'''1,931 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
'''1,825 initiates (as of June 2013)'''----
'''Charter Members:'''
Millie R. Clarke, Kate Rosetta Graves, Kate B. Ross
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'''Some of Epsilon’s Outstanding Alumnae:'''
'''Fraternity Council Members:'''
In 2011, Epsilon Chapter won the Most Improved and Sisterhood/Standards at Province meeting.
==Highlights of 2012==
Epsilon kept the standards high. For the spring semester of 2012, our chapter had the highest GPA of any fraternity at Illinois Wesleyan. The women continued to balance their academics with social events. Both the Informal “You Komplete Me” and the formal Sapphire Ball were successes. Over the summer, Epsilon received honorable mentions for both recruitment and chapter and advisory board relations at the Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention. Also during the 2012 summer, one of the living rooms, The Blue Room, was beautifully renovated with new carpeting and lovely furniture for a more modern appeal. With the start of the fall semester, Epsilon had a busy and successful recruitment, welcoming home 22 New Members. Kappa also held its messy annual Pi-A-Kappa philanthropy event. During the Fall Semester, the chapter also had fun at the New Member Informal “Kappas in Pajamas” and at their Semi-formal as well.
In 2013, Epsilon Chapter won the Chapter Advisory Board Relations and Chapter History and Ritual awards at Province Meeting.
==Highlights of 2013==This previous year of 2013, Epsilon Chapter had many achievements. In the spring of 2013, Epsilon Chapter received the Chapter Advisory Board/Chapter Relations and the Chapter History and Ritual awards at province. There was an informal dance with the theme “True Life: I’m a Kappa” and the Sapphire Ball at the end of the spring semester. We had a philanthropy event that was a manners and etiquette class at the Kappa house with a group of Girl Scouts.There was a ceremony for the Glenn and Rozanne Parker Kemp Commencement Plaza which will serve as a backdrop for commencement ceremonies. Mrs. Kemp was a former Kappa who made donations for the building of the commencement plaza.
Homecoming Weekend, October 11-13, 2013 held special meaning for Epsilon as actives and alumna as they came together in celebration of the chapter's 140th anniversary. Two special events included honors to Epsilon women.
Alice Fairchild Heath '52 was honored with the university's Loyalty Award on Saturday afternoon during the Alumni Awards Luncheon. Alice has a long family history in the Bloomington Community including 13 female relatives who were members of Epsilon Chapter. A resident of Rockford, IL, Alice has also served as president of the Rockford KKG Alumni Chapter.
During the fall of 2013 there was an informal dance themed “Kappartittaville” and there was also a semi-formal dance. We had Kappa Klassic, which was a new philanthropy event, and we continued to have Pie-a-Kappa. In both the spring semester and fall semester, we continued to write letters with our pen pals. There was a Paint the Campus Pink night that we had in order to raise breast cancer awareness. We also celebrated the 140th year anniversary of our Chapter. The Epsilon chapter welcomed 14 new members and initiation took place on November 2nd. State Farm Hall was opened in the fall of 2013, being the home for the departments of Business Administration and Economics. Illinois Wesleyan celebrated their homecoming on October 11 through October 13 with the theme “A Class Act”. Illinois Wesleyan also renovated the Dugout, which is where students can go eat or grab a snack. The newly renovated Dugout which opened in the fall of 2013, provided students with healthier options to eat. There were other improvements such as Wi-Fi added all over campus, a bike rental program, and a single stream recycling. ==Highlights of 2014== During 2014, Epsilon chapter had many achievements. Once again, our chapter received the honor of having the highest GPA within all of Greek life and of all student organizations on campus. At convention, we received the national risk management award. We had a spring informal dance in February with the theme "Kappa Kappa G things" and a formal dance, Sapphire Ball, in March. In the fall, we had another informal dance, with the theme "Come on Barbie let's go party." We also had our annual semiformal dance in early October. Further, a few philanthropy events took place throughout the semester. The first event was Reading is Key in February. In March, we hosted a "Kappa Kappucino" night at our chapter house during finals. Our annual "Pie-A-Kappa" event took place in early September. "Kappa Klassic" was also held later in September. Finally, throughout the year, girls in our chapter wrote pen pal letters back and forth with children at a local elementary school. In the fall, we welcomed 26 new members into our chapter after formal recruitment. Over the summer of 2014, a few renovations were made to our chapter house. The third floor bathroom was updated, along with new paint and wallpaper in our foyer and the first floor bathroom. Also, three rooms on the third floor received new, white furniture. Also during the summer months, a travelling statue exhibit was installed on the quad and around campus. In December, our university president announced his retirement for the spring of 2015. In the fall, renovations for our athletic building, the Shirk Center, began. Construction will conclude in the fall of 2015. Homecoming week took place during mid-October, with the theme "Off the Charts." We hold informal chapter meetings at our privately owned house in the living room which we call the "blue room." Formal chapter meetings are held in our chapter room. Our current chapter house was built in the 1960s. The house holds 46 girls. There are three floors in the house, and girls can live in single, double, or triple rooms. Before the current chapter house was built, our members lived in another house on campus, called Adams Hall, which still stands today. ==Highlights of 2015== During 2015, Epsilon chapter had many achievements and made a great deal of