Changes
→Highlights of 2022:
{{Infobox Fraternity
|Name= Delta Gamma Omega|GreekSymbol= ΔΩΓΩ|Image= [[File:Delta_OmegaGamma_Omega.jpg|200px]]|Founded= {{start date and years ago|19541929|1112|0506}}|College= [httphttps://www.fresnostatedenison.edu/ Fresno StateDenison University]|Location= FresnoGranville, CAOH|Homepage= [httphttps://wwwdenison.fresnostatekkgkappa.comorg/ Delta Gamma Omega Homepage] |Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Delta_Omega Gamma_Omega Media related to Delta Gamma Omega Chapter]}}----'''Denison University established 1831 in Granville, Ohio'''
'''California State University at Fresno (formerly Fresno State College) established in 1911 in FresnoFounded December 6, California1929'''
'''Delta Omega founded November 52, 1954, 23 charter members406 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
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'''1,570 initiates (as of June 2018)Charter Members: '''Marjorie Lea Achen, Sarah Elizabeth Amos, Marie Harriet Bigelow, Mildred Irene Bigelow, Eleanor Chesnutt, Jane Frances Colby, Mary Elizabeth Connolly, Eugenia Christy Couden, Catharine Caraway Dixon, Miriam Leavitt Duling, Margaret Mary Gilchrist, Lorraine Grace Hartig, Dorothea Elizabeth Hiehle, Helen Elizabeth Hodell, Marriet Marcella Mons, Ruth Louise Mullen, Charlotte Christine Olson, Mary Marie Pigman, Helen Scarritt, Emily Jean Spencer, Eleanor Stutler, Virginia Davisson Wilson.
'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
'''Fraternity Loyalty Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
Jean Gordon, 1966; Public/community relations director for General Foods; community leader
Marian Simpson Garber, 1948; NBC and CBS radio host and manager
'''Additional Outstanding Alumnae:'''
==The Early Years (Excerpted from The Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity History: 1870-1976)==
In June of 1928, the trustees of Denison University at Granville, Ohio gave permission to the local sororities to petition the nationals. Kappa Phi, the oldest local on campus was allowed first selection of a national sorority and chose Kappa Kappa Gamma. The petition was granted in November, 1929, with installation planned for December 6.
Kappa Phi, at the time of petitioning, was 31 years old and, according to Baird's Manual, the second oldest local sorority in the United States. Kappa Phi was founded in 1898 by six girls of Shepardson College (the women's college, distinct from Denison at that time) who wished to form a "closer bond for friendship and mutual benefit." For a year the local sorority existed sub-rose, meeting outdoors and keeping minutes in cipher. Kappa Phi flourished from its beginning, designing a badge, writing songs, and composing brief but dignified rituals for initiation and chapter meetings.
In 1901 the Denison trustees gave Kappa Phi and Chi Psi Delta (which later became Kappa Alpha Theta) official recognition as campus organizations. The Kappa Phis immediately presented an informal petition for membership to Kappa, their first and only choice among women's national fraternities. Shortly thereafter, learning that national affiliations were being contemplated, and believing it better to maintain the status quo, the university trustees forbade such affiliations. This ban was renewed several times until it was finally lifted in June, 1928.
Denied the opportunity to become a part of Kappa, the Kappa Phis contented themselves with establishing a place of leadership on the Denison campus. Feeling the need for a house of their own to take the place of rooms which they were renting in town, the 40 active and alumnae members of Kappa Phi raised the money necessary to purchase a lot on Cherry Street. For the purpose of owning property, Kappa Phi Sorority was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1905. Fortunately at that time Mr. John S. Jones, uncle of two of the Kappa Phis and interested in seeing the girls prove themselves as good business women, loaned them the money necessary to build a lodge on the lot they had purchased. The loan was to be paid in regular yearly payments over a ten-year period. At the end of the eighth year Mr. Jones was so impressed with the way the girls had met their obligation that he generously canceled the notes for the remaining two years.
The new house was completed in the fall of 1906, the first sorority house at Denison. The attractive white frame lodge served as the center of chapter activity and site of social affairs for the members, who all lived in college dormitories. It was known as the "wee white house."
