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Delta Psi
ΔΨ
Founded	February 27, 1953 (1953-02-27) (71 years ago)
College	Texas Tech University
Location	Lubbock, TX
Homepage	Delta Psi Homepage
Media related to Delta Psi Chapter

Texas Tech (Formerly Texas Technological College), Lubbock, Texas, 1923

Founded March 28, 1953

2,890 initiates (as of June 2016)

Charter Members: Marjorie Ann Smith Asbill, Johneen Bice, Anita Joyce Booher, Margaret Helen Brown, Mary Katherine Brown, Sandra Lou Sadler Haynes, Marie Hlavaty, Betty Lou Hudson, Lynna Lorraine Jenkins, Sybil Ruth Jones Jones, Suzanne Ledbetter, Patricia Ann Sibson Miller, Verbie Bess Oldham, Reta Joyce McIlroy Olsen, Joy Dawn Reil, Patricia Anne Spikes, Adelin Frances Stokes, Juanelle Talbot, Barbarie Cynthia Tankersley, Elizabeth Anne Bentley Worsham.

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

In 1923 a bill to establish a college in Lubbock was approved by the senate and house of the State of Texas. Texas Technological College opened September 30, 1925, with 1,043 students, the largest opening enrollment of any college in the nation.

When the college was less than two years old, Mary Doak, the dean of women, realized the need for social organization for women students and selected a group of outstanding girls to be the nucleus of Las Chaparritas, the first social group on campus. The club's aims, then and later, were to unite girls of a common interest, to support campus activities, and to foster happiness among its members as well as all students and groups with whom it came in contact.

When Las Chaparritas became Delta Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma on March 27, 1953, it was the first Greek letter social fraternity on the Texas Tech campus, one of five social clubs and eight men's clubs to be installed as Greek letter organizations after the Texas Tech Board of Regents opened the campus to national groups in June, 1952. Others followed, and of the 13 sororities and 14 fraternities installed, none has been disbanded.

In October, 1952, members of Las Chaparrites attended a Kappa rush party at the home of Billie Bob Jones Murphy, Gamma Psi- Maryland; on November 15 a formal petition was submitted to Kappa Kappa Gamma; and on November 23 members, pledges, and alumnae attended a "get acquainted" tea given by nearby Kappa alumnae at the home of Nancy Moore Wilson.

Delta Psi Chapter was installed March 27, 1953, at the Lubbock Women's Club. President Edith Reese Crabtree, Beta Gamma- Wooster, officiated, and Executive Secretary Clara O. Pierce, Beta Nu- Ohio State, was among the national officers who attended. The installing chapter was Gamma Phi, Southern Methodist University, and assisting were active members from Beta Xi, the University of Texas at Austin; Beta Theta, the University of Oklahoma; and Gamma Beta, the University of New Mexico; as well as alumnae from Lubbock, Midland, Amarillo, and San Angelo, Texas.

The following morning 29 initiates and 42 alumnae became the first members of Delta Psi. That afternoon the first pledge service was held. That night the Midland group gave a banquet. A model meeting was conducted on March 28 in the Administration Building and the first officers were installed with Elizabeth Ann Bentley (Worsham) as president. Afterwards the Amarillo alumnae gave a reception for the new chapter.

When Delta Psi was founded there were 348 faculty members, 89 buildings, and 5,418 students including the 49 Kappas. In 1974 there were 1,351 faculty, 201 buildings, and 21,494 students. The chapter numbers more than 130.

Delta Psi has a lodge at 2414-B Broadway and a lease running to September, 1976, with an additional two year option. In 1957 a lot was purchased at 15th Street and Quaker Avenue, an area known as Greek Circle where six sororities had already built lodges. The chapter has plans to build a lodge there as soon as financing becomes available.

Kappas have taken part in campus activities including band, twirling, swimming, drama, cheerleading, intramural sports and Panhellenic; are in beauty courts, class and dormitory councils, Mortar Board, ROTC, academic societies, and President's Hostesses; and are fraternity sweethearts, "best dressed," and top scholars. Off campus they have been representatives to world affairs conferences and political rallies. The Kappa Pickers play and sing for charitable organizations.

