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→The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)
==The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)==
The movement to establish a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, later Oklahoma State University, was instigated by Jessa DeFoliart (Scott), Gamma Nu- Arkansas, and Melba Errebo (Cordell), Alpha- Monmouth. These two had enrolled at Oklahoma A and M and roomed together, but they missed the chapter life they had enjoyed, and so wrote to Kappa Headquarters about the possibility of establishing a chapter.
In 1946 Eleanore Goodridge Campbell, Beta Mu- Colorado, came to Stillwater to organize an alumnae club. Eliza Gaffney Leachmen, Beta Theta- Oklahoma, was elected the first president.
''The Key'' for October, 1946, announced "a trio of potential chapters" at Tulsa, Stillwater, and Oxford, Mississippi. That fall Graduate Counselors Marjorie Cross (Bird), Beta Mu- Colorado, and H. Stuart Smith (Asquith), Gamma Iota- Washington University, were sent to Stillwater to start the colonizing process.
Membership for the colony was delayed until the established groups on campus had ended formal rush. When the Delta Sigma Colony enrolled its first members, 15 choice girls were pledged without compromising quality for numbers. Counselors were sent to work with the chapter for several years and the success of the chapter is due, in great part, to their work.
Installation took place in April 11 and 12, 1947, with Director of Alumnae Helena Flinn Ege, Gamma Sigma- Pittsburgh, as installing officer. The Fireside service was at the Kappa Sigma house; installation at the YWCA; and the banquet in Willard Hall. Beta Theta, University of Oklahoma, was the installing chapter. Sunday afternoon a reception for more than 500 invited guests was given at the Kappa Alpha Theta house and it seemed to the hostesses that at least 500 attended.
It had been recognized from the start that housing for a colonized chapter with two active members would pose a problem. The colony members lived in a dormitory and, thanks to Fred G. Drummond (president of the Board of Regents, and husband, later to be a father and grandfather of Kappas) they were able to occupy a complete floor of North Murray Hall and have their own hostess.
Lots were purchased in January, 1947, at the corner of Lincoln and College Avenues. Herbert and Frances Sutton Schmitz, Beta Delta- Michigan, were appointed to draw up plans for an attractive, but cheap, house for 45 girls...a difficult assignment. Two of the existing houses on the lots were sold and a third was converted into a lodge, attractively furnished. There the girls met and the two colonizers and a hostess lived. This house was torn down when construction started in 1948. During that school year the girls lived in a crowded rented house on Ramsey Street. When the girls moved in the fall of 1949, the new chapter house seemed immense and luxurious. However, the house, designed for 45 girls, was holding 65 in the 1960s with other members very unhappy about not being able to live in it. The house could not be enlarged because new city building codes required adequate parking space.
In 1965 this house was sold to the new Phi Gamma Delta chapter. Lots were purchased at the corner of Lincoln and Fourth Avenues. Gwendolyn Barnes Uzzell, Gamma Nu- University of Arkansas, was chairman of the house Building Committee and the Schmitzes were again the architects. Mrs. Uzzell was liasion person for more than two years, and seemed to devote every free minute to the project. Delta Sigma's Martha Puckett Miller accepted the responsibility of raising funds for furnishings and had moderately good results from three mailings to her up-dated alumnae file.
Delta Sigma moved into the new house in March, 1968.
Members of the local alumnae group have nearly all served as advisers, some almost continuously. Martha Miller; Eliza Leachman; "Gwen" Uzzell; Gladys Sullivant McGaugh, Gamma Nu- Arkansas; Jean Clark Berry, Beta Theta- Oklahoma; Shirley Love Murphy, Beta Theta- Oklahoma; and Delta Sigmas Althea Jacobson Wright, Ruby Eager Moore, Alice Cudd Bauter, Merna Jo Hart Robinson, Nancy Hamra Patton, and Alice Davis Waughtal have been especially loyal. These same women have served on the house board and been officers in the alumnae club.
There are good reasons for Delta Sigma's outstanding reputation at Oklahoma State. The Fraternity made special concessions to the needs, financial and otherwise, of the chapter. The high regard in which Beta Theta at the University of Oklahoma and other chapters in surrounding states have long been held has reflected favorably upon Delta Sigma.
Delta Sigma members served often as student government representatives and as presidents and vice presidents of Angel Flight, Blades, and Mortar Board, Many are members of honoraries.
The chapter has won the Zelma Patchin award as "outstanding sorority on campus" five times, and has received or been runner-up for the scholarship cup at least 10 times. During the 1950s, Delta Sigma won or took second place at the Varsity Review Show, judging campus talent. There have been numerous yearbook beauty queens, queens of fraternity dances, Who's Who selections, and "Top Student" choices from the chapter members.
Probably the best-remembered member of Delta Sigma is the late Mary Ann Stewart, who was killed in a plane accident the year after her graduation. She won numerous awards and honors on campus, and was president of the chapter in 1962-63. A scholarship providing money for fees to a deserving student was established in her honor. Mary Ann's younger sister, Nancy, was an outstanding accounting student, served as treasurer when the move was made into the new house, and was president of the chapter in 1969-1970.
==Highlights of 2012==