Kappa Beta Gamma Explained

Kappa Beta Gamma
Letters:Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΚΒΓ
Crest:Kappabetagammacrest.png
Birthplace:Marquette University
Affiliation:Independent
Status:Active
Type:Social
Scope:International
Motto:Character, Culture, Courage
Colors: Deep Sapphire, Pearl White and Old Gold
Symbol:Five-pointed Star
Flower:Forget-me-not
Jewel:Blue Sapphire and White Pearl
Mascot:Jermain the Lion
Publication:Kappa Star
Chapters:32 active, 24 inactive
Colonies:2
Philanthropy:Special Olympics
Address:540 Pearl Cove Court
City:Atlanta
State:Georgia
Zip Code:30350
Country:United States

Kappa Beta Gamma (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΚΒΓ) is a sorority founded at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1917.

History

On, twelve women of Marquette University founded the campus' first sorority, Kappa Beta Gamma. The founders, and first officers of this group were:

  • Teresa Jermain, President
  • Myra Thewalt, Vice-President
  • Jeannie Lee, Secretary
  • Mary Weimar, Treasurer
  • Mary Kitzke
  • Eva Johnson
  • Patricia Hagerty
  • Mary White
  • Myrtle Maas
  • Lorraine Kress
  • Vivienne Leichtman
  • Felicia Knafzynska

Weimar was credited with design of the sorority pin.

The immediate aim of the Sorority expressed at its founding was: To Unite the Members in the bond of Sisterhood; to Develop Friendships among the Members During their College Days; to Improve the Members Morally, Socially and Intellectually; and to Foster the Support of College/University, Alma Mater and of God and Country. This was later revised as:

The Sisters of Kappa Beta Gamma International Sorority are an organization dedicated to improving its members morally, socially, and intellectually. As friends, we are committed to bettering our schools and communities by offering leadership opportunities during and beyond our college days. [1]

In the sorority established its second chapter, Alpha, at Saint Louis University; St. Louis, Missouri. The chapter at Marquette University then became known as Beta chapter.[2] The first chapters were established at Catholic institutions, with the Sorority later expanding to other institutions.

In Kappa Beta Gamma installed its first chapter in Canada, the Upsilon chapter at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia.

This sorority is not a member of the NPC, though chapters will regularly participate with campus panhellenic associations.

Symbols and traditions

The official colors are deep sapphire, pearl white and old gold. The five pointed star is the symbol, while the official flower is the forget-me-not. ΚΒΓ has 2 official jewels, the blue sapphire and white pearl. The Sorority has designated a mascot, Jermain the Lion (Jermain being the last name of the first Grand Mistress, or president).

Founder Mary Weimar designed the sorority badge, a wreath of six pearls and six sapphires encircling Kappa Beta Gamma’s Greek Letters. She also designed the membership pin, a blue shield with a gold stripe running diagonally across it.[3]

Kappa Beta Gamma marks three annual days of remembrance, listed in the order they were established:

The open motto of the organization is Character, Culture, Courage.

The initiation ceremony is called Krossover.

The annual convention of the Sorority is called its Konvention, held on a rotating basis at locations in the US and Canada during the first weekend of August. An additional celebration, an International Formal Star Ball is held every fifth year to mark significant milestones.

Kappa Beta Gamma's quarterly publication is the Kappa Star.[4]

Headquarters

At its establishment in 1947, the first National Officers were chosen, all from the Beta chapter and were elected to a two-year term.

The Sorority is governed through its international conventions. Presiding over these annual events, and responsible for the organizations' affairs in the interim between conventions, two separate, but cooperative Boards of Directors, one for the US and one for Canada, are elected to their positions indefinitely by the membership of Kappa Beta Gamma. There are no term limits of minimum term of service for these Board positions. The Board of Directors is primarily responsible for hiring and management of the International President, supporting the International Board and handling legal and business matters on behalf of the membership.

ΚΒΓ's International Headquarters are located in Georgia.

Day-to-day management of the Sorority is vested in four staff positions: the International President, a Vice-President of Compliance-Canada, a Vice President of Compliance-USA, and a Vice President of Membership Development.

United States Leadership

Tanya Niemi: President & CEO

Lacy Dickel: Vice President & COO

Allyson Simerlein: Treasurer & CFO

Canada Leadership

Rynelle DeSouza: President & CEO

Marianna Sukhu: Vice President & CCO

Logan Paisley: Treasurer & CFO

Philanthropy

Kappa Beta Gamma's philanthropy is the Special Olympics. Along with the national philanthropy, each chapter chooses a local philanthropy to support.

Alumnae Society

Kappa Beta Gamma has an Alumnae Society, available to any alumna member. They offer an alumna initiate program. [5]

Chapters

Chapters of Kappa Beta Gamma are as follows. Active chapters are in bold, inactive chapters are in italics: [6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. From the Kappa Beta Gamma website, accessed 4 Nov 2020.
  2. Book: Jack L. . Anson . Robert F. . Marchenasi . Baird's Manual of American Fraternities . 20th . 1991 . 1879 . Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. . Indianapolis, IN . 978-0963715906 . IV-88.
  3. Noted in the ΚΒΓ Expansion Manual, 2018 edition, accessed 5 Nov 2020.
  4. Noted on the Quick Facts page of the sorority's website, accessed 4 Nov 2020.
  5. Noted on the sorority's website, on the Alumnae Society page, accessed 4 Nov 2020.
  6. Information from Bairds's (20th), from Kappa Beta Gamma US chapters webpage and Kappa Beta Gamma Canadian chapters webpage, accessed 4 Nov 2020.