Kappa Kappa Gamma - The Ohio State University

Kappa Kappa Gamma 3 Alumnae Recount Beta Nu Memories Many sisters enjoyed the 125th anniversary of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Ohio State. At this important time in our sisterhood, alumnae look back on the many reasons they cherish Beta Nu. Lou Ann Yardley Moritz Ransom '57 Shares of Her Time in Beta Nu L ou Ann Yardley Moritz Ransom '57 has never regretted her decision to join Kappa Kappa Gamma. "Once I pledged, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that I wanted to remain a part of the chapter throughout college," she said. "I joined because of the women I met during recruitment and the general feeling that I had when I was in the house. I loved my sorority experience during my collegiate years and have stayed friends with many sisters throughout my life." Lou Ann remembers going through initiation with her Beta Nu sisters. "That was one of my most inspiring Kappa experiences. The sorority is and always will be special to me because of the lasting friendships that I made. I am still very close to many of my Kappa sisters," she said. Lou Ann has also been involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma and Ohio State, leading a Beta Nu lunch group that meets monthly. She is also involved with the Foundation Board at Ohio State and is a member of the Moritz College of Law National Council and the College of Dentistry campaign committee. "Beta Nu and Ohio State have given me so much. I want to make sure our future undergraduates have the same experiences I had." Lou Ann resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Buzz. The couple enjoys tailgating for Ohio State football games, starting a couple hours before kickoff and continuing well after the game. The tailgate always has friends and family in attendance, and Lou Ann invites all sisters of Beta Nu to join. She can be reached at moritzla@aol.com. Ruann Ernst '65 Encourages All Alumnae to Reconnect W hen Ruann Ernst '65 enrolled at The Ohio State University, she had no idea that a sorority could have so much of an opportunity for lifetime friendships and memories. "One of my favorite memories is of the amazing woman who paid for my membership in Kappa and gave me her antique ring, which I still have to this day. Without her generosity, I could never have afforded to be a Beta Nu. The most amazing thing is that to this day I do not know who she was, as she chose to remain anonymous." Looking back on her days in the house, Ruann served in many leadership positions during her undergraduate career, including treasurer. "I remember working hours upon hours in my attic room on the books. Sisters would make special trips to stop by and say hi, but I used it for quiet study, too. We had great laughs about that attic." When asked why Beta Nu was important to her, Ruann credits the women who made the sorority worthwhile. "The women themselves were why it was so special. My big sister, Kay Luke Mason '64, and my little sister, Jill Irvin Garrity '66, are still dear friends who I keep in touch with to this day. We have stayed connected throughout the 40-plus years since our Kappa days, and Jill and I attended the anniversary celebration together." Ruann resides in Los Altos Hills, California, and has enjoyed traveling the world and shouting "OH" in any crowd and any place. From a glacier in Antarctica to the top of the Kenyan plains, her Beta Nu and Ohio State pride is abundant. Ruann can be reached at ruann@riffru.com. Mary Carr Watkins '43 Embodies KKG Pride I n the fall of 1943, Mary Carr Watkins '43 set her feet on The Ohio State University campus ready to embark on the next four years of her life and eager to join a sorority. "My mother was a Kappa, and it was very special to me to wear her golden key. I met the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma and they were amazing," Mary said. "After a short while, I knew I wanted to join Beta Nu!" Reminiscing on her days in the house, Mary remembers the serenades the Kappas used to have. "I was the song director during my undergraduate days, and the house was a lot different back then. There were only seven bedrooms, and 14 girls lived in the house at a time, but it was special." Mary keeps in touch with Beta Nu sister Margaret "Monnie" Bennett Postle '43. Her own sister, Emily Carr Cozine '43, is also a Beta Nu. She still makes trips to Columbus to see one or two Ohio State football games and The Best Damn Band In The Land. Mary lives in Naples, Florida. In her spare time she enjoys playing the organ at church every Sunday, and plays "Carmen Ohio" when she can get away with it. You can contact her at mymo5@comcast.net.

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