User:ThetaKappaPhi
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Theta Kappa Phi (ΘΚΦ) (also known as Thetas) is an Asian American interest sorority founded on June 4, 1959 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Theta Kappa Phi provides a closely knit structure of support for new students while enhancing the skills, abilities, and college experience of all its members. Sorority activities focus on sisterhood, service, academics, fundraising and social, making the “Theta experience” memorable and its members well-rounded.
History
[edit]One charter member and pioneering force of Theta Kappa Phi’s establishment was Margaret Ohara Shinohara.[1]http://www.thetakappaphi.com/Alumnae_files/about.html</ref> The Founding Mother, Margaret Ohara, was given a Panhellenic Scholarship upon acceptance to UCLA for being the most well rounded senior from her class.[2] However, she quickly discovered that she had been mistaken for an Irish woman due to her last name (Ohara) and after discovering her true Japanese-American identity, Margaret was denied admittance and membership into all Greek sororities.[1] Yet Margaret as well as eight other Japanese women were determined to make a place for themselves. With the help of Mrs. Rex P. Enochs, an active Panhellenic member and organizer of the UCLA chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, the nine Charter Members succeeded in establishing a true sorority for themselves.[1] Theta Kappa Phi has continued to thrive from its support of the late and distinguished Dr. Robert S. Kinsman, the sorority’s first faculty advisor, and his wife Mrs. Barabara Kinsman (an honorary Theta), both of whom have faithfully supported the sorority for 45 years.[1]
Theta Kappa Phi continues to uphold the values its Charter members envisioned: sisterhood, scholarship, and service.[3] As each year goes by, new students are able to experience the intimacy and fond memories that the Charter Members felt their very first year together.[4]
Sisterhood
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Faith, Love, and Trust. Sisterhood is built during pledgeship and blossoms beyond the college years. Sisterhood events give members a chance to take time out of busy college lives to relax and spend time with each other. Events include an annual ski trip, road trips to Las Vegas, sleepovers, datenights, and countless food and boba runs that bring members closer together.[5]
Academics
[edit]Theta Kappa Phi not only focuses on sisterhood and service to the community, but academics as well.[6] Juniors and seniors provide help and assistance to younger individuals through test banks and study sessions. Its members motivate each other to succeed and become leaders after graduation.
Each quarter, Thetas recognize every sister who makes the honor roll and at the end of the year.[7] The annual Dr. Robert S. Kinsman Scholarship, open to all sisters, is awarded to the Theta sister who has shown the most leadership and excelled academically overall.[8]
Theta Kappa Phi is committed to the academic achievements of its members and strives to maintain that standard.[9] As a result, Theta Kappa Phi is the only Asian Greek organization that offers two $1000 scholarships every year.[10]
Service
[edit]Community service is one of the pillars upon which Theta Kappa Phi was founded.[11] Thetas recognize the importance of giving back to the community to help improve the lives of others and to build a better future.[12] Annual philanthropy events include the Revlon Run Walk to raise breast cancer awareness, Little Tokyo Sparkle, WAT Thai Tutorial, Christmas Caroling at Keiro Nursing Home, Project Chicken Soup, L.A. Tofu Festival, Manhattan Beach Clean-Ups, UCLA Run/Walk, Reading to Kids, Alexandria House, and many more.[13] Fundraising provides the sorority an opportunity to raise funds for events, and to support important causes and charities.[14] There are four annual major fundraisers: Battle of the Pledge Dances, Mardi Gras Party, and Bowling and Basketball Tournaments, along with car washes, bake sales, and TV tapings.[15]
Social
[edit]Another vital aspect of Thetas is the social networking it provides. Beyond building close friendships within the sorority, social activities establish bonds and lasting relations with other amazing people from all across northern and southern California. From ice-skating to tailgating, to bowling and exchanges, all the social events that Thetas participate in help its members network and develop people skills that are important for success in the future.[16]
Alumnae Association
[edit]The Theta Kappa Phi Alumnae Association has been a significant presence and guiding force for the sorority.[17] Its formal establishment was made after the passing of Margaret Ohara Shinohara in 2001.[18] Margaret provided guidance and support to the sorority as its advisor for over 35 years.[19] She was a consistent presence and the alumnae association was created to continue her work.[20]
The Alumnae Association provides direction to the sorority and is a link to all the alumnae members of Theta Kappa Phi.[21] Each year, the Alumnae Association facilitates the recognition of various active sorority members in sisterhood, service, and academics.[22] They are also the only Asian Greek Council Organization which awards scholarships: The Margaret Shinohara Memorial Scholarship for outstanding leadership and service to the university and community, and the Kinsman Family Scholarship for academinc excellence.[23] Due to the magnanimous donations of the Shinohara family and Dr. and Mrs. Sakaguchi, the endowment for the Maragret Shinohara Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to a Theta who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service to the university and community, is fully funded.[24]
Kinsman Family Scholarship
[edit]Over forty years ago, the Theta alumnae established an annual scholarship named in honor of Dr. Robert S. Kinsman, originally named the “Dr. Robert S. Kinsman Scholarship.”[25] This scholarship is awarded to an active sorority member who distinguishes herself academically.[26] When Mrs. Kinsman passed away on June 19, 2002, the alumnae renamed the fund the “Dr. & Mrs. Robert S. Kinsman Scholarship.”[27] After the deaths of Dr. Kinsman, on March 3, 2006, and his daughter, Sarah, on August 10, 2006, the fund has been renamed “The Kinsman Family Scholarship.”[28] Through the generous contributions of Sue Kinsman Crimen and the rest of the Kinsman family, the scholarship award is currently $1,000 per year. [29]However, this scholarship does not have the security of a UCLA endowment fund.[30]
As the Theta Kappa Phi sorority celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, its alumnae have targeted the endowment of the Kinsman Family Scholarship for its fundraising at this reunion.[31] The goal was to raise $50,000 to help establish the scholarship as an endowed fund through the UCLA Foundation[32]. Endowed gifts to the university will help ensure that scholarship funds will be available to award in perpetuity and to support deserving UCLA students for many years to come. [33]
References
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alumnaewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2001/05/founding-sisters
- ^ http://www.thetakappaphi.com/Alumnae_files/about.html
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External links
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