|Image= [[File:Theta.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1875|04|02}}
|College= [httphttps://www.missouri.edu/ University of Missouri]
|Location= Columbia, MO
|Province= Zeta South
|Homepage= [httphttps://chaptersmissouri.kappakappagammakappa.org/theta/ Theta Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Theta Media related to Theta Chapter]
}}
'''Additional Outstanding Theta Alumnae'''
Susan Duncan, Graduate Counselor 1978-1980; Lisa Higham (Ferbet), Chapter Consultant 1987-1989; Sheila Jesse (Oliver), Chapter Consultant 1990-1991; Nicki Derryberry, Chapter Consultant 2008-2009; Amy Ryno 2022-present;
==Highlights of 2020==
==Highlights This year has been filled with everchanging plans, yet Theta Chapter really made the most of this situation. Before the chaos began, we had to privilege of welcoming 5 new members into our chapter early February. Our new member educator threw an incredible bid day with the theme “Love Grows Here”. [[File:Spring Bid Day 2020.jpeg|thumb|NM class Spring 2020]] Approximately 2 weeks prior to initiation, Greek Week, and moms weekend, our campus and chapter house shut down, cutting off the fun events we had planned for the semester. Although we were all at home, the chapter continued to boost moral and stay connected with eachother via Zoom sisterhood events. We were excited for the opportunity to initiate our new members via Zoom in April, it looked different yet was every bit as special. [[File:Senior Class 2020.jpeg|thumb|Senior Class 2020]] Although we were not all together, Chapter Council worked countless hours in preparation for the safe arrival of our members in the fall semester. Our membership chair was able to plan and execute an incredible work week and recruitment. It was not our conventional recruitment, yet we were still able to build relationships with new members and show them how special our sisterhood is via Zoom. After a successful and exhausting recruitment week, our new member educator planned bid day with the theme “House of Blues”. In our first in- person event of 2020sthe semester, the chapter was able to welcome home 71 new members, in a safe and socially distanced event. [[File:==Fall Bid Day 2020.jpeg|thumb|Fall Bid Day]] Once the excitement of recruitment and bid day settled down, our new members went through formal pledging and were beyond excited to start their Kappa experience. Unfortunately, our chapter ceased in-person events for 30-days where we had to foster new relationships via Zoom. Theta chapters main philanthropy event, the Kappa Klassic, was unable to take place for the safety of our chapter and guests. Despite the absence of our event, we were still able to raise around $25,000 for our beneficiaries. From chapter’s History ReportOur first in-person event was Initiation on October 10th, 2020. [[File:Proud of her badge!.jpeg|thumb|Badge and mask]] All of the detailed planning paid off when we were able to initiate our new members in shifts, with some legacy alumni joining us! [[File: ScholarshipFall Initiation 2020.jpeg|thumb|After initiation]]To add to our initiation weekend, group honors/awardsour education chair planned our 150th anniversary in a safe and unique manor. The anticipation grew as big little took place and we welcomed the new members into our pledge families. Following all of the excitement, traditionswe had to opportunity to host a Halloween sisterhood event at the drive-in, special where our sisters were safely distanced and watched “Hocus Pocus”. As the semester persists, our chapter has begun to utilize our pods which all consist of less than 20 members. Some fun events we were able to do with our pods include axe throwing, pottery, ice skating, and so many more fun events. Every Monday we host chapter via Zoom, changes with different themes every week to boost moral! We recently just elected our newest Chapter Council members and we are all so excited to see them thrive in their new positions as they take on campus or within a unique semester. [[File:Family Love.jpeg|thumb|Family tree]] Our chapter supports our national beneficiaries- Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Alongside that we also support our local beneficiary- Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center. Around 10 years ago the board hosted a meeting where three charities were asked to make a presentation over their charity. Cedar Creek won and ever since then, this beneficiary has become a huge part of Theta Chapter. How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your programming this year? Theta chapterof Kappa Kappa Gamma recognizes that we have extensive room to grow when it comes to inclusion, diversity, overall nature and equity. As a first step to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable space for each of our members, we created our IDE committee. Currently, the committee is comprised of 15 active members eager to further educate our chapter. The purpose of the committee s to serve as a resource for our chapter. Committeee members present on facts, statistics, and history weekly at chapter meetings as well as providing educational resources and encouraging chapter discussion. Each chapter goalsmember is learning alongside eachother, and it is our goal that our chapter welcomes difficult conversations as an opportunity for growth. The committee has also created an anonymous form where members