Delta Eta
| Delta Eta | |
|---|---|
| ΔH | |
 | |
| Founded | November 11, 1932 |
| College | University of Utah |
| Location | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Homepage | Delta Eta Homepage |
| Media related to Delta Eta Chapter | |
University of Utah established 1850, Salt Lake City, Utah
Delta Eta founded November 11, 1932 - 22 charter members
2,365 initiates (as of June 2012)
Some of Delta Eta’s Outstanding Members:
(If you have chapter alumnae who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Officers:
Nancy Lipman (Giles), Field Secretary 1960 – 1962; Larae Robbins (Sansom), Field Secretary 1962 - 1964 Gayle Pyke (Griffith), Field Secretary, 1974 – 1977;
Fraternity Loyalty Award:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Phyllis McGinley (Hayden), 1952, Poet, author; Diana Devine Felt, 1974, TV host, coordinator of mental health for Salt Lake County, and civic leader
Additional Outstanding Delta Eta Alumnae:
Nancy Lipman (Giles), Graduate Counselor 1959 – 1960; Larae Robbins (Sansom), Graduate Counselor 1960-1962; Jenn Haughey (King), Chapter Consultant 1993 – 1995; Lori McDonald, Chapter Consultant 1995 – 1997;
Contents
The Early Years
The nine founders of Lambda Phi Lambda local chose as their pin an hourglass to mark time until Kappa Kappa Gamma would accept their petition. In 1932, after 13 years of hard work and high hopes the sands of the Lambda hourglass ran out and 235 actives and alumnae became members of Delta Eta Chapter at the University of Utah. The petition had been accepted at the Colorado Springs Convention of 1932.
Installation ceremonies were conducted on November 11, 1932, by Grand President Alice Tillotson Barney, X-Minnesota, and Field Secretary Helen Snyder (Andres), Beta Pi-Washington, in the Prudential Life building on South Temple Street. Patrons, two of whom were initiated, and Kappa alumnae shared the happy occasion. The alumnae included two, one named Carrie, BE-Barnard, and one named Lillian, E-Illinois Wesleyan, who had taken the petition to the convention. A special song, known as “The Garden Gate Song,” was part of the petition and was later adopted as a Kappa song.
Five other Delta Eta songs appear in the Fraternity songbook: “Kappa Maid,” “Kappa Rhapsodie,” “Panhellenic Song,” “We Are The KKGs” and “I Love Your Blue.”
Housing
The Kappa house is at 33 South Wolcott Street. The Lambdas had owned or rented several houses before the 1929 acquisition (for $8000) of the eight room red brick bungalow, located close to the campus and other fraternity houses. The chapter was installed there. The house was remodeled at the cost of $15,000 in 1939. In 1963, a large $53,000 addition included five new bedrooms, large kitchen, dining room, TV and card room, three bathrooms, chapter and archives room, utility room, and much more storage space.
Traditions and Honors
Delta Eta scholarship has seen its ups and downs, from first place in early years, to a slump in the 1940s, then back to first place throughout the 1950s, with special awards, and a repeated retirement of the Panhellenic Trophy. Another slump in the 1960s was followed by stringent measures, with bylaws prohibiting pledging under a 2.7 high school average or initiation under 2.5. Officers must maintain a 2.5 overall average. Study tables, tutors, and advisers paid off in the 1970s with the chapter average reaching as high as 3.6 in 1972, and one seventh of the chapter receiving a 4.0 for spring quarter in 1973. Panhellenic no longer awards a trophy because of the passage of “credit-no credit” classes and of withdrawals the last week of school if one is failing a course.
During the chapter’s first ten years a community chest drive had Kappa cooperation; Kappas sold opera tickets and entertained underprivileged children at Christmas time. During World War II Red Cross activities included rolling bandages. The USO exchange was manned by Kappas, and dues were raised to buy war stamps and bonds. After the war the chapter aided in a cancer drive, a Sub-for-Santa project, and fund raising for the Utah State Prison.
In 1952, a project was begun which lasted until 1964—Kappa and Kappa Sigma joined annually to give a party for Salt Lake City underprivileged children with gifts, refreshments, and decorations. In 1965, the Vietnam War interrupted this project. The project continued in 1968 for one year. Then the girls began diverse activities: tutoring slow learners, reading to the blind, and making gifts for Sub-for-Santa. In 1970 there was a central city swim party for underprivileged children and gifts for rest home residents. In 1971 the chapter sponsored a Christmas party for orphans with the Sigma Chis. In 1973 the actives and alumnae raised funds with a Christmas bazaar for promotion of a “Special Olympics” held for handicapped children in the spring at the university stadium. This was a very successful and meaningful project.
