Mu Chapter has many talented and knowledgeable members who have provided us with outstanding and informative programs throughout the years.
We have also had numerous special speakers and programs.
Here are a few reminders of some of those programs. HOW MANY DO YOU REMEMBER?

Our first year was 1965-66. We spent much of the time getting acquainted with one another and learning about Delta Kappa Gamma - the duties, rules, responsibilities, advantages, privileges, expectations, traditions, and customs. We had fine help from our organizing chapter, Theta.

In 1967-68 while still struggling to "learn the ropes" and get acquainted with one another, we sponsored our first community project, a Valentine's Day party for the children at the old South Dakota Children's Home located on the 10th Street hill. We also had some guest speakers that year. Pat Nobili, a foreign exchange student from Italy, gave a presentation of the school system in Italy compared to the United States’ school system. Miss Bernice Ptacek came to show slides and tell us about her several months in Southeast Asia through a YWCA Overseas Project. She spent time in Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and India. We had a cookie exchange, a Christmas party, a trip to the Civic Fine Arts Center with a short history of the Center by Ray Shermoe, and a special Founder's Day program.

In 1968-69 we held a meeting at the Old Terrace Park Dairy, which furnished all kinds of ice creams and toppings in abundant supply to any group that met there. Back in the days when all teachers were required to attend SDEA, we sponsored the SDEA Delta Kappa Gamma coffee hour at the Colonial Bank in October. Our own members presented most of our programs and we had some joint meetings with Theta Chapter. Mrs. Veronica Lakstigala, whose home land was Latvia, gave us glimpses of Latvia via pictures, costume, jewelry, etc., as she spoke about her native country. In January, 1969, we began the custom of the “door prize”. Each person dropped a quarter in a basket and the lucky one whose name was drawn received the door prize provided by the hostess. Can you guess we were beginning to feel a bit of a "money squeeze”? We also started “secret pals”. Joy Hamrin , who was one of the original sixteen women educators honored by being initiated into the first Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter in South Dakota in 1940, spoke to us about the organization and initiation by the original founder of Delta Kappa Gamma, Annie Webb Blanton.

Because we were to host the 1971 State Convention for the first time, most of 1970-71 was spent seriously planning and working toward that event. We felt a bit intimidated as a new chapter to be hosting such a large event. Aleene Early showed slides and spoke about their recent trip to the Near East in March, and Betty Tracy, a probation officer under Judge Heuermann, spoke about her work with children and parents and about our responsibilities as teachers to those children. We carried on business of our chapter, had fun times, hosted visits from state presidents, and had get acquainted sessions as well as work evenings. Nearly every member attended most meetings.

As the years moved on, we had many outstanding programs. Helen Habicht from Huron spoke to us about a recent trip she had taken to Russia, “Impressions of Women’s Freedom, Behind the Iron Curtain." We were entertained by some of the acts from Viking Varieties, students from Augustana College. Roland Arlton, an instructor at Crippled Children's School, spoke about "The Creative Ability Of The Special Child." 

Five Augustana students shared their experiences as tutors of inmates at the SD State Penitentiary during their interim period from school.

We toured McCrosson’s Boys Ranch. 

There were memorial services, potlucks, and progressive dinners. 

Carol Mashek of the Bicentennial Commission came to discuss a little of the history of early women in Sioux Falls.

Dr. Jerry Thoms, Humanist in Residence for the SD Committee on Humanities, spoke on “The Changing Role of Women in South Dakota”.

Mary Sue Donahue presented an informative program, “Is a Will Necessary?”

Dorothy Furrow, retired long-time teacher in Sioux Falls, presented a program entitled "Safety City,” promoting safety in our city for children, senior citizens, and the community.

Brigitte Ganger, a Fulbright Exchange Program teacher at Lincoln Senior High compared schools in America with schools in Germany.

Julie Kroon, an exchange student from Lincoln High School, presented slides and talked about her travels through Africa.

Mr. Harry Klessen, Artist/Educator, showed us how he used the blow torch to make beautiful metal sculptures.

Bonnie Ulrich gave and interesting and informative talk about the law profession.

We had a tour of the Crippled Children's Hospital And School, followed by dinner at Minerva's.

Earl And Clara Lee gave a most delightful Valentine's presentation -"The Diary Of Adam And Eve" by Mark Twain.

Jan Nicolay and Shirley Halleen spoke to our group about their experiences as women legislators and their views of politics and education.

Carol Swarting presented an informative slide presentation on "The Queen's City", a view of early Sioux Falls.

Chris Dummermuth spoke about her experiences in Europe when she was there for tennis along with the students she chaperoned.

Shirley Pullman of Aberdeen talked about her travel study in Egypt, at a combined meeting with Theta and Omicron.

