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'''314 initiates Eta Delta, Valparaiso University''''''Valparaiso University founded in 1859 in Valparaiso, Indiana''' '''Founded April 18, 1998''' '''507 Initiates (as of June 2013)''' ------------------ '''Some of Eta Delta’s Outstanding Members:''' '''Fraternity Officers:''' '''Fraternity Loyalty Award:''' '''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:''' '''Additional Outstanding Eta Delta Alumnae:''' Lisa Thomas (Mathews), Chapter Consultant 2004-2005 ----------------- ==History of University== Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is located in Valparaiso, Ind. The university is a coeducational, four-year, private Lutheran institution founded in 1859 which had five colleges (arts and sciences, business administration, engineering, nursing and honors) when the Fraternity installed Eta Delta Chapter on the campus. It is the largest independent Lutheran university in the United States and is home to the second-largest collegiate chapel in the world, The Chapel of the Resurrection. In its more than 150-year history, Valparaiso University has passed through three distinct phases. Founded by Methodists in 1859 as an institution pioneering coeducation, the Valparaiso Male and Female College was forced by the reverses of the Civil War to close its doors in 1871. It was revived in 1873 by an enterprising educator, Henry Baker Brown, as the Northern Indiana Normal School, renamed Valparaiso College in 1900 and rechartered in 1906 as Valparaiso University. During the next 20 years, it established business and law schools and won national recognition as a low-cost, no-frills institution of higher learning. Many alumni of this period achieved distinction in their fields as governors, legislators, scientists, business leaders and other professionals. Despite its decades of success, the university again experienced financial hardship as the United States entered World War I. The Lutheran University Association, a group of clergy and church laity who saw a bright future for the university, purchased it in 1925, ushering in the modern era of Valparaiso’s history. Distinguished by its Lutheran heritage of scholarship, freedom and faith, Valparaiso University continues to fulfill the dreams of these modern founders. Valparaiso has established itself as a premier Midwestern university that combines a thorough grounding in the liberal arts with solid professional training. In the 1940s, the university, spurred by student action, established a school of engineering and adopted a student-administered honor system. The Christ College honors program and a school of nursing further enriched the university’s offerings. In 1956, Valparaiso’s chapel-auditorium was destroyed by fire. In 1959, it was replaced by the majestic Chapel of the Resurrection, a fitting symbol of the university’s commitment to its Lutheran ideals—and of the thriving community’s renewed growth. Covering 320 acres, Valpo’s campus is positioned one hour southeast of Chicago and just 15 minutes from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. The town of Valparaiso is considered to be the southeastern-most suburb of the Chicago metropolitan area. ==The Early Years== When the Fraternity Council voted to accept the petition from a local sorority at Valparaiso University, planning to establish a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma on the campus began. In February 1998, members of the local group Phi Beta Chi were formally pledged during colonization services and planning for installation began. On April 18, 1998, Eta Delta chapter was installed. The installation was conducted by Fraternity President Cathy Thompson Carswell, Illinois Wesleyan; Director of Chapters Ann Stafford Truesdell, Ohio Wesleyan and Chairman of Extension Juliana (J.J.) Fraser Wales, Ohio State. Other National Panhellenic Conference groups on the campus in 1998 were Kappa Delta, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Gamma Phi Beta and Chi Omega. ==Highlights of 1997-1999:== (From 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.) Approximately 35 percent of the undergraduate students were Greek in 1998. Eta Delta Chapter had 41 active members and 11 new members which was more than the average chapter size on campus. Throughout the 1997-1998 school year, Phi Beta Chi/Kappa Kappa Gamma had as its goal to receive the President’s Award of Excellence on campus. Phi Beta Chi had last received this award in 1992. Eta Delta was confident that it will continue to be one of the truly distinguished chapters at Valpo. Eta Delta Chapter was guided by Chapter Consultant Heather Siegel, Iowa, as the chapter began transiting from a local sorority to a chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was not only a consultant, but also a friend to the chapter members. At the beginning of fall semester, the members set the chapter goal: to do more activities as a chapter and to participate more in campus activities. The chapter accomplished this through intramurals, participating in community service projects and being involved in Panhellenic. The chapter members and members of Phi Delta Theta partnered in trick-or-treating at the pediatric ward of Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso. The Kappas and Theta Chi held a yard sale in October. Members were encouraged to bring clothing, household items and anthing else that could be included in the sale. The proceeds from the event supported the Breast Cancer Society of Valparaiso. Additional activities were Adopt-A-Grandma, Adopt-A-Highway, Drop Walk for Hunger and traditional green events. In 1999, the chapter raised its GPA to 3.26 which was above the all-campus average, and the chapter had grown to 51 members. The greatest challenge the chapter faced was apathy. This was overcome by encouraging the members to be involved, scheduling fun events and giving out prizes and awards for participation including Kappa of the Week to the member who was the most involved. In 1999, Eta Delta Chapter took an active role in philanthropic activities. The members volunteered at the Valparaiso Guild Bazaar, participated in the Breast Cancer Walk, continued visiting and supporting the Kappa Grandma who lived at Canterbury Place and participated in highway clean-up. In addition to these events, the