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The Finding Aid of the Zeta Kappa Collection
0054
0054
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Title: Zeta Kappa collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0054
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Physical Description:
27.41 linear feet
(14 boxes, 1 oversize scrapbook, 1 oversize photo plaque)
Date (inclusive): 1938-1996
Abstract: The collection contains materials related to Zeta Kappa, a local sorority on the Pepperdine campus in existence from 1938
to 1996. Materials in the collection include scrapbooks documenting sorority activities and members; annual member lists and
accomplishments of the chapter; photographs and slides of sorority events; and memorabilia related to events and activities
of the sorority. Also included are materials from the Zeta Kappa Alumnae Association, including newsletters, photographs,
histories, correspondence, and event invitations.
Advance notice required for access.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Zeta Kappa collection, Collection no. 0054, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was given to the University Archives sometime after members of the Zeta Kappa sorority became members of the
national sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, in 1996.
Zeta Kappa was a local sorority founded at Pepperdine University, which lasted for 58 years and provided Pepperdine women
with both social activities and charitable service opportunities.
The sorority was founded in October, 1938, as a social club of the women's dormitory, Marilyn Hall. It began as an affiliated
chapter of the Ko-Jo-Kai social club at Abilene Christian University, and chose the name Zio Kem as well as a gypsy theme
for all their events. In the 1940s, Pepperdine administrators decided to allow social clubs to take on Greek names, so in
June of 1943, Zio Kem changed its name to Zeta Kappa, and became a local sorority. The sorority continued until 1969, when
the chapter was temporarily disbanded due to disinterest, but was reestablished in 1978 and continued to flourish until 1996.
In the spring of 1996, the Greek system at Pepperdine underwent a major change, as national fraternities and sororities were
allowed on campus for the first time. All local Pepperdine chapters were colonized by larger national groups, including Zeta
Kappa, whose members chose to establish the Eta Beta chapter of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, which is still in existence
on campus today.
The Zeta Kappa Alumnae Association was founded in 1949, as a way for former members of the sorority to stay connected, and
raise scholarships for active Zeta members. While the sorority no longer exists, the alumnae association is still active and
continues to hold events for its members.
The collection consists of materials produced by the Zeta Kappa sorority at Pepperdine University, as well as its Alumnae
Association. Materials include scrapbooks with photographs and clippings related to the sorority; yearbooks from former sorority
members, clippings and photographs of annual Alumnae Association activities; a history of the Alumnae Association at Pepperdine;
newsletters, correspondence and photographs related to Zeta Kappa alumnae; sorority member lists with annual accomplishments;
sorority records including articles, invitations, and a pledge book; photographs and slides of sorority events; and memorabilia
including patches, articles of clothing, buttons, metal letters, cups, and banners. Materials in the collection span from
1938 to 1996.
Materials in the collection are arranged into series by topic, as well as chronologically within individual series when possible.
The collection is arranged into five series:
- Series 1: Scrapbooks
- Series 2: Alumnae Association
- Series 3: Sorority Records
- Series 4: Photographs and Slides
- Series 5: Memorabilia
The collection was arranged and described by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks in July, 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Eta Beta Chapter (Pepperdine University).
Pepperdine College.
Pepperdine University.
Zeta Kappa Sorority (Pepperdine University).
Articles
Audiocassettes
Clippings
Color slides
Correspondence
Greek letter societies
Malibu (Calif.)--History--20th century
Memorabilia
Newsletters
Photograph albums
Photographs
Photography--Negatives
Scholarships--California
Scrapbooks
Universities and colleges--California--Malibu--History
Women--Societies and clubs