Kappa Delta - University of Illinois

Kappa Delta at the University of Illinois 3 T he Sigma Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta has experienced many exciting philanthropic, social, and sorority events over the past few months. The members hosted events for the Girl Scouts, organized formal recruitment, and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sigma Omicron Kappa Delta house. RECRUITING NEW SISTERS The KDs started the school year off with formal recruitment. The chapter's recruitment and spirit week this year was led by senior Jess Lee '18 and her assistants Melanie Smetana '18, Allison Hartmann '19, and Claire Martin '19. These four ladies did a wonderful job and kept the chapter's spirits high during the very exhausting process. They implemented fun and educational workshops and bonding activities during spirit week in order to prepare the chapter for recruitment. The women of Sigma Omicron are sure they have recruited an outstanding new pledge class with the help of their recruitment team. PHILANTHROPIC AND ACADEMIC PURSUITS The women of Kappa Delta are very proud of their philanthropic events. Vice President of Community Service Katherine Biggs '19 is excited to plan activities with the Girl Scouts this semester. She has set up a campus tour where the KDs will walk around U of I with the girls and then have them over for lunch. She also is happy to pass down the tradition of "Galentine's Day" to the next VP of Community Service. The chapter loves having the Girl Scouts over for a Valentine's Day event where they build confidence and have fun with their best friends. Sigma Omicron has maintained its high GPA and remains one of the top chapters of KDs across the nation. The women are ranked seventh out of 22 on campus and have a goal to break into the top five this semester. Our academic chair plans to implement more study hours and form groups for women in similar majors so they have friends to reach out to for academic help. BREAKING GROUND ON A NEW FOUNDATION At the end of August, the executive board, as well as chapter advisors, the House Corporation president, Cheryl Sizer, Illinois State University '80, and many other Kappa Delta alumnae were brought together by the groundbreaking for the new house in Champaign. The event was a huge step in a process that the House Corporation has been working on for many, many years. Chapter members are ecstatic to have a place closer to campus to study, have meals, and bond with the younger pledge classes. This new house will be much more accommodating and up to date, which will presumably increase the amount of women living in. In turn, our chapter will grow stronger and closer. SISTERS ENCOURAGE PANHELLENIC ACTIVITIES This year the Kappa Delta sisterhood chairman, Rachel Napoli '19, is planning an event with the women of Alpha Gamma Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma where the members may come to the house to study for upcoming midterms together and get to know women from other chapter. Emily Jacobs '19 is the Panhellenic vice president of scholarship and is planning a similar event for the end of the semester with all of the sororities. This past fall semester, members of the chapter were heavily involved in external activities and clubs. Emily is a sister who continuously surpasses expectations; not only is she the vice president of scholarship, but she is also the president of Shi-Ai, an organization devoted to the unification of sorority women. Other outstanding women include the recipients of the Illini Leadership Certificate: Nesma Hamouda '14, Hannah Brostoff '14, and Alyssa Vogt '14. The women of Kappa Delta are so proud to have such exceptional women as members of our chapter. ALUMNAE LOVE Being a Kappa Delta goes beyond the four years of college. KD has wonderful alumnae chapters across the country. The members are incredibly supportive and help in many ways from networking to donations. Alumnae are a special part of Kappa Delta. Lauren Prince '20 was surprised at her initiation by her mom, Susan Miller Prince '87. During finals week, the alumnae chapter of Naperville thoughtfully sent pizzas to the house for a little study break! KD truly appreciates their alumnae and all they do for their sisters. This year has been full of academic, social, and philanthropic success. In the future, Kappa Delta will keep these ideals and, of course, try to improve them. The chapter's women would like to host more Girl Scouts events and raise more money for our philanthropies. We also hope to keep our GPA within the top five on campus, as well as hold more gatherings with other chapters within Greek life. The chapter also hopes to improve our relationship with the alumnae and would love to have them visit the house. Alumnae support and input is a great tool in improving Kappa Delta. Love in AOT, Sydney Rothman '19 Chapter President kdpres1@gmail.com (847) 532-9499 Building Bonds While Laying Foundations Sigma Omicron Focuses on Growing Stronger as They Await Their New Home Two of the recruitment team assistants, Allison Hartman '19 and Claire Martin '19, pose by the homemade flower wall. At the groundbreaking, sisters showed their KD pride with these emerald hardhats. The youngest member class before the start of the first invitation round of recruitment.

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