The local group maintained a strong alumnae association, published a biennial bulletin which went to all alumnae, and held annual June reunions. From time to time the Kappa Phis reopened the question of national affiliation with the college trustees and maintained their deep interest in Kappa Kappa Gamma. During this period the first Panhellenic Association was formed among the three locals and rules were established for rushing and bidding.
Finally, when the ban against national sororities was removed, Gamma Omega Chapter was installed by Florence Tomlinson (Myers, Wallace), Gamma Theta- Drake, Fraternity registrar; and Clara O. Pierce, Beta Nu- Ohio State, executive secretary; assisted by members of Beta Nu, Ohio State, and Rho Deuteron, Ohio Wesleyan. One notable aspect of the installation was the initiation of nearly half of the 300 alumnae members of Kappa Phi. Altogether some 200 of these alumnae have become members of Kappa, through additional initiation ceremonies. Marian Handy (Anderson), Gamma Kappa- William and Mary, served as co-organizer (equivalent of graduate counselor) to assist the new chapter.
The transition from Kappa Phi to Kappa Kappa Gamma was easier because of the many common goals and ideals the members of each shared. Perhaps the most serious problem was indicated by one of the newly installed Gamma Omegas who was heard to muse wistfully, "How do you ever suppose I'll get the pin holes in my dress to go across instead of up and down!"
By 1930, there were four other NPC fraternities: Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Delta Delta, and Alpha Phi. Later Dela Gamma, Alpha Omicron Pi, Pi Beta Phi, and Alpha Chi Omega were granted charters at Denison as the number of women students increased.
The advent of national sororities on the Denison campus brought changes to sorority life. Pledging, which had not taken place until the beginning of the student's sophomore year, was moved back to the freshman year as the groups experimented with different rushing systems. The number of chapter members more than doubled over the years from under thirty at the time of installation.
By 1931, the little Kappa lodge had become too small for the growing chapter, and a major remodeling project greatly increased the floor space. Well aware that even this enlargement would not serve indefinitely, the trustees of the alumnae association, aided by the generosity of Jean Moore Montgomery, eventually acquired a choice lot on Broadway at the entrance to Sorority Circle. Construction of the present Kappa house was begun in 1950, with the aid of a loan from the Fraternity, and in the spring of 1952 Gamma Omega moved into its new home, built of Williamsburg rose brick with white trim. Even this house proved inadequate to accommodate the growing membership. In 1964 a large chapter and recreation room, kitchen, powder room and porch were added. The house serves the important function of unifying a chapter whose members are scattered throughout six separate college dormitories.
Many Gamma Omega traditions have their roots in the local sorority, but some have been established since the installation of the chapter. Incorporated into formal pledging and into the ceremony of the initiation banquet are some of Kappa Phi'''Additional Outstanding Delta Omega Alumnaes traditions; many of the old songs are still sung in the chapter, with only slight alterations. Active-alumnae relations are kept warm and friendly by several annual events:'''the buffet supper at which the pledges are entertained by Newark-Granville alumnae and, in turn, present entertainment for their hostesses; the senior breakfast with the seniors as guest of the alumnae, an occasion for their induction into the ranks of Kappa alumnae; the initiation breakfast, when local alumnae entertain initiates immediately after the ceremony; the Christmas party at which the actives are hostesses to the Newark-Granville alumnae and both present gifts to the Kappa house.
A long list of Gamma Omega May Queens, Homecoming Queens, Adytum (Denison's yearbook) Queens, and Military Ball Queens gives evidence of the fact that Denison Kappas combine beauty with brains. In fact, even the Kappas themselves were impressed when Kappa queens reigned supreme from Homecoming to Junior Prom to May Day in 1954-55.
Denison Kappas have had as their particular social service project the entertainment of children from the Newark Children's Home. Kappas regularly go to the home for games and story----------------------------telling or bring some of the children to Granville to attend football and basketball games or to be entertained at the Kappa house. Kappas also aid in other service projects sponsored by the Denison Christian Association.
