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|Homepage= [http://chapters.kappakappagamma.org/deltaupsilon/ Delta Upsilon Homepage]
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  '''University of Georgia established in 1785'''  '''Delta Upsilon founded in 1948'''  '''2,858 initiates (as of June 2012)'''  ----------------------- '''Some of Delta Upsilon’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 Members:''' Jean Hess Wells, Vice President 1970-1972, Director of Chapters 1972-1976, Fraternity President 1976-1980, (Charlotte) Joyce Thomas (Fuller), Field Secretary 1952-1953; Replace this text    '''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:''' Jean Hess Wells, 1988    '''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients'''Wicke Oliver Chambers, 1982, Emmy-award-winning producer for children’s TV, children’s book author    '''Additional Outstanding Delta Upsilon Alumnae''': Deede Sharpe, Graduate Counselor 1965-1966;Frances Davis (Roberts), Graduate Counselor 1978-1980;Carol Anna Nichols, Graduate Counselor 1979-1980;Linda Vaughn (Schreiner), Graduate Counselor 1981-1983;Virginia Monfort (Rabun), Graduate Counselor 1981-1983   --------------------------------- ==The Early Years (From The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma 1870–1976)== Delta Upsilon was the first chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma in Georgia. Its organization had been delayed by a campus not ready for expansion and by World War II. The idea to colonize on the Athens campus was conceived at the 1946 General Convention. The invitation from the university’s administration came that December, and official visitors arrived to inspect the campus. A graduate counselor, Betty Lanier (Parrish), Rollins, was sent to the chapter in the spring of 1947. Two more graduate counselors were added to the team: Annie Laurie Ragsdale (Parker), Alabama, and Lynn Latham (Chaney), Louisiana State. The fall of 1947 brought transfer Kappas from five other chapters. Mary Jim Lane Chickering, Arkansas, swerved as colonization chairmen. The colony’s beautiful ante-bellum home, the first on campus to be professionally decorated, was opened September 22, 1947. (Three Kappa husbands had persuaded the owner to sell his old mansion on Prince Avenue). Hundreds of rushes saw the Kappa house for the first time during a week of elaborate rush parties. The Hotel Fleur-de-lis party was a great success. A Kappa bellhop, giving out golden door keys as favors, met rushes at the door. There was a tour of the house, and in the Blue Room Cocktail Lounge, singing waiters entertained. Milk Cocktails were served. The preferential, “Kappa Heaven,” closed with the girls in black cocktail dresses, holding lighted candles on the stairway, singing Kappa songs. This was the beginning of a continuing tradition. On an icy, sub-freezing Valentine’s Day in 1948, Delta Upsilon Chapter was installed with 17 of the original groups as charter members and nine first pledges. Ruth Kadel Seacrest, Nebraska, Kappa president; Helena Flinn Ege, Pittsburgh, director of alumnae; Clara O. Pierce; and Mary Jim Len Chickering were the installing officers. Gamma Pi was the sponsoring chapter. Initiation banquet speaker Dean Edith Stallings advised the new chapter , “Responsibilities in campus living are proportionally increased by your privileges.” There were growing pains but during the early years standards of dress, graciousness, and scholarship were set. Chapter scholarship was especially noteworthy. University officials praised the young chapter. “In an age,” wrote the Dean’s Department director of women’s activities, (The Key, April, 1948), “when it is necessary to justify sorority and fraternity groups . . . I am delighted to see . . . good scholarship.” She even wrote a congratulatory letter after the formal party. “Your dance was lovely in all respects and has certainly set the pace, not only for future Kappa chapters but for other groups on the campus.” She went on to praise the girls for introducing themselves and their dates to the chaperones.”  Evening dresses were elaborate, formal, and worn over collapsible hoops, carried in tiny hat boxes en route. Raincoats had to be worn over shorts until reaching the gym or tennis courts. Kappas wore proper dress in the lower floor formal rooms at 1001 Prince Avenue, except on “closed night” (Monday), when no visitors were allowed, and robes could be worn. There was house space for only 28, and scholarship determined the place on the waiting list. There were two telephones, one downstairs, and one near the attic stairs, (the only place for a tete atete). The house director had a private phone for herself and emergencies. Kappas did not use alcohol, and smoking was permitted only on the lower floors. An all-time scholastic high was reached during fall quarter, 1950, when the chapter achieved the best sorority average, the highest for any women’s organization in the history of the university’s coed experience. Joyce Thomas (Fuller), a charter pledge, became a field secretary 1952-53, and later Fraternity chairman of chapter scholarship, chairman of undergraduate scholarships, and chairman of alumnae programs. Delta Upsilon was 1949 Province Convention