As the spring semester comes to an end, it is amazing to

look back and see all that we have accomplished! In January, we

welcomed 47 new members into the sisterhood of the Iota chapter.

Through our newly extensive New Member Education Program,

each new member was educated on the founding values of Kappa

Alpha Theta through modules and sisterhood events.

congratulated 34 sisters for receiving all A‟s in the fall semester with gift cards for

their hard work! Between the hours spent at our desks or in the library, we all still

strive to have “good moral character.” Whether it is attending a sister‟s a cappella

concert or cheering on a sister at her field hockey game, we all still find time to

support each other in our various endeavors, reminding us of the true meaning of

sisterhood.

Our chapter strives to exercise the "widest influence for good" through our

continued philanthropic efforts. This semester we co-sponsored a volleyball

tournament and raised over $1,000 for CASA. In addition, members of our chapter ran

in the NYC Half Marathon, raising over $500 for CASA as well. Our chapter will also

be honored in the fall by the CASA Onondaga chapter for our continued commitment

to their cause.

Also, I am proud to announce the recent accolades our chapter received at the

Cornell Greek Awards Ceremony. We were honored with the awards for Outstanding

Social Responsibility and the Most Outstanding Chapter! This is a huge

accomplishment for our chapter and reflects upon all the hard work of the women and

leaders in our chapter! This would not have been possible without the support of our

advisors and District Team.

The school year is coming to a close, and we have been immersed in the

bittersweet feelings as we say goodbye to our incredible senior class. Throughout their

years in the Iota chapter, they have shown everyone what it truly means to be a Theta

and have left a lasting mark within the house. They will forever be remembered by the

younger sisters for their passion and dedication to our sisterhood. We will miss them

deeply!

Loyalty in Theta,

Hannah

May, 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Kappa Alpha Theta – Iota Chapter

Theta Greek Awards 2

Iota’s Founders Day 2

Thetas in NYC Marathon2-3

Thetas New Philanthropy 3

Believe I.N Better 3

Theta Spotlight 4

Theta Seniors 5

Announcements 6

Letter from the President

A Message from Hannah Geiser

In our efforts to attain the “highest scholarship,” we

Kappa Alpha Theta—Iota Chapter—Cornell University

Download the current

newsletter online at

http://www.kappaalpha

theta.org/chapters/iota/

Theta took home the gold at

this year‟s Greek Awards

Ceremony. Kappa Alpha Theta

was awarded with Outstanding

Social Responsibility, and the

Most Outstanding Chapter

Iota is so honored to have

such an amazing group of

alumnae and advisors that help

support our chapter, making it

be the best it can be.

Theta Dominates Greek Awards!!!

On Sunday, January 30th, the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta celebrated the

130th Anniversary of the original charter of the Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha

Theta at Cornell University. Theta was originally founded at Cornell on

January 24, 1881, and it was one of the first chapters of the Fraternity.

To commemorate this wonderful event, sisters of Theta held a celebratory

dinner at our chapter house (519 Stewart Ave.) following our formal chapter

meeting. We learned about the wonderful history of the house and the

founders of Kappa Alpha Theta. The current Theta members were honored to

have a very special alumna, Betty Droz, class of „44, join our delightful event.

She shared her memories with us.

Iota Celebrates 130th Founders’ Day

She added, “It was thrilling for me to see how Theta has

continually matured in the 70 years since I was pledged. It was exhilarating for me to meet and mingle with a rather

impressive newest pledge class. I was also impressed with

the ideals which are still being fostered in the meetings.”

Each year, we sisters come together as a group to

celebrate our past, present, and future. This year, we took our

time to honor and celebrate our founders and the ideals they

have established. We thank Betty once again for joining us,

and we hope you will plan to join us as well in the future as

we celebrate Kappa Alpha Theta and our many years of

sisterhood.

Nine sisters of Kappa

Alpha Theta participated

in the MoreI Women

Fitness Magazine's Half

Marathon in New York

City on April 3, 2011.