have the ability to submit concers, suggestions, share experiences, and give feedback as it related to IDE. Moving forward, challenges the committee’s agenda is the review of our chapter bylaws and standing rules and our finances. Additionally, it is the committee’s hope to be able to host educational and resourceful events paired with sisterhood in the future, COVID-19 pending. We are all so excited to see how our IDE committee and overall chapter education grows throughout this following year! How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary? Although this year was clearly unconventional, our Education chair put on an incredible Founder’s Day celebration. Our chapter was able to see alumni receive their pins from the year they were initiated. It was beyond special to see both Marian Klingbeil Williams and Virginia Stewart receive their 60 year pins. Despite the celebration happening virtually, all alumni were excited to see fellow sisters, although it was via Zoom. Throughout the semester, we encouraged members to visit the Kappa Turns 150 site to learn how our chapter as a whole has changed since the start of it. As a chapter council, we promoted how exciting this celebration is and the importance of our sesquicentennial anniversary. What a special celebration to take place during such a unique time in our chapter. ==Highlights of 2021== The start of Twenty-Twenty One was all about finding normalcy during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Masks were still required in public spaces, and Chapter Council, the advisory board, and our house board were doing everything they could to preserve and continue to grow in our sisterhood as a sorority. Our President Hannah was determined to make this a great year. Kourtenay our PHA Delegate was already communicating with PHA about what we could do to stay safe but still have fun. Whisperings of a Coronairus Vaccine trickled through campus, and from that, conflicting opinions arised. Chapters were overcomeheld on Zoom, etcin-person events above ten people were strictly prohibited by the University of Missouri, and only members living in the Kappa House were allowed to eat and study inside the house. At first, only one chair per table was allowed, and throughout the year the number of chairs began to rise as the number of COVID cases began to fall. During February, we welcomed eleven beautiful members to our sisterhood. Our New Member Chairman, Caroline, created a fun pandemic-friendly bid day with the theme “Kappa Stole My Heart.” Many Kappas enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl this year. Kappas began to go to the Hearnes center on campus to receive the first dose of their vaccine against the pandemic in hopes of College life and Greek life returning to normal.:
In March, Six Kappas were chosen as Panhellenic Counselors, or Pi Chis, for Panhellenic Recruitment in the coming Fall. Senior Kappa Grace Schollmeyer was chosen for Mizzou 39’ which honors outstanding seniors for academic achievement, leadership, and service. We had an in-person Big Little Reveal for our eleven New Members. Organized by our Marshal, Brynn, Initiation was held in person. Since there were only eleven new members, we also had a pizza dinner at Shakespeare'''Housing:''' s Pizza, a Columbia classic, to celebrate their initiation into Kappa Kappa Gamma.
April of 2021 brought a new kind of excitement to the Kappa House. Members who did not live in the house were now allowed to come to eat, study, and hang out! Masks and social distancing were still required, but the Kappas found ways to have fun. Mizzou announced that Greek Week would finally be in person again. Many rules were in place to help prevent the spread of the virus. Kappa was paired with Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Tau Gamma. Our theme was the TV show “Survivor.” Kappa came in first place for most of the categories including the Blood Drive, Fling, and spirit. Of course, we won first place overall. Towards the end of April, our Events Chairman Shabeli planned a beautiful Spring Supporter’s weekend which included a cupcake tasting at Plume, a Pottery class, and a trip to Helmi’s Gardens.
In May, we said our goodbyes to our Seniors who were graduating with heavy hearts. Our Education Chairman Gracie threw a lovely in-person senior dinner for them at the Kappa House.
'''Philanthropy:'''The summer months away from campus gave Kappas a chance to participate in internships, study abroad programs, and many adventures that our Public Relations Chairman Amanda documented throughout the summer on Instagram and Facebook.
August came quick, but the Kappas were excited to get back into the groove of college life. House Chairman Allison made sure that we added opaque film to the shower doors because many girls complained that they were see-through the previous year. Since Covid cases were falling, we were finally going to have an in-person recruitment! Membership Chairman Sydney planned an action-packed work week so that we could all get to know each other after being on zoom for an entire year. We went to Midway Golf, 54 Country, and watched a movie on the lawn of the Kappa House. Caroline threw another amazing Bid Day with the theme “All You Need is Kappa Love” to welcome our Pi Chis and 63 New Members of PC 21 home! We had a reception at The Roof with food and refreshments and lots of laughter.
