11 minute read
Thoughts on Turning 50
FIFTYWhat are your thoughts on Kappa turning
It's hard to remember my life without Kappa. It's been such a huge part of my life for over half of it....27 of my 45 years. I knew when I headed to Husson College in the fall of 1993 after graduating high school that pledging a sorority would be in my future. Little did I know then what that one choice would do for my life.
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Much of my memory has escaped me so I don't recall if I attended any Rush or Information Nights, but I do remember getting two bids on Greek Bid Night; one from Kappa and another from Delta but the choice was an easy one. I had been introduced to Kappa through a couple sisters and was invited to a Thomas College bonfire party (which I found myself being the designated driver for), but I was excited to travel to another college and meet new people. That night I met some great Kappa women and men and is what sparked my interest in Kappa. by the brothers (it was a huge competition back then - which turned out to be just fun when they accomplished their task). It didn't cross my mind back then that hazing was a thing and even going through it never dawned on me that I was being hazed. I only knew it was a temporary ordeal for a lifetime of sisterhood. There was also something about the history of it that I loved....I knew that every single woman before me had gone through what I did so it was a right of passage. Since then things have changed to a completely different program which was fitting and very necessary, but I still hear from older sisters who wish they had gone through it like it was 'in the old days'. Crying every night wasn't fun, but I look back and cherish the memories and bonds I built with my pledge class and will never forget those two weeks.
Back then pledging lasted only two weeks and it was a DEDICATED two weeks of your life....every moment of those two weeks we were required to be with either a pledge mate or your big and try not to get kidnapped During my four years of being an active sister (19941998), I was committed 100% to its mission, service, and motto. I was an overachiever in my philanthropy and fundraising hours, was the first to pay my dues for the year each Fall with cash I earned each summer waiting tables, held most of the positions including Pledge Mistress twice and President before I graduated. I had the honor of being a big sister to four amazing women, Crystal, Heather, Heather and Nicole, and have lifelong friendships with SO many women.
After graduating, I knew that joining the National Board was in the cards so I wasted no time in submitting my letter of intent to the Board and was honored to serve for six amazing years. My two favorite parts were being a Field Representative and resurrecting Kappa MU. As a Field Rep I traveled to chapters at UMPI, Fort Kent, and USM every year (for several years)
where I met even more inspiring women (including our beloved Liz Jason when she was a wee undergrad). Seeing her grow and take on all that she has, has been SUCH a pleasure to watch (love you Liz!). Being an active part of starting back up a chapter was also a rewarding experience that gave me the honor of having two more little sisters, Meg and Melina, in the spring of 2004. Being on the Board and witnessing other chapters with strong Alumnae Associations, it encouraged me to start one for Kappa Lambda. In 2007 four of us alumni sisters started our first Kappa Lambda Alumnae Association.
Since getting my letters in the spring of 1994, I've changed so much as a person. The sorority taught me to be strong, to stand up for myself, to stand up for others, about commitment and loyalty, how to be a great public speaker, how to fundraise and save money, how to organize an event, how to work with people with varying views and beliefs, and most importantly about community involvement. Those required philanthropy hours every semester was what gave me the passion I have today for my continued service to the communities I've lived in. I'm proud to say that for the past 23 years since graduating, my spare time has been spent volunteering at more places than I can list, doing 5K's, donating money to causes, being an inspirational speaker, empowering women, running for state Office, and being a part of many Boards. Through it all, my biggest passion has been fighting hunger by being an active volunteer of my Good Shepherd Food Bank, hosting fundraising events at my wedding venue to combat hunger, starting my own 5K for Hunger, and what has earned me the Mrs Maine International title in 2018, my International Ms Northeast title in 2019, a Community Service Award in 2020, and my current title of Mrs Maine USA 2021. I know that I was put on this Earth to serve others and doing so is an aspect of weekly life. I owe all of this to Kappa.
Happy 50th Kappa women! We are all rockstars!!!
—Misty Coolidge
Kappa Lambda (Spring 1994) National President (2004-2005) Secretary, Kappa Delta Phi N.A.S. Alumnae Association President, Kappa Lambda Alumnae Association
I am so excited to be celebrating this tremendous milestone! 50 years of Kappa are behind us and throughout those 50 years we have accomplished and grown so much. I am so proud of the way that Kappa has been able to adjust to all the challenges presented to us over the years and the way that we have not only survived but THRIVED! I cannot wait to see what the next 50 years has in store for us!
—Courtney Stevens
Kappa Upsilon (Fall 2013) Assistant Vice President of Membership President, Kappa Upsilon Alumnae Association
It’s a funny thing because 50 years is such a significant milestone. I wonder if the devoted women who founded Kappa Delta Phi N.A.S. imagined celebrating the 50th anniversary. But…we’re also kind of middle aged compared to other national organizations founded in the 19th century, which also makes us lucky because our founders are still with us. We can ask about our history and preserve it for those who come after us. We can ask them what’s it like to see the sorority they founded reach 50 years and what their hopes are for the next 50. Our sisterhood is a living, breathing legacy and each of us is a link in the chain that connects us forever.
—Sara Hauser
Kappa Alpha Iota (Founding Class, Spring 2006) • National President (2013-2018)
Wow! 50 years! Our Chapter began in 1969 as Kappa Sigma Phi, and in 1985, we were chartered as Kappa Delta Phi N.A.S. Kappa Sigma Chapter. To recently see the Chapter celebrate 50 years, and now the National Organization, is such an exciting milestone in our history! When gathering, having women who are in their 60s, women in their teens, and every age in between, speaks volumes; there are women who are just beginning their journey with the sorority, and there are women who have been part of this organization more than half of their life. It really shows how important our sisters are and how the bonds formed while active carry on long after graduation.
