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Gamma Phi

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{{Infobox Fraternity

|Name= Gamma PiPhi|GreekSymbol= ΓΠΓΦ|Image= [[File:Gamma_PiGamma_Phi.jpg|200px]]|Founded= {{start date and years ago|19271929|0605|0217}}|College= [http://www.uasmu.edu/ Southern Methodist University of Alabama]|Location= TuscaloosaDallas, ALTX|Homepage= [http://kkgalabamawww.smukappa.com/ Gamma Pi Phi Homepage]|Media= [http://wiki.kappakappagamma.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Pi Gamma_Phi Media related to Gamma Pi Phi Chapter]}}----

'''Southern Methodist University established in 1911, Dallas, Texas'''

'''University of Alabama established in 1831, Tuscaloosa, Alabama'''

'''Founded May 17, 1929'''

'''Gamma Pi founded June 2, 1927 - 14 charter members'''

'''3,369 initiates (as of June 2018)'''

'''3,562 initiates (as of June 2017'''--------

------------------'''Charter Members: '''

'''Charter Members:'''Margaret Cora AllmanJanet Andrews, Alberta Inge AustinAllie Angell, Mildred Gaston BealeNancy Ann Baker, Julia Bernice Ballard, Dorothy Ellen CurtisWill Anne Ballard, Alexina Anderson DemouyJane Etheridge, Ruth Judson ElliottMartha Virginia Harrell, Alice Adeline GardinerVirginia Haynie, Katie Nell HolmesMildred Rancamp Iford, Ninette HuffmanJoel Estes Lichte, Margartia Lopez-TrellesArlane Parker, Estella Keith MastersJulia DeRoosette Presnall, Edna Lee McDonaldLo Rene Taliaferro, Mary George Smith RobinsonLouise Alice Williams, Susye Katherine WilkinsAlice Dolling Wrather.

'''Fraternity Officers:'''

Jennie Miller Helderman, Vice President, 1988-1990, Director of Chapters, 1990-1992; Cynthia McMillan Lanford, Director of Membership, 1984-1988, Editor of The Key; 1988-1993’ Miriam Austin Locke, National Panhellenic Conference Delegate, 1951-1954, '''Fraternity Fellowship Chairman, 1954-1956, 1974-1985; Constance Schmid (Torre-Tasso), Field Secretary 1957-1959; Carolyn Carlisle (Phelan), Field Secretary 1966-1968; Margaret Hayes (Burnstad), Field Secretary 1972-1974; Leah Yelverton (Simpson), Field Secretary 1980-1982; Rev. Deanie Walburn (Strength), Traveling Consultant 1993-1994Council Officers:'''

'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''

'''Fraternity Loyalty Award:'''

Miriam Austin Locke, 1974

'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''

Ginnie Johansen Johnson, 1986; Entrepreneur; artist

Jeanne Linder Phillips, 2006; Statesman/political ambassador

Elizabeth Hemphill Wilson, 1994; artist, needlepoint expert

'''Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''

Jennie Miller Helderman, 2012, author of the award winning book, a true story, As the Sycamore Grows'''Additional Outstanding Gamma Phi Alumnae:'''

==The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)==

Gamma Phi Chapter began October 15, 1928, on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, when a group of three colonizers and 24 pledges became the local group, Gamma Kappa. The Dallas Alumnae Association was firmly behind the colony, and a number of its members assumed advisory board responsibilities.

'''Additional Outstanding Gamma Pi Alumnae:'''Kappa Grand President Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones, Eta-Wisconsin, visited in January, 1929, and gave her approval. On April 15, word came from Clara O. Pierce, Beta Nu- Ohio State, "Charter granted, SMU. Congratulations."

Annie Ragsdale (Parker)Gamma Phi was installed May 17, Graduate Counselor 1947-1949; Constance Schmid (Torre-Tasso)1929, by Clara Pierce, Graduate Counselor 1955Beta Nu-1957; Angelyn Sanders (Chandler)Ohio State, Graduate Counselor 1958-1958; Carolyn Hines (Mikell)assisted by Beta Xi, Graduate Counselor 1979-1981; Lorrie Favret (Anderson)University of Texas, Graduate Counselor 1988-1989and the Dallas alumnae.

Southern Methodist University, which was opened to students in September, 1915, had been established by charter in April, 1911, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

-----------------------------At the time of the installation of the Kappa chapter there were 1,371 men students, 1,121 women students, and 152 faculty members. Thirteen fraternities had already been installed. The 11 buildings of 1929 had become 80 by 1973, and there were 8,000 students and 500 faculty.

==The Early Years (from The History first 33 years of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870-1976)==Phi were notable for student activities, honoraries, "overwhelmingly successful parties," and sweethearts and queens.

On June 2Ruth Pollock (McCloud) was Southern Methodist University Sweetheart at the 1933 Texas Roundup, 1927and the chapter won athletic trophies in basketball, Gamma Pi chapter was installed at baseball, and swimming and diving. In 1937 Florence Allen (Roseborough) collaborated on the script for the Southern Methodist University Pontiac Varsity Show coast-to-coast broadcast. Anna Ruth Baker (McCall) was named one of Alabama with a charter membership of 14 the five "most exotic girls on campus" in an all-school election in 1939, and 11 returned alumnae initiated on June 3the chapter float in the Homecoming Parade was named "most beautiful. Installing officers were Georgia Hayden Lloyd" Peggy Wallace (Reinke) received an "M" Award during the 1940-41 school year for being the co-Jonesfounder of COGS, Wisconsin(College Organization for General Service), Grand President; Virginia Rodefer Harris, Indiana, Vice President; a group that claimed more significance and Minnie Royce Walker, DePauw, president’s deputyinterest than any other on campus. Beta Omicrons was the installing The chaptersponsored informal parties for cadets at Hensley Field in Dallas, and alumnae and actives from other chapters assistedin keeping with wartime activities.

A firmly organized localDuring the decade of the 1940s, every outstanding organization at Southern Methodist seemed to have been headed by Kappas: Kirkos; COGS; YWCA; Zeta Phi Eta; the Rotunda (yearbook); and officers of the Freshman, Pi Alpha hadSophomore, from its inception in June 1922Junior, the goal of Kappa affiliationand Senior Classes. A lone faculty wifeJo Neal (Cleaver), Aline Pelphrey Christian, Oklahomachapter president and Mortar Board member, was chosen a wise guideRotunda beauty by Cecil B. With her help the Pi Alphas gained the interest of other Alabama KappasDeMille. By 1926, this outstanding local, which had held the Panhellenic Scholarship Cap for three years, Eleanor Maclay was allowed to petition formally. Among one of the first initiates seven original members of the Southern Methodist chapter were eight members of Phi Beta Kappa, and for 15 uninterrupted years, the Panhellenic Cup was a chapter achievement.

Sponsoring Gamma Phi was second highest on the petition was Esther C. Freeman (Masters), Indiana. Her future mother-campus in scholarship in1950-law51, Estella Keith Masters, a law faculty wife, had become an active member of but the most important event was the petitioning group and had interested Esther in Pi Alpha. Estella Masters became groundbreaking for a charter member of Gamma Pi, and later served as Finance Adviser and as chapter house building chairman for more than two decades. Other faculty wives gradually arrived on the campus Sororities had at last been given permission to erect houses, and formed all eleven built simultaneously in the nucleus of the Advisory Boarduniversity's Georgian-style architecture. Jessie McCulloch Kaufman, PennsylvaniaIn December, gave particular interest and inspiration. There were no Kappas among the townspeople at this periodchapter was spotlighted in The Key.

The capable and helpful Hazel Scott Mauck, Indiana, year 1951-52 was the first House Director, in a quaintthe new house, temporary rented house on Caplewood Terrace. It had a precipitous stairway and a sloping attic ceiling, which collapsed during the midnight solemnities of one Initiationchapter achieved first in scholarship. Its basement rooms, knows as “The Cavity” were accessible to both animal and human prowlers. These hazards must have influences The following year Gamma Phi was the visiting young Executive Secretaryinstalling chapter of Delta Psi, Clara O. PierceTexas Tech University, The Ohio State Universityat Lubbock, who decided that and in 1954-55 members fostered the chapter must have formation of Epsilon Alpha at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Members of Kappa and Sigma Alpha Epsilon were featured in a house color picture on the fraternity-sorority title page of its ownthe yearbook. Later she admitted that she had been over-bold to launch a penniless In 1958, the chapter on a staggering building projectwon the Charlotte Barrell Ware Standard Cup at convention, and again was first in scholarship.

A handsome white Colonial house was built with $18,000 The years between 1962 and 1973 saw a re-examination of borrowed moneyGreek life, and was semi-ready for fall the future of 1929the system looked rather grim. Some features had been economized onHowever, Gamma Phi members continue to achieve high scholarship, show interest in campus life and the President remarked that community, and concern for each other. The chapter won the columns needed fattening up on a cream dietStandards Award again in 1970.

“Rushees” that fall were entertained in tea rooms, but by Founders Day, Gamma Phi has enjoyed a formal dedication and a reception were heldvery friendly relationship with Dallas alumnae, followed by a tea dance during which who have always generously supported the new floors were so marred that they required refinishing. At first, 20 members were accommodated; two more rooms were completed in 1937; and a new active chapter room installed in 1941. Gamma Pi was first on campus to provide meals for all new members and others unable to live in, with time and this continuing practice helped build chapter unitymoney.

