Zeta Eta
| Zeta Eta | |
|---|---|
| ZH | |
 | |
| Founded | April 3, 1982 |
| College | University of California, Irvine |
| Location | Irvine, CA |
| Homepage | Zeta Eta Homepage |
| Media related to Zeta Eta Chapter | |
University of California, Irvine founded in 1960 in Irvine, California
Zeta Eta founded April 3, 1982
_____ initiates (as of 2011)
Some of Zeta Eta’s Outstanding Alumnae:
Fraternity Officers:
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Colonization
Zeta Eta Chapter was colonized the weekend of October 16–18, 1981, with 47 outstanding, bright and articulate young women. “The rush team was sensational, the alumnae support was unmatched, the helping actives were terrific, and the quality of women in rush was all the Fraternity hoped for and more!” wrote Marian Klingbeil Williams, Missouri, Director of Chapters.
The University of California at Irvine was established in 1960, and at the time of Zeta Eta’s colonization had nearly 7,700 undergraduate students with 96 percent being state residents. The Panhellenic claimed that fall Recruitment was the most successful yet and that the new group was warmly welcomed on campus.
The Kappa recruitment team consisted of Ann Loken Rhodes, Washington, local colonization chairman; Caren Nitschke, DePauw, Graduate Counselor; Jenny Young, Indiana, Field Secretary; Leanne Burk, USC, Field Secretary; Debbie Wamser Russell, UCLA, Kappa Province Director of Chapters; Vera Lewis Marine, Colorado College, Kappa Province Director of Alumnae; Timi Atkinson, Colorado, Graduate Counselor at Fresno; and Marian Klingbeil Williams, Missouri, Director of Chapters. All five chapters in southern California assisted in Recruitment.
The colonization events were successful, as well as the interviews. During formal pledging, each new member received a white carnation tied with blue-and-blue ribbons and a little gold key. The alumnae from Southern Orange County gave each girl a Kappa mug and were pleased to be present during this inspiring occasion.
Panhellenic Pledge Presents was held on November 15, and all of Kappa’s new members were introduced to the campus, friends and parents. The members of Zeta Eta Colony began looking forward to its Installation in the spring. Previous information from The Key, Volume 98, No. 4.
Installation
On April 3, 1982 –a “typical” sunny California morning –Southern California Kappa gathered for the installation of Kappa’s 109th active chapter, Zeta Eta. A school of its time, a school of the area, Irvine is flourishing where there were only bare hills before 1961. Now bursting with 12,000 students, it is well-known for its fine science, dance and drama programs and the seriousness of the student body. The architecture of the school, designed to fit into the Irvine hills, is California enhanced by the lush landscaping everywhere. UCI is a beautiful campus located in the unique master-planned community of Irvine and is just minutes from the gleaming coastal cities of Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach and the charming little beach community of Balboa Island where many of the students reside.
Installing officers included Sally Moore Nitschke, Ohio State, Fraternity President; Marian Klingbeil Williams, Missouri, Director of Chapters; Ann Fletcher Colvin, Washington State, Director of Alumnae; Deborah Wamser Russell, UCLA, Kappa Province Director of Chapters; Vera Lewis Marine, Colorado College, Kappa Province Director of Alumnae; and Caren Nitschke, De Pauw, Graduate Counselor.
For Ann Loken Rhodes, Washington, Installation and Colonization Chairman, the installation weekend was the culmination of months of planning and work, since the chapter’s colonization in the fall of 1981. She received support from committee chairmen: Nancy MacNeil Bryan UCLA, President of Southern Orange County Alumnae Association; Betty Fiddes Brady, Butler; Julie Loomis Bynon, Utah; Susan Starr Graham, Purdue; Melinda Bray McCrea, Kentucky; JoAnn Wellman Nelson, Kansas; and Ruth Dusenbury Scherer, Bucknell. Special assistants on hand were Nancy Cannon Bussard and Sandy Stokes McGowan, TCU. Of course, the “back bone” of the most successful weekend came from the various California alumnae associations and clubs who were well represented at each activity.
Kappa actives arrived from all seven chapters in Kappa Province. Actives from UCLA, USC, Northridge, Santa Barbara, and Riverside served as big sisters to the girls of Zeta Eta. Each made “key” pillows for their little sisters and truly exemplified Kappa all weekend.