hostess with all meetings in the house. Chapter advisers won fleur-de-lis earrings at the 1950 General Convention; and Delta Upsilon, honorable mention for improvement in finance. The chapter newsletter, Keynotes, was the 1952 Publication Award winner. Delta Upsilon Kappas held the presidency of Panhellenic and Women’s Student Government in 1955, and Evelyn Hunt Sanders was first female valedictorian. Miss Athens, 1960, and Miss Georgia, 1961, were chapter members. In 1959-60 Becky Birchmore (Bedingfield) was campus tennis champion, sixth ranking doubles player in the United States, third ranking Southern Women’s player, and first in Georgia. The Nowell Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1957, in memory of Robert L. Nowell, Jr., who was “through his life and from the founding of this chapter in 1948 until his death in 1956, a true and loyal friend of Kappa Kappa Gamma.” The purpose of this fund is to aid a worthy student of the University of Georgia in continuing her education and in further serving her university. Delta Upsilon had the honor of sponsoring Georgia’s second chapter, Epsilon Epsilon, and participating in its installation in the spring of 1959 at Emory University in Atlanta.Parties in the late 1950s included Mexican suppers, spring alumnae luncheons, pledge dances, fraternity exchange dinners, and formal dances with Phi Mu. This was the sweater-skits-white bobby socks era. On Sunday noon a Sunday dress, on Wednesday nights “heels and hose” were musts. Kappa was the only campus group to abide by clicking edit the no-drinking rule, and had a reputation for graciousness and charm, winning the respect of the administration. Kappa gained strength throughout Georgia.  ==Decades of Change== In 1960 the southern campuses began to experience radical changes with pressures of integration, riots, threats to the fraternity system, and general unrest. Winter rush January, 1961, was deferred because of integration problems. Yet a happy atmosphere prevailed with a delightful new house director from Australia, Mrs. Margaret Estes, who served tea on Saturdays and held Vespers (with refreshments) on Thursday nights. The girls loved “Aunt Peg’s” innovations. Delta Upsilon won honorable mention for Panhellenic achievement in 1962, and Dorothy McCampbell Nowell, Texas, was elected Fraternity director of chapters. Now, in the 1960s, it had become evident that a larger house was needed. The Georgia Power Company bought the Prince Avenue property; a previously purchased property on Lumpkin Street was sold back to the university; and a desirably located lot was acquired. Dreams came true when the chapter moved into the stately mansion built of Williamsburg-tone brick in Greek revival style at 440 South Milledge Avenue on September 13, 1963. There was an unfounded rumor that the big while columns were moved from Prince Avenue, but one tangible part of the old house did come to the new – a cement block with the letters ΚΚΓ was removed from the rock mantel in the old card room and placed in the ground near the walk leading to the driveway of the new house. Valuable furniture and equipment included silver and mahogany, oriental lamps, a fine antique desk, and chairs from the Hearthstone. The 1960-70 decade was one of change. There was a time of “unstructured rush” with few skits or set plans. In the early 1970s, the pendulum began to swing back with formal or “non-deferred” rush returning, and once more skits were used. Hundreds of girls signed up – a new experience for the present day chapter. Dress went through change too: from bobby socks to sack dresses, mini and maxi skirts and pants suits, from bouffant hair-does to long straight hair. Even the house director wore pant suits.Another change came in 1970 – no curfew. Keys to the side door were issued to juniors and sophomores (with parental permission). Seniors had keys without parental permission, and freshmen continued under curfew. Dates entered the house through the lounge door and waited there instead of in the foyer as in years past. Stress was on individual study instead of mandatory study hall. Apartment living became an accepted way of life.  '''Chapter Honors''' Delta Upsilon continued to be one of the strongest and largest groups on campus. The chapter was second runner-up for the Gracious Living Award at the 1962 Convention, reaffirming the high ideals of the Fraternity at a time when the fraternity system was being questioned. The chapter won the Agnes Guthrie Favrot Award for excellence at province convention in 1967. Awards in 1968 were the Edith Crabtree Panhellenic Award and first runner-up for the coveted Efficiency Cup. A silver bowl, named for charter member Jean Hess Wells, was designated by the chapter to be awarded annually to its outstanding member. Mrs. Wells was elected Fraternity vice president in 1970, and director of chapters in 1972. Dawn Reynolds Staples, a past chapter president, died in 1970, and a silver punch bowl set was presented in her memory by her family and friends. Debera Sharpe was a graduate counselor and Barbara Hagey (Watson) a field secretary in the middle and late 1960s. Dr. Fred Davison was appointed of the university in May, 1967. His wife, Dianne Castle Davison, was a