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Philanthropy has always been an important part of our chapter and this year was no exception. This year we had an extremely successful Reading is Key program in the spring, and decided to give back to the local schools again in the fall with yet another Reading is Key event. This year, we decided to do different events for each grade at a local elementary school, so we could spend more individualized time with the children. Our sister love going to the schools and getting to spend the afternoon reading and playing with the children. We had our first donut eating competition that raised over 2,000 for Habitat for Humanity called Krispy Kreme Grabbers. We won the curtsy competition to have 500 dollars donated to RIK. Also, we won a Panhellenic philanthropy event circle of sisterhood that raised over 20,000 for a school in Nepal. In addition, our sisters participated in small service events around the community throughout the semester to continue to give back ranging from being animal shelter volunteers to volunteering at soup kitchens. Our sisters, along with brothers of our partnered fraternity put many long hours into building an outstanding float that represented the past, present, and future of Clemson for the homecoming week float in which we placed second overall. We participated locally in adopt a classroom where we provided gifts to low income elementary age children for Christmas in the Clemson community.
==Highlights of 2018==
Our chapter won the Alumni Development and Scholastic Achievement Awards at Clemson this past spring.
This year, Epsilon Mu added 64 new members to the chapter. Our bid day theme was “Kappa Kappa Glamma,” which consisted all members dressed in all gold from head to toe. The chapter was very excited to update our study hall on the Kappa hall, and the 36 girls who live on the hall have very much utilized this space. Our very own Stuart Burger was selected as the new vice president of recruitment counselors (head pi chi) for the 2019 recruitment year.
Our chapter hosts many social events throughout the year. The biggest ones include our Sapphire Ball Formal, our Semi Formal, Oh Pat!, and Back in Blue, which we host with another greek organization on campus. Our favorite event is probably our event called “Kappas and Kowboys” because everyone dresses up in flannel shirts and cowboy boots and it is held at a very popular venue.
Academically, our chapter has excelled over the past year. This semester we initiated a “House Cup”, similar to the style mentioned in Harry Potter. Members were awarded various point values for attending tutoring, logging study hours, and receiving A’s on papers/tests/presentations. Those with the top three highest points were awarded $100, $75 and $50 gift cards. This sparked a competition between chapter members and promoted scholastics throughout the chapter. In addition to the House Cup, we also booked a study room on campus during finals week for members to escape the overcrowded library. Snacks and coffee were provided and the event turned out to be a huge success. In comparison to Spring of 2018, we had far fewer members on POC and nearly forty 4.0’s.
Our chapter council goal for the entire Epsilon Mu this year was to lead with positivity. This past year, chapter council feels like we truly turned the chapter around in that aspect, and we can’t wait for the future.
[[File:Epsilon Mu chapter.jpg|thumb|Epsilon Mu chapter]]
One of the recent initiatives that our Panhellenic community has moved towards is diversity. Rather than hosting a Panhellenic Greek Week, we held a “Greek Day” celebrating Panhellenic, IFC, NPHC, and MGC. We have been working to promote the events of these other councils as well.
'''Philanthropy'''
The chapter supports a variety of organizations, locally and nationally. The most prevalent organizations we support is Reading is Fundamental and The Kappa Foundation. As well as, The MS Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and others. We hold a philanthropy event called “Reading is Key” in Clemson every year to promote reading in our very own community. This chapter emphasizes the importance of being “hands on” in the community, and we continue to stress the importance of philanthropy to all members. We also collected feminine products for The Period Project as a Panhellenic community throughout October.
The chapter supports these organizations not only because some of them are our national philanthropies, but the chapter is passionate about giving back to these organizations to make a difference in these causes. Giving back to multiple organizations nationally and locally allows the chapter to see the difference we make in the community. This year, Kappa hosted a proceeds night at Groucho’s to raise money for Clemson students who lived in a house that had burned down, and $150 was raised. A proceeds night was also held at Eliza Blue Boutique, where $76 was raised towards Reading is Fundamental. Another proceeds night was held at Sweet Shop Bakery, where $50 was raised towards the Kappa foundation. $365 was raised in the past year towards the MS Society as well. We also participate in a Greek Blood Bowl, where 136 people participated in donating blood. Together, we saved 408 lives! One of our very own, Maggie Varn, held a trunk show for her jewelry called “Vale Designs.” This event raised $300 towards our Reading is Key event in Clemson. We support many different organizations, and love to help those in need in any way that we can.
The chapter meets Monday nights in Tillman Hall, which is one of the most famous buildings on campus. We meet in the auditorium, but the hall is home to classrooms and offices as well. Chapter council meetings are held on Wednesday nights in the chapter room on the Kappa Kappa Gamma hall.
==Highlights of 2020s:==