Delta Psi has won many Kappa awards: for best progress in 1964; for efficiency in 1966; honorable mention for efficiency in 1968; for efficiency and honorable mention for chapter publications in 1970; for standards and runner-up for service by alumnae to chapter in 1972; and first runner-up for best pledge training program in 1974. The province Lois Lake Shapard Award based on overall chapter excellence was won by the chapter in both 1971 and 1973.

The chapter has progressed with the help of advisors from Delta Psi and other chapters. Each year the pledge quota is reached, and Kappa mothers are often alumnae of the chapter.

Delta Psi is proud of 21 years of chapter history as it looks to the future.

Highlights of 2011

This year we participated in numerous events from date parties, community service and parents weekend. 2011 was a great year for the Delta Psi Kappas. We had a total of three date parties this year. Our first date party was with Delta Delta Delta the theme was “What used to be cool.” We all dress up as old TV characters that were popular. We also did Monmouth Duo with Pi Beta Phi. It was only two days this year. The first day’s theme was Disco and the second day’s theme was Bells Beaus and Stilettos.

The most recent date party was also with Pi Beta Phi and it was a Honkey Tonk Theme. We all threw on best country clothes and cowboys boots. We also hosted a Mom’s weekend where all of our mom’s came to visit. There was a brunch Saturday Morning where our pickers preformed and a fancy dinner at the Texas Tech Club Saturday night. Also Dad’s weekend was combined with Kappa Klassic, our fund raiser for Children’s Miracle. We also participated in a Greek build for Habitat for Humanity for a family in Lubbock.

This year we also were honored with many awards and won some campus competitions. We were number one is grades in the spring of 2011 and second in grades in the fall of 2011. During homecoming we won the Float design contest and had a homecoming court nominee in the top five candidates. We also were the softball intramural champions, we won free t-shirt from Chrome a small boutique for our new members, as well as a t-shirt design competition for Kappa’s academic excellent t-shirt. The biggest awards we won this year were at Province. The awards we won were Excellence in Community, Leadership, and Scholarship. We are very proud of what we accomplished in 2011 and can’t wait to see what happens 2012.

Campus: This year Texas Tech has had a lot of changes on campus. We officially have a new Business Administration building. With the BA moving Mass Communications will be moving in to the old BA building after the next semester. We also added a new dorm because of the growing student population. The new dorm is going to be called The New Hall on Boston. Also Texas Tech is cutting upper administrative positions that will save the school $500,000 per year.

Chapter: Kappa has been very involved on campus this year. We have multiple members involved in Student Government Association, Student Alumni Board, and Freshmen Council. We also have members involved in Greekwide which is a bible study open to the entire greek community. We are also trying to show Kappa’s present on campus by offering Kappaccinos. This will give us a way to get to know and interact with the community on campus.

The biggest challenge Kappa has faced this year is our grades. In the fall of 2010 we ended up 5th in grade and the chapter as a whole was not happy. We really worked on focusing on study hall hours. Also worked on getting a support system going so older members could help younger members in the classes they had already taken. At the end of the spring of 2011 we got to number one in grades. We are currently number two in grades and we are working hard to get back to that top position.

Highlights of 2012

The Delta Psi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had a wonderful and successful year. The Delta Psi chapter attended convention this past summer of 2012 and received several great awards. These awards include Public Relations Award Winner, Honorable Mentions, New Member Programs, Standards, Philanthropy (Reading is Fundamental), Academic Excellence, Gracious Living, Chapter/Advisory Board Relations, and Advisory Board. The chapter, also, attended Texas Tech University’s Panhellenic Greek Awards. There, Delta Psi won Excellence in Community Service, Excellence in Scholarship, Excellence in Leadership, Academic Excellence Award Winner, and Most Outstanding Advisor Award (Presented to LeAnn Grantham—New Member Advisor).

Delta Psi, also, had a great year with philanthropy. On March 31st, 2012, Delta Psi held their annual Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament. This is an event held each year where Kappa dads, students, alumni, and the local community come out and play to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. There were 228 participants this year and raised a total of $21,440. Delta Psi participated in the Kappa Foundation Challenge where 35% of the chapter donated money totaling to 60 members. In September, Delta Psi helped National Travel in hosting National Gymnastics Day. 75 members of the chapter came out to help face paint, play games with kids, and participate in the day’s events. This event raised a total of $120 for the Children’s Miracle Network. In October, many members put a total of 24 hours into helping with the Murfee Autumn Festival. This included working booths, playing with the kids, face painting, cakewalks, etc.

