Alpha Deuteron
| Alpha Deuteron | |
|---|---|
| AΔ | |
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| Founded | October 13, 1870 |
| College | Monmouth College |
| Location | Monmouth, Ill. |
| Province | Epsilon South |
| Homepage | Alpha Deuteron Homepage |
| Media related to Alpha Chapter | |
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Monmouth College established in 1853, Monmouth, Illinois
44 total initiates (as of 1884 closure)
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Charter members: Mary Louise “Lou” Bennett, Hannah Jeannette “Jennie” Boyd, Mary “Minnie” Moore Stewart, Anna Elizabeth Willits, Susan Burley Walker, Martha Louisa “Lou” Stevenson. The last two were initiated by the first four, but walked into chapel with them on October 13, 1870. Since that is considered the Fraternity’s official founding date, Susan Walker and Louisa Stevenson are also considered Founders.
Alpha Deuteron charter members: Sarah Louise Brownell, Helen Eugenia Christy, Dorothy May Field, Margaret Rhoda Lee, Mary Lucille Mack, Mary Elizabeth McClanahan, Frances Mills, Maxine Ditteau Moore, Dorothy May Murphy, Frances Carolyn Nelson, Margaret Jane Paull, Janet Randles, Martha Randles, Margaret Maxine Rathbun, Ruth Carolyn Swanson, Margaret Andrews Tubbs, Ruth Claire Wagner, Mary Jane Wilson, Emma Gibson Work, Jane Louise Zimmer.
Outstanding Alpha Alumnae:
Grand Chapter Officers: Minnie Stewart, first president of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity 1870-1872 Alice Pillsbury, president 1872-1874 Frances Shelley, president 1872-1874 Caroline (Carrie) Smith, president 1874-1875
Outstanding Alpha Deuteron Alumnae
Fraternity Officers: Gail Simpson Owen, Director of Personnel 1988-1990, Director of Programs and Education 2014-2016, Fraternity Vice President 2016-2018, Fraternity President 2018-2020;
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Alumna Achievement Award Recipients:
1974: Lois Winter Lloyd—A founder of North Shore Association for the Retarded, a training center for children and adults; Helen Wagner Willey, 1990, longtime actress who played “Nancy Hughes” on As the World Turns (died 2009)
Additional Outstanding Alpha Deuteron Alumnae Rhonda Correll (VanOteghem), Graduate Counselor 1983-1984, PDC 1995-1999; Sue Campbell (Jones), Graduate Counselor 1969-1970; Juleen Kelly (Veneziano), Chapter Consultant 1996-1997; Kristin Whitver (Fouts), Chapter Consultant 2003-2004; Hilary Hawkinson Stott, Chapter Consultant 2007-2008, Risk Management Content Director 2018-2020; Janice Camenisch (Keil), Graduate Counselor 1955-1956; Crystal Straube (Stump), Chapter Consultant 1990-1991, PDC 1996-97; Gail Simpson Owen, Field Representatives Chairman 1994-95, PDC 1985-88; Catherine Axline Williams, PDC 1977-81; Frances Swanson Hobert, PDA 1961-65; Jane Robb Davis, PDA 1987-89; Kathryn Alexander, PDA 1987-89; Leslie James-Cook, PDA 1993-94; Kory Brown, Traveling Consultant 1994-1995; Mabel Martin McCoy, PDC 1961-67; Mary Diffenbaugh Abbott, Province President 1945-57; Nancy Acheson McGaan, PDA 2006-09, PDC 2001-05; Sally Ann Ryder, PDA 1957-61; Ellen Boyd (Salyards), Traveling Consultant 1987-1988;
Historical excerpts:
“Anna Willits, Minnie Stewart, Jennie Boyd and Louise Bennett! Founders ye of Kappa Gamma … Would that you had left more record of your life in Alpha Chapter …”
(from the report of Florence Burton Roth, Beta Delta--Michigan, Historian at the 1916 General Convention, Ithaca, New York)
“Forty years is a long time to remember what did not seem too very important at the time …” (Martha Louisa Stevenson Miller, Monmouth)
“We were just a happy, harmonious group of lively girls with a keen sense of loyalty to Kappa and to each other, with strict regard to the quality of membership and sacredness of our badge … there seemed little to record … as so many of us lived in Monmouth, we clung together and held our meetings for some years after fraternities were banished … the chapter finally became only a memory.” (Alice Pillsbury Shelley Resor, A-Monmouth, The Key, October 1929)
In September 1856, Monmouth, a three-year-old academy, opened as a coeducational college with the blessing of the Associate Reformed, later the United Presbyterian Church. Chapters of men’s fraternities Beta Theta Pi and Delta Tau Delta appeared in 1865, and Phi Gamma Delta in 1866. The I.C. Sorosis, founded for women in 1867, had not yet become Pi Beta Phi when Kappa Kappa Gamma was created. M. Louise Bennet (Boyd) and her future sister-in-law, H. Jeannette Boyd, thought of organizing; considered first limiting membership to girls taking the classical course; but realized how much their choice of members would be narrowed; and “gave up that exclusive idea.”
Contents
1870 - 1880
In January 1870, Kappa Alpha Theta had been founded in Greencastle, Indiana, at Asbury (later DePauw) University. Baird’s American College Fraternities, 1883, has it that “a proposition to establish a chapter of another fraternity suggested the idea of creating this new one.” But Louise Bennett insisted, “We had not heard of any other Greek-letter fraternity for girls at that time and always considered ourselves the first. … If any girl came from Greencastle … to invite our girls to join Kappa Alpha Theta … I never heard of it.”
This ignorance is reasonable. Between the time “two college girls … held a schoolgirls’ conversation out of which grew the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity” on that little wooden bridge made famous by a Monmouth College president, and the day when six girls walked into a chapel wearing their new keys, and announced themselves to a college population, which already knew about them, a matter of months have passed. If they had known of any competition they would have been eager to be on with the game—but no, they waited until their badges had been made up by the jeweler. Then they were ready.
The Monmouth College Courier waited too, and in October 1870, wrote, “The long expected ship hove into sight some days ago … When the crew came ashore … the dignified mien and grace … evinced the residence of authority … they wear a little gold key, sometimes on their foreheads, sometimes on their little blue or red jackets … we have been able to count only six of them .. they are on a voyage of discovery.”
The fact that both Thetas and Kappas announced themselves by marching proudly into chapel means only that chapel was the one sure place to catch the collective eye of the student body. It is recorded that “the Greek-letter boys cheered and stamped … (it was) quite a while before Dr. Wallace (the college president) got them quieted down.”
“We were so excited and proud,” said Jennie Boyd of the day when the girls appeared wearing their keys. “Everything seemed different!” Even the people, the buildings, the classrooms seemed changed. We had started something all by ourselves!” Alpha struck the keynote and planned the theme … chose the badge and the name … it seems quite certain that no attempt was made toward anything ritualistic.” (Historian’s report, 1933)
About 1873 the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church decided that no college under its jurisdiction should have Greek-letter fraternities.
“Do you think this is going to finfish us?” wrote a fiery Alice Pillsbury. “Do you think we are going to subside? Not by any means! It only puts us to the trouble of putting in our members before they enter college.” Alice Pillsbury was initiated in September 1871; served as Secretary 1874-75; she graduated in 1873. She signed the charters of Delta, Epsilon, Eta, Iota and Theta. She had to copy over the constitution for the new chapters, and she exchanged letters with their corresponding secretaries (“… our correspondence became … quite personal with exchange of photographs …”). Her letters were full of facts and liveliness and in some cases those letters are all that remain to give life to a lost chapter. Her “ … subside? Not by any means!” kept Alpha alive, albeit in rascally fashion, for a few extra years.
Until 1879 or 1880, when fraternities at Monmouth were ordered to disband entirely, pins were concealed, to be “flashed” for trusted friends.
1880 - 1890
In 1882, Minnie Stewart Nelson Field (then Mrs. Nelson) was Alpha delegate to Convention and gave a talk. “It was the desire of the Fraternity and the intention of Mrs. Nelson to have prepared a complete history … but owing to the death of a sister Kappa who had in her possession the earlier chronicles, she was unable to procure the necessary information. (The Golden Key, Volume 1, Number 2)
In 1884, a letter from the chapter asked release, and the request was granted. There seemed to be no charter to surrender, and Alpha died. A February 15, 1885, letter from Mrs. Nelson repeated the story of the secretary who took the record book to Kansas and died there. This must have been Mittie Merridith Love who died in Kansas in the spring of 1882 … and with her the Alpha minutes.
