| Epsilon Kappa | |
|---|---|
| EK | |
 | |
| Founded | February 18, 1967 |
| College | University of South Carolina |
| Location | Columbia, SC |
| Homepage | Epsilon Kappa Homepage |
| Media related to Epsilon Kappa Chapter | |
University of South Carolina established in 1801, Columbia, South Carolina
Founded February 18, 1967
1,764 initiates (as of June 2013)
Charter Members:
Gloria Jean Allen, Mary Dolores Armstrong, Joy Alyce Cook, Betty Love Emmons, Marsha Gittinger, Deborah Ann Gough, Nancy Jane Groover, Jean Martha Huston, Marilyn Claudette Keen, Rebecca Suzanne Strange, Candice Jordan Walker, Julia Katherine Wilshin
Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Officers: Anna Fowlkes, Chapter Consultant 1983-1984; Jamie Gardner, Headquarters Intern, 2013
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Additional Outstanding Epsilon Kappa Alumnae:
The Early Years
From September 17, 1962, when an alumnae club was chartered in Columbia, there had been the hope that an active chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma would be installed at the University of South Carolina. The Kappas felt that South Carolina had been neglected by the Fraternity as far as colonizing chapters was concerned. However, this neglect was understood when only 120 Kappa alumnae living in South Carolina were listed in the first galley sheets send by Headquarters in 1962.
The University of South Carolina is a large university located in the heart of the city. Real estate in this area was quite high. Since a sorority house would have to be close to the university for the girls’ safety, it was the consensus of opinion that perhaps the university would make the next girls’ dormitory a Panhellenic dormitory.
In the spring of 1966, an evaluating team was sent by Kappa to the university, by invitation, to examine the possibilities of colonizing. The team was favorably impressed, and a “red carpet welcome” was extended by the university, culminating in a luncheon by Panhellenic with the dean of women as hostess. Frances Fatout Alexander, DePauw, Fraternity President at that time, lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, not far away. Mary Turner Witney, Cincinnati, lived in Beaufort, South Carolina. Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, and Dorothy McCampbell Nowell, Georgia, lived in Georgia. The last two were with the chapter during the first rush in September, 1966, as was Marsha Lynn Love, Florida State, slated to be the graduate counselor for the new Chapter. Some of the actives from Delta Upsilon, University of Georgia, came over for two weekends to put on skits and rushing parties, and later for initiation in February, 1967. They demonstrated Kappa loyalty to the fullest. Some actives from Epsilon Epsilon, Emory University, came, too. Twelve girls accepted bids; four more were added in informal rush. The twelve who made their grades became charter members of Epsilon Kappa and the four who did not make their grades became charter pledges.
Highlights of the 1970s:
Due to the smallness of the chapter at the time, an active often had to hold two offices or chairmanships. Epsilon Kappa received an award at the Centennial Convention for scholarship improvement among smaller chapters and in 1973 had two members of Phi Beta Kappa.
Members of Epsilon Kappa earned honors in university scholastic organizations such as nursing, music, education, and the freshman honorary. The Chapter won in intramural swimming, two girls were voted sweethearts, and one Kappa was named the Sorority Woman of the Year.
Epsilon Kappa Chapter, along with the Columbia Alumnae Club, hosted the 1973 Mu Province meeting.
Most of 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.
2013:
Kappa Kappa Gamma at USC is the second largest Kappa chapter nationally. We are a chapter full of sisterhood and love for all our members! And we are exceptionally proud of our gorgeous house!