charter member of Delta Upsilon. In 1963, one parking lot was sufficient, and an old man from the apartments next door gardened heard of this remarked, “I thought I’d heard everything!” The “garden” space was reclaimed and paved as a second parking lot. In 1973 a third space was paved. Beauty, brains, and ability still prevail. Members of Delta Upsilon won the Miss Athens and Miss Georgia crowns twice, and one made the top rightten in the Miss America contest from 1963-73. There have been a total of 26 Phi Beta Kappas, nine Mortar Boards, and 15 in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities during the chapter’s first quarter century. The purposes and ideals of Kappa still operate in a “now” generation. Truth, goodness, and beauty have not become old fashioned. Kappa‘s spirit lived beyond its first 100 years and Delta Upsilon’s first 25.---------------------------------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.   ==Highlights of the 1970s:== (Information from chapter history reports, 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.) During the latter part of the 1970s the chapter had many socials and events with many different fraternities and sororities. Upon receiving invitations to socials, the chapter voted to determine which events would be attended. In addition to social events with fraternities and sororities, attending football games, going on dates, and playing bridge were some of the women’s favorite hobbies. The chapter women were well respected on campus and within the Greek system.  Once pledged, all of the new members would wear "recognition pins" all over campus to show that they were a "Kappa." They also loved to sing "Kappa" songs at social events and around campus.These women were very competitive and sought to be successful in everything. In doing so, they were very active in intramurals, leadership organizations, athletic teams, and academic organizations. When members won awards, success was made known by painted signs on the front lawn. In addition, they were very loyal to and valued their Kappa traditions. They sang beautiful preference round songs and prepared for fall Recruitment year round.   ==Highlights of the 1980s:==  (Information from chapter history reports, 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.) During the early 80s the chapter was as ever social and outgoing as always. There were many socials and events with many different fraternities and sororities. During Rush the members of Delta Upsilon went outside on the lawn and did the walk song and sang other Kappa songs while the potential new members waited anxiously on the sidewalk. As freshman, the new members were required to make a scrap book before Initiation, showing all of the fun times they had as a member of the Delta Upsilon Chapter. The new members also had large wood keys made they had to decorate and get signed by the entire chapter. The scrap book and wooden key would be two things the girls would always have to remember their earliest times as a Kappa. When a sister would get "lavaliered," candle ceremonies were held before and after chapter in celebration. As for fashion, the girls usually wore bright colored clothing with big hair. During this time, not only did sophomores live in the house, but girls of all ages did, which allowed pledge classes to intermix more easily. Some girls lived in the house for up to three years, as the house was a very desirable place to live. The Delta Upsilon Chapter had challenges with grades. Overall, the G.P.A. was not very impressive and a lot of hard work was done to improve it. The chapter women began to consider the G.P.A. of the potential new members more than in the past in hopes of improving the chapter grade point.  Nationally, the women during the early 1980s clearly remember the "Challenger" spacecraft that exploded in flight while they were living in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house. This was a national crisis for all Americans and this made an impression on many of the members of Delta Upsilon at the time. In the Athens community, the women recall that the adorable downtown of Athens was not like it is today at all. Unlike today, it was not cute or a place where the students often spend their free time. There were not many shops or restaurants to enjoy, but instead it was rundown and scary at times. The city of Athens was in the process of reviving downtown during this time period. As for the Georgia Bulldogs, the football team was at its height of success. The outstanding Herschel Walker played for the University of Georgia during 1980-1982, leading them to many victories. Throughout the campus, students were full of Georgia pride. The chapter was as social as ever between the years of 1985 and 1995 and attended many social events with fraternities and sororities. Spring Recruitment parties created excitement for the women because incoming freshmen would attend them, and the chapter did its best to make sure these women had a great time so that they would pledge Kappa. During Recruitment, the chapter would sing loud songs on the front lawn while fraternity men drove up and down Milledge Avenue to watch. Once the young women pledged Kappa, they were expected to take weekly quizzes about the chapter, to attend all functions, and to get their wooden keys signed by 100 active members. The women loved living in the house because it provided a great social atmosphere, especially with the two large television rooms where they gathered to watch their favorite soap operas. Everyone wore Greek jerseys on campus, and football season was always an exciting time for everyone. There were many music venues in Athens that provides for great social spots. Chapter women from each class interacted with each other within the chapter.  