Seven young women chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Theta Chapter of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. on May 15, 1976. The charter-member intake class was nicknamed Upendo Ni Pamoja, made up of Sorors Camella Beeks, Sharon Ramsey, Carolyn Staten, Vernell Robinson, Jean Thomas, Robin Calhoun and Rene Richardson.
Kappa Theta went inactive in 1980, and it would be 13 years before more members would grace the campus of Ferris State University.
On March 30, 1993, 11 ladies reactivated the chapter. They were: Sorors Paulette Banks, Damika Crenshaw, Sharee Byers, Dia Howell, Felisa Watkins, Donneke Brown, Marcella Washington, Genea Wilson, Zonita Steans, Nicole Epps and Kimberly Burton.
Since the initial intake class, 12 more classes of strong, intelligent women have made their way to Zeta land, making Kappa Theta history.
We hope Kappa Theta will once again be revived so we can grow, prosper and invite other ladies into the Sisterhood.
Community Involvement
Our chapter has been an active force in the Big Rapids community as well as on campus. Kappa Theta has participated in the March of Dimes, domestic violence awareness, Martin Luther King Freedom Walk, Minority Get Acquainted, the Black Leadership Conference, among numerous other community service activities.
In 2014, Kappa Theta debuted its Annual Scholarship Pageant – “DOVEine Man of the Year 2014,” which was quite successful.
Zeta Leaders & Trailblazers
Many leaders in Zeta have come from Kappa Theta Chapter, going on to become chapter basilei, charter members of graduate chapters, state officers, regional officers/appointees and graduate committee members.
Note: This is part of the Michigan State Organization’s online series "The MSO Great History Countdown! Our Centennial Journey to State Meeting" to leave a lasting gift to the state in honor of Zeta’s 100th anniversary. Histories from every graduate and undergraduate chapter in Michigan is being published in the month of September 2020 in the days leading up to the centennial state meeting. The project was approved under State Director Lynese Thomas’ administration, and overseen by MSO Epistoleus Earlene McMichael in partnership with MSO Historian Trudy Hale and Great Lakes Region Historian Norma Dartis.
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