Academics are a very big focus for the Delta Psi chapter. In spring of 2012, the chapter average GPA was a 3.293. The chapter was, also, ranked number 2 out of the 11 Panhellenic sororities for the spring. The chapter had over 20 girls get a 4.0. The academic statistics for fall 2012 were not available in time for the report.

This past year Delta Psi won the Academic Excellence T-shirt contest that was put on by Kappa Headquarters for Academic Excellence month. Also, many sisterhood events were put on such as decorating cards for the troops, a movie night, and renting out the trampoline park at Adrenaline City. Lastly, the chapter participated in a substance-free date party with Kappa Alpha Theta at the Corn Maze put on by Panhellenic.

Texas Tech University has had several changes in the last year. One of the biggest accomplishments Texas Tech had this year was becoming a Tier One school. After several years of hard work this was a very rewarding achievement for the school. Texas Tech University also hired Kliff Kingsbury to be the new head football coach. The school is very excited about this change because Kingsbury previously played for Texas Tech. The Texas Tech University mascot Raider Red recently won the Capital One Mascot Challenge.

The overall nature of the Delta Psi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma is one that is welcoming, relaxed, and focused on sisterhood. It really has known to become the home away from home for the members of this chapter. The chapter has a lot of involvement in all the different sisterhood, Panahellenic, and philanthropy events, which make for great memories for the members. The nature of this chapter is very special and hard to replace.

Highlights of 2013

The Delta Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was honored to have hosted Province this year on March 1st, 2013. At Province the Delta Psi Chapter received two awards Alumnae Relations Award, and Academic Excellence Award. The chapter also received awards at the Texas Tech University Greek Awards on April 11th, 2013. These awards include Excellence in Community Service, Excellence in Leadership, and Excellence in Scholarship. Delta Psi’s philanthropy also did amazing things this past year.

On April 6, 2013 Delta Psi hosted their annual Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament. This event is held each year on the same weekend as our dad’s weekend. The gold tournament lets Kappa dads, alumni, students, and the community participate in a golf tournament while also raising money for Children Miracle Network. This year we had about 260 participants and about 150 volunteers. This great turn out also brought in an amazing total of $25,500 dollars! Delta Psi also got involved in some great new things one was tours at Children’s Miracle Network, we had over ¼ of the chapter attend a tour. Another was having 75 members to sign up to read at local elementary school. We also donated books to our other philanthropy Reading is Fundamental at Monmouth. Then for the Kappa Foundation we raised over $1,000 dollars.

Academics is a main focus of the Delta Psi Chapter. In spring semester of 2013 Delta Psi was ranked 5th out of 11 on Greek circle. Our chapter GPA average was a 3.30. An amazing statistic is we had 42 members score a 4.0. In Fall 2013 Delta Psi was ranked 5th out of 11 on Greek Circle with 1st having a tie. The chapter average was a 3.22, and we had 30 girls earned a 4.0.

Delta Psi also did some fun events this last year. On April 18-20th, 2013 Kappa had our annual Monmouth Date party. In the fall our chapter attended an alcohol free concert hosted by Panhellenic. We also enjoyed a great alumnae thanksgiving dinner this year catered by Market Street.

Texas Tech started off with excitement with our new head football coach Kliff Kingsbury. Had a great start of the season and even made it to a bowl game with a victory. Sadly Tech saw Chancellor Hance resign from his position. But in that we received a new president of Tech, Duane Nellis. On campus tech began building new residents halls for age 21+. The dorms will be ready by this next fall semester in 2014. Tech’s campus all built a new engineering building.

Highlights of 2014

This past year in the Delta Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been one for the books. At the Kappa Convention in June of 2014, the Delta Psi chapter was awarded Excellence in Chapter Management, as well as Honorable Mention in Advisory Board, Ritual, and Standards.