After ten weeks of

training, the sisters raised

over $500 for CASA,

made team jerseys, and

Theta Runs a Half Marathon in NYC

carpooled to the race. The

night before the race, they

enjoyed an incredible

alumnae reunion dinner at

Trisante to get fueled up for

the race. Over 10,000

women raced the course in

Central Park, and our very

own Katie Ramsey came in

47th overall! Other

participants included

alumna Caroline Huber,

seniors Liz Schovee,

Sarah Clement, Molly

Pomeroy, Bridgette

Summers, Janna

Keatseangsilp, Liz

Richardson, and

sophomore Casey

“Like twin stars in the night, Thetas shine forever bright!”

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter Page 2

Iota is named the Most Outstanding Chapter

Special Article by Molly Pomeroy „11

Alumni Reunion Dinner at Tristante, NYC

Celebration with Betty Droz ‘44 in Theta

House

Allison McQueeney ‘13 and Kristen Steves ‘13

with the awards at Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter Page 3

Glassman. We give a special

thanks to all those who

donated and to Lindsay

Rosenblum and Caitlin

Strandberg for coordinating

the dinner.

Theta Runs a Marathon Cont’d

On Saturday, April 30th

,

the members of Kappa Alpha

Theta joined the brothers of

Chi Psi to host a new annual

philanthropy event, a charity

volleyball tournament.

Sisters and brothers formed

teams to compete in a

volleyball competition. The

brothers of Chi Psi

barbecued and provided food

and drinks for the event.

This particular event

raised money for the Court

Appointed Special

Advocates (CASA), Theta‟s

national philanthropy, as

Theta’s New Philanthropy – A Volleyball Tournament

Tournament well as Mira‟s Movement,

the pediatric cancer

advocacy organization. Both

the Greek and the non-Greek

participants enjoyed the

game and the barbecue in the

beautiful 76 degree weather.

We are extremely thankful to

everyone that made it to our

volleyball tournament and

generously donated to the

worthy cause. As a result, we

raised over $1,000 for

CASA.

Our Philanthropy Chair,

Marion Smith, described the

volleyball tournament as a

successful event. She

replied, “People were able to

enjoy the beautiful weather

while watching their friends

compete, listening to music,

and eating hot dogs and

hamburgers fresh off the

grill. There were also other

lawn games and water

balloons to keep those not

playing in the tournament

entertained. Due to its

success and positive

feedback, Theta hopes to

make this event an annual

tradition.”

Much of the content you

Four of our wonderful

sisters (Bea Bouras

Arguelles, Maggie Henry,

Alli Hill, and Levina Li)

organized a pop-culture

themed benefit showcase on

May 8, 2011, to raise money

for cancer treatment. One of

our sisters, Ingrid Nunez „14,

Believe I.N. Better was diagnosed with Stage IV

lung cancer. With this, we all

came together to raise money

for her treatment, while

simultaneously raising the

awareness about other non-

smoker lung cancer.

This event took place on

May 8th

, from 7:30-9PM at Statler

Auditorium. This event featured 7

on-campus dance troupes and a

cappella groups many of which

have members from Theta. Levina

Li shared her enthusiasm for this

upcoming event, “This event has

already brought together not only

the Greek community but the entire

student population. I can't even

begin to express how supportive

everyone has been, thank you.”

Theta snapshot after the race, NYC

For more details,

contact Molly

Pomeroy at

mpp52@cornell.edu

“True faith and

courage are like a kite

- an opposing wind

raises it higher”

Food For Thought

Marion Smith at the Tournament,

Chi Psi Fraternity Lawn

Elizabeth Wolfsthal ‘11

Senior

Major: Communication

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Positions in Theta: Philanthropy Chair 2010,

Member of the Membership Development

Committee for Spring 2010-2011

Activities: Director of Public Relations for

Slope Media Group 2010- Spring '11, Member

of Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor

Society

Future Goals: I‟ll be working as a PR account

manager in NYC this summer. I hope to one

day own a public relations firm and have a

family of my own.

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter Page 4

Iota’s Spotlight Claire Blumenthal ‘14

Freshmen

Major: Industrial and Labor Relations

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Activities: Delta Sigma Pi, Secretary of Big

Red Relief, Society for Women in Business,

Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee,

Student Assembly Finance Commission

Future goals: My future aspirations are

constantly changing. Currently, I am

interested in pursuing something in business,

either finance or consulting. I also hope to

start my own company someday.

