Marian Klingbeil Williams
Marian Klingbeil Williams, Theta Chapter, University of Missouri (1936- )
Marian Klingbeil Williams also left a lasting legacy as Fraternity President (1984-1988) and remains an admired and respected leader in the Panhellenic world, becoming Chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) in 1999.
As an undergraduate in Theta Chapter, Marian served as Panhellenic Delegate and chapter President. The chapter members were indeed prescient to elect her to these two leadership positions, which she held once again on a national level, bringing honor to both.
Among the accomplishments of her four years as President, the first Long-range Planning Committee was formed; a Development Committee was created to raise funds to increase the endowment of the Fraternity’s philanthropic funds; and scholarship amounts were increased for the graduate fellowships.
Many years had elapsed since the Catalogue (membership directory) was last printed. It was Marian’s idea to have printed again an all-member Directory for the Fraternity. A cruise program (the precursor to Kappa Travels) was inaugurated, and The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Vol. III (1976-1985), was published.
During her administration, too, the chapter finance program was put on computer to aid chapter Treasurers in their responsibilities; official recognition of 65-year Kappas was given with a special pin; the Kappa banner was adopted through the Fraternity Bylaws and the Fraternity’s first Mission Statement was written and remains in tact today. J. Dale Brubeck, ΓΚ, William & Mary, was hired in 1987 to serve as the fifth Executive Director (formerly known as Executive Secretary).
First elected to Council in 1972, Marian served as Director of Personnel (Standards) (1972-1976), Director of Field Representatives (1976-1978), Director of Membership (1978-1980) and Director of Chapters (1980-1984). A resident of Albuquerque, N.M., Marian served as Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Albuquerque Alumnae Association. She and her husband Chuck have two sons, a Kappa daughter, a Kappa daughter-in-law, and two Kappa granddaughters. Her beloved six grandchildren know Marian as “Mimi.” Marian also has served as Eta Province Director of Alumnae, Chairman of Chapter Public Relations, and Chairman of Extension. She has participated in 14 colonizations and installations and was Kappa’s NPC Delegate from 1991-2001. In October 1999, Marian assumed the chairmanship of the National Panhellenic Conference for a two-year term.
In 2004, Marian was the first Kappa to receive the coveted Varner Award from the College Fraternity Editors Association, granted for extraordinary service to the Greek-letter system, achieving peer respect, and inspiring others. Keeping alive her adventurous spirit, Marian was a participant in the Leadership Academy as well as a keynote speaker, and served on the event staff for five years.
A nationally-rated official in field hockey and basketball, Marian is an avid sports fan and tennis player who has taught health, physical education and safety at elementary through college levels.
She has also served her community in numerous ways, including service to the Chaparral Girl Scout Council Board of Directors, the Albuquerque Emergency Medical Services Board, the Junior League of Albuquerque, the Albuquerque 2000 Goals Committee and the Albuquerque Environmental Concerns Committee, the latter of which is a natural outgrowth of her love for hiking and the outdoors.
Among Marian’s attributes are a positive attitude and a “can-do” spirit, encouraging all members to be “Kappa Proud,” her theme for the 1988 Convention.