memories. Once again, our chapter received the honor of having the highest GPA within all of Greek Life and of all student organizations on campus. In March, we held our annual Mom’s Day event, which included brunch at our chapter house. Our annual Dad’s Day was held in October, which included a tailgate event at the Illinois Wesleyan football stadium. Further, we had three dances this year. In the spring, we had an award show themed informal. Each pledge class dressed up as nominations from a different award show category, such as the Grammy’s, Academy Awards, etc. Our annual formal dance, called Sapphire Ball, was held in March. This fall we had another informal dance with the theme “Kappa Kappa Gatsby.” Additionally, we hosted a few philanthropy events this year. In April, we held our annual “Reading is Key” event at a local daycare. Our annual “Pie A Kappa” event was held in September, followed by “Kappa Klassic” in October. In November, we partnered with a fraternity on campus to host a “Turkey Trot.” Also, throughout the year, girls in our chapter exchanged pen pal letters with children at a local elementary school. We held two PR events on campus this year: A lemonade stand in April and a hot apple cider stand in October. Finally, in early November, we initiated 22 new members into our chapter following formal recruitment. In late 2015, Illinois Wesleyan University elected and installed a new president. Further, a fountain called “Aspiration” was introduced to campus. The fountain resides on the new “mini quad” which has been upgraded with landscaping and sidewalks to suit its name. In addition, renovations to our athletic building, the Shirk Center, continued throughout the year. There were a few changes made within our chapter house as well. We received a new television, along with a new chef. Chapter Philanthropy: What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community? Susan G. Komen Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support? Our chapter chose Susan G. Komen as our local philanthropy because it is an organization to which all women can relate. Breast cancer is a disease that primarily affects women, and many girls in our chapter know women who have been personally affected by it, making it a very meaningful and inspirational experience to support this organization. ==Highlights of 2016== During 2016, Epsilon Chapter has made great strives to become outstanding leaders, better our values, and better our public relations. It started at the beginning of the year when our Public Relations Chairman brought "Why Kappa Wednesday" to our chapter. This is where our members post on social media on Wednesdays and explain why we choose Kappa. In January, we also had a Kappa Trainer come and speak to our Chapter Council and our whole chapter on values. We held a gala and hosted Kappa Karaoke in our house. Throughout February, we made strives to strengthen our sisterhood by participating in a sisterhood self defense class and Greek week. This enabled us to work together. We had three dances this year: Kappa Kappa Throwback (February 12th), Sapphire Ball (April 23rd), and Kappa Kappa Space Jam (November 4th). Two of our biggest accomplishments philanthropically and public relation wise was our Golden Key Gala held on April 9th. This Gala was used to raise money and awareness about Reading is Fundamental and to reach out to our Alumnae and other chapters on campus. Other philanthropy events this year included "Reading is Key" event where we spent a day at a local day care, annual "pie a Kappa" held on the quad, and "Kick it with Kappa" to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. Some of our public relations events this year included: Breaking Barriers and events on the quad where we give away cookies or candy to our colleagues. In November, we initiated 23 girls into our chapter after formal recruitment. In 2016, Illinois Wesleyan University finished the renovations on the Shirk Center, our athletic building. They also changed the way we dispose of waste in our dining halls. We have three bins: one for waste, one for recyclables, and one for composting. As for our chapter, our kitchenette and our chapter room were completely redone. In the kitchenette we now have shelving and cabinets where we can store plates, bowls, and utensils. Our chapter room has new hard wood flooring. Our Chapter has continued to raise money and support research through the Susan G. Komen foundation, because it is a philanthropy that all women can appreciate considering that the disease primarily affects women. Bloomington is one of the locations where there is a "Race for the Cure", and there are many women in our house that have been personally affected by breast cancer making this philanthropy one that is meaningful and dear to many. Our chapter meets in our chapter room. Our chapter room has just received new flooring. ==Highlights of 2017==During 2017, the ladies of Epsilon have made it our mission to improve our chapter’s campus involvement, academics, and sisterhood. We kicked off our spring semester with multiple sisterhood events that allowed us to bond and work together as a team. These continued throughout the year with activities like competitions between pledge classes and movie nights in the TV room for the whole chapter. We added two new members to the pledge class of 2020 in the spring as well. Our Vice President of Academic Excellence, Allie Paradis, promoted our excellence in the classroom by having weekly competitions for study hours and studying with a sister. These motivated us to always get our work done!We had three dances this year and they were so fun! Our spring informal dance was themed Denim on Denim. We had our annual Sapphire Ball in April where we said goodbye to all of our graduating seniors. This fall, we had another informal themed Sweet Home Kappa Gam. Our new members got to pick this year’s informal theme and we loved it! Our two biggest philanthropic events were our annual “Pie a Kappa” event on the quad and “Kick it with Kappa”, both benefiting our local philanthropy, Susan G. Komen. We also hosted a “Girls who go Greek” event outside our