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Washington & Jefferson College established in 1781 in Washington, Pennsylvania
'''Zeta Lambda founded April 7, 1984 - 35 charter members'''
'''642 initiates (as of June 2012)'''
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'''Some of Chapter’s Outstanding Members:''' (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 Officers:'''
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award:'''
During the 1860s, a state charter united Washington College with Jefferson College, which was located in nearby Canonsburg. Washington and Jefferson remained an all-male school until 1969, when the college authorized the granting of undergraduate degrees to women and inaugurated a new curriculum. The first undergraduate female students were admitted in September of 1970.
==The Beginning==
On April 7, 1984, Zeta Lambda Colony became Kappa’s 113th active chapter. Zeta Lambda’s Installation capped several months of exciting activity that began in the fall when Kappa accepted W&J’s invitation to colonize, joining Delta Gamma and Pi Beta Phi on campus. With a student body of approximately 1,000, including more than 400 women on campus, the college determined that a third sorority was needed. During the weekend of November 8–10, 1983, Kappa Kappa Gamma colonized Zeta Lambda at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
“We are very pleased that Kappa Kappa Gamma agreed to colonize here at W&J,” said the associate dean of students. “As we narrowed the field of prospective sororities, it became clear that Kappa’s fine national reputation was well deserved. KKG is a welcome addition to W&J’s Greek system and will offer yet another excellent alternative to our undergraduate women.”
The warm welcome and unflagging assistance of W&J’s administration and Greek-letter organizations were outstanding. Panhellenic circulated publicity, helped sign up eligible upperclassmen, and assisted in many other ways.
'''Colonization Week'''
Colonization Week began with a well-attended open house at the Student Center. Kappa’s Extension Team, local alumnae, and a group of actives from Beta Upsilon, West Virginia, gathered to meet the 46 excited, curious students who had come to learn more about Kappa.
Refreshments were served by the alumnae, a slide presentation about the Fraternity was shown, and the Beta Upsilon actives sang several Kappa songs. The event was capped by an enthusiastic rendition of “Pat Said She,” which they taught to the W&J women.
As the open house ended and the assembled Kappas realized that every girl had signed up for an interview the next day, it was clear that the open house had been a resounding success.
The Extension Team consisted of Marjorie Matson Converse, Purdue, Chairman of Extension; Jan Singleton McAllister, Mississippi, Director of Personnel; and many others.
For Zeta Lambda’s first preference party, the Student Center was decorated with flowers, candlelight, and white-clothed banquet tables. Cheesecake and coffee were served to the 26 girls, as well as the hungry colonization team, alumnae, and the Beta Upsilon actives, which again made the journey from Morgantown, W.Va. to conduct the colonization. Several songs were sung by the W. Va. actives, interspersed with readings about the meaning of Kappa.
As the girls filed out to make their important decision, they were clearly filled with excitement and anticipation. That excitement was certainly shared and possibly exceeded by the Kappa actives and alumnae who remained behind to await the results and prepare for the formal pledging ceremony.
The lights were dimmed and the 25 girls reentered the room and received their New Member pins in a lovely ceremony presided over by Jan McAllister.
Congratulatory wishes filled the air and, before the first New Member meeting, everyone ran to the Beta monument, a W&J Greek landmark, to sing several rousing verses of their first and already favorite Kappa song … Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma, I’m so happy that I am a Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma, Nobody knows … how happy I am!
'''Recruitment and Housing'''
The months between Colonization and Installation passed quickly. In February, the colony took part in formal Recruitment and gained 13 new members. With the able assistance of Fraternity officers, Field Representatives, Advisory, and House Board members and the installation chairman, the new colony thrived while alumnae raced against the clock to finish remodeling the new chapter house in time for Installation. Although owned by the college, the Zeta Lambda house was lovingly furnished by its House Board.
'''Installation'''
When the installation weekend arrived, 35 young women gathered at the Kappa House in a state of anticipation on Thursday as Fraternity officers from near and far began arriving. The new members enjoyed a dinner with the installing officers including Sally Moore Nitschke, Ohio State, Fraternity President; Jan Singleton McAllister, Mississippi, Director of Personnel, Marjorie Matson Converse, Purdue, Extension Chairman; and Marjorie Cross Bird, Colorado, Council Assistant, as well as local advisers and alumnae.
On Friday evening, actives from all over Beta Province joined the group for a lovely Fireside Service at the colonial home of a local alumna and House Board President. Punch and cookies were served and the Zeta Lambdas and guests later returned to the Kappa house where songs were sung. The girls shared their last-minute excitement with their active visitors from Beta Upsilon and Beta Province.
Saturday dawned chilly but clear and the girls had a short trip across the street to the Church of the Covenant where Initiation took place. The installing officers were assisted by the Chapter Council Adviser, the Advisory Board Chairman, and Field Secretaries as well as several Presidents of Beta Province chapters. Zeta Lambda’s President proudly accepted the charter on behalf of her newly-initiated sisters.
After a buffet luncheon in the church social hall provided by alumnae, the new Kappas and Fraternity officers moved to a meeting room in the church to conduct a model chapter meeting. Afterward, following a quick change of clothes, everyone gathered at the chapter house for a well-attended reception where family and friends gathered with members of W&J’s administration, faculty, and Greek community to congratulate the Zeta Lambdas.
On Saturday evening, almost 200 Kappas and their guests gathered at the George Washington Hotel for dinner. Toastmistress Marj Converse introduced the president of Beta Upsilon—West Virginia, who offered a toast to the new chapter. The Dean of Students and Associate Dean of Students and Panhellenic adviser spoke as representatives of the college and officially welcomed Kappa Kappa Gamma to Washington & Jefferson. The members of the advisory board were introduced, and Sally Nitschke welcomed the new chapter to the Fraternity.
One of the evening’s highlights occurred when the chapter President received a badge, a special key given by the Pittsburgh-South Hills Alumnae Association. The key is set in garnets to represent W&J. Many other special gifts to the new chapter were opened as well.
After the traditional closing ceremony, the tired but happy Zeta Lambdas drifted out of the hotel talking about dozens of memories that were already a part of their Kappa storehouse of dreams. Zeta Lambda’s Installation was over, but the excitement and sisterhood had just begun.
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'''Bold textHousing:'''Housing:
During the 1980s, Zeta Lambda was housed in a historic home owned by the College but lovingly furnished by the House Board. Although the entire membership of Zeta Lambda was unable to live in the house together, the house on Beau Street remained the center of chapter activity.
'''Bold textPhilanthropy:'''Philanthropy:
Although a new chapter, Zeta Lambda placed an emphasis on chapter philanthropy. The women gathered donations for a variety of organizations, including Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, through activities comprised of only chapter members as well as events pairing Kappas with another campus group. The Balloon Derby was held annually in order to raise money for Washington Youth Social Services. The Balloon Derby was discontinued in 1989 in favor of a campus-wide Twister game, a more environmentally-friendly way to support the community. Zeta Lambda was also a frequent participant in philanthropic events sponsored by other Greek organizations, such as Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash.
'''Bold textHousing:'''Housing:
During most of the 1990s, Zeta Lambda still operated out of the chapter house on Beau Street. When the Beta Province Meeting was held in Washington in 1993, the chapter and its House Board worked tirelessly to update the house by repainting the wood work and giving the entire building a thorough scrubbing. In 1994, the chapter was shocked by the collapsed of the house’s roof. Luckily, the disaster happened during Spring Break and no one was injured.
