Senior Spotlight: Daisy Grondin

Our gorgeous sister, Daisy

Daisy Grondin, this week’s Senior of the Week, is hand’s down one of greatest members of Eta Phi. She is beautiful both inside and out and always dedicates herself to the chapter. It's an honor to call her my sister and she inspires us to strive for success and amazing sisterhood within Eta Phi.

A Maine native, Daisy is a senior in the School of Hospitality. Kappa Delta came to campus during her Junior year. She joined to KD to be a part of something bigger than herself. “I wanted to leave my mark on BU and have another thing to add to my resume,” she admits, “but I found so much more...I found a sisterhood and something I thought I never needed, but I couldn’t live without now.”

Daisy has thrived in Eta Phi taking on numerous positions. She is currently on recruitment team, was a SET leader for our beautiful Gamma class and is currently planning an amazing spring formal for our chapter. Each of these positions help to give a better picture of Daisy; a leader, a dedicated hospitality major with an eye for detail and a caring sister and friend.

Daisy and her twin, Maddy

Looking back on KD, Daisy shares many memories. Among her favorites are the Alpha’s very first social event where she met her twin, Maddy. Her twin reveal with Maddy is also another fond memory. “I’m so glad to have gotten to meet her and I can’t imagine my life without her.” Daisy was also inspired by this year’s International Girls Day: “I had a blast getting to know the local Girl Scouts and the Northeastern KD’s. I got to call the fashion show and I could feel the joy and pride from the younger girls and it was so rewarding.”

As Daisy gets ready for graduation, there is no doubt in our minds that she will be going onto bigger and better things. For the Gammas and future pledge classes, Daisy advises them to never let anyone get them down. “Hold your heads up high and wear your letters with pride. Remember how much the Alpha class put into their chapter and always set your standards high. Get involved in KD because when you are involved, you become invested and when you’re invested, you care that much more.”

Thank you Daisy, for everything that you’ve done for our chapter and everything you continue to do! Love in AOT!

By Katie Urban, Alpha Class

Pi Kappa Alpha’s Dream Girl

Mary Burbridge, Senior, Alpha Class

On February 20, more than half of the Eta Phi chapter attended Pi Kappa Alpha’s fourth annual Dream Girl competition. Mary Burbridge represented KD and did an amazing job performing in front of over 500 people that were present at the event!

She started off the competition by wearing her sportswear (consisting of a USA flag cape and a Pi Kappa Alpha sweat band on her head) and performing an impressive push up that most men at BU could probably not even come close to accomplishing. Upon pushing herself up from the ground, she and Michael Manion, her Pi Kappa Alpha, coach would lift a hand to give each other a hand shake. Yes…it was that impressive and that complicated.

She carried on to perform a hilarious stand up about what it takes to have SLAG (scholars, leaders, athletes gentlemen) and look good too. SLAG is a large component of being a Pike nationwide, so she did a great job integrating their beliefs with her talent.

Mary rocking her American flag cape!

The competition ended with all the potential dream girls strutting out on the stage in their formal wear and having to answer one, random question. Mary wore a gorgeous black dress with an open back and was asked the question, “If you could change something about the world, what would it be?” to which she quipped, “I would get rid of Facebook so I can’t stalk people anymore and they can’t stalk me.”

Though Mary didn’t win this year she’s definitely a winner in Kappa Delta’s heart. You did an amazing job, Mary. You could gorgeous, were funny and most importantly kept it classy!

Congratulations to Delta Gamma's Rocky Minasian for winning this year's Dream Girl!

And congrats to Pi Kappa Alpha for hosting yet another successful and fun philanthropy event!

Mary and her supportive KD family at Pi Kappa Alpha's Dream Girl! AOT!

Sister Spotlight: Karolina Kowalcyk

Taking a look into Karolina's life outside of KD!

Karolina, Beta Class

Graduation year: 2014

Kappa Delta Class: Beta

Major: Human Physiology (Pre-Med)

What made you pick your major/why do you want to be a doctor?

At first what got me into was that I was actually really interested in the subject matter, but as I became more involved with it, I realized the true reason I decided to stick with it, despite how difficult it is, was because it’s really rewarding to be able to make a direct impact on someone by making their life better and being a source of comfort and security.

Are you involved with any activities involving your major?

Yes, I take an EMT class four days a week (Saturday and Sunday included in those four days…)

How does your EMT class work and what will you gain from it?

My EMT class is a semester long course that prepares me for the state EMT exam. Once I pass this exam I will be certified to work as an EMT basically anywhere, including the hospital, for private ambulance companies, SHS, etc. I hope to get a job at one of these places because I know it’s a great way to get experience in the field of medicine and it also lets me start early on what I want do with my life.

How do you manage KD, school and the EMT classes?

Well it’s really kind of just planning ahead of time of when I need to have things done and having everything written down and in a calendar to keep me on track and to help me remember everything. But as much work as it is, I really love KD as well as my classes so it makes it easier that it’s something that I enjoy doing.

--Bee Gilbert, Alpha Class

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES START TOMORROW!

When: Tuesday February 21 through Friday, February 24

Location: GSU link from 11am-4pm

Get to know your cookies!

