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→The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)
==The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)==
'''Largest Initiation!'''
During September 22–24, 1977, Kappa Kappa Gamma Installed Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at Baylor University. Everyone knows Texas is a big state and Texans “think big,” so it was only fitting that this was the biggest Initiation yet for Kappa Kappa Gamma!
Beginning on Thursday and culminating in a formal banquet on Saturday evening, a total of eight Initiation services were held and close to 400 Atheneans became Kappas.
'''The Athenean Club'''
The Athenean Club was founded in 1935 when four freshman girls felt a need for more social contact between “dorm girls” and “town girls.” Each of the four chose a friend, and the eight of them formed a sorority based on high ideals, which grew strong and loyal with approximately 1,500 initiates between 1935 and 1977. The name Athenean was suggested by their first sponsor, Sarah Lowry. It was chosen because of the intellectual qualities and cultural attainment associated with the people of ancient Athens.
'''Installation Weekend'''
Serving as the installation chairman was Becky Stone Arbour, Delta Iota—LSU, with co-chairman Penny Hight Richards, Beta Xi—Texas, who made sure that out-of-town guests were housed at the Old Main Lodge in Waco, and the First Presbyterian Church was ready for the ceremonies, and the Student Union was available for the lovely formal banquet and Sunday afternoon campus reception.
Installing officers were Jean Hess Wells, Delta Upsilon—Georgia, Fraternity President; Kay Smith Larson, Beta Pi—Washington, Director of Chapters; Gay Chuba Barry, Delta Alpha—Penn State, Director of Alumnae; Patricia Boyd Adams, Theta Province Director of Chapters; and Shirley Younkin Shreve, Theta Province Director of Alumnae. Executive Secretary, Betty Sanor Cameron,along with Jean Ebright Elin, and Diane Miller Selby, Beta Nu—Ohio State, Editor of The Key, came from Fraternity Headquarters as the expert “set-up crew.”
Kappa alumnae in Waco worked tirelessly to assure the success of this venture—bringing flowers, hammers and smiles every day. Kappas from Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas, Richardson and other areas came to help during the Initiation ceremonies. Beta Xi—Texas, served as the sister chapter for Epsilon Upsilon.
Among the initiated were many relatives—mothers and daughters, younger sisters and older sisters and other relatives. In a club as old and strong as the Atheneans, it was fitting that the oldest initiate was honored—Cornelia Marschall Smith, born October 15, 1896. She entered Baylor in 1915, earned an AB, and then a MA from the University of Chicago, and her Ph.D. in 1928 from Johns Hopkins. She was a member of Mortar Board and other honoraries. Her husband was a professor of English at Baylor, and Cornelia was a professor emeritus of biology.
The 17 young women who chose to become charter members of Epsilon Upsilon Chapter were initiated in the first service. A large group of former Athenean presidents as well as many other Athenean alumnae were initiated in subsequent services.
The installation banquet was held in the Barfield Room of the Student Union Building. Peggy Hicks McGregor, Gamma Phi—SMU, served as toastmistress, and Virginia Dodson Crump, the associate dean of students, provided a warm welcome. Sara Stewart, Beta Xi President and Donise Wilson, Epsilon Upsilon President, spoke as well. An inspiring speech by former Fraternity President Louise Little Barbeck, Gamma Phi—SMU, was enjoyed by all.
The new chapter received many gifts and showed their appreciation by singing an original song, which seemed likely to become a Kappa favorite. Field Secretary Karen Hungerford, Mu—Butler, and Graduate Counselor Nancy Trimble, Delta Sigma—Oklahoma State, appeared every bit as excited as the newly initiated Kappas when the final banquet song ended and all realized that this big dream was a reality—the Atheneans were Kappas in the finest sense!
At the time of Epsilon Upsilon’s founding, Baylor University was owned and operated by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and had a student enrollment of 8,000 in its 240-acre Waco campus. The university was founded in 1845 and was chartered by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. One of Baylor’s first benefactors was Sam Houston.
==Highlights of the 1980’s==