Hanging on the living room wall is a Kappa crest created by the mother of a Delta Eta member who was Rush Chairman in 1963. They made the lovely 3-by-5-foot wall hanging as a special surprise and morale-builder. The background is on a cream-colored piece of wool, lined with satin and edged with gold fringe. In the bottom right hand corner is a large gold Delta Eta. The chapter is very proud of this unusual piece.
Delta Eta is honored to own the Maude Gorham key donated by Vilate Crane Shaffer, loyal Delta Eta and past Eta province officer. Maude, Upsilon-Northwestern, was a graduate student when Kappa was petitioned, and she helped secure the charter. The most outstanding junior receives this large antique gold badge each year. In 1963, the original was lost and the chapter appropriated funds for another, exactly the same but a little bit brighter. This key is loved in a special way by Delta Etas. Maude Gorham, a Phi Beta Kappa, taught math, was president of the State Federation of Women’s Clubs, and was a member of many boards. The University of Utah was the first state university in Utah to admit women, but 100 years passed before it granted a woman an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. That woman was Maude Gorham in 1950.
In 1967, the chapter received the key and 50-year pin of long-time adviser and Founders’ Day dinner speaker, named Lillian who had helped present the petition. Beginning in 1974, the senior graduated with the highest average has her name engraved on a plaque holding Lillian’s key. A large gold wooden key marks the Kappa house, so that it is easily recognized.
Delta Eta Alumnae Association had adopted as its Bicentennial project the writing of the history of the chapter. Funds have been appropriated for framing and reproducing pictures and the comparative history chart to hang in the chapter room, which also serves as its history room. A printed history will be placed in the university library and the chapter archives.
To many Kappas, the name of Phyllis McGinley (Hayden), poet, stands out in Delta Eta’s membership list. She has received the Pulitzer Prize, the Laetare Medal, and the Fraternity’s Alumnae Achievement Award. Another Delta Eta Achievement Award winner in 1974 was Diana Devine Felt, the director of the Great Salt Lake County Mental Health Board. Gayle Olson Gittings is a renowned anthropologist and a producer and writer of “#7 Sunny Street,” a television program in Salt Lake City.
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 Archives, 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
In the 1970s, Delta Eta and the University of Utah experienced a growth in numbers of members and students, respectively. The 1978 release and subsequent popularity of the movie, “Animal House” resulted in a record number of students participating in recruitment and Delta Eta proudly took the largest pledge class on campus. Subsequent challenges of growth included sticking to their budget so chapter goals of the decade included fiscal responsibility along with improving scholastic standards. The chapter was known for their hospitality in hosting different men’s fraternities for dinner every week and for their numerous philanthropic programs including fashion shows, dance-a-thons, trick-or-treating with local children, and bed racing to benefit the March of Dimes.
The chapter was proud to note that the First Lady of Utah, Norma Matheson, was a Delta Eta alumna. The Homecoming Queens of 1978 and 1979 were Delta Eta Kappas. Three chapter members were inducted into the Beehive Honor Society, the University’s oldest society that recognizes achievement in leadership, scholarship, and service. Other members were involved in campus activies including the softball team and the Panhellenic Council.
Highlights of the 1980s
The 1980s saw a continued growth of interest in Greek life across the country and the University of Utah was no different. Large campus and Greek-wide social events drew a great deal of attention from the neighbors of Greek Row. Their lobbying efforts with the Salt Lake City Council to regulate the behavior resulted in a city zoning ordinance that codified procedures for managing fraternity and sorority events including requiring ID’s and a police presence on the properties. In addition, it established boundaries for where fraternity and sororities could grow, leaving out the Delta Eta chapter house at 33 South Wolcott. The chapter was “grandfathered” as a non-conforming use property and allowed to continue to operate in the location and the House Board redecorated the chapter room.
The Delta Eta’s put their creativity to work in developing two favorite rush events inspired by popular movies, the “Sounds of Kappa,” an Austrian-inspired picnic with lederhosen and Kappa-inspired adaptations of songs from “The Sound of Music,” and “Willy Wonka and the Kappa Factory,” with Kappa-loompas and all. In addition to the Senior Brunch sponsored by the Salt Lake Alumnae Association and the Mother’s Club, members participated in campus clothing drives, the Rose McGill Holiday Sharing Program, and won the Homecoming Songfest competition several times. Social events included a Sapphire Ball, Daddy-Daughter BBQ, a Nordstrom Fashion Show with the Chi Omegas, Kappa Jamma Party, Cowboy Party with the Kappa Sigmas, and Monmouth Duo with the Pi Phis.