Mildred Gaston BealeWell-known Gamma Phi alumnae include: charter member Joel Estes Lichte Tate, wife of the chancellor of Southern Methodist University; Louise Little Barbeck, Kappa Fraternity president 1968-72; Gail Griffin Thomas, dean of Pi Alpha as a sophomore, was the remarkable first chapter President University of Gamma Pi, Dallas; and continued to hold office for four yearsMary Ellen Mitchell Jericho, through her graduate voted the outstanding Kappa in the area at the Fraternity's Centennial year. To her strong leadership, perception and charm, Gamma Pi owes much of its early and continuing strengthFounders Day banquet in Dallas.

More than 60 members of Phi Beta Kappa and an even larger number ==Highlights of Mortar Board members attest to the chapter’s reputation for leadership and scholarship. During 1933-34, five of nine presidents of campus leadership organizations, and the Honorary Cadet Colonel, were members of Gamma Pi.1970s==Very early, the chapter began to receive recognition at General Conventions: Fraternity Scholarship Award, 1934; first recipient of the Minnie Royce Walker Scholarship Award, 1936 and again in 1944; two-time recipient of the Clara O. Pierce Gracious Living Award; Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones Scholarship Improvement Award, 1958; Charlotte Barrell Ware Standards Award, 1968; and the Fraternity Appreciation Award, 1970. In 1937, one of the six newly established undergraduate scholarship came to Phebe Bibb (Thomas), and since then If you wore a number of members have held scholarship and fellowship awards. Gamma Pi was installing chapter for Delta Upsilon, Epsilon Eta and Epsilon Nu. It has assisted at Installation and Recruitment at Delta Rho and Epsilon Zeta. Annie Laurie Ragsdale (Parker) went to Georgia as a Graduate Counselor and helped establish the chapter there, serving as first President. Mary Constance Schmid (Cobb), Graduate Counselor and Field Secretary, established the nucleus for Epsilon Epsilon at Emory, and Angelyn Sanders (Chandler), also a Graduate Counselor and Field Secretary, joined her the following year. Other Gamma Pi Field Secretaries have been Carolyn Carlisle Phelan and Margaret Hays, former chapter President and daughter of polo shirt with a chapter President. (Her two sisters were also Gamma Pis.) Gamma Pi entertained floppy bow tie at the Province Meeting of 1931, 1941, 1945 and 1947 … The House Corporation was set up during a visit from Rheva Ott Shryock, Pennsylvania, Grand President, neck in 1937. The Tuscaloosa Alumnae Club (now association) was formally chartered during the 1941 Province Meeting. Gamma Pi members have been active officers in alumnae associations from Philadelphia to Dallas and from Pasadena to Miami. Gamma Pi has maintained a strong Panhellenic spirit, lending its house to other groups for such occasions as installations and recruitment parties. For many yearslate 70s, then you know all campus new members were entertained at an annual Halloween partyabout belties. Starting in 1929Did you know, Christmas parties for underprivileged children were held. Laterthough, patients from a local institution for disabled or troubled youth were entertained in a cooperative fraternity venture. The Gamma Pi pre-Christmas faculty reception was for many years one of the most heralded social events of the city. In later years, the chapter entertained alumnae and their children at a holiday party. Advisers enjoy many chapter courtesies. This has preserved and developed active-alumna relationships. For many years, parents have come from afar for that the famous Parents Weekend, scheduled often to coincide with a special sport event or following Sigma Chi Derby.  '''World War II Years''' During World War II, there word belties was the USO entertaining and the visiting of wounded servicemen—there were nurse’s aide courses, blood drives, and house dances for service personnel enrolled on the campus. In 1945, Gamma Pi won a war bond drive by selling $23,000 of the $60,000 in bonds sold first coined by the entire student body. During this same period, scholarship was above a B average, brining commendation Kappa from officials of SMU? When not setting the university and Fraternity.  '''Housing Changes''' As the university expanded and the enrollment of women increased, the houses became inadequate and an impressive building program emerged in the 1950s. After long planning, saving and efforttone for fashion, Kappas at Gamma Pi moved into a new, red brick Colonial style house during the icy January of 1963. Delays, disappointments and unexpected expenses had tried the wits and patience of the Housing Committee. Only Fraternity encouragement and the visits of the Kappa official architects, Herbert and Frances Sutton Schmitz, Michigan, enabled the local committee Phi listened to realize its plans.The chapter had moved out of the old house the morning after fall pledging in 1961Billie Joel, Hall and for a year and a halfOats, 20 members occupied a rented university-owned house with inadequate facilities, peeling wallpaper and leaky pipes. The entire chapter trudged a long distance to take meals together under conditions defying all rules for “gracious living.” Meals were served buffet style and trays were carried to empty spots. Recruitment in Alabama’s September heat in the Presbyterian Center next door did not daunt the good spirits or the ingenuity of the chapter, and the Recruitment season was unexpectedly successful—two pledges above the quota because of a Panhellenic computer error. Never were there such enthusiasm and such cooperation as in the Recruitment of 1962. Hiring a bus to carry the “rushees” was later imitated by other groups. Never were there happier girls than those who returned after Christmas to a beautiful new house—and never was there a wearier Housing Committee. Formal dedication was October 15, 1963, with Clara O. Pierce, Ohio State, Catherine Kelder Walz, MichiganGrateful Dead, and Frances Schmitz, Michigan, presentBonnie Raitt. In the fall of 1973, the last payment was made They cheered on the loanfootball team, and Gamma Pi burned the mortgage while receiving commendation from university officials for being the first group to remove indebtedness on a new house. 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 Archivesfuelling Mustang Mania, 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:== A major event of fall 1973 which was the Cancer Run-a-thon with Kappa Alpha Fraternity in competition with Epsilon Eta Kappas and Delta Chi Fraternity just emerging at Auburn. Together, the group raised more than $25time,000. Gamma Pi’s Miriam Austin Locke (affectionately known by many as “Doc Locke”) became well known as a Kappa leader and role model. Besides being Mu Province president from 1940-43, she served as National Panhellenic Alternate Delegate, 1947-51; National Panhellenic Delegate, 1951-54; Fraternity Fellowships Chairman, 1954-1985; Loyalty Award recipient, 1974 and in 1965, a faculty reception was given in her honor and a large silver tray was presented to her. It was announced at Convention in 1968 that a $500 graduate fellowship while SMU also excelled in her name would be given by Gamma Pi members from all over Alabama. Then at the Centennial Founders Day celebration at Gamma Pi, the chapter unveiled a life-size head-swimming and-shoulder portrait of her to hang in the chapter living room. She had been chairman of the building committee for the chapter house that was occupied in 1963tennis. Golden anniversary in 1977 …

Positivity was a chapter focus during this time. Chapter members significantly improved their grades and worked on developing positive attitudes. Officers stressed open communication, even picking rooms that gave the President and Vice Presidents the most visibility for the rest of the members. Chapter meetings were streamlined, and the chapter developed a stronger Panhellenic spirit. And of course, the chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary on SMU campus.

Kappas were also prominent leaders on campus. One member started a fundraising campaign to restore a historical SMU fountain that now features in all the school’s brochures, and among the Kappas were Homecoming Queen first runner-up, cheerleaders, Miss New Mexico, Miss Dallas, three yearbook beauties and a National Alumni Scholarship Winner.

==Highlights of the 1980s==

The Gamma Pi chapter remained one of In many ways, the largest on campus. In 1985 1980s were the pledging best of 47 women brought times and the chapter total to 142 Gamma Pi membersworst of times for SMU. A huge success was the rising The university’s football team marked its most successful era from 15th position scholastically in 1984 1980 to number two in 1985, posting a 55-14-1 record and winning three SWC titles. This resulted Kappas—preppy to the core in a letter brown Topsiders, French braids or big hair and the obligatory strand of congratulations from a faculty member pearls—were among the sellout crowds cheering on the team at Texas Stadium, which was published in the Crimson White newspaper.  Changes were afoot in concerns for the environment and awareness former home of the dangers of alcohol abuse and underage drinkingDallas Cowboys. This led to challenges Football, however, was cancelled for the chapter two seasons in adjusting to these concerns.Gamma Pi took pride in leading other Greeks with such changes as the new drinking policies 1986 and in looking out 1987 for one another. They also set a successful goal of unifying the chapter through fraternity education NCAA violations, and Kappa fun facts including extensive reviews of Kappa history. The pledges also participated by having weekly pledge tests. On campus Kappas were involved in student government organizations, honor societies and various other leadership positionsturned to intramural leagues for the sports fix. 

'''Convention Awards:'''In 1987, the chapter won intramural soccer and tennis championships, while powder puff football games with other sororities raised money for various philanthropic causes. Gamma Phi members also hosted canned food drives, supported a halfway house for non-violent juvenile offenders in Dallas, helped children improve their reading skills in an inner city housing project, and raised money for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dallas.

Housing: Gamma Pi’s were proud Other notable events included chapter dinners at Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dallas, celebrating the 115th birthday of Kappa with Director of Chapters and future Fraternity President J. J. Wales, and hosting an inter-greek reception for the changes to their house: lovely new furniture for the den and living roomuniversity president, renovating the basement to make the study atmosphere more pleasantDr. Thirteen houseboys helped serve at dinner and ate with the membersA.   '''Philanthropy:'''  Gamma Pi noted an increase Kenneth Pye, in participation in philanthropy projects1987. A traditional event It was the annual Balloon Derby also during Homecoming in October. In 1985 $5,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society. However, wildlife concerns were coming to the forefront at this time and that the balloons were a problem so Gamma Pi looked for another fund raiser. Other philanthropies included trick-or-treating and bowling with chapter began to follow the single-parent underprivileged children Celebration of Tuscaloosa, a Christmas party Lights ceremony on campus with the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity for underprivileged childrenhot chocolate, working at the “Hands On” Museumcookies, participating in the campus-wide blood drive a roaring fire and helping with a tennis marathon for Tuscaloosa’s Soup Kitchen. The members were especially proud of Nat King Cole at the pledges as they helped a needy family at Christmas time by collecting clothes, food and other necessitieschapter house.

