Kappa Beta Gamma () 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: 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.'' From th
Kappa Beta Gamma website
accessed 4 Nov 2020.

In the sorority established its second chapter, ''Alpha'', at

Saint Louis University Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is the oldest university west of the Mississip ...

; St. Louis, Missouri. The chapter at Marquette University then became known as ''Beta chapter''. 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 A five-pointed star (☆), geometrically an equilateral concave decagon, is a common ideogram in modern culture. Comparatively rare in classical heraldry, it was notably introduced for the flag of the United States in the Flag Act of 1777 and ...

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.Noted in th
ΚΒΓ Expansion Manual, 2018 edition
accessed 5 Nov 2020. Kappa Beta Gamma marks three annual days of remembrance, listed in the order they were established: * January 22 - Founders Day * May 14 - National Founders Day * April 2 - International Founders Day 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''.Noted on th
Quick Facts page
of the sorority's website, accessed 4 Nov 2020.

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 Katie Minaghan: Vice President & COO Allyson Simerlein: Treasurer & CFO Canada Leadership Sara-Lynn Pelegrin: President & CEO Samantha Jennings Willan: Vice President & CCO Brooke Taylor: 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.

Chapters

Chapters of Kappa Beta Gamma are as follows. Active chapters are in bold, inactive chapters are in ''italics:'' Information from Bairds's (20th), fro
Kappa Beta Gamma US chapters webpage
an
Kappa Beta Gamma Canadian chapters webpage
accessed 4 Nov 2020.

References

External links

National website
{{Fraternities and Sororities , collapsed Student organizations established in 1917 1917 establishments in Wisconsin Fraternities and sororities in the United States Fraternities and sororities in Canada