Epsilon Omega
| Epsilon Omega | |
|---|---|
| EΩ | |
 | |
| Founded | March 10, 1979 |
| College | Dickinson College |
| Location | Carlisle, PA |
| Homepage | Epsilon Omega Homepage |
| Media related to Epsilon Omega Chapter | |
Dickinson College established in 1783, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Epsilon Omega founded March 10, 1979 - 33 charter members
999 initiates (as of June 2012)
Some Outstanding Epsilon Omega Alumnae: (If you have chapter alumna who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Council Members
Wendy Paxton (Alfano), Field Secretary 1981-1983
Fraternity Loyalty Award
Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients
Susan Berg (Abbott), Graduate Counselor, 1983-1985
Contents
Colonization (From The Key, Fall 1978)
As alive and contemporary as today’s student, Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is equally endowed with history and proud tradition. The heritage and traditions of Kappa Kappa Gamma blended well with the background of Dickinson as the Fraternity established Epsilon Omega Colony during the first week of October 1979.
Three years before America declared her independence from England, a grammar school was opened on land given by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania. By 1873, under the direction of Benjamin Rush, its founder, Dickinson College was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature. Named in honor of John Dickinson, “penman of the revolution” and then governor of the commonwealth, the college has grown from a land purchase costing all of $151.00 to a campus of 117 acres and valued at over $25,000,000. The physical heart of the campus is “Old West,” a national historic landmark designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the capitol in Washington, D.C. At present, part of the campus is a 65-acre recreational area and the college also manages a 3,300-acre wildlife sanctuary and research station.
In 1884, women students were admitted to Dickinson, despite opposition from faculty and students, and only three years later the Pennsylvania Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was installed. In addition to a number of honorary fraternities, there are now ten national men’s fraternities on campus and about half of the 800 male students are members. Kappa joins Pi Beta Phi as the only other national sorority on campus, but there are two local groups and about 35 per cent of the approximately 800 women students belong to the three current groups. The men live in college-owned fraternity dormitories, and the women rent apartment meeting rooms.
Kappa’s colonization team was headed by Gay Chuba Berry, Penn State, Director of Alumnae; assisted by an adviser to the Delta Phi chapter at Bucknell, the Province Director of Chapters, a field secretary, and a graduate counselor assigned to the new colony. Members of Delta Phi—Bucknell and Delta Alpha—Penn State assisted with rush functions.
Located in an historic area and surrounded by rolling farm lands, Dickinson is only 20 miles from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital, 30 miles from Gettysburg National Military Park, and 30 miles from Hershey, “Chocolate Town, U.S.A.” The grave of Molly Pitcher, heroine of the revolution, is in Carlisle, and the area claims several lovely parks with scenic views, swimming and fishing, not to mention numerous limestone caves for those who enjoy spelunking.
Life at Dickinson centers on a traditional liberal arts education that is continually sharpened and focused by innovation. On the lighter side, the mermaid atop the ivy-covered walls of Old West presents a challenge to the men. Each fall a male student climbs up and removes the mermaid. Each spring members of the women’s honorary are responsible for putting the weather vane back in place. Tradition takes many forms!
In a more academic vein, the current catalogue presents the philosophy of the college: “Liberal knowledge, learning for its own sake and learning for the cultural enrichment it provides, is the oldest and most fundamental aim of Dickinson education.” A statement from the 1960s encourages Dickinsonians to see their world as one in which they are able, “by virtue of the power gained through knowledge, to influence both their environment and the course of history,’ and thereby to use their power in the service of the human community.”
The ideals of Dickinson College—learning, liberty and virtue, and those of Kappa Kappa Gamma should provide an ideal background for the growth of Epsilon Omega Chapter. Welcome! FLASH! On October 5th, 33 upper-class women were pledged.
Installation (From The Key)
Despite a cool, drizzly day, the atmosphere was warm and spirits high as Epsilon Omega Chapter was installed at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. on March 9 and 10, 1979. A symbol of the enthusiasm and pride of the 33 charter members was the banner hung high on the wall of the Holland Union Dining Room. Months of pledge study and a recent rush period were not enough to weaken the strength or spirit of the girls who stayed up most of Thursday night to create a poster telling the rest of the campus how they felt about becoming Kappa’s 103rd active chapter: “Sisters you are, sisters we’ll be. Congratulations, Kappa Kappa Gamma; we’ve only just begun.” Registration in the Mary Dickinson Room on Friday afternoon gave visitors a chance to meet Kappa local and national officers and enjoy refreshments prepared by the Harrisburg Alumnae Club.