INTRODUCING Savannah Smiles: These cookies were actually made just this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the girl scouts! They are bite-sized lemon wedge cookies that are dusted with powdered sugar and bursting with a zest lemon flavor.

Thin Mints: Round, mint flavored cookies covered in dark chocolate. These cookies sell the most every year! They're a frozen favorite.

Tagalongs or Peanut Butter Patties: Round, simple cookies with peanut butter on top and covered in chocolate. Always one of the top three sellers.

Trefoils or Shortbread: Highly noted because they have the girl scout design on them, these delicious cookies are pieces of shortbread.

Samosas or Caramel deLites: These cookies are covered in caramel and toasted coconut and then striped with delicious chocolate. These are a close second to the Thin Mints yearly!

Thanks-A-Lots: These cookies are shortbread cookies dipped in fudge on the bottom. On the top of each cookie there's a thank you message in either English, French, Chinese, Spanish or Swahili! 

Lemonades: These cookies have the shape of a lemon slice on them and are covered in lemon icing! Introduced in 2006, they are a continuing success.

Want to learn about even more cookies and even more about the girl scouts? Go to their site here!

“Confidence is the single most beautiful thing...

...that a woman can wear every day”—Corre Stegall

Council Members with Laura Kathleen, KD
and Project Runway Contestant...OBSESSED.

Upon arriving at the airport in Atlanta, Georgia, the 10 council members of Eta Phi found themselves enthralled amongst a sea of sorority girls sporting totes in every Vera & Lily print you could imagine. And these weren’t just any sorority girls— they were council members from Kappa Delta chapters from all across the nation. Over 1,600 of us spent the majority of the weekend in meetings, workshops, and, of course, the KD boutique. We heard from a variety of speakers but my favorite was Laura Kathleen who was a KD but also a contestant on Project Runway.

Summer with our National president, Beth
Martin Landford!

...and of course, National President Beth Martin Langford (basically my idol) spoke to us and gave us great advice. But the most inspirational speech of the weekend was the closing ceremony speech by former National President, Corre Stegall. It was AMAZING. 

When NCTA had officially ended, the Eta Phi girls scrambled to say goodbye to all of the CDC’s that have helped us become such an amazing chapter in such a short amount of time. HUGE shout out to Kirstin Barry, Emily Escobosa, Sophia Neuhaus, & Megan Ogar! Love y'all! We had the best time getting to know other council members from around the country but it definitely felt good to be back home at BU with all of my sisters of Eta Phi. I love my chapter and I would do absolutely anything for them!

Eta Phi's council members with our four amazing CDC's from Nationals!

We’ve had so much going on lately within our own chapter that I haven’t even had time to start putting to use all of the things I learned at NCTA. Last week, we had an AMAZING big/little week! And GREAT NEWS: We will also be co-hosting “BU Madness”: a basketball themed philanthropy event this semester with the brothers of Chi Phi Fraternity!

With lots Kappa Delta love,

-Summer, President of Eta Phi Chapter

Senior Spotlight: Allison Grace

Allison Grace, Alpha Class

To start off our senior spotlight on the week, we’ve chosen to feature sister Allison Grace. Allison is a faithful member of the Eta Phi chapter, always present and, above all, always present with a smile. Her positive attitude and infectious laugh make her a clear candidate for a spotlight!

Allison is a member of the Alpha class and was a junior when Kappa Delta came to campus in fall of 2010.  She had a group of friends on campus and was involved in different organizations, but felt as though there was something missing. “I never really pictured myself as a ‘sorority girl’, but it’s definitely been the best decision I’ve made since I’ve come to BU. I’ve made a lot of valuable friends and met a lot of amazing girls I would’ve never met if it weren’t for KD.”

Allison is a psychology major, hoping to turn her love of sports into a career in sports psychology. As a local girl, from Hanover, MA, Allison has long been a Boston sports fan. She’s undoubtedly an essential part of the Dog Pound at BU, showing her school spirit and support for BU’s hockey team.

Allison with Ranjana at KD's first fall formal

Looking back on her time at KD, Allison will always remember the Alpha class’ first formal recruitment as her favorite memory: “It was really awesome to see how far we had come in such a short time and how many girls wanted to be part of such a new organization. Plus I really like the way you get to bond with sisters you might not usually get a chance to talk to on a regular basis.”  For advice for the chapter, Allison hopes that the new member Gamma class and the entire sisterhood remembers simply to be themselves and remember what made them want to join Kappa Delta in the first place.

“I think back and I remember I wanted to be apart of something new and different… something my sisters and I could shape into whatever we wanted it to be. Kappa Delta is a place where I can be myself and not have to pretend to be something that I’m not just to fit in.”

By: Katie Urban, Alpha Class

Bid Day Paradise

In a sea of white pants, shorts, flip flops, balloons, umbrellas in drinks and pale pink shirts, the Alpha and Beta classes of Eta Phi Kappa Delta anxiously anticipated their new (and third) class. Each sister held a paper flip flop with a new member’s name written on it to signify her place in Kappa Delta.