Kappa Historian May Whiting Westermann, Sigma-Nebraksa, searching for signs of Alpha members as real people made a pilgrimage to Monmouth, (The Key, April 1931) and, while reading names in the cemetery was greeted by a student who said, “My grandmother, Margaret Pogue, was a member of Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma here.” Margaret Pogue Ford died November 29, 1915, in Monmouth. Her daughter, Mary Jane, was married to Arthur G. Smith in 1907. Their daughter, Margaret Smith, who spoke to Mrs. Westermann that day, became a member of Alpha Deuteron, and her daughter, Mary Hutchinson, (later Mrs. Federick A. Tucker) is a member of Upsilon Chapter.
“How rich we are in daughters!” (Jeanette Boyd)
Excerpts from The Golden Key, Volume III, Number 3, March 1886:
“The earliest records show that the chief business of our Alpha was to send its characteristic idea into every suitable place, and to make use of every advantageous method that it could originate or find. When faculty opposition to fraternities in general crushed that chapter, Epsilon had grown up in the practice of the same faith. Under it and under Delta the work went on.” (Page 8)
“Do you believe that KKG occupies all places that are suitable to her? Get a list of the colleges in the United States … study them point by point and see if there is not some Kappa material left, which is likely to come our way and should be provided for as a probable contingency.” (Page 10)
“We are in the vanguard of a live idea—the new woman movement …
“These Monmouth girls, our Founders, saw which way the second great procession of the age was tending, and they fell into an efficient place in line … when that to, the great labor question—shall have reached its destination and broken up, then we can quit hearing, telling and planning new things and give ourselves up to plant hedges, dig grottoes, and exchange lotus-eating reminiscences of the time when we were alive; in short, to be highly conservative.
“When we try to think what would be suitable for (the conservative fraternities) to do, the only thing that ever occurs to us is: Buy an elegant monument and go and be a hic jacet …” (Page 11) --Minetta Taylor, Iota-DePauw, Editor
Alpha Deuteron Chapter
Alpha Chapter returned as Alpha Deuteron 64 years after Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded at Monmouth College, and 50 years after Alpha officially ceased to exist. It was around 1880 that college authorities had prohibited Greek-letter fraternities, and the Convention of 1884 had granted the sub rosa chapter’s request for release from Fraternity obligations. It was in 1922 that the Monmouth College Senate voted to permit national fraternities to return.
The movement to reestablish Alpha began in 1924 then Dorothy Buck Ettl,Colorado, attended a Kappa national Convention in California. She was also a member of Kappa Alpha Sigma, Monmouth local. At the 1928 Convention the group was represented by Orma Innis Smith,Illinois, and four years later Myra Tubbs Rickets,Northwestern, when favorable action on reinstatement was taken. That fall, however, Council vetoed the application.
Recognition had been given to the Founders by the establishment of a Monmouth Memorial during the 1930 Convention. The interest from this $2,500 endowment fund was to be used to purchase books of quality in the field of the fine arts for the college library. The bookplate for the books was designed by Mary Albright (Giles), Ohio State. The bookplates were presented to the college by members of Grand Council during a visit in the fall of 1932, during which they also inspected Kappa Alpha Sigma.
In 1934, the local sorority was permitted to petition, an act approved by the chapters. Throughout the years, in their efforts to win back Alpha Chapter, the local group had the support of Mrs. Ricketts. Before she and her niece, Margaret Tubbs Youngren, a member of Kappa Alpha Sigma, left for Convention in 1934, they had gathered letters from many prominent Kappas, including Lou Henry Hoover,Stanford, wife of the former president of the United States, and Josephine Edmonds Young, St. Lawrence. Others such as Albert N. Marquis, publisher of Who’s Who in America, and Francis Shepardson, a leader in Beta Theta Pi, had also sent endorsements. Several members of Kappa Alpha Sigma had close ties with the Founders.
Alpha Chapter was re-established on October 13, 1934. The occasion was planned by the alumnae of Kappa Alpha Sigma, the Fraternity Council and the installing chapter, Epsilon. Joyce Snider (Heaton), Northwestern, was co-organizer for the new chapter.
Owl candlesticks, designed and made at Monmouth Pottery for many years, were a feature of the Installation. The molds were later destroyed in a fire at the pottery.
All of the actives and 50 alumnae of Kappa Alpha Sigma were initiated as Kappas. A special pledging service was held on October 12 for freshman Frances Pattee (Putnam), granddaughter of Founder Anna Willits Pattee, and she was initiated the following day with her grandmother’s gold key. In 1970, Mrs. Putnam presented this badge to the Fraternity.
Among the many who sent messages or attended the reinstatement were Mabel and Georgie Pillsbury, early Alphas. Their badges, and that of their sister, Alice Pillsbury Shelly (Reesor), were later left to the chapter. The President of the Monmouth Alumnae Association wears Georgie’s badge, and the other two are framed with the Founders’ pictures, which hang in the chapter room.
Charlotte Barrell Ware wrote from Boston, “I am sending to you today the precious candlesticks … which I wish you to use at the Installation … tomorrow I shall send along the candles to be used from my wedding candles. I want Alpha to have all that we can express of gratitude in her return to head our Fraternity roll.”
Mary Louise Bennett Boyd, the one living original Founder, wrote from Florida, “ … A few of us who are left … are hoping … you will remember the humble little acorn from which the spreading oak has grown. … We shall be happy in again finding ourselves at home side by side with our ancient good comrade I.C. … (now known as) Pi Beta Phi.”
Alice Pillsbury Shelley (Reesor) wrote, “ … No question of finances or fear of fatigue could prevent me from coming, but a recent recurrence of an old nervous trouble would make it unsafe … it is with added regret that as my birthday is October 14, it would be a grand way to celebrate.”
Martha Louisa Stevenson Miller, now also listed as a Founder, was present for all the Installation ceremonies. In 1935, the portrait of Tade Hartsuff Kuhns, Butler, painted in 1916 by Alpha’s Elizabeth Gowdy Baker, was sent to the Monmouth College Art Gallery. Tade Kuhns had presented this aquarelle to the Fraternity on its 50th anniversary. With the consent of Monmouth College an Alpha Deuteron, it is now in Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1959, when Epsilon Province Convention was held in Monmouth, a silver baby cup was presented to the chapter by Alpha Chapter to Minnie Stewart Nelson Fields when her son was born, engraved with the Kappa insignia and the baby’s name. It was displayed in the chapter room in Marhall Hall.
The Kappa room in Marshall Hall, where all sororities are located at Monmouth, was done in 1870 period style, Victorian red draperies, crystal chandeliers, and a Victorian sofa upholstered in blue damask. Many of the accessories were given by friends and members of the Alpha Chapter. Josephine Watt Graham, Monmouth, was the decorator. The outstanding feature in the room is the gold-framed picture of the Founders, tinted on ivory, with their names and the original Pillsbury keys. These pictures were reproduced in color on the cover of the 1970 Centennial issue of The Key.
During the years preceding Kappa’s Centennial celebration, Alpha Deuteron had pledged a sum of money to the Fraternity in honor of and in memory of Myra Tubbs Ricketts.
In April 1970, Fraternity President Louise Little Barbeck presented, in the name of Kappa Kappa Gamma, an oil painting, “A Winding Road and Cypress Tree, San Vigilio,” by John Singer Sargent, to Monmouth College, as part of the Fraternity Centennial Celebration.
Mabel Martin McCoy was honored by her chapter in 1971, when its senior class dedicated an award to her, in recognition of her service and devotion. The McCoy Cup is presented annually to an outstanding senior in Alpha Deuteron.
update from 1975
Fall 1970 issue of The Key reads: "Reproductions of the Founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma were taken from small oil portraits hand painted on ivory. The original set is framed with the names of each founder and an early key belonging to Georgie Pillsbury who was initiated in Alpha Chapter in 1877. The framed portraits were a gift from the Monmouth alumnae to Alpha Chapter."
Highlights of the 1980s
The 1987 pledge class created a cross-stitch pattern with Kappa symbols in all four corners. It was presented to the actives at the end of inspiration week. Traveling Consultant Lila Isbell visited the chapter. In 1987, there were 625 students on campus; 151 women in sororities and Alpha Deuteron had 49 actives, 1 pledge. The faculty and administration of Monmouth College as a whole were very supportive of Greek organizations. Chapter goal was “striving for excellence through individual responsibility and shared experiences.” The chapter worked hard to meet this goal.
