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The University of South Carolina is a large university located in the heart of the city. Real estate in this area was quite high. Since a sorority house would have to be close to the university for the girls’ safety, it was the consensus of opinion that perhaps the university would make the next girls’ dormitory a Panhellenic dormitory.
In the spring of 1966, an evaluating team was sent by Kappa to the university, by invitation, to examine the possibilities of colonizing. The team was favorably impressed, and a “red carpet welcome” was extended by the university, culminating in a luncheon by Panhellenic with the dean of women as hostess. An invitation was extended to Kappa Kappa Gamma to become the eight national sorority on campus, the first since the early forties to establish a chapter on campus. Preceding was Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Pi Beta Phi. An inspection committee arrived shortly thereafter. Upon recommendation of this committee, a vote was taken by the Council and Associate Council, and was approved. Frances Fatout Alexander, ''DePauw'', Fraternity President at that time, lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, not far away. Mary Turner Witney, Cincinnati, lived in Beaufort, South Carolina. Jean Hess Wells, ''Georgia'', and Dorothy McCampbell Nowell, ''Georgia'', lived in Georgia. The last two were with the chapter during the first rush in September, 1966, as was Marsha Lynn Love, Florida State, slated to be the graduate counselor for the new Chapter. Some of the actives from Delta Upsilon, University of Georgia, came over for two weekends to put on skits and rushing parties, and later for initiation in February, 1967. They demonstrated Kappa loyalty to the fullest. Some actives from Epsilon Epsilon, Emory University, came, too. Twelve It was agreed to enter recruitment in the fall, and the university provided a chapter room in the Wade Hampton Dormitory. On September 29, 1966, twelve girls accepted bids; four . Four more were added in informal rush. The twelve who made their grades became charter members of Epsilon Kappa and the four who did not make their grades became charter pledges.On February 17, 1967 the colony became the Epsilon Kappa Chapter at the University of South Carolina; Kappa's ninety-third Chapter and the first Kappa Chapter in the state. First on the initiates' agenda was the Fireside Service at the Baptist Student Center, complete with members of sister Chapter, ''Georgia.'' This was followed by a social hour in the flower-filled Kappa room. Many Kappa songs, combined with shining faces and expectant smiles, produced a truly unforgettable evening. Twelve happy members received their new badges and long awaited charter in the Saturday afternoon ceremony. Immediately after installation, Epsilon Kappa Chapter adjourned to the Kappa room for the ceremony conducted by former Fraternity President Whitney to pledge five women to the newly installed Chapter. The gala banquet was held at Columbia's Palmetto Club and presided over by toastmistress and Central South Carolina Alumnae Association president, Barbara Grimsley Burns, ''UCLA''. Various gifts to the Chapter were presented during the evening, including the awarding of three special keys. In addition, flowers, telegrams, and letters from Kappas coast to coast gave South Carolina's Kappa Chapter a warm welcome.
==Highlights of the 1970s:==