Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Honors Barb Goettelman, Syracuse, as the 2022 Loyalty Award Recipient

DUBLIN, Ohio (Aug. 1, 2022) — During the Fraternity’s 74^th Biennial Convention, Kappa Kappa Gamma continued the long-standing tradition of presenting the Loyalty Award. Considered to be the highest honor the Fraternity can bestow upon a member, the Loyalty Award was established in 1956 and is presented each biennium at Convention. In front of a crowd of more than 600 members, Gail Owen, Monmouth, 2018–22 Fraternity President, announced Barbara “Barb” Adams Goettelman, Syracuse, as the 2022 Loyalty Award recipient.

Barb exemplifies loyalty to Kappa through the many volunteer roles she’s held over the past 28 years.

After starting her career in broadcast journalism, Barb’s passion for service led her to become a “professional volunteer” who advocates and supports numerous causes in the Denver area. In addition to her local and Kappa volunteer roles, Barb also serves the National Panhellenic Conference as an Area Adviser.

Kappas who’ve had the opportunity to work with Barb say she truly personifies Kappa’s ideals. When asked, she’s accepted numerous challenging roles within the Fraternity with unwavering strength, passion and positivity. She has the unique ability to see the good in every situation.

Gail praised Barb’s positive attitude, a trait that has been a strong example for countless collegiate and alumna members.

“When you are in her presence, she makes you feel as though you are the only person who matters,” Gail said. “She handles each situation with grace, understanding and incredible knowledge.”

In her remarks during the award presentation, Barb shared how she invests in herself so she can invest in her community.

“Make yourself a priority,” Barb said. “It’s not being selfish. It’s your longevity to continue to make a difference for good and all that is good and true and beautiful for yourself, your family, your local community, and this Fraternity that we are so blessed to have in our hands.”

Barb joins 32 other Kappas who have received the honor. The Loyalty Award is given in memory of Helena Flinn Ege, Pittsburgh. Helena served the Fraternity as Director of Alumnae from 1944 to 1948 and Fraternity President from 