In 1989 a new rush party was developed, Sail Away with Kappa. One of the parties was a hayrack ride at one or the member’s uncle’s farm. The pledges made wooden Greek figures which were placed on the Stewart House lawn. Each pledge signed her name on the back. The figures were presented to the active chapter at the end of inspiration week. Traveling Consultant Sheri Gosliner visited the chapter. This year there were 635 students on campus, 145 women in sororities and 54 active Kappas plus one associate member. The faculty and staff continued to support the Greek system and were proud of their accomplishments.
Philanthropy: The chapter members went to Applegate Nursing Home in Monmouth to sing Christmas Carols. A dance to benefit UNICEF was held with Zeta Beta Tau. In 1989, the chapter held a really fun philanthropy. It organized a golf tournament at Gibson Woods Golf Course to raise money for the Warren Achievement Center. Even though it rained, everyone had a good time.
Highlights of the 1990s
The Minnie Stewart House was officially dedicated in May 1990. Barbara Blair Frazier, Monmouth, was hired as the Stewart House hostess in residence. One of the rush parties was a Roaring 20’s Party where the members wore fancy flapper dresses and gangster suits. Rush was very successful and the chapter pledged 31 women. The pledge project was a carved wooden owl with each pledge’s initials carved into it. Keys were hung at the owl’s feet, one key for each of their hearts. The owl was displayed in the chapter room.
Traveling Consultant Christine Cutter and Alpha Deuteron’s own Helen Wagner Willey visited the chapter. Helen received the Fraternity’s Alumnae Achievement Award in 1990. In She starred in the first play at Monmouth College’s new theater, The Lion in Winter. She was well known for her role as Nancy Hughes on the long-running soap, As the World Turns, 1956-2010. In 1990 there were 632 students attending Monmouth College, 135 were sorority members and Alpha Deuteron had 45 actives. This year the chapter’s goal was “To improve respect for the Fraternity and the individual through Fraternity Education programs and the use of the new committee system.” New this year, Big/little Sister Week was creative and concluded with a big sis hunt that throughout the entire campus.
In 1991 the chapter pledged 22 women. It was the only sorority to meet quota on Bid Day. The pledges gave the chapter scrapbook titled “Kappa is …..” It included 22 pages, one for each pledge which described what Kappa meant to each of them. Big/Little sister week was fun for the pledges and actives. It ended with each pledge unwinding a mass of string that connected her to her big sister.
Kappa Krush was new this year. The seniors matched each of the actives with a guy of the senior’s choice and they met at the Valentine’s Day Dance. During senior week the classmen had a secret senior. At the end of the week a banquet was held where the seniors read their wills. This year there were 660 students attending Monmouth College, 147 of the women belonged to sororities and 57 of these women were Kappas. The chapter goal this year was “To improve sisterhood positively through trust, respect and confidentiality.” Each member worked to achieve the goal as did the chapter as a whole. Each week awards were given to those who showed improvement in meeting the goal.
Alpha Deuteron began the 1994 academic year by pledging 30 women. This nearly doubled the size of the chapter. The pledges helped make Homecoming a success. Their float won first place and the chapter joined together to take second place in the Spirit Shout. The chapter excelled in scholarship this year. For the second semester in a row, it had the highest all-Greek and highest all-women’s average. All sorority GPA 3.056, all women GPA 2.907 and all Kappa GPA 3.16. There were 791 students attending the College, 159 of the women belonged to sororities and 68 of these women were Kappas. This year the chapter goal was “50 percent attendance at non mandatory events.” To achieve this goal, the chapter had a contest between pledges and each of the other classes. An award was given to the class with the best attendance. The chapter also accepted the Challenge to Excellence.
Recruitment in 1995 was a huge success. The chapter filled quota and pledged 27 women. The pledges first helped the chapter to shine during Homecoming when they won the annual Spirit Shout and placed third with the Kappa Blue Hawaii float that boasted Elvis on the top. The pledge project was to paint a new Fraternity crest to be hung outside of The Stewart House. The chapter goal was to “make an effort to improve sisterhood by supporting members outside of meetings and Kappa events.” Each member was expected to attend two extra-curricular events per month in which Kappas were participating. A master calendar listing these events was created and members signed up in advance. The chapter continued to work to achieve the Fraternity’s Challenge to Excellence.
The chapter maintained its high academic achievement. It had the highest all-Greek average while the pledges had the highest pledge class average as well. All sorority GPA 2.932; All Kappa GPA 3.115. There were 925 students on campus, 176 women in sororities and 72 members of Alpha Deuteron Chapter.
Recruitment 1996 began this year on a high note. The chapter pledged 41 new members which doubled its membership to 80 women. The new members represented the chapter well during Homecoming by placing second in the annual Spirit Shout and third with their exciting float, Kappa Boulevard. The new members built a wooden bench which was placed outside the Stewart House. Again this year the chapter was recognized with the Fraternity’s Challenge to Excellence Award and received the Standards Award. The chapter continued to do well academically and maintained the highest sorority and all-Greek average. The chapter began holding study tables. The all sorority GPA was 2.995, all women GPA 3.008 and Kappa’s GPA 3.101. This year there were 993 students enrolled at Monmouth. 87 of these students were members of Alpha Deuteron Chapter. The chapter goal this year was to have 50 per cent attendance at non-mandatory events and 90 percent attendance at all mandatory events. This goal expanded the chapter goal from the previous year in an effort to improve sisterhood by supporting the sisters outside of chapter related events. The goal was for each member to attend two extra-curricular events a month in which Kappas were involved.
During recruitment in 1997, the chapter pledged 21 new members. Their Homecoming float won first place and raised money for the American Heart Association. Scholarship remained a high priority for the chapter in 1997 and once again it had the highest GPA 3.082 on the campus, the all women’s GPA was 3.053 and the campus GPA was 2.945. The chapter received an award Give a Hoot for overall excellence at the 1997 Epsilon Province Meeting. The goal for the chapter was “to strive to improve unity and consideration of others through increased participation in all chapter and campus events.”
Philanthropy: During this decade the chapter continued to hold its annual golf tournaments at Gibson Woods Golf Course. Proceeds were given to the Warren Achievement Center. In 1990 the chapter members wrote letters of support to the troops in the Middle East. It was hoped these letters would boost their morale. In October 1991 the chapter went to a local elementary school to help raise money. The women worked at the school’s carnival. Additional philanthropies carried out by the chapter were Dollar Days, reading to local elementary school classes, decorating a local nursing home.
In the fall of 1994, Kappas donated money and necessary personal items such as toothpaste and shampoo to a battered women’s shelter. It also participated in Book Week at the Warren County Library. The children there had their favorite book read to them by enthusiastic Kappas. The pledges organized a Breakfast with Santa for Monmouth children. During 1995 the chapter continued book week at the local library and they made a beautiful bulletin board which featured the children with their favorite books.
The new member classes from each sorority faced off in a challenge to collect clothes for the Jamison Center. The pledges sponsored a Christmas Party at the Pinewood Nursing Home and entertained the residents with Christmas Carols. In 1996 the chapter organized the Pizza Roll which brought 50 underprivileged children to the local roller rink. After skating, the children were served pizza.
In 1995, it continued the annual golf tournament with the proceeds going to the Warren Avenue Center, the Kappa Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The members continued with book week and organized Jail N’ Bail which benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and participated in Rose McGill’s Holiday Sharing program. This year’s new member class enjoyed their Christmas party which was held at the Pinewood Nursing Home.
1997 began with numerous philanthropic events which demonstrated the strength and dedication of the chapter. The second annual pizza roll with Sigma Phi Epsilon brought smiles to the faces of 50 children from the community. The event included two hours of roller skating followed by pizza. The chapter held a Teetertotterathon in the spring and made contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Kappa Foundation from the funds raised. Alpha also sponsored a Rose McGill Kappa, a blood drive and another successful Jail N’ Bail from which the proceeds were donated to Breast Cancer Research and served as Bell Ringers for the Heart Association during Christmas time.
A New Millennium -- Highlights of 2000-2010
Alpha was ranked first scholastically on campus and with a 3.25 average and was above the all-sorority GPA. In 2005, the chapter had a very successful recruitment and pledged 20 wonderful women. Each of them proved to be an asset to the chapter and many were recently elected to offices as sophomores.
Once again the chapter had the highest GPA on campus among both Greeks and non-Greeks. It received an award for outstanding chapter operations at our Greek Week Banquet. One thing the chapter wanted to do was plan more exciting social events and to accomplish this our social chairman planned new exchanges and events. One of these exchanges was a decadence night at the Monmouth Soda Works with another sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. There are also many new social events and exchanges planned for the coming year. This year has been amazing and we hope that next year will be even better.
