Theta History
Founders
In 1837, the Methodist Church established Indiana Asbury (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, Indiana.
Indiana Asbury officially opened its doors to women in 1867, but not without great uproar from the male students. The first female students at Indiana Asbury were looking for ways to make friends and find support and encouragement for their academic pursuits. They were reviled by their teachers, taunted by their classmates, and ignored by their girlhood friends who did the right thing and attended conservatories for girls. It took these brave pioneers three years to found Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek-letter Fraternity for women.
To be sure, there were societies for women before 1867, and some of these had secret rituals with badges, passwords, mottoes, and other symbols. However in 1870, Kappa Alpha Theta became the first women's Greek-letter fraternity because its primary founder, Bettie Locke, wanted full membership in a male fraternity. When male classmates asked her to wear their fraternity badge as a "mascot", Bettie refused. She responded to them by saying, "If you won't initiate me into your fraternity, I'll start my own." Thus, Kappa Alpha Theta was established on January 27, 1870. In 2008, Kappa Alpha Theta celebrated its 138th anniversary.
Symbol
Flower
Kite and Twin Stars
Black and 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.
Zeta Upsilon
On March 6, 1996, Kappa Alpha Theta was introduced to the University of Texas at Dallas. Since our founding, the Zeta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta has established a strong presence on the UTD campus.
As a chapter, Theta has held honors such as highest GPA among all Panhellenic groups at UTD the last nine out of ten semesters, Comet Cup winner, and Greek Week champion. Individually, the ladies of Zeta Upsilon have held titles such as McDermott Scholar, varsity athlete, Homecoming Queen, Miss Greek, and Student Government Vice President.
Nationally, Zeta Upsilon has also made quite a name for itself among other Theta chapters. Zeta Upsilon has been recognized and awarded by Kappa Alpha Theta, and as we continue to grow, our chapter's national presence grows stronger.
Cabinet
President - Kelly Haeusler
Vice-President - Sabrina Martinez
Chief Adminstrative Officer - Lauren Carr
Chief Information Officer - Christine Gundermann
Chief Recruitment Officer - Rachel Thompson
Chief Finance Officer - Cheyanna LeBaron
Director of Public Relations - Katie Sheppard
Director of Sisterhood and Social - Tori Jones
Director of Scholarship - Liz Reith
Name:
Adrienne Rathy
Year:
Sophomore
Major:
Mathematics-Statistical Emphasis
Pledge Class:
Psi
Brittany Jeanne Wells
Senior
Applied Mathematics
Phi
Anna Knutson
Freshman
Business Administration
Alpha Alpha
Carolina Blotte
Molecular/Cellular Biology
Cheyanna LeBaron
Junior
Political Science
Christine Gundermann
Psychology
Chi
Courtney Keeler
Biochemistry
Jackie Doak
Political Science/Pre-Law
Julie Barletta
Kate Aronson
Arts & Technology
Taylor Lynn
Kelsey Haroldson
Interdisciplinary Studies-Social Work
Upsilon
Lauren Carr
Biology/Business Administration
Leah Bowyer
Undeclared
Omega
Olivia Marie Cobert
Elementary Education
Rachel Thompson
Biology
Sabrina Martinez
Speech-Language Pathology
Samantha McMillan
International Politcal Economy
Sara Dorsey
Biology/Pre-veterinary
Roster
Allie Widman
Brittany Wells
Brooke Prock
Caitlin Commiato
Callie Willeford
Celeste Stuck
Chelsea Smith
Claire Golubski
Emily Mae Espe
Farah Ellenbogen
Jenna Pickett
Jenna Roark
Jennifer Mao
Jillian Catral
Joni Roland
Julie Denges
Kathy Barber
Katie Sheppard
Kelly Haeusler
Krista Holder
Laura Shagman
Lauryn Myers
Lindsey Reynolds
Liz Reith
Louise Hoffman
Mandy Chapman
Mary Delin
McKenna Jackson
Sara Mahmood
Sasha Moiger
Susan Shihab
Taylor Freytag
Tobey Rosales
Tori Jones
Vimmy Patel
Theta for a Lifetime
Theta is more than just a social club or a service organization. It is a lifelong commitment to uphold ideals and values that have guided generations of women before us. The lessons we learn in Theta will continue to ring true long after we graduate.
