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{{Infobox Fraternity
|Name= Beta LambdaUpsilon|GreekSymbol= BɅϓ|Image= [[File:Beta_LambdaUpsilon.jpg|200px]]|Founded= {{start date and years ago|18991882|04|2818}}|College= [httphttps://enwww.wikipedianorthwestern.orgedu/wiki/University_of_Illinois_College_of_Medicine Northwestern University of Illinois]|Location= UrbanaEvanston, IL|Homepage= http[https://wwwnorthwestern.kappa.org/ Upsilon Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Beta_Lambda Upsilon Media related to Beta Lambda Upsilon Chapter]
}}
'''Northwestern University established in 1851, Evanston, Illinois'''
'''Founded April 18, 1882 - 5 charter members'''
'''23,951 303 initiates (as of 2011June 2018)'''
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'''Charter members:'''
Anna M. Boyle, Grace Little, Minnie Louise Scott, Katharine Lucinda Sharp, Lucy Katharine Wood.
'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
Sarah Harris Rowe, Grand President 1920 – 1922; Grand Vice President 1914 – 1920; Province President 1924 – 1925; Registrar and Dean of Women at the School of Speech Communication at Northwestern
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
Mary Agnes Graham Roberts (Gray), 1976, Convention Chairman 1972 – 1982, Field Secretary 1945-1947
'''Alumnae Achievement Award recipients:'''
Margaret Dickson Falley, 1970, American genealogist expert and author of Irish and Scotch-Irish Ancestral Research: A Guide to the Genealogical Records, Methods and Sources in Ireland; Elizabeth Baumann Cook, 1984, Expert in building hospital volunteer programs; Julia “Judy” Ade Levering, 2002, First female president of the U.S. Tennis Association; seniors’ tennis championship finalist, Virginia "Ginni" Nicosia Rometty, 2016, business; Punch Hutton, 2016, Deputy Editor of Vanity Fair
'''Additional Outstanding Upsilon Alumnae'''
Betty Robinson Schwartz, Olympic gold & silver medalist; Betty Robinson was the first woman to win a track event in an Olympic Games capturing the 100 meters at the 1928 Olympics; silver medalist as a member of the 4x100m relay in 1928 Olympics; gold medalist on the 4x100m relay at the 1936 Olympics; member of the Track & Field Hall of Fame; the first woman to receive a varsity "N" from Northwestern.
Candy Kubiak, Epsilon Province Representative to the Fraternity’s Undergraduate Council
Mary Lisbeth Bartlett Backes, Acting Coach, Professional Actress on Broadway, film, television and at regional theaters across the USA; Lisbeth has been nominated for and won several film and theater acting awards. She has taught acting and audition workshops at undergraduate theater programs, graduate conservatory acting programs and professional theater schools, including Temple University, Northwestern, Brandeis, University of the Arts, Drexel, the Wilma, and many others. Lisbeth made her professional New York and Broadway debuts simultaneously as Irene in Sir Ronald Harwood’s award-winning backstage drama, The Dresser. Her other Broadway credits include Denise Apcar in Emily Mann’s docudrama, Execution of Justice; and “The Girl” in William Saroyan’s The Cave Dwellers. Her feature films include Rocket Science, Amadeus, Saint Christopher, Suspect and many others. Her television credits include appearances on daytime dramas and a variety of television series.
Judith Coggeshall Toth, elected a Maryland State Representative
Donna Cousins Vos, Novelist and founding editor of Career World Magazine; Cousins’ byline has appeared in the Geneva Courier, The Singapore American newspaper, Orientations, and The Asia Magazine, among others. Her short stories have appeared in the literary journal Peregrine and an anthology, Take Two, They’re Small. Her debut novel, Landscape, won first place in the 2005 Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards, honorable mention in Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards, and honorable mention in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards. Waiting for Bones, her second novel was published in 2011.
