Nu Kappa Epsilon was founded at The College of William and Mary in 1994, since then it has grown to having three chapters total. The beta chapter is at Christopher Newport University and was founded in 2005. And the gamma chapter is at Virginia Tech and was founded in spring of 2015.
As a sorority, we do various things to help spread music appreciation on campus and in the community. We have put on a raffle concert where people volunteered to play music while we were holding a raffle. Our philanthropy money goes towards Songs for Kids foundation which brings music programs and artists to hospitals for children who are sick. We raise this money through bake sales, raffles, and during Relay for Life. We also reach out to local elementary schools (specifically Matthew Waley Elementary) and help out their music classes. From helping with recorders, so teaching lines and dances for the school play, the music teachers love to have us there.
This past Saturday (November 14th) all three chapters of Nu Kappa Epsilon got together for the first time. We had a our third chapter founded last semester, so we decided to hold a conference to get to know one another. Before this, we had gotten to know our beta chapter through penpals where we were each matched up with someone from beta and emailed back and forth with them. At the conference we did icebreakers and sister bonding activities before launching into a dinner catered by Olive Garden. After eating we had a small recital where our musically talented sisters performed if they wanted to. In total about 60 sisters total were able to make it out to the conference and it was a beautiful night.
Being a part of this sisterhood means a lot to me. Before joining, I only had a few friends, but didn’t really feel like I belonged anywhere. And then I met these wonderful girls who made me start to feel like I was home. Since my initiation a year ago, I have branched out from being shy, reserved person and spread my wings, becoming so much stronger and open. I have found a family and a home and William and Mary and wouldn’t change a thing about my experience these past three years, except maybe finding these beautiful nerds sooner.