Mrs. Laura Heuermann, Mrs. Fern Ersland, and Mrs. Eugenia Hartig presented “Women In The Work World”.

There were also silent auctions and Christmas parties.

Carol Ann Hansen's slide presentation of her trip to Denmark entertained us.

Ozzie Schock shared his experiences on his trip to Saudi Arabia and recommended the book by Seymour Gray entitled “Beyond The Wall."

David Songstad, board member of the Salvation Army, explained their Christmas projects and recruited us to ring the Salvation Army bell.

When computers were entering our schools, Deanna Hanson presented a program “Expressing Computer Language.”

The program entitled, “Woman’s Work and Woman’s Worth” was presented by Glenda Schested, a sociologist at Augustana College.

Eunice Hovland gave a very interesting and informative talk about PLUS (Project Literacy U.S.) and about her work at the Individual Learning Resource Center.

Roxanne Aronson entertained us with stories of her experiences while teaching and traveling in Australia.

Miss Loretta Mundt of Augustana College presented a program “Making Choices – Men or Sheep.”

Vicky Reed spoke to us about “The Role of Women in our Society – The Past Against the Present.”

Harriet Hybertson presented information about her sabbatical from Augustana College and how she made good use of it.

Glendae Jungemen, local poet, writer, and teacher, shared some of her delightful poetry.

Four Augustana College students , three from Malaysia and one from Syria, presented information about their countries, studies at Augustana, and plans for the future.

Kevin Falon, teacher and trainee in the space program, spoke on “Challenges of the Future.”

The meeting tour of the Montessori Learning Center was an interesting evening.

Dr. Maizie Solem spoke about “Problems and Answers – Comparing Education Systems” with slides and information about her trip to China.

Dr. Pru Gushwa, Assistant Superintendent of Sioux Falls Schools, spoke on “Promises: To Become Better Teachers.”

Dr. Richard Daugherty from Augustana College, talked to us about “Problems & Answers: Teachers Competency Testing.”

Professor Yang Yang of Augustana College, teacher of Chinese History and Language, spoke about his life and family and how he came to America. He also showed slides of his art work.

Joyce Lauer gave us new insights on “Problems and Answers: How Students View Teachers.”

Jo Ellen Koerner informed us about “Prospects: The Future of Health Care/Wellness.”

Julie Hegstrum spoke about “Problems & Answers: Pain Management & Human Behavior.”

Jan Nicolay talked about “What Women Can Do.”

Mary Lerssen, Supervisor of Health Services for the Sioux Falls Schools, gave an informative program about “Aids Education.”

Fulbright Exchange Teacher, Aunice Murray of Scotland, presented a comparison between teaching here and in Glasgow, Scotland.

Dr. Janet Shelver presented a program "The Family Of Delta Kappa Gamma" with information about the workings of Delta Kappa Gamma and her trip to the convention in Puerto Rico.

Sandie Hansen, Project Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) of Minnehaha County, gave a slide presentation of the history, purpose, and very active involvement of the organization in our community.

Connie Johnson, social worker with Sioux Falls Schools, shared her perspective on the rights children have to be nurtured, loved, and protected.

The tour of Charter Hospital and program by Joy Thormodsgard, Program Community Manager at Charter, was an interesting experience.

A special meeting and Dinner Theater at Worthing was one of our “fun” social meetings.

We had a meeting at the Center For Western Studies, Augustana College Campus, where. Harry Thompson, Curator, presented us with the story of progress and tour of the Center.

Dr. Janet Shelver shared how Delta Kappa Gamma and being International President had opened the door to growth in her life.

The Dakota Expressions entertained us with their amazing expressive “singing.”

Raffle tickets for a Mexican Doll provided funds for World Fellowship.

Ruth Perry presented pro and con information about Initiative I, when it was an important political issue in South Dakota.

Jan Aldrich presented a program about the Washington Pavilion of the Arts And Sciences.

Dr. Scott Mc Kercher, local pediatrician, presented information about the “Influence Of Television On Children.”

Phyllis Schrag gave a fascinating presentation with member participation about Multiple Intelligences.

Deb Moritz, in a meeting at the Children’s Home, gave a presentation about the Home.

At a meeting at Memorial Middle School, Elizabeth Pope spoke about the concept of teams and how they work together to help the student.

JoJean Callison presented a program on gender equality, including a video and a questionnaire, “What Is Your Gender Quotient?”

Nancy Hansen, Director of the Sioux Falls Area Literary Council, presented a program on literacy, including information about the work of volunteers in the program and the type of service being provided to adults in our community who cannot read.

