LIVING SPACES
By Glenda Graves | Photos by Chadwick Turner
A Century of Sisterhood
Sorority renovates its home as it celebrates 100 years at the University of Arkansas
When the women of the Gamma Nu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma gathered in October to mark their organization’s centennial year, the milestone was more than a celebration of history. The chapter — with more than 650 active members, one of the largest women’s organizations on the University of Arkansas campus and the largest active Kappa membership in the United States — chose to use the centennial not only to reflect on a century of friendship and service but also to make investments in its members, house and the community.
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The centennial year inspired the chapter to take on a major renovation of its historic house at 800 West Maple St. Spearheaded by co-chairs Angie Johnson and Ashley Parker, the renovation transformed the east wing and surrounding spaces to better serve the needs of today’s collegiate women. The reimagined spaces included the dining room, pantry, serving line, upper east patio and lower east patio. They also remodeled two rooms on the second floor — a study room and a television room.
“As the University of Arkansas continues to grow, we recognize the need to be forward thinking about what our young women require to thrive,” Angie said. “The centennial year provided the perfect moment to honor our past while investing in our future.”
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The updates were both practical and symbolic. Once either underutilized or overwhelmed by demand, the renovated spaces now reflect a multipurpose design that fosters everything from quiet study sessions to large-scale events. “Every design choice was made with sisterhood at its heart,” Ashley said. “We wanted to create fresh spaces where new traditions can be born while preserving the spirit of our history.”
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Working alongside interior designer Becky Charton of Table Setters, Inc., the chapter brought modern elegance and comfort to the Kappa house. For Becky, the project began with one guiding principle: function first. “The objectives for this renovation were thoughtfully developed and defined, and from there, the vision unfolded,” she said. “We wanted every space to be able to function for multiuse — not just a dining table but a place to study, meet with small groups, support large meetings and, most importantly, welcome all members to feel as though they belong.”
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Her design balanced elegance with livability, layering soft shades of Kappa blue with feminine accents to create rooms that are both current and timeless. “It was important that the design felt pretty, elegant and livable but still reflective of the history and tradition of Kappa,” Becky said.
In the expansive dining room, Becky created distinct seating areas that feel almost like separate rooms within one. Café-style banquettes, round tables with low lighting, library-inspired refectory tables with mounted lamps and traditional dining setups now coexist in harmony within the room. The adjoining pantry and serving line have been transformed into a hub of activity, allowing for more foot traffic. “It has been so fun to see the girls hang out in the pantry just like around your own home’s kitchen island,” Becky said. “Even the chef has noticed the difference.”
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Upstairs, the remodeled study and TV rooms were expanded and made more inviting while outdoor spaces — the “Upper East Side” deck, as the women affectionately call it — now offer multiple seating and lounging options designed to encourage connection.
The updates also included thoughtful touches such as decorative millwork that conceals tie-downs for event décor, automated shades that sync with drop-down screens for AV presentations, removable fixtures for flexible use, and cabinetry to showcase Kappa’s silver and china collection. “From polishing donated silver to framing alumni memorabilia and needlepoint crests, every choice honored Kappa’s rich history while looking forward,” Becky said.
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But it wasn’t just the inside of the house that received attention to celebrate the milestone. At the heart of the celebration is the new Centennial Fountain. Located at the prominent corner of Maple Street and Leverett Avenue, the fountain features Kappa’s Greek letters and founding date, serving as a visible reminder of the chapter’s enduring presence at the U of A.
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Designed as both a landmark and a gathering place, the fountain offers seating where members can pause, reflect and connect. “It’s not just about beauty, it’s about belonging,” Ashley said. “The fountain symbolizes our pride and our commitment to creating community.”
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Gamma Nu’s centennial celebration is not just about creating a house for the future of Kappa but also about extending generosity outward. Throughout the past 100 years, Kappa women have made philanthropy a cornerstone of their identity in Northwest Arkansas. The national organization focuses on mental health awareness, and the local U of A chapter said it believes in breaking the stigma and sparking conversations around mental health. Each year it hosts events such as Kappa Kappaccino, Kappa Krawfish, Matches for Mental Health Awareness, Kappa Kares Week and Wellness Week in support of its mission.
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In addition, the sisters at Kappa Kappa Gamma volunteer weekly with SOAR Afterschool Program, serving as mentors and friends to children in the community. Through fundraising, Arkansas Kappa supports National Eating Disorders Association, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and SOAR.
The centennial year carried that tradition forward through with both the Centennial Fountain and the Centennial Leadership Award. The award, established in 2025, is the first of its kind at the U of A. Each year it will recognize an outstanding female Greek leader outside of Kappa Kappa Gamma whose service and leadership have made a significant impact. The inaugural award honored Antwanette Wilchie of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., who received a $3,500 scholarship for her commitment to both academics and service.
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“These gifts reflect our responsibility as stewards of a century-old legacy,” Angie said. “It’s about ensuring the next hundred years will be even more meaningful than the first.”
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For Angie and Ashley, the centennial year represents a bridge between past and future. “We hope future generations of Kappas will see that we cared enough to invest not just in beautiful spaces but also in creating environments where sisterhood flourishes,” Angie said.
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Becky shares that sentiment. “What makes designing for the 100th anniversary so meaningful is the chance to honor the people behind this incredible organization,” she said. “When talent, service and design come together in a way that makes others feel truly cared for, that’s the ultimate reward.”
Pros Used:
Appliances: Foodservice Equipment Brokers; Metro Appliances & More
Cabinets: Kitchen Distributors
Concrete/Walkways: Adrian’s Construction, Inc.; Beran Concrete; Pinnacle Fence & Outdoors, LLC
Contractor/Architect: Kinco Constructors; WER Architects
Décor/Furnishings: Elenbarger Interiors; French Metro Antiques; Matthew Buell; Scott Frame and Art; Table Setters, Inc.
Doors: Pella Windows & Doors; Wesche Company
Drapes/Fabrics: Interior Creations; Table Setters, Inc.
Electrician/Alarm System/AV: King Electric; Summit Fire & Security; Up to Par Technology LLC
Flooring: Desco Coatings, Inc.; JGP Inc. Commercial Flooring
Granite/Marble: Custom Millwork; New Century Countertops
HVAC: Johnson Mechanical Contractors
Interior Designer: Table Setters, Inc.
Landscaping/Lawn Care: Designscape
Masonry: MCB Masonry
Mirrors: Fayetteville Glass Co.
Painting: Del’s Custom Painting; Hartley Commercial; Penguin Painting, Inc.
Plumbing/Fixtures: Ferguson; Johnson Mechanical
Windows: Beth DeVerre Glass; Gatsby Glass; Pella Windows & Doors
Additional Vendors: Admiral Moving & Logistics; Crum & Marshall Waterproofing; fire sprinklers by Freedom Fire Pro, LLC; G&S Insulating; Majestic Movers & Delivery; geotechnical engineering by McLelland Consulting Engineers, Inc.; earthwork by Napa Construction; structural steel by NWA Steel; drywall/framing by TCM Enterprises; finish carpentry by Trimtech Inc.; United Roofing & Waterproofing; decorative metal work by Urban Steel
