MSU Kappa Delta Chapter celebrates 50 years, endows scholarship

Over 200 alumnae and active members of the Delta Tau Chapter, MSU’s chapter of Kappa Delta, gathered last spring to celebrate their 50th anniversary on Morehead State University’s campus. To honor this milestone, the sisters of Kappa Delta sorority pledged to raise $50,000 to ensure the Margaret Holt Duncan Kappa Delta Scholarship is endowed with the MSU Foundation.  

The celebratory weekend included activities allowing members to reconnect with each other and with the University. Events included a welcome reception in the newly renovated Adron Doran University Center (ADUC), a memorial service, campus tour, lunch at the Rocky Adkins Dining Commons and a banquet to close out the celebration. 

“It was wonderful seeing so many sisters back on campus for this anniversary celebration,” said Patricia Dorton Whitaker (75). “As a member of the first pledge class, it was an honor to be a part of this historic occasion and witness how the chapter continues to enrich the lives of young women at MSU.”  

The honoree of the newly established scholarship endowment, Margaret Holt Duncan, is an initiate of Delta Tau chapter. As an undergraduate at MSU, she held several leadership roles within the chapter, as well as across campus. As an alumna, she has continued to support the sorority in multiple capacities at the national level. The endowment bears her name in honor of her service to Kappa Delta.  

“It is important for our local chapter to provide a scholarship that supports our collegiate members. We are excited to name this in recognition of an alumnae sister who has given back to Kappa Delta on a local and national level,” said Dr. Jami Hornbuckle (96), assistant vice president for communications and marketing. “We hope this scholarship is a reminder to our members that the Kappa Delta experience...and the Eagle experience...doesn’t end after graduation.”   

Currently, the group has raised over $32,000 of their goal. Once fully funded, the investment proceeds will support initiated members of the Delta Tau Chapter who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a demonstrated history of leadership within the chapter and throughout campus.   

In honor of their commitment to raising money for the scholarship endowment, room 301 in ADUC will be named the “Kappa Delta Room” as permanent recognition for their contribution to student success at MSU. 

“We are excited to have the opportunity to name a space in the Adron Doran University Center,” said Kenna Allen Gauche (08), events coordinator in the Office of Alumni Relations and Development.  “Having a room that bears the name of Kappa Delta is a wonderful way to honor our organization’s first 50 years on MSU’s campus and the legacy that it will carry on for years to come.”  

Kappa Delta Sorority is a national organization for women and belongs to the National Panhellenic Conference, the umbrella organization for 26 international sororities throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1897 at State Female Normal School, Kappa Delta now has 169 collegiate chapters and more than 200 active alumnae chapters. MSU’s Delta Tau chapter was chartered at MSU on April 26, 1969. 

For more information on this scholarship, or to establish your own, contact MSU’s Office of Alumni Relations and Development at 606-783-2033, email giving@moreheadstate.edu or visit alumni.moreheadstate.edu/give.