The chapter continued to focus on academic excellence, holding a how to study seminar, and recognizing excellent grades with a weekly smart cookie award. Chapter meetings emphasized heritage and ritual, and members were encouraged to hang out at the house through monthly cookouts and holiday celebrations like Secret Santa gift exchanges.

Kappas regularly featured the Dallas Morning News for participating in the Idlewild Ball, Tyler Rose Festival and other prominent Texan debutant balls. And the Kappa Pickers, the chapter’s musical performance group, began to gain local prominence.

==Highlights of the 1990s==

During the nineties, Gamma Pi Phi’s Kappa Pickers reached national prominence when they sang on CBS This Morning in Washington in 1991. They continued their tradition of outstanding Recruitment by consistently welcoming pledge classes of approximately 40 women. New members came from Californiato perform throughout the 1990s, Texasdelighting audiences at parents’ weekend, Virginia Founders Day and obviously, many from the hometown of Tuscaloosaother Kappa and campus events. The chapter was very dedicated to philanthropy in these years. In the mid-1990’s, Panhellenic incorporated new Bid Day policies that required the new At least 10 to 20 members went to Traymore Nursing Home once a month to do activities visit with their residents, and in later years, the chapter until midnight of Bid Daywould visit with patients at Medical City Hospital’s transitional care unit. This turned Gamma Phi also helped out to be a wonderful experience shelter for runaway children, tutored students at an elementary school, sponsored blood drives, raised money for everyone as it allowed the new members muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. Other highlights included hosting a blood platelet drive to bond benefit Carter Blood Care for a Kappa Alpha Fraternity member who was diagnosed with their pledge class cancer, sponsoring a Canadian Kappa alum through the Rose McGill Fund, and get to know other members of their Gamma Pi chapterlaunching the very popular Carve for the Cure on Halloween.

Gamma SMU Kappas partnered with Pi members were active Kappa Alpha Fraternity on campus the annual Easter Egg hunt for children of university faculty and always participated stuff, stuffing over 1,100 plastic eggs in Homecoming 1995. Regular events included the Kappa Kountry Formal, Founders Day at the Dallas Country Club, and many other campus activitiesparents’ weekend with Sunday brunch. In 1996 they took third in Special highlights included the Homecoming house decoration event chapter retreat at Camp John Mark and a group of actives took second place in the Road and River Racevisit to a ropes course to promote chapter unity.

Kappa exemplified its traditional of leadership on SMU campus in the 1990s. Gamma Pi members were strong academically Phi hosted the first date rape seminar at SMU in 1991, and followed up with seminars on eating disorders and continually had one campus violence. In 1990, a Kappa chaired SMU’s Celebration of Lights, and in 1991 Kappas chaired Homecoming and won Homecoming Queen, which Kappas featuring in the highest All-Sorority GHomecoming throughout the decade.P.AMany chapter members attended Convention in 1990 when it was hosted in Dallas. The chapter received several honorable mentions for awards, and would go on campusto win the Fraternity’s Finance Award in 1996.

A consistent challenge during the 1990’s was participation. This was generally part ==Highlights of the chapter’s goal for the year. The officers came up with creative ideas each year to encourage members to participate and find the perfect balance of social, campus involvement and scholarship.2000s==

The women of Gamma Phi chapter in the 2000s were intelligent and motivated to do their best in every aspect of their lives. Very involved on campus, the chapter enthusiastically supports it members, whether they are running for Homecoming Queen, launching a new philanthropy or playing on a sports team.

'''Convention Awards:'''The chapter was supported by very active alumnae. They helped count votes for rush, plan the initiation brunch, decorate the house for the holidays, sell Kappa bracelets, and host alumnae events at the house. Their help and guidance was appreciated by chapter members, and inspired SMU’s Kappas to grow and continue their involvement in Kappa.

1996 – Honorable Mention One of the alumnae’s major projects was building a new chapter house, which the chapter moved into in 2006. This amazing new house, has been a home away from home for Gracious Livingmany members.

Major events included Theta Province meeting in Dallas in 2005, when the chapter hosted a southern barbeque for the all the actives and alumnae that were in town. There was the annual Celebration of Lights, and another Homecoming Queen from Kappa in 2009.

Philanthropy continued to be a major driver of events, with the chapter raising funds for Camp John Mark, Habitat for Humanity, Dallas Parkland Hopsital, Relay for Life, the Dallas humane shelter, and Dollars for Darfur. In 2006, the chapter published the Kappa Kookbook, which feature recipes from the SMU chapter, and raised money for the Rose McGill Fund.

'''Housing:'''==Highlights of 2010==

2010 was a fun and exciting year for the Gamma Phi chapter! We started the year off with a great recruitment week. During philanthropy day of recruitment, we shared a video about our chapter’s involvement in the Ugandan American Partnership Organization, a non-profit organization that aides struggling women and children in Uganda. The UAPO was founded by one of our own Kappa sisters and is very dear to each of our hearts. We strung necklaces with beads handmade by Ugandan widows, and new members sold the necklaces in the spring in order to send profits back to the widows.

Dad’s Weekend was in the spring, and father-daughter pairs competed in the Kappa Klassic golf tournament. We got to spend quality time with our dads, and we were able to raise over $14,000 to help finish the UAPO’s construction of a new Vocational Center in a Ugandan village and provide medical supplies, school supplies and clean water to orphanages built by the UAPO. Over the summer, twelve of our sisters shared a life-changing experience on their visit to Uganda.

'''Philanthropy:'''Other highlights of the year included Kickin’ It With Kappa and Kappacino Kafe, philanthropic events we hosted in the fall. Kappas danced the night away at our Victory, Monmouth, and Kite&Key formals, and we had fun dressing up for our “Jarty” and Woodstock themed date dashes! Trendy Kappas could be spotted about Dallas in over-the-knee boots, furry vests, sequin embellished dresses, stacks of bracelets and sky-high pumps!

In the early 1990’s Gamma Pi created Phi is a Kappa Cookbook to sell. Proceeds from the cookbook were donated to the American Cancer Society. Gamma Pi’s also volunteered their time at organizations such as the Soup Bowl and Big Oak Boys large and Girls Club. In 1996 they participated in a Walk-a-thon and the proceeds raised supported Child Abuse Prevention Service.   ==Highlights of 2000-2010== During 2003-2004 the diverse chapter enjoyed participating in sisterhood events as well as activities on campus. Homecoming was a main event on campus Each individual brings new and Gamma Pi was proud as a peacock when their chapter president was elected Homecoming Queen. New members were involved with exciting ideas to the paradetable, dance competition, and quad games. The chapter was but we also involved with Greek Week and the annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive.  Maintaining high academic achievement became work well together as a challenge for Gamma Pi team to accomplish goals during this decade. Historically, the chapter prided itself on maintaining one of the highest All-Sorority GPAs. In the 2003-2004 school year the new members met the academic challenge, ranking third highest out of fifteen sororities in grades.  Many Gamma Pi members were affected by Hurricane Katrina Girls in 2004 since our chapter care about their homes were in New Orleansschoolwork, Mobilecare about the community, and Mississippi. Many members came together with are involved in other sororitiesorganizations at SMU, fraternitieshold exciting jobs or internships, and the Student Government Association to volunteer their time above all, are Kappa krazy! We have girls who study corporate communications and supplies to hurricane evacuees located at the University of Alabama Recreation Center. In 2007 presidentpublic affairs, accounting, English, Frankie Mohylskyart history, was voted as the best sorority president.  Gamma Pi celebrated its 80th birthday in February 2008. Active and alumna even chemistry! Many of our sisters are members enjoyed of the festivities. The chapter initiated in memoriam two new membersUnion, Virginia and BeccaStudent Foundation, who were tragically killed in a car accident in the beginning of the 2008 school year. It was an emotionally hard time for the chapterStudent Senate, but by honoring their memoriesHonor Council, it helped unify and the entire chapter.  '''Convention Awards:'''   '''Housing:''' Gamma Pi was one of the largest sororities on campus with more than 200 members during this decadeUniversity Honors Program.

==Highlights of 2011==

Our chapter is large and diverse, with girls from all over the United States and abroad. The 2011 pledge class even has girls from Bali, London, and Panama. This mix of diverse individuals enhances our chapter, as each member brings unique and exciting ideas to the table. We all work well together in order to accomplish goals throughout the year.

'''Philanthropy:'''Many of our sisters in the Gamma Phi chapter are active and involved a number of other activities and organizations, both on and off campus. Our sisters participate in on-campus organizations such as the Union, Student Foundation, Student Senate, Honor Council, and the University Honors Program. Off campus, many of our sisters hold interesting and impressive internships and jobs, and care about and engage in different community service opportunities. Our sisters academic interests are varied, as we have girls who study Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Accounting, History, and even Biology!

The chapter won a jean's sale in 2006 We had an exciting 2011. A fun and were awarded $500 towards its philanthropysuccessful recruitment week started the year off right. During parent's weekend in 2007philanthropy day of recruitment, we continued the tradition of showing a video about the Ugandan American Partnership Organization (UAPO), which was founded by one of our Kappa sisters from the Gamma Phi chapter held . We strung necklaces using the beads that Ugandan widows hand made, which the new members sold the following spring. The profits from the necklace sales were sent back to the widows to help them build a charity walk/runlife of their own. The proceeds from our "Kappas for a KureKappacino Kafe" raised more than $5,000 for cancer and in honor of a Gamma Pi member who passed away from cancerphilanthropy event also benefitted the UAPO.