The chapter faced challenges with collecting dues, but excelled at scholastic achievement and was first in grades on campus. Chapter members could be found participating in the Panhellenic Council, Mortar Board, ASUU (student government), study abroad, staff of the campus newspaper, and serving internships in Washington, DC, with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. The chapter was particularly proud of member Carol Dickson, Miss Teen Utah, who became Miss Teen USA in July of 1987.
Highlights of the 1990s
The 1990’s were characterized by a great deal of change for the University of Utah’s fraternity and sorority community and for the Fraternity. Tensions within the neighborhood between Greek-letter groups and single families continued. The Greek Council adopted more stringent self-regulating policies for events including an agreement for events with more than sixty attendees to be alcohol-free. This coincided with the National Panhellenic Conference resolution on alcohol-free programming and the campus saw a great deal of collaboration and success in this area with the exception of an entanglement between students and police officers at an event at the Kappa Sigma house in 1998 that was later described as a “riot” and drew negative publicity for the Greeks in the Salt Lake community.
Other changes included the Fraternity’s new member program and Delta Eta was selected to be one of 17 chapters to pilot the program in 1997, the same year that they celebrated their 65th anniversary of their founding, which included a birthday party with local alumnae. The National Panhellenic Conference resolution on “no frills” recruitment eliminated the elaborate theme parties but Utah’s Panhellenic created days to focus on Panhellenic unity and the sorority focus on philanthropy. Recruitment was also moved from September to August with the University’s change from quarters to semesters in 1998. These changes were spearheaded by a number of Delta Eta members who were elected to the Panhellenic Council throughout the decade.
In addition to traditional social events like Sapphire Ball, Spring Formal, and the Cowboy Party with Kappa Sigma, Delta Etas developed a tradition of a “Kapp-o-Soup” philanthropy event to benefit a number of local charitable organizations. For a few years they participated in a Utah highway cleanup effort and were assigned a stretch of road in Big Cottonwood Canyon – skiers and hikers alike passed the sign indicating Kappa’s adoption of the road both going up and down the canyon.
Campus involvement of members included student government, Student Alumni Association, and Panhellenic Council. Delta Eta was very proud of member Cori Cannon who was elected to be the Senior Class President for the University in 1998. The chapter also honored alumna member Cherry Moslander Ridges, the campus Greek adviser for nearly thirty years and former Kappa PDC, with an award key named in her honor to be given at Founder’s Day to a Delta Eta member that demonstrates excellence in campus involvement.
Chapter officers especially appreciated the generous gift of a copy machine from the House Board. The Board also redecorated the dining room and card room during the decade.
A New Millennium - Highlights of 2000-2010
Despite smaller new member classes for the U’s Panhellenic community and the closure of the Tri Delta chapter leaving only five NPC chapters on campus in the early 2000’s, Delta Eta members remained actively involved in campus leadership including Panhellenic Council and ASUU (student government). The University’s football team gained notoriety for becoming the first team from a non-BCS conference to play in and subsequently win a BCS bowl, the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, along with winning the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Kappa members actively participated in the rejuvenated MUSS/student section of the games.
The chapter addressed challenges of declining attendance with a focus on improving sisterhood, adopting the Fraternity’s new senior programming options, and improving the efficiency of chapter meetings including the use of email reminders and a website. In addition to the traditional “Kappa Soup” philanthropy, the chapter started a “Kappa Gobble” pie sale during the week of Thanksgiving to benefit the local YWCA shelter. Scholarship was also a focus and the chapter regularly placed first or second in grades for the campus.
In 2007 Delta Eta chapter hosted a tea party at the house with alumnae to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the chapter’s founding. The festivities included an archives display and highlights of the lives of “old” and “new” Kappa members. The event also highlighted the newly redecorated house including the living room, dining room, downstairs bathroom, and upstairs hallways and carpet.
Highlights of 2011-2019:
(Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
The University of Utah accepted an invitation to join the Pac-10 Athletic Conference with the University of Colorado in 2011, resulting in a name change to the Pac-12.
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Highlights of 2020s:
(Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
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Note to Chapter Registrar: Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper 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 members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
