Delta Alpha
| Delta Alpha | |
|---|---|
| ΔA | |
 | |
| Founded | October 3, 1930 |
| College | Pennsylvania State University |
| Location | University Park, PA |
| Homepage | Delta Alpha Homepage |
| Media related to Delta Alpha Chapter | |
Pennsylvania State University, formerly the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania established in 1855. At that time, it was a village in the wilderness in the geographic center of Pennsylvania with no name.
Chapter founded October 3, 1930
2,280 initiates (as of June 2018)
Charter Members: Elizabeth Cordelia Bell, Doris Buckalew Bidlack, Mary Elizabeth Crozier, Mary Trescott Davenport, Velma Mae Egolf, Elizabeth Everett, Rosemary Forbes, Helen Elizabeth Fowler, Fern Edvina Harmon, Margaret Scott Hopwood, Rachael Sara Anne Johnson, Helen Strickler Keepers, Sue Kern, Helen Lambert Kinsloe, Margaret Frances Knoll, Josephine Shannon La Barre, Marjorie Elizabeth Lyons, Anne Elizabeth Mellinger, Marjorie Elizabeth Stitt, Margaret Tschan, Isabelle Jayne Wielnad, Margaret Anna Yotter.
Some of Delta Alpha’s Outstanding Alumnae: (Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae: (If you have chapter alumna who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Council Members:
Gay Chuba Barry: 1976 – 1980, Director of Alumnae; 1980 – 1988 Fraternity Vice President; 1984 – 1988, Director of Field Representatives; Patricia Coffee Gesell: 1988 – 1990, Director of Chapters; Marjorie Gohn (Felsburg): Field Secretary, 1970-71; Anne Riley: Field Secretary, 1964-1966; Linda Pierson (Henkelman): Field Secretary, 1980-1981; Catharine Carbonetta (Mayer): Traveling Consultant, 1990-1991; Niki Rawlins (Salata): Traveling Consultant, 1998-1999; Erin Wischum: Leadership Consultant, 2004-2005; Lauren Sullivan Paitson: Executive Director, 2005-2009; Beth Ann Sharp: 2010 – 2012, Director of Programs and Education, 1973-1974, Graduate Counselor at Arizona; Patricia Coffee Gesell: 2009-, National Panhellenic Conference Delegate, 1994-1996, Regional Director of Chapters, 1992-1994, Risk Management Chairman, 1990-1992, History Chairman, 1988-1990, Fraternity Director of Chapters, 1979-1980, Province Director of Alumnae.
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Gay Chuba Barry - 1996 Patricia Coffee Gesell - 2016
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Jane McCormick (Lewis) – 1978, Leader in higher education; served as president of National Association of Women Deans and Counselors; Ruth Johnson (Holden) – 1980, Educator; inventor, pioneer in speech and hearing programs and tools;
Additional Outstanding Alumnae
Patty Meily (Mershon): Graduate Counselor, 1948-1950; Ella Louise Williams (Bassett): Graduate Counselor, 1951-1952; Silvia Brown (Trumbower): Graduate Counselor, 1965-1967; Christine Lowry (McKeag): Graduate Counselor, 1970-1972; Beth Ann Sharp: Graduate Counselor, 1973-1974; Deborah Smith (Fischer): Graduate Counselor, 1975-1977; Linda Pierson (Henkelman): Graduate Counselor, 1981-1983; Carol Bender (Mason): Chapter Consultant, 1986-1988;
Contents
The Early Years(From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)Edit
Chartered in 1855 to provide a scientific agricultural education, the so-called Farmers High School, a misleading title, became the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862. This experimental college was designated the commonwealth’s representative in the national system of state land-grant colleges in 1863. Benefits from this innovative federal-state contract to support higher education came slowly to Penn State, but in 1871 the first women were admitted, and in 1874 the name became Pennsylvania State College. In 1930 the college celebrated its 75th anniversary at “Old Main” on the site of the building which had been the entire campus when the first students arrived in 1859. Since 1953 it has been the Pennsylvania State University. The non-university locality is still State College, Pennsylvania, and the Kappa alumnae association is the State College Alumnae Association.
The first coeds, occupying part of an upper floor dormitory in “Old Main,” followed strictly enforced rules for “association with the opposite sex.” Separate housing began after the first state appropriation for buildings. Maintenance was granted in 1887, a milestone year, when intercollegiate and extracurricular activities were added, national affiliations for men’s clubs developed, and campus buildings were constructed. Faculty, enrollment, and curricula grew steadily, checked only by the two world wars and the Depression.
When Pennsylvania State trustees authorized the organization of women’s social groups in 1922, six girls met in a campus oak grove and founded Sychor. The plan was to petition Kappa Kappa Gamma as soon as national affiliations were permitted.
Sychor, Pennsylvania State’s second women’s local, became Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa in 1930, the sixth women’s national sorority on campus. Sychor’s green and gold colors and its little gold acorn badge were replaced by Kappa’s light and dark blue and the key October 3, 1930, at the Wesley Foundation Hall of the State College Methodist Church.
Fraternity President Florence Tomlinson Myers (Wallace), Drake, conducted the service with Fraternity Director of Provinces Eleanor V.V. Bennett, UC Berkeley, and Kappa’s new Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, officiating for the first of many times. Province officers and University of Pittsburgh actives assisted.