Virginia Nicosia Rometty, Senior Vice President IBM Global Business Services. Nicosia Rometty was named among Fortune Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Laura Forbes Carlin, and Alison Forbes, Tulane — Sisters, writers, and co-founders of Inspired Everyday Living. Together they are co-authors of The Peaceful Nursery: Preparing a Home for Your Baby, published in 2006 by Random House, and two eGuides Love at Home: The Single Girl’s Guide to Feng Shui and Life Design and Laura and Alison’s What You Will Need for a Healthy, Green Baby Nursery. The duo has contributed to magazines and websites including Natural Home, YogiTimes, Intent.com, and ClubMom.com and has been featured in publications that include The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Traditional Home, C Magazine, Angeleno, ePregnancy, LA Parent, Daily Candy, and The Hollywood Reporter as well as appeared on radio and television. Over the years, the pair has also consulted with clients from New York to LA.
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==The Early Years==
==Turn of the Century==
In those days of close ties and short distances, alumnae kept in touch. Time after time, alumnae took part in Initiation and other chapter functions, and by 1904 there is mention of affairs planned for the chapter by the alumnae association. Nearby Conventions were enthusiastically attended and in 1906, Upsilon was represented by 19 actives and alumnae at the Madison, Wisconsin, General Convention. Places prominent today in Evanston social life were mentioned in the early years of the 20th century: chapter luncheons at Marshall Fields’, senior farewells at Ravinia, parties at the Kenilworth Club, and a house party at Macatawa, Michigan. It took a whole page of the minute’s book to record all the honors and chapter activities of 1906, and each marriage is duly registered along with an occasional athletic score.
In 1912 it was Upsilon’s turn to be hostess chapter. The Estes Park, Colorado convention in 1914 opened wider horizons for Sarah and led to the eight years she would serve as a member of the Grand Council. She became the first Executive Secretary, sans salary, sans central office, with all files and records in her apartment. The central office became a reality during her term as president. (Taken from The Key, Summer 1974, Vol. 91 No.2)
'''The 1950s:Housing'''SCHOLARSHIP HONORS EARNED: First place over 27 other chapters on campus; 3.916 on a 5. system … DADS CONTRIBUTE TO UNFURNISHED DINING ROOM … MANY OUTSTANDING GIRLS HONORED IN THE 1950s …HIGHEST SCHOLARSHIP; Chapter honored at University of Illinois Panhellenic Council dessert (1958) … ONLY LIVING CHARTER MEMBER, LUCY WILLCOX WALLACE, PRESENTS PLAQUE IN M EMORY OF KATHARINE SHARP (1959); The pledge pin of Maude Straight (Carman), first Beta Lambda pledge, had been designed by Miss Sharp and the design adopted by the Fraternity; plaque to be hung in room furnished by chapter in Miss Sharp’s memory)
Records of 1921 say that “future generations living in the house will find it hard to realize the thrill we all had when the battle to be allowed to build houses was at last won, and the enthusiasm with which we undertook money-raising activities.” The next years were full of this effort, led by Isabel Drew Fowler, and in September 1927, the present chapter house, 1871 Orrington Avenue, was occupied by 27 girls. Mrs. Fowler, lifetime contributor to Northwestern, to Kappa, and to her community, died in 1973 at the age of 100.
The next years were full of success for Upsilon; the chapters on campus grew larger and their activities more diverse. By 1953, chapter elections were held by class caucus. By 1964, with a pledge class of 32 and 78 in the active chapter, a new addition allowed 60 girls to live in the house.
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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.
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Upsilon took first place in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days competition in May. The pledge class annual Kid’s Picnic, an afternoon of 1976 was made up of 23 girls. One of the girls broke her pledge shortly after bid night. The remaining 22 would go on to participate games and pizza with children from a local center for underprivileged children took place in four fantastic years as Kappa sisters. Rush was a four round rush at Illinois. One round was a Wizard of Oz theme. Kappa Pickers performed at two of the other roundsMay near Lake Michigan.
The chapter invited alumnae over focused of two things during homecoming weekend the 1997-1998 school year: officer leadership and a successful Kappa experience. The chapter was confident a more organized and efficient group of officers would lead the other women of Kappa to improve relationshipshave a more meaningful experience. It was felt traditions had become too relaxed and not performed as well as they could have been. Parents Steps were welcomed taken by the officers to ensure positive change requiring members to attend meetings and learn the house with special celebrationsofficial and proper ways to perform rituals. Dad’s weekend Attitudes improved, participation was held each fall and the girls took great care planning activities for both that weekend up and Mom’s weekend in the springyear ended on a positive turnaround.