Delta Psi has had an outstanding year in philanthropic events, including both new and old traditions. In the spring, Delta Psi hosted it’s first ever Kappa Krawfish, an event hosting the Greek and local community to an afternoon of Louisiana crawfish, live music, and activities. The proceeds were gifted to our local philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network. Later in the spring, the Delta Psi Kappa’s donated a children’s book for admission into the annual Formal, Monmouth. These books benefited out national philanthropy, Reading is FUNdamental. In the fall, the Delta Psi chapter hosted its 18th Annual Kappa Klassic Gold Tournament. A total of 250 people participated in this event at the Meadowbrook Golf Course, where they golfed, mingled, auctioned, and donated to Children’s Miracle Network. The Delta Psi chapter raised over $31,000 in this event. During one of Delta Psi’s sisterhood events, Kappa sisters came together to draw and write letters of encouragement for hospitalized kids, benefitting Children’s Miracle Network.

Delta Psi has had an outstanding year academically and we hope to improve even more in the next year. Texas Tech University Panhellenic awarding the Delta Psi chapter with the Academic Excellence Award. Delta Psi closed out the Spring 2014 semester with an overall GPA of 3.2, including 65 Kappa sisters achieving and 3.5 GPA or above, and 25 sisters achieving a 4.0. The academic statistics for Fall 2014 are not available at this time, but Delta Psi is aware that our ranking and overall GPA has increased drastically.

Texas Tech University has experienced many changes on campus, including a record-breaking amount of student enrollment and a prestigious achievement for the baseball team. Texas Tech University official reported record enrollment figures for the sixth-straight year as 35,134 students were in fall classes in 2014. The difference of 2,023 students from fall 2013 represented the third-largest increase in a single year since the university opened its doors in 1925. In 2014, the Texas Tech University baseball team attended the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska for the first time in school history. Leading up to the College World Series, Texas Tech hosted the Super Regional series for the first time in school history, and both of the games against the College of Charleston attracted a record of 4,811 fans. Although the Texas Tech Red Raiders didn’t win the College World Series, this event brought more attention to the university.

The Delta Psi chapter holds its chapter meetings in a lodge that is owned by the Delta Psi House Board. The Delta Psi chapter has always had a lodge, due to a law of Lubbock County stating that no more than three females with different last names could occupy the same dwelling. However, the current lodge was not the only lodge on the campus. The current lodge was established in 1976, but previous to that, the lodge was located on Broadway Street.

Highlights of 2015

This past year in the Delta Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been busy and filled with change. The Delta Psi chapter was awarded as the “Most Outstanding Panhellenic Chapter” on Texas Tech University’s campus. The chapter held philanthropic events, such as our second annual Kappa Krawfish, an event hosting the Greek and local community to an afternoon filled with Louisiana crawfish, live music, and activities. Through this event, the Delta Psi chapter raised over $5,000 for our local philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network. During the fall semester, the girls of Delta Psi read to the elementary school kids at Joan Y. Ervin Elementary School multiple times a week. We also hosted a Reading is Key event at Joan Y. Ervin Elementary School in the fall. Delta Psi has had a fantastic year academically and we hope to improve even more in the semesters and years to come. The chapter concluded the Spring 2015 semester as #4 in the Greek community, at a 3.374 chapter GPA, with 39 girls receiving a 4.0 and 179 girls making greater than a 3.0, which is 82% of the chapter. We have moved one up in the ranking since the Fall 2014 semester. The academic statistics for Fall 2014 are not available at this time, but Delta Psi is hopeful that our ranking on Greek Circle and overall GPA has improved.

Texas Tech University has experienced many changes on campus, mainly because the university is growing drastically. For the seventh-straight year, Texas Tech University reported another enrollment record with 35,893 students for the fall semester, a 2.1 percent growth from fall 2014. With the major growth in students, Texas Tech University has to continue to renovate and build new buildings, like the new Bayer Plant Science Building that opened in the fall of 2015. Along with educational buildings, the Greek community is also expanding. The Texas Tech University chapters of Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi, and our very own Kappa Kappa Gamma are in the process of building new lodges to accommodate the growth of Greek life at Texas Tech University . Chapter Philanthropy:

What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?

Historically, Delta Psi has raised money for our local philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network at the University Medical Center. We have just recently started to donate hours to Joan Y. Ervin Elementary School.

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

We started donating hours to Joan Y. Ervin Elementary School to expand our community involvement while also supporting and dedicating ourselves to our national philanthropy, Reading is FUNdamental.