The Finding Aid of the Zeta Kappa Collection 0054
Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks
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.
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
July 2012
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA, 90263-4786
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Zeta Kappa Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0054
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.
Physical Location: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
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.
Historical note
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.
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.
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
Processing Information note
The collection was arranged and described by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks in July, 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Articles
Scrapbooks
Universities and colleges -- California -- Malibu -- History
Women -- Societies and clubs
Correspondence
Color slides
Clippings
Audiocassettes
Photograph albums
Photographs
Malibu (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century
Memorabilia
Scholarships -- California
Greek letter societies
Photography -- Negatives
Newsletters
Pepperdine College
Pepperdine University
Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Eta Beta Chapter (Pepperdine University)
Zeta Kappa Sorority (Pepperdine University)
box 3-4, box 1-2, box 12-14, box 9-11, box 5, oversize Scrapbook 1
Series 1:
Scrapbooks
1948-1996
Scope and Content
The series contains scrapbooks compiled by Zeta Kappa members, depicting sorority members, events, and alumnae. Materials
in the scrapbooks include photographs, invitations, notes and memorabilia. Also included in the series are Pepperdine College
yearbooks from 1940 and 1941 previously owned by Zeta Kappa sisters.
box 1
1951 - 1984
Scope and Content
The box contains the following scrapbooks: 1951-1952; 1966-1967; 1979-1980; 1981-1983; 1982-1983; 1982-1984.
box 2
1982 - 1989
Scope and Content
The box contains the following scrapbooks: 1982,1983, 1991; 1983, 1987, 1989; 1985-1986; 1987-1989.
box 3
1988 - 1992
Scope and Content
The box contains the following scrapbooks: 1988~50th Anniversary; 1989-1990; 1990-1991; 1991-1992; 1991-1992 (2).
box 4
1992 - 1996
Scope and Content
The box contains the following scrapbooks: 1992-1993; 1993 2nd Semester; 1995 Pledges; 1996 Pledges.
box 5
Holidays, Weddings & Yearbooks
Scope and Content
The box contains the following scrapbooks: ZK Holidays & Weddings; Weddings. Also included are Pepperdine Yearbooks from
1940 and 1941.
box 9-14, oversize Scrapbook 1
box 6, folder 1-8
Series 2:
Alumnae Association
1965-1992
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to the Zeta Kappa Alumnae Association. Materials include chronological files of the
Association's activities consisting of correspondence, invitations, programs, photographs, and newsletters; a letter from
Helen Pepperdine about the Association's cookbook from 1979; an audio recording and photographs from the funeral of a Zeta
Kappa alumni; a compiled history of Zeta Kappa and the Alumnae Association; copies of the Association's newsletter; and an
oral history transcript of Zeta Kappa alumni Barbara Long Booth describing her years at Pepperdine College from 1945 to 1950.
box 6, folder 1-2
Alumnae Association Chronological Files
1965-1976
box 6, folder 3
Letter from Helen Pepperdine regarding Zeta Kappa Alumnae Association Cookbook
1979
box 6, folder 4
Zeta Alumna Abbie [Blume?] Funeral
1991
box 6, folder 5-6
Alumnae Association History Binder
1992
box 6, folder 7
Alumnae Association Newsletters
1979; 1993
box 6, folder 8
Pepperdine College, 1945 to 1950, as remembered by Zeta Kappa alumna Barbara Long Booth
box 6, folder 9-22
Series 3:
Sorority Records
1938-1996
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to the Zeta Kappa sorority throughout its existence at Pepperdine University, including
chronological member lists with photographs; as well as invitations, articles and event programs included with later annual
files; an article on Zeta Kappa's 50th anniversary; loose scrapbook pages containing photographs and captions; an event invitation
for Colonization Weekend in 1996; a pledge book containing a list of demerits earned during the pledging period; and a copy
of the Zeta Kappa Initiation Song with a short history of its usage.
box 6, folder 9-17
Sorority Member Lists and Accomplishments
1938-1993
box 6, folder 18
Zeta Kappa 50th Anniversary Article
1988
box 6, folder 20
Colonization Weekend Invitation
1996
box 6, folder 22
Zeta Kappa Initiation Song and History
box 6, folder 23-25, box 7
Series 4:
Photographs and Slides
Scope and Content
The series contains various photographs and slides, including photographs of the Los Angeles Pepperdine College campus taken
by a sorority sister in 1938 and 1939, and photographs of Initiation Night activities and pledging rituals taken in 1948.
Also included in the series are a large number of negatives and two carousels of slides documenting Zeta Kappa activities
and members.
box 6, folder 23
Photographs taken by Zio Kem member Del Kilborn Kuring of Pepperdine College Campus and Students
1938-1939
box 8, box 7, folder 1-5, box 6, folder 26
Series 5:
Memorabilia
Scope and Content
The series contains memorabilia related to Zeta Kappa, as well as Pepperdine University in general. Materials include a package
of cigars similar to those pictured in photographs of initiation activities, a Zio Kem patch, metal Zeta Kappa letters used
in the 1940s, a pledge sweater from 1946, and Zeta Kappa branded items including napkins, a candleholder, mugs, a cup, a water
bottle, banners, and a picture frame. Also included are Pepperdine buttons and tassels from various years.
box 6, folder 26
Cigars like those used during Initiations
box 7, folder 2-3
Zeta Kappa Metal Letters
1940s
box 7
Zeta Kappa Pledge Sweater
1946
box 8
Zeta Kappa Mug, Cup, and Water Bottle
oversize Plaque 1
Group Photo Plaque
1992-1993
