa Gamma officers at a dinner and a big ceremony (see below). On this day, the women displayed a quilt that they’d made showing their Kappa memories. Finally, in 1979, they hosted Gamma Province Meeting in Akron.
At this time the President of the University of Akron was Dominic J. Guzzetta and the school was the third largest university in Ohio. The university opened music, speech, and theater arts building in 1975, in 1976 the building was renamed Guzzetta Hall in honor of the president and his wife.
A national energy crisis was occurred at this time and the city of Akron was experiencing a decline in their once flourishing rubber industry. To deal with these problems, the university conserved energy by turning off lights and closing its game room for a period of time. Another issue on campus, included the lack of available parking spots.
Centennial Celebration June 10–12, 1977: 200 gathered in Akron to celebrate Lambda’s 100 years. The weekend began with tours of Akron attractions for out-of-town guests. Saturday, was reunion day with many classes having noon gatherings. One loyal alumna flew from Denver to Akron for the luncheon and returned home again that evening. Others came from as far as California, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Florida, Chicago and Pennsylvania.
The highlight of the weekend was the Centennial Banquet held at the Firestone Country Club. Connie O’Dell Nolte, Akron, Akron Alumnae Association President, served as toastmistress. A check for $1,000 was presented to Dr. Dominic Guzzetta, university president, by Sally Moore Nitschke, Ohio State, Director of Membership, on behalf of the Fraternity for Centennial Scholarships.
Graduating seniors were inducted into the alumnae association by Dru Cox Zuverink, Kentucky, Gamma Province Director of Alumnae. Juliana (J.J.) Fraser Wales, Ohio State, Gamma Province Director of Chapters, presented 50-year awards to four Lambda alumnae and one Beta Beta Deuteron alumna. An audio-visual presentation of 100 years of Lambda Chapter entitled Bustles to Blue Jeans was enjoyed, highlighted by a style show presented by the active members wearing gowns which had been worn by former Fraternity Presidents.
Everyone was delighted to receive two elegant favors, a blue-and-blue needlepoint key tag made by various members and a blue enamel-on-copper fleur-de-lis pin made by area alumnae.
A new tradition began when a new President’s badge was presented to the incoming association President. This badge will be passed on to each newly elected association president and she will wear it during her term of office. At this banquet, the new association officers were installed.
During this Centennial year, Lambda Chapter was proud to earn the university scholarship cup two out of three quarters, and first place in Song Fest with Sigma Pi and Theta Chi fraternities, and, for the second year, a Lambda member was named Outstanding Greek Woman. This special weekend culminated with an open house at the Kappa Lodge, a memorial service and campus tours conducted by actives members.
Highlights of the 1980s:
Lambda chapter members worked together to make improvements to many areas of the chapter in 1987. Ritual and initiation procedures were improved, committees were reconstructed to work more efficiently at the suggestion from the Traveling Consultant, finances were kept in order and the chapter improved academically to rank second on campus. Fall rush brought 17 new pledges to the chapter. On the Akron campus, seven sororities were involved in the Panhellenic Council.
This upward trend in the chapter carried forward until the end of the decade. At the 1989 Gamma Province Meeting, Lambda received the award for the most improved pledge program. The chapter pledged 23 new members that fall in a successful rush, to add to the five new members from the spring 1989 rush. The chairman of the Panhellenic council fundraiser in 1989 was a Kappa, as was the president of the Panhellenic Council. Additionally, Lambda had the second highest GPA on campus among NPC chapters.
Lambda chapter was also recognized by the campus in 1989 by winning Desiderata, which is an award for the overall best sorority on campus based on service hours. It also won the Panhellenic Spirit Award. Housing: The Kappa Lodge was redecorated in 1987 with new carpeting, furniture and wallpaper. The formal room of the Lodge was completely redecorated in 1989 with new paint, reupholstered furniture, new curtains, the carpet was cleaned and letters were added to the outside of the annex.
Philanthropy: Increasing involvement in philanthropy was a chapter focus in 1987 and the chapter history report indicates that philanthropic fundraising that year increased by 50% from the previous year. The 1989 chapter history reports shares that Lambda donated the most service hours of any sorority on campus that year, more than 700 hours, and raised the most money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Philantropy events included the sale of Kiss-o-grams (Hershey Kisses) for American Diabetes Association, visiting Manor Care Nursing home for a Halloween party and participation in the Great Strides Walk-a-Thon for Cystic Fibrosis.