This year we made an exciting change to one of our other major philanthropy events taking place in the fall, "Kickin' It With Kappa," an event benefitting Reading Is Fundamental: we hosted a frozen yogurt party outside on the boulevard on a beautiful afternoon in early September, to keep up with the recent trendiness and rising popularity of frozen yogurt shops in Dallas and nation-wide.

Other highlights of the year included our parties and social events. Kappas had a great time dancing the night away at our Victory, Monmouth, and Kite & Key formals. We also had a blast dressing up for our 90s and Hunt or Be Hunted themed date dashes. Gamma Phi Kappas were as chic and trendy as ever this year, often spotted about Dallas wearing stylish over the knee boots, fur vests, sequin embellished dresses, and wrap bracelets.

==Highlights We are proud of our chapter for many reasons this year. We were the recipients of the Risk Management Award at the Province meeting hosted in Fort Worth. In addition, we welcomed the chapter councils from Epsilon Alpha, Epsilon Upsilon, and Zeta Sigma, as we hosted the LEAD Seminar in the fall. We are also very proud and extremely excited this year because we won Homecoming! Our chapter united to support 2011==Homecoming activities, and it was a wonderful and rewarding feeling for the whole house when Grace Roberts won Homecoming Queen during halftime of the football game.

In a This year of discussion about global warmingwas extremely exciting at SMU, as construction on the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which broke ground in fall2010, blizzards continued and stormsmade considerable progress. Although construction is still a work in progress, April of 2011 found the Presidential Center already seems a tornado sitting down just five blocks from the Gamma Pi housestunning structure. The Presidential Center will open in 2013. Members were shaken by Also, this spring we celebrated the stormcentennial of SMU’s founding in 1911, had no electricity complete with fireworks and classes were cancelledcake on SMU’s boulevard. Fortunately none of the members was injured and the house This year was securean extremely fun time to be an SMU student.

With technology changing the world, Gamma Pi decided to change the way it supported Kappa’s national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental. In 2011 for the first time they decided to use frendo, the first-ever fee-free donation platform because it is the only online platform for donors, fundraisers and charities that eliminates all fees to charities.

Gamma Pi furthers the ideals of RIF by frequently visiting Mathews Elementary, an elementary school in Tuscaloosa. Gamma Pi Kappas participate in service activities at Matthews through tutoring, live reading, and in an after school mentoring program. They participated in school supplies and book drives for Mathews, and encourage other sororities and fraternities to do the same.

In 2011 Delta Kappa Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Gamma began the first annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Kick off for a Cure. Delta Kappa Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Gamma organize this event to raise money and awareness for JDRF in the Tuscaloosa community.

 

Kappa for a Kure is an annual fundraiser that raises money for the American Cancer Society. This philanthropy was created in honor of a member, Carleton Parnell. The event is held every spring during parent’s weekend.

 

Gamma Pi hosts a cookout each fall in honor of two members, Virginia Gray Bailey and Rebecca Bettis. This cookout raises money for a scholarship that goes to a member who exemplifies the outstanding qualities of Virginia Gray and Becca.

==Highlights of 2012==

'''Events:''' '''Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Day'''-January 2012: Each was a great year the outgoing and incoming for The Gamma Phi Chapter Council Officers and the advisory board host Leadership Day at . We kicked off the year by continuing a philanthropy tradition that was started by SMU Kappa house. This is a whole Saturday dedicated to the betterment of our chapter and development our council members. Leadership exercises During recruitment week on philanthropy day, goal settingwe played a video about UAPO, recap meetings, are a few of the many important agenda items each year. Each year our chapter invites a guest speaker to lead a discussion on ways to improve our chapter from an external point organization that was founded by one of view. This program has received recognition from the Fraternity nationally. Because of this events great success, our agenda and materials from our 2012 Leadership Day were sent out to Kappa chapters around the country for them to emulate the structuresisters.  April 2012: Our chapter celebrated the retirement of Gamma Pi alumnae Dr The video featured Kappa members volunteering and making a difference in Uganda. Kathleen Cramer from the University of Alabama Office of Student Affairs We hosted “Kappacino Kafe” as well as “Kickin’ it with Kappa. Dr” Both were successful events. Cramer served as president of Gamma Pi as a sophomore and has never ceased to support our chapter Kappa women also participated in all of its endeavorsSMU’s homecoming festivities. The students were always her first priority, especially members of Gamma Pi. It is week was a success because of her mentorship and guidance that our chapter is where it is today. She has helped remind hard work combined with our current chapter members of our rich legacy and guided us in a way that will help us continue that legacywonderful homecoming candidate, Anne McCaslin Parker. During her time at AlabamaSMU’s Celebration of Lights, Dr. Cramer served our campus in multiple facets Kappa members participated with SMU Student Foundation and won countless prestigious awardsadopted elementary students for the evening. Because of her selfless nature, she has This made a lasting impact on our chapter that will last the event very special for many years to come. We continue to look back at our chapter’s past outstanding achievements Kappa’s as well as we continue to build our chapter’s legacy on campusthe elementary students.

'''Philanthropy:'''

Nationally, Kappa Kappa Gamma’s philanthropy is Reading Is Fundamental. RIF works to build a literate nation by helping young people discover the joy of reading. Locally, Gamma Pi furthers the ideals of RIF by frequently visiting Mathews Elementary, an elementary school in Tuscaloosa. Gamma Pi Kappas participate in service activities at Matthews through tutoring, live reading, and in an after school-mentoring program. We participate in school supplies and book drives for Mathews, and encourage other sororities and fraternities to do the same. The past year and a half has been an exceptionally exciting one at the Kappa house and it started in the middle of the summer. After the April 27th 2011 tornado, we realized the abundance of helping opportunities at hand.'''Campus:'''

Since our national philanthropy SMU is Reading Is Fundamental, it seemed only appropriate to look first at the elementary schools located in the Tuscaloosa areacenter of Dallas. One It’s a great location because of these schoolsthe easy routes to downtown, Alberta City Elementaryuptown, was completely destroyed and other areas in the tornadoDallas. We felt that this was the perfect place to begin The campus is beautiful and is surrounded by green grass and tall trees. Alumni helped us coordinate SMU is a friendly campus with Jack Summersell, president of Educator’s Resource in Mobile, and so our adventure begansmall classes. Mr The professors make the learning experience great. Summersell helped us to gather They are available and spread the word that we were raising money willing to help Alberta Elementarymeet with students individually. In no time, $4,000 had been donated SMU offers an atmosphere that’s exciting and we were able to purchase a large amount of school supplies from Educator’s Resourcethriving. Some One of our other events include our annual cookout in honor of Becca Bettis and Virginia Gray Bailey; during this event money the 2012 highlights on campus is raised and donated toward a Kappa scholarship fund in honor the construction of the two former membersGeorge W. Kappa for a Kure occurs every year during parents weekend in which money is raised in support of the American Cancer Society, this event is also in memory of a former Kappa, Carlton ParnellBush Presidential Library.

'''Chapter:'''

'''Other Awards/Achievements:'''• 2012 Active Hallie Majure Phillips, Order We have a very diverse chapter consisting of Omega Most Outstanding Junior• 2012 Active Laura Ying, Vice President ladies from different parts of Order of Omega• 2012 Actives Natalie Coleman, Hallie Majure Phillips, Laura Ying, the world and Kara Galloway, Order of Omega Honor Society• 2012 Active Hallie Majure Phillips, Blue Key Honor Society President• 2012 Actives Hallie Majure Phillips from all over the U.S. The diversity allows Kappa’s to share different ideas and Ellie Friedman, Mortar Board Society • 2012 Actives Ellie Friedman and Hallie Majure Phillips, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society • 2012 Gamma Pi had 11 learn from each other. Our members of Homecoming Executive Board are involved in many different organizations and Committees• 2012 Actives Natalie Coleman groups at SMU and Hallie Majure Phillips, recipients outside of the Miriam Locke Scholarship• 2010- 2012 National Kappa Kappa Gamma Recruitment Award• 2012 Academic Improvement Award for Xi Province from the National Fraternity• 2012 Alumni Support Award for Xi Province from the National FraternitySMU.

We also had members on the Executive Council of Order of Omega and Blue Key Honor Society, as well as members of Mortar Board, the Alabama Panhellenic Association Executive Council, Omicron Delta Kappa, and many more prestigious organizations. '''Chapter Goals, Challenges, and how they were overcome:''' Our chapter faced some complications accommodating for our largest pledge in history but we were so thrilled to have so many new members who would contribute only the best to Gamma Pi; therefore, the officers on Chapter Council came together to help each other do whatever needed to be done to be sure that the needs of every member in the chapter was accounted for.  '''Changes on Campus:''' Our University and Greek community are expanding greatly and so is our chapter. With strong participation and attendance at chapter meetings and programs, our chapter is in need of more space to accommodate its growing number of women. Ritual and sacred ceremonies that take place in our chapter house are of the upmost importance to us. Keeping the sisterhood of Kappa Kappa Gamma alive through ceremonies that were conducted by our founding sisters 142 years ago is one of the most cherished traditions of our fraternity. New member classes are only going to get larger from here. It is very important that we have enough space to conduct our initiation ceremonies in the future when pledge classes are over one hundred women. We are so appreciative of the overwhelming amount of alumnae support that our chapter receives, especially for events such as recruitment and initiation. In recent years we have actually had to limit the amount of alumnae that can attend because our facility cannot currently hold everyone who would like to be in attendance. We are hoping to have renovation and expand our house by the year of 2014.  '''Overall Nature of the Gamma Pi Chapter:''' “Aspire to be.” That is the motto of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The Gamma Pi Chapter strives more and more every year to give back to our sisters and to our community. We aspire to grow in our friendships and leadership through our chapter programs and sisterhood activities. We aspire to make the community around us a better place through our philanthropic efforts. Below we highlight some of our annual programs and service projects.