One of the chapter's main challenges was keeping grades up. The chapter ranked relatively low among sororities in terms of G.P.A. It was especially important for the freshmen to have good grades in order to be initiated. Academics became a focus for the chapter.  The music industry was transformed around 1985 when bands first produced CD's. Members of the chapter were constantly listening to music from their compact disk players. Athens was a major music town with many popular venues, and these were great places to hang out with friends. It was common to see bands like REM play on a weekend night, and bands like Widespread Panic were just starting out at fraternity parties. Another change was the legal drinking age was increased in 1984 from 19 to 20 and then again to 21 the following year. This caused a national change for college campuses, and members of the chapter were affected by the change in the law. Highlights of the 1990s: (Information from chapter history reports, 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'''   ==Highlights of 2000-2010:== (Information from chapter history reports, 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.) The year 2004 was filled with success, improvement, involvement and fun for the Delta Upsilon chapter. The chapter set three main goals. The women wanted to have better alumnae relations, create a parents' club, and become more involved on campus. The chapter proudly succeeded in meeting all these goals. We had many visits from alumnae and included them in what was going on within the chapter. The president, Kristen Charbonnet, created the first-ever parents' club to involve Kappa parents in the Delta Upsilon chapter. The chapter was also involved all over campus with events such as Homecoming, Dance Marathon, H.E.R.O. for Children, tutoring and mentoring local children and actively participated in Derby Days. The chapter had an exciting year and made many new memories. The year 2005 was one full of continued success and improvement. The new parents club, formed in 2004, met for the first time during parent’s weekend in the spring. At the meeting, a parents club president was elected and various projects were discussed that could improve or aid the chapter. Kappa's own philanthropy, the Crawfish Boil, raised the most money ever. Kappa was proudly able to donate $25,000 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kappa continued its involvement in campus activities such as Dance Marathon, Homecoming, other philanthropies sponsored by the other Greek groups and tutoring local children. Kappa made 2005 yet another exciting and memorable year. Delta Upsilon had some problems with Recruitment in previous years. However, the women corrected those problems by creating a fair and fun Recruitment environment for all of the incoming freshman girls. The women wanted everyone to feel welcome at Kappa and it paid off by the chapter pledging the best pledge classes ever. Another challenge that the chapter overcame was the chapter’s academic standing. By improving our academic resources such as the test files and awards for good grades, the chapter moved from 17th of 18 sororities to 15th. By working hard together, the chapter was able to make many improvements. In 2006 Delta Upsilon's parents' club thrived as the group met for the third year during brunch on parents' weekend. The parents' club had more members than ever. Throughout the year, Delta Upsilon's members participated in campus activities including other Greek organization's philanthropies, varsity and intramural sports, Homecoming and countless other activities. The chapter had another successful Crawfish Broil in April where money was raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2007 the chapter had an extensive social calendar filled with socials, date nights, formals and semi-formals with other sororities and fraternities. The women hosted the annual philanthropy and gave the proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Research and Common Ground in New Orleans which benefited the victims of hurricane Katrina. The chapter was especially proud of the amount raised for both organizations and excited when notified of the chapter’s entrance into the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation’s Bronze Level of the Adelphe Society. The chapter had a problem with chapter attendance, but after it enacted a new system to monitor attendance it drastically improved. The women increased the G.P.A. ranking among other sororities on campus. In the past, chapter finances were not properly monitored, but during the past year the treasurer and new finance committee worked diligently to reverse past issues. Standards dramatically improved by stressing proper individual behavior and assigning appropriate consequences when necessary.  