Highlights of the 1990s
The Lambda Kappas were a diverse group with sisters involved in many different groups and activities on campus, such as Panhellenic, Order of Omega, varsity athletics, cheerleading, Mortar Board, University Dance and Theatre and Student Government. A Kappa was the 1990 Akron Homecoming Queen! Kappas were also active in the Akron community through their strong philanthropic program.
In 1991, Lambda Kappas won Greek Week for the fifth year in a row, and the Alpha Gam Lip Jam for the second consecutive year. The chapter maintained the second place academic ranking. At the 1991 Gamma Province Meeting, Lambda received the Overall Programming Award, and at Akron’s Greek Recognition Dinner the same year, the chapter received the Outstanding Pledge Program award. There were six new pledges in the spring on 1991, and 24 in the fall. New initiatives begun by the chapter that year included Gamma Girls, a part of the Standards Committee dedicated to raising chapter spirit and morale, and a Key Scholar program to recognize members receiving an A or B on a test, paper, speech or quiz.
Fall Rush and COB in 1995 brought 14 new members to the chapter. In October, Lambda chapter celebrated the Fraternity’s 125th anniversary at a dinner with the Akron Alumnae Association.
A Lambda chapter goal in 1996 was to increase participation in Panhellenic events. The chapter focused on this and in the process won second place in Greek Week and won the participation award at Open Gym with the Greeks that year. The chapter had 45 members in 1996, and there were six sororities on campus. The GPA requirement for rush was raised that year to 2.75 for rushees who attended college, and to 3.0 for rushees coming from high school.
In the spring on 1997, 11 members of the chapter were able to attend GammaProvince Meeting and the chapter received honorable mentions for Ritual and Advisory Board Support, and awards for Finance and Philanthropy. In August 1997, the chapter celebrated 120 years on the Akron campus. At that time, the University had five sororites and 14 fraternities on campus, and the Kappa chapter had 34 members. However, the chapter history report for 1997 states that the total number of students going through rush on the campus had been steadily declining during the past semesters. Eight new members were added during fall rush in 1997.
Two challenges faced by the chapter at the end of the decade were the adoption of the Fraternity’s new New Member Program, and the death of a sister, Sarah Strain. The latter pulled the members together emotionally and made them realize how much they valued one another.
In the spring of 1998, the chapter ranked first on campus academically! Quota for the Fall 1998 rush was nine, and Lambda chapter pledged 12 new members. The chapter closed 1999 with 32 total members, and many awards from the 1999 Gamma Province Meeting, Most Improved Chapter and New Member Award, and from the University, Continuous Recruitment Award, Most Improved GPA, Scholastic Achievement award, Highest NM GPA award, Alumnae Relations award and Adviser of the Year.
Throughout the decade, the chapter successfully worked to raise money for Project 2000, which was an effort to raise $10,000 for a scholarship fund in the Kappa Foundation by the year 2000. The final amount raised by the chapter was more than $13,000.
Housing: In July 1990, new rose colored carpeting was installed in the formal room of the Kappa Lodge. With the help of the men of Delta Tau Delta, the chapter also worked on the landscaping around the house and annex during that summer.
The 1998 chapter newsletter reported that the chapter meeting room had been totally re-decorated with new carpet, wallpaper and mini-blinds. Exterior painting of the lodge was done in 1999, and the walls and ceiling of the formal living room were also painted. At the end of the decade, a sizeable donation from the Hudson Alumnae Association was earmarked for the replacement of the furnace in the annex.
Philanthropy: In the spring of 1990, Lambda chatper participated in the 15-mile Super Cities Walk for Multiple Sclerosis. In the fall, the chapter participated in two service projects, The Brush-Up on Akron Campaign in which the members fixed up houses for lower income senior citizens which the chapter did again in 1991. The chapter returned to the Manor Care Nursing Home for another Halloween party with the residents and their grandchildren.
For Halloween 1991, the chapter helped run Spooking At The Top of The Town, an AIDS benefit, and in November baked cookies for La Sertoma, a group that fed the less fortunate at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The chapter philanthropy in 1995 was Kappa Kidney Kamp and it raised money with two Swing-A-Thons. The October philanthropy event in 1995 was Boo-at-the-Zoo at the Akron Zoo. The Swing-A-Thons and volunteering at Boo-at-the-Zoo continued until the end of the decade. Five active members of the Lambda chapter were able to visit Kappa Kidney Kamp in the summer of 1998 to see the benefits of their fundraising efforts.
