Changes
→Highlights of 2014
Gamma Theta holds chapter meetings in the dining room of our chapter house. The women of Gamma Theta reside in the Millie Y. and Frank P. Mattes House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1910, this building was originally a farm house, and was converted to a sorority house in 1959, when it was purchased by the Gamma Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Since its purchase, the house has undergone two expansions to accommodate for the growing chapter. Our house has 19 sleeping rooms and can hold 50 women, and has been the home of Kappa Kappa Gamma women since its purchase.
==Highlights of 2015==
2015 was a positive year for the Gamma Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Through academic
and philanthropic success, as well as active involvement on campus and within Kappa, 2015 proved
to be an influential year for Gamma Theta.
It is important, as a chapter, to place an emphasis on recruiting women to uphold the ideals of
Kappa Kappa Gamma. In 2015, Gamma Theta initiated 2 women following informal recruitment,
and 28 women following formal recruitment. The new actives have proven to be actively involved
within the chapter and on campus. We are excited to see where these women will take Gamma
Theta throughout the upcoming years.
In 2015, Gamma Theta worked hard to create a successful philanthropy week for our local
philanthropy, Children’s Cancer Connection, and for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. As a
result, our chapter was able to raise $5,500. This year, our philanthropy week included new
additions and some traditions. In addition to Kappa Klassic, our fundraising golf tournament
where 120 golfers participated, Gamma Theta sold 300 t-shirts, held a mini putt-putt competition,
and arranged a Graham’s Gift bracelet making event where chapters of Drake’s Greek life
community produced 2,000 bracelets to be donated and sold for childhood cancer research.
Graham’s Gift is a non-profit organization founded by the brother of one of our members. Although
Graham’s Gift is not our traditional philanthropy, we find that the mission of the organization is
relevant to our mission of supporting childhood cancer research, and in addition, is supporting one
of our sisters and her family.
Gamma Theta is proud to have our passion for philanthropy expand beyond our philanthropy
week. In addition to Kappa Klassic, we had sisters create a Love Your Melon campus crew and
MEDLIFE chapter at Drake University in 2015. We are proud to have these organizations led by
Gamma Theta women, and to have them actively advocating for our philanthropy and the overall
healthcare of individuals outside of our chapter and in the Des Moines community. Also, our
chapter continues to work with Little Ladies Leading, an event founded by one of our members,
where women of our chapter focus on empowering elementary aged girls in the Des Moines
community. Gamma Theta was proud to win the Outstanding Community Service Award in 2015 at
the Drake Greek Gala as a result of our active involvement.
Scholarship continues to be a focus for Gamma Theta. We are proud of the improvements that we
have made regarding our academics, but continue to strive for excellence. In 2015, the academic
committee was proactive in creating a positive learning environment for Gamma Theta. They
implemented a Scholarly Sister of the Week, weekly Nerd Herds, Owl Pals (academic mentors for
new members), and continuous support for all members, regardless of GPA or personal situation.
As a result, 22% of our chapter held 4.0s in the Spring of 2015. We also had 10 women study abroad
throughout the calendar year, and 2 women receive their white coats as they were inducted into the
Drake University pharmacy program.
To support a high morale within the chapter, Chapter Council implemented a positive incentive
program called Kappa Kash. Women in the chapter received Kappa currency throughout each
semester for exhibiting behaviors that go above and beyond what is expected of them. For
example, women received Kappa Kash for attending intramural events, supporting sisters at
presentations and concerts, getting exemplary grades, and holding leadership positions in campus
organizations. At the close of each semester, Gamma Theta holds an auction, where Kappa gear
and gift cards are auctioned off. So far, Gamma Theta is proud of how well the program is being
received, and is excited to see how it will develop over the coming years.
Although Gamma Theta is always proud of our members’ involvement within Kappa, 2015 proved
to be a year of leadership for Gamma Theta members throughout the Drake community. We had 2
members hold positions on the Panhellenic Council for the 2015 year, and 1 member inducted in as
president for the upcoming year. We also had 6 recruitment counselors during formal recruitment
in the Fall of 2015. Some additional examples of our involvement outside of Kappa include, but are
not limited to: Drake Dance Team Captain, Mortar Board President, members of Order of Omega,
founder of TedxDU, resident hall president and executive council members, journalists for campus
publications, Greek FOCUS executive council members, and professional fraternity members in
executive council positions. Gamma Theta members continue to seek involvement throughout the
Drake community, strive for academic excellence, and of course, pursue the ideals of Kappa Kappa
Gamma.
Campus: Drake University is a small, private university that has ample opportunities for students to
get involved on and around campus. It is typically known as a liberal arts school. Recently, the
campus as a whole has become actively aware of global and domestic issues that face our
generation. With the presidential election coming up in the next year, Drake University was proud
to hold a nationally televised Democratic Presidential debate.
Chapter: Gamma Theta is a well-rounded group of individuals that come together as young women
who excel in many areas (academically, athletically, socially), and hold leadership positions both
on campus and within the chapter.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in
your community?
Gamma Theta’s local philanthropy is Children’s Cancer Connection. We support this organization and its cause in various ways. In addition to raising funds for Children’s Cancer Connection through our main philanthropy event, Kappa Klassic (a golf tournament), Gamma Theta provides fundraising opportunities for the Drake University community throughout the week of our philanthropy.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
Cancer is a disease that has impacted everyone in one way or another. It is our goal, at Gamma Theta, to bring light to this issue and support the many children who are battling for their life every single day. Children’s Cancer Connection provides hope for children and their families, and as Kappa Kappa Gamma women, we
want to make sure that that hope is in ample supply.
==Highlights of 2020s:==