There were many Kappa sponsored events, all intended to create and increase involvement for everyone from Pledges to Seniors. The chapter had women accomplished this with activities like the senior formal, Kappa Crunch at Carmen’s Pizzeria, and Pledge Week. After initiation a number of actives who were selected as fraternity sweetheartsnice brunch was held for the new initiates and their families. Members of the The Upsilon chapter were part of also held the cheerleading squad and two traditional date parties during the Illiniettes dance teamWinter quarter. A number of girls In the Spring quarter a formal and date party were also gymnastsorganized. During football seasonthe month of May, the Kappas sat together girls hosted a basketball tournament with Phi Sigma to raise money for the Foster Reading Center in Evanston. In the Fall, the chapter became very involved with the Off-The-Street Club in Chicago. The chapter organized a fraternity in pumpkin carving event for the football block children at Halloween and enjoy tailgating partiesa Christmas Tree decorating party in December.
During the late 70’sSpring quarter, a second traveling consultant visited the chapter women . Committee nights were very involved in held the Greek life on campusthird week of each month and usual took place during or after chapter. In 1979 For the girls teamed with Delta Chi to win the Pajama Race spring philanthropy, Upsilon hosted by Kappa Sigma. Their intramural teams were spectacular, winning a myriad of titles3-on-3 basketball tournament with 200 participants over two days. The most successful teams were the volleyballchapter raised $4, track and cross country teams000 for their efforts for One-Step-at-a-Time, though the girls also participated in football and baseball leagues. Betty Oberle was the top runner on a top state team in cross country and she led the pack of athletic Kappasan overnight camp for children with cancer.
Founders Day was held on October 11, 1999 with a bang. The actives were refreshed with their knowledge of Kappa’s founding and learned fun Kappa trivia in preparation for the big night. Many alumnae from the Loop group and North Shore alumnae groups joined the chapter at Northwestern University for the event. The women participated in a candle-lighting ceremony and several women received their Twenty-Five and Fifty-Year anniversary pins. Refreshments were served.
The summer of 1986 chapter coordinated with Phi Delta and Tri Delta to attend a Chicago Cubs baseball game as a social event. The chapter spring formal was held at Galleria Marchetti in downtown Chicago. During the fall, a costume contest date party with prizes was full of pride for held at the chapter when Leslie BarnesHidden Shamrock in Lincoln Park, chapter President and Liz Warner, First Vice-President attended the Fraternity Convention fall formal was held at the Congress Hotel. A formal dinner was held at the Lodge. The year ended with a Holiday Party hosted by the Kappas and received open to the Scholarship Award on behalf of campus. During the winter, the chapterheld a date party at Rock-N-Bowl and a semi-formal at Narcissi. Sherri Fontanta, Marshal For initiation in both the spring and a Beta Lambda Pickerfall, had in order to prepare the privilege Kappas for these big events, song practices were held weekly. The chapter marshal printed copies of all the songs and created packs distributing them for each member to sing with the Convention Choirpractice.
The chapter increased participation in campus Panhellenic philanthropy. The new members were not as familiar with Kappa ritual as they hoped to be, resulting in kappa Klassrooms to cover very specific ritual, formal chapter procedures and history. Northwestern University in 2006-2007 was comprised of approximately 7,750 undergraduate students. Northwestern is consistently one of the nation's top 15 Universities in the United States with 11 sororities and 17 fraternities. 35% of the student body is active in Greek life.
Upsilon had 120 members with 54 living in the Kappa house. The chapter members hail from all over the world, including Turkey, Jordan, England, and Israel. The chapter’s primary goals included improved chapter committee and philanthropy involvement. To achieve these goals, the women expanded committee roles, and committee heads were expected to delegate leadership and responsibility. The chapter elected new chapter officers and conducted a team consultation with Kellogg students to improve chapter officer interaction, make meetings more efficient and improve the way the chapter set its goals. The expansion of the old and new officers’ transition period allowed the new officers to be better trained and equipped to fulfill their new roles.
Upsilon had a very successful Recruitment with amazing Kappa spirit kept strong by prizes, fun costumes for rush groups during Member Selection and a hilarious rendition of their annual "Kappa Grease" skit. A Founder's Day celebration and ceremony were held during which several alumni received their anniversary pins. Members from the nearby alumni group were invited to attend. Upsilon chapter had one visit from a Leadership Consultants in the fall.
