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|Image= [[File:Eta_Alpha.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1994|03|29}}
|College= [httphttps://www2.furman.edu/Pages/default.aspx Furman University]
|Location= Greenville, SC
|Homepage= [httphttps://kkgfurmanfurman.webskappa.comorg/ Eta Alpha Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Eta_Alpha Media related to Eta Alpha Chapter]}}
'''Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, established in 1826'''
'''750 755 initiates (as of June 20172018)'''
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'''Fraternity Officers:''' Libby Weith, Leadership Consultant 2006-200072007
This year was all about trying new things. In the spring we partnered with the basketball team and put on Hoops for Hope book and clothing drive. We also hosted the first ever Grilled Cheese with KKG. Sisters sold unlimited warm grilled cheese, snacks, and homemade desserts. The event was a huge success and we raised over $1100 for reading is fundamental. In the fall we hosted a number of small events including Lemonade for Literacy Bake Sale outside the library, Lollypops for Literacy consisting of raffling off a yeti cooler in which sisters sold lolly pops for a dollar, and a Chipotle fundraiser. In total was raised $500. In the fall we also threw our second annual Trunk or Treat. This event partners with Agapi, a behavioral consultant organization for children with mental disabilities, in order to allow kids who would not be able to go trick or treating on Halloween night to have a fun halloween experience. Sisters handed out candy from the back of their halloween decked out cars. It was a big success and kids, parents, and sisters alike all had fun.
The 2018 year has been filled with many successes and accomplishments for our sisterhood. In the spring, we had a successful rush and welcomed 27 beautiful new members. Our bid day theme was "Pajama Party". At the spring 2018 Greek awards we won most improved chapter GPA and moved up two slots in the all-sorority average. We also had members attend a Kappa Convention. This year for Homecoming, we were paired with Delta Delta Delta and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Our overall theme was Jet Setters and our theme was London. All of our hard work and dedication paid off, as we came in first in horseplay skits and chalking. These awards boosted our moral and showed that we can come together and show our appreciation for our Greek members and Furman University. The event committee put together four dances this past year: Kappa Crush, Formal, Rave, and Kappa Kasino Semi. During the spring and fall, we also held study halls including breakfast and dinner. In regards to recent changes, we had a large shift in attitude within the chapter. Our sisters are coming together, attending and putting on great events, and doing an amazing job in showing their support for Kappa. We were also received an action plan, which has been a great opportunity for our chapter. This action plan has given us guidance, support, and feedback, for strengthening our chapter communication and overall functionality. This semester we also initiated a COB into our chapter. Over the summer, we lost a newly initiated member, Reilly Simmons. The Furman University community and our chapter held beautiful memorial services for her. Our chapter came together and celebrated her life. We received many letters from other Greek organizations, as they sent their thoughts and prayers to her and her sisters. She was truly a sapphire sister and she will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and sisters. '''Philanthropy''' Our chapter supports Duncan Chapel Elementary, our local organization philanthropy. Through large campus events this year, we raised over $7,000 for RIF. During parents weekend, we held a silent auction and raised $500 for the Foundation. Overall, we donated 60 hours to Duncan Chapel, donated 100 hours to campus service projects, and 853 hours donated to community service projects. We also collected 79 books through small events and donations. Regarding philanthropy, in the Spring semester, we hosted Grilled Cheese with the KKGs for the second time. Our sisters sold unlimited warm grilled cheese, snacks, and homemade desserts. This event was a wonderful success, as we raised over $5,000 for Reading Is Fundamental. In the spring, we hosted Kappa Kupcakes, in which our sister's made cupcakes and the student's who bought tickets got to come and decorate their cupcakes with toppings. From this event, we raised over $2,000 for Reading Is Fundamental. Also in the fall, we hosted a small event, a Lemonade for Literacy Bake Sale, outside of the library. Sister's baked homemade desserts that were sold to students. We raised $100 for our local philanthropy, Duncan Chapel Elementary. In the fall we also hosted our third annual Trunk or Treat event in which we partnered with Agapi, a behavioral consultant organization for children with mental disabilities. This was a wonderful chance for kids with mental disabilities to Trick or Treat in a low-maintenance environment. Sisters had a great time decorating their cars, dressing up, speaking to kids, and handing out candy. We chose this organization because our sisters appreciate getting to work with kids one on-one, as we are able to get to know the kids and spend quality time with them. We appreciate getting to do hands-on work with the kids by reading, talking , and doing activities with them. [[File:HA 2018.jpg|thumb|HA 2018]] ==Highlights of 2019== In 2019 Eta Alpha received 7 total Panhellenic awards for the 2018 calendar year during the Greek Awards ceremony in April, including the Founder’s Award that went to Kirstin Mintun. Leadership Consultant Hannah Greene came for two extended stays to assist the chapter with its development. This year, the Eta Alpha chapter celebrated Founders Day by renting out J300 and providing sisters with refreshments. This included a variety of Brickstreet cakes, snacks and sodas. After welcoming the sisters to the 149th Founders Day and telling everyone what an important day this is for Kappa’s history, the Marshal conducted the candle lighting ceremony with six seniors. Secretary also brought some past composites for us to look at previous Kappa sisters at Furman. Our semi-formal this November was themed “Sapphires are Forever” in honor of our upcoming 150th anniversary, and we've been promoting the Herff Jones 150th anniversary jewelry to the chapter. The Panhellenic Council has changed the bylaws to have better representation of sororities during the Panhellenic Council slating process by having a representative from each chapter be present during the interviews, and all convening to decide the slate for the new Panhellenic council. We also coordinated our spring philanthropy event with Zeta Tau Alpha’s Big Man On Campus and promoted attendance of their event as it took place right after ours. We won 3rd Place in homecoming this