chapter also participated in the all-Greek activity of Trick-or-Canning which collected food for needy families in the area. To celebrate the millenium, the chapter held a date party with Chi Omega which was its first double-date party with another sorority. ==Highlights of 2000-2010:== (From 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.) The chapter celebrated Founders Day on October 13, 2005. The chapters displayed a set of letters from Phi Beta Chi, the local sorority which became Eta Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1998. Also displayed were Phi Beta Chi composites, the first Kappa Kappa Gamma composite and memorbilia from the local sorority days including a bunny because it was known as the Beta Bunnies. The chapter received six awards at the 2005 Delta Province Meeting including house board/chapter relations, greatest improvement, new member program, most improved scholarship and received an honorable mention for unity, loyalty and gracious living as well as membership. The chapter was proud to be second academically among the women’s groups on the campus. The chapter had the most 4.0s of any sorority on campus fall semester, and the new member class had the highest GPA compared to other new member classes. This year there were 49 chapter members. The members enjoyed a hayride date party, homecoming week and an exciting Hollywood semi-formal dance in November. Kappa’s campus-wide philanthropy, Battle of the Sexes, was successful this year. Throughout the semester, the members worked on changes in the chapter room and added a new dining room table. This fall, the campus changed from informal recruitment to continuous open bidding. Eta Delta was unfamiliar with this method of fall recruitment so several workshops were held to prepare the actives for it. The chapter wanted to unite off-campus and on-campus members. They did that by setting up a buddy system and creating a screen name that let all the members know what activities were going to take place during the week.The chapter members wanted to encourage more alumnae to attend events by letting them know a month ahead of upcoming activities. In 2006, the 50th anniversary of the former local chapter was celebrated by holding a banquet and dance that was attended by many Kappa alumnae. Alumnae and active members spoke at the banquet. A big room of the chapter’s dorm was reserved to display archives including old composites. The members made a quilt out of old letters that had been in storage and displayed it on a wall. Scrapbooks from past years were on tables for the guests to see as well as cut-out wooden letters and Kappa memorabilia. Eta Delta started a new philanthropy activity with the Midwest Center. The members went to this home which serves children who have been abused and as a result have emotional disabilities. They started a library there and began a library night. The chapter is the only group that goes to the center and spends time with the children who love being with the women. Eta Delta was featured in the center’s newsletter and was asked to come back again. The chapter pledged four girls in the fall and 11 in spring recruitment. The staff member who was in charge of all the sorority recruitment said that Eta Delta’s spring rush was the best she had ever seen by the chapter. The students on the Valpo campus are very close. All of the chapters support each other’s philanthropic activities. Also, there is a good relationship between the Greeks and independents. Eta Delta members are very involved on the campus and are the only chapter to participate in each Greek organization’s philanthropic event. There is at least one chapter member who participates in each organization on campus.The chapter meets in a university-owned chapter room which makes it inconvenient to install anything such as a fan or pictures on the wall. During Valparaiso’s homecoming weekend in 2006, Eta Delta invited Kappa alumnae to its chapter room for a few hours during the day. The alumnae had a good time looking at old scrapbooks and composites while reminiscing about their college days. The chapter pledged 12 new members at the beginning of the year and seven more women during fall semester. The members continued to focus on scholarship and philanthropy. At the 2007 Delta Province Meeting, Eta Delta received six awards: first place for philanthropy and honorable mention in academic excellence, membership, new member program, advisory board/chapter relations and unity, loyalty and gracious living. Kappa’s dedication was displayed when it received several Greek Life awards: President’s Award for Excellence, Adviser of the Year Award and Outstanding Philanthropy and Community Award. The chapter was proud of Kappa Jennifer Cole who was named Greek Woman of the Year. Renovations were made to the chapter room including new carpeting and plans were made to install a keypad and new cabinetry. Valparaiso University built a new student union in the center of campus to bring students together for dining, mail and student organization meetings. University President Alan Harre announced his retirement during the summer of 2007, and Mark Heckler was named as his replacement effective in October 2008.One of the biggest challenges the chapter faced this year was communication among its members. The members realized it was important to talk face-to-face rather than relying on email so much, and confidentiality was stressed. During 2008, Eta Delta celebrated its 10th anniversary. Kappa alumnae were invited to come to the chapter room where desserts were served while everyone reminisced as they looked back on the growth of the chapter. Chapter scrapbooks, awards, and pictures were on display. The undergraduates and alumnae enjoyed putting Kappa stickers and bookmarks into books which were donated to Reading is Fundamental (RIF). It was special for the active members to listen to alumnae stories. This display brought a lot of memories to the alumnae as well as the undergraduates and reminded everyone of her continuing sisterhood. The chapter room had been under construction and everyone was pleased to see the outcome. With the new entertainment system, cable and welcoming atmosphere, the chapter room had become a place where members could get together outside of scheduled meetings. Eta Delta continued the tradition of philanthropy