The chapter got organized is a great mix of motivated and talented women who are very involved around campus. Many hold leadership positions in 1998. Two special visits everything from philanthropic organizations like Dance Marathon and Special Olympics to the chapter were made by traveling consultants during the year enabling the chapter to facilitate the no frills rush groups that plan major social and entertainment events like Dillo Day and recruiting a spectacular new member classSki Trip. Rush work week was held from August 17-21, 1998. Once On any given day there are numerous women lounging around the university-wide rush began on August 28, the chapter exhibited a fine performance, which was evident by the outstanding new member class. Rounds included Sweet Home Kappa Gamma when the girls decorated the chapter house in a down home country style. Complete with blue and green gingham bowsdoing homework, daises and white picket fences, the success of these parties was recorded as phenomenal as Kappa received 97 percent return ratewatching The Bachelor, one of the highest on the campus.The last round of parties was Kappa Traditions which impressed upon the rushes that they were not joining a four-year sororitypopular reality television series, but a near 100 year tradition. For these parties the women brought out the archives for the chapteror detailing their weekend adventures.
Kappas were represented on the Panhellenic Council, with one in charge of public relations for the committee. The Panhellenic Association hosted a successful formal winter recruitment, with 420 women matching with 12 chapters.
Many students were involved in community service in one form or another. Annual events include Dance Marathon, a thirty-hour event that raised more than a million dollars for charity in 2011.
The women of Upsilon celebrated achieving the highest GPA out of all the sororities on the Northwestern campus.
2017 was a transformative year for Upsilon. From January to today, the chapter held a number of events and achieved many milestones. The University winter quarter period, from January to March, began with a succcesful recruitment. Upsilon welcomed a pledge class of 36 new women. In between Big/Little week, Rock 'n Bowl and other activities, the quarter was also dedicated to transitioning the new chapter council. Our Marshal organized a phenomenal Initiation in the presence of alumnae and advisers. One of Illinois had 30our favorite events was "Galentine's Tea" to celebrate each other and the annual favorite philanthropy event, Kappasta, was also organized to raise money for Dance Marathon. After a refreshing spring break,895 undergraduate students the chapter came back in the spring to wrap things up and 42prepare for summer. A few of our sisters represented Upsilon at the Leadership Conference in St. Louis,000 total Missouri. While there, they met with our advisers and We held our spring formal at Zed451 with graduate studentsa fun twist: superlatives. More than 6Sisters voted on who best fit categories such as "Kappa Kat Lady,600 undergraduates, or approximately 22% " "Kween of the student populationKitchen,"Kappa Kardashian," "#1 Kappal," "Kappa Kouple," "Kappa Tough Kookie," "Kappa Kackle," "Kappa Kouch Potato, " and others. Winners were involved given sashes during the formal. As the academic year wrapped up, NPC recognized the chapter for excellence in Congruencce and Accountability and Kappa HQ changed our status from Warning of Probation to Focus Letter. We accomplished many things from January to June and we left Evanston happy with the progress and focused on keeping up the work.. When we came back in September, the Greek systemchapter council decided to focus on wellness. There were 37 sororities Upsilon organized a body image workshop with author and 60 fraternitiesprofessor Dr. Renee Engeln about her book, making Beauty Sick, that discusses the problematic cultural discussion of women's bodies. Upsilon and NPC partnered for the event and made it a campus the largest Greek system -wide event, in which there were copies of the countryEngeln book raffled to audience members. The school year brought Upsilon continued to have wellness conversations throughout the addition of a new sororityquarter. Fall quarter was also dedicated to recruitment preparation, Alpha Xi Delta and several workshops were held for the chapter to campusbegin getting ready for recruitment in January. Women also volunteered at the YMCA to read to kids. Lastly, Upsilon held its fall formal at Key Club in downtown Chicago in late November. The theme was "Sapphire Ball" with women wearing blue dresses and the famed campus had more than 1photographer, Justin Barbin,000 registered student organizations offering taking photos of the event. The House Committee also planned a wide range of activities staff appreciation event by making a poster with all chapter members writing their appreciation for Leo, Aida and clubs Ms. Murray. Lastly, the quarter wrapped up with which a visit from ABC News' 20/20 show crew to get involved film the house for a special about Upsilon Kappa, Meghan Markle. Meghan will marry Prince Harry of Great Britain in May 2018 and Kappas took advantage of the offeringswill become a Duchess.
