Welcome to Kappa Alpha Theta at Butler University! To us, Theta sisterhood is for a lifetime, a lifetime that starts in college with the girls that experience the joys of Greek life alongside one another.
As Thetas, we pride ourselves on our academic achievements. Scholarship is held to the highest standard for all Kappa Alpha Thetas, and it is no different in the case of the Gamma chapter. This past year we had twelve sisters in Butler University's Top 100 Students, and we have the highest GPA on campus!
On top of excelling academically, we are heavily involved in philanthropic endeavors, both for CASA and campus-wide philanthropies, while still managing to balance a busy social calendar. Gamma Thetas are involved in every aspect of Butler programming from student government to taking on executive committees outside of the chapter.
Throughout my collegiate career, I have watched as new pledge after new pledge class continues to enrich and contribute to success of the Gamma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. It is an honor to be part of such a renowned establishment that holds the ideals of faith, hope and love to a high moral standard. The support of sisterhood at this chapter gives a whole new meaning to Theta Love. We hope you enjoy exploring our website as you get a look at what our lives as BU Thetas are all about!
Theta Love and all of mine,
Erica Grabinski
Kappa Alpha Theta
Gamma Chapter President
Butler University
Bettie Locke, the daughter of a professor, was among the first women to enroll at Indiana Asbury University (now Depauw University) in 1867. During her sophomore year, a member of one of the Greek-letter fraternities asked Bettie to wear their badge. However, when she learned that she would not actually become a member, but rather a welcomed supporter of the group, she declined the opportunity.
Desiring full membership in an organization that offered friendship and support, Bettie hoped a Greek-letter fraternity for women might form a chapter at Asbury. However, she couldn't find such an organization existing on any other campus. With the encouragement of her father, Bettie decided to create one on her own. From the beginning, it was her desire that the organization to continue to grow, supporting coeds on multiple campuses far into the future. She asked fellow student and friend, Alice Allen to help make this vision come true.
The two women immediately began working on the foundations for their new organization. They included designed a badge, developed a constitution and bylaws, and searched for potential members- women of outstanding character determined to excel academically. The following autumn, Hannah Fitch and Bettie Tipton were invited to join the new organization. Now, four in number, the women carefully completed Bettie's plan. On January 27, 1870, the first official meeting of Kappa Alpha Theta was held.
And so, the first Greek-letter fraternity for women was formally established. Kappa Alpha Theta met a need that was strongly felt among young women; the Fraternity grew exponentially- spreading from East and West, and North to South, and later becoming the first fraternity for women to establish a chapter in Canada. It was an idea whose time had come, and whose traditions and values have withstood the test of time. Kappa Alpha Theta remains to be the kind of organization that Bettie Locke envisioned: one that fosters love, friendship, academic excellence, and lifelong sisterhood.
Nickname: Theta
National Founding Date: February 12, 1870
Gamma Chapter Founding: February 27, 1874
Colors: Black & Gold
Symbols: Kite & Twin Stars
Flower: Black & Gold Pansy
Mission Statement: Yesterday, today and tomorrow Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life.
Fraternity Purpose: The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of the highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity shall be to exercise the widest influence for good. The moral aim of the Fraternity shall be the standard of love.
Kappa Alpha Theta's national philanthropy is CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates. Theta chapters nation-wide are continuously working to provide support for this unique organization, whose mission is to provide stable, caring adults to represent abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for deserted kids to ensure they don't get lost in the legal system or end up in inadequate foster homes. For many children, CASA volunteers are the only positive role model, adult figure, and voice they have. Since its founding in 1977, over 2 million kids have been helped. Last year, more than 68,000 CASA volunteers served over 240,000 children.
The Gamma chapter is proud to help Theta support such a worthy cause. Each Fall, the Gammas host "Theta Grill-Off" to raise money for CASA. Food, music, a fraternity lip-sync competition, and of course, a grill-off contest, make for a great event that helps the Gamma chapter make significant donations to CASA each year.
