Sister spotlights
Anna
assistant community service
"Hi everyone! My name is Anna Inglis and I am a rising Sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh. This year, I had the pleasure of becoming a member of the Xi chapter of Kappa Delta. I can not even begin to explicate how much joining this sorority and meeting these incredibly amazing women has meant to me this year. Moving to a new city and making the transition to college life is very had as it is, but during the global pandemic, finding my place at Pitt was even harder than I could've imagined. The women of this chapter were so welcoming and made me feel at home the second we met. One of my favorite memories from this past semester was after a long and cold Pittsburgh winter the sun shown through in March and the entire campus came alive. I was lucky enough to meet up with two phenomenal sisters from my pledge class to get Starbucks and do work outside to enjoy the weather. I felt like every five minutes another group of my new sisters were rushing up to us to introduce themselves and welcome us to the KD family. This was the first time that I felt like I was truly at home at Pitt and it was because of my unbelievably friendly Kappa Delta sisters. I can not wait to spend the next three years at Pitt and the rest of my life being a proud sister of Kappa Delta."
Caroline
chaplain, assistant member education
"My experience in Xi Chapter has been amazing. I have gained best friends and the best home away from home by joining KD. The sisters of Kappa Delta have made my college experience something I will cherish forever. One of my absolute favorite memories in Xi Chapter was the moment I opened my bid card and saw the words Kappa Delta. Running to my sisters seconds later was one of the most exciting moments of my life. While embracing and celebrating with the sisters I had talked to during recruitment, I knew I had picked the perfect sorority for me. I felt right at home. The past tow years in Xi Chapter have helped me grow into the best version of myself. Being surrounded by strong women has been so inspiring. I am forever thankful for the opportunities and friendships I have gained through Kappa Delta."
Natalie
CEA, LDC, president, secretary
101 years of Xi- where do I begin? Not only did Kappa Delta change my undergraduate experience, but it changed my whole life! After serving as Xi Chapter president, I knew I wanted to give back to KD on the national level. Luckily for me, becoming a 2020-2021 Leadership Development Consultant provided that perfect opportunity... well...before the COVID-19 pandemic. As they say- when one door closes, look for an open window! While my LDC year of travel was cancelled, I am so grateful I was offered a position working as a Collegiate Experience Associate at KDHQ in Memphis, TN. I never thought I could love KD more, but seeing our chapter and organization through a national perspective only tripled my adoration for our sisterhood. I thought my favorite KD memories would happen during my collegiate years, but I continue to learn that they happen daily through a FaceTime call with a suite sister, a wedding reunion for a fellow Council member or a weekend trip with KDHQ coworkers. I am so proud to be a Kappa Delta, but more so, I am so grateful to be a Xi alumna. 101 more years here we come!
Christina
centennial chair
Over the past three years, the ladies of Xi chapter have helped me grow into the person I am today. From the moment I joined Kappa Delta, I knew I was surrounded by a network of uplifting and powerful women. If I had to narrow down all of the amazing memories I've made in Kappa Delta thus far I would choose two as my favorite. Pool days with my big and best friend Elizabeth Durosko and going to Nashville with some of the best ladies in the world! I'll never forget screaming country music all night long and fully embracing our honky tonk side, despite a sprained ankle and a fall or two. I am forever grateful to Xi- this chapter means the world to me. AOT!
Maya
senior rep, vp-operations, vp-finance
"Reflecting on how almost four years of college has passed, it's not hard not to notice how much Kappa Delta played an integral role in forming the woman I am today. This sisterhood has given me such a positive environment to grow in and has helped me to understand what it means to live life confidently. From my new member experience, to getting the opportunity to serve as a council officer, and to just enjoying all the activities that being a member of greek life offers, the times I hold closest to my heart are those when I am surrounded by my closest friends I have made through this amazing chapter. To all the sisters, current and past, that I have known and gotten to know, thank you for showing me what it means to be a Kappa Delta woman and inspiring me through all your hard work. As I hold and continue to make memories of my collegiate time, I will always carry with me my favorite phrase from ritual, one that my older sister and I use to remind us of how far we've come with love and support of our shared sisterhood: Leaving thine outgrown shell my life's un-resting sea. AOT!"