2019 was a great year for Upsilon! The chapter’s biggest improvements winter quarter period, from January to March, began with our formal recruitment. Upsilon was honored to receive a pledge class of 25 new members. From Big/Little week to Rock 'n Bowl, our new members began to feel right at home on 1871 Orrington Avenue. Four of our chapter members additionally visited Dallas, Texas for Kappa Leadership Conference, where they learned the importance of leading by example. Thanks to our VP Member Development, we participated in 2008 were a fabulous education programming about eating disorders. Our annual philanthropy event, Kappasta, was an extreme success, organized to raise money for Dance Marathon. Upsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha raised over $2500 for Communities in Schools of Chicago! Alongside Kappasta, Upsilon engaged in a Soul Cycle fundraiser for NUDM as well. To end out our winter quarter, the Kappa NUDM team raised $71,000, placing second in the area of academics large team category for best performing fundraising teams! After our spring break, the chapter came back in to wrap things up and Recruitmentprepare for summer. The overall house grade point average increasedDuring our spring quarter, we engaged in many programmings, equaling a 3on topics such as sexual assault and bystander intervention. We additionally met with our district specialists and advisers to develop an Action Plan in lieu of the probation we were placed on in March.3825 Our Philanthropy chair additionally planned an impressive event at our local philanthropy, Cornerstone Community Outreach Center, reading with underprivileged Evanston youth. To end April, we engaged in a homemade fondue sisterhood event in the Kappa Kitchen! May was filled with Kappa fun - including a great formal at Trophy Room as well as a high number laser tag sisterhood event! When we returned in September, we picked up right where we left off, progressing through the Action Plan and making strides towards becoming the best possible version of Upsilon. We were lucky enough to be visited by the 150 Year Sisterhood Van, where we learned a bit about the past 150 years of Kappa history as they made their way across the country from Monmouth to Convention! Additionally, our Risk Manager presented an incredible hazing prevention workshop in preparation for new members with 4this winter.0’sIn November, we hosted an impressive philanthropy event, our first ever Family Weekend Brunch & Silent Auction to support our local philanthropy, Cornerstone Community Outreach and our national philanthropy Reading is Fundamental in the chapter moved up Kappa house. Finally, we closed off November with a fabulous Sapphire Ball formal at Clutch Bar in Greek grade point average rankingsChicago as well as a cookie decorating sisterhood event before reading and finals weeks. The We can’t wait to see what is in store for Upsilon near year, and how great of a chapter achieved 10th ranking out of 25 sororities on campus. we can continue to aspire to be! "
The Kappas were involved in many clubs and activities including Advisory Board denied the request to surrender the Lacrosse team, Soccer Club, Illini Dance Team, Illinettes, Illini Pride, Business Council, The Society of Women in Business, Identity Irish Dance Troupe, Greek Intervarsitychapter, and many moreall the chapter members that signed the letter were automatically dismissed. The women After this, there were only two members of the chapter were also dedicated to helping the community; many took part by volunteering as tutors left, Skylar Waldron and worked in local hospitalsTanitoluwa "Tani" Adedibu.
This fall, Upsilon is again participating in informal recruitment, this time in-person, and virtually for people who might be more comfortable this way. The chapter held three events, "Scoops with the Sisters," "Mask Decorating with KKG," and "Koffee with Kappas" in September. Throughout October, our chapter participated in informal recruitment through individual meetings with interested potential new members, organized by our Vice President of Membership, Amanda "Mandy" Zobel. As of now, the chapter has one new member, Rose Akcan, who was formally pledged on October 14th, 2021, and will be initiated on November 21st, 2021.
We are attempting to continue classic Kappa traditions like Big/Little. We have partnered with Eta Lambda, Kappa's Chapter at Loyola University-Chicago, for Big/Little, so that each member can have their own big sister. Since our campuses are so close together, a few members of Eta Lambda have volunteered to be big sisters and mentors to members of Upsilon chapter. We are looking forward to what comes from our partnership.
---------------'''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!