In addition to its support for CASA, the Gamma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta also makes yearly donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It has been a tradition for Kappa Alpha Theta to team up with the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma to put on a Mr. Butler pageant showcasing the men of Butler University. Money raised by the event goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
This year's Grill-Off will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 on the Theta lawn.
Located in the heart of Butler University's beautiful campus, the Gamma house represents a haven where Thetas can relax, study, and spend time with sisters. Each year, the Gamma house undergoes new renovations in order to keep up with changes in technology and design. The house has seen many upgrades, but still maintains it's original, elegant decor and classic style. Gammas take pride in special heirlooms throughout the house, such as the burgundy rug adorned with the Kappa Alpha Theta crest. It is one of only three identical rugs owned by Theta chapters nationwide. Recent additions include the crest-engraved tile in the foyer, a flat screen television in the informal, new couches and seating in the informal, new furniture in the formal living room, and new appliances in the kitchenette, including an instant coffeemaker and juice machine. For Thetas, the Gamma house is a place where a loving sister is never hard to find and we are honored to call 825 W. Hampton Drive our home.
Sarah Buedel
Kaitlin Canady
Taylor Canfield
Anne Carpenter
Virginia Christ
Katie Crowe
Meg Cychosz
Sammy Daniel
Halie Davila
Ally Denton
Kelsey Greves
Lauren Hodge
Nicole Humphrey
Anna January
Caroline Johnson
Sora Lyu
Lauren Marshall
Erin Matthew
Kelsey McMullen
Zan Meeks
Lauren Miller
Kristi Muehr
Natasha Nelson
Elisabeth Nicholson
Emily Poitras
Julia Schnepper
Abbey Schrader
Kristyn Shaw
Megan Shuck
Abby Smith
Lauren Spangler
Karissa Tepe
Susan Theis
Alyssa Vahala
Nicole Beck
Kimberly Bradford
Kristina Brost
Molly Bullock
Callan Chapman
Jasmine Coatie
Taylor Cox
Alexa Delpriora
Jaclyn Demeter
Catherine Eifrig
Mollie Ellis
Kelsey Futter
Kelsey Harris
Allie Isaac
Akeira Jennings
Jordan Jennings
Monica Johnson
Tori Johnson
Steff Korbas
Layne Langford
Peyton Lustig
Alex Mauer
Nikki McSherry
Carly Messinger
Heather Nichols
Christine Panah
Callie Peterson
Sam Pfeil
Libby Platau
Libby Powell
Sienna Reuter
Corie Ruiter
Megan Schaefer
Alyssa Setnar
Ally Shambaugh
Stephanie Shoults
Marielle Slagel
Lindsay Steed
Caroline Thinnes
Jaci Turner
Haley Tyll
Catie Weichelt
Hannah White
Olivia Grace Wolfe
Kayla Yoder
Emily Bonn
Amy Coffman
Linnea Corey
Jacqueline Cromleigh
Emily Delaney
Brittany Farmer
Katherine Filchak
Hilary Fox
Meghan Frey
Whitney Greene
Katy Hagan
Taylor Hira
Courtney Hooker
Rachael House
Taylor Hughes
Taryn Kellams
Kelcie Lyons
Jackie Marsh
Sarah Martin
Danielle McCormick
Elyse Morgan
Erin Murphy
Katy Myers
Lara Olinger
Jess Onstwedder
Ally Pauszek
Haley Pearson
Steph Post
Em Prichard
Karleen Ritchie
Kelly Roden
Anne Sanders
Caitlin Severson
Kate Shambrook
Jillian Sitjar
Lauren Suchy
Kenzie Tarble
Ashleigh Taylor
Katie Taylor
Catherine Watkins
Grace Wirthwein
Katie Bergamini
Allison Boyd
Kelli Conner
Hanna Corey
Miranda Crain
Jennie Davila
Baleigh Deitrich
Courtney Dubay
Grayson Eckert
Lauren Ezell
Courtney Foye
Allie Gritzman
Karina Hamamouche
Alison Harre
Emily Hogg
Alex Jennings
Marissa Kampe
Sara Kern
Mary Kate Kronzer
Lauren Lambrecht
Andrea Levy
Molly Manus
Katie Morrow
Kelsey O'Shaughnessy
Camerson Sage
Anne Shelton
Hannah Townsend
Camryn Walton
Carlie Whitaker
Holly Whiteman
Campbell Wickland
Chief Executive Officer: Erica Grabinski
Email : egrabins_butler.edu
Chief Administration Officer: Courtney Foye
Email : cfoye_butler.edu
Executive Assistant: Hannah Townsend
Archivist/Historian: Paige Laughlin
Chief Operating Officer: Allie Gritzman
Email : agritzma_butler.edu
