Changes
no edit summary
'''1,978 initiates (as of June 2014)'''
==Installation==
As far as Kappas were concerned, the year 1976 at Texas A&M University was triply special. In addition to being America’s Bicentennial, it was also the university’s Centennial, and most special for 31 new Kappas, the Installation of Epsilon Rho Chapter, which took place during February 27–29, 1976.
It was also a special occasion for the 24 Kappa alumnae of the Bryan/College Station area who worked so hard—first in helping to colonize the chapter, then in seeing that the girls received all the help and advice they needed, and finally in arranging and staging the Installation weekend. A Beta Omicron, Tulane alumna, hosted a lovely reception at her beautiful College Station home on Friday evening for the installation team, local alumnae, and members of Gamma Phi, SMU, the installing chapter.
The Sunday afternoon reception honoring the new chapter was a beautifully fitting climax to the installation activities. Parents, some from hundreds of miles away, joined with campus friends and local alumnae in congratulating the new members. Guests had the opportunity to view the many beautiful gifts presented to the chapter during the previous night’s banquet.
An impressive array of Fraternity officials was on hand for the occasion including Marian Schroeder Graham, Beta Phi, Montana, Fraternity President, who captivated the girls to the point that they wanted to know what you have to do to become Fraternity President; Marian Klingbeil Williams, Theta, Missouri, Director of Personnel (Standards) and Rebecca Stone Arbour, Delta Iota, LSU, Director of Chapters were also present, in addition to the Theta Province Director of Alumnae, a Field Secretary, the Chairman of Chapter Advisory Boards, and Extension Committee members.
Louise Little Barbeck, Gamma Phi, SMU, former Fraternity President, was the featured speaker at the installation banquet Saturday evening at the Briarcrest Country Club.
Active members from Gamma Phi, SMU, sister chapter to Epsilon Rho, were also on hand to help with Initiation and celebrate Kappa’s fifth chapter in Texas. Local Kappa alumnae helped immensely in every area of chapter life.
==Texas A&M==
Located in College Station, about half-way between Houston and Waco, the TAMU campus was undergoing much growth and building construction at the time of Epsilon Rho’s founding. Established in 1876 at Texas’s first public institution of higher learning, the old Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College was renamed Texas A&M University.
Kappa Kappa Gamma was the ninth sorority to be installed at Texas A&M, all of them within the previous two years, and it was said to be the last for at least three years. Since the university did not recognize sororities at that time, Panhellenic declared a moratorium on additional colonization in order to see what the official university attitude would be once the women’s groups had a chance to prove themselves in the previously all-male land of the Aggies.
Housing
The nine groups were in the process of setting up lodges in an apartment complex just being completed. Many of their members planned to rent apartments in the same complex, making it the center of Aggie sorority activity for the next three years.
==Highlights of the late 1970s==
During the remainder of the 1970s, Epsilon Rho faced the challenges of not having a house in which to hold recruitment or meetings. However, the chapter was able to hold successful Recruitment events in other locations, such as the Ramada Inn. In 1975, chapter meetings were hosted in the party room of the Barcelona Apartments. The following year, the sisters were able to move Recruitment from the Barcelona Apartments to their new "Kappa Korner," which was located in Sausilito Apartments on Munson and Highway 30.
Housing:
Epsilon Rho was without a chapter house of its own, but many members lived in rented apartments.
Philanthropy:
In November of 1979, Epsilon Rho participated in an all-Greek philanthropy project for the United Way in which they helped to raise $2900 by "kidnapping" prominent people in the community and holding them for "ransom" in Manor East Mall. Also, Epsilon Rho participated in Sigma Chi's Derby Days philanthropy event every year.
Chapter Convention Awards:
==Highlights of the 1980s==
The 1980s were a productive decade for Epsilon Rho. The chapter participated in Fall Rush each year and regularly welcomed an average of 50 new Kappas into the chapter. The sisters were kept busy with a variety of development programs, including an officer retreat and a standards workshop. Panhellenic activities were important to the chapter, and the Kappas gladly took part in the Panhellenic Alcohol Awareness Week each year. Additionally, Epsilon Rho scheduled events with other Greek-letter organizations, such as Monmouth Duo with Pi Beta Phi and Kite and Key with Kappa Alpha Theta. The chapter also participated in Chi Omega’s Songfest every year.