The reception was given in Beta Theta Pi’s new chapter house. The next day the chapter’s first President Margaret Knoll (Oliver) conducted initiation for 28 Sychor alumnae including two founders, Elsie Kohler Moore and Ruthanna Sharpless Ely. Founders Day dinner was in the Centre Hills Country Club.
With dormitory space at a premium in the 1920s, women’s social organizations enjoyed the use of former faculty residences, but had all meals in the McAllister Hall dining commons. The three-story frame Willard Cottage became the Sychor and later the Kappa house, and was operated as dormitory. When it was moved slightly west in 1938 for the building of Pattee Library, Delta Alpha had the one and only private chapter room in the new basement. Moves to McElwain Hall in 1949 and to Cooper Hall in 1958 were to suites in the large residence hall complexes that Penn State had begun to build. Each group rents a living room, kitchenette, and storage closet unit; occupies adjacent dormitory rooms; and shares larger facilities for meetings and initiations. The old Kappa house, renamed Moffat Cottage, was torn down in 1964 to make way for the west addition of the library.
Sensing problems which might arise in an unhoused (by Kappa definition) chapter bound by the local Panhellenic policy of sophomore pledging, the Fraternity assigned a graduate co-organizer, Marion Cheyne (Felton), William and Mary, to live with the Delta Alphas during 1931-32. Marjorie Matson (Converse), Purdue, was Delta Alpha’s Graduate Counselor 1945-46.
Delta Alpha’s small group of State College alumnae served as advisers and formed an association in 1933, with Margaret Oliver again as first President. The chapter and association were hostesses for Beta Province Conventions in 1933, 1955 and 1967.
Anne Riley was Delta Alpha’s first Field Secretary, 1964-66. She was followed by Marjorie Gohn (Felsburg,) 1970-71. Ella Louise Williams (Bassett) was sent to Beta Phi, Montana, 1951-52; Silvia Brown (Swiss) was the Graduate Counselor for the Puget Sound, and Beth Sharp was Graduate Counselor at Arizona in 1973-74.
Helen Kinsloe, charter member and notable Kappa personality, has been honored by the chapter’s only memorial award for Fraternity loyalty and scholarship. It was established by Delta Alpha alumnae and State College Kappas in 1963 after her death, which deprived the Fraternity of a dynamic leader whose rapport with the chapter was enhanced by her faulty position as student adviser and teacher of bacteriology.
A Kappa memorial scholarship for graduate study abroad, in languages, was endowed in 1966 by the husband of Susanna Stover Root, a Sychor alumna. The chapter supports a university scholarship in memory of Alona Williams, who died of leukemia in 1969, her junior year.
Individual interests give a chapter its personality. Delta Alphas are recognized for scholarship, student leadership, and the arts, in publications and in athletics. Before beauty and talent queens were out of fashion, Kappas frequently wore their crowns, including that of Miss Penn State. Delta Alphas were among the charter members when Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Alpha Lambda Delta, Cwens and other honor societies were installed.
In 1972, Rhonda Egidio was one of the two first women elected to Lion’s Paw, a prestigious senior “men’s” honorary. A Sychor-Delta Alpha, Dr. Mary R. Freer Keeler, was an early recipient of the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award. She was Penn State’s “Women of the Year” in 1959 for academic achievement and as dean of faculty of Hood College. When the title of “Dean of Women” was abolished, Jane E. McCormick, Penn State, became head woman administrator in the university’s student affairs office. Donna Symonds Clemson, associate editor of the Penn State Alumni publications, now limits her Kappa activity to chapter advising. Another good friend to Delta Alpha was Doris M. Seward, Delta, Indiana, executive assistant to president of Pennsylvania State and professor of human development.
Consistently high rating among Penn State’s Panhellenic groups strengthened Delta Alpha for survival during the partial eclipse of the Greeks in the late 1960s, and membership quotas were maintained. By 1970 sorority chapters on the campus were in the low 20s with smaller memberships, after peaking at nearly 30 in the early 1960s.
Firmly established chapters are coping with changes in campus situations, and playing a vital role on campuses where liberalized housing creates problems. By exerting Panhellenic leadership in the 1970s, Delta Alpha hoped to become free of the unstructured disunity of the chaotic 1960s and to combine recognition of individuality with Kappa’s traditional values of honor through group organization and the loyalty of members.
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
Highlights of the 1970s:Edit
Delta Alpha, like many of our chapters, was affected by the events of the world. The campus became more involved in issues of our country and the ongoing war in Vietnam. Saigon fell, the Watergate scandal, President Nixon had left office and Gerald Ford became president, which all left their mark. Peace movements began and hippies were everywhere. The Delta Alphas answered by focusing on philanthropies hoping to attract more members. Disco fashion were sweeping the nation – bellbottoms, platform shoes, mini-skirts were in vogue and flower power influence permeated the campus
Rush (Recruitment) numbers were noticeably lower in the 1960s and continued into the 1970s. For those years the total membership was just in the 30s. It wasn’t until 1979 that it was back in fashion to be a Greek. Academic achievement was foremost on the members’ minds and the GPA average for the decade was 3.21.
Coach Joe Paterno had a decade of winning football seasons. Saturdays were always a highlight for the campus known as “Happy Valley.” The campus continued to grow not only in the number of students but in increasing the number of academic buildings.