Eta Phi awaiting the new Gamma class

Our loud chanting was greeted by the eager (and probably scared) faces of the Gamma class who ran excitedly through the tunnel of girls to find the one holding her name. The room suddenly became much less organized but there was a reassuring buzz as you could see and feel how happy everyone was. There were pictures being taken left and right, teaching of the KD hand sign, hugs being exchanged, introductions being made and lots of eating. Almost immediately new members were being invited out for lunch and dinner dates, coffee and movie dates. The Betas were excited to no longer be the youngest and the Alphas were happy that Eta Phi was still flourishing.

Gorgeous Gammas, Jen & Natalia

The theme for Bid Day was welcoming the Gammas to paradise. And as cheesy as it may be, KD really is just that for its members. We all joined Kappa Delta because we wanted to be a part of something different and new and it still has that intrigue in its second year at BU. Eta Phi may be lacking the years, but that’s pretty much all it’s lacking. There’s certainly no shortage of sisterhood and the love and passion that each member feels for this chapter. It is our home and our paradise.

WELCOME HOME GAMMA CLASS!

Bee Gilbert, Alpha Class

A bit about recruitment...

Upon entering the Kappa Delta room in the Copley Marriot Hotel during the week of sorority recruitment, you’ll be greeted with the smiling sisters, uniformly clapping and singing. It all looks so effortless, but behind this year’s recruitment, there was a team and a chapter working for months to make sure KD put their best foot forward.

Recruitment team started their work way back in April. We started to throw around a lot of ideas: Could pink and lime green be combined? Did we really have to use the empty Girl Scout cookie boxes from last year, or could we find an excuse to eat another twenty boxes? In all seriousness, we were meeting weekly and in constant communication to make sure everything was perfect.

Katie and Kaela

I ran night one of recruitment (Go Greek! Night) with my fabulous partner in crime, Kaela. Despite Kaela being in California over winter break and me staying in Boston, it was as if we were next to each other the entire break with the amount we communicated. We crafted and crafted (every Kappa Delta’s dream) and by the time night one rolled around, we created a pretty cute room, if I do say so myself.

I want to end this post with some shout out’s to the people who worked to make this recruitment happen- all of the ladies of recruitment team, you were phenomenal! Kaela, Daisy, Kara, Ashley, Morgan, Lyssie and Diana- the chapter is lucky to have you guys. Gina and Ali, the talented artists, made our doors so gorgeous that it almost made me not want to go into the rooms at all. Sara decorated all of our nametags and they got progressively cuter everyday! To all of the ladies behind the scenes, we truly appreciate ALL of your hard work. As always, thank you with all of Eta Phi’s heart to our VPM’s Juliana and Tammy. Your time, dedication and enthusiasm are the reason we have such an amazing Gamma class.


Katie Urban, Alpha Class

The other day I got to thinking about relationships...

A note from Cait Forker, Alpha Class

...recruitment will do that to you.  Beyond the cheering, the decorations, the slideshows, and the towering black heels, there lies a deeper reason why we all come back day after day, often for more than 16 hours at a time.  Some call it an estrogen-fest.  Guys think it’s just plain crazy.  And while recruitment may seem a bit confusing to the outside eye (especially for those poor souls staying at the Copley Marriot), to those participating, it is whirlwind of emotions and excitement and an intimate look into the various sisterhoods that comprise Boston University greek life.

         For us at Kappa Delta Eta Phi, we are still the newest kids on the block.  This newness gives us an incredible energy that is palpable to the potential new members that walk through our doors on the first night.  We preach a love for Greek life, a world that many of us in the Alpha class never imagined we would ever be apart of.  Greek life at BU has embraced us and has given us amazing opportunities and relationships that may have never been.  Every time we lined up for a new party to come through our doors, there were giggles, chatting, dancing, and general absurdities going on in the room.  For those in charge of keeping us on time, it may have seemed annoying and meddlesome, but for me, it was a perpetual reminder of the genuine and loving relationships that that conference room held.

         As the nights went on, the lists of girls returning to our room became smaller and smaller, and the promise of new sisters became tantalizingly close.  The night of preference was a particular stressful one for me.  I was annoyed I had leave class early and peeved that I had to blow money on a cab, but as soon as I walked into the serenely decorated room, all it took was a quick inside joke from a friend to put a smile on my face and remind me why I was here.  Never more had I wanted to share this incredible sisterhood with new girls.

         On preference night, one of the girls I talked to hit me with the best question I had heard during all of recruitment. She asked me why some of us preach the fact that we are not all sorority girls when in reality we are all members of a sorority.  I was simultaneously taken aback and impressed with this hard-hitting question.  I had to be quick on my feet and find an answer that was satisfying, yet logical.  I told her that yes, we are girls in a sorority, but Kappa Delta is blend of personalities that is unconventional and real that it is almost impossible to label us as sorority girls beyond our sporting of Greek letters.  Recruitment is a yearly reminder of the incredible friendships in my life I didn’t even know were possible.  As I see freshman wandering aimlessly around campus, it is my hope that they can find friends as wonderful as the people I found in Kappa Delta.

The sisters of the Eta Phi chapter of Kappa Delta,
Philanthropy Night Spring Recruitment 2012!