Our greatest challenge this year was accountability. We do not fine members for not attending events. Therefore, it is hard to hold members accountable for attending events. To address this issue, we looked to motivation and a type of “punishment.” The punishment involves making some events mandatory and if members do not attend, they are sent to standards. Usually the punishment would entail not being allowed to attend the upcoming formal. The motivation and encouragement paid off and was a successful strategy.

==Highlights of 2013==

The year of 2013 proved to be another successful year for the Gamma Pi chapter. We have several members that hold leadership positions and are in honor societies on campus. Increased involvement of our members on campus is a goal for our future.

In January2013 was a great year full of memories, we hosted our annual Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Dayaccomplishments, a day where incoming and outgoing officers and advisers set goals sisterhood for The Gamma Phi Chapter. We kicked off the new year in January with a successful Recruitment Week. The four days of Open House, Philanthropy, Skit, Preference Morning and sought to make improvements where neededBid Night were hard work but will always be remembered as a bonding experience for our chapter. Our slogan for this year Philanthropy day was extremely special because our philanthropy, The Akola Project, is a non-profit organization that was “Let’s Get Rfounded by one of our very own SMU Kappas. We played a video that featured Kappa members volunteering and making a difference in Uganda.EBid Night was also a highlight to the start of the year 2013.AWe welcomed 54 excited new members.L!” Each letter in They had a retreat that night at the word “REAL” stands for something: “R” for recruitmentKappa house with Chapter Council members, “E” for effortwhich included playing games, “A” for academicseating good food, and “L” for leadership. At this meeting we planned to devote learning the most attention to these four areas for the upcoming yeartraditions and rules of Kappa.

In FebruaryThe next couple months continued with fun, we had eleven memorable events for the new members . Key Sis week was one of the best weeks of chapter council attend the Xi Province Meeting in Baton RougeSpring semester. The bigs had surprises for their littles every night, Louisianaand the last night was the Big Little Reveal. Our members The girls were very so excited to have finally be a part of a “Kappa family.” The next major event was Initiation. Inspiration Week was a time for our chapter to reflect on why we went Kappa and what Kappa means to each of us. Sisterhood and the opportunity traditions of Kappa were built stronger that week, and the new members got to be exposed to meet other Kappas from around the countrytrue meaning of being a sister. Initiation was followed by Mom’s Weekend festivities. Our chapter won two awards, one for academic improvement Mothers and daughters had a lovely brunch at the Dallas Country Club. The next day was an open house at the other Kappa house and an Akola Project trunk show for outstanding support from the Tuscaloosa alumnimothers to enjoy. The spring semester also consisted of Kappas going on spring break together and our fun social formals, Victory and Monmouth. Selected Chapter Council members attended Kappa Province in Lubbock, TX and were proud to come back with the award “Outstanding Performance in Risk Management.”

In August we The spring semester ended, and summer came around with lots of opportunities for our SMU Kappa members. Kappa sisters took summer school, studied abroad, and also worked very hard incredible internships all over the country. Fifteen SMU Kappas studied in Innsbruck, Austria for six weeks together traveling to pledge our largest pledge class yet with 117 incredible new members! different countries every weekend. Another group of five Kappas We had the best return rates we have ever had studied in Madrid, Spain. Other Kappas were sprinkled out over Europe studying in Italy, London, and were very pleased to add such an outstanding pledge classParis.

Throughout School started back in August, and all our Kappa members became extremely busy with academics, preparing for Recruitment, philanthropy events, and SMU football games and boulevards. Our first philanthropy event was “Kappacino Kafe” and was held on the yearlawn with little sweet treats and frozen yogurt. We successfully raised money for The Akola Project. The next philanthropy event we hosted, Kickin’ it with Kappa, ” was even more successful raising money for RIF. It was a workout out class for the girls in SMU’s Dedman athletic center. Philanthropy donated the rest of the philanthropy budget to The Kappa Foundation at the end of the term. Kappa members also participated in with Homecoming week. We painted a banner with our theme and held several philanthropy eventsalso a wooden Peruna (our mascot).

In January We participated in Canstruction, Rock the Vote, field day, and building a float. This week was hard work, but we supported loved coming together as a chapter to support our wonderful homecoming candidate Mackenna Scripps. Kappas continued to enjoy having a tent on the boulevard each game day and supporting the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization Mustangs at the SMU football games. SMU Family Weekend was a fun weekend for Kappa moms and dads to meet each other and enjoy SMU’s campus and Dallas. We enjoyed our two social events of West Alabama with their Tuscaloosa Krispy Kreme Challengethe semester Pick a Mister for your Sister date dash and Kite and Key formal. This event consisted A few Kappas also participate in SMU Student Foundation and put on the Celebration of Lights, which is always a 2special night that the school comes together to celebrate the Holidays right before final exams.5-mile race where participants received a dozen donuts halfway through We finished the raceyear strong academically. On our leadership dayWe were also awarded the “Outstanding Member” award by SMU Panhellenic for Lexy Hammesfahr’s incredible performance in SMU, Kappa, and her career. At the CEO end of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters West Alabama came to speak us the semester, we slated for new Chapter Council positions, and our chapter was excited about leadershipthe new leaders in the house.

During our annual Parents Weekend SMU is located in March, we hosted the center of Dallas. It’s a cookout at great location because of the Kappa house with barbecue easy routes to downtown, uptown, and other areas in Dallas. The campus is beautiful and is surrounded by green grass and a piano bandtall trees. There was SMU is a five-dollar donation given by everyone in attendancefriendly campus with small classes. The proceeds went professors make the learning experience great. They are available and willing to meet with students individually. One of the 2013 highlights on campus was the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. SMU also built new dorms, tennis courts, cafeteria, and band room. SMU offers an atmosphere that’s prestigious and thriving, and Kappas are excited for the Cystic Fibrosis foundationnew students each year.

In September We have a very diverse chapter consisting of ladies from different parts of the world and from all over the U.S. The diversity allows Kappas helped with the Thomas Plott Foundation’s annual golf tournament to raise awareness share different ideas and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundationlearn from each other. We focus several of our philanthropy efforts towards cystic fibrosis because one Our members are involved in many different organizations and groups at SMU and outside of our current members suffers from itSMU.

In OctoberOur greatest challenge this year was accountability. We do not fine members for not attending events. Therefore, it is hard to hold members accountable for attending events. To address this issue, we held our first annual Kappa Karnival looked to serve the underprivileged children motivation and a type of our Tuscaloosa community and to collect books benefitting our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental“punishment. ” We first asked other sororities The punishment involves making some events mandatory, and fraternities if members do not attend, they are sent to donate books for our causestandards. We then hosted a carnival for underprivileged children in Usually the punishment would entail not being allowed to attend the Tuscaloosa areaupcoming social events. We had The motivation and encouragement paid off and was a great time with the children and felt good about the impact we had on our local communitysuccessful strategy.

In November we held our annual Virginia Gray Bailey/ Becca Bettis Memorial Scholarship fundraiser in conjunction with Alumni Weekend. Alumni and actives gathered on the Kappa lawn to enjoy live music, eat hamburgers and hotdogs, hear about the plans for the new Kappa house, and support the cause. The scholarship goes to a deserving active of Gamma Pi who exemplifies the ideals of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

There have been several changes on campus this year. The fall ==Highlights of 2013 proved to be a time of great controversy for the Greek community. National attention was focused on the campus and its lack of diversity within sororities. Panhellenic worked with the administration of the University of Alabama to implement Continuous Open Bidding (COB) whereby all Panhellenic sororities were encouraged to recruit new members throughout the year. Bids were offered, and we were fortunate to pledge several new members at different times during the year. 2014==

One of 2014 was a great year for the areas we continue to focus on improving is academicsGamma Phi Chapter at SMU. Every This year we strive to increase , our sorority’s chapter saw incredible academic averageperformance improvement, successful new social activities, and this year we were successful a remarkable Recruitment. In the summer of 2014, the Gamma Phi Chapter received the prestigious “Panhellenic Award” at the Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention in doing soHouston, TX. We are proud of This award recognized our chapter as the improvements Kappa chapter that we continue to makenationally best exemplified true Panhellenic leadership and relations in the college campus community. The Gamma Phi Chapter also received “Honorable Mention” for “Finance Award”, “Recruitment Award”, and “Advisory Board Award.” During the fall semester on game day weekends, we hope invited the gentlemen of a different fraternity every week to continue our efforts to become an even stronger chapter of join us for a favorite Kappa tradition – Friday brunch at the Kappa Gammahouse.

Gamma Phi Kappas also enjoyed our inaugural Sapphire Ball for Kappas and their dates, during such a special formal night to remember in November. Also during November, a group of Kappa members hosted a Reading is Key event, while we read to underprivileged elementary school children and donated hundreds of books for the children to take home. Furthermore, in the fall semester, we invited the SMU campus and Kappa alumnae for our first ever spirit event before the SMU season opener basketball game, called Kappa Kappa Gameday. In December the semester concluded with our successful inaugural philanthropy event. Our “Kappa Holiday Bazaar” brought all types of vendors to a shopping event for Kappas, to raise money with a portion of all profits to be donated to RIF. In total, we raised over $2,700 in support of Reading is Fundamental. The Akola Project, the non-profit philanthropy that our chapter always supports, was also in attendance at the bazaar and sold a great amount of jewelry to help raise additional funds for their causes. The chapter is also proud to have a Kappa member represent the chapter as Emily Provost was elected to serve as the 2015 SMU Panhellenic President. We are very proud of all of our accomplishment

==Highlights This year, Southern Methodist University has continued its celebration of our centennial. Panhellenic had the most number of girls ever sign up for rush with numbers topping 600 girls. This allowed the Gamma Phi chapter to welcome a higher than usual new members to our 2015 pledge class. The Gamma Phi chapter continues to strive for excellence and improvement creating a sense of drive and determination throughout our chapter. Our chapter's outlook on the 2014==-2015 Gamma Phi year is hopeful and ambitious as we continue our tradition of excellence in leadership, campus involvement, academics, and sisterhood.