Scholastically, Denison Kappas have usually rated near the top, although it is difficult to try to maintain or to top the record established by the chapter in 1959 when six Kappas were elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
In 1971 faced with the problem of not being able to find a new house director, Gamma Omega asked for and received permission to allow two senior girls to occupy the housemother's apartment and fulfill her duties. The chapter was the first to try this practice and found it to work well with the assistance of local alumnae. Gamma Omega was also first to submit a plan to the Fraternity Council for liquor privileges in the house after passage of the new policy at the 1974 Convention. The chapter was always been eager to accept new responsibility.
In an academic atmosphere where there is keen competition and a living situation that sometimes makes it easier to know one's suitemates better than one's sorority sisters, Kappa Kappa Gamma fills the need for lasting friendships, provides a place for development of the individual'Change in Status'''s talents and distinctiveness, and serves as a home where its members find stimulation, loyalty, and understanding during their college days.
The first formal charter petition to Gamma Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa by the Delta Kappas Gamma was made at founded on December 6, 1929. Before the 1952 General Convention. It chapter became a part of Kappa Kappa Gamma, however, it was then felt that further a local women's fraternity known as Kappa expansion in California was not justifiedPhi. The Delta Kappas were only slightly discouraged by this negative responseKappa Phi, being the oldest sorority at Denison, had first choice to pick a national affiliation, and gladly asked Kappa Kappa Gamma if they could start a chapter at Denison. They were joined in this feeling by On December 6, 1929, Kappa Phi officially became the local Gamma Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa alumnaeGamma and 222 women were initiated.
Kappa Kappa Gamma has contributed to leadership at Denison through the creation of '''D.U. Lead''', a one-day leadership institute for underclassmen that occurs each September. Leadership is an important attribute to the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and D.U. Lead allows Gamma Omega to share this quality with the rest of Denison. D.U. Lead was created by a planning team comprised of members of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Beta Theta Pi, the Campus Leadership and Involvement Center, and Career Exploration and Development. Through this program, the participants gain general leadership skills as well as specific skills to help them and their various organizations at Denison. D.U. Lead is now one of Denison's premier leadership programs. To find more information about D.U. Lead, click here[https://www.denison.edu/campuslife/studentactivities/leadership/dulead.html].
In the spring 1980s, Gamma Omega had its ups and downs. The chapter was suspended for a period of 1975time, Delta Omega hosted offered and accepted Fraternity guidance and assistance. They never left campus and did adhere to guidelines set forth from the Pi Province MeetingFraternity Council. In many ways and along many avenues or progress The leaders of Gamma Omega, Delta Omega Chapter has opened the doors to a success faced challenges with grace and happiness in their individual lives kept recruiting new members and setting chapter goals. One of the main goals in the history 1980s was to improve the chapter GPA to a 2.7. The chapter focused on study habits, master lists of their chaptermajors, recognizing scholastic achievement and planned a Favorite Professor Tea.
In 1986, the Fraternity selected Gamma Omega to be one of five chapters to pilot a computerized bill paying and budget system program. Kappa Kappa Gamma wanted to expand this program the across the country after testing it out in various regions.
Gamma Omega and Kappa Alpha Theta continue to plan an annual Kite and Key social event as well as events such as non-alcoholic Barn Party and Easter Egg Hunt with a local school.
Marnie O’Brien received a Kappa Kappa Gamma scholarship as a Field Representative to work as a Chapter Consultant.
Social events include Kite and Key, My Tie, Haunted House, date parties, and many others.
In the 2000s, campus involvement included members on Student Activities Committee, Concert Committee, 91.1 WDUB-The Doobie Denison Radio Station, Granville Fire Department Volunteers, Phi Society, Skiing Club, Study Abroad programs, Denison Singers, Denison Dance Department, Homecoming Committee, Sailing Club, Tutor, AIDS Task Force, Community Garden Committee, Sociology/Anthropology Fellow, Spanish Club, Intramural Floor Hockey, Campus Tour Guide, rugby, varsity softball, varsity swimming, varsity lacrosse and varsity soccer.
By the mid-2000s, Gamma Omega was strong enough to help neighboring chapters with Initiation. They received an award for New Member Programming at the Denison Greek Awards Ceremony and won the Greatest Scholarship Improvement Award at Kappa Kappa Gamma’s National Convention. Gamma Omega won Greek Week as well as participating in Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash and Sigma Chi’s Derby Days.