Philanthropy: Alpha chapter participated in many successful philanthropies: took part in a mentoring program in one of the local schools. the Relay For Life and many of our members held positions as committee heads and members. the New Members planned a philanthropy called Rent a Kappa which raised $500.
Campus 2005: 1,200 students, All student GPA 2.90, All Greek GPA 3.02 Chapter 2005: 60 members, GPA 3.2
The Monmouth College campus is located one block from The Stewart House, former home of Minnie Stewart, one of the Fraternity Founders. It is a small private Liberal Arts college. In 2006, there were 63 members in the chapter and 19 New Members. The chapter’s meetings are held in Marshall Hall which is the oldest building on campus.
The 2006 archives display was shown in the chapter room and included the following items: Outstanding Achievement In Unity, Loyalty, and Gracious Living, Greek Week 2005, photo album, the Founder's pictures, old board with keys, 2003-2004 Challenge for Excellence, Kappa books, stick candle holder, pledge class 2002 gift, keys and lock in picture frame, class of 2004 gift, owl house, 1870-1913 Kappa Kappa Gamma directory, 3 of the Founder's badges, pledge pin from 1916, 1998-2002 Scholarship Award, pitcher, Outstanding Achievement 2000, and "The Key.” This was a great year for the Alpha Chapter, not only did the chapter have an amazing recruitment, but it gained 19 wonderful new members. Kappa formal was held in the spring of 2006 and was a great success. In the fall of 2006, Kappa was awarded the Homecoming Spirit Award for having the most spirit on campus. At Convention, Kappa was received two awards. Through the year of 2006 Kappa Kappa Gamma has had great relations with the Greek Life on campus.
Alpha Deuteron Chapter had an excellent 2010. In the spring the chapter received word from the College that Kappa would finally have a home for the sisters to live and gather. The chapter had excellent fall recruitment where we gained 15 wonderful new members. During homecoming week, Kappa was awarded third place in the homecoming parade and float competition. Also, the chapter participated for the first time in a community event known as, The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta. It gallantly came away with the Titanic award for most dramatic sinking. Once again, the chapter was recognized for the highest GPA on campus including the highest New Member GPA yet. The chapter had a successful philanthropic endeavor where the sisters bonded together. They created friendship bracelets for children suffering from severe illnesses in the OSF hospital in Peoria. They were given as a Christmas donation.
Monmouth College enacted the first steps toward building houses for all Greek Life members. The three sororities present on campus received individual houses for the first time in the fall of 2010. Also, the school received a Jumbotron, as a gracious donation from an alum, for the football field.
A lovely home was graciously given to Kappa Kappa Gamma by Monmouth College in the fall of 2010. It has been a wonderful opportunity for the chapter to create a true home for the actives as well as the alumnae.
The opportunity for the members to now come together in one area and hold various sisterhoods, activities and chapter meetings in the house has been a wonderful bonding experience. A higher form of chapter unity is consistently a sought after goal. Through holding monthly key sisterhoods and having a home to enjoy our sisters in has made such the goal more feasible. Likewise, the chapter must better learn how to utilize Kappa resources, such as the website.
Honoring Kappa’s Origins
The earliest days of Kappa were memorialized at Monmouth College in 2010 with the dedication of a marker near the site of the rustic wooden bridge where a few young women spoke of forming a secret society of their own. Another marker was placed at the home of Kappa Founder Martha Louisa “Lou” Stevenson –the site of Kappa’s first business meeting, when the golden key was chosen as the official badge. Both markers were funded by a grant from the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation’s Museums Committee.
Fraternity President Denise Rugani, UC Davis, and Alpha Chapter President Lindsay Trafton, Monmouth, unveiled the historic marker during a weekend celebration coinciding with the date of the college’s founding in 1853. Denise said, “For me to be part of the dedication of the markers at Monmouth College was truly one of the most special moments of my time as Fraternity President. These markers are a reminder to all of the power of the women’s movement in America. They keep the message of our Founders alive. From a time when few women were admitted to college, these women not only attended college but also had the dream of creating a women’s organization equal to that of the men’s fraternal organizations. Today it is our moral imperative to keep their vision alive and pass it on to future generations.”
It was on a pedestrian trestle bridge over a stream that ran though the Monmouth College campus where Kappa Founders met to pursue their dream of a secret Greek society similar to those of the male students. The marker is located at the approximate midpoint of the block-long bridge, which stood until the early 20th century when the stream was diverted underground.
Among Fraternity officers present were Kay Smith Larson, Washington, Fraternity Historian and former Fraternity President. Kay recalled how the Monmouth College policy of admitting women on an equal footing with men since its earliest days helped lay the groundwork for the founding of the first national secret collegiate society for women, Pi Beta Phi, at Monmouth in 1867, followed by Kappa just three years later.
Monmouth College Trustees and Alpha Chapter alumnae Gail Simpson Owen and Barbara Watt Johnson attended the dedication and Gail reflected on the meaning of the bridge. She said, “The metaphor of a bridge is fitting as we build bridges to take us from one place to another; from the known to the unknown, an arduous journey made easier with a bridge, a connection. For me, the Kappa Bridge spanned the distance from my family 5,000 miles away to my new sisters and friends. I recognize that it is our turn to build the next bridge for those who come after us.”
Highlights of 2011
This calendar year for Kappa Kappa Gamma has been a tremendous year. In fall recruitment 2011 we were blessed with 21 beautiful new babies. Pledge class 2011 has brought so many new things to our chapter. In accordance with that, our chapter also received the highest cumulative GPA on campus. We all have been working hard to keep attaining this reward and we are all very proud of our sisters.
During Homecoming this year, our chapter participated in the Spirit Shout dance and we received second place. Homecoming week really brought our chapter together. The 21 babies worked together and made a homecoming float that was so beautiful! The spring 2011 pledge class worked on a banner that also came out terrific.As far as philanthropies go, our chapter started a program with the Roseville Retirement Home. About two times a week, a group of Kappas go to the home and help out in any way we can. Another thing our chapter participated in last semester was the Special Olympics. A large group of us went to the local bowling alley and helped the participants and also helped make sure everything was running smoothly.
Campus: At Monmouth College we are currently in the process of getting a new science and business building. The progress seems to be right on track, and I know everyone is excited to see the final result.
Chapter: We moved our meetings from the Kappa house to Marshall Hall. At Marshall Hall we have a greater amount of space to make the meetings run smoothly.
Our chapter is currently going through a stage where we seem to be divided. In the beginning of the year our sisterhood was outstanding, but right now we are kind of in a slump. We are trying to become one again by discussing what our chapter values are and seeing how we can all share our great love for Kappa together again. We are also planning more sisterhoods to bring us together.
Highlights of 2012
For the previous calendar year we did not participate in many philanthropy events but we did participate in Relay for Life with College Against Cancer. We held a parents breakfast which we collaborated with our academics banquet. While celebrating Founder's Day we had the privileged of also hosting the pinning ceremony. We yet again achieved the highest Greek GPA for the fall semester. We had many goals for this year, while some of them we are still defeating, some of them we overcame. Our chapter goals were to increase attendance at events, better communication skills, and also a stronger sisterhood. We have developed a stronger sisterhood but still need work on the attendance of events.
The two major changes to our campus this past year are the building of our new science building and the new 4-4 plan. The building started last year but is still currently under construction. The 4-4 plan is a change that effected all students at the school negatively or positively. The overall nature of our chapter is headed in the right direction. For the new year we have started off on the right foot. We are currently working on our communication and interpersonal skills which has shown improvement. We are working on our attendance at events which has increased. We have reached out to the community and got our name out there. We have strengthened our sisterhood. We are improving the nature of our chapter each and everyday.
Highlights of 2013
In the previous calendar year, in the spring semester we gained 6 new members through informal recruitment. We hosted our first annual Spaghetti Dinner at the local church in Monmouth for our first semester philanthropy event. We raised $550 which we donated to the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. We also participated in our Journal Buddies program where we wrote letters back and forth with local elementary schools students and visited them at the end of first semester. We hosted “Love and Loyal-tea” which was held at the Stewart House. Members of the Knox Chapter attended as well as a guest speaker that spoke about professionalism. Our chapter also had a ritual review history program and recruitment workshops to help keep our members up to date.
As far as our grades, we maintained the highest GPA of all Greek Life at Monmouth College. We set goals to improve our adviser and officer relations as well as increase the strength in the leadership roles of our officers. To reach that our officers watched their webinars and worked together to help each other as a tighter unit. In the fall semester, we gained 14 new members through formal recruitment as well as two more COBs. We continued our Journal Buddy program and for our philanthropy event we hosted a “Kappa Karnival” on our campus. It was not as successful as we had hoped but it was a learning experience. We raised $300, which was donated to put together care packages to send to U.S. troops.