fall, and partnered with Chi Omega and Beta. During homecoming, we had a bake sale with our homecoming partners to raise money for our philanthropies. We have also held mixers with Tri Delta, to foster positive Panhellenic relationships, and Beta, to foster positive relationships in anticipation of homecoming. '''Philanthropy''' The chapter held Grilled Cheese and Kappa Kupcakes philanthropy events in the Spring and Fall semesters, respectively. Proceeds from the events benefitted Reading is Fundamental. We support Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation nationally. This year we have been in the process of finding a new local philanthropy that represents our values and goalsas a chapter and is willing to work with our philanthropy chair to schedule events. ==Highlights of 2020:== During Covid-19, we are preparing for recruitment in 2021 to be totally virtual. Rounds will take place over zoom and will utilize breakout rooms. All meetings and events have been switched to virtual, including chapter. Some of our virtual events include virtual game nights, homecoming, senior programming, Founders Day, AE Banquet, and COB Initiation. We developed extra programming for Covid-19 and mental health during a pandemic, and we created an action plan for Covid-19 scenarios and expectations. We have two members of our chapter that have received Kappa scholarships. Our chapter received Convention recognition for: Honorable Mention: Heritage Award and Honorable Mention: Panhellenic Award for the 5-7 Panhellenic groups category. We also requested and implemented an action plan created by the District team and created several internal actions plans as well, relating to campus connections, alumnae connection, and sisterhood within the chapter. This year we partnered with the Hilton Head alumnae association. We are planning several programs with them, including career mentorships, alumnae panels, and sisterhood events with members of both our organizations. [[File:Eta Alpha 2020 (before COVID-19).JPG|thumb|Eta Alpha 2020 (before COVID-19)]] '''Philanthropy''' As well as the KKG Foundation, we support Neighborhood Focus, Reading is Fundamental, and Loaves and Fishes. For Neighborhood Focus, we chose this organization because they work with kids of all ages, from elementary to high school, providing a safe space after school to work on language skills, reading skills, and their homework. We also have been in close contact with this organization about potential volunteer opportunities in the future or ways to help raise money for them. We will also be donating money to the Kappa Foundation. For Reading is Fundamental, we chose this organization because not only is it our national philanthropy, but it also provides learning materials and books to teachers, parents, and children, which is especially important during this pandemic since it has led to isolated learning. We held a virtual 5k in support of RIF which raised almost 1,700 dollars. For Loaves and Fishes, we chose this organization because they provide canned foods for those in need in Greenville, which is important during the economic strain caused by the pandemic. '''Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion''' We held a program over the summer lead by the Furman Justice Forum about identity and supporting racial differences through Greek Life. We worked to overcome gendered language in our programming in order to support non-binary sisters in our chapter and all of Kappa. We supported and advertised a petition created by the Furman Justice Forum that pushed for increased diversity measures on campus, including religious diversity initiatives in recruiting/hiring, a diversity focused general education requirement, and a requirement for students to attend a certain amount of diversity focused programming on campus. '''Sesquicentennial Celebration''' We held a virtual Founders Day celebration through Zoom where we invited chapter alumnae from the past 10 years as well as alumnae from nearby alumnae associations. After conducting the candle lighting ceremony, we split off into breakout rooms (in a mix of active sisters, recent alumnae, and older alumnae) for a Kappa history trivia game. We then split off into a series of several randomized breakout rooms for additional conversations, games, and activities about Kappa’s history. ==Highlights of 2021:== In January 2021, the Eta Alpha chapter welcomed its new members with a “freshly-picked” bid day theme. The chapter held many fun sisterhood events in the spring, such as yoga, astrology, and improv workshops in March and a succulent bar in April. At the end of the semester, they celebrated graduating seniors with the Flowerside Ceremony, a dessert reception, and the senior ceremony. Two members received campus Greek shout-out awards. In Fall 2021, the chapter participated regularly in campus intramural sports. September brought a family weekend tailgate, and October had Kappa Kappa Disco, a Halloween celebration, and Homecoming….Kappa contributed to a Wizard of Oz float! In November, the chapter held both a Dad’s Cookout social and Semiformal. In November 2021, Eta Alpha Chapter made the difficult decision to suspend operations for a period of no less than five years. We know that the chapter will return stronger than ever when the time is right. [[File:Eta Alpha Carve & Chuck 2021.jpg|thumb|Eta Alpha Carve & Chuck 2021]] '''Philanthropy''' Eta Alpha supported RIF (Reading is Fundamental) with an April 2021 Campus Easter Egg Hunt. They also held a virtual craft session with kids from the chapter’s local philanthropy, Neighborhood Focus. In Fall 2021, the chapter announced its transition to the Fraternity’s new mental health initiative. Eta Alpha chapter chose to support NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness), and the chapter held a Halloween Carve & Chuck pumpkin carving fundraiser. '''Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion''' Eta Alpha Chapter was committed to the use of inclusive language in chapter meetings, ceremonies, and activities. '''Operating in a Pandemic''' Spring 2021 offered a hybrid mix of in-person/virtual activities so members could choose. The chapter was fully back in person in Fall 2021. ==Highlights of 2022:== Spring semester 2022 brought a flurry of activity as the Eta Alpha chapter celebrated its sisterhood. April was the highlight of the semester, with three outstanding events: *KKG’s Grilled Cheese, raising money for NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness)*KKG’s (Fun)eral – a summer/funeral-themed “darty” for the Furman campus celebrating the Eta Alpha chapter, including water fun, a DJ, and Kona Ice*Alumnae Transition ceremony - all current chapter members transitioned to alumna status At the end of April 2022, chapter operations were suspended as planned, and we look forward to the day when Eta Alpha Chapter returns to Furman’s campus. ------------------------ '''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!