In We hold chapter meetings in our chapter house on the past year the Gamma Pi Chapter has achieved many thingsNorth edge of campus, owned by our chapter. Throughout the year, many members of the Gamma Pi The chapter -owned house we currently have been involved was built in 2008. It is the second house in not only sisterhood events but academic events and achievements as wellour chapter's history. Many It houses 40 of the members have help leadership positions our Kappa sisters, mainly upperclassmen and we are in honor societies on campus at so lucky to have the University of Alabamawonderful Jill Rusher as our house mother. We continue are thankful to strive our Alum and House Board for goals such as increasing involvement on campus, academics, and sisterhoodhelping our incredible in-house experience run smoothly.

In January, we hosted our annual Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Day. This day is where incoming and outgoing officers and advisers meet and set goals for the new year and discuss areas which need improvement. The slogan for this year was “ REAL. Bold the A”. Each letter in slogan represented a different word from our previous years’ Leadership Day. The main point was to place emphasis on the “A”, which stood for academics, accountability, and appreciation, all areas our chapter needed improvement on.

In August we had another outstanding rush, with yet another, outstanding large pledge class ==Highlights of 115 incredible new members. Gamma Pi, once again, has the best return rates throughout recruitment. With our increasing numbers, we were pleased to add a unique and outstanding pledge class. 2015==

During 2015 was a great year for the Gamma Phi Chapter at SMU. This year , our chapter saw incredible academic performance improvement, successful new social activities, and a remarkable Recruitment. In the spring, we gained 58 new members. We enjoyed a fun-filled and celebrated Bid Day in January and officially initiated our new members on March 21, 2015. The week of February 22nd, we enjoyed a week-long visit from our leadership consultant and learned of ways we can improve our chapter and heard of things we were doing well. On March 30th, we had our first Easter event with the Wesley-Rankin after school program with the men of Pi Kappa Alpha. We had an Easter egg hunt, played games, and had a cookout for the kids, and it was a tremendous success. We had another successful Monmouth formal with Pi Beta Phi on April 18th and enjoyed the traditional formal that is a rich part of our history. This fall, we had many new and exciting changes and activities at the Gamma Phi Chapter. We continued our tradition last year of having “Brunch with the Boys” where one Friday a month we invited a different fraternity to have brunch with us at the house. A new tradition that we have not practiced in over 10 years was a candlelight celebration during which we celebrated one of our senior members attend different conferences who got engaged in June. In October we also participated in a Halloween service event at Wesley-Rankin’s after school program again with the men of Pi Kappa Alpha. We played games, spent time with the kids, helped them with homework, and ate LOTS of candy! November was an incredibly busy month for the Gamma Phi chapter. For the first time ever, the entire Gamma Phi chapter celebrated the 145th Founders Day with the Kappa Dallas Alumnae Association at the Dallas Country Club. We were honored to be included in the celebration and meet Kappas who have been dedicated to our chapter for many years. On November 15th, we had our second annual Holiday Bazaar to raise money for Reading is Fundamental and enjoyed huge success with the event. The Akola Project, the non-profit philanthropy that our chapter always supports, was also in attendance at the bazaar and events sold a great amount of jewelry to help raise additional funds for their causes. On November 22nd, we hosted by our second annual Kappa Kappa GammaGameday event in which we celebrated the start of the SMU basketball season with a gathering outside of the gymnasium. Two We are incredibly proud of the success our members attended convention chapter has had this year and one member attended leadership academylook forward to an outstanding 2016.

Throughout the This year, Southern Methodist University finished its four-year long centennial celebration. Panhellenic had the most number of girls ever sign up for rush with numbers topping 600 girls. This allowed the Gamma Pi help Phi chapter to welcome a higher than usual new members to our 2015 pledge class. The Gamma Phi chapter continues to strive for excellence and participated improvement creating a sense of drive and determination throughout our chapter. Our chapter's outlook on the 2016 Gamma Phi year is hopeful and ambitious as we continue our tradition of excellence in several philanthropy events around leadership, campus. involvement, academics, and sisterhood

In January, we were involved in the Tuscaloosa Krispy Kreme Challenge, helping Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization of West Alabama. This event is a 2.5- mile race where participants run a little over one mile to pick up a dozen donuts, then run back to the start of the race. The catch here is, the participants must eat the entire dozen donuts before returning to start to win the race. Throughout the year, the CEO of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of West Alabama came to speak to our chapter. Chapter Philanthropy:

At our annual Parents Weekend in MarchWhat organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, we held a cookout at the Kappa House with a barbecue and a band. There was an offer or donated hours to give a five-dollar donation for everyone , in attendance, where the proceeds went to the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. your community?

In March during spring break, a group of Gamma Pi members travelled to Haiti We traditionally raise money for Reading is Fundamental and our first ever Spring Break mission trip to Haiti. Kappa collected over 500 t-shirts to send with local chapter philanthropy, the members who went to Haiti for the childrenAkola Project. We also collected other supplies and funds that For service hours, we have become very involved in the members needed for local Wesley-Rankin after school program over the trip and to give to the Sozo Children of Haiti. This is new a tradition that is continuing on for many more Spring Breaks to comelast several years.

In October, we held our second annual Kappa Karnival Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to serve the underprivileged children of our Tuscaloosa community. This events helped us collect books benefiting our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. We asked other sororities and fraternities to donate books for a cause. Afterwards, we hosted the carnival for the children in the Tuscaloosa area. This was Halloween themed since it was around Halloween and in October. The kids had many games and activities to participate in, including a bounce house, pumpkin painting, and different carnival games. We had a wonderful time with the children and felt great about the imp at we had on our local community. support?

In November, we head Reading is Fundamental is our annual Virginia Gray Bailey/ Becca Bettis Memorial Scholarship fundraiser in conjunction with Homecoming national philanthropy and our Alumni Weekendone that the Gamma Phi chapter holds dear. Alumni We are fortunate to attend such an outstanding university and actives gather on wish to promote the Kappa lawn love for learning and driveway to enjoy live music, have a cookout, reading by hosting book drives and head about the plans raising money for our new Kappa house while supporting the causeRIF. A donation of five dollars The Akola Project was started by a person was taken for the Scholarship fund Gamma Phi alum and seeks to promote female empowerment and business leadership in honor of two of our kappa sisters who died a few years agoimpoverished countries such as Uganda through its jewelry business. This is not only a great way to support We believe in our sisters in need of alums and providing a scholarship but helping hand to show support women who seek to empower their communities in places that usually do not value women or see them as world changers. The Wesley-Rankin after school program aligns with our actives who were sisters to and friends mission of Virginia Gray spreading the love for reading and Becca. This scholarship goes learning is working to make a deserving active impact on the youth of Gamma Pi who exemplifies south Dallas. We have loved the ideals of Kappa Kappa Gammakids we mentor, tutor, and love on their and hope to continue our partnership going forward.

Throughout the year, Gamma Pi members have improved in the area ==Highlights of academics, sisterhood, and involvement around campus and within Kappa. We hosted many events for actives to bond more with their sisters, including Zumba for all grades on Monday nights twice a semester, ice cream get-togethers, movie nights, and pizza parties. We also had bible studies for members who wanted to come together and worship God. Many of our actives are on the Dean’s List, President’s List, and many different academic honor societies. We have many members of Gamma Pi in leadership positions of SGA at the University of Alabama. We are proud of the improvements that we continue to make, and we hope to continue our efforts to become an event stronger chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.2016==

2016 was a year of tremendous growth for the Gamma Phi Chapter at SMU. This year, our chapter saw incredible academic performance improvement, outstanding community service involvement, a successful recruitment, and new social activities. In Spring 2016, our chapter GPA rose above the All-Sorority Average and we ranked fourth out of eight Panhellenic chapters on campus. Outside of academics, we completed over 950 hours and raised money for our philanthropies, the Akola Project and Reading is Fundamental. In addition to serving our philanthropies we also participated in numerous fundraising events on campus. Kappas participated in SMU’s annual Relay for Life which took place on April 8th as well as participating in Dance Marathon which is a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that SMU had the pleasure of hosting for the first time. In February, March, and August, we enjoyed week-long visits from two leadership consultants where we evaluated the strengths of our chapter as well as areas for improvement. In the spring, we gained 55 new members who were offically initiated on April 16, 2016. A few days later on April 18th we had another successful Monmouth formal with Pi Beta Phi and enjoyed the traditional formal that is a rich part of our history. This fall, we had many new and exciting changes and activities at the Gamma Phi Chapter. We continued our tradition last year of having “Brunch with the Boys” where one Friday we invited fraternity members to have brunch with us at the house. We also participated in the Homecoming festivities including building a Nevada-themed float and supported our wonderful homecoming candidate, Anna Hugg. On November 7th the chapter celebrated our Founders Day where we had a history presentation while enjoying themed treats. Chapter Council was invited to celebrate the 146th Founders Day with the Kappa Dallas Alumnae Association at the Dallas Country Club. We were honored to be included in the celebration again and to witness Kappas getting their 50 and 65 year badges. This fall semester we also had two successful panhellenic events. The first was a Yogurt & Yoga event which we hosted at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house and invited the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega. The other panhellenic event was an Ice Cream Social with the sisters of Delta Gamma. We also spent time with the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta when we had our annual Kite & Key formal on November 12th. Two days later on November 14th we had our first ever Fall Fest with the men of Sigma Alpha Epsilon which raised money for The Akola Project. The gathering included fall-themed games and treats such as corn hole and apple cider. On November 20th, we had our second annual Holiday Bazaar to raise money for Reading is Fundamental which was a huge success. The Akola Project, the non-profit philanthropy that our chapter always supports, was also in attendance at the bazaar and sold a great amount of jewelry to help raise additional funds for their cause. We are incredibly proud of the progress and achievements our chapter has had this year and look forward to an outstanding 2017.

