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'''Epsilon Delta founded April 24, 1959''' '''_______ initiates (as of 2012).''' ------------------ '''Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae:''' '''Fraternity Officers:''' '''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:''' '''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:''' -------------- '''The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)'''
On April 24, 1959 Epsilon Delta Chapter at Arizona State University became the first Kappa chapter to be installed at a Province Convention.
The story of the chapter really began 12-years earlier when Cleo Hedde Woodall, Cummard (Barlow), Hillsdale, a former member of the Arizona State faculty was asked by the university administration to present the possibility of colonization to Kappa Kappa Gamma. Marjorie Miller Hoar, Arizona, Province Director of Chapters, reported findings to the Province Convention, and in 1948 the application was presented to the Extension Committee.
The committee decided not to colonize at that time but to place Arizona State on the approved list and bring it before the next biennial convention.
The campus was closed to further colonization in 1949 and was not reopened until 1956 when Mrs. Cummard had a request from Dean Catherine Nichols asking Kappa to reconsider.The Scottsdale alumnae voted unanimously in favor of the move, and later the Phoenix alumnae gave approval.
At the 42nd Biennial Convention in 1958, it was unanimously voted to colonize at Arizona State.
Alphonsine Clapp Howard, Nebraska, was appointed local colonization chairman. There were months of preparation. Members of the Arizona Chapter came by bus for the last two parties and February 15, 1959, 29 girls received pledge pins.
Epsilon Delta received its charter at the Fraternity Province Meeting in Tucson. Formal installation and initiation of 28 pledges took place in the Mountain View Presbyterian Church.
The chapter's first full year began with 21 members living together on the third floor of C Wing, Palo Verde Hall. The chapter furnished and maintained a kitchen, chapter room, and pledge room, and the university furnished the bedrooms. Here fraternity life developed, and scholarship took precedence over all.
Mrs. Cummard presented a diamond key for the member receiving the highest grades, and Lillian Waterman Mieg, Indiana, gave a "flat" key award to be worn by the member showing the greatest scholarship improvement.
Two other awards have became very important to the members. A worthy undergraduate who needed financial aid was given an outright grant from the Louise Diercks Memorial Fund, named to honor an outstanding young Kappa who died in her senior year. In 1964 the active chapter presented a plaque to Alphonsine Howard in appreciation for all she had done for the chapter. Each year since then, the Howard Award has been given to the alumna the chapter feels has been most helpful.
To the girls of Arizona State, Mrs. Howard was a living legend. In addition to her part in colonization, she served on the advisory board of the chapter and as president of the house board; was adviser representative to Convention in 1960; was alumna house representative, 1960-70; Kappa Province Director of Alumnae, 1972-75; and State Reference Chairman, 1959-75. The Fraternity’s Alphonsine Clapp Howard Association Membership Reference Award is presented at the Biennial Convention. An antique silver tray was presented to the Fraternity to represent this award.
In 1965 the chapter won the Arizona State College Bowl championship, and received the Gleim-Stokes Award at Province Convention. Between 1964 and 1966 the chapter was represented in every honorary and auxiliary; had girls on the cheerleading and pom-pom squads; captured more than 10 queen and sweetheart crowns; and members were presidents of Mortar Board, Panhellenic, and Associated Women Students; as well as being chosen Arizona Maid of Cotton and Miss Wool of Arizona.
Actives assisted two alumnae associations with annual fashion shows, and each year they donate time, services, and money to a philanthropic project.
The chapter received the Mu Advisory Board Award at the 1970 Centennial Convention. At the final banquet, the Convention closed with the singing of the "Centennial Prayer," with lyrics and music written by Cheryl Edel (Stewart), then an Epsilon Delta pledge. The song was a real contribution to Kappa's 100th birthday by an 11-year-old-chapter.
'''Centennial Prayer '''
"I pray for the light and dark blue
And I pray for the golden key
A Kappa Kappa Gamma through eternity
A Kappa Kappa Gamma through eternity."
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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.
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