[[File:Fall Recruitment 2021.jpeg|thumb|recruitment]]
[[File:Bid Day Fall 2021.jpeg|thumb|bid day]]
'''Chapter Convention AwardsSeptember kept the girls busy with in person classes, extracurriculars, and social activities. Kappas were bursting with excitement to finally attend game days and wear our favorite black and gold outfits. Flare leggings, puffer jackets, and white sneakers were just a few of the many trends of 2021. We had our first New Member Retreat since the pandemic began. Philanthropy Chairman Natalie worked day and night for many weeks to prepare our largest philanthropy event of the year:'''the Kappa Klassic! The first weekend of the Klassic, we hosted Family Weekend with food and drinks at Gunter Hans. The next day was the golf tournament where families competed against one another. The second weekend was the Fraternity Klassic where forty three teams competed in another golf tournament. Fraternities were to create a banner with our beneficiary on it to hang outside of their house, serenade our Freshman and Sophomores, and form teams to compete in the golf tournament. The men of Alpha Gamma Sigma became the winners due to their dedication and generous donations. In the end, we raised $45,000 for Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center as well as the Jed Foundation! Cedar Creek holds a special place in our hearts because not only do we get to support them financially, but we also send Kappas there every week as volunteers! [[File:Frat Klassic Champions.jpeg|thumb|Frat classic champs]]
In October, Homecoming was approaching and Kappas were eager to get started. Karsen, our Risk Manager, served on the Homecoming Steering Committee. The men of Alpha Gamma Rho were our partners and soon became our friends as we worked day and night on our float, decorations, and skit. During the week leading up to Homecoming weekend, the boys often cooked us breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their house to keep everyone fed and motivated for the days of hard work. Our head liaisons Bri, Sierra, and Maggie worked hard to keep everyone’s spirits high. Coming in second place, the Kappas and AG-Rhos were proud of our hard work and dedication. [[File:Homecoming Float 2021.jpeg|thumb|homecoming]]Just 24 hours after homecoming announcements, Inspiration Week began. A movie night on the lawn, a Blue and Blue dinner for the New Members at the house, and an initiation dinner at Memorial Union for the New Members and their Bigs were all events leading up to initiation weekend put on by our Marshal Brynn and all of CC. Kappa celebrated its 151st birthday at Columbia Country Club this year. Thanks to Education Chairman Gracie we were able to host a beautiful Founder’s day with our active sisters and alumni. [[File:Founders Day 2021.jpeg|thumb|Founders Day]] We wrapped up October with Owlween, our first costume date party since the pandemic began!
In November, Kappas began bringing out their coats and hats as the weather got colder. Blue Jeans, turtle necks, and beanie hats are what many of the girls wear every day to keep warm while staying fashionable. We had our Semi-Formal at Pressed, and all of the dates received a boutonniere to wear during the social. Our risk manager Karsen has worked hard to make sure that everyone stays safe on the bus, at the venue, and at the house. Liz, our VP of Academics, put hours into creating GroupMe group chats for each major in Kappa! This way Kappas in the same major can talk about professors, classes, and tests. Dani, our VP of Standards, planned a fun and relaxing sisterhood event where Kappas got to hang out with some boxer puppies from the humane society! [[File:Safe Sisterhood.jpeg|thumb|sisterhood]]
December began with House Mom Linda, who has served as our house mother for 29 years, announced her retirement at chapter. The room was filled with tears of both joy and sorrow as she made her thank you’s and told us that she would not be returning in the coming school year. At the end of chapter however was a big surprise. Shabel, our Events Chairman, announced our PJ themed Date Dash! The Kappas had two hours to find a date, get ready, and be back at the house to get on the busses and head to the venue: 10b. To wrap up the long semester, Kelsie and Grace, our Secretary and Treasurer, threw a holiday party with door decorating, gingerbread houses, and lots of candy!
----------------The 2021 officers:President: Hannah VennemanVP of Standards: Dani KrollVP of Organization: Elly BowlesVP of Academic Excellence: Liz Kruse Recording Secretary: Kelsie Lensing Treasurer: Grace HenleyMarshal: Brynn (Bodie) Wheaton Education: Gracie SextonEvents: Shabeli AcevedoHouse: Allison Hildebranski Membership: Sydney JohnsonNew Member: Caroline OrrPHA Delegate: Kourtenay Wirthwein Philanthropy: Natalie MilesPublic Relations: Amanda Wachter Risk Management: Karsen Idelman
'''Note to Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues ==Highlights 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. 2022==
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoyThe Amazing Amy Ryno joined!!!