When Jessica Whitney got the call saying that she had been selected as Kappa Alpha Theta’s re-founding president, she was originally overwhelmed.
“I felt like I’ve been pushed into the deep end,” Whitney says with a laugh. “But luckily I know how to swim.”
Originally established at the University in 1909 and re-established this year, KAT and its nominating committee found, in Whitney, just what they were looking for. For what it’s worth, Whitney never would have guessed she would be in the position she’s in now.
Jessica Whitney grew up in Livermore, Calif., and attended Granada High School, where she was actively involved as the captain of the varsity tennis team and the president of her high school’s DECA chapter, which is an association of marketing students. However, when she enrolled at the University of Oregon, she found herself having a hard time getting involved.
“I wanted to meet new people and have new experiences, but I did not see myself as a ‘sorority girl’” Whitney says. As a freshman last year, Whitney assumed that being in a sorority only entailed partying and flirting with fraternity men. However, when sophomore year rolled around, Whitney decided to go through the recruitment process.
“I wanted to get involved with an organization on campus. I did not necessarily know that I wanted to join a sorority at first.” Whitney says that her recruitment experience was an “eye opener.” She did not know what to expect going into the process, but when she learned about the sororities’ values and philanthropies, she was pleasantly surprised.
Out of all the presentations she went to during a week she calls overwhelming, yet exciting, she could not get the Kappa Alpha Theta presentation out of her head.
“I went through recruitment on a whim, and I’m still surprised that I fell in love with it at that moment.” Whitney knew that being a member of the re-founding pledge class here at the University could be rare and honorable, and she wanted to be a part of it. Dropping out of recruitment to be a founding member of Kappa Alpha Theta was risky, yet when she received a bid, she knew she made the right decision.
The transition from having nothing to do with fraternity and sorority life to to being the president of a new sorority has been challenging and rewarding for Whitney.
“It’s an uphill battle, because not only am I the president of a sorority, but Kappa Alpha Theta is new on campus. We are still figuring the processes out,” Whitney says. Although Whitney has many tasks as president ahead of her, she has not gone without help. In fact, many of the other sororities’ presidents have lent a helping hand, which has helped Whitney gain the confidence and motivation that she needs.
“I don’t think I could be doing this without the help from women from the other chapters. I’m grateful to them,” Whitney adds.
Not only have the women from other chapters been supportive role models for Whitney, but her sorority sisters have played an important role in helping Whitney strive to succeed.
“Without the other chief roles, our chapter would not be able to survive. All of the women in Kappa Alpha Theta want what is best for the chapter. You can’t ask for a better charter class than that.” Every member of the chapter brings something to the table, which makes Whitney’s job easier. Presiding over weekly chapter meetings and sitting in on the executive committee meetings are only a few of Whitney’s duties as President. She has a foot in every door with everything going on in the chapter; however, her biggest responsibility is to help Kappa Alpha Theta create a respected, positive image for itself.
“Jessica has taken reign of her role as President. She is open, helpful, and efficient,” says Jane O’Neil, Human Resources director of Kappa Alpha Theta. “As a personal friend of mine, I can see on all ends what a good job she is doing.”
Making all of the chapter’s decisions is a unique responsibility for Whitney, but she is willing to take on the challenge. Fortunately, she and her sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta are taking a step in the right direction. There is still work to be done, but Whitney is confident in the chapter’s bright future.
“I want people to know that Kappa Alpha Theta is here, and it’s here to stay.”