The chapter’s social calendar was always full with fun activities such as a Christmas formal and a flag football game. One of the highlights of the year was Parents’ Day and the related events. First, the chapter hosted a Parents’ Day Picnic in which the members gathered informally with their families. The Kappa Pickers group often provided the entertainment for the picnic. That evening, the families again came together, but for a much more formal event, Pledge Presentation. At this event, the fathers or escorts of the newest Kappas officially presented the young women to the chapter and then danced the night away. At the end of each year, Epsilon Rho said goodbye to the graduating seniors at the Senior Roast.
Founders Day was a large celebration each year. The chapter paired with the local alumnae association for the annual Founders Day Banquet, an elegant event that included the presentation of awards to both the active and alumna members. In April 1987, Epsilon Rho proudly hosted Theta Province Meeting.
Housing:
For the early part of the decade, Epsilon Rho members were without a home on campus. Without a house, meetings, Initiation, and other functions were held in other locations such as churches, the homes of alumnae, and hotels. By the mid-1980s, a chapter house was completed and 48 Kappas were able to call the new house home. The house became the focus for many fun activities, such as the annual door decorating contest for Parents’ Day and House Mother Appreciation Week. By the end of the decade, Epsilon Rho’s house received a few upgrades: a storage shed, fresh paint for the exterior, new blinds in the windows, and updated upholstery for the TV room furniture.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy was important to the Epsilon Rho women. The chapter regularly participated in Cleaning Up the Grove with the Aggie Men’s Club and Kappa Alptha Theta. In 1987, Epsilon Rho organized a cookbook fundraiser that raised $1,900 for charity, specifically a local mental health center and the Rose McGill Fund. In 1988, the chapter hosted its first Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament, which again benefitted the mental health clinic. Other philanthropic activities included singing Christmas carols at local retirement home, participating in the Adopt-A-Grandparent Project, and spending time with underprivileged children during a Greek Week event. Epsilon Rho also made donations to CROP, a Christian fund that donates 25% of its money to community needs and 75% to world hunger, and to a Texas A&M graduate in need of a liver transplant.
Chapter Convention Awards:
==Highlights of the 1990s==
Throughout the 1990s, Epsilon Rho welcomed many more large pledge classes into the chapter. In order to ensure that all members, old and new, knew each other, the chapter held retreats, sleepovers at the house, picnics, and a variety of other sisterhood activities. Several times a year, the Kappas got together for big/little sister nights with ice cream and yogurt. In 1991, the chapter held a sister-only pumpkin carving contest and Easter egg hunt. That same year, Epsilon Rho won the Excellence in Pledge Education award during Greek Week.
The chapter also hosted useful development programs each month, including Responsible Behavior, Risk Management, and Professionalism. Social activities included Pledge Presentation, the Butterbash Ball Fall Casual, and the Valentine’s Day semi-formal. Epsilon Rho often paired up with other Greek-letter organizations for events, such as Kite N Key with Theta, Monmouth Formal with Pi Phi, Owl-O-Ween with Chi Omega, and the Ranch Party with the Tri-Delts. The chapter even accompanied ZBT to Country Western dance lessons.
Alumnae involvement was also important to Epsilon Rho. The Founders Day Banquet was held each year with the local alumnae association. For the Initiation Banquet, chapter alumnae and the mothers of initiates joined Epsilon Rho in welcoming the new Kappas.
Epsilon Rho had many achievements throughout the decade. The chapter was repeatedly recognized for scholarship on campus. In1990, the Kappas won Chi Omega’s Songfest.
Housing:
The chapter maintained a house on campus throughout the 1990s.
Philanthropy:
Epsilon Rho participated in a variety of philanthropic activities throughout the 1990s. The chapter was always a part of the Big Event, a Texas A&M-sponsored event to help out around the Bryan/College Station area. The Kappas also contributed to FestiveFall, another event sponsored by the University.