We initiated 1 new woman on March 24th, 2012, 28 women on March 31, 2012, and 3 new women during Continuous Open Recruitment on December 1, 2012.In the Fall of 2012, Gamma Omega had the number one Greek GPA on campus, for all Panhellenic Council organizations and Interfraternity Council organizations. As of Spring 2012, 28 women in the chapter were members of academic honoraries, 31 women in the chapter had received academic scholarships and academic awards, 9 women had participated in summer research, and 25 women held executive positions in service organizations.
Our chapter was involved with the Presidential Campaign by raising awareness around campus of the importance of voting and being informed. At the Greek Awards on April 23,2012, our chapter received recognition for Most Improved Chapter GPA, and the prestigious Commitment to Fraternal Purpose. We were awarded Outstanding New Member, Outstanding Greek Leaders awards, Outstanding Greek Advisor Award, and Greek Woman of the Year.This year we participated in numerous philanthropic events around campus such as Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash, Sigma Chi's Derby Days, Pi Beta Phi'Housing:s Pi Phi Palooza, Kappa Alpha Theta's Kats with Bats, Delta Delta Delta's Pancake Breakfast, Kappa Sigma' s Squash Tournament, and Beta Theta Pi's King of the Wings Competition. Gamma Omega held our annual Kappa Karnival in conjunction with the Denison Community Association as part of Make a Difference Day, and brought in over 50 children from Newark and surrounding areas. The event was held in October 2012 in the Mitchell Athletic Center due to rain and had numerous fraternities, sororities, and campus organizations represented in the event. The Hilltoppers, DUwop, and Burpee's Seedy Theatrical Co. each performed during the Karnival. This year, we began volunteering at our new local philanthropy The Works, in Newark. For the 2012 school year, the chapter has participated in over 1,300 hours of community service through campus service organizations.
There have been no new renovations on our campus since the dining hall was renovated in the spring of 2013. Our chapter of Gamma Omega has a total of 103 initiated members and we just welcomed 28 new members into our house.
==Highlights of 2015==
This past spring, on March 28, 2015, we initiated 26 new members. One member was initiated at the University of Akron. This past year, we participated in numerous philanthropic events on campus. These included Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash, Pi Beta Phi's Pi Phi Palooza, Kappa Alpha Theta's Kats with Bats, Beta Theta Pi's King of the Wings Competition, Lambda Chi Alpha's Fall Bash, and Sigma Lambda Gamma's basketball tournament. In the fall of 2015, we held a Kappa Kornhole event. It was held on one of our residential quads and multiple sororities and fraternities participated, along with people who are not involved in Greek Life. We raised about $1,500 from this event. In September, we started working with the Look Up Center, located in Newark, Ohio. Once a week, members from the chapter would go to the Center and help children with their homework for a few hours.
This past summer, our library and one of our residential halls was renovated. Our chapter of Gamma Omega has a total of 86 initiated members.
Our national philanthropy is Reading is Fundamental. In past years, our chapter has worked with The Works, but this fall, we decided to start working with The Look Up Center located in Newark, Ohio. Once a week, members of the chapter would go and help younger children with their homework for a few hours.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
This past spring, on March 5, 2016, we initiated 24 new women. 3 new women were initiated at Miami University-Oxford OH. We also initiated 2 new women on November 12, 2016 thorough Continuous Open Bidding (COB) during the fall of 2016. The women of Gamma Omega are part of numerous honoraries including 4 women on Mortar Board, 5 women in Omicron Delta Kappa, 6 women in Phi Beta Kappa, and numerous women in Rho Lambda. Two of our members also held leadership positions in these honoraries: Jessica Braid as president of Rho Lambda and Aleksa Kaups as President of Theta Alpha Phi. Our members dedicated additional time to the PanHellenic community. Asesha Dayal was the Vice President of Development and Audrey Smith and Heather Wiggins are members of the PanHellenic Judicial Board. Gamma Omega was awarded 9 different awards at the Greek Awards this past spring: Excellence in Service and Support of Others, Outstanding Public Relations, Outstanding Recruitment, Outstanding Sorority Advisor (Lisa Tompson), Outstanding Sorority President (Meg Flanagan), Outstanding Sorority Scholar (Jenna Breslin), Outstanding New Member (Jen Durbin), Outstanding Sorority Athlete (Jen Durbin), Outstanding Greek Leaders (Jessica Braid & Asesha Dayal).
