Kappa Chapter History
Below you will find images and information regarding Kappa Chapter's rich history!
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Fall 1887 - A campus of only 500 students, the University of Nebraskas social life was centered around two literary societies, the Union and Palladian. Ada Caldwell and Sara Schwab were frustrated with this, so they decided to form a new fraternity. They asked their friends Alice and Elizabeth Wing and Laura Haggard to join them, and with the help of some Phi Delta Theta friends, and through them George Banta, the girls were well on their way to establishing a Delta Gamma chapter at the University. The girls chose Delta Gamma from a manual listing all the sororities at the time because of her anchor and the number of chapters. Nothing could be done until after Convention the following year; in the interim, Ada had to leave school due to illness and the girls needed a fifth member to get the charter. Even before their charter was granted, these future DGs proved their strength in recruitment on campus that was to become a tradition. Carrie Dennis agreed in September of 1888 to join Delta Gamma.
Kappa Chapter was chartered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on October 19, 1888. The five girls were initiated the same day at Saras house. The evening of initiation five Phi Delts escorted the DGs to the Philodecean Society, a literary organization that was the probably forerunner of the Panhellenic and IFC organizations of today. Delta Gammas early social functions were mostly literary in nature. DG became known on campus for their spreads which featured oysters, bananas, and pickles. The social life of the chapter was rather limited to these spreads. Dancing did not occur, because at the time dancing was not a part of University life.
Throughout the 1890s chapter membership ranged from eleven members to twenty. Kappas first international office position was that of historian, to which the chapter was elected in 1893. At the 1885 the two Kappa representatives put up a strong fight against much opposition to grant a charter for an alumnae chapter in Lincoln. It was soon granted, but the convention was dubious as to the wisdom of it. This alumnae chapter is the oldest in Delta Gamma, and still exists today.
In 1898, Delta Gamma was the among the first Nebraska sororities to rent a chapter house. It was located at 719 S. 16th St, and housed 8 members and a house mom. One account depicts how the girls ran their new house. In the first house the girls made their own rules so they would have less trouble enforcing them. One rule stated that all callers must leave the house by 10:00pm... Some of the men thought this rule was such a stringent one that they sent a small wooden policeman which moved its eyes back and forth and had a sign on it: Ten O’Clock - Move On.
Many Delta Gamma Firsts attributed to Kappa Chapter occurred around the turn of the 20th century. Here are some of Kappas worthy contributions to Delta Gamma which were soon adopted internationally.
-Membership Certificates - 1899
-Chapter Roll Book - 1901
-National Fraternity Examination - 1903
-Official Seal with Insignia - 1903
In October 1902, at the urging of Delta Gamma, the women's fraternities at UNL met to form a Panhellenic Association. In the same year, a charter was granted for an Omaha alumnae chapter. Kappas size continued to grow during this decade, with numbers continually in the 20s.
Delta Gammas moved their residence twice in 1914, but in 1921 Kappa Chapter purchased a house located at 1510 K St., and became the first women's group at UNL to own its own home. Delta Gamma remained there until 1926 when they moved into the present location at 400 University Terrace, as the first women's fraternity to own its own house on campus.
In 1960, an addition was made to the North side of the house. It included a new dining room and kitchen, the presidents room, and housing accommodations for 25 more girls, bringing the housing capacity of Kappa Chapter to 61. Our house is designated as a historic landmark, due to an ordinance passed by the City of Lincoln, so it will never be torn down (we are one of only three Greek houses on campus to be categorized as such). In 2008, the house was renovated again, making it the beautiful place we call home today. In the summer of 2010, the sun deck was redone to replace many broken boards. Click on 'The House' tab for a picture house tour!
Sources: History of Kappa Chapter of Delta Gamma and various Anchoras
A special thanks to Diane Beery, Delta Gamma archivist, for her help.
Kappa Chapter was chartered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on October 19, 1888. The five girls were initiated the same day at Saras house. The evening of initiation five Phi Delts escorted the DGs to the Philodecean Society, a literary organization that was the probably forerunner of the Panhellenic and IFC organizations of today. Delta Gammas early social functions were mostly literary in nature. DG became known on campus for their spreads which featured oysters, bananas, and pickles. The social life of the chapter was rather limited to these spreads. Dancing did not occur, because at the time dancing was not a part of University life.
Throughout the 1890s chapter membership ranged from eleven members to twenty. Kappas first international office position was that of historian, to which the chapter was elected in 1893. At the 1885 the two Kappa representatives put up a strong fight against much opposition to grant a charter for an alumnae chapter in Lincoln. It was soon granted, but the convention was dubious as to the wisdom of it. This alumnae chapter is the oldest in Delta Gamma, and still exists today.
In 1898, Delta Gamma was the among the first Nebraska sororities to rent a chapter house. It was located at 719 S. 16th St, and housed 8 members and a house mom. One account depicts how the girls ran their new house. In the first house the girls made their own rules so they would have less trouble enforcing them. One rule stated that all callers must leave the house by 10:00pm... Some of the men thought this rule was such a stringent one that they sent a small wooden policeman which moved its eyes back and forth and had a sign on it: Ten O’Clock - Move On.
Many Delta Gamma Firsts attributed to Kappa Chapter occurred around the turn of the 20th century. Here are some of Kappas worthy contributions to Delta Gamma which were soon adopted internationally.
-Membership Certificates - 1899
-Chapter Roll Book - 1901
-National Fraternity Examination - 1903
-Official Seal with Insignia - 1903
In October 1902, at the urging of Delta Gamma, the women's fraternities at UNL met to form a Panhellenic Association. In the same year, a charter was granted for an Omaha alumnae chapter. Kappas size continued to grow during this decade, with numbers continually in the 20s.
Delta Gammas moved their residence twice in 1914, but in 1921 Kappa Chapter purchased a house located at 1510 K St., and became the first women's group at UNL to own its own home. Delta Gamma remained there until 1926 when they moved into the present location at 400 University Terrace, as the first women's fraternity to own its own house on campus.
In 1960, an addition was made to the North side of the house. It included a new dining room and kitchen, the presidents room, and housing accommodations for 25 more girls, bringing the housing capacity of Kappa Chapter to 61. Our house is designated as a historic landmark, due to an ordinance passed by the City of Lincoln, so it will never be torn down (we are one of only three Greek houses on campus to be categorized as such). In 2008, the house was renovated again, making it the beautiful place we call home today. In the summer of 2010, the sun deck was redone to replace many broken boards. Click on 'The House' tab for a picture house tour!
Sources: History of Kappa Chapter of Delta Gamma and various Anchoras
A special thanks to Diane Beery, Delta Gamma archivist, for her help.