To reach our ongoing goal from the previous semester about our officers, he held three separate officer-training workshops. Two of the workshops were with all of the officers and advisers. The other workshop was a meeting between the incoming and outgoing officers. We also set a goal to improve on turning documents in on time. Although we improved a bit on this, we still have progress to make in getting everything in on time. As far as helping with world/local events we did this on three separate occasions. Two of these were due to unfortunate natural disasters. One of the members of our school’s staff was victim to a house fire.
We donated our slightly used/new clothes and shoes as well as toiletries to her and her family. Also, when there was the tornado disaster in Washington, Il, we sent cards and donated money to Red Cross to help in relief. For world events, we put together Christmas packages which one of our members sent out to her brother and his fellow troop members in the Army. Overall, we could have been more active in philanthropy and special events, but besides that we had a pretty successful semester and we definitely improved on our goal to strengthen officer positions, although there will always be room for improvement.
There was a new “Fraternity” added to campus in the Fall of 2013. This added an additional amount of Greeks to campus and another Greek organization. Now the total number of Greek organizations is at 9. The new building called the Center for Science and Business was completed and classes began holding in there. The overall nature of our chapter, technically, is stronger than in the past. In 2013, we began holding members more accountable for their actions through the Standards Committee. One thing we hope to improve on is turning documents in on time; this includes EPFs, Driver’s Forms, Round Robins and individual officer reports. Also, the chapter wants to improve on sisterhood and morale by holding more sisterhoods and unity bonding sessions.
Highlights of 2014
In the spring our chapter received six new members. We held the annual spaghetti dinner in February. Members from our organization made and served food for the community and raised over one thousand dollars for the Jameison center in Monmouth, IL. We also donated books to the Jameison center children in early November. As a chapter we hosted "Love and Loyal-tea" at the Stewart house with the Knox Kappa chapter. In May, around graduation we held a senior alumni ceremony. At this ceremony we acknowledged and gave thanks to all of our seniors members. In August we gained twenty-six new members through formal recruitment. In October we held initiation for our twenty-six new members. Our chapter also participated in a Journal Buddies program local United Way elementary school. This activity involved girls writing back and forth on a weekly basis with the students of the elementary school. At the end of the ten week program a day was arranged to meet with their journal buddies and personally get to know one another. This is where the girls get to meet their buddies, play games, read books, and craft with them. We also ran a pancake breakfast partnering with local AppleBees in late November. We sold the maximum number of tickets and made close to one thousand dollars for an organization called Stella's Voice (Monmouth College Human Trafficking organization). Along with our two main philanthropy events, many members logged community service hours on their own. We had four members participate in a week long service project called Alternative Spring Break. They partnered with Habitat for Humanity and each logged 50 hours of consistent hard labor for the week. We also celebrated Founders Day where we visited and sang at the burial sites of Minnie Stewart, Anna Willits, and Susan Walker. During our homecoming week we won awards for our banner and spirit shout chant. At Province we won an honorable mention award, and at our annual Greek Week Banquet our Advisor Polly Timmerman won Chapter Advisor of the year. Many of our members were also acknowledged for making it onto the Dean's list and for being in multiple Greek honor programs such as; Alpha Lambda Delta, Blue Key, and Order of Omega. In relation to academics, we were first overall in GPA of our spring semester, and in the fall we were third place overall. Our goal is to improve our GPA and get first overall next semester. We will do this by holding each other accountable for our studying and tracking hours on a Google Docs system. Along with this we will have new study files to help our members succeed academically, and we have installed a group document to log all of our weekly study hours. To improve communication, which has been another weakness in our chapter, we have held two leadership trainings for incoming officers, as well as triplet meetings that involve advisors. This way we can insure the new officers are prepared for their position and have the knowledge they need to excel. We are also planning multiple programs about how to strengthen communication and how different personalities communicate in different ways. In relation to local crises, a member of Kappa was victim to a house fire. We donated any clothes or household items we could to that member and her family. Overall our chapter had a successful year and the goals we have set for our chapter will only help us improve further.
We are a heavily involved, studious, and welcoming chapter. Majority of our members are involved in multiple organizations, clubs, and sports teams. Many students on campus know Kappas for their involvement and campus participation. Our campus was given a new College President. He has personally reached out to campus organizations and always asks/participates in some of our activities. He was also involved in our Homecoming activities. This past year we have redecorated the interior of our house with freshly painted walls and new living room furniture. This redecoration also includes a new study room available to all members, providing them with a quiet place to study. We have provided all members with an equal opportunity to hold in their possession a key to our house. This would allow them twenty-four access to a quiet and secluded study room. In our study room we also have a printer that is free to every member's use. Chapter council is also requiring a communication/leadership seminar unlike previous years. Our chapter overall is becoming more responsible, such as with paying for dues on time and turning in documents on time. Another sorority on campus, Pi Beta Phi was approved for new housing, and will begin construction Spring 2015. Next year we will have the smallest and oldest house out of all sororities at Monmouth College.
We hold meetings in Marshall Hall on Sundays, it is a college owned facility. For Chapter Council all meeting are held in the common room at our Kappa House. We have a house where members have the opportunity to live together, this house is college owned. A total of seven members can live in the house at one time. This is the only house in our chapter's history.
Highlights of 2015
There have been many changes and improvements in Alpha chapter this year. In the spring our chapter received three new members. In February we held our annual spaghetti dinner, raising $1,800 for the Jamieson Center, which is a local community center in town. We also donated books to the Jamieson Center children in early December. In October our chapter made over 120 trick-or-treat bags for the Jamieson Center as well. Alpha chapter participated in Relay for Life and raised over $2,000 for the cause making us the largest donation by any team, our contribution made up the majority of the funds for the event. Our chapter also organized a Reading is Key event at our local library. Our Reading is Key event was Curious George themed, each child received a book, and local firemen came and read to the children to get the community involved in our efforts to promote literacy. Alpha chapter also participated in a stuffed animal drive, and collected over 75 stuffed animals to donate for the event.
In May, around graduation we held a senior alumni ceremony. At this ceremony we acknowledged and gave thanks to all of our seniors members. We also held a senior brunch in May where our chapter expressed appreciation for our seniors through speeches and gifts. We also held an alumna orientation for our seniors as the year came to an end. In August we gained twenty-two new members through formal recruitment. In October we held initiation for our twenty-two new members. In September we held our annual Pancake Breakfast event, raising $1,016 for Reading is Fundamental and $100 of the funds was donated to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Our chapter also participated in a Journal Buddies program with the local United Way elementary school. This activity involved girls writing back and forth on a weekly basis with the students of the elementary school. At the end of the ten week program a day was arranged to meet with their journal buddies and personally get to know one another. This is where the girls get to meet their buddies, play games, read books, and craft with them. Alpha chapter participated in a program called Adopt-A-Classroom. Through this program, Alpha chapter financially adopted a classroom through Charleston Hope, which will supply inner-city kids in schools with Christmas gifts. Along with our major philanthropy events, many members logged community service hours on their own.
In October our chapter celebrated Founder’s Day, where we visited and sang at the burial sites of Minnie Stewart, Anna Willits, and Susan Walker. We also hosted a Founder’s Day Banquet, in which the Eta Kappa chapter of Knox College and many Kappa alumni attended. Events such as our Founder’s Day Banquet have helped our chapter maintain close relationships with our alum and local chapters, which has always been a goal we strive to achieve. During our homecoming week, we won first overall out of all the organizations on campus. Through an awards banquet on our campus Kappa was acknowledged for many awards such as: third place in academic programming, honorable mention in campus involvement, honorable mention in community service/civic engagement, first place emerging female leader, first place advisor of the year, first place outstanding chapter program- for our pancake breakfast. Many of our members were also acknowledged for making it onto the Dean's list and for being in multiple Greek honor programs such as; Alpha Lambda Delta, Blue Key, and Order of Omega.
In relation to academics, our chapter has been ranked third in overall sorority GPA. Our academics have been a challenging area for our chapter because we strive to place first overall in GPA and help all of our members succeed academically. Our chapter has implemented study files to help our members improve. Through the application of the new GIN system our members will also be held accountable for their academics through logging study hours. Not only are members expected to be accountable through academics, we also have made efforts to improve overall accountability. A way we have dedicated time to improving accountability is through “accountability buddies”, where each member has a partner that they encourage to attend events and keep each other responsible. Another effort our chapter has made to increase accountability has been through committee meetings. By getting all members more involved in Kappa events and fundamentals, this will increase all members’ involvement and commitment to the chapter. To improve communication, which has been another weakness in our chapter, we have held two leadership trainings for incoming officers, as well as triplet meetings that involve advisors. Each officer has their own advisor, which has helped with communication because each officer knows who they should be in contact with for questions or concerns specifically. Overall our chapter had a successful year and the goals we have set for our chapter will only help us improve further.