The chapter held a community-wide spaghetti dinner that raised $2000 for charity as well as a canned food drive with Sigma Nu. The Kappas volunteered their time to paint bathrooms and pick up trash at a local park. In 1991, the sisters worked together to send Valentine’s Day cards to troops stationed in the Gulf.
The chapter’s annual Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament prospered in the 1990s, and, in 1994, the event raised $15,000 for a local mental health clinic.
Chapter Convention Awards:
==Highlights of 2000-2010==
Epsilon Rho welcomed the new millennium with numerous sisterhood activities to strengthen the bonds of friendship. These sister-only events included a New Member retreat, a day of Valentine’s Day cookie decorating, and a pizza party study break. Other fun activities included the December semi-formal and the "Farewell Fleur de Lis" party to say goodbye to graduating seniors. Each year, the chapter held a Monmouth formal with Pi Beta Phi, Owloween with Chi Omega, and the Ranch Party with the Tri-Delts.
The chapter also spent time thanking their parents for their never-ending love and support. A Mother/Daughter Tea was held in the fall, and a Dad’s Day Baseball Game proved to be a big hit with the fathers.
Housing:
Epsilon Rho continued to maintain a residence at Texas A&M University throughout the decade.
Philanthropy:
Epsilon Rho continued to focus on philanthropy throughout the decade. Each year, the chapter participated in the University-sponsored Big Event. Kappa Kaddies, the annual philanthropy golf tournament, proved to be a huge success year after year. In 2007, the event raised $8,000 for Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Bryan. The following year, $14,000 was raised through the Kappa Kaddies event. The chapter began another annual philanthropy event, Kappa Krawfish. The crawfish boil was a success and raised hundreds of dollars for philanthropy.
By mid-decade, Epsilon Rho began concentrating on Reading Is Fundamental, Kappa’s philanthropy. The chapter held a community-wide book drive to collect books and raise money. The books were donated to elementary schools in the Bryan/ College Station area.
Chapter Convention Awards:
==Highlights of 2011-2019==
Epsilon Rho was very busy as the chapter entered the second decade of the twenty-first century. The Kappas focused on providing members with personal development programs that would prepare them for life after college. In 2011, KKG Connections was held with alumnae from Dallas and served as a networking opportunity. Special programs were held for the seniors such as a professional etiquette presentation and a workshop on how to stay connected with the Fraternity after graduation. The seniors also hosted a potluck dinner, and the recipes were later compiled into a senior cookbook. The entire chapter enjoyed the programming as well. The Education Committee sponsored speakers who gave presentations about self-defense, nutrition, exercise, and more. Epsilon Rho also had Chapter Chaplains for the benefit of the sisters.
The chapter also had fun during a variety of social events. Examples of such activities include the February semi-formal, Monmouth with Pi Phi, KKG BBQ, and K-K-Jean, which was held at a local boutique.
Housing:
Epsilon Rho’s chapter house holds 46 members. The sisters are able to enjoy a large backyard and a spacious patio, one of the only ones found on Sorority Row. In 2011, the chapter added a second grill to the patio, which permits the members to enjoy many outdoor meals throughout the year.
Philanthropy:
Epsilon Rho continued the tradition of participating in Texas A&M’s Big Event. The 2011 Kappa Krawfish event was held on Parents’ Weekend. The 400 guests were able to enjoy entertainment provided by a local band as well as the chapter’s Kappa Pickers and Stomp Team. The event was a huge success and raised around $10,000 for charity.
A new philanthropic event was Kappa Kook Out, which was held at the house in the fall. Over $10,000 was donated to the Nehemiah Foundation of Navasota. The chapter volunteered at the Nehemiah center to tutor and spend time with local at-risk children. Many of the sisters volunteered at Nehemiah a few times a week, and the chapter was able to accumulate over 1,000 service hours in one semester.
Epsilon Rho also gave to the Texas A&M community through Kappa Kappa Chino, a daytime event where Kappas passed out free coffee provided by Starbucks to students at various locations around campus.
Chapter Convention Awards:
==Highlights of 2011==