The chapter raised money for Kappa Kidney Kamp by selling chocolate covered pretzels and big Hershey’s Kisses in a Valentine’s philanthropy event in 1998.
Chapter Convention Awards:
Honorable Mention for the Panhellenic Award, Convention 1990
Honorable Mention for Finance, Ritual and Fraternity Education, Convention 1996
Honorable Mention for Finance (Unhoused), Honorable Mention for Fraternity Appreciation, and the award for Greatest Scholastic Improvement (9 or fewer Panhellenic Groups), Convention 1998
Highlights of 2000-2010
In 2005, Lambda chapter consisted of 42 members, with 12 new members added in the spring, and 13 in the fall. This was the first time in many years that the chapter met its recruitment quota. This was due in part to a recruitment blitz assisted by Kappas from Fraternity Headquarters.
On March 4, 2005, the university’s Annual Greek Recognition dinner was held and the chapter received the academic achievement award, the Most Panhellenic award, the bronze level excellence award, and the Desiderata award. Lambda was also recognized for having 50% of the chapter on the Dean's List and as the Panhellenic Council’s sports champs. A number of chapter members attended Gamma Province Meeting at John Carroll University, where Lambda received awards for best sisterhood, best philanthropy, most service hours, and the Best of the Best award.
In the fall of 2005, Emma Weaver attended Leadership Academy and brought back great enthusiasm for Kappa, and the chapter held Founders Day with the Akron Alumnae Association on October 16. Lambda Chapter had a very successful 2007. It recruited 12 members during spring COBs with themes such as Get the Scoop on Kappa, Kappa Kappuccino, and Pajama Jam. They also affiliated Kirsten Buccigrossi from the Eta Eta chapter at the University of Central Florida. After formal recruitment in the fall, 18 new members were initiated.
Chapter activities and social events this year included: a scrap booking social with Alpha Delta Pi, a social with Alpha Gamma Delta and FIJI, Sapphire Ball, Parent’s Luncheon, Songfest, Greek Week, Founders Day, AGD’s Lip Jam, and a Pinstripes and Pearls Date Party.
At the 2007 University Greek Leadership Awards, Lambda received the New Member Academic Excellence Award, the bronze level for the Praestantia Award, and Selena Meyers received an alumna recognition award. At Gamma Province Meeting, the chapter received the award for Most Improved Chapter.
Chapter membership was 62 in 2008, thanks to successful spring and fall recruitments. Lambda chapter participated in and hosted many activities on campus this year and in 2009, including Up Till Dawn, Song Fest, Spaghetti Dinner, Relay for Life, Freshman Move In, Lip Jam, Ice Cream Social, Mocktails, Greek Week, Make a Difference Day, sending girls to Kappa Kidney Kamp, and Kappa Karaoke. The Lambda chapter was especially proud to have the highest grades of all the sororities on campus for both spring and fall semesters in 2008. In 2009, Lambda chapter took five new members during informal recruitment and reached total. The chapter was honored to host the Gamma Province Meeting in 2009 at the University’s Quaker Square on April 3rd and 4th, and once again received several awards at the University’s spring Greek Life Awards.
Fall semester began with a very successful formal recruitment. On Bid Day, the chapter had lunch outside the Kappa Lodge and attended a home football game at the university’s new stadium. The chapter welcomed 16 wonderful women and exceeded chapter total. In the fall, the chapter was excited to participate in Homecoming events and a member of the chapter was crowned Homecoming Queen. Once again in 2009, Lambda has the highest GPA on campus for the spring and fall semesters.
Housing: The Kappa Lodge on the Akron campus was redecorated in 2008 and 2009 with new paint and furniture. A new roof was installed in 2008.
Philanthropy: The chapter held its annual Balloon Pop on Oct. 22, 2005 at the Homecoming game. That same year, the members rang the bell for the Salvation Army at Dave's Market prior to the holidays. In 2007, the Balloon Pop raised more than $700 for Kappa Kidney Kamp. In 2008, Lambda members donated more than 1600 service hours through their philanthropic efforts.
