Kappa Kappa Gamma Lends a Hand or Book
Kappa Kappa Gama members serve breakfast at the recent Pancake Breakfast.
by Nicole Beidleman
Since the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) was founded at Dickinson on March 10, 1979, with 33 charter members, the chapter has consistently grown and brought together sisters through service, friendship and support. With over 300 alumnae associations worldwide, they know that our bonds of sisterhood extend beyond their days at Dickinson.
KKG hosts numerous events to support its national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), to mobilize a more literate America through inspiring a passion for reading by providing quality content to engage communities. Lip Sync for Literacy is the group’s largest event of the year, but the Run for Steph 5K, Reading is Key, a pancake breakfast and other events keep philanthropy a central aspect of the KKG community.
Lip Sync for Literacy brings the many diverse organizations across campus together. “It was so exciting to see all the groups on campus come together for this fun event." Kappa’s president Krista Doherty ’20 says of this year's event, which was held this fall. "It always brings people together, it’s a tradition everyone looks forward to.”
Last year, 15 clubs and organizations participated by choreographing a dances and lip syncs to their favorite songs. All the proceeds go to Reading is Fundamental. Through partnerships with book publishers, communities, organizations and volunteers, the philanthropy has distributed over 415 million books, impacting the lives of over 50 million children across the nation.
KKG also co-hosted a philanthropy event, Bowling for Books, with Pi Beta Phi for the first time last year. "It was exciting to co-host an event, especially since our philanthropies are so similar," Doherty says. "We were lucky to be awarded the Dickinson-Outstanding Collaboration Award in 2018 for the event—it was a win for everyone.”
“I love Kappa because it’s a group of strong women who have each other’s backs through thick and thin,” says Vice President of Academic Excellence Kirsten Brodeen ’20. This bond not only enhances their experience on campus but can help in with networking, experiential and postgraduate opportunities. Members have accepted internships with Alice and Olivia, a NYC-based contemporary clothing company, and Dotdash, a NYC publishing company, through KKG alumnae.
The alumnae relations chair of KKG is working on initiatives to enhance relationships between current chapter members and alumnae. During Homecoming & Family Weekend, KKG hosted an alumni reception at its chapter house. Later this year, KKG is planning to bring alumnae back to campus for a career panel to further these internships and job opportunities.
Member Kaylee Lachance ’20 says she “loves Kappa because it creates an environment in which women are allowed to thrive and lead one another into greatness and achieve successes beyond our wildest imaginations!”
Although they identify as members of KKG, this is far from the only thing the sisters participate in on campus. Whether excelling in the classroom, on the athletic field or as a part of another club, the chapter represents a wide range of academic and extracurricular areas. The chapter has members involved in all areas of campus including varsity soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, Outdoors Club, Student Senate, Global Ambassadors, Syrens and Dtones a cappella group and the Liberty Cap Society (tour guides). Alone, each Kappa brings unique qualities to campus, but together they make a difference.
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Published November 14, 2019