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|Image= [[File:Delta_Rho.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1947|03|15}}
|College= [httphttps://www.olemiss.edu/ University of Mississippi]
|Location= University, MS
|Homepage= [httphttps://wwwolemiss.olemisskappakappagammakappa.comorg/ Delta Rho Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Delta_Rho Media related to Delta Rho Chapter]}}
'''University of Mississippi established in 1848, Oxford, Mississippi'''
'''3,477 486 initiates (as of June 20172018)'''
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The previous calendar year was an exciting and rewarding time for Ole Miss Kappas. Our chapter experienced great successes both locally and around the globe. Kappa became increasingly involved in other chapters' philanthropies and was named Pi Kappa Alpha's Powder Puff Champion. In addition to Kappa Karnival and Barbecue for Books, two separate groups of Ole Miss Kappas traveled to Haiti and Kenya for Feed the Hunger, a community-wide project started by our chapter. These Kappas delivered meals we packed during our annual Pack-A-Thon, benefiting Feed the Hunger. Our chapter received national recognition for our work with Feed the Hunger. In addition, our chapter won the Kappa Kappa Gamma Best Philanthropy in our Region award, which we are very proud of. The Ole Miss Order of Omega awarded our chapter the Chancellor's Cup for Best Overall Sorority on Campus largely due to our devoted philanthropic work. The Order of Omega also named Alli Bridgers (freshman) its Most Outstanding New Member on Campus, an award given to a Kappa for the second year in a row.
In the previous year, Ole Miss Kappas became increasingly involved in scholastic and ASB affairs. Allie Hearnsberger (senior) was named the Most Outstanding Marketing and Corporate Relations Student Award. Allie Winters (sophomore) ran for Ole Miss ASB Secretary and won her campaign with her Kappa sisters by her side. Every member of our chapter served her campaign and two members were chosen for her campaign team. The ASB Senate Chair was held by Megan Richter (freshman), Caroline Golson and Elizabeth Moore (freshmen) were on the ASB Election Commission, and Pierce Vaughan (freshman) was elected ASB Secretarial Office Assistant. Five Kappas participated in the Ole Miss Parade of Beauties. Jennie Katherine Ellis (senior) was voted Ole Miss Campus Favorite in student electionsand also received the Taylor Medal. Every year we strive to improve our academics. In 2013, many Kappas were inducted into the Order of Omega, Rho Lambda, Gamma Beta Phi, and the National Society for Collegiate Scholars for their outstanding academics.
On Bid Day we welcomed 116 wonderful new members into our sisterhood after a very successful recruitment. Our chapter's overall goal for 2013 was to become more philanthropically involved. We not only addressed this goal but met it with great success through our Feed the Hunger trips. We also made great efforts to be aware of other Greek philanthropic events and encouraged our members to participate as much as possible. Our biggest challenge last year was facing our continued period of academic probation. However, our chapter chooses to view this period of probation as a time to help our sisters as much as possible. Monitored study hours were held at least once a day, if not more, in our house and in the library. This ensured that girls who are on academic period of concern set aside time for their classes and assignments. Girls also met with the Vice President of Academic Excellence to create a personal academic improvement plan. Our daily challenges included ensuring only one guest was brought to dinner per week, picking up after ourselves around the house, and staying quiet late at night to respect girls who live in the house.
Overall, our chapter is very enthusiastic and passionate in all that we do. Though our chapter is very large we pride ourselves on our close-knit relationships. We feel that our sisterhood is one of the most rewarding experiences of our college careers and something we will undoubtedly cherish long after we graduate. Each sister benefits from Kappa in her own way. Not a day goes by that we don't find ourselves laughing with our sisters. There is always something going on for us to do together, whether it be a sisterhood event, a night out, or spending hours in the library studying for an upcoming test. Because our chapter is so large, we make great efforts to know not only girls in our own pledge classes, but the girls older and younger than us. We strive to help each other and our community any way we can. We also plan to become even more involved in campus activities in the coming semesters.