==Highlights of 2011-2019:2017==
Chapter Facility:
The Gamma Omega chapter meets at 110 N. Mulberry Street, a house we own, where we hold weekly meetings in. The house is located on South Quad. Members of Gamma Omega do not live in the house, but instead use it for our weekly chapter and council meetings, as a place to hang out with fellow sisters, or to do homework. Our house mom Missy Nabors is leaving after this semester ends.
[[File:Gamma Omega Chapter Room.JPG|thumb|Gamma Omega Chapter]]
Oral History
Are there any current members, alumnae or advisers from your chapter that you recommend for the Fraternity’s oral history project? We are looking for Kappas with stories to tell – funny chapter memories, great professional achievement stories, heartwarming stories of how Kappa has helped them, etc. Natalie Kindler is a Gamma Omega alumnae. She graduated in 2017 and is now a Leadership Consultant, so she can share how her time at Gamma Omega lead her to her position as a leadership consultant.
==Highlights of 20132018==
This past spring we initiated thirty new members and we initiated an additional two new members in the fall through continual open bidding.
The Gamma Omega chapter meets at 110 N. Mulberry Street, a house we own, where we hold weekly meetings in. The house is located on South Quad. Members of Gamma Omega do not live in the house, but instead use it for our weekly chapter and council meetings, as a place to hang out with fellow sisters, or to do homework. Our house mom Cheryl Moore is new this year.
The year of 2014 was a very successful and rewarding year for the Delta Gamma Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. This past spring we welcomed in three new girls and in the fall we welcomed in one of the chapters largest pledge classes with is a total of 38 new memberssupportive organization. Our For example, every week at chapter held two philanthropies in 2014. In the spring meetings we held Kappacinos, and Kappa Softball in the fall, where we raised money for a local charity Stone Soup. In addition a number of announce our sisters participated in and supported many of the fraternities philanthropiesinvolvements so others can attend. As a chapter we excelled We have women in many of theseDUwop, taking first place in Sigma Phi Epsilon's Queen of Hearts and also Delta Sigma Phi's powder puff. In addition we participated in Pike mud volleyballthe Theatre department, Delta Sigma Phi dodge ballthe Music department, and Sigma Chi Derby Days. The Delta Omega chapter raised over 8000 dollars for Valley Children's hospital during Sigma Chi Derby DaysDenison Independent Theater Association (DITA), setting a record for the most money raised by a single Panhellenic organization at Fresno State. In addition many sisters participated in Stone Soup holiday partiesBurpees, Kid's Day, and the Susan G. Komen walk. To help unify our chapterGenital Monologues, our Standard's committee put on several sisterhood events which included pumpkin carvingDenison Feminists, yoga nightsDenison Democrats, Women in Math and tie-dying shirts. Our sisters Madison PrettymanComputer Science, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Kelsey Smith and Kelli Kennedy all attended Volunteers for the biannual national Kappa Kappa Gamma convention last yearHumane Society, bringing home many stories and ideas the better our chapter. Abigail Hudson and Ashley Blomquist both received parent’s club awardsSHARE Advocates. Madison Reiser was awarded We also have women who participate in varsity athletics on the Fresno State Alumni Scholarship and Jillian Bertolucci received the Bo Eriksen Spirit Award for the second time. At the Greek Awards ceremony Stevie Smelski received the Outstanding President award and Natalie Granados received Greek of Distinction. In addition to individual awardsSoftball, the Delta Omega chapter received an award for Outstanding Interfraternalism and Excellence in Community Service Philanthropy. Overall our chapter had a very successful year filled with volunteeringRugby, awardsCheerleading, and sisterhoodSoccer Teams.
The University has recently opened new Social Spaces on campus which has allowed our chapter to more easily engage with the Denison community. The Greek community as a whole as worked a lot this year on increasing Greek unity between the different councils represented at our school, and Kappa has fully embraced this push by attending philanthropy and educational events hosted by other councils as well as attending events from Denison’s first Greek Week.