The chapter held a signature RIF event at a local elementary school in 2009. That summer, 16 members were able to visit Kappa Kidney Kamp in southern Ohio, and the chapter hosted Balloon Pop again that fall.
Highlights of 2011-2019:
Highlights of 2011
Lambda Chapter started the year welcoming seven new members into the chapter. With these new girls as well as all returning actives, the chapter had a successful and busy semester. On February 25, the chapter held a movie night sisterhood which allowed the girls to bond more closely. The chapter was visited by the leadership consulant in the spring semester and received suggestions for improvement and further growth. They were given another opportunity to learn and improve when several girls attended Province. This was held April 8-10 in Cincinnati, Ohio and offered a review of ritual and fraternity standards.
The chapter hosted its annual Spaghetti Dinner April 13 raising $1,100 for Kappa Kidney Camp and collecting books for Reading is Fundamental. The women of Lambda Chapter celebrated the end of the semester by enjoying their Sapphire Ball in April. It was held at Prime at Anthe's. They finished the spring strong by earning second place overall at The University of Akron's Greek Life Awards. Lambda Chapter received an award for most service hours and a member of Lambda Chapter earned Greek Woman of the Year. Along with being active within the chapter, the women were very involved with other Greek organizations, events, and philanthropies. Several members participated in intermural volleyball forming two teams. They attended Greek Night at the basketball game in the James A. Rhodes Arena, hosted a Panhellenic Sisterhood for the other Greek women at the University, and held socials with FIJI, Phi Delta Theta, and Theta Chi.
Apart from the hard work they put into their own philanthropies, the women supported other chapters' philanthropies as well. They participated in Lambda Chi's bathtub pull, Delta Gamma's spaghetti dinner, and FIJI's dodgeball tournament. The women also supported Nuance, an acapella men's chorus on campus and were named their number one fans for the third semester in a row. Continuing their philanthropic support they wrote letters for Up 'til Dawn to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, jumped into freezing water to raise money at the Polar Bear Plunge, and enjoyed participating in Relay for Life with a Beauty and the Beast themed table. The entire Greek community at the University of Akron joined together to raise money in an event called Songfest. Each chapter practiced and performed songs and dances to match the theme which was Broadway. The women enjoyed participating in this event and look forward to it every spring. The community raised just under $5,000. All the sororities kicked off fall recruitment with an ice cream social at which possible future members came to learn about Greek Life.
Also unifying the community was the All-Greek tailgate. Lambda chapter enjoyed supporting sports teams at the university including the nationally ranked soccer team as well as the football team. After a successful fall recruitment, Lambda chapter initiated 23 new members. They welcomed them with a fantastic Bid Day featuring lots of blue and blue and a carnival theme.
The majority of the chapter attended Founder's Day and returned with a hightened sense that Kappa is for life. Several members attended the homecoming dance at the university and enjoyed other homecoming festivities. Chapter Retreat was held at Munroe Falls Park and included a pot luck lunch and Olympic games as well as Big/Little Reveal which was done with puzzle pieces. The new members planned Mocktails, an event hosted at the university to creatively promote alcohol awareness.
The women of Lambda Chapter created a non-alcoholic drink called "Slime Time Live" to fit the Nickolodeon theme. Both actives and new members participated in Greek Week, an annual event at the university where sororities and fraternities compete in fun contests and games. While it is a competition, it also brings a sense of unity within the Greek community. Not only did the women of the chapter hold socials with other sororities and fraternities on campus, they also got the opportunity to have a social with the Kappa Kappa Gammas from John Carroll.
The group carved and painted pumpkins for other Universiy of Akron sororities and fraternities. Lambda chapter worked hard to build community with other chapters but also built community within their own chapter. A few members of the chapter hosted a taco dinner at their home for the women of Lambda chapter. This became a new chapter tradition titled "Taco Wednesday." This helped bring the women together as sisters. The women of Lambda Chapter completed over 1,400 service hours during the fall semester. Several members danced in Alpha Gamma Delta's Lip Jam contest which raised money for Alpha Gamma Delta's philanthropy. Lambda chapter finished the year with a Christmas party featuring a gift exchange as well as Senior Night. One member graduated in December and another joined the Navy. Overall, the women of Lambda chapter are very pleased with 2011.