==Highlights of 2014==
Delta Rho house corporation owns our own house on campus. We do, however, rent the land from the University. We are required to live in the house for our junior year. There are only 56 spaces in the house, which is not enough spaces to accommodate the entire chapter. The first people to get spots in the house are the girls on Chapter Council. After that, Rush Team will then take up spaces. After that there are usually about 10 spots that are filled with girls who have the most points. This is our only house in the history of our chapter.
==Highlights of 2015==
Traditionally Kappa Kappa Gamma at Ole Miss hold philanthropy events for Reading Is Fundamental. Kappa Kappa Gamma at Ole Miss also holds a Feed The Hunger event every year in which we pack meals for children all over the world. We also have a focus cause for every month at Ole Miss Kappa Kappa Gamma which can range anywhere from NEDA to Suicide Awareness. Every year we sent many members to hand deliver the meals that we pack. A Delta Rho Kappa was the first to start a Feed The Hunger event at Ole Miss and since then the chapter has undertaken it and put on the Packathon every year.
==Highlights of 2018==
The Delta Rho chapter sent five members of our chapter council including President: Gigi Franz, Vice President Standards: Abigail Johnson, Vice President Organization: Maggie Crouch, Vice President Academic Excellence: Elly Weller, and Assistant Membership Chair: Annie Livingston to the Kappa Kappa Gamma convention where our chapter was awarded the "New Member Program Award."
Our chapter has put in an incredible amount of hard work towards improving our academics. In the spring semester of 2018 Delta Rho earned the highest GPA the chapter has had (3.3) and we also had the most girls receive 4.0's (49) since the chapter's inception in 1947. Our VPAE, Elly Weller, worked hard to ensure that every member received a tutor as requested as well as supplying us with many exam snacks during finals to help us stay focused and awake. The VPAE committee also strived to help the few girls on POC to better their grades.
The standards committee this year has put a lot of effort into changing the member's mindsets from standards being a punishment, to it being an accountability and sisterhood committee. Our number of members sent to standards each week has drastically decreased, and we have also received more respectful reactions to rules and repercussions. Our VPS, Abigail Johnson, tried to make herself more available to the chapter for any of their needs, and emphasized that she was not there to be "scary", but was there as a friend to listen and help in any way possible. This has made herself and the President a more united front and helps them support each other instead of every member's concerns going to one single person. On the sisterhood side we have held multiple successful events including renting out the movie theater in town, having a donuts and coffee night at the house, and having mental health awareness activities. Another thing we have accomplished to give more members opportunities to support their sisters and hold them accountable is having volunteer event monitors at every event. Our VPS worked alongside our event, Abigail Nichols, and risk, Maggie Philips, chairmen to accomplish this task.
Our VPO, Maggie Crouch, helped the chapter to host five guests throughout 2018. She also started the first informational session where anyone who's interested in being on Chapter Council could come and meet with the current Chapter Council and ask them questions about their position. She also sent out weekly surveys to the chapter to get continuous feedback on events and other things going on in the chapter.
Our Membership chair, Marlee Frances Young, helped to prepare the newly initiated members on how round structures work and the expectations from Panhellenic and headquarters beginning in the middle of the spring semester of 2018. She also helped prepare the entire chapter for regulations set by Panhellenic, prepare the entire chapter for appropriate conversations and chapter values, and prepare the chapter and giving them knowledge of potential new members to watch out for, especially legacies. During recruitment she made sure all rounds and their decor lined up with the guidelines set by Panhellenic, assigned members of the chapter potential new members to converse with throughout the week of formal recruitment so that the PNM is able to see the diversity Kappa has to offer, and made sure bid sessions went according to our bylaws.
Our Panhellenic Delegate, Cate Thompson, worked towards supporting and giving our best effort in any and all Panhellenic activities from Care Walk to the Halloween Trick or Treating event. We did well with following the recruitment rules overall and she was able to work hands on with the Panhellenic officers through various activities prior and during recruitment week. She kept a strong flow of information between the chapter and the executive board to make sure deadlines were met and everyone was on the same page. I believe this chapter has a stronger appreciation and awareness for Panhellenic life and the Greek love is strong. Cate was also elected to the University of Mississippi College Panhellenic Executive Board for 2019.