Spring Week and Greek Week were major highlights for the Delta Alphas as well as for the campus. The Delta Alphas in conjunction with their partner fraternity always gleaned several awards each year.
January 15, 1979, the 1,000th member of Delta Alpha was initiated.
Philanthropy:
The Kappas were well-known on campus for their participation and involvement in philanthropies. They participated in the Delta Gamma Anchor Splash and THON, now one of the largest student run philanthropic events in the country as well as other Greek groups’ events. THON is short for a mara”thon” dance competition which takes place during a four-day period.
Highlights of the 1980s:Edit
On campus the Paterno Library was dedicated and named in football Coach Joe Paterno’s honor not only for his major gift to the project but because of the importance he placed on academics with his teams. It almost doubled the size of the existing Patee Library.
“The Dairy” continued to be a favorite of undergraduates and returning graduates. Penn State began as the Farmer’s High School so it is only natural that the Agricultural degree were highly acclaimed. Various flavors of ice cream and cream cheese were the favorites.
Ice skating, square dances and popcorn parties were held monthy and were well attended. Tailgating occurred before each home football game and “mother/daughter” events were held often culminating in a Mother’s Day tea party.
The chapter continued to maintain a high GPA and the members participated in many campus events. Since the chapter was essentially unhoused it was difficult to plan sisterhood events on campus. The chapter strived to maintain the importance of sisterhood. Founders Day was celebrated every year with the State College alumnae and was one of the opportunities to bring together the whole chapter.
Many of the members were involved in intramural sports and student councils across the campus. March 31, 1980, Delta Alpha was recognized as the outstanding chapter on Penn State campus. This award is given by an administrative committee and was most prestigious.
Philanthropy:
For the third decade THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, was not only the major focus of the entire campus but of Greeks in general. The money raised was for the Four Diamonds Fund of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center which primarily treated children with cancer. Kappas and their partners raised on average more than $40,000 a year.
Highlights of the 1990s:Edit
Delta Alpha continued to be proud of its many philanthropic efforts.The members were proud to be carrying on the traditions of the past. For example, still participating in Derby Days and winning Spring Week with the Sigma Chis as well as the participation in THON. Kappas maintained a great relationship with other Greek organizations by continuously attending their events and getting to know other members involved in Greek life. This helped to boost Kappa’s reputation on campus and in the community.
During these years the Delta Alpha Chapter won the outstanding chapter at Penn State award multiple times. The award was based on activities in philanthropies and involvement in THON. Kappa was one of the top organizations that raised money for THON over the course of years. Delta Alpha was excited to host the Beta Province Meeting. The chapter prided itself on its GPA for the decade and continued to express the importance of academic studies.
Highlights of 2000-2010:Edit
Penn State is known for having excellent academic programs. In fall 2010 The Wall Street Journal named Penn State as the number one school where business recruiters seek to hire students. Also, the Women’s Volleyball Team won its fourth consecutive national championship. Here at Penn State the chapter is very well respected. It has a reputation on the campus and among fellow students of having outstanding members. The chapter continues to participate in Greek Week and Spring Week – a major event on the campus each year.
The chapter focused on promoting sisterhood with special events and retreats. Campus involvement by so many members left little time for sisterhood. Founders Day continued to be a favorite event among sisters and a time when they can all be together.
Scholarship was once again a prime focus with a decade average of 3.42. The chapter also hosted a LEAD seminar with the Dickinson and Bucknell chapters.
Philanthropy:
In 2004, Delta Alpha with its partner fraternity raised $81,875 to contribute to the fight against pediatric cancer – THON. The campus in total raised $3.5 million.In 2006, $91,1798 was raised; in 2009 Delta Alpha raised an unbelievable $136,443 for THON, placing third. Also, in 2004 the chapter began its decade association with Reading Is Fundamental. The first activity was a story time and help with an elementary school. Other RIF activities for the decade to raise money were an ice cream eating contest, “Kappa Klassic” tennis tournament; Kappa Winter Tales – children attended an event to listen to a profession story teller.
The Delta Alphas are proud of their long heritage of contributing to society and at the same time making academic success and philanthropy involvement its top priorities.
Chapter Convention Awards:
2000 – Scholarship Honorable Mention: Greatest Scholarship Improvement Honorable Mention 2002 – Efficiency Award, Ritual Honorable Mention, Scholarship Honorable Mention, Recruitment Honorable Mention, Advisory Board Honorable Mention, 2006 – Risk Management Honorable Mention 2008 – Panhellenic Award, Standards Honorable Mention
Highlights of 2011-2019:Edit
Highlights of 2011Edit
The Delta Alpha Chapter now consists of 91 active members, after this past fall when we received a new fairly large pledge class of 31 new sisters! We also just welcomed a spring pledge class of 9 new girls currently going through their pledging process. Seven of our active members are currently studying abroad in Florence, Barcelona and Paris. This year, 2012, we received a new THON family! We are very excited to welcome this young girl into our THON family. THON this year was a bit different than the past due to a tragic car accident of a girl in another sorority who was traveling to someone's home for a canning weekend. A “canning” weekend means going to a fellow sister’s house and being welcomed by her family for a weekend, The family provides shelter and home-cooked meals and during the day we go into the streets and raise money for the Hershey Medical Center’s Four Diamonds Fund.