—Linda MacDonald
Kappa Sigma (Fall 2009) President, Kappa Sigma Alumnae Association
50 years—wow! What an accomplishment! I feel so lucky that I’ve been involved with the Fraternity and Sorority for almost all of those years. I started out doing clerical work for my husband Paul in 1973. At that time Paul and another Epsilon Brother, Sal Salvo headed up the Kappa publications, "The Crow" and "Kappa Talk." Consequently, I received many phone calls from Fraternity Alumni, as well as the undergraduates.
Paul would visit chapters, gathering information for the publications. When he returned, we would talk about his experiences. There was more and more talk about local sororities at colleges where the Fraternity chapters were located, wanting to become a national organization.
Ned Foster, Lambda Alumnus, was very excited about this movement and succeeded In convincing the Fraternity National Board that it would be in the fraternity’s best interest to facilitate these sororities in becoming a National Sorority. Fred Randall, Beta Alumnus, was the Fraternity’s Executive Director who developed the necessary paperwork for the Sorority to become incorporated.
In 1976, Fred Randall became the National Sorority movement’s temporary Chairman of the Sorority’s Board of Directors. The Board worked hard to develop Sorority materials and at the first combined Fraternity and Sorority Convention on May 7, 1977, the National Sorority was born. At that time, Fred informed the Sisters that he would be resigning because of increased work commitments. The Fraternity Board appointed Paul as the new Executive Director and the Sorority asked Paul if he would be their temporary Executive Director as well. From that time on, I became totally involved with Fraternity and Sorority business, since our home became the national office for both organizations.
In a short period of time, I became familiar with many Brothers and Sisters from all chapters, as well as the members of the National Boards. This was truly an exciting period of my life. Since the sisterhood was so small, I was able to really get to know them as individuals.
On April 8, 1978, at the National Convention, I became an Honorary Sister sponsored by Kappa Lambda. What a thrill! It is one thing to know sisters but so totally different to actually be one. Sue Dyer then became Executive Director followed by me. I had the privilege of working with great chapter leaders, a dedicated Board, and alumnae who continued to guide their chapters. From that time on Paul and I traveled to different chapters in a multitude of roles. We often met some of the chapter cheerleaders such as advisors and professors. There was no doubt that the chapters were succeeding in gaining respect from other individuals and organizations.
The conventions were fantastic! They consisted of Alumni gatherings, business meetings, breakfasts, dinners, dances and Sunday sporting events. I was so proud to hear about the accomplishments of our chapters—the heart and soul of our organization. The enthusiasm, the conversations, and the camaraderie were wonderful.
Our numbers doubled, and then tripled in the 80’s. We had made it! The Sorority was on the move and there was no stopping it! The 90’s presented new challenges. Greek organizations could no longer exist on some campuses without insurance. Chi and Kappa Chi were the first to be confronted with this. A Manchester insurance company quoted a $100,000 minimum premium. The Fraternity learned of a fraternal insurance agent at a conference for small nationals. They obtained an affordable quote. However, both organizations would have to buy in to make it financially feasible. The Brothers and Sisters voted to acquire that insurance despite that it would almost double their national dues. Once again, the Sorority rose to the occasion.
Since then, the number of chapters have increased and the number of Sisters kept climbing. The conventions nearly tripled in size. The displays are beautiful. The money raised for national philanthropies is remarkable. The emotions and pride are well-deserved. This success was the result of the quality of the sisters who proudly call themselves Kappa. Throughout the years, many sisters volunteered at the chapter, National, and Alumnae levels. It is upon their shoulders that the National Sorority continued to grow. It is because of the sisters of today that KDPNAS still stands as a vibrant and viable organization.
To every sister who has participated in or chaired a chapter event, to every sister who has found time to work for National, to every sister who participated in an Alumnae Association, to every sister, undergraduate or alumna who live our ideals on a daily basis, I sincerely thank you. I am so proud to call you sister!
May the Spirit Never Die.
—Jeanette Collette
Kappa Lambda (Spring 1977) Former National President & Executive Director Emeritus
I truly am so grateful for Kappa and how many years its been around. It has provided me so much support in any positions that I have held and helped me make connections even after graduation. It also gives me so much joy to be able to share the joy with sisters of Kappa dating back to many years ago. I can’t wait to see what kappa brings us in the next 50 years because it definitely has a bright future with all the empowered and amazing women that are out there in the world!
—Sabrina Finn & Nicole Guastella
Kappa Alpha Gamma (Spring 2016 & Fall 2015) • Kappa Alpha Gamma Alumnae Association
I'm extremely excited to hit this milestone and mark 50 years of sisterhood. The bonds that still exist between actives and many alumni is extraordinary and I cannot wait until we hit the next milestone.
—Mia Roemer
I am so grateful to be apart of something so big and amazing, and I’m so proud that we are turning 50!
—Molly Closinski
Kappa Alpha Xi (Fall 2019) Chapter President, Kappa Alpha Xi
Kappa turning 50 is such an amazing accomplishment for our organization and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of it for the last 15 years. It shows how strong and determined we are as women to keep such a powerful and educational organization going for this long, and will continue to do so for years to come. Kappa has been my life for so many years and to see how well we are thriving after all of these years, makes my heart so full.
