The First Sorority at the University of Missouri

 

On April 2, 1875, Ida Dickson Aldrich, Ella Dimmitt, Mary Harbison, Nellie E. Gould, Laura G. Johnston and Laura Agnes Peters founded Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Missouri-Columbia, creating the first female Greek letter fraternity on campus.

 

In 1880, the University barred all secret societies, yet Theta Chapter continued to meet. Finally, in 1887 the pledge was excluded and fraternities and sororities began to re-emerge. In 1900, the Kappas began discussing the idea of living together in the same house. They decided to rent the Hale House on Hitt Street, which lodged nine women.

 

In 1913, a new home with accommodations for 25 girls was built two blocks from the campus, on the corner of Rollins and Richmond. In 1920, a "Mother's Weekend" was arranged, where Kappa mothers could meet and see fraternity life together. This was so successful that it became a yearly event and was adopted by other fraternities on the campus

 

By 1926, the old house had become too small for the growing group of women. C.B. Rollins bought the old house with no restrictions and sold Theta Chapter the lots across the street. The building and decorating of Theta Chapter's current house was completed by spring and the Kappas moved in May 1, 1929.

 

In 1966 the Theta Chapter House Corporation had bought the house next door for potential expansion. New wing plans were created, including a larger kitchen and dining room as well as improved housing for the house mother. Twelve bedrooms and four baths were added upstairs.

 

In 2000 Theta Chapter proudly celebrated its 125th Anniversary. Alumnae from all over the world attended the two-day event on the MU campus. Alumna Jann Carl, co-host of Entertainment Tonight, returned to her alma mater as master of ceremonies.

 

In August of 2008, the first floor of the Theta Chapter House was fully re-decorated with improvements made every summer. Theta Chapter currently has 292 active members, with 88 girls living in-house.