Our Public Relations chairman, Hailey Cunningham, has increased alumni relations by informing alums of all that is happening via social media (mostly Facebook). The Kappa instagram is also now the most followed Ole Miss sorority. This allows PNM's, alumni, parents, and other chapters to see all of our accomplishments and involvement. She has also improved the overall designs of the t-shirts and banners to make them more fun. We are known for always having the cutest shirts and banners on campus.
Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Grace Lasso, has accomplished many things this past year. Getting all the Aspiration Books ordered for our New Members and getting the badges ordered were just two of her biggest accomplishments. We also implemented a new and improved Points System to ensure growing chapter involvement. As a result of a being involved and sending in points, chapter members were able to win customized Kappa T-shirts. Lastly, on behalf of the Delta Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, our panhellenic love and support was shown through things such as "Welcome Back" cookies and "Exam Happies" that were delivered to sororities and fraternities across campus.
Our New Member chair, Mary Grace Hudson, helped to recruit an amazing new member class and carried them all the way through initation. She is confident in these new initiates, and cannot wait to watch them grow and strengthen our Delta Rho chapter. All events during the new member period were productive and so much fun.
Our House chair, Ellie Sharp, improved the Delta Rho chapter's relationship with House Board, built up our respect from House Board, and improved the chapter's house-filling process.
Delta Rho's Recording Secretary, Bella Garofalo, helped to ensure there was an increase of attendance at chapter events. She also helped to make sure our formal chapters were ran smoothly and that the members were great with ritual.
Our Marshal, Cary Dent, successfully initiated our new members and ensured ritual be kept during formal chapters. This year we had a wonderful initiation with a lot of help from the alumni. We were able to initiate 117 girls and we are so excited to see all they accomplish these next four years.
Our Philanthropy chair, Claire Dutreix, helped the chapter to raise over $20,000 for RIF over the year with two philanthropy events. We also fund-raised for and packed over 130,000 meals at our chapter philanthropy's Feed the Hunger Packathon. We maintained a monthly "FOCUS cause" and donated to causes such as Love Packs, William McGee Center for Wellness Education, and a local homeless shelter. Claire was also elected to serve as President of the University of Mississippi College Panhellenic Council for 2019.
Our Chaplain, Anna Katherine Vega, increased attendance in bible study and more girls were willing to participate. She helped to create a warm and welcoming community where people feel as though they are able to share and/or talk about things that are happening in their life. She also helped to create more awareness of the chaplain position. Our bible study is a place that can serve as a positive environment for people that need it.
Our three Parent's Club Chairmen, Julia Plauche, Jane Cypert Walsh and Lindsey Lowell, did an incredible job this past year. Our Spring Parents weekend was April 20-22. It included a crawfish boil on the KKG lawn Friday, a silent auction, band, and dinner at Chancellors House on Saturday, and a brunch on Sunday. Our Fall Parents weekend was November 2-4. It included appetizers and drinks at Southern Table on Friday, Ole Miss vs. South Carolina grove tent and game on Saturday, and open house and brunch on Sunday. Our KKG Grove tent every Ole Miss home game looked great.
Our members are involved all over campus. One chapter member and former Chapter Council member, Maddy Gumbko, founded the Out of Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention that takes place each fall on the Ole Miss campus. We have had 3 walks and all 3 walks together have raised over $51,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her and another Kappa, Julia Plauche, ran the event this year and Julia will take over next year. We have members that serve on the Executive Board for Crosby Community Council, as the president and head delegate of Nation Model United Nations at Ole Miss, as the Director of Membership for Beta Alpha Psi which is an accounting honors organization, ASB Senator and chairman of Infrastructure committee, student representative on chancellors standing committee on parking and infrastructure, treasurer of ole miss college republicans, secretary of UM bipartisan club, treasurer of the Sand Volleyball Club, CA's, Orientation Leaders, Ambassadors, AED, AMA, AMSA, Ole Miss Psychology Club, TOT, NSCS, Psi Chi, All Walks, Hand Band, OMSVA, UMFS, More-Than-a-Meal, RebelTHON, SAA, Big Event, Equestrian Club, UMWLC, Active Minds, RASA, RFSP, OMASH, Cru, RUF, Phi Kappa Phi, SMBHC, and YL.