After this incident the THON committee proceeded to put regulatilons on canning weekend and require students participating to go to a workshop that talked about how to ensure our safety. You would then receive a wristband that showed you completed this workshop and were allowed to go! Kappa is paired with Delta Chi Fraternity once again for THON 2012. We had a birthday party for Ashley, one of our THON family members at Delta Chi which was a lot of fun, and a good chance for the new girls to get to know the family better. We held a philanthropy event this year with obstacle courses and pie eating contests, that Kappa actually won! In addition we held a Founder's Day brunch this fall at the Nittany Lion Inn. All of our sisters and alumni came together to reminisced on Kappa traditions and passed events. Here at Pennsylvania State University the Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma is very respected and we have a very classy reputation among the campus and fellow students.
Campus: This past fall a very sad scandal actually came out about. A former football staff members here at Penn State was charged with counts of child sex abuse which shocked the campus and the entire Penn State community. There was a definite gloom that hung over the campus for a week or two, but the entire school really came together to show that this one staff member's actions do not reflect the Penn State community and the students here on campus. The members of Kappa supported the victims that were apart of these awful events by attending a football game in all blue for child abuse, and attending a candle light vigil here on campus in support of the young boys affected. In response to this, former icon football coach, Joe Paterno was fired. This caused a great unroar and a lot of emotions on campus. Though, the students stuck together and supported this man who has done so much for our school. The following football game that would be the first that Joe Paterno was not present at, was sold out to capacity and the student section was louder and had more spirit than ever. As a result there has been more student leadership, and more alumni support and a call for more transparency and administration. In the end the campus has become more unified to maintain Penn State's future goals and reputation.
Chapter: Due to these events this year on campus, the Delta Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma we made an effort to represent Penn State as best as we could as a chapter to show the outside world that Penn State is not one person. We strived to raise even more money for THON, which is such an incredible cause here that our school does, and we did not want the previous events to lead us to any financial losses for this great cause that helps so many people in need. Here on campus Kappa has one of the highest held GPA's and we take great pride in our academic success. Many of our members also participate in club activities. We are a very well rounded group of young ladies.
A recent visit from a Leadership Consultant helped us identify things we can improve on in our chapter. This includes become more open and welcoming to the members of other sororities who participate in our philanthropies or come to our suite for activities. In terms of making relationships, we also need to try to reeach out to nationals to and create a better relationship with the people out there who want to help us most! We also need to do a better of job of getting in our paper work on time. We are very motivated to step up and improve these things that we need to work on. We are constantly trying to better ourselves.
Highlights of 2012Edit
The Delta Alpha Chapter had a great year. The Chapter consists of 117 active members and welcomed a new pledge class of 36 girls in the fall! Several girls are currently studying abroad in places such as Paris, Barcelona, Argentina, and even Africa! This year we went on many canning trips to support and raise money for THON. Our chapter is thrilled to be working with three amazing THON families and we are so proud to say we help them with all of our hearts. Through raising money for the Hershey Medical Center's Four Diamonds Fund we have gained a full understanding of how lucky we are and how our actions and hard work can help so many people that are in need of love and care. We hosted a birthday party for one of our THON children, Ashley, at our partner, Delta Chi Fraternity's house. We also raised a lot of money to donate to our philanthropy by holding different philanthropy events throughout the year. Our chapter had very successful recruitment periods and gained so many great friendships and bonds. Many pearls were given out to reward the sisters who received GPA's of 3.8 or higher. Although Penn State has been going through a tough time in the recent years, Kappa Kappa Gamma has kept a very leveled head and worked to improve the campus. As a whole chapter we supported the football team and many campus events to show our loyalty as a sisterhood and as a Penn Stater. All year we were proud to wear our KKG letters around and spread information about why we love being a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
As a chapter we have changed over the years. Bonds have grown stronger and it is apparent that each individual is making a huge effort to give Kappa Kappa Gamma a great reputation. Recently there has been a strong effort to make the new pledge class feel at home and a desire to get them very involved. Our chapter continues to work with our philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, as well as Penn State's dance marathon will all of our hearts. Kappa has one of the highest GPA's among other sororities and we have maintained that and are so proud.
Some chapter challenges included miscommunication between all members of the Delta Alpha Chapter. We have been aiming to meet and overcome these challenges by working with our advisers and talking things through in a mature and lady-like way. We have attended many meetings to help us open up and learn how to communicate properly and womenly. We are working hard to develop a strong communication with the sororities around us on campus and to nationals. One last thing we have struggled with in the past is turning in paper work on time and finishing important documents and webinars. The new CC is working so hard and coming up with many ideas to keep us on top of our tasks so we can improve!
Our campus has gone through many changes that have to do with the scandal involving the coaches on our beloved football team. Like the previous year all Penn State students kept a positive attitude and maintained their pride. Kappa made sure to attend the Blue-out game to support victims of child abuse. Other recent changes on campus have included new sorority housing being built in which the Delta Alpha chapter will be able to live in next year. Many sororities are moving into the new buildings along with us, which will help us get to know many other people. The amount of girls that decided to go through recruitment this year was very high, and the Delta Alpha chapter worked their hardest to have the most successful recruitment process as possible.