Campus: The University of Akron is home to over 29,000 students from 46 states and 80 different countries. It offers over 300 degree programs and educates both undergraduate and graduate students. The current president is Dr. Luis M. Proenza. The university has over 80 buildings but also abundant green space. The University is able to offer a lot of students financial aid making college possible for many learners. 78% of students at the university are receiving some sort of financial assistance. There are many student resources on campus including the counseling center, the career center, and the recreation center. During the summer of 2011, the university's main library, Bierce, renovated its first floor modernizing it and making it an ideal place for learning and studying.
Chapter: Lambda chapter is proud to be a diverse group. At just over sixty members, the women of the chapter have various interests and majors. Interests include dance, animals, crafts, fitness, pageants, and sky diving. Majors vary greatly and the women of Lambda chapter are studying engineering, public relations, psychology, dietetics, fashion merchandising, exercise science, accounting, education and more. Several members are in the Honors College. Members are involved in several other organizations outside of Kappa Kappa Gamma. These include Campus Focus, other service fraternities, Greek honoraries, dance companies, and Emerging Leaders. Many members also work jobs on and off campus.
Welcoming such a large class of new members made it challenging to know everyone and form a sense of unity and sisterhood. The women of the chapter met this challenge and overcame it in many creative ways. Receiving Bigs helped the new members feel more a part of the chapter and feel more comfortable. Lambda chapter also planned retreats and sisterhoods to increase bonding time. "Taco Wednesday" was the most creative solution to this, as members could spend time together in the middle of the week and enjoy dinner together. Academic performance was also a challenge in the fall semester but the women are working hard to overcome this. The chapter is taking this challenge very seriously. They are holding study hours as well as starting a healthy academic competition and forming study groups.
Highlights of 2012
Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had a very successful and exciting 2012. Soon after returning from winter break, they began informal spring recruitment with various themed nights including Spa Night, Taco Wednesday and Kappa Kamp Out. After various events such as fortune cookie big-little reveal, 5 new members were initiated on March 24, 2012. Over the course of the semester Kappa showed Greek-unity through involvement with PHC sisterhoods such as a Zumba night, and attending other sororities’ philanthropy events.
Chapter unity was reinforced through sisterhood events including ethnic food night and game night and through participation in intramural volleyball and basketball. In March they attended the Greek Life Awards where they received awards including the Edna A. Gainer Service Award, and the silver Praestantia Award. Several officers attended webinars hosted by Headquarters, and many members of Lambda chapter visited the Kappa Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and met with the OSU Kappa Chapter.
In April, Kappas participated in Songfest, that was Billboards Hits themed, performing songs that included, “9 to 5,” “I Will Survive,” and “Girlfriend.” April also included an annual Parents’ Lunch at the Kappa Lodge, and participation in Relay for Life, in which Kappa raised a significant amount of money for the American Cancer Society. The annual Spaghetti Dinner was also held in April, in which a record amount of money was raised for one of Kappa’s philanthropies, Kappa Kidney Camp. The semester ended with formal at The University of Akron’s Martin Center. During the summer many actives traveled to Southern Ohio, for Kappa Day with the campers at Kidney Camp. Two members also traveled to Jacksonville, Florida for Kappa Convention where Lambda Chapter was recognized with The Heritage Award.
Fall semester began with a very successful formal recruitment in which we recruited 18 phenomenal young women, including two legacies. They were welcomed at Bid Day which was Island themed and included things such as volleyball in the front yard and decorating of their new member binders. After the new member education program, 17 women were initiated on November 10, 2012. In October, Kappa participated in one of their yearly philanthropy events, Balloon Pop, in which they raised $750.00. Chapter retreat was held at a local park, where the chapter participated in several games, lots of eating and had big-little reveal.
Founders Day was celebrated at Portage Country Club, and the women, got to see a Kappa alum receive her 65 year pin. Dad’s Day was another event in October, in which members and their dads went to the Akron Zips football game and enjoyed various pre-game festivities together. Also in October, Kappa participated in all Greek Week events, and an active member was crowned Homecoming Queen. Throughout the semester, Kappas participated in various Akron events such as Make A Difference Day, Up ‘til Dawn, Mocktails, Freshman Move in and had several social events with fraternities. The women enjoyed a date party at a pumpkin patch and ended the semester with semi-formal at Infocision Stadium. Overall 2012 was a very successful year for Kappa.