home for all the Greek women on campus to come and hangout with us.Our beautiful home just got a new addition this fall: a brand new back patio! It is perfect and just what we imagined, and we can’t wait to finally be able to use it in the spring! We also redid our study room, the Wise Owl.We have continued to support our local philanthropy, Susan G. Komen, because it is a cause that many women feel emotionally connected. Overall, it has been a great year for us here at Epsilon and we feel as though we have accomplished many of our goals. We can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store! We were also lucky to have another visit from Fraternity President Beth Black who is an Epsilon Kappa! ==Highlights of 2018== We participated in reading buddies in the spring for RIF as well as Hoops for Hope for Susan G. Komen. We also raised money for RIF through Pie-a-Kappa in early fall 2018 as well as a Reading is Key event for RIF in November and a tabling event for Susan G. Komen for breast cancer awareness. Our biggest philanthropy event of the year was the Golden Key Gala in the spring benefiting RIF. We won Chapter of the Year in Spring 2018 at the FSL awards and our advisor Erin won Adviser of the Year. We also received a Civic Engagement Award. We were paired with Sigma Chi for Homecoming Week and we took first place. Something our chapter worked on this year was improving our chapter GPA by awarding people for various academic things such as studying with a sister, not skipping any classes, and getting an A on an exam. The class of 2022 at IWU is the largest incoming class in five years with over 500 students and one of the most diverse in the university's history. Illinois Wesleyan added an e-sports program and facility in Hansen Student Center in fall 2018 where students can professionally compete in online gaming. IWU also changed the design of its athletic logo and wordmark logo. Susan G. Komen is a philanthropy that all people and all women especially can relate to as we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Our chapter feels emotionally connected to this organization and therefore feel it is important to raise money and awareness towards finding a cure for breast cancer. ==Highlights of 2019== January 18, 2019- Epsilon Chapter held an ice skating sisterhood at Pepsi Ice Center. It was a good jump into the new semester! February 15-17, 2019- Select members on the executive board went to the Kappa Leadership Conference in Texas for the weekend. Here they met with other Kappas and learned the foundations of sisterhood and values shared in our fraternity. February 22, 2019- Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma help their spring informal. February 27, 2019- Epsilon Chapter held a Yoga Class Sisterhood at Shirk Gymnasium to support body positivity week directed by the Panhellenic Council. March 3-8, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had an LC visit for the week. Many of the members had the chance to meet with her and bond over ritual, their positions within the chapter, and ways to improve their role in the chapter. The LC presented a powerpoint in chapter on the values of being a Kappa. March 23, 2019- Epsilon Chapter held their annual Golden Key Gala and raised $5,353 for our national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental. March 24, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had an EME training from 10-12pm. We discussed ways to improve our sisterhood within our house, as well as in the community. March 25-30, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had their spring Inspiration Period. Initiation was held on March 29 and 30. April 2, 2019- Epsilon Chapter was granted awards for Sorority New Member of the Year and Outstanding Chapter Program/Event Award for the Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards. April 7, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had Moms' Day. The day consisted of spending time with our moms at the house with games, food, and a silent auction! April 24, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had their last sisterhood of the Spring 2019 semester. Due to stress from finals, we had a Spa sisterhood to de-stress and relax from our academic responsibilities. April 26, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had their annual Sapphire Ball. We said goodbye to our loving Seniors, spending time together with good music and food. September 11-15, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had their fall recruitment with a Heaven on Earth theme for Bid Day! September 25, 2019- Epsilon Chapter had their first fall sisterhood. The sisterhood was themed Kappa Kampfire with s’mores and fun!
October 23, 2019----------------Epsilon Chapter had a Halloween themed Sisterhood. We each carved pumpkins and had a good time!
'''Note to November 4-9, 2019- Epsilon Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes had their fall Inspiration Period. Initiation was held on November 8 and back issues of ''The Key'' 9. We had a flower sisterhood to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper bond with our sisters on November 6 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 assistancea new member retreat on Thursday November 7th.
Your efforts will ensure The incoming class of 2023 was welcomed from 22 states, 10 countries, and 27% of the class self-identifies as a student of color. This year Illinois Wesleyan University welcomed a new Interim President, S. Georgia Nugent for the 2019-2020 academic year, while they search for its next president. "We believe in giving back to our community and youth, especially, which is supported through Reading Is Fundamental which helps provide books and a complete better eduation to the underserved children in our community. Stay Alive brings awareness to mental health which we believe is an important topic that should be talked about especially in university. Breast Cancer Awareness is a sentimental topic and accurate history we chose to support this organization and cause because of your chapter for future generations how close it is to enjoy!many of the members' hearts. "
