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'''Allegheny College established in 1815, Meadville, Pennsylvania'''
'''Founded February 13, 1888'''
'''1,594 initiates (as of 2011)'''
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'''Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Alumnae: ''' (If you have chapter alumna who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
Muriel Matson Kennedy, 1982, President of American Women in Radio and Television; health expert
The first president of Allegheny College was a descendent of John and Priscilla Alden, a Harvard graduate, Timothy Alden. Even though the college opened in 1815, women were not admitted until 1870. Since they were refused membership in the men’s literary societies, the Margaret Fuller Ossoli Society was founded for women. Men’s fraternities began to appear during the mid-1850s and 1860s. In 1876, three of the seven women on campus received a Kappa Alpha Theta charter, soon surrendered, and regained in 1881.
The thrill of living in Meadville in the 1890s is evident in The Key letters: We went on many chestnutting expeditions and risked our lives behind nervous horses.” (December 1891) … “Our newsletter would not be complete without a catastrophe to relate … the week following Commencement a boat containing two of our girls was overturned just at the pump-house in the ‘old canal.’ The current into the pump was very strong but they were rescued with no injury save the wetting.” (October 1892) … and (January 1893) “We are not making history at a very rapid rate … and in writing chapter letters have to be careful not to say too much and exhaust our resources, else when the next quarter comes we are lost.”
In August 1908, the General Convention was held at Allegheny. Men’s chapter houses were thrown open, Alpha Chi Omega gave a musical, a reception for the Grand Council was held and the assembled Kappas were presented to the townspeople at a lawn fete. There would never be enough space for it to happen again.
At Allegheny, freshman rushing was abolished in 1936 and sophomore rushing was limited by a quota and preferential bidding. Plans for the “New Allegheny” were formulated in 1938. This meant that the old Hulings Hall would be incorporated in a new women’s dormitory. The chapter newsletter, Gamma Rhote, was started in 1936.
Gamma Rho felt the influence of World War II during the 1940s. The chapter began a philanthropy program and members broadened their interests to include cultural meetings, an accelerated scholastic program, knitting, rolling bandages, selling bonds and clothing babies in Norway. During this time, there was no May Day celebration and serenades were eliminated.
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. 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.
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It was very common to get married right after graduation, so ceremonies like "the pinning ceremony" to announce pinnings, engagements, etc. were very popular. With the end of the Vietnam war, more opportunities were opening for women, and sororities were considered old fashioned and irrelevant. So members of Gamma Rho remember a focus on survival of the chapter as numbers began to dwindle. The sisters overcame this challenge by encouraging girls to join Kappa so that Gamma Rho could be like their family away from home.
Gamma Rho celebrated their centennial in 1989 by refurnishing its house with new tables and curtains. After sexism became a prevalent issue on campus, the Kappas with sisters from the other organizations banned together to rid the campus of sexist events. With a goal of raising morale, the chapter chose to do more events focused on sisterhood and wellness.
'''Philanthropy''': The Gamma Rho chapter began serving at a nursing home. Allegheny College Greek Sing Winner 1986
'''Awards'''
In 1989, the chapter received Province awards in Most Improved Scholarship and Best Pledge Program.
General Convention - Gracious Living Award 1986-1988
Gamma Rho’s main focus during these years was scholarship. After winning multiple awards for scholarship, the chapter continued to raise their GPA using several different programs such as “Strive for Pie” where the chapter goal as 3.14.
'''Philanthropy:''' Each year, the Gamma Rho chapter sponsored a child for whom they would raise money each semester as well as a participated in other Sorority and Fraternity philanthropy events.
'''Awards:'''
Kappa is known at Allegheny for its beautiful women, strong leaders, and academic excellence. In 2006 the chapter won awards in many events, including most beautiful display for our first recruitment event. Our recruitment went extremely well, with our "top 15" pledges accepting bids in the and an addition of three amazing new members in the fall.
The year 2011 proved to be successful for Gamma Rho. The chapter started off the year by pledging 19 new sisters in formal recruitment. The pledge class completed its pledge period and was initiated. Soon after recruitment, our chapter participated in SAMS (Students Against Multiple Sclerosis) and won the award for most money raised out of all of the organizations on campus who participated.
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
