Kappa Kappa Gamma - Texas Tech University

Our Tradition, Our Key, Our Future 5 CHAPTER HOSTS OUTSTANDING RECRUITMENT IN NEW LODGE Members Ranked Third in Academics S tarting in May and carrying on through the summer, Delta Psi Kappas were holding our breath on whether the lodge would be finished in time for recruitment! Well I am here to report that is was completed the morning work week started, and we have enjoyed every moment since then. Kappa had an incredibly successful recruitment this year with return rates higher than we have ever seen. Since school has started, we have had a very successful parent's weekend, philanthropy event, and sisterhood event! We could not have done this without the support of our alumnae and chapter advisors. ACADEMICS Our overall chapter GPA for spring 2017 was 3.43, which ranked us third behind Kappa Alpha Theta (3.47) and Pi Beta Phi (3.5). Eighty-four percent of our chapter (181 members) made above a 3.0, and 66 members had a 4.0. Kara Lamb '14, vice president of academic excellence, has worked tirelessly both this semester and last semester on the chapter GPA with a focus on improving the new members' GPA. We are excited to see the results of this fall. RECRUITMENT This is the second year that the Every Member Education program has been in effect. Each new member class is expected to attend weekly meetings. Various officers are scheduled to attend to educate the new members on aspects of their position and how it applies to their new member experience. Each week the new members are expected to complete quizzes to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the fraternity before their initiation date. Our new members are in the middle of this experience and journey and are learning so much! Our recruitment chairman, Amber Caldwell '15, led the chapter in an incredible, successful recruitment. Out of 1,200 women who went through the formal recruitment process, only 44 of those women released us. The morning of round two we found out that 969 women ranked Kappa as the first house they would like to return to the following period. I can say with full confidence that the chapter completely stepped up to the plate and were extremely in tune with the needs of the women coming through Kappa and especially with making them feel important and cherished. We could not have had such a wonderful recruitment without the leadership of the seniors throughout the very stressful but rewarding week. CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY This fall, Kappa was paired with the men of Phi Delta Theta for Homecoming. The Homecoming theme Kappa chose was The Wizard of Oz and we were all so excited! The men of Phi Delta Theta were extremely helpful and cooperative in helping us get everything organized and situated since it was a huge task. Homecoming Chairman, Rachel Risley '14, worked with her committee to make sure everything looked wonderful! Homecoming took place Saturday, October 21, against Iowa State. S.O. Sing was Tuesday, October 17, and the parade and pep rally followed that Friday. We have begun going to Ervin Elementary every Wednesday at 3:30 to read to the elementary students in support of one of our national philanthropies, Reading Is Fundamental. In September, Elizabeth Hart '16 attended the leadership academy, and Jude Alhmoud '15 was a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. We have two members in Mortar Board, four in Presidents Select, and countless women are associated with SGA, Rho Lambda, and Order of Omega. GRAND OPENING WEEKEND The grand opening of the Kappa lodge was September 22-24. Presentation was that Friday and all freshman parents were invited to the Lubbock Country Club to watch their daughters be presented. The grand opening followed, and was it something spectacular! The alumnae association outdid themselves planning an unforgettable weekend. Four members of Kappa were in attendance who were original members of the Las Chaparitas in the 1950s. To be able to meet these women was incredibly inspiring and powerful! LeAnn Martin Grantham '76 (chapter advisor), Dean Verner Loeher '71 (chapter advisor), Susan Jones Milsap '67 (house board president), Carolyn Byrd Simpson '70 (alumnae association president), and I spoke and recognized donors and many more invaluable individuals involved in the construction process of the lodge. This weekend was one of the most influential and memorable weekends of my college career! It is something I will never forget. It truly encompassed all of what I believe that Kappa is: a group of women with a mission who are determined to succeed but also know the value in leaning on sisters to help us accomplish our goals. Talk about incredible! Following the grand opening was one of the most successful and enjoyable turnouts I have witnessed at a philanthropy event. We are still awaiting the total of what we raised, but expect it to be around $10,000. Kappa Kookout was catered by Buns Over Texas. Philanthropy Chairman Lauren Barnard '15 outdid herself and the turnout was a testament to that. We are so proud of her. As you can see, the weekend of the grand opening was a HUGE one for us, and we are so proud of everyone who helped make it what it was. Loyally, Elizabeth Stelly '14 Chapter President elizabeth.stelly@ttu.edu The chapter waits for pledge class '17 to arrive! The seniors celebrated their senior day during work week. First chapter meeting in the lodge, May 2017.

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