==Highlights of the 2020s:==
Chapter Summary2020 began as a normal year for the Delta Rho chapter, with events such as our annual Feed the Hunger Packathon in February. We began the year in our temporary house as construction on our new chapter house continued. With the onset of COVID-19, operations moved entirely online in March, and continued to be virtual or hybrid in nature for the duration of the year. Despite the sudden change to virtual learning, over 120 sisters earned 4.0 GPAs for the Spring 2020 semester. Delta Rho was honored by the University of Mississippi Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life with the Civic Engagement Award and sister Meredith Moore (PC 16) was distinguished as the only Panhellenic woman given the Unsung Hero award. Throughout this tumultuous time, the sisters of Delta Rho did their best to band together and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances. In the fall, we celebrated the grand opening of our new chapter house, with strict health standards in place to ensure the safety of our members and house staff. Recruitment Workshop and Formal Recruitment were held entirely via Zoom, much to the credit of our recruitment team, who worked hard to create an authentic experience for PNMs. Delta Rho was thrilled to welcome 123 women into PC 20, including 27 legacies. All components of the New Member process, including the official Formal Pledging ceremony, new member education and initiation were held over Zoom. Delta Rho was proud to support sister Bella Grofolo (PC 17) in her campaign for the University of Mississippi Homecoming Court and were thrilled to celebrate her win as Senior Maid! Our chapter worked hard to maintain our philanthropic work during this virtual semester and we successfully conducted a drive--------------through ‘Chips, Cheese, and KKGs’ event benefiting Reading is Fundamental. Our Philanthropy is Feed the Hunger. Delta Rho chose Feed the Hunger as their chapter philanthropy in order to impact tangible differences in the lives of individuals who lack proper access to nutritious food. Delta Rho used their platform as campus leaders to spread awareness about different resources to educate individuals on the importance of diversity and equity, as well as to provide opportunities to donate to and support organizations that work to remediate racial injustice. These resources were spread on social media and members were encouraged to engage in conversations concerning threats to the principles of DEI. Kappa’s 150th anniversary was celebrated with a socially distanced brunch at the chapter house. This brunch was especially meaningful to the sisters in attendance because it was one of the first times that we were able to gather together, albeit with a limited number of attendees and following all appropriate health and safety measures. [[File:Bidday Delta Rho.jpg|thumb|balloonsforbidday]][[File:Delta Rho sisterhod.jpg|thumb|kappas]][[File:Delta Rho initiation.jpg|thumb|mother/daughter]] Kappa’s 150th anniversary was celebrated with a socially distanced brunch at the chapter house. This brunch was especially meaningful to the sisters in attendance because it was one of the first times that we were able to gather together, albeit with a limited number of attendees and following all appropriate health and safety measures. ==Highlights of 2021==We have a house board scholarship that allows for two members to receive Sl,000 tor bursar anoiive members to receive $500 towards dues. Jamie Richter received the Panhellenic Community 3cholarship. Each month our chapter has a focus cause of the month where we choose one local philanthropy or group to support each month. For the month of February we gave donations to Lovepacks, March we did Easter baskets for kids of CASA, April we had a percentage night for Refuge International and we did stickers for Fill it Forward, September we worked with Doors of Hope, October we did a Halloween party for the special education class at Lafayette Upper Elementary, and December we worked with LOU Barksdale Clubhouse Family. Our chapter goals were split into leadership goals and sisterhood goals. The leadership goal was all Executive board officers and directors are effective in their roles and department meetings are productive, collaborative, and efficient. The sisterhood goal was that all members experience a positive and supportive sisterhood. Feed the Hungry is the local organization Delta Rho supports. They host an event in the Spring that we as a chapter help volunteer for. The goal of the event is to help pack meals for families in third world countries. We gave $2,500 to the kappa kappa gamma foundation for scholarships and more. Diversity, Equity, and InclusionHow did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEi) initiatives in your programming this year? (e.g., adding a DEi officer, philanthropy events, social media awareness campaign, chapter training, etc.). We added a DEi chair and committee this year. We held two different program nights aboutdiversity and inclusion. We did a focus cause of the month supporting black businesses for Black history month. We also implemented and enforced new DEi policy throughout the chapter with social media monitoring.