Alpha chapter excels in the area of campus and community involvement. Not only have we donated to Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma foundation, but we focus heavily on donating to the community and representing Kappa in a philanthropic way around our community and campus. The majority of our members are involved in other organizations and athletic teams, as well as honors societies. This past year we have redecorated the interior of our house with freshly painted walls and new living room furniture. This redecoration also includes a new study room available to all members, providing them with a quiet place to study. We have provided all members with an equal opportunity to hold in their possession a key to our house. This would allow them twenty-four access to a quiet and secluded study room. In our study room we also have a printer that is free to every member's use. Chapter council is also requiring a communication/leadership seminar unlike previous years. Another change our chapter has seen is the recommendation of service hours, which has not been implemented in the past. Our chapter now encourages 5 service hours per semester. Our chapter overall is becoming more responsible, such as with paying for dues on time and turning in documents on time. Another sorority on campus, Pi Beta Phi has continued construction on their new house. Our chapter has continued to work towards achieving new housing.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
Our chapter frequently donates to the Jamieson Center in our town. The Jamieson Center is a non-profit organization primarily serving residents of Warren County. Their programs are designed to increase food security and help people with essential services.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
This organization directly affects the residents in Monmouth’s community and our chapter finds our commitment to this organization very important. Seeing the impact of our contributions to a local organization is extremely gratifying for our chapter, and it also gives Kappa a good name in Monmouth’s community.
Highlights of 2016
2016 has been a very successful year for our chapter. Many girls received scholarships from the foundation and Monmouth College which helped them flourish in their studies. As a chapter Kappa Kappa Gamma won Greek Week in the Spring. With Greek Week we won Chapter Education and Programming, Involvement and Leadership Education, along with honorable mention for Academic Accountability, Community Service, and Philanthropy. We won the Spirit Shout competition in the Fall for our college’s homecoming. Through convention we won the standards award. We also received honorable mention in Panhellenic relations, advisory board relations, and heritage award. We celebrated founders day, and even started a possible new tradition of recreating what our 6 founders did in 1870 and walked through Dahl Chapel with keys in our hair. We’ve had mom and dad weekends which families and girls seems to love and enjoy greatly. We had Formal in the spring which was Great Gatsby themed, and semi-formal in the fall which was “You Are What You Netflix” themed, both were of great success.
Also wanting our chapter to be a great success we came up with many chapter goals which include improve relationship between the Standards Committee and General Members, improve accountability through the use of fact based and unbiased processes (example: Chapter upholding our fraternity standards), increase overall chapter GPA, provide better communication regarding finances to all members, and increase knowledge of Fraternity History. Kappa has stayed involved within Greek life and many girls have attended other philanthropic events along with working hard at our own. In the Spring Kappa's Spaghetti Dinner event raised $2,300. $600 was donated back to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and $1,700 was donated to the Jameson Center. Then in September we held the Pancake Breakfast. This event raised $1,070. $400 went to expenses (venue and food), $150 was donated back to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and $520 was donated back to the Jameson Center. Many Kappas here our tutors, have been electoral judges, and volunteer their time within the community and libraries and animal shelters.
On campus our chapter has received a new home and we are graciously waiting to move in. Pi Beta Phi also received a new chapter home in the spring. Altogether our chapter has been working very hard to be the best that we can be and do the best with which we do. Friendship truly is our binding tie, and we are a close kit group that is supportive and cherishing of one another. This year with the presidential election, campus itself had a lot of tension but we as a group did not that effect our relationships with one another. Along with our new home we also received some new members. In the Fall of formal recruitment we gained 11 new members, and with continuous open bidding a week later gained 4 more. After initiation took place on October 22, some weeks later we held another COB event where we gained another two new members who eagerly await to get settled in with our chapter.
Our chapter frequently raises money for RIF, the Jamison Center, and Safe Harbor. This year we actually added Safe Harbor on where we donate funds and supplies, and put in hours helping the organization in many other ways in which we can. RIF being our philanthropy we’re happy to do things for. We also do things for the Jamison Center to help families and children in need in our community by donating food, books, and money. Safe Harbor is an organization that hits close to home for a lot of girls. So to help women in need we donate money, books, and clothes to this organization as well as our time.
Currently, we meet in our new chapter home in the living room. Prior to this, we met in an auditorium in an academic building. It's a great privilege that we have received a new home and are utilizing the space as much as we can since we have not moved in yet. We have sisterhoods, open houses, chapter, and exchanges. We await to move in patiently and are very excited for the opportunity.
Highlights of 2017
This has been a very busy year for Alpha Chapter. This year’s Greek Week was also an exciting and successful presentation of our chapter to the rest of campus. We placed second overall and won several awards including Outstanding chapter Program; Spheres of Influence, Academic Achievement, Excellence in Chapter Management and an Honorable Mention in the areas of Community Service, Philanthropy, Membership, Recruitment and Public Relations. Alpha Chapter also achieved the highest Spring GPA of 2017 amongst the other sororities on campus. We can now say that we have moved into our beautiful new house. We held a House Dedication on April 28. Many alumni and Beth Black attended the event. There is room currently for seven women to stay in the house. We still have Chapter and other events in the “Sisterhood Living Room”. This past Founders Day Celebration we went as a chapter to visit the graves of some of our founders. We then continued our new tradition of walking through Dahl Chapel. This year the chapter opted to have mom and dad weekends as one event called Family Weekend, that was held during Monmouth’s own Family Weekend. There were goodie bags to make and families could go and watch the football game together. Formal was themed “Under the Sea” and was a fun time for everyone. This year we did not have a traditional semi-formal. We instead had a “Fall Event” named "Falling in Love With Kappa", at one of the active’s farmhouse. There were s’mores, hayrides, crafts and games to play. This year for philanthropy we did our traditional spaghetti dinner and raised almost $1000 for Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, as well as Reading is Fundamental. We were unable to hold our regular RIF event, so all of the books we collected this year were donated to a senior education major’s new library. We decided to donate the extra food to the Jamieson Center here in Monmouth. This October we teamed up with the Kappa chapter located at Knox College and had a Kappa Kolor Run. This event raised $500 dollars and the proceeds were donated to the Rose McGill Aid Fund. During recruitment this year, the chapter and potential new members created adoption bags for the Warren County Animal Rescue. The chapter is also reaching out to the community through Journal Buddies. Journal Buddies are through a Kappa that is student teaching. She pairs an active with a child and the class and they write letters to each other.
As for other awards, this Homecoming a Kappa alum was inducted into the Order of Omega Hall of Fame. The Academic Excellence Committee had a wonderful Academic Banquet and awarded beautiful owl pins to members that were named on the Dean’s List. Regarding academics, the chapter also won the fraternity’s Study Hour Challenge this past February. We had a pizza party to celebrate. The Risk Chairman put on some great programs this year. Two important ones were Self-Defense and CPR recertification. We still are striving for better relationship between the Standards Committee and the general members. Another goal for our chapter is to increase the number girls that pay their dues on time. This past semester we have had two lovely Leadership Consultants come and help us find ways to improve our chapter. This year’s Bystander Intervention was a new speaker and taught the chapter and campus new ways to help improve the safety of campus. The Alcohol Skills Training program this year was interesting and was interactive enough to keep our interest.
Highlights of 2018
Over the last year we have grown as a chapter. Not only did we take in three new members during the spring, they were able to join us in the philanthropy event. For that event we raised money for Reading is Fundamental by selling grilled cheese to the people in Monmouth. We also had a wonderful Formal which was Sapphire ball theme. In the fall we took in 17 wonderful new members and they were able to join the second Philanthropy even of the year which is we donated books to a local school and read to the children in the name of our Reading is Fundamental. This fall semester we were able to bring back duo days with Pi Beta Phi this is an event where we spilt the money raise in half and donate it toward each of our philanthropy. For Founder’s Day we invited the Knox Chapter to come and visit the graves and Stewart House and they also partook in ritual with us. We had risk event in the fall which we invited other Greek organization for around campus to. Recently, we had our Semi Formal which was Come On Barbie let’s Date Party theme. At the end of the year we will be partaking in our leadership day event. Our chapter goal is to have everyone accountable to attend events. We have become closer as a chapter and are able to freely express ourselves to be the best we can be.
