Kappa Theta Epsilon’s Theta Chapter Receives
the 2011 Chapter of the Year Award

by Alexandria Phillips, Events/PR Chair - Drexel KTE Theta Chapter

The Kappa Theta Epsilon (KTE) National Executive Council named Drexel University's Theta Chapter the 2011 "Chapter of the Year" at its National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on April 9, 2011.

KTE is a national organization that promotes co-operative education programs at universities across the United States; Drexel's chapter is one of eight active chapters in the organization.

In order to receive the KTE "Chapter of the Year" Award, a chapter must excel in three areas:

  • Programming - A chapter must achieve excellence in fundraising, leading professional development seminars and hosting social events for its members.
  • Membership - A chapter must show growth in its membership base, both in numbers and in participation; they must also demonstrate a positive retention rate of its members.
  • Community Service - A chapter must continually improve its involvement in the academic, professional, and volunteer communities; as well as foster all fellow student's cooperative education experience.

"Our chapter is by far the largest active KTE chapter and it is our duty to lead this organization by example. Over the last two years, not only has the chapter's Executive Council organized the financials and acquired funding for the chapter through Drexel University, but we have also redesigned the KTE image that exists at Drexel," said Daniel Iannuzzi, Theta Chapter's secretary.

Members of the Theta Chapter regularly attend quarterly general body meetings, professional development programs, and networking events. In addition, members regularly volunteer their time to enhance the cooperative education experiences of their peers.

"Over the past two years, Theta's Executive Council has rebuilt our chapter from the ground up; although we will continue to strive for excellence, it is gratifying that one of our major goals of becoming "Chapter of the Year" has been attained," said Jackie White, Theta Chapter's vice-president.

The Theta Chapter at Drexel currently has the most members of any KTE Chapter, with one hundred students participating in the organization. This chapter is unique in that its students not only come from Drexel's College of Engineering, but also from several other Drexel schools including the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

"Our chapter has grown tremendously; where our chapter's Executive Council has put a tremendous amount of time, energy and hard work into the organization. I am extremely proud of all of our members and of Theta Chapter's Executive Council," said Lauren Reiter, Theta Chapter's president.

KTE was founded in 1957 at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. KTE recognizes individuals who display scholarship, industrial ability, integrity, breadth of interest and adaptability while participating in a cooperative education program.

To learn more about Drexel University's KTE Chapter, please visit www.drexelkte.com.

Also become a fan of the Chapter on Facebook, www.facebook.com/drexelkte.