DUBLIN, Ohio (Sept. 21, 2022) — Today, Kappa Kappa Gamma is pleased to announce a $30,000 gift to the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform. The funds will support the center’s research-based approach to uplift the fraternity and sorority experience.
The partnership progresses and advances Kappa’s mission to unite women to learn, grow and inspire positive change.
“We are thrilled to begin a relationship with the Piazza Center,” said Mary Pat Rooney, Drake, Fraternity President.. “Together, we are trailblazing a path forward for sororities and fraternities. This transformational research will ensure Kappa continues to provide a meaningful and relevant experience for current and future members.”
Specifically, Kappa’s donation will sponsor research projects that focus on students’ and members’ harm reduction as well as their flourishing health and well-being; and ultimately, resulting in philosophies, policies, programs and practices that create a change movement on college campuses and within Greek-letter organizations.
“Together, we are trailblazing a path forward for sororities and fraternities. This transformational research will ensure Kappa continues to provide a meaningful and relevant experience for current and future members
– Fraternity President Mary Pat Rooney, Drake
“Kappa’s championing of the Piazza Center helps to further our shared missions to create a sorority experience that enriches and empowers students. Kappa is leading the charge by supporting initiatives on the forefront of campus mental health and wellness,” said Stevan Veldkamp, executive director of the Piazza Center. “This generous contribution illustrates that by working together with research-informed practices, we will build a positive future for fraternity and sorority life.”
The gift was made possible through a grant from the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, which is dedicated to funding programs that equip women to reach their full potential.
“Our joint efforts will put Kappa at the forefront of fraternity and sorority research,” said Susanne Vander Heyden, Washington State, Foundation President. “The results will inform the future of our member education, helping Kappas thrive so they may positively impact their communities.”
“Our joint efforts will put Kappa at the forefront of fraternity and sorority research.”
– Foundation President Susanne Vander Heyden, Washington State
Founded in 2019, the Piazza Center is named in memory of Timothy Piazza, a sophomore at Penn State University who died in 2017 as a result of fraternity pledging activities. The center’s research aims to enhance the student learning experience — specifically around leadership, service, and diversity, equity and inclusion — and to increase campus prevention and intervention, including prevention of hazing, substance misuse and dangerous drinking.Their data is shared with practitioners, campuses and headquarters, impacting over 750,000 members across more than 770 collegiate campuses with Greek-letter organizations.
“The knowledge gained through the Piazza Center’s industry-leading research will evolve the fraternity and sorority experience and lead to our members and their peers flourishing on their college campuses and beyond,” said Rooney.
About the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform
The Piazza Center is a multidisciplinary research initiative whose mission is to uplift fraternity and sorority life. The center’s research agenda is based on a change model focused on a two-pronged approach to stronger and safer organizations.
- Stronger: Enhancing student learning, leadership, and service; improving diversity, equity, and inclusion; and increasing health and wellness.
- Safer: Focusing on campus prevention and intervention, including prevention of hazing, substance misuse, and dangerous drinking
The center produces actionable data to give practitioners, campuses, and headquarters the evidence needed to enact significant change on their campuses for the over 750,000 members across more than 770 campuses with fraternity and sorority life.