The campus had about 250 new incoming students with only about 50 girls going through the recruitment processes. As a chapter we took in 17 new members who are extremely strong leaders and stand for the core values as a chapter. Our chapter philanthropy is Reading is Fundamental. We also support Western Illinois Humane Society. It is an organization that hits close to home for many of us. They are a nonprofit organization that finds homes for several types of animals. Members of our chapter volunteer hours to play with the animals and socialize them.
For informal meetings we as a chapter meet in the Center of Science and Business in the auditorium which is room 100. And for formal meetings with meet at the Kappa house in the informal living room. This fall semester we had the privilege of accepting 17 lovely new members to our chapter. On this past bid day in August, the chapter was surprised by the attendance of both Gail Owen and Beth Black to help us celebrate the special day. Initiation was held on October 28th and the chapter now has 56 active members. After Initiation this year we were treated to a wonderful brunch made for us by several volunteer alumnae. For this year’s Homecoming, the theme was Monmouth Traditions. The chapter had lots of fun at the activities planned for the week such as; trivia night, a boat regatta, and the spirit shout and dance. Our float in the parade this year had alumnae on board and won first place. We are ending the year strong and are excited for our new Chapter Council, our new Panhellenic President and next semester!
Highlights of 2019
Alpha Chapter had a very busy year in 2019! Classes resumed for Monmouth College on January 14th. Leadership day was held on the 19th for all new officers, and we started the new pilot structure. We had a fun sisterhood and Spring Recruitment began as well. This February was not as busy as usual. We celebrated Inspirational Person’s Day on the 9th with a special person in our lives. On Valentine’s Day, we had a fun sisterhood and the Kappa Krush philanthropy which raised $22 for the Jamieson Center in Monmouth. We hosted a Leadership Consultant from February 24th through March 1st. Spring Break for the college began on the 1st and continued until the 10th. Greek Week began on the 17th and went through the 22nd. A self-defense class sisterhood was held on March 25th. It was fun and incredibly useful! Formal was on March 30th and the theme was Light up the Night. The new members had their New Member retreat on April 5th and Inspiration Period began the next week after the Return of the Pledge pin. They were formally initiated on April 13th. Seniors were celebrated during Senior Week by Senior Slideshow, Bloom into Alumni and the senior sisterhood. The whole chapter celebrated and wished the seniors luck at the Senior Banquet on April 28th. In May, the day before finals began, the VP of Internal Affairs, Angie, held an all day sisterhood study session with doughnuts. Graduation was on May 12th and seven of our sisters walked across the stage. The Fall semester began on August 14th for us, with Greek Life move in and the first day of Work Week. The chapter was present at the annual Involvement Fair and had lots of fun and girls interested by the end of the night! There were three sisterhoods that were focused on team bonding and getting to know their sisters better. Fall Recruitment began on August 20th and Bid Day was on the 24th. This Bid Day we had fourteen lovely ladies run to meet us outside of Wallace Hall. The Bid Day party theme this year was That 70s Show where we danced, tie-dyed and took pictures until our hearts content. Later that evening, we had a candle pass with Alpha Xi Delta and Pi Beta Phi honoring all our new members and our seniors. Formal pledging followed on the 25th and 26th. September began with New Member Meetings and Senior Orientation. On the 14th, Kappa held the Kappa Kickball Event to raise money for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. $55 was raised for the Foundation. Family Weekend for the college and Kappa was the 27th through the 29th, with a football game and the Academic Banquet on Sunday. On the first Friday in October, the new members had their New Member retreat. On Sunday the 6th, we celebrated Founder’s Day be traveling to the graves of three of our founders and singing to them followed by the candle ceremony and chapter. Fall Break began on the 9th and several members returned early on the 13th to meet the Minnie Stewart Van for the 150th kickoff at the Stewart House. It was an amazing experience to be a part of and Alpha Chapter is grateful for the opportunity! Homecoming was on the 18th and 19th with Kappa coming in 2nd for the Spirit Shout Dance. Sunday the 20th was Return of the Pledge Pin and the beginning of the Inspiration Period. New members became new actives on the 26th and after Initiation was over we had an amazing breakfast thanks to the Alumni. On the 27th, the new actives attended a new member retreat for all new Greek Life on campus. There was a Halloween exchange with Sigma Phi Epsilon where we watched scary movies. Alpha Chapter had the privilege to experience the leadTODAY program offered by Headquarters on November 2nd. We learned a lot and are excited to try all the new ideas we were given! The Nominating Committee was selection and the election process began. On November 7th and 8th, we volunteered at local schools to be reading buddies for the day and gift a child with a book of their very own. Semi-Formal was on the 9th and the theme was Vines and memes; everyone had a good laugh. On the 13th we had a trivia night exchange with Phi Delta Theta and the dip sisterhood/exchange with Alpha Tau Omega on the 14th. The slate was presented on the 14th as well and on Sunday the 17th elections were held. Duo Days was on the 20th and the 21st; we read Dr. Seuss books to raise money and had a spa day sisterhood. Officer Installations were on the 24th and we are excited for all of our new officers! A COB event was held on the 25th and was very successful. On Reading Day, the day before finals begins, there will be a sisterhood study group and a yoga class.
Highlights of 2020:
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!"Summarize the previous calendar year, scholarships, group honors/awards, Convention awards, traditions, special events, philanthropic involvement, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, and world/local events the chapter participated in or helped with (e.g., presidential campaigns, natural disasters, etc.).
2020 was a unique year that created challenges to normal chapter functions. However, the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma Alpha chapter adapted through innovative sisterhoods, a virtual recruitment, and a virtual initiation shared with Iota and Theta Alpha chapters.
The first chapter of the year was held on January 19th. A Tik-Tok sisterhood was held on January 29th, where sisters made fun videos together at the Kappa house. On Super-bowl Sunday, house girls invited sisters over and made lots of different tailgating foods to celebrate. On February 7th, there was a sisterhood with the Eta chapter at the Stewart house where members made DIY scrunchies. A Galentine’s Day Sisterhood was held on Thursday, February 13th. Sisters made cute Valentine’s Day cards, decorated and painted picture frames, ate snacks, and took cute and goofy pictures in a photo area. Composites were taken on Wednesday, February 19th. The New Member Retreat was February 21st.The chapter had an exchange with Phi Delta on February 23rd, where members sang Karaoke. Inspiration week started Sunday, February 23rd and initiation was held on the 29th where one new member was initiated. Members left for Spring Break on March 6th and were not allowed to return due to Covid-19. A mother/daughter tea party event was scheduled for March 21st and was canceled. A Reading is Key philanthropy event “Grilled Cheese with KKGs” on Sunday, March 22nd was also canceled. Alpha chapter had been paired with ZBT for Greek Week activities but was unable to participate due to Covid. Formal theme was the Roaring 20s and was scheduled for April 18th but was canceled due to Covid. Keynoted chapter minuets were sent to members during the lockdown the first Sundays of April and May to keep members engaged and aware of chapter activities. There were three optional Zoom meetings for members to attend if they needed to reach out. There was a virtual sisterhood, where members played an online card game. Due to the fast change of plans Covid created, many things had to be altered in order to make seniors feel as though they were not forgotten. Our VP of Member Development tried to do as much as possibly for them given that we were unable to hold the Senior Banquet or most of the Senior Week Activities. To make up for what they lost, people in the chapter wrote notes or letters to a senior or seniors of their choice and then those were emailed to them during Senior Week. Our chapter was able to order them all bouquets of flowers and had them sent to their home address for them to receive during Senior Week. The seniors all received their gifts from the chapter at their homes. Our chapter still did a Senior Slideshow, and we were able to watch it together on a Zoom call. There was a Zoom study session hosted for finals.
Some sisters returned to campus on August 13th, while some sisters remained virtual for the semester. Work week occurred virtually and included a DEI presentation by the college’s Intercultural Life Director. The theme for recruitment was Falling in Love with Kappa. Recruitment was moved online the night before it began. However, our incredible exec board was able to make the arrangements necessary to move to virtual recruitment, marking our chapter’s first ever online recruitment process. We met a lot of great PNMs and ended up with 11 perfect new members who are great additions to the chapter! We look forward to seeing where their Kappa journey takes them. Bid day was on August 22nd and pledging occurred on August 23rd, on the tennis court outside. The chapter has conducted most business virtually and any in-person activities were socially distanced and in compliance with state and federal guidelines. The chapter has worked extremely hard this year to improve our diversity, equity, and inclusion. This semester, we decided to push the idea of DEI more into our chapter in hopes to expand our knowledge on the topics and learn from each other. We held a few programs that involved the topic of DEI and we also started a new chapter segment called "All the Hoot." We placed this segment in the VP of Member Development section of our chapter. This segment was started to allow sisters to talk about popular issues in the news, issues that are important to them, hard to talk about issues, etc. We wanted to provide a safe place for discussion of these important topics so we could evolve as a chapter. Our goal was to be respectful of everyone's opinions, be willing to learn, be open and honest, and to make our bond stronger. This segment has been very interesting and beneficial to our chapter thus far and we hope to continue it. We know that we still have a lot of work to do as individuals and as a chapter to continue to learn and grow in the field of DEI. We have elected a DEI Director to our exec board to continue to promote our chapter’s growth. In an effort to promote mental health awareness and inclusivity, our chapter hosted Behind Happy Faces on November 21st.