Taylor
vp-operations, t-shirt chair, set leader
"My experience being in Xi Chapter is one that I will cherish for a lifetime. From the moment I joined, I felt that I had finally found my "home away from home" at Pitt. From making lifelong friends both within KD and the Pitt Greek Community, gaining my first leadership role by serving on our Council as VP Operations, to giving back to our community and all of the fun in between- I am so grateful! Looking back on my favorite memories- I think of all of the Bid Days running around Soldiers and Sailors Lawn with my best friends in colorful wigs, finding out that I was getting not one, but TWO littles that I was (and still am) obsessed with and obviously, Preference Rounds each year during recruitment. There is something very special and telling about Xi Chapter and how genuine each sister is and even now as an alumni, I feel like I always have a shoulder to lean on. AOT!"
Gianna
assistant pr team
"My favorite experience in the Xi chapter thus far was definitely Big Little reveal. Not only was I paired with the perfect little sister who is just like me, but it was my first in-person experience while in KD and it truly made joining this chapter worth it! It made me realize how easy it is to get close with these girls and how we will always have each other!"
Madeline
vice president standards
"Hey there! My name is Madeline Neuschwander and I am a rising junior at Pitt and member of Kappa Delta Xi Chapter. I am the Vice-President Standards and love getting to work alongside my lovely fellow council members to better our chapter. I joined Kappa Delta in the Fall of 2020 and it was easily one of the best decisions I have made in college. Kappa Delta gave me a home on a campus that once felt overwhelming and friends that will last a lifetime. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing women who push me to be the best version of myself!"
Kaitlyn
president, vp community service
"Kappa Delta. Where do I begin? 100 years and generations of incredible women coming together, under one organization, and I am lucky enough to be one part of that legacy. Heading into freshman year, I never intended to go through recruitment; fast forward two years and here I am, a part of an organizations that makes me feel confident, gives me numerous opportunities, and provides me with endless friendship and sisterhood. Thinking back on each and every moment, one that always stands out to me is all fourteen of the suite girls sitting on the floor in Caroline Salwen and Julia Bradley's room singing Taylor Swift songs, and everyone happily swaying in that moment. I can not wait for these next two years with sisters, growing, learning, and loving in friendship and the moments that they will bring. I am undeniably proud to be a part of Kappa Delta. AOT always and forever!
"In fall of 2020, I transferred to Pitt and starting at a new school during the middle of a pandemic was just as intimidating as it sounds. I was encouraged to go through recruitment so I could meet new friends and I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I found a home here in Kappa Delta. Every sister I spoke to was so kind, relatable, and made me feel at ease even through a zoom screen. I was given the advice that "even when you feel stranded, in KD you're never truly alone". In the Xi chapter, there is always a sister to lean on and support you. These women make me feel so loved and empowered. And, I am very proud to continue in confidence with my Kappa Delta sisters at my side.
Wendy
president, vice president, treasurer, greek week chariot co-chair
"I pledged Xi chapter of Kappa Delta as a freshman in the fall of 1979 as a part of the recolonization of the chapter at the University of Pittsburgh. Recruitment was conducted by the three National Collegiate Advisors and our first group of ten became especially close with Jennifer Williamson Ratliff who spent the next five months flying in and out of Pittsburgh helping us learn about Kappa Delta and 21 of us were initiated on March, 21st 1979 by the National Council led by Jean Tucker Jackson. We had the unique role of figuring out how to be a sorority with no older sisters to guide us. Although we had our share of growing pains- there are wonderful memories: our first mixer with Triangle fraternity, and our universal "distress" signal that came out of that' our first formal on the Gateway Clipper- and our second too which was quite memorable; our first football game with our standard; decorating our suite with the help of local alumni; our first candlelight ceremony, our theme song- "We are Family", our Calzone nights, Bandit Buddies honoring our original mascot- the raccoon, attending National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona and our first big Greek Week a few years later when we all wore green cowboy hats and took home several trophies including our second place Greek Sing award for our flapper routine. Over the years, we were fortunate to entertain some of the original members of Xi Chapter form the 1920s. It is hard to believe those 18-20 year old girls are now mothers and grandmothers nearing retirement age. In my mind, we are still those girls wearing Jordache jeans, Candies heels, and watching Solid Gold on Saturday nights in the suite as we got ready to go out. I am so thrilled at how the chapter has flourished and became one of the top sororities at Pitt- we could only imagine how awesome XI Chapter would be one day and I am so proud to be apart of the legacy of Xi Chapter at Pitt."