Several challenges Lambda chapter has decided to work on for 2013 are making sure new members always feel welcome, increasing the overall chapter GPA and encouraging sisterhood more within our chapter. Over the course of this past year Kappa’s involvement within the Greek community at Akron truly grew.
Campus: The University of Akron is located in downtown Akron, with an undergraduate population of nearly 30,000. They currently offer over 350 academic degress for both undergraduate and graduate students. Over the course of the past year, a new residence hall, South Hall was built, as well as various features on campus available to all students such as a new restaurant in Quaker Square, and the Coleman Commons.
Chapter: Lambda chapter currently has 64 active members of various majors and cultural backgrounds making the chapter very diverse. Majors of women include Psychology, Dance, Education, Engineering, Dietetics, Nursing, and many more. Members are involved in several activities around the Akron community and completed countless numbers of volunteer hours. The women of Lambda Chapter look forward to an exciting and fun-filled 2013.
Highlights of 2013
Lambda Chapter started off 2013 by recruiting four lovely ladies through several recruitment events such as Kappa Kampout and the favorite Kappa PJ Party, where they watched the movie Pitch Perfect. Six members were initiated, one of whom was visiting from Denison University. Overall, the spring semester was quite busy, especially when it came to philanthropy events. Lambda chapter hosted a Zumbathon and the annual Spaghetti Dinner, which the proceeds went towards our philanthropies. The ladies also volunteered at various events, such as WITAN and Relay for Life. Lambda supported Camp Quality by participating in Songfest, which is a Greek wide fundraiser and competition at the University of Akron. Socials were also held with three fraternities on campus, which were Phi Kappa Psi, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Phi Delta Theta. A Tiffany themed Mom’s Day tea was also held at the Lodge for Mother’s Day. Lambda chapter won several awards at the Greek Life Awards, including the Silver Praestantia. Several members also traveled to the Province Convention in Columbus where they attended workshops and also won awards. At the end of the semester, Lambda chapter held their Masquerade formal at Guy’s Party Center. In the summer, members attended Kappa Kidney Camp to spend time with the campers.
The fall semester for Lambda chapter began with formally recruiting nineteen women. The Bid Day theme was Toy Story, and t-shirts were made that had the phrase, “You Have a Friend in KKG.” A chapter retreat was held to help the new members connect with the actives. The ladies were split up into four teams based upon the houses from Harry Potter, and they competed against each other in mini games. In the end, the Slytherin House won the cup. A separate new member retreat was also held so that the Fall 2013 pledge class could bond with one another. The first week of October brought Greek Week, which had a Hunger Games theme. The homecoming dance was held this week, and the Lambda chapter president was named Homecoming Queen. Balloon Pop was also held during the same weekend, and the chapter raised over $700 for Kappa Kidney Camp. The new members created a drink for the University of Akron’s event Mocktails, which promotes alcohol awareness. It was decade themed, and Lambda had the decade of the 1920s and named their drink Gatsby’s Green Light. Founder’s Day was held on October 13th at the Portage Country Club, where the ladies of Lambda chapter, active and alumna, came together for a great lunch. This event helped to deepen their appreciation of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Lambda had three socials with the fraternities Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi, and Kappa Sigma. They also participated in other Greek chapter’s philanthropy events, such as Phi Delta Theta’s Soberfest, Sigma Nu’s KanJam, and Alpha Gamma Delta’s Lip Jam. Many members also participated in various volunteering opportunities, one of which was the University of Akron’s Make a Difference Day. A Kappa trainer also came to the lodge to put the ladies through a couple activities to teach them about how to effectively communicate with each other. Overall, 2013 was a great year for the women of Lambda chapter.
Campus: The University of Akron is located in the metropolitan area of Akron, Ohio. The campus’s student population of over 27,000 is a very diverse group who hail from over 46 American states and from over 80 countries around the world. The university has more than 300 programs for undergraduates and graduates, and with over 250 student organizations, it keeps its’ students busy. The campus boasts over 80 buildings, including a recreation center (The Rec) and the Goodyear Science and Polymer Building. The University of Akron’s president, Dr. Luis M. Proenza, announced his retirement was set to take place at the end of the academic year. At the end of 2013, it was announced that The University of Akron had the best lifetime return of investment of any public Northeastern Ohio university, and that students also have the lowest amount of student debt in the state.