Upon graduation, Theta initiates are encouraged to join an alumnae chapter no matter where they may end up afterward. These chapters continue to work to uphold Theta's ideals and provide members with opportunities for social and philanthropic outreach. In the Dallas area alone, there are several wonderful alumnae chapters.
Zeta Upsilon works to maintain bonds with our chapter alumnae, as well as alumnae from other schools who now live in Dallas. Sisters volunteer to baby-sit for children of alumnae, participate in alumnae chapter service events, and celebrate Founders' Day with the Plano Alumnae Chapter.
Below are links to the alumnae groups in our area:
Plano Alumnae Chapter
Dallas Alumnae Chapter
Dallas Theta Young Alumnae
Notable Thetas
Sheryl Crow
Recording Artist
Alpha Mu Chapter
University of Missouri
Jenna Bush
Daughter of Former U.S. President
Alpha Theta Chapter
University of Texas at Austin
Kerri Strug
Olympic Gymnast/Gold Medalist
Beta Xi Chapter
UCLA
Barbara Bush
Epsilon Tau Chapter
Yale University
Lynne Cheney
Wife of Former U.S. Vice President
Beta Omega Chapter
Colorado College
Ida Tarbell
Journalist/Historian
Mu Chapter
Allegheny College
Kate Voegele
Singer/Songwriter
Gamma Upsilon Chapter
Miami University
Rue McClanahan
Actress on "Golden Girls"
Gamma Tau Chapter
Tulsa University
Cindy McCain
Wife of Senator John McCain
Omicron Chapter
University of Southern California
Laura Bush
Former First Lady of the U.S.
Beta Sigma Chapter
Southern Methodist University
Awards
University of Texas at Dallas
Grand Convention
Highest GPA of all Greeks (Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
Highest GPA in Panhellenic (2004-2006, Fall 2007, 2008)
*Outstanding Panhellenic Advisor (2006, 2008)
*Pillar Award (2008, 2009) - Ana Tavares
Miss Greek (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
*Outstanding New Member Education (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
*Outstanding Scholarship (2007, 2008)
*Outstanding New Member (2006, 2008)
*Outstanding Chapter Advisor of the Year (2008, 2009) - Shannon Stuart
*Distinguished Greek Woman (2006, 2007, 2008) - Yen Yoon, Alicia Wenson
Women's Comet Cup Winners (2006, 2007, 2008)
Outstanding Student Organization (2007)
Homecoming Queen (2005, 2007, 2009)
Greek Week Champions (2006, 2007)
*Outstanding Philanthropy (2007)
*Outstanding Greek Chapter in UTD Greek Life (2007)
*Outstanding President (2005, 2006, 2009) - Yen Yoon
Miss Greek 2nd Runner-Up (2005, 2006)
2nd Place in Homecoming Parade (2006)
3rd Place in Homecoming Royalty (2006)
Student Organization Leader of the Year (2006)
2nd Place in HOMAGEs Drag Show (2006)
*Outstanding Active Member (2006, 2009) - Vanessa White
2nd Place in Greek Week (2004, 2005)
Greek Spirit Award (2005)
3rd Place in Sigma Alpha Epsilons Charity Dodgeball Tournament (2005)
Homecoming Princess (2004)
*Award given by UTD Greek Life
Excellence in Scholarship Programming (2008)
Silver Kite (2008)
Golden Kite (2004, 2006)
Excellence in Administration (2004, 2006)
Excellence in Ritual Appreciation (2002, 2004)
Excellence in Public Relations (2002)
Improvement in Financial Operations (2002)
**Grand Convention is held every 2 years.
KAPPA ALPHA THETA
Zeta Upsilon _ University of Texas at Dallas