Though only 45 in paid membership, these women are delighted to have a chapter nearby and have worked hard to help the colony and make the installation a memorable occasion. Registration and hospitality were headed by a former Beta Province meeting treasurer from 1973, the year Harrisburg was hostess. Handling the checkbook and financial arrangements was a local alumna. A cheery fire in the lovely home of a Penn State alumna was a welcome setting for Fireside Service. The quiet ritual was soon replaced by a happy din as initiates and visitors became acquainted and enjoyed a reception co-hosted by local alumnae.
Carlisle is an attractive town with a rather old-fashioned square at its hub. On one corner of the square is St. John Episcopal Church, site of the initiation. Two Kappas drove from Headquarters in our blue and blue van and performed their customary magic act of setting the scene and arranging the equipment for what proved to be a beautiful initiation ceremony.
Installing officers Jean Hess Wells, Georgia, Fraternity President, and Gay Chuba Barry, Penn State, Director of Alumnae, were assisted by the installation chairman, Beta Province Director of Chapters, Field Secretary, Alumnae Editor of The Key, and the graduate counselor for Epsilon Omega. It was a proud chapter president who received the charter on behalf of the chapter. The new initiates barely had time to change clothes before the formal pledging of 29 terrific freshmen women. The chapter president had excellent practice for her presidency when, as membership chairman, she led the colony through a series of parties based on Kappa facts, making Christmas ornaments which were later given to a nursing home, a “Roaring Twenties” party, a country theme that included Kappa Pickers, a nightclub theme entitled “Kappakabana” and finally, “Cinderella” for preference party. Although they say that they surprised themselves and others with their enormous success in rush, it seems likely that they had not yet realized the power-potential of Kappa when 33 super colonizers set out to strengthen their group. The dedication with which these girls do everything was evident in the polished was they conducted the pledge ceremony.
Again, there was barely time to catch their breath when everyone congregated in Drayer Lounge for the campus reception. An alumna from Carnegie Mellon was chairman of this event which saw a room crowded with well-wishers. Panhellenic members, parents, faculty and friends joined in welcoming Kappa Kappa Gamma to the Dickinson campus. It was here that the chapter outdid itself by distributing copies of their first newsletter—a beautiful 13-page issue complete with photos and excellent articles on their activities thus far.
In whatever spare moments could be found during the day, visitors dropped in to see the Kappa apartment, just a few blocks from campus and right off the square. Empty and cold when rented last fall, it now shows signs of loving care and looks like home. Under the supervision of two alumnae, including a decorator from the Philadelphia area, the apartment is bright, cheerful and comfortable. Gifts from alumnae included a kitchen shower, and several pieces of furniture from the recently-closed Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania were welcome additions. Still riding high on a bubble of excitement, Kappas picked up their long skirts and stepped over puddles to return to campus for the Installation Banquet. A lovely setting and delicious dinner were around by the banquet chairman. The installation chairman provided a warm welcome as toastmistress. A special greeting and toast to the new chapter was given by the president of Delta Phi Chapter, Bucknell, and a gracious response came from the Epsilon Omega president.
Greetings were sent by individuals and groups throughout the province and nation and Gay Barry read many of them to the 200 guests. The Associate Dean of Students and member of Delta Delta Delta welcomed Kappa on behalf of the college. Everyone who was even remotely involved with the colonization and installation knew how helpful she had been and how her personal assistance had helped to smooth the way for us.
Highlights of the 1980s
Epsilon Omega grew as a chapter throughout the 1980s and was successful in recruitment as evident by the 35 new members who joined the chapter in 1987. The chapter continued to strengthen its commitment to membership development and sisterhood. Epsilon Omega celebrated the accomplishments of the chapter women by holding a scholarship banquet and the chapter was recognized for their scholastic achievement and high G.P.A. The Kappas were among the leaders of Dickinson’s campus and participated in a variety of activities, including campus clubs and sports teams. The chapter also exuded Panhellenic spirit by having two events with other Dickinson sororities: Monmouth Duo with Pi Beta Phi and Kite and Key with Kappa Alpha Theta.