Abby Robinson ‘13

Sophomore

Major: Human Biology, Health and Society

Hometown: North Canton, Ohio

Positions in Theta: Recruitment Chair,

Alternate Panhellenic Delegate

Activities: Research Assistant in the Cornell

Infant Studies Lab, S.H.A.G. (Sexual Health

Awareness Group), P.A.T.C.H. (Pre-

professional Association Toward Careers in

Health), Council Human Ecology

Representative for Class of 2013,

Convocation Committee

Future Goals: I hope to attend medical school

and become a pediatrician, as I love working

with children.

Lauren Pignataro ‘11

Senior

Major: Hotel Administration

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

Positions in Theta: President 2010-2011, Vice

President of Public Relations 2009-2010

Activities: Principle Consultant at CHC

Collegiate Hospitality Consultants, Athletic

Tutor, Communications Center Tutor, VP

Internal Relations for the Ye Hosts Honorary

Society

Future Goals: After graduation this spring, I

plan to attend NYU Law School as a

AnBryce Scholar. After law school, I plan to

practice corporate law in New York City

while doing pro bono family law work. I'd

also like to become a CASA volunteer,

because as a lawyer, I can support the

children while also understanding their issues

in the courtroom.

If you would l ike more information about the gir ls featured in the Spotl ight ,

Contact Debby Gu @ hg238@cornell .edu

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Story Page 4

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter Page 5

The Class of 2011 Congratulations to..

Chelsea Brown

Sarah Clement

Catherine De Stio

Monica Desai

Hillary Drexler

Lindsay Freid

Alexandra Hildreth

Danielle Jung

Ashley Kass

Janna Keatseangslip

Britta Lampeter

Kerrie Lopez

Elizabeth Marlow

Danielle Martinez

Caitlin Meyer

Ashley Moskowitz

Courtney Osborn

Lindsay Peterson

Lauren Pignotaro

Amanda Pinto

Molly Pomeroy

Cecily Pulver

Katherine Ramsey

Elizabeth Richardson

Emily Richer

Lauren Rosenblum

Mari Rossi

Elizabeth Schovee

Rebecca Smith

Sarah Song

Alexandra Spies

Abigayle Sterle

Bridgette Summers

Anuja Thatte

Jaclyn Wheeler

Samantha Wiener

Elizabeth Wolfsthal

Stephanie Zamora

“Seniors: On behalf of Theta,

thank you for all your hard

work, and all of your Theta

LOVE. We will miss you

dearly.”

- Sisters of the Iota

Chapter

“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to

the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning

of life. “

- Isadora James

Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter Page 6

Announcements

Cornell Reunion Weekend All alumnae, their families, and friends are warmly invited to our chapter house for our annual

Reunion Weekend Reception. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with sisters and see how

Theta is doing now.

June 11th

, 3:30-5:30PM

Kappa Alpha Theta Chapter House (519 Stewart Ave.)

If you have any questions, feel free to email Debby Gu „13, Alumnae & Foundation Liaison at

hg238@cornell.edu or Diane Miller „88, Advisory Board Chairman at djm15@cornell.edu.

Do you know a women attending Cornell and potentially participating in Panhellenic recruitment? If

you would like to recommend her as a potential new member, you may complete an on-line Letter of

Reference form at www.kappaalphatheta.org, or you can print the form or send a letter to

Kappa Alpha Theta

c/o Andrea Pimienta, Reference Chairman

519 Stewart Ave.

Ithaca, NY 14850

While Letters of Reference are no longer required for membership in Kappa Alpha Theta, they are

extremely helpful in allowing us to get to know a potential new member before she walks into our

house during recruitment.

As always, we sincerely appreciate your support of the Iota chapter and value your

membership and contribution. If you would like to become more involved with the Iota chapter, we

urge you to send us your pictures, memories, advice, favorite Theta traditions, and any general

feedback or questions. Please visit our newly revamped website courtesy of our incoming

Technology Chair, Rebekah Alexander „13, at

https://www.kappaalphatheta.org/chapters/iota/page/home.