In 2008, the chapter achieved many great accomplishments including: a third place ranking academically among all 17 sororities, winning the sisterhood event with Kappa Alpha Theta benefitting the impoverished of the Athens/Clarke County community, raising money to provide basic necessities for Victor (a young boy the chapter sponsored through donations), and receiving national recognition for the annual Crawfish Boil benefitting St.Jude's Hospital. The women were extremely honored to be featured in the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital newsletter for its generous contribution to the foundation. Due to a successful Crawfish Boil Delta Upsilon continues as a member of the Kappa Foundation’s Adelphe Society. The year 2009 was a very important for Delta Upsilon. The chapter was removed from a focus letter which was initially issued to address specific concerns the Fraternity had regarding several areas of chapter management. In accordance with the goals and challenges placed upon the chapter, the women greatly excelled in areas of standards, communication with the advisers, risk management, and education. The chapter worked especially hard to meet the standards and requirements of the focus letter and the removal from it was by far the most notable recognition of 2009. In addition, the chapter won Outstanding Philanthropy, Gracious Living, and Most Improvement in Standards Awards at the Mu Province Meeting in Atlanta in January 2009.  The women had an extensive social calendar filled with socials, date nights, formals and semi-formals with other sororities and fraternities. The women hosted the annual philanthropy, Crawfish Boil, which raised $34,805 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The chapter also had the second annual philanthropy event with Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Theta benefitting the impoverished of the Athens/ Clarke County community. In addition, the women hosted a progressive dinner with four other sororities, Phi Mu, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Chi Omega, benefitting the Make A Wish Foundation. The chapter had striven to be more active in Greek Life organizations and events. The women participated for the first time in the Greek Grind Competition, a contender in the Miss Sorority Row Pageant and five competitive intramural sports teams. Delta Upsilon hosted the Mu Province Meeting. In addition, it also hosted the annual philanthropy, Crawfish Boil, in April which raised about $60,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Crawfish Boil continued to be a fun event with live music, lots of crawfish, tshirts, and hundreds of people. The chapter women made lunch bags with Kappa Alpha Theta and gave them to the homeless people of Athens. The lunch bags also were given to the Boys and Girls Club of Athens and included books for the children. While there the members read to the children and helped them with their homework. These were two great ways that the Delta Upsilon Chapter has become more involved in the community. The chapter won the 2010 Panhellenic contest called Dawgs Have a Heart, supporting The American Heart Association. Since being removed from the focus letter in 2009, our chapter has continued to uphold the value of standards, risk management, education, and more. Through its very active and full social calendar, the Delta Upsilon Chapter had very high attendance rates at all social events.    ==Highlights of 2011-2019:==  (Information from chapter history reports, 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.) Delta Upsilon had a social calendar filled with socials, date nights, formals, and semi-formals with other sororities and fraternities in 2011. Also, on April 21st, the women hosted the annual Crawfish Boil that raised $54,000 for St.Jude's Children's Research Hospital. This is always a fun event with great food and live music in our front lawn. This year, the chapter stressed the importance of getting involved in other philanthropic organizations on campus. The women participated in UGA Hero’s date auction which raised money for children in Georgia affected by HIV and AIDS, and had a team at Sigma Chi's Derby Days week-long event. At this event, members of the chapter competed in a volleyball tournament and worked a booth at a fair for children in the Athens community. The chapter gave back to the Athens community by having the whole chapter read to the children at the Athens Boys and Girls Club and help them with their homework. A team of members participate in the annual Greek Grind competition for the third year, and provided a contender in the Miss Sorority Row Pageant. The chapter had many successful intramural sports teams to further involve the chapter on campus. Overall, the Delta Upsilon chapter worked hard to get involved in many facets of the UGA community. '''Housing'''   '''Philanthropy'''   '''Convention Awards'''   ==Highlights of the 2020s:==  (Information from chapter history reports, 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!

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