Gamma Omega began 2020 with a highly successful formal and informal recruitment process in January. Three of our active members served as Rho Gammas during the recruitment process. The chapter welcomed 18 new members on Bid Day, and then recruited an additional 5 new members through informal recruitment in the following weeks. Bid Day 2020 was “Friends” themed, with outfits inspired by the hit TV show, and featured ice skating with the new members and actives. After recruitment, the VPO hosted our annual Leadership Day as we transitioned officers, with 5 returning council members and 14 new council members. We decided to incorporate a new council position at the start of 2020, naming Anna Mae Murphy as Gamma Omega’s first Sexual Respect Chair. The new member class was formally pledged at the beginning of February and began their EME training, which occured before chapter every Sunday. At the end of February, Denison hosted an FSL (Fraternity & Sorority Life) Leadership Retreat for all Denison Greek Presidents and Representatives with the intent of creating connections between the different Greek Councils and Chapters. The Gamma Omega President, Lily Anderson, and Panhellenic Delegate, Lillian Morrow, were in attendance. March was a very difficult month for the Gamma Omega Chapter . We planned to hold initiation on March 28th, during the week following spring break. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States, Denison informed students that spring break would be followed by a 2-week period of remote learning with the hopes of returning to campus by April 3rd. Although the administration hoped that students would be able to return, they encouraged students to pack up their belongings in the days leading up to spring break and prepare to move home. On March 16th, Denison made the announcement that the remainder of the semester would be virtual. Because of the pivot to remote learning, the chapter’s Event Chair, Ariana Aulisi, was forced to cancel the off-campus formal that she had planned. The House Chair, Zoe Smith, and House Board President, Tina Tracy, supported members in the spring by allowing them to store some of their belongings in the Kappa House during the quick move-out. House Board was also able to move forward on renovations to the laundry room and office, as well as plan for redecoration of many rooms in the Kappa house. While at home, Gamma Omega maintained weekly council and chapter meetings over Zoom and Google Meet. Before the transition to remote learning, Stella Boeckman, the Philanthropy:Chair, was planning a spring philanthropy event called Kans for Kappa, which was intended to be a food drive for Center for Hope. Following the collection, Kappa members were then planning to go to a Center for Hope location and put together activity kits for students. Additionally, Kappa was partnered with the Boys and Girls Club in Newark, where Kappa members were able to volunteer weekly. However, when the pandemic hit, Stella stepped up to the plate and created a new virtual philanthropy event. She hosted a virtual fundraiser and raffle in April, raising a total of $881 for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund to help healthcare workers, vulnerable individuals, and hygiene promotion activities. With guidance from District Specialists, the Marshal, Madison Gordon, coordinated a virtual initiation for the new member class. Madison reached out to relatives of Legacy new members and invited them to the Zoom initiation to support their daughters and nieces. On April 30, 2020, 23 of the 24 new members were successfully initiated over Zoom in a ceremony lead by Kappa Headquarters. During the month of May, the senior members of Kappa were able to read their letters to the chapter during the final two virtual chapter meetings. The 9 graduating seniors were sent stoles, small gifts, and letters from their kappa families in place of the traditional senior brunch. Additionally, Gamma Omega had three virtual pinning ceremonies following chapter meetings. Denison implemented a pass or fail option for all courses due to the stress and complications of the spring semester, which allowed for students to elect to take their courses as pass or fail rather than for a grade. This prevented the VP Academic Excellence, Talia Zeiger, from receiving grades. Although she could not make Academic Progress Plans without grade reports, she worked hard to provide support for struggling members. In place of the traditional “Finals Pizza” event, Talia sent Kappas who had received awards and scholarships handwritten letters and Kappa stickers in the mail. Over the summer, the chapter President attended the virtual Convention, and the Kappa Patter Newsletter was sent out. Denison announced plans for returning to campus, with strict guidelines placed on Greek organizations. The majority of Gamma Omega’s members returned to campus for the fall semester, with a few studying remotely from home. With the no-gathering order from the National Panhellenic Council in place, Kappa worked to recruit members