Greek Spotlight: Kappa Kappa Gamma

Michael Rotellini
mrotell1@uwyo.edu

Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) is one of the biggest sororities on the University of Wyoming campus and was founded on friendship, leadership and scholarship.

Abi Cohen, social work major and KKG member, said KKG was created before the term was in existence and has many different chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

“KKG was founded October 13, 1870, at Mounmouth College in Illinois. KKG was founded by six influential women,” Cohen said. “The Gamma Omicron chapter here at the University of Wyoming was founded in 1927.”

The Gamma Omicron chapter at UW currently has around 90 members and is also one of only three sororities on campus that hosts a house on campus.

One of the biggest philanthropic charities KKG raises money for is the organization, Reading Is Fundamental, which helps fight illiteracy in the U.S.

According to the Reading Is Fundamental website, Reading Is Fundamental programs work to address the never-ending cycle of illiteracy in the U.S. that suppresses millions of Americans, especially those from low-income communities.

KKG has hosted many different events in the past few years to help raise funds, including Chile Con Kappa and Mr. Wyoming, a mock male talent show to help raise money for Reading Is Fundamental and other organizations.

Taylor Thompson, physiology major and assistant new member chair for KKG, said KKG not only participates in Reading Is Fundamental as a philanthropic event but KKG also helps the Laramie community by giving back to local schools in the area.

“I love our philanthropy because we do not just collect and then send money to a national organization, we get to give back right here in our community,” Thompson said. “A lot of my sisters, and myself, read at the local elementary school, Slade, and donate books to them. It is such a fulfilling philanthropy because we get to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when we give them new books and feel first-hand the impact of our philanthropy.”

As of June 2015 Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter at the University of Wyoming has initiated 2,040 members.

With so many members it is easy to see the bonds of sisterhood and the help it can give in the college setting for every member.

“My sorority is my home away from home. It is my little sanctuary here on campus and such a safety blanket,” Thompson said. “With 90 members here on campus, I am not best friends with each and every sister I have; however, no matter where I am, if I see one of my sister’s friendly waves, I am immediately comforted.”

According to the KKG website, KKG currently has about 260,000 members nationwide, along with 140 chapters in the U.S. and Canada and 307 alumni associations worldwide.

Every chapter is different and is made of many different women that give a different perspective to the sorority.

Cohen said with many people coming together for a common goal helps make a difference in the community and the sorority as a whole.

“Kappa is a unique array of girls, which is what makes every sorority unique. We all have different values that make up the sorority and different philanthropies which girls are interested in,” Cohen said. “This is what makes every sorority unique.”

KKG also has representatives that serve on Panhellenic, which helps govern the sororities at UW and help enhance the Greek experience along the lines of fostering relationships between the sororities on campus.

Overall, KKG holds true to its values of friendship, leadership and scholarship through its service to its members, the community, its involvement with the college campus and region and the continued development of every organization it associates itself with.