Highlights of 2013Edit
-The Delta Alpha Chapter had a very fulfilling year. The Chapter now consists of 149 active members and initiated a new pledge class of 54 girls in the fall, including three legacies! Our chapter had a very successful recruitment process and integrated our new members with the enthusiasm to uphold Kappa’s traditions. This year our chapter participated in many fundraising activities to raise money for both THON and our national charity. We went on many canning trips with our partners in the Delta Chi Fraternity, sent Thonvelopes, and created many fundraising events with the local restaurants such as Five Guys and Cold Stone. This year our chapter is working with two amazing THON families, who are loving and caring. It has brought our chapter so much pride to get to know these families and we are so excited to spend the weekend with them for THON weekend. Participating in such a meaningful organization has made every girl in our chapter proud to be supporting such a cause. In academics, our chapter gave out many pearls to the girls that earned a GPA of 3.8 or higher to recognize and reward their academic achievements.
As a whole chapter we work to improve our sorority, our school and our community. All year we work to spread awareness of the great benefits of sisterhood and the bonds formed in Kappa Kappa Gamma. However, like every other organization we have faced some challenges that we have worked to overcome together as a chapter united. Some chapter challenges that we have met in the past and continue to work on is being more organized with our documents and struggling to turn in important paperwork in on time.
Our members and the new CC has been working endlessly to overcome these challenges by working with our advisers and staying on top of our tasks. Every girl takes their individual responsibility seriously in order to achieve everything our chapter is capable of. The last challenge that we have met as a sorority is being able to handle a new pledge class of fifty- four girls, the biggest pledge class we have had yet. This was a challenge for not only our sorority, but all sororities on campus as the number of girls going through recruitment has increased yearly. Integrating such a big group of girls into our chapter brought about many organizational issues within the sorority. This is a challenge that we faced with grace and our now proud to say that by working together have successfully integrated the new pledge class.
Our Penn State campus has undergone many changes this year including new housing for all sororities to move into. Our chapter moved into a new building this spring semester. This move has given us the opportunity to meet the other sororities that also moved into the building, allowing all the sororities on campus to become closer to each other, and given all Pan-Hellenic women the opportunity to get to know each other and make us closer as a whole. There have also been some changes within Pan- Hellenic itself because new sororities have been invited to join the Greek community on campus. Some new sororities will be coming on to our campus for the upcoming year, and we have also said good -bye to other sororities that have left our campus. Pledge classes are now bigger than they have ever been on Penn State campus. This increased Greek life as a whole on campus.
As a chapter we continue to change and improve. Our members are still working tirelessly to represent Kappa Kappa Gamma accurately, giving our sorority the reputation that it deserves. As a chapter we stick together and support our sisters to the fullest. The biggest change within our chapter has been the increase in pledge class size and our sisters are also working very hard to include the new pledge class that has grown significantly this year and will probably continue to grow in the upcoming years.
Highlights of 2014Edit
The Delta Alpha Chapter had a very rewarding year. At the 2014 convention, the Delta Alpha chapter was awarded the Chapter/Advisory Board Relations Award, as well as Honorable Mention for Greatest Improvement! We were also fortunate enough to had been given two awards from the Greek Column Awards ceremony. There we were awarded Chapter of Excellence and Most Improved Chapter by the Penn State Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. In addition, out chapter has flourished and took in a large, quota pledge class of 66 amazing New Members, who have all been initiated and remain dedicated to the sisterhood! For 2014 one huge goal was to attain that Chapter of Excellence status, so we are very proud to say we have accomplished that. We will continue to strive for this in 2015 and in years to come. Some other goals we have been working on and will continue to work on this year include establishing a signature philanthropy event and furthering member commitment and involvement at chapter events. These are both areas of struggle for our chapter that we have been making great strides in through strong leadership and standards. As evident by the Honorable Mention from Kappa and the award from Panhellenic, we have made great strides in 2014, but there is always room to grow.
Our Penn State campus has undergone many changes in the past year. One addition is the new south dorm located right near the sorority suites. There has also been a recent addition to the HUB-Student Center which is a great place for sororities to meet up and hold events. There have also been some changes within Panhellenic itself. New sororites have joined our campus and we have also said goodbye to others. Pledge classes are now bigger and greek life as a whole has really grown on the Penn State campus.
The Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma holds chapter meetings weekly in the chapter room which is located on the ground floor of Ewing Hall. This building is owned by the Pennsylvania State University and is considered on campus dorm.
Thirty three sisters of the Delta Alpha chapter get the opportunity to live on the sorority floor each semester. During the fall, six girls are placed in supplemental housing located in overflow housing. Then in the spring they get the chance to move onto the floor when other girls move out for study abroad. Our chapter was housed in Cooper Hall since 1958, and in January of 2014 we moved to the renovated Ewing Hall. In the renovated "Greek Village," suites are now located right on the chapters' floors, while they used to be all on the first floor. This gives the hall a more house-like feel. The suite was beautifully decorated and stocked with the help of our advisers and House Board.
Highlights of 2015Edit
The Delta Alpha chapter had an outstanding year. We had a very successful recruitment process and welcomed 59 New Members this fall! Our new sisters are so proud to be apart of our sisterhood, and are very enthusiastic to be a part of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s wonderful traditions.
