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Chartered in 1819 by the General Assembly under the sponsorship of Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia still bears the imprint of its founder. Jefferson designed the buildings and campus, gathered the faculty and shaped the organization. The university was the most liberal institution of learning of its time, with curriculum totally elective, no religious tests of practices, faculty all equals, and students under the honor system. Many of the ideas of administration and curriculum that dominate American universities today were anticipated by Jefferson.

Epsilon Sigma was installed on October 23, 1976, when 43 new members were initiated at the University of Virginia.

Student population at the time of Epsilon Sigma’s founding was more than 14,000 with teacher population around 1,500. Prior to 1970, female students were admitted only at the graduate and professional level. By 1974, 41 percent of the student population was female. These women were entering a strong fraternity system, with 35 chartered fraternities. As the enrollment of women increased, the desire among women to form their own Greek-letter groups grew. National Panhellenic Conference groups already on campus in 1976 included Zeta Tau Alpha, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Theta. Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was the fifth national women’s fraternity to be installed at the University of Virginia.

Our greatest source of pride for Epsilon Sigma in 1985 was our involvement in the initiation of the charter members of Zeta Mu chapter at Virginia Tech. Almost half of our chapter became big sisters for the charter members. We are also proud of our campus and community activities and the fact that we had the second highest grade point average of the 16 sororities on campus. By the mid-80s we had 85 active sisters. Epsilon Sigma was one of three chapters receiving a Rehabilitation Grant from the Fraternity, which went to support the Charlottesville Rape Crisis Group.

The year 1990 began with the pledging of 36 new members and our involvement on campus grew every year. We are represented in all aspects of life at UVA; sports, Madison House, University Guides, Honor Advisers, Honor Educators, etc.

In Feb. 2005 we were recognized as raising the most money for Dance Marathon. Our Kappa Kicks Cancer philanthropy is one of our most successful, this year donating to the American Cancer Society division in New Orleans. Several of our members are from New Orleans so that makes this special.

Highlights (scholarship, group honors/awards, special events, philanthropy and service projects, etc.):

'''Philanthropy:'''