Chapter: One of Lambda Chapter’s best qualities includes its diversity of its members. With over 60 members, there is a wide variety of majors being achieved. Examples of these majors are: engineering, education, business, communications, geology, dance, psychology, and nursing. Many members are also apart of more campus organizations, such as ZPN, Greek Honoraries, SHRM, and Campus Focus. Some members are also apart of the Honors College. In addition to their academics and extra-curricular activities, numerous members have jobs either on or off campus, and have also achieved internships.
Highlights of 2015
2015 began as our chapter participated in the first annual Warm Up with the Greeks that kick started spring recruitment. After hosting many recruitment evens including a pajama party and a piñata party Lambda chapter welcomed four new members. At the end of January we celebrated our new members by having our first spring bid day that was candy themed.
February was an exciting month for Lambda chapter as we participated in events such as IFC’s Next Top Pizza, Delta Gamma’s Spaghetti Dinner and a Social with Phi Delta Theta. Six of our members also had the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh to attend the Kappa Regional Meeting.
In March Lambda attended the Greek Leadership Awards where we won the Sportsmanship award and the Public Relations award. April proved to be a busy month as kicked off Initiation week with Spread where our House Chairmen made us a taco dinner. On that Saturday we were able to initiate all four new members and wrap up the day by participating in the University’s Relay for Life. The next day Lambda participated in Songfest where our theme was “Tween Radio Station.” We may not have won any awards but we had a lot of fun singing and dancing on the EJ Thomas stage.
April was also filled with many philanthropy events. We hosted Kapparonie and Cheese at the lodge where we sold mac and cheese to the community to raise money for Kappa Kidney Camp. We also hosted Kolor a Kappa where we sold food and people could throw water balloons filled with colored water at us. This event was super successful and we were able to raise a lot of money for Girls Academy. The Spring Semester wrapped up with Formal which was called “A night at the movies”.
Over the summer our lodge underwent renovation as we got a brand new kitchen. The Fall semester began with formal recruitment. To kick start recruitment Lambda volunteered for Freshmen Move In throughout the week where we had the opportunity to help new students move into their dorms. We also participated in the Glow Party and the Ice Cream Social put on by the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office. After a fun week of formal recruitment Lambda Chapter was able to welcome 22 new members with a Katy Perry themed bid day complete with Left Shark.
September proved to be an even more exciting month as Lambda was paired with Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Tau for a superhero themed Greek Week. October was as busy as ever as we had our annual Chapter Retreat where we played Disney themed games and ate food while bonding over our sisterhood. We were also able to have some fun at our Margaretville themed date party where we danced and at lots of good food, despite the rain.
In November we initiated 20 of our New Members as well as having socials with Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Sigma Kappa. The standards committee also hosted an overnight sisterhood to help us bond and grow as a chapter. Overall 2015 was a very good year for Lambda chapter as we were able to contribute to all of our philanthropies and build our sisterhood.
This year showed big changes for The University of Akron. As we gained a new president, many changes were made. We became The University of Akron “Ohio’s Polytechnic University” and many buildings, including the School of Education building began construction with help from the LeBron James Foundation. In 2015 Akron’s Panhellenic Council officially opened for expansion and by next fall we hope to welcome another chapter on campus. 2015 was the year of social media as everyone was tweeting, Instagraming and Facebooking. Frozen was a fan favorite and as always skinny jeans and printed dresses could be seen all over campus.
Chapter Meetings and Housing:
Where does your chapter hold chapter meetings? In the chapter owned or rented facility? In a university owned facility, house, dorm, lodge or classroom?
Lambda chapter holds our chapter meeting at our lodge where we have a specific meeting room.
What is the history of your chapter’s housing? Have your members had the opportunity to live together in any way? Does your chapter have a house, lodge, apartment or suite? If yes, is it chapter owned or rented, or university owned? How many sisters can live there? Has your chapter owned or lived in more than one house during its history?
Lambda chapter gained a lodge in 1975 after buying land from the University. Although over the years Lambda chapter has had many annex house which housed chapter members, the lodge does not house girls. Lambda chapter is fortunate enough to own our own house, and this past year our House Board did some major renovations by redoing our kitchen and updating our cubby room where personal items can be kept. This renovation has been significantly helpful when we host events and when preparing food for recruitment.
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.)
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!