Kappa Alpha Theta—Iota Chapter—Cornell University
Kappa Alpha Theta – Iota Chapter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Theta Greek Awards 2
Iota’s Founders Day 2 look back and see all that we have accomplished! In January, we
Thetas in NYC Marathon2-3
Thetas New Philanthropy 3
Believe I.N Better 3
Theta Spotlight 4 In our efforts to attain the “highest scholarship,” we
Theta Seniors 5 congratulated 34 sisters for receiving all A‟s in the fall semester with gift cards for
Announcements 6
Download the current
newsletter online at
http://www.kappaalpha
theta.org/chapters/iota/
May, 2011
Letter from the President
A Message from Hannah Geiser
As the spring semester comes to an end, it is amazing to
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.
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
Page 2 Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter

Theta Dominates Greek Awards!!!

Iota is named the Most Outstanding Chapter
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
“Like twin stars in the
Iota is so honored to have
night, Thetas shine such an amazing group of
forever bright!” alumnae and advisors that help
support our chapter, making it
be the best it can be.
Allison McQueeney ‘13 and Kristen Steves ‘13
with the awards at Kappa Alpha Theta

Iota Celebrates 130th Founders’ Day

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.
Celebration with Betty Droz ‘44 in Theta
Each year, we sisters come together as a group to
SheHouse
added, “It was thrilling for me to see how Theta has celebrate our past, present, and future. This year, we took our
continually matured in the 70 years since I was pledged. It time to honor and celebrate our founders and the ideals they
was exhilarating for me to meet and mingle with a rather have established. We thank Betty once again for joining us,
impressive newest pledge class. I was also impressed with and we hope you will plan to join us as well in the future as
the ideals which are still being fostered in the meetings.” we celebrate Kappa Alpha Theta and our many years of
sisterhood.

Theta Runs a Half Marathon in NYC

Special Article by Molly Pomeroy „11

Nine sisters of Kappa carpooled to the race. The participants included

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
Alumni Reunion Dinner at Tristante, NYC
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
alumna Caroline Huber,
seniors Liz Schovee,
Sarah Clement, Molly
Pomeroy, Bridgette
Summers, Janna
Keatseangsilp, Liz
Richardson, and
sophomore Casey
 Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter
Theta Runs a Marathon Cont’d
Glassman. We give a special
thanks to all those who
donated and to Lindsay
Rosenblum and Caitlin
Strandberg for coordinating
the dinner.
For more details,
contact Molly
Pomeroy at
mpp52@cornell.edu
Theta’s New Philanthropy – A Volleyball Tournament
Tournament well as Mira‟s Movement,
th
On Saturday, April 30 ,
the members of Kappa Alpha the pediatric cancer
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
Believe I.N. Better
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,
Page 3
Food For Thought
“True faith and
courage are like a kite
- an opposing wind
raises it higher”
Theta snapshot after the race, NYC
successful event. She
replied, “People were able to
advocacy organization. Both enjoy the beautiful weather
the Greek and the non-Greek while watching their friends
participants enjoyed the compete, listening to music,
game and the barbecue in the and eating hot dogs and
beautiful 76 degree weather. hamburgers fresh off the
We are extremely thankful to grill. There were also other
everyone that made it to our lawn games and water
volleyball tournament and balloons to keep those not
generously donated to the playing in the tournament
worthy cause. As a result, we entertained. Due to its
raised over $1,000 for success and positive
CASA. feedback, Theta hopes to
make this event an annual
Our Philanthropy Chair, Marion Smith at the Tournament,
tradition.” Chi Psi Fraternity Lawn
Marion Smith, described the
volleyball tournament as a Much of the content you
May 8th, from 7:30-9PM at Statler
Auditorium. This event featured 7
was diagnosed with Stage IV on-campus dance troupes and a
lung cancer. With this, we all cappella groups many of which
came together to raise money have members from Theta. Levina
for her treatment, while Li shared her enthusiasm for this
simultaneously raising the upcoming event, “This event has
awareness about other non- already brought together not only
smoker lung cancer. the Greek community but the entire
student population. I can't even
This event took place on begin to express how supportive
everyone has been, thank you.”
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.
If you wou ld l ike more info rmation abou t the g irls featured in the Spo tligh t ,
Contact Debby Gu @ hg238@cornell.edu
Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter
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.
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.
Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter
Story Page 5
4

The Class of 2011

Congratulations to..
Chelsea Brown “A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to
Sarah Clement the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning
of life. “
Catherine De Stio
Monica Desai - Isadora James
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 “Seniors: On behalf of Theta,
Abigayle Sterle thank you for all your hard
Bridgette Summers
work, and all of your Theta
Anuja Thatte
LOVE. We will miss you
Jaclyn Wheeler
dearly.”
Samantha Wiener
Elizabeth Wolfsthal - Sisters of the Iota
Stephanie Zamora Chapter
Page 6 Kappa Alpha Theta – The Iota Chapter

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.