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→The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)
==The Early Years (Excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity: 1870-1976)==
An earlier history of Delta Lambda was written by Ethel Russell Wickenden, Gamma Omega- Denison, who had been instrumental in establishing the chapter. For 22 years she was a devoted and enthusiastic worker and adviser.
The Wickenden history opened with a statement about the university, the second oldest collegiate institution west of the Alleghenies. It was established under Land Grant provisions made in the Northwest Territory Act of 1787, incorporated in 1809, achieved collegiate standing in 1824, and grew until the outbreak of the Civil War when financial and enrollment problems caused it to be closed.
The college reopened in 1885. Women were admitted in the 1890s.
The Miami Triad of fraternities was founded here. Delta Zeta and Delta Sigma Epsilon were founded on the Miami campus in 1902 and 1914. Kappa interest began when a local group wanted to petition and Fraternity officers visited them in 1935.
"A local Kappa alumna, " writes Ethel modestly, "made illustrative charts to go to the convention along with information about the university."
Eight nearby alumnae signed a petition in the spring of 1939, which was presented by Frances Kimbrough, Beta Chi- Kentucky, a Miami faculty member. A group of Fraternity officers, actives, and alumnae from a number of Ohio cities met on November 18, 1939. Ethel and Frances were there, of course. The situation was "canvassed," and it was suggested that these two women organize a group for colonization with Harriet S. Hall (Bennett), niece of a Beta Nu, and two others as nucleus. Later a letter from a Lambda introduced her freshman granddaughter, Marian Huback (Workman). This was followed by their recommendations, and so the foundations of Delta Lambda were laid.
An important tea was given January 14, 1940, for actives and alumnae from Cincinnati. About 30 Miami faculty, administration including the president's wife, members from Ohio State, Denison, and Ohio Wesleyan were invited to meet the dozen Delta Lambda Colony girls. Weekly meetings followed. The group was already active on campus and would have won the scholarship cup but was not eligible to compete. Material and credentials were shown at the Sun Valley Convention. By unanimous vote Delta Lambda's petition was accepted.
Installation was November 9, 1940, with Fraternity President Elizabeth Bogert Schofield, Mu- Butler, presiding, and Beta Rho Deuteron the installing chapter. Assisting were Elizabeth Kimbrough Park, Beta Chi- Kentucky; Edith Reese Crabtree, Beta Gamma- Wooster; Clara O. Pierce, Beta Nu- Ohio State; Martha Combs Kennedy, Omega- Kansas; Nora Wilson Tomkinson, Lambda- Akron; Gem Craig Reasoner, Upsilon- Northwestern. There were 16 charter members and two other initiates. Mrs. Harry Williams, a Pi Beta Phi, is listed as financial adviser on the first advisory board.
At the time of installation Miami enrollment was a little over 3,000, with 240 faculty members and 44 buildings. By 1973, Miami was a three-campus institution, with 16,591 students on all three campuses (13,208 at Oxford alone), 782 faculty (many teaching on two or more campuses), and 110 buildings (96 on the Oxford campus.)
==Highlights of 2011==