We recently gained a new THON family and could not be more excited to be working with them! Our THON families have brought our chapter so much pride and excitement to have the opportunity to dance FTK and spend the most amazing weekend with all of them. One of the challenges that our chapter faced this year was the loss of two canning trips, where a majority of our fundraising for THON occurs. To overcome this challenge, we needed to be creative and think of alternative ways to support THON and raise funds For The Kids. Our chapter overcame this challenge together and brainstormed effective way to fundraise. Our sisters all sent out THONvelopes, donation boxes were set up around numerous hometowns, and we also are holding fundraisers at local restaurants, such as Cold Stone.
We have also been working hard towards promoting our philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. We held a philanthropy event recently at a local church with 1-4 year olds to promote our philanthropy and it was a great success! Our sisters and the local children really enjoyed the time we spent together. One of our goals for this year that we will continue to strive for is to create a signature philanthropy event. We have been making remarkable achievements in 2015, but there is always room to improve and continue to grow! We are very excited for the year to come.
Our Penn State campus always seems to be improving in one way or another. Our impressive campus offers renovated housing for each sorority, and each sorority floor has a suite as well. The suites are perfect places for our sisters to meet up and study in, or just relax together after a busy day of classes. The Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has a sorority suite located in the renovated Ewing Hall in the South Residence area, which is also where we hold our weekly chapter meetings in the chapter room on the ground floor of Ewing.
Thirty three sisters of the Delta Alpha chapter are given a chance to live on the sorority floor each fall. In the spring, many of our juniors travel abroad, and this gives a numerous amount of other sisters the opportunity to move onto the floor for the spring semester. Living on the floor is a wonderful fortune that our sisters value.
Highlights of 2016Edit
The Delta Alpha chapter had an outstanding year. We progressed academically and continued to strive for greatness in our academics. To go along with our outstanding honors, we also had a very successful recruitment process and welcomed 70 New Members this fall! Our new sisters are so proud to be apart of our sisterhood, and are very enthusiastic to be a part of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s wonderful traditions. We gained a new THON family last year and are so excited to continue working with them. Our THON families have brought our chapter so much pride and excitement to have the opportunity to dance FTK and spend the most amazing weekend with all of them. In the past there were 3 canning trips per year. One of the challenges that our chapter faced this year was only having 2 trips. Canning trips are where a majority of our fundraising for THON comes from. To overcome this challenge, we needed to be creative and think of alternative ways to support THON and raise funds For The Kids. Our chapter overcame this challenge together and brainstormed effective way to fundraise. Our sisters all sent out extra THONvelopes, donation boxes were set up around numerous hometowns, and we are also holding fundraisers at local restaurants, such as Cold Stone. We have also been working hard towards promoting our philanthropy Reading is Fundamental. We have been meeting with our RIF partners every week of 2016 and have goals to do more philanthropy for them this upcoming winter. This fall we created an annual philanthropy event called Kappa Kookoff. This event was very successful and all of the profits were donated to “Out of the Cold”, a homeless shelter in State College. We are very excited that this event was such a success and we are looking forward to continuing it in future years! We have been making remarkable achievements in 2016, but there is always room to improve and continue to grow! We are very excited for the year to come. Our Penn State campus always seems to be improving in one way or another. Our impressive campus offers renovated housing for each sorority, and each sorority floor has a suite as well. The suites are perfect places for our sisters to meet up and study in, or just relax together after a busy day of classes. The Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has a sorority suite located in the renovated Ewing Hall in the South Residence area, which is also where we hold our weekly chapter meetings in the chapter room on the ground floor of Ewing. Thirty-three sisters of the Delta Alpha chapter are given a chance to live on the sorority floor each fall. In the spring, many of our juniors travel abroad, and this gives a numerous amount of other sisters the opportunity to move onto the floor for the spring semester. Living on the floor is a wonderful fortune that our sisters value.
Highlights of 2017Edit
The Delta Alpha chapter had an challenging year year. We progressed academically and continued to strive for greatness in our academics. This year, due to recent changes in policies on our campus, we did not do our usual Fall recruitment. Penn State University has changed the rules that there is to be no more Fall recruitment and it will only take place in the Spring. Although we did not have recruitment, we have been super busy planning for recruitment in the Spring and cannot wait to welcome new members when the time comes!
We gained a new THON family two years ago and are so excited to continue working with them. On another note, our second THON family decided to not continue with us because Jacob is now older. We wish him and his family the best of luck and always keep a special place in our hearts for them. Our THON families have brought our chapter so much pride and excitement to have the opportunity to dance FTK and spend the most amazing weekend with all of them. In the past there were 3 canning trips per year. One of the challenges that our chapter faced this year was only having 1 trip. Canning trips are where a majority of our fundraising for THON comes from. To overcome this challenge, we needed to be creative and think of alternative ways to support THON and raise funds For The Kids. Our chapter overcame this challenge together and brainstormed effective way to fundraise. Our sisters all sent out extra THONvelopes, donation boxes were set up around numerous hometowns, and we are also holding fundraisers at local restaurants, such as Cold Stone.
We have also been working hard towards promoting our philanthropy Reading is Fundamental. We have been meeting with our RIF partners every week of 2017 and have goals to do more philanthropy for them this upcoming winter. Last fall we created an annual philanthropy event called Kappa Kookoff. This event was very successful and all of the profits were donated to “Out of the Cold”, a homeless shelter in State College. We are very excited that this event was such a success and we are looking forward to continuing it in future years! We have been making remarkable achievements in 2017, but there is always room to improve and continue to grow! We are very excited for the year to come.