by collecting small stuffed animals and won the H.U.G. challenge on campus. In addition the chapter added two new philanthropies: Kappa Goat Regatta and Kappa Kasino. During the year, the chapter donated more than $2,650 to several philanthropies such as the Midwest Center and Hilltop. With its dedication to philanthropy and sisterhood, the chapter was pleased when it received third place for its academics in the spring. Greek Life Awards the campus received were President’s Award of Achievement, Outstanding Public Relations Award and Outstanding Chapter Programming Award. These awards show the chapter’s commitment to the campus and community. Valparaiso University celebrated its 150th anniversary during the fall of 2008, and several activities were held on campus. Kappa hosted the Duck Pond. The new student union building was dedicated in January 2009 to honor outgoing President Harre. The chapter faced challenges with Recruitment. Valparaiso had its lowest number of rushees in 10 years and decided not to conduct a fall Recruitment. Eta Delta had trouble filling its council positions although the nominating committee did a good job of slating members in positions for which they were well qualified. To connect the new members and seniors, there was a focus on having the Fleur-de-Lis be senior members during the new member period. Since the chapter was on probation, the morale was low. Its social and philanthropic events on campus were limited, and a variety of educational events and workshops were held. To raise morale, several sisterhood events were held which helped the chapter realize it wanted to be proactive in Valparaiso University’s community. With Recruitment in 2010, the chapter moved forward using the lessons it had learned and with a class of 15 fabulous new members who invigorated the chapter. In March, the chapter held its second annual Kappa Boat Regatta in the campus pool. Several other Greek groups participated, and their creativity was amazing. There were many surprises along the way. In April, Eta Delta served as hostess for the Delta Province meeting. It was such fun to meet undergraduate and alumnae members from throughout the province. The chapter was proud to receive the Advisory Board/Chapter Relations and Standards awards. The chapter received the following awards from the university: the President’s Award of Achievement and adviser Valarie Thayer, UC San Diego, received an Advisory Board award. As the semester closed, the chapter was received a focus letter from the Fraternity Council. The members looked forward to the next semester to regain the chapter’s direction and conquer the challenges facing it. Eta Delta members returned for the next semester in high spirits, planning monthly sisterhood events and looking forward to philanthropy. Sisterhood events brought everyone together, and members participated in the Watermelon Mayham and Sigma Chi Derby Days. For Founders Day, we toured the campus to learn about the first Kappas through crossword puzzles, clues and walking to the chapel steps. It was wonderful to have a lot of alumnae share the day with the chapter. The second-annual Kappa Kasino philanthropy event was a huge success. Many attended, and it proved to be another great way to unite with other Greek organizations and also reach into the community to gain their involvement as well. To close the year, the chapter participated in the Kappa Foundation Holiday Sharing program. The members purchased gifts and raised money for a fellow sister.On campus, the 50th anniversary of the Chapel of Resurrection was celebrated, a new fitness center was completed in the fall and new campus apartments were finished for fall semester. The chapter worked to increase the bonds of sisterhood, get its GPA above the all-sorority average and was involved in other campus activities and service projects. In 2010, the chapter initiated 19 new members and was third among the seven sororities in academics. Eta Delta placed second in the first-ever Valpo Cup in the fall and had some great sisterhood events: hayride and ice skating. The chapter raised $400 from the Boat Regatta which benefited RIF. Eta Delta participated in intramurals such as water basketball, volleyball, floor hockey and soccer. At Greek Awards, the chapter received the public relations award. The chapter was sad to have 18 seniors graduate in the spring and pleased to pledge five new members for the fall class. Several Kappas went abroad to study. Eta Delta received a warning of probation letter as the year closed. It included a checklist of what the chapter has accomplished so far and looked very good. The chapter was very positive about the progress it had made during the past year. ==Highlights of 2011-2019:== From 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.: ==2011== During 2011, Eta Delta organized two successful philanthropic events: Kappa Cardboard Boat Regatta and Mr. & Miss Greek Life Pageant. Together these two events successfully raised money for RIF. Also this year, the chapter won Homecoming, and chapter member Alex Moulchin was crowned Homecoming Queen. In academics, Eta Delta had 14 members make the Dean’s List, and two members had 4.0s. The chapter initiated 20 new members.This year, Valparaiso University hired a new Greek Life coordinator: Allison Cath, Northwestern.The chapter worked hard to meet the terms of the warning of probation from the Fraaternity. The members became familiar with the Fraternity’s Bylaws and Standing Rules, and each member was expected to hold herself to high standards of conduct.
==2012==
Eta Delta has certainly seen some changes in the past year. We have worked hard to address some organizational and risk management issues, and I believe we’ve done a good job. Our chapter is now running more efficiently and participating in dances and other social events more safely. While those aspects of our chapter have improved this past year, we have struggled with our sisterhood and making an impression on the larger campus community. We are turning now to focus on growing closer together again and stepping up our participation on campus to improve our image.
==Highlights of 2020s:==
From 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.:
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'''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!