The two day installation began with fireside at the Fireside at the Laguna Beach-Emerald Bay home of Sylvia Rhoades Dolby, Montana. The setting for installation was the lovely Geneva Presbyterian Church in the picturesque hills of Laguna – truly an ideal facility and location. Diane (Dinnie) Texter Callahan, Colorado, and Jean Ebright Elin, Ohio State, represented Fraternity Headquarters and set the stage for a most memorable service. Laura Jackson, Oklahoma State, Field Secretary, and Debbie Williams, New Mexico, active daughter of Marian Williams, were on deck to give a helping hand.
Following the service a model chapter meeting was held and immediately thereafter, formal pledging of Zeta Eta’s nine new pledges took place.
Later that afternoon, the campus was held in the Gateway Gardens. Students, administrators,- representatives from the six men's fraternities and five other NPC groups, and scores of parents, friends and Kappa alumnae welcomed the new initiates.
The weekend celebration was concluded with the installation banquet at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel overlooking the blue Pacific. With almost 250 guests attending, Debbie Russell greeted everyone as toastmistress, Sue Graham, banquet chairman, arranged a splendid evening. The Zeta Eta Pickers performed and were terrific. The gifts were almost overwhelming- special was the presentation of two badges. The first, the president's badge, was presented by the Northern Orange County Alumnae Association. The other was a beautiful diamond badge presented by Joan Peterson Lynch, UCLA, in honor of her mother, Helen Kirk Peterson, Colorado College, who was present. This key will go to the active with the highest scholarship for the term.
Randy Lewis, Associate Dean of Students and Adviser to lFC, gave the greetings from the University. Fraternity President Sally Nitschke gave an inspirational message which left the parents and alumnae with good feelings about the Fraternity and the future of the chapter. Donna Smith, president of Zeta Eta, was thrilled to present Caren Nitschke, Graduate Counselor, with a beautiful necklace and bouquet of roses in appreciation of her dedication of time and love to the new chapter.
In keeping with tradition, the banquet was closed with the candlelight ceremony, bringing an end to an exciting, yet unforgettable weekend. The Key, Fall 1982 pages 62-63
The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
Highlights of the 1980s:
Many members joined as sophomores, juniors, or even seniors. They participated in a campuswide celebration called Wayzgoose. The philanthropic focus was on an eating orders awareness program. Anorexia nervosa seemed to have reached a peak in the late 70s and early 80s and has been described as “the disorder of the 80s.” College campuses instituted counseling or support systems for people suffering from eating disorders, and the chapter members worked to raise awareness about this issue.
In 1985, the Founders Day Brunch was held with local alumnae, and the members of UC Riverside. The Irvine chapter members were excited to assist in the installation of Zeta Nu at UC San Diego. An annual Monmouth Duo event was held with the Pi Beta Phis. Chapter retreats were held in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Palm Springs. Families were invited to an initiation banquet. A mother/daughter fashion show was held in 1989. An annual Kappa Dad’s Day was held at the UCI homecoming basketball game.
During the late 80s, a lot of expansion was in the works at UCI, earning it the nickname Under Constrution Indefinately. An annual Kappa Kruise was held on the Catalina Flyer in Newport Beach. Members invited a date and up to two guests who were not Kappas to participate in this nautical themed harbor cruise dance. Yearly participation in Songfest, a competition which is where the chapter is partnered with a fraternity to put on a smaller version of a Broadway play.
Philanthropy:
Chapter members participated in Operation Santa Claus by collecting toys for kids which were then donated to the Albert Sitton Home, the Orangewood Home and the children at the UC Irvine Medical Center. During the annual UC Irvine Wayzgoose Faire, Kappas let loose a rainbow of colorful balloons in an effort to raise money for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Cash prizes were sent to those who returned balloons from the farthest distance (Tampa, Florida) and more than $600 was raised for the philanthropy that year. The following year, $730 was raised for Women Haven, Inc., a center for battered women and children. Convention Awards:
Highlights of the 1990s
In 1991, Founders Day was held at the Univeristy Club on campus with the Orange County Alumnae and the Long Beach Alumnae Associations. The chapter participated yearly in Songfest, Wayzgoose, annual new member retreats and chapter retreats, exchanges, a pledge/active dance and a Monmouth Duo dance with Pi Beta Phi. The 1991 chapter newsletter, “Key Issues” featured quotes from chapter members about what Kappa meant to them.
In 1997, sixty-percent of chapter members attended the installation of the Eta Gamma Chapter at the University of San Diego. 1998 saw a new Diamonds and Sapphires event which was a combined Parent’s Day, Pledge Presents, and Scholarship awards banquet. This was also the beginning of the Sionara Seniors event which included a party, a senior will and ritual. In 1998, chapter members made a commitment to work hard to improve their chapter by making a “blue print” to guide them in rebuilding and strengthening the chapter. Throughout the 90s, the chapter held Founders Day with UC Riverside.
