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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)==
In the spring of 1890, two rival groups at the University of Michigan petitioning the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Gamma were brought together harmoniously, and nine persons from the two groups were listed on the Beta Delta charter.
Six returned to college for a fall initiation at the home of one of the initiates - the other three were initiated later- and the first golden keys caused a campus sensation.
Three faculty wives (the patroness custom was continued at Ann Arbor until about 1950) became loyal friends and sponsors of the young chapter. In the spring of 1893 a series of Sunday patroness teas enabled the girls to plan for chapter headquarters, established that fall. Other early chapter events included the establishment of a Panhellenic, a Beta Delta Alumnae Association informally organized during 1894-1895, a June 1895 reunion, and the entertainment of the 1902 National Convention.
In the fall of 1895 six Kappas moved to Beta Delta's first chapter house at Washington and Ingalls Streets. There were six more moves before the $19,000 house was built at 1204 Hill Street. Ground had been broken April 1910, and 22 girls were housed in the unfurnished building that fall. Beta Delta's Grand President Florence Burton Roth was guest of honor at the housewarming.
World War I brought meatless, wheatless days of sacrifice and service, Red Cross knitting, farmerette duties and many forms of thrift. On Armistice Day an impromptu Kappa dance brought in servicemen and a jazz band. A highlight of the year 1924 was the wedding of Theodosia Burton Stewart, X - Minnesota, daughter of the university president. The entire chapter, dressed in pastel formal gowns, adorned the balcony of the elegant new Clements Library where the ceremony took place. They also attended, with such luminaries as Henry Ford, the reception that followed in the president's residence next door.
Visits from Dorothy Canfield Fisher, BN-Ohio State, and Robert Frost, while he was the university's Poet-in-Residence, were also of great interest to the chapter.
==Highlights of 2012==