==Highlights This year, Southern Methodist University Panhellenic had the most number of 2015==girls ever sign up for recruitment with numbers topping 617 girls. This allowed the Gamma Phi chapter to welcome a more new members to our 2016 pledge class than usual. The Gamma Phi chapter continues to strive for excellence and improvement creating a sense of drive and determination throughout our chapter and in our community. We are proud of the events we hosted and participated in on campus with other sororities and look forward to continuing these strong relationships in the future. Our chapter's outlook on the 2017 Gamma Phi year is positive and ambitious as we continue our tradition of excellence in leadership, campus involvement, academics, and sisterhood.

The year of 2015 proved to be another successful year We traditionally raise money for Reading is Fundamental and our local chapter philanthropy, the Akola Project. In addition, our chapter participated in fundraising events for numerous other oganizations such as Relay for Life and Dance Marathon.Reading is Fundamental is our national philanthropy and one that the Gamma Pi Phi chapter at holds dear. We are fortunate to attend such an outstanding university and wish to promote the University of Alabamalove for learning and reading by hosting book drives and raising money for RIF. We have had several members that have held The Akola Project was started by a Gamma Phi alum and seeks to promote female empowerment and business leadership positions and are in numerous honor societies on campusimpoverished countries such as Uganda through its jewelry business. We continue to strive for increased involvement of believe in our members on campus now alums and providing a helping hand to women who seek to empower their communities in the futureplaces that usually do not value women or see them as world changers.

In January, we hosed our annual Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Day. This day is where incoming and outgoing officers and advisers come together and set goals for the new year. This is also a time where previous plans are reviewed and areas are looked at for where improvements could be made. We continue to have an action plans of focusing on Recruitment, Effort, Academics, and Leadership. In February, we had numerous members of hold chapter council attend Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention meetings in Atlanta, Georgia. Our members were very excited to have the opportunity to meet with other Kappas from around the country. In April, we held a memorial weekend and ground breaking ceremony for our new Kappa chapter house. The event was filled with hundreds of alumni and actives at on the Kappa house to walk through the old house and share memories from years North edge of Gamma Pi membersSouthern Methodist University campus. The ceremony also Our house was a ground breaking event for our new house, where we shared plans of recently redecorated and remains under the future ownership of Gamma Pi. In August, our current members worked very hard to pledge our largest pledge to date. The pledge class had 140 incredible new members! We, yet again, had the best return rates we have ever had and were very excited to add such an amazing pledge classchapter.

Throughout the year, Kappa participated in and held several philanthropy events. ==Highlights of 2017==

In JanuaryThis year, we supported Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization placed a high focus on academic performance, Panhellenic relations, andvolunteerism on campus. We have greatly improved our academic performance to an overallchapter GPA of and multiple chapter members received merit based awards from the University.We drastically increased the number of West Alabama girls with their annual Krispy Kreme Challenge4. This event consisted 0 GPAs and started “Academic Spotlight of a 2the Week” for members who exhibited strength in academics or unique academic interests.5 mile race where participants Additionally, there were multiple girls who received a dozen donuts halfway through academic excellence awards.Our chapter improved its Panhellenic relations by holding an event for the whole Panhelleniccommunity - mental health and domestic violence awareness night as well as several socials withhouses we haven’t mixed with in the racepast year. In order to win the raceWe also supported other house’s philanthropyevents, participants must eat all of including playing in the donuts before finishing Gamma Phi Beta Moonball tournament.Our chapter’s average volunteer hours per member drastically improved in the raceSpring and Fallsemesters to 8. On 6 and 8.4 hours, respectively. With the addition of our leadership dayHurricane Harvey Reliefefforts, we raised $2, 000 with the help and support of the CEO brothers of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters West Alabama came Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.We also brought a new fundraising event to speak to us our campus called “Kappa Karnival” which raisedabout leadership$1,000 for Reading is Fundamental. Finally, our other great pride was hosting the Girl’sAcademy weekend-long retreat for middle school girls.

In AprilOur Panhellenic community is about to increase due to the highest number of girls signed up for formal recruitment in our University's history. The Gamma Phi chapter looks forward to welcoming new members into the Panhellenic community so that we can share our love of Greek Life with the rest of the SMU campus.Historically, our chapter has raised money for Reading is Fundamental and our local chapter philanthropy, The Akola Project. Additionally, we held participate in on-campus philanthropy events such as the SMU Dance Marathon and Relay for Life. This year our annual chapter chose to hold our annual Parents Weekendvery first Girls' Academy.Reading is Fundamental is KKG's national philanthropy which we look forward to supporting each year because as college women, we hosted a pancake breakfast at understand the importance of education and the Kappa Housegreat opportunity we have been given to attend such an esteemed university where we feel we can learn to thrive. There The Akola project is another philanthropy that we cherish not only because of its mission but because it was founded by our very own Brittany Underwood, a five-dollar donation given by everyone Gamma Phi alum. She began this foundation in attendance. The proceeds went to hope of transforming the Cystic Fibrosis foundationlives of impoverished women and families of Uganda through training, employment and holistic care.

In SeptemberEach year our chapter has a Kappa team that takes part in the Dance Marathon to support Children's Health and Children's Miracle Network in greater Dallas. Additionally, the Kappas held a philanthropy dinner Relay for Molly Remmert RossellLife is another organization that we hold dear. A native One of Tuscaloosa who our chapter members was battling cancerhonored as one of the top participants. WE will participate in this again this April.In conclusion, our chapter hosted our first Girls' Academy at a local school in Dallas. The event was Girls Academy is a week-end long program designed to teach, motivate and empower middle school girls to raise awareness for cancer be proud of who they are and comfortable in this won skins which is a cause that our chapter women really identified with and enjoyed volunteering in and support Molly putting on the event.We meet in her fightthe dining room of our chapter house on the SMU campus.

In October, members helped with the Thomas Plott Foundation’s annual golf tournament to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We focus several ==Highlights of our philanthropy efforts towards cystic fibrosis because one of our current members suffers from it. We also held our third annual Kappa Karnival. This is to serve the underprivileged children of our Tuscaloosa community and to collect books benefitting our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. We asked other sororities and fraternities to donate books for our case. We hosted a carnival for the children at our house. Also in October, we held our annual Virginia Gray Bailey/ Becca Bettis Memorial Scholarship fundraiser cookout to remember two members who passed away. Alumni and actives gathered on the Kappa Lawn to enjoy live music, eat hamburgers and bbq, hear more plans for the New Kappa House, and support the case. The scholarship goes to a deserving active of Gamma Pi who exemplifies the ideals of Kappa Kappa Gamma. In November we held a fundraiser at a local restaurant for “Amazing Grace”. Grace is a young girl from Birmingham, Al who had cancer. The event held was to raise money to donate to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Al in Grace’s name. We sold cups with “Amazing Grace logo” for 5$ a piece so that anyone who bought the cup could get free sodas, all afternoon at the restaurant. We had an outstanding attendance rate from not only our members of Gamma Pi but also from locals in Tuscaloosa. 2018==

One of the areas we continue to focus on is improving academics among all members. Every year we strive to increase our sorority’s academic average, and this year, like previous year, we were successful in doing so. We are proud of the improvements that we continue to make, and we hope to continue our efforts to become an even stronger chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The overall nature of our After finally being lifted from probation we have been making an effort to boost the morale and ensure that everyone is enjoying their time in the chapter. With the new academic standard Kappa has set, we have been trying to work with the chapter to try to ensure a fair GPA is set, we concluded for a happy 2.5 for actives and friendly chapter2. We have no had many changes on campus except 7 for our new University of Alabama President being namedmembers. This has not changed many things for the Kappas of Alabama We also held a Founders Day event in which Kappa's from 50 and 70+ years came and enjoyed an afternoon with our chapter and sharing stories from their past. We are one also won the Chapter and Advisory Board Relations award at Convention, a huge honor after coming off of probation win which we were constantly praised for our improvement and commitment to betting the most liked sororities Gamma Phi chapter's name as well as community service efforts.No recent changes on campus with other students , Panhellenic Board has created different guidelines and mandatory events for Greek life and our chapter has made an effort to comply with the Universityall decisions they have set. Chapter Philanthropy:

What organization(Our chapter supports the Akola and Dallas Genesis Women's) has your chapter historically/traditionally Shelter. At Kappa Karnival with SAE we raised money $1560 for, or donated hours both the Dallas Genesis Women's Shelter(which we chose because it is local charity that provides support to, in your community?domestic violence victims) and Akola Project(chosen because it was started by an SMU Kappa alumna and promotes female leadership/entrepreneurship)

We participate in many different organizations in our community. The above organizations are what we normally give time and money to within the community.

Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?

