Chi Omega

History of the Kappa Zeta Chapter

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The history of Kappa Zeta Chapter of Chi Omega began in October 1961, with a rush planned by national officers and local alumnae. After several days of personal interviewing and rush parties, the first Chi Omega pledge class at Texas Tech emerged. This group of pledges was unique, in that they had come together as a colony, to be part of a national organization from its founding.

The Kappa Zeta chapter did not exist as such until the colony's installation. Molly Fulton, official transfer from Iota Alpha (SMU) functioned as the only actual "active chapter", and at the same time, served as pledge trainer for some sixty girls.

During the first months the pledge class was busy learning about Chi Omega and taking part in various campus activities, while getting to to know one another and becoming unified as a whole.

Initiation and installation of Kappa Zeta took place on February 17, 1962. Elizabeth Dyer, president, Winnie Bowker, treasurer, and Miss Marion Elmore and Virginia Pearce, chapter visiters, were the delegation from National Chi Omega. About thirty Chi Omegas from the Iota chapter of the University of Texas performed the initiation ceremony. Kappa Zeta Chapter, consisting of 53 members, was welcomed by the Panhellenic Association the following day at an official reception.

With full chapter status and recognition, the group elected officers and a tradition began.