The slate was released November 12th, and elections were held on November 15th. Officer installations were November 22nd. Campus overall has a very politically polarized and charged atmosphere. Between COVID-19 restrictions, rising cases, the recent presidential election, and overall division amongst Americans have left Monmouth a very polarized place. Our chapter is not excluded from this division, and we have recently faced division amongst members and issues with being called out for being racist by non-members on campus. These issues have left us a very divided chapter. "
We chose Western Illinois Animal Rescue as our philanthropy, because it requires a lot of volunteer work and donations to keep it going. We really like helping out at WIAR because we enjoying working with the staff and supporting all the animals there.
We did not have a specific Founders Day ceremony or 150th Anniversary celebration due to COVID restrictions. "
Highlighs of 2021
January: Classes resumed on the 25th of January. Executive Board meetings were held every Monday at 5:30pm, and the Standards Committee met every Tuesday at 6:30pm on Zoom. A formal meeting was held on the 31st on Zoom,
February: Zoom Leadership Day/Officer Transitioning took place on February 7th. Kappa Cocoa was held on the 11th. An informal meeting was held on the 14th, and two MLK workshops were held on the 18th. Two ritual reviews and a formal chapter were held on the 21st. A Sisterhood where sisters could play Among Us and another MLK Workshop was held on Zoom on the 25th. A Senior Education program and programming night were held on the 28th.
March: Recruitment Workshops were held on the 5th and 6th of March at the house. A department night was held on Zoom on the 7th. A DEI Book Club was held on the 11th. Composites were taken on the 12th, and two recruitment workshops were held on the 12th and 13th. A formal meeting was held on the 14th. All the Hoot, a DEI event, was held on Zoom on the 16th, and a sisterhood was held on the 18th. A formal meeting was held on the 21st, and another DEI bookclub was held on Zoom on the 25th. Two more recruitment workshops were held on the 26th and 27th. A key DEI event and alumni education program were held on the 28th.
April: Greek Week took place on the 5th, 6th and 7th, and the Greek Week banquet took place on the 9th. Our chapter won the Academic Excellence award at this banquet. A Reading is Fundamental event was held on the 10th. A formal meeting was on the 11th. DEI book club took place on the 15th and 29th. A sisterhood was held on the 16th at the house with a virtual option. Stewart Hour tours for upcoming recruitment primaries took place on the 17th with a virtual option. Department night took place on the 18th, and All the Hoot took place on the 20th. The virtual Senior Banquet, the New Active Retreat, and another session of the Stewart House Tours for primaries took place on the 23rd. Zoom Formal, and a Bid Day for new active members with a virtual option were held on the 24th. The in-person Senior Banquet and an informal meeting was held on the 25th. The last session of Stewart House tours took place on the 30th.
May: Senior Tea and a formal meeting was held on the 2nd of May, and the last executive board meeting of the semester was held on the 3rd.
August: Sorority Move-In was August 17th. Work Week for Recruitment was the 18th-23rd. Our chapter had a table at the Involvement Fair on the 23rd. House Tours were on the 24th. The first night of recruitment was the 25th at the Kappa House. The second night of recruitment was the 26th in the Morgan Room. The third night of recruitment was the 27th at the Stewart House. Bid Day was held on the 28th. Pledging of new members and a formal meeting was held at the Kappa House on the 29th. The executive board began meeting at 5:30pm every Monday on the 30th.
September: Senior Orientation, the first New Member meeting, and an informal meeting were held on September 5th. The Standards Committee began meeting every Tuesday at 6:30pm on the 7th. A sisterhood at the Kappa House was held on the 8th. Expectations of Membership, a new member meeting, and department night were held on the 12th. A new member meeting and a programming night were held on the 19th. Another sisterhood was held on the 23rd at the Kappa House. A luncheon where member’s family members could eat at the Kappa House was held on the 25th. A Kappa Koffee Social Brunch with the Illinois State Kappa Chapter at the Stewart House, a new member meeting, and a formal meeting were held on the 26th. Every member of Greek life attended Title IX training on the 29th, and the New Member Retreat was held on the 30th at the Kappa House.
October: A new member meeting and the Courage to Commit program were held on the 3rd of October. A sisterhood was held on the 6th, and a pumpkin carving exchange with the Phi Delts was held on the 8th. A new member meeting, the Founder’s Day event, and formal meeting in Dahl Chapel were held on the 10th. Our Health Drive week began on the 18th, and an Officer Interest meeting was held on the 20th. A Halloween Sisterhood at the Kappa House was held on the 21st, and some members of the chapter attended the Order of Omega ceremony on the 23rd. The Return of the Pledge Pin ceremony and formal meeting at the Kappa House were held on the 24th, and Inspiration Period began on the 25th. Ritual Review was held on the 26th, 27th, and 28th. Bloom into Kappa was held on the 27th, and Fireside was held on the 29th. Initiation took place at the Kappa House on the 30th. A senior education program and formal chapter were held on the 31st.
November: Leadership Applications were due on the 2nd of November, and the Nomination Committee began training. Groovy, 70s semi-formal was held on the 5th. Interviews for executive board positions were held on the 6th and 7th. A Sex-positive program and an informal chapter were held on the 7th. A Kappa Kisses philanthropy event for Active Minds and slate discussion were held on the 9th. Trio-Days events with Pi Phi and Alpha Xi were held on the 10th, 11th, and 12th. The Slate was created and calls were made on the 10th, and the slate was present electronically on the 11th. A cypher-reading sisterhood was also held on the 11th. A movie watching exchange with Alpha Xi was held on the 12th. Elections were held during a formal meeting on the 14th, and joint executive board meetings were held on the 15th and 22nd. A Clothing Drive began on the 29th.
We support WIAR and the Jamison Community Center. Being involved locally is a great way to connect and support our community.
We supported Active Minds by raising money through candy grams, while also supporting mental health through thoughtful messages. For the Kappa Foundation, we are working with a local coffee shop at the end of the semester and raising money through coffee sales.
Spring 2021, our chapter installed a DEI officer under the VP of Member Development. This DEI director has held office hours for any member in the chapter to come and talk about any issues or DEI related topics. This officer held bi-weekly DEI events, such as a book club for the book, “Untamed”, and “All the Hoot” where members could all meet to discuss relevant topics. In order to prepare for recruitment, the DEI director had a presentation about current issues and ways to be more inclusive while recruiting new members. The DEI director met with every new member during their weekly meetings to introduce Kappa’s values and expectations of equality and inclusivity. The social media of our chapter has been very sensitive to current issues in the media, and our VP of External Affairs posts regularly about all of our members.
In the Spring semester of 2020, most events were held virtually on Zoom. If an event could be held safely in person, a virtual option was provided for those who were uncomfortable attending. In terms of Recruitment, the numbers as a whole were much lower than typical years. Policies were always changing as well. Our chapter worked hard to properly wear masks while indoors and to have events outside as much as possible. Wearing masks during date parties made it harder to socialize comfortably. Despite the challenges, our chapter had a successful formal recruitment. Initiation was relatively normal, but the ceremonies were shortened. Again, all members were required to wear mask inside. All new members have successfully been initiated and are now active members.
Visiting Monmouth Today
A trip to Monmouth, Illinois, affords visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma! The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation operates The Stewart House Museum, open to the public for tours and events. The home of Martha Louisa Stevenson still stands and Kappa Kappa Gamma placed an historical marker on the property in 2009. The marker recognizes the home as the location of many early meetings of Alpha Chapter. Another historical marker was placed at site of the "Kappa Bridge" where early Fraternity History tells the story of two Kappa Founders meeting to discuss their plans for a Greek letter organization.
The brochure Footsteps of the Founders is available at The Stewart House and includes a cemetery map and a map of town indicating the former locations of the homes of other Founders. Today only Minnie Stewart's home and Lou Stevenson's home are still standing.