Our Penn State campus always seems to be improving in one way or another. Our impressive campus offers renovated housing for each sorority, and each sorority floor has a suite as well. The suites are perfect places for our sisters to meet up and study in, or just relax together after a busy day of classes. The Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has a sorority suite located in the renovated Ewing Hall in the South Residence area, which is also where we hold our weekly chapter meetings in the chapter room on the ground floor of Ewing.
Highlights of 2017Edit
The Delta Alpha chapter had an outstanding year. We progressed academically and continued to strive for greatness in our academics. This year, due to recent changes in policies on our campus, we did not do our usual Fall recruitment. Penn State University has changed the rules that there is to be no more Fall recruitment and it will only take place in the Spring. Although we did not have recruitment, we have been super busy planning for recruitment in the Spring and cannot wait to welcome new members when the time comes!
We gained a new THON family two years ago and are so excited to continue working with them. On another note, our second THON family decided to not continue with us because Jacob is now older. We wish him and his family the best of luck and always keep a special place in our hearts for them. Our THON families have brought our chapter so much pride and excitement to have the opportunity to dance FTK and spend the most amazing weekend with all of them. In the past there were 3 canning trips per year. One of the challenges that our chapter faced this year was only having 1 trip. Canning trips are where a majority of our fundraising for THON comes from. To overcome this challenge, we needed to be creative and think of alternative ways to support THON and raise funds For The Kids. Our chapter overcame this challenge together and brainstormed effective way to fundraise. Our sisters all sent out extra THONvelopes, donation boxes were set up around numerous hometowns, and we are also holding fundraisers at local restaurants, such as Cold Stone.
We have also been working hard towards promoting our philanthropy Reading is Fundamental. We have been meeting with our RIF partners every week of 2017 and have goals to do more philanthropy for them this upcoming winter. Last fall we created an annual philanthropy event called Kappa Kookoff. This event was very successful and all of the profits were donated to “Out of the Cold”, a homeless shelter in State College. We are very excited that this event was such a success and we are looking forward to continuing it in future years! We have been making remarkable achievements in 2017, but there is always room to improve and continue to grow! We are very excited for the year to
Our Penn State campus always seems to be improving in one way or another. Our impressive campus offers renovated housing for each sorority, and each sorority floor has a suite as well. The suites are perfect places for our sisters to meet up and study in, or just relax together after a busy day of classes. The Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has a sorority suite located in the renovated Ewing Hall in the South Residence area, which is also where we hold our weekly chapter meetings in the chapter room on the ground floor of Ewing.
Thirty-three sisters of the Delta Alpha chapter are given a chance to live on the sorority floor each fall. In the spring, many of our juniors travel abroad, and this gives a numerous amount of other sisters the opportunity to move onto the floor for the spring semester. Living on the floor is a wonderful fortune that our sisters value.
Thirty-three sisters of the Delta Alpha chapter are given a chance to live on the sorority floor each fall. In the spring, many of our juniors travel abroad, and this gives a numerous amount of other sisters the opportunity to move onto the floor for the spring semester. Living on the floor is a wonderful fortune that our sisters value.
Highlights of 2020
Chapter Summary Summarize the previous calendar year, scholarships, group honors/awards, Convention awards, traditions, special events, philanthropic involvement, chapter goals, and how your chapter operations changed because of COVID-19 (e.g., how did it affect recruitment, initiation, etc. Were events/activities held virtually?).
This year was pivotal year to handle for everyone incuding our sorority. Things needed to be handled vastly different because of the pandemic and because of this unfortunately there were not as many opportunities to do things as sisters. Despite the limited ability we still managed to have a normal first half of the year and accomplished a great deal. It started out with a normal recruitment which went very smoothly from an inside perspective. We were able to gather 60 new sisters at the beginning of the year. Our previous chapter council was able to hold only a few in person chapters before the pandemic hit but nevertheless they were very successful as we held formal chapters, a pinning ceremony, and other new recruitment rituals. Then as the pandemic hit it was right in line for the time we were set to intiate. This was unfortunate because we were not able to hold it in person as we were all home. Despite the lack of a physical ceremony, it was quite remarble how we were able to pull off a beaitful ceremony over our first ever ZOOM initiation. Elder members came, and everything went very smoothly. As the year progressed we had to delve into the transition stage from the previous chapter council to the new chapter council. Again this was our first ever virtual attempt at doing this but again it went very smooth and everything was eventually handled and now we have our new chapter council! Overall this year was a challenge in every aspect possible but we made it out successfully.
Chapter Philanthropy What organization does the chapter support? Reading is fundamental.
Why did the chapter choose this organization? The chapter chose this organization because it an essential opporuntity to give back to children and improve literacy rates within the youth to promote the progress of a more able and successful generation with each and every year.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your programming this year? (e.g., adding a DEI officer, philanthropy events, social media awareness campaign, chapter training, etc.).
Over the year the world witness a turning point in diversity due to the pleothora of social injustices that were coming to light. Therefore Kappa took it upon ourselves to make our social media aware and informed of these injustices as way as spreading information on places to donate, help, and educate. This was successful as we do have a large following and I think it really informed not only our sorority but everyone else where we stand in the fight for equality.
Sesquicentennial Celebration
How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary? Share what you have done this year.