 

We choose to support different organization due our chapter’s voice in what organization we should promote. If a member has a philanthropy we should support, our philanthropy chairman will review the cause and decide if we have time and money to get involved with the given event.

 

==Highlights of 2016==

This year, the Gamma Pi chapter focused on increasing our involvement in philanthropic activities and the community while also improving communication within the chapter and chapter council. The Gamma Pi chapter collaborated with Big Brothers Big Sisters ==Highlights of West Alabama for the Krispy Kreme Challenge, and the whole chapter participated in the 5K walk/run in February. 2019==

Furthermore, our chapter was honored at the University of Alabama's Greek Excellence Banquet in February for our service and dedication to the campus. In March, we planned and implemented a successful parent's weekend with over 750 attendees (both parents and members). We also held a successful tie dye sisterhood event at the chapter house in March and participated in the university's homecoming week, including a bowling and dodgeball competition.

Our The previous calendar year, 2019, was an eventful and special time for the Gamma Phi Chapter. We experienced many special events that further bonded us and supported Chapter Council's goal to make our chapter awarded more connected as a whole. To start, we were able to host many formal events thanks to the Miriam Locke scholarship to four help from our incredible Event Chair, Taylor Nielson, and Risk Management chair, Corina Gonzalez-Molina. Some of our these were formal parties paired with other sororities on campus, and others were "date dashes," where members dress in March. These members demonstrated dedication and excellence costume according to both Kappa and academicsa given theme. We also participated in the homecoming parade, where we nominated our Treasurer, Sarah Anania, to represent our chapter. We paired with SAE in the parade, and we had a Secret Meals For Hungry Children projectlot of fun building our float together. Additionally, an organization dedicated one of our member's hard work in the classroom paid off. Elizabeth Kelley, our New Membership Chair, is the first recipient to feeding children who have been identified as going without nutrition over be awarded the weekendWendy Weber Smith scholarship, a scholarship honoring Wendy Weber Smith, an SMU Kappa almuna. Our chapter decorated a backpack for was able to properly thank the projectscholarship donors by inviting them to our Founder's Day celebration and thanking them in person.Regarding philanthropy, our Philanthropy Chair, Katie Skillman, organized two events where our chapter raised $3197. Our chapter members thoroughly enjoyed coming together to support others and we were selected as the winnersgive back to our community. Other philanthropic involvement included a sisterhood event for Relay for Life Lastly, Big Brothers Big Sisters the Gamma Phi Chapter made eco-friendly strides regarding the consumption of West Alabama banquet, attending styrofoam in the LHON's foundation cookout house. With 40 girls living in honor Kappa and styrofoam being the main source of plates, bowls, and cups, we throw away a mass amount of it on a university studentdaily basis. Luckily, our President, Gwen Everett, and House Chair, Ashley Anthony, met with our House Board to discuss "going green" and introducing paper plates. By using paper, Bright Minds Readingwe would be reducing our carbon footprint, but also spending more money because paper costs more than styrofoam. With these extra expenses in mind, we feel very grateful that House Board granted us permission and the Virginia Gray funds to use paper plates and Becca cookout support our chapter hosts every initiative to "go green." As a Chapter Council, we set one main goal for the year. We wanted our chapter to feel more inclusive and cohesive. While the members in our chapter are kind to one another, we noticed slight divides between different groups of girls. To break these divisions, our VP Standards Chair, Shelby Nutter, planned free workout classes to help promote various fitness studios and also completed construction of encourage girls to spend time with members outside their typical social circle. These classes were successful, as chapter members feel the classes gave them an opportunity to get to know each other better. Additionally, as our chapter is gearing up to welcome home our new pledge class, PC'20, our youngest pledge class, PC'19, has been doing an incredible job including each other while practicing for recruitment. We believe that the environment within our chapter is much more cohesive than we were in January.While we had a very successful year, we faced an unexpected challenge. With apartment living so common for the junior and senior classes, we struggled to fill the house with girls to live in it. While we were eventually able to fill it this past year, unfortunately, this challenge appears to be rising again for the 2020 academic year. However, our House Chair, Ashley Anthony, is doing an incredible job encouraging girls to live in the house and opened communicating its doors in August 2016many benefits. While this is a challenge Chapter Council has to face, since we were able to fill the house before, we are confident we will be able to fill it again.

The house is home to 60 members and provides a great location for every one to get together. We also hosted an alumni event in September to showcase the new house. Our chapter overcame the challenges of a large chapter size by bettering communication through providing our members with frequent updates and planning numerous sisterhood events, like movie night or cookie decorating at the house, where members could spend time together. In addition, academics is a challenge our chapter has faced, but by holding members more accountable for their GPAs through mandatory study hours and "major heads" we provided our members with the resources necessary to achieve academic success.

Recent While there have not been many significant changes on our campus include , the construction of new sorority houses chapter's overall nature is positive and renovation of other campus buildingsencouraging. Increased focus on GPAs and The girls in the chapter seem to genuinely want the need best for sororities to meet these standards has also increased. The Gamma Pi chapter has 442 active members. With a chapter this largeeach other, we are thankful to have a diverse mix of members and strive this positivity continues to create and facilitate a bond between all membersgrow. Our chapter encourages our members to pursue leadership roles within is especially excited because recruitment is right around the chaptercorner. We feel prepared, campus organizations and the community. Our members we are involved in numerous organizations in addition to Kappa. We place an emphasis on academics and philanthropic involvement. Our chapter's officers strive to create confident that we will welcome home a welcoming environment group of well-rounded, "kappa classy" girls in which every member has the necessary tools to achieve success. January 2020!

The Gamma Pi Our chapter has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama, Bright Minds reading program through United Way, supports Reading is Fundamental, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and the Akola Project.

Gamma Pi seeks to better the community and our members by making a difference in the lives of those around us. We partner with Reading is Fundamental due to and the organization being Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation are Kappa's national philanthropy and also because of our chapternationally supported philanthropies. Reading is Fundamental supports children's vision of making a difference literacy in children's livesunderprivileged schools. We host an annual event called "The Kappa Kappa Karnival" Gamma Foundation helps support Kappas in October to benefit RIF and Big Brothers Big Sisters times of West Alabama, our chapter's adversity. Our third local philanthropyis the Akola Project. The Akola Project was founded by an SMU Kappa in the mid 2000s. We also encourage our members The Akola Project serves to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters through participation employ impoverished women in their mentor program where each member is matched with a "little brother" or "little sister" (a child from an underprivileged background)Uganda by making handcrafted beads for jewelry.

Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, our chapter is able to make an impact on children's lives around us and give back to the community. Big Brothers Big Sisters holds a special place in all of our member's hearts. In addition, our members also participate in Bright Minds reading program through United Way where we send members into local schools to read to elementary children for an hour.

This organization is important to our The chapter due to celebrated Founders Day by hosting the Dallas alumni that were receiving their milestone pins at the opportunities house. We hosted an afternoon tea with trays of snacks, beautiful flower arrangements, and speeches to make a difference express our gratitude and experience hands on philanthropyrespect for the members receiving their pins. United Way recognized us in their newsletter for our partnership with Per chapter ritual, six Chapter Council members conducted the reading program and candle light ceremony, which all of the dedication our members have shown this past semesterattendees enjoyed.

We also donate to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation as our chapter wants to give back to the organization that is the reason of our existence. Without Kappa, our members would not have the opportunity to experience the bond and sisterhood we all share. Without the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, our chapter would not exist; for this reason, it is important to give back and recognize our origins.

We hold chapter meetings The Gamma Phi Chapter is aware and excited for Kappa's 150th anniversary approaching in our new chapter house on campus2020. The house opened in August 2016 Brainstorming for a unique and fun celebration has been of great use recently begun, and with our chapter's various creative minds, we are excited to our take submissions for ideas. We are considering the budget for a chapter-wide event to celebrate the huge milestone. Attached is As time goes on, we will have a photomore concrete answer as to how we are going to celebrate 150 years of Kappa.

==Highlights of the 2020s==

From chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature ==Highlights of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)2020==

This past year a lot in our chapter has changed due to COVID-19. Thankfully, we still got through a successful initiation for PC’20 before SMU shut down. This semester, we were unable to hold any Kappa in-person events. This includes date dashes, the Sapphire Ball, and different philanthropic events. However, that did not stop us. This year marked the 150th year of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We decided to donate over 150 books, and give out blue hand sanitizer. We also held a virtual meals on wheels event last semester. This semester we held a virtual workout class with Lync. All the proceeds went towards the Bridge Breast Network. We also held a scholarships. This includes the Dallas Alumnae Association Gamma Phi Chapter Scholarship, the Wendy Weber Scholarship and the Nancy Moses Scholarship. Junior, Hailey Haase received the Wendy Weber Scholarship and seniors, Candice Cramer and Isabelle Wyant received the Nancy Moses Scholarship. Since members could not be together in the house, the standards chairman organized different sisterhood events like going to a drive-thru movie theater in Dallas!

Our chapter supports Akola Jewelry during philanthropy day. We have worked with this organization for years. It is a business run by women to empower other women. It helps the lives of those less fortunate and we are very lucky to work with a company started by an SMU Kappa alum.

-------------This year we are adding a DEI member to chapter council. This position will be elected by the new chapter council this spring. This position will include chapter training and awareness.

'''Note This year marked the 150th year of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We decided to Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes donate over 150 books, and back issues of give out blue hand sanitizer. The Key books went to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlightsbenefit Reading is Fundamental which is our national philanthropy. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper We also gave out Kappa history 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 fact sheets to active members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.

Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history [[File:Smuhouse.jpg|thumb|Front steps of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!house]][[File:Smuworkout.jpg|thumb|working out together]]

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