Human Resources Director: Whitney Greene
Event Director: Karina Hamamouche
Chief Financial Officer: Anne Shelton
Email : anshelto_butler.edu
Finance Deputy: Lauren Lambrecht
Facility Management Director: Kelsey O'Shaughnessy
Chief Education Officer : Katie Bergamini
Email: kbergami_butler.edu
Scholarship Director: Sara Kern
New Member Director: Lauren Ezell
Ritualist: Amy Coffman
Chief Marketing Officer: Camryn Walton
Email: cwalton_butler.edu
Alumnae & Foundation Liaison: Emily Delaney
Communications Director : Emily Hogg
Service & Philanthropy: Marissa Kampe
IT Director: Alex Jennings
Chief Recruiting Officer: Courtney Dubay
Email: cdubay_butler.edu
Recruitment Director: Baleigh Deitrich
Chief Panhellenic Officer : Brittany Farmer
Email: blfarmer_butler.edu
Alt. Panhel Delegate: Mary Kate Kronzer
Formal Recruitment takes place each Janaury after Winter Break. Recruitment is a special time that allows us to show potential new members all of the wonderful things that Kappa Alpha Theta has to offer. This past January, we had a very successful Recruitment and welcomed 45 new members on Bid Day! We look forward to Recruitment each year and put in countless hours of effort to ensure that the process is as meaningful for the girls going through Recruitment as it is for us.
When you participate in recruitment as a potential new member, you'll have the opportunity to meet women from all 7 sororities on campus. You will speak with wonderful women and have the chance to tour the chapter houses while learning about each chapters sisterhood and philanthropic endeavors.
Although Formal Recruitment does not take place until the beginning of second semester, there are several opportunities to learn more about Theta during the Fall! Open Houses will be held on Sunday, September 11th and Sunday, November 4th. Our annual philanthropy event, Theta Grill-Off, will be held on Saturday, September 24th, and we would love to see you there!
If you have any questions regarding Kappa Alpha Theta, please contact our Vice President of Membership, Jacqueline Cromleigh at jcromlei_butler.edu . For more information on Formal Recruitment and a list of scheduled events, visit the Butler University Office of Greek Life at www.butler.edu/greek-life .
Open House Day
Potential new members visit all seven chapters. Chapters will highlight various facets of their sisterhood, philanthropy and core missions. Potential new members speak to several women at each chapter and learn about sorority life in general.
Skit Day
Potential new members will visit up to six chapters on this day. This is an entertaining day, as each chapter performs a skit to showcase their accomplishments, campus involvement and personality!
Philanthropy Day
On this day, potential new members visit up to four chapters. They learn about each chapters philanthropic events and why they support the charitable organizations that they do.
Preference Day
Things get more personal on the last day of recruitment. potential new members visit up to two chapters and listen as the women share the impact of their chapter on their own life.
Bid Day
All potential new members gather to await their bids! Once everyone has opened their bid cards, the new members run down Rowdy Row (Hampton Drive) to their chapter to meet their new sisters for a celebration outside! Well leave the rest up for surprise! Bid Day is the first day of a whole new experience and one you will always remember!
If you would like to write a reference for a student at Butler University going through formal recruitment, go to www.kappaalphatheta.org , proceed to the "Alumnae" tab, and click "Recommend a Potential New Member."
You can also send letters of reference to:
Attn: Reference Chairman
825 West Hampton Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46208
If you have any questions about referring a potential new member to Gamma, please contact our Reference Chair, Susan Theis at sjtheis_butler.edu
