Zeta Kappa Collection, 1938-1996

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Summary

Title:
Zeta Kappa Collection
Dates:
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.
Extent:
27.41 Linear Feet (14 boxes, 1 oversize scrapbook, 1 oversize photo plaque)
Language:
English and Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Zeta Kappa collection, Collection no. 0054, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
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.
Processing information:

The collection was arranged and described by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks in July, 2012.

Arrangement:

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

Physical location:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks
Sponsor:
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-03-19 21:58:15 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Zeta Kappa collection, Collection no. 0054, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Location of this collection:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786, US
Contact:
(310) 506-4323
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
Website