Linda Cruce, Director of the Reading Recovery Program in the Sioux Falls Schools, presented information about the early intervention program as it is used in the Sioux Falls Schools. Eighty-four teachers were taking the yearlong training.

Marilyn Lee gave members a view of culture, living conditions, and historical information about Russia and showed the slides and pictures she and Sue Scribner took as they toured Russia.

Sue Beck, Coach of the Future Problem Solvers Team, brought team members Dan Leistra, Laura Swanson (both from WHS) and Erin McCarthy and Colin Davis (both from LHS) and Cory Kiner, Assistant State Director of the FPS, who presented a portion of their program, explaining their role and involvement, and displayed the first place trophy they had won at a recent international competition.

“Leadership” by Janet Brekke, City Attorney for Sioux Falls, was about the role of the City Attorney and women as equal members of the professional arena.

Dr. Ron Becker told us about “Overseas Schools Evaluation”. He had been chairman of the evaluation team for the U.S. Department of Defense for evaluation of schools in Heidelberg, Germany; Turkey; Guam; Korea; Okinawa; Mannheim, Germany; and other sites where the U.S. maintains military bases and schools.

Lt. Governor of South Dakota, Carole Hillard, gave a fascinating story of high points in her adventurous life as she rose to become one of the “Women in Politics” and some of her experiences as one of those women.

A program by Mark Kuehn, Chairman of The Girls/Boys State Selection Committee for Roosevelt High School, was about the need for more Girls State sponsorships and the inequality of the sponsorships for boys and girls.

Jerri White, Resident Service Coordinator at Waterford at All Saints, gave us a tour and history of the facility at the All Saints site.

Steve Bishop, Washington Pavilion for the Arts, gave an informative program about the Pavilion, along with a tour.

Julie Brandt, a teacher at the State Penitentiary, was our speaker about the educational program at the Penitentiary.

Sandy Leonard, Language Arts and Reading Teacher at Patrick Henry Middle School, gave a book talk on professional books and personal preference literature.

Dee Gulson presented information about the U.S. Forum, followed by small group and whole group discussion and interaction.

Pat Steinfadt, Activities Representative at Prince of Peace Care Center, gave a talk about the history and future of the Center and after our meeting we joined some of the residents and helped them enjoy an evening of Bingo.

Melanie Bliss presented information about the South Dakota Parent Connection, a non-profit organization that works for families who have children with disabilities.

Dr. Art Huseboe shared plans for the Center for Western Studies on the Augustana College Campus.

A program on voting issues by Rodger Ellingson, who was running for the State Senalte in District 14, informed us about issues and he recommended the use of Project Vote Smart (PVS), which serves as a national non-partisan library of government and political information.

Ruth Chapelle of Vermillion shared her experiences as the first recipient of the Dr. Janet Shelver Travel-Study Scholarship.

Loila Hunking, Sioux Falls School Board Member, spoke about “The School Board, My Job.”

Lila Hylland and Janet Thoms, both successful businesswomen, spoke to the members about their jobs involving Home and Commercial Investments, in a program entitled, “Dollars & Sense.”

Mary Homan, Librarian at Patrick Henry Middle School, presented the program "As Seen Through Cultivated Minds" which was an innovative project developed by her and Mu member Pat Croston for the purpose of “Introducing The Theme -Science Fiction” to make the students active in the reading process and to involve the library in developing and encouraging reading.

At a meeting at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana College, Dr. S. Froiland talked about "Exploring Our Heritage” and had a slide presentation on the history of how the Center for Western Studies began at Augustana College.

Julie Hegstrum of the Sioux Valley Wellness Center, gave an interesting talk and slide presentation about the “Five Dimensions of Wellness”, which consisted of physical fitness, stress management, spiritual, nutrition, and environmental factors.

Brenda Martins, the Alpha Pi State President, spoke to Mu Chapter about teachers making a difference and making use of the talents of everyone of the members in the Chapter.

Elizabeth Woods, the Alpha Pi State President, spoke to Mu Chapter about Delta Kappa Gamma literacy projects in South Dakota.

SEPTEMBER 21,2002: Mu met at the Center for Western Studies in the new Fantle’s Buildling. Dr. Art Huseboe, director of the Center for Western Studies at Augustana College spoke to Mu about the facility and conducted a tour of the Center.

OCTOBER 21,2002: Mu met at Lincoln High School. Officer Greg DeBoer who works at Lincoln High spoke about drugs and alcohol, providing various devices that were used for illicit drugs and samples of the drugs.

NOVEMBER 21, 2002: Mu Chapter met at the Pizza Inn for a pizza buffet. Then members moved to Dr. Doris Johnson’s home.  Dr. Shelver and Elizabeth Wood gave a delightful presentation on the symbols of the society.