through the COB process virtually, as well as to host virtual sisterhood events. The Membership Chair, Meghan Callahan, recruited two new members, and Bid Day was celebrated virtually. Gamma Omega’s VP Standards, Emily Muckle, organized virtual sisterhood events including trivia nights, a movie night, and, once restrictions were lifted, a socially distant bonfire and s’mores night. Additionally, our PR Chair, Helen Nickerson, organized an ongoing virtual yoga and workout session. VP Academic Excellence, Talia Zeiger, continued to name members “Smartie of the Week” at chapter based on kappa member nominations. In October, when some restrictions were lifted, The Marshal, Madison Gordon, began organizing ritual events including Formal Pledging and Formal Chapters in a hybrid format, with the Chapter President, Marshal, and Tech Consultant socially distant in the Kappa house and the rest of the members on Zoom. Additionally, Kappa members participated in philanthropy events for other Greek organizations at Denison, including Tri Delta Kickball and Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash. For the first time in several years, Kappa won the Anchor Splash Dance competition. Gamma Omega’s annual philanthropy event was hosted on October 31st. In order to make the event safe, the Philanthropy Chair created a new event called Kappa Carving. This event featured a socially distant pumpkin carving competition which raised $1,643 for Reading is Fundamental and the Conscious Kid. In November, the Marshal hosted a successful I-Week, with some events in-person and some events virtual. She consulted with her Specialist and received permission to host in-person F-Side and Initiation, with limited participation and social distancing. On November 14th, Gamma Omega initiated three members with only essential members present for the ceremony. Following initiation, the new actives experienced their first formal chapter and also participated in the Behind Happy Faces program provided through Kappa HQ. The VPAE sent out care packages to those who applied for scholarships and graduate or medical school which contained a handwritten note and stuffed animal. She also hosted the “Wise Owl” event, where older actives assist younger actives with course registration, virtually. During nominations for new council, Gamma Omega decided to create a Diversity Chair position, and Destiny Gonzalez was elected in the position. Toward the end of the semester, Gamma Omega received a focus letter, indicating that chapter operations needed to be improved. The incoming and outgoing council members collaborated with the Gamma District Specialists and Gamma Omega Advisors to create an action plan in response to the focus letter. This plan was centered on improving chapter communication and operations. Many Gamma Omega members received scholarships, honors, and awards in 2020. Talia Zeiger (’21) and Madison Gordon (’21) both received scholarships from the Denison Theatre Department. Annika Kanuckel-Wolfe (’22) was inducted into Theta Alpha Phi theatre honorary, and Madison Gordon (’21) was elected President of Theta Alpha Phi. Alli Holmes (’21) was in the Top 50 Student Athlete GPA. Jessica Crabtree (’22) received a Scholarship for Excellence in English, and Sarah Wilson (’20) received an English Department Scholarship as well. Kyra Colah (’21) was named a Senior Fellow in the Communications Department, and Talia Zeiger (’21) was named a Senior Fellow in the Psychology Department. Lillian Morrow (’22) was inducted into the AED Pre-Health Honorary Society, and Lily LeVanis (’21) was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta history academic society, as well as named a Senior Fellow in the History Department. Meghan Callahan (’21) was elected Vice President of the Mortar Board, Jordan Zelvin (’21) was elected Historian of the Mortar Board, and Tori Sauve (’21) was inducted into Mortar Board.
==Highlights of 20172021:==
In May, the class of 2021 was able to gather at the house together for one final in person formal chapter, the first since benign sent home in the spring of 2020. During this chapter they were able to read their goodbye letters to each other and the rest of the chapter over zoom, and gather in the sacred bond of sisterhood one last time. Over summer, the Kappa house went largely unused by all except House Chair Anne Matoni who was the first Gamma Omega member to live in the chapter house in decades. Kappas spent their summer involved in a number of outside activities including both in-person and virtual internships, on campus summer research, and summer jobs. Once a month, the chapter council would meet to discuss the coming year and their plans for the focus letter and chapter as a whole. During this time, Kappa Kappa Gamma also transitioned to a new philanthropy partnership dedicated to supporting those with mental illness, which was extremely well received by the members of Gamma Omega.
==Highlights of 2022:==
Isabella was initiated! and Larisa became her mommy!
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