This year, again considering the pandemic there was a limited amount of stuff we could have done. We did manage to celebrate a little in our chapter that was held on the 150th anniversary, by reviewing some milestones in Kappa history with a powerpoint as well as reviewing the year as a whole and cherishing our sisters a little more.
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!
Highlights of 2021Edit
Chapter Summary Summarize the previous calendar year, scholarships, group honors/awards, Convention awards, traditions, special events, philanthropic involvement, chapter goals.
Although there were many obstacles that came due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta Alpha experienced another successful year at Pennsylvania State University.
This year, our chapter focused on the following goals: Execute more programming and sisterhood events. Experience a successful slating and election period Continue to grow in all aspects as a chapter guided by Kappa ideals.
After being assigned an action plan, we made sure to follow it accordingly. We met all of our deadlines while also being able to enjoy ourselves together with movie nights and dinners in our suite. Programming opportunities in the fall semester included resume building, interview strategies, and big sister training. Kylin Flynn was the head of our nominating committee this year and the elections looked a little different from last year. In addition to individual slates and autobiographical forms, Delta Alpha piloted the interviewing process. We were able to successfully elect our officers and look forward to installing the new women in January. This year we voted and chose to support Mental Health America for our new national philanthropy. This organization was picked because Delta Alpha believes it is important to take care of your own mental health and support others in their journey. In the short time that we have supported Mental Health America, we’ve raised around $200. Fundraising events included restaurant fundraisers and an event that took place on our HUB lawn where you get to pay to pie your friend in the face. Delta Alpha was excited to celebrate Founders Day in person this year. Paige Fehl, our education chairman, organized a day filled with meeting Kappa Kappa Gamma’s alumni, yummy snacks, learning new rituals, and new connections within our own. Here at Penn State, not only do Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters shine within our community, but we also excel within our academics. Something fun that we like to do is called our “smart cookie award.” Each week a sister is nominated for performing well in school and is voted on during chapter council. We also have several opportunities to earn scholarships: these scholarships include an Undergraduate Merit-Based Scholarship, an Undergraduate Need-Based Scholarship, a Marisol Scholarship, a Graduate Scholarship, and a Continuing Education Grant. Last semester, our chapter averaged a 3.57 GPA, had a total of 128 members on the Dean’s List, and had 17 members maintain a 4.0 GPA.
Chapter Philanthropy What local organization does the chapter support and why?
Since 1973, THON has been our local organization at Penn State. THON is a 46-hour long dance party fighting against childhood cancer. It is the largest student-run philanthropy org in the world, and Kappa Kappa Gamma is honored to be a part of it. In February, our chapter will send three dancers, Andrea Marciano, Macy McGrath, and Emily Barnes, to stand all 46 hours while the rest of us will be in the stands cheering them on. Last year, THON was online and we were not able to meet and dance in the Bryce Jordan Center. Instead, our THON chairs hosted our dancers and created an apartment crawl so that they knew we were all there supporting them along the way.
How did the chapter support Kappa’s philanthropy?
We’ve raised $11,000 dollars this fall. We fundraised through bingo boards on our social media, restaurant portion proceeds collaborations, and sisterhood fundraisers, including goat yoga. We also planned a dunk-tank event with our partner THON Fraternity, Delta Chi.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your programming this year? (e.g., adding a DEI officer, philanthropy events, social media awareness campaign, chapter training, etc.).
Our Panhellenic Delegate, Quincy Blubaugh, created groups at the beginning of our semester to encourage sisters to participate in events with all of Greek life. Throughout Wellness Week, National Hazing Prevention Week, and Panhellenic Pride Week, our sisters attended several events. Some included were an Oracle presentation, a banner signing, and a lecture from Krystal Clark. My personal favorite was water coloring with my roommates during Wellness Week. Our sisters are also looking forward to an EME training which is essentially a Big/Little sister training event.
Operating in a Pandemic How did your chapter operations change due to COVID-19 (e.g., how did it affect recruitment, initiation, etc. Were events/activities held virtually?). Share what you have done this year.
With many obstacles thrown our way due to the COVID - 19 pandemic, our chapter participated in virtual recruitment over ZOOM, and we welcomed 67 new women to our sisterhood. Recruitment was a lot different in the spring than it was for me my freshman year. We utilized breakout rooms so that each PNM could get their own experience and ran bump groups so everyone could meet everyone. Similar to recruitment, Bid Day and Initiation were virtual. However, after a lot of planning, we hosted an in-person bid day to make the new members feel as special as the rest of us did on bid day. Our bid day was organized so that we met all COVID guidelines. We allotted ten girls to come at a time while wearing masks and sanitizing in between groups.
Photographs Are there any interesting photos from this year to share? e.g., screenshots of virtual meetings, pictures of chapter events that followed all public health guidelines (mask-wearing, physical distancing, etc), pictures of masks, drive-thru bid days, etc.
Meet Owen! Owen Bonn is Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Chi’s THON child. He is 8 years old and has retinoblastoma. In this first photo, he is at our tailgate and signing autographs for donations.
The second photo I included is a flier from one of our fundraisers. It was from one of our fundraisers for Mental Health America. We pied one another in the face - it was awesome!
Lastly, the third picture is a screenshot from a time we FaceTimed Owen. We try to Facetime him at least once a month to check up on him and get updates on his treatment.