DECEMBER 14, 2002 Mu Chapter went to the play, A Christmas Carol, at Lincoln High School. One dollar of the admission fee went to the Children’s  Home and Care and Hospital (formerly called the Crippled Children Hospital).

FEBRUARY 20, 2003: Mu met at Hayward Elementary where CINDY NELSON gave a presentation on literacy and education in Japan.

MARCH 13, 2003 : Mu met at Caille Branch Library. Sandra Aamlid, of the Minnehaha Cooperative Extension Agency, presented Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? The presentation dealt with transfer and distribution of non-titled properties that hold a wealth of memories but have little monetary value.    

APRIL 12, 2003: Mu, Omicron and Theta held a joint brunch. PHYLLIS SCHRAG became Emily Dickinson and performed an excerpt from the Belle of Amhers.  All members were thrilled with the performance. Following the performance, members received certificates for attendance and projects for the past year.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2003: Mu Chapter met at The Victorian for Brunch. Reports of the state and regional conventions were given. Members who received awards at the State Convention, displayed their works. Mu received Best of Show for the Scrapbook compiled by ELIZABETH WOOD and first place for the Mu News written by DR. RHONDA ANDERSON. Several awards were received by Mu members for Women in the Arts.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2004: Mu Chapter met at CJ Calloways for Brunch. Sara Waring presented information about the English Language Learners program in the Sioux Falls Public Schools.  Names of prospective members were presented.

OCTOBER 21, 2004: Mu Chapter met at Morningside Community Center. New members were initiated. Community Service Projects for the year were selected. Mu adopted Karen Johnson’s and Karen Walker’s ESL classrooms at Lincoln High School for the Adopt a Classroom Project. Mu Chapter will join with  Lutheran Social Services to help bridge the gap in the mentor program for At Risk children in Sioux Falls.

DECEMBER 16, 2004: Mu Chapter met at Washington High School to enjoy "A Christmas Musical" presented by the Washington High School choir.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2005: Joanne Dankey, Karen Johnson, Cathy Regas and Elizabeth Wood modeled beautiful new fall styles from Talbots at the September 17 brunch meeting at Lincoln High School. Lorraine Cleven arranged the show with Talbots. Gloria Cleveland, Talbots manager, scripted the show. As an additional benefit, Talbots donated a $25 gift certificate for a door prize, which Aleene Early won.

MARCH 2006: Mu Chapter met at Lincoln High School at 4:30 pm. The guest speaker was Dr. Pam Homan, Sioux Falls School District Superintendent. Dr. Homan gave an informative presentation on the Sioux Falls School District, and she answered members' questions.

APRIL 2006: Mu Chapter met at Lincoln High School at 9:30 am. The guest speaker was Alpha Pi State President and Mu Chapter member, Dr. Rhonda Anderson. Dr. Anderson gave an informative presentation about Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. New officers were also installed.
The idea of Mu’s history came to fruition by a woman named Norma Immel.  Norma Immel, a charter member of Mu chapter decided that she was going to write a history of Mu by reading through Mu’s minutes, scrapbooks, and newsletters. She also asked members to contribute information about their lives and also reviewed programs that had been presented over the years.  One day in April of 2002 at Mu’s brunch held at the Minnehaha Country Club, Norma brought in the pages that she had written and typed. She talked about what she still needed to research. At that time, discussion about binding the information into a book and making copies for members arose. Filled with enthusiasm, Norma continued her arduous labor with energy and determination. After research and writing for over 400 hours, Norma decided the product was ready for editing.  Members proofed the work and added pictures. From start to finish the project took two years. Norma patiently waited for the project to come to completion. She knew in her wisdom that all good things took time to grow and develop. On April 3, 2004 at a joint brunch of Mu and Omicron held at Minnehaha Country Club, a final product was shared with the chapters. The work was completed.  When Norma was asked to write a dedication for the forty-year history of Mu, she gave credit to everyone else except herself.  This is typical of Norma. Norma is a humble leader who is filled with fine qualities: dedication, loyalty, kindness, enthusiasm, talent, determination, and patience.  Norma is truly a “key woman educator”.  It is with great honor that the First Forty Year History of Mu Chapter be dedicated to its writer, Norma Immel, a woman who had the initiative and persistence to complete a thorough reflection of women in Mu Chapter from 1965-2004.

JUNE 2005: Mu Chapter hosted the State Convention in Sioux Falls.

2008 - Focused on international programs – Rebuilding South Sudan Through Education, Encouraged members to attend 3 Cups of Tea, SD Teacher of the Year, Russian Dinner and power point presentation on Russian, Cooking class making African Stew, attended Neil Simon play, Update on our International Project, and a picnic with the Mayor of Sioux Falls.

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