Philanthropy:
The Dickinson women were also committed to Kappa’s tradition of philanthropy and embarked on a series of fundraisers, including an All-Greek Car Wash, Sham-o-grams, and an Easter Egg Hunt. The chapter also supported Paraguay Orphans during this period. Convention Awards:
Highlights of the 1990s
The 1990s brought new challenges for Epsilon Omega chapter. In 1990, Dickinson College revised its policies on Recruitment and the sororities transitioned to a fall Recruitment for upper-class women. Although the chapter had to make adjustments, they did so quickly and continued to recruit between 25-30 members each year. The Kappas remained devoted to sisterhood activities and development and continued old traditions such as hosting the scholarship banquet while holding new events like an Initiation banquet. Epsilon Omega also reached out to alumnae members through alumnae receptions held during Homecoming weekend.
The chapter continued to forge strong relationship with the Dickinson College community. A Faculty Tea was held every year to better acquaint the faculty with the Kappa women and the Fraternity’s goals. The chapter was also recognized for having the highest G.P.A. on campus.
Housing:
In 1991, Epsilon Omega took a bold step and applied for on-campus housing. The request was approved and the chapter received on-campus housing, making Kappa the first sorority at Dickinson to do so. In order to celebrate this milestone, and to make the new house more like a home, the chapter women held a decorating day at the house. In 1995, the chapter, still living in the house on College Street, diligently worked on raising money for new furniture.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy remained one of Epsilon Omega’s priorities throughout the decade. Fundraisers included a pole sitting event for cystic fibrosis and a plant sale for Safe Harbor, an organization that assists the homeless. The Kappas with with Phi Psi to host the Rock-a-thon, which raised funds for a scholarship to help a high school senior from Carlisle go to college. The chapter also sponsored a child in India through the United Christian’s Fund, chaperoned a youth dance at a local church, and sent letters to soldiers in Saudi Arabia. In 1998, the chapter and other Greek-letter organizations were involved with the March for Gay Rights and Respect, which was held in response to anti-gay letters on Dickinson’s campus. Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2000-2010
As the twenty-first century dawned, Epsilon Omega remained devoted to membership development and the recognition of personal and chapter achievement. New programs such as “Smart Cookies” and the “Word of the Week” were implemented to encourage Academic Excellence within the chapter. Epsilon Omega still remembered to have fun and held a Kappa Krush party and fall and spring formals each year. The active members also continued to reach out with alumnae members through the annual alumnae brunch. The chapter also retained its relationship with the Dickinson College faculty through hosting the Faculty Tea.
In 2007, Dickinson College’s Panhellenic Association completely reorganized itself and added Recruitment events in the spring to get Potential New Members excited for the recruitment process in the fall in addition to hosting multiple recruitment workshops with the campus sororities. As a result, Dickinson had the most successful sorority Recruitment in college history, and Kappa welcomed a large class of New Members.
Housing:
The chapter still retains a house where 17 of the second-year members live.
Philanthropy:
Epsilon Omega remained involved in various philanthropies. The chapter hosted philanthropy activities such as a Lip Sync Contest benefiting Reading Is Fundamental, Kappa Kisses for a local domestic violence shelter, and flag football for research on the Marfan Syndrome. The chapter women also honored the memory of Kappa sisters by organizing Rock 'N Bowl, which raised money for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation in memory of a sister at Virginia Tech, and Run for Steph, held in honor of a sister killed in a car accident after graduation. Epsilon Omega participated in other campus-wide philanthropies such as Up Till Dawn which raised more than $40,000 dollars for Saint Jude’s Hospital.
Convention Award:
Highlights of 2011-2019
In 2011, Epsilon Omega focused on working with other organizations on campus to improve life at Dickinson College and Greek Life. The chapter collaborated with Dickinson students, especially Greek women, to strengthen campus policy on sexual assault. The chapter participated in a forum about Greek Life for the entire campus which permitted the women to weigh in on the benefits of membership in a Greek-letter organization.
Housing:
The chapter is still currently housed in a house on College Street.
Philanthropy:
Epsilon Omega continued to host many of its annual philanthropic events, including Run For Steph and Lip Sync for Literacy. The chapter participated in a variety of activities sponsored by other Greek-letter organizations, including the Nu Factor, which was organized by Delta Nu and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The chapter also sent volunteers weekly to help out at a local soup kitchen and elementary school. Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2020s:
(Information from the chapter’s History Report: 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.)
Housing:
Philanthropy:
Convention Awards:
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!
