In 1991, an SAI interest group was formed at William Paterson University. Three years later, a member of the National Executive Board came to the school and showed a rush video about the fraternity. The group was not having much success in becoming a chapter until January 1995. Amy Sharpe, an SAI sister, transferred to the college that year, and was given permission to assist in preparation of rituals and the National Exam. A year later, the girls met with Arlene Jospe-Veron (Chairman, Board of Directors, SAI Philanthropies Inc.), the paperwork was completed, and the date for initiation was set. Montclair State College held the pinning ceremony with Dr. Ann Estill in March of 1995.
The girls all successfully passed the National Exam and on May 4, 1996, William Paterson University became home to the Theta Kappa chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. The founding members of Theta Kappa are Rachel Amitrano, Kathy Bonito, Jody Currey, Chrissy DeLucry, Leslie Henkel, Mary Izzo, Tina Mazza, Laura Moss, Allison Mullaney, Rachel Perez, Melissa Reed, Krysten Weitner and Jessica Yackovetsky. On December 1, 1996, Theta Kappa initiated its first Patroness Members, Dr. Karen Demsey and Dr. Jane Weidensaul.
In January 1997, Theta Kappa’s first pledge class was pinned, consisting of Lisa Martin, Lyn Martorano and Robin Schwartz. All successfully passed their pledge requirements and the Alpha Class was initiated on April 20, 1997. That summer, a few of the sisters represented Theta Kappa at the Sigma Alpha Iota Triennial Convention held in Denver, Colorado.
In January 1998, pledging began for the Beta Class. Kristina Wasmer was the only pledge to cross over. On April 19, 1998, she became a sister. Sandy Neveras was initiated as the Gamma Class on April 24, 1999. Also in Spring 1999, Theta Kappa held its first public musicale, first annual awards dinner, strengthened itself internally as a chapter in professional and social endeavors, and was beginning to gain recognition in the music department.
Due to many sisters graduating, there were only four active sisters remaining in the fall of 1999. Following a highly successful Tea in September, the Delta Class, consisting of Laura Barry, Kelly O’Neil, Alana Sarratore, Kathy Scala and Rebecca Winters, was initiated on December 5, 1999. That day, Theta Kappa also pinned two new Patroness Members, Kathy Lanik and Anita Faith Kerr.
Pledging began in February 2000 for Leigh Auer, Rachelle Hoffman, Vanessa Levario, and Christie Ventura. All four members of the Epsilon Class were initiated on April 27, 2000. Theta Kappa was well represented at the Triennial Convention held in Dallas, Texas in August 2000.
In February 2001, Nicole Barnes, Jenna-Lyn Rounsaville, Aleks Slaski, Jessica Suiter, and Anne Marie Trinkleback were pinned. The Zeta class was initiated on April 17, 2001, bringing our total number of active sisters to a record breaking sixteen! An additional cause for celebration was on May 5, 2001, when the chapter celebrated its five-year birthday!
The MIT process for the Eta Class, consisting of Michelle Hartsuiker, Tara Maher, and Jennifer Sheldon began in October 2001. They were initiated on December 1, 2001. Theta Kappa welcomed their first Friend of the Arts on February 28, 2002, with the initiation of Rev.Father Louis J. Scurti. Also in February, the Theta Class was pinned. On
April 18, 2002, Jillian Krug, Erin McClure, Christine Moritz, Tara Smith, and Erin Zapcic were initiated. That spring, Theta Kappa bestowed its first Sword of Honor award to Alana Sarratore. In October 2002, ten sisters went to Phi Province Day in Connecticut to represent the chapter, where Theta Kappa was awarded the College Chapter Achievement Award for Phi C
In February 2003 nine MITs were pinned, a record for Theta Kappa. The Iota class consisted of Kristin Bender, Catherine Cugliari, Angela DeRosa, Kelly Drake, Dyshema Fairley, Ashley Lehmann, Kristen Scott, Erica Walton, Karent Zorogastua. Unfortunately, both Erica and Dyshema were unable to continue their pledge period and were never initiated. On April 15, 2003, the remainder of the class was initiated. On top of this large MIT class, the chapter initiated its second Friend of the Arts, Keith Presty. Shortly afterwards, Kelly O’Neil, Sandy Neveras, and Laura Barry were presented the Sword of Honor, and Alana Sarratore received the College Chapter Leadership Award.
In August 2003, Theta Kappa was well represented at Sigma Alpha Iota’s centennial convention, with nine ladies in attendance. Theta Kappa was awarded the last Phi C province award, since the province was restructured at the close of the centennial convention. Theta Kappa joined Phi A province, and elected a new province officer, Anna E. Ratliff.
In the Spring 2004 semester, Catherine Bellew, Shannon Cubby, Stephanie Chapelliquen, Lorraine Jansen, Dena Sweeney, and Tara Wisniewski were pinned, immediately following the initiation of Rosa Williams as a patroness. On April 22, 2004, the Kappa Class crossed over. Also in the Spring 2004 semester Christie Ventura was awarded the sword of honor.
In January of 2005 we had two very successful teas and pinned the Lambda class early in February. The class was the second largest class in our history, consisting of eight girls with amazing potential: Veronica Alcuri, Karolina Baker, Emily Corcoran, Jessica Currey, Christina Fiorletta, Shannon McClure, Wendy Pasquali, and Tracy Sapinski. In April 2005, the class was initiated with the exception of Tracy, who crossed one week later with Delta Delta’s MIT class. In that same month, Catherine Cugliari and Erin McClure were awarded the Sword of Honor.
In Fall 2005, three girls were pinned: Nicole Catapano, Clare Muscara, and Krystle Von Thaden. In December of 2005 all three girls crossed and became the Mu Class. In Spring 2006, Nicole Williams of the Nu class completed all of her requirements to join Theta Kappa. Melanie Lipman was pinned, but did not complete her requirements and resigned halfway through the MIT period.
Fall 2006 was a big semester for Theta Kappa. Liz Markson, Ashley Mahler, and Melanie Lipman began their MIT period. All three successfully completed their MIT period and became Xi class. During the Spring 2007 semester, Catherine Paolacci became a MIT and was initiated on April 20, 2007, becoming the Omicron class. Also in Spring 2007, Cynthia Kincherlow became another patroness member.
In Fall 2007, Meg Murray and Elizabeth Porco were successfully pinned and completed their MIT period, becoming the Pi class on December 1, 2007. In Spring 2008, four girls were pinned. On May 9, 2008, Alyssa Ahearn, Brenda Belohoubek, Rachel Gasataya, and Paola Hernandez were initiated and successfully became the Rho Class.
Two girls were pinned in Spring 2009, and both successfully completed their MIT period. On May 8, 2009, Kaitlyn Fischer and Susan Lee were initiated and became the Sigma Class.