Housing:
Ground breaking for UCI Greek Housing took place on October 13, 1991. The name of the Greek housing complex at UC Irvine is Arroyo Vista. It housed all eight Panhellenic organizations and four of the Interfraternity Council chapters. In 1995, the chapter house hired a new cook. A house redecoration occurred in fall 1999. Also in 1999, Zeta Eta was the first chapter at UCI to have completely dry functions.
Philanthropy:
Hosting a ring toss booth during Wayzgoose, the chapter raised $300 to donate to the American Cancer Society. Zeta Eta participated in philanthropies such as Habitat for Humanity and AIDS Walk. Members volunteered with Pi Beta Phi at the Orangewood Children’s Home and to clean an area of the beach for the Surf Rider Foundation, an organizatio dedicated to the cleaning and safekeeping of the coasts. New members held a pumpkins and pancakes philanthropy event, with proceeds benefiting battered and abused children. Zeta Etas supported the Orange County Rescue Shelter for Battered Women, AIDs research, and FISH (Friends In Service to Humanity.)
Convention Awards:
1992 Chapter Publications and Public Relations Honorable Mention; 1998 Chapter/Advisory Board Relations Honorable Mention
Highlights of 2000-2010
The chapter members participated in many Panhellenic events including Greek Week, and Songfest. An annual Diamonds and Sapphires Scholarship banquet honored members with outstanding academic achievement. During Sapphire Week each February, members held a campus-wide barbeque called Kappa Kantina, a fraternity appreciation dessert, and a the annual formal dance, Sapphire Ball.
In 2006, a very successful risk management retreat was held with guest speakers on alcohol abuse and party safety, a narcotics officer addressing drug safety, and a personal safety workshop presented by a local police officer.
The 2008 risk retreat had presentations about alcohol awareness, nutrition and sexual assault. They were able to improve organization and time management by streamlining the calendar and regular meetings. Each year a week long event was held called Sayonara Sisters to honor the graduating seniors.
Prior to the spring 2007 quarter, the ladies of Zeta Eta were excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the chapter’s founding on April 3rd. Alumnae attended a brunch where they shared their experiences and memories and heard about the current achievements of the chapter. In alternating years, the chapter held a Mother/Daughter Tea and a Father/Daughter Barbeque. Sisterhood events included Disneyland, Medieval Times, and a taping of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal.”
For Founders Day 2010, Zeta Eta hosted the Orange County Alumnae Association and the Epsilon Pi Chapter from University of California, Riverside for tea at the chapter house.
Philanthropy:
The ladies of Zeta Eta held a campus-wide book drive and distributed books to the Friends of the Library Foundation. The chapter members volunteered at a telethon for St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital. During the annual Greek Awards at UC Irvine, the members were awarded the Community Relations Award for its telethon participation. The yearly philanthropy event was called Kappa’s Amazing Race, where members of fraternities completed a mix of relay races, games and obstacles.
In 2007, the ladies of Zeta Eta raised money by holding a barbeque and donated the proceeds to the Hokey Spirit Memorial Fund in honor of Caitlin Hammeran, Virginia Tech. In October, 2007, members vivisted Sepulveda Elementary School where they read to students, decorated cookies and worked on crafts. The Reading is Key event for February 2009 was centered around the book “Where The Wild Things Are.”
In the Fall of 2009, Zeta Eta members were pen pals with students from Wilson Elementary School, culminating in a holiday party where the elementary students got to meet their pen pals. The 2010 Reading is Key event was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Ana and was themed around the book “Coduroy.” The members of other sororities and fraternities were invited to participate in the Reading is Key event.
Convention Awards:
2000 Ritual Award Honorable Mention; 2002 Greatest Scholarship Improvement Award (10-14 Panhellenic groups); 2008 Public Relations Award; 2010 Excellence in Chapter Management; 2010 Finance Honorable Mention; 2010 Rose McGill Honorable Mention
Highlights of 2011-2019
The chapter was able to add new members in every quarter of 2011. Traditional events included a campus-wide Kappa Kantina with carne asada, the Diamonds and Sapphires luncheon to celebrate academic achievements and sisterhood with members’ parents, and Songfest. According to alumna Corien Woudenberg, Zeta Eta in its early years was very similar to the chapter in 2012.
Philanthropy:
The Reading is Key event in 2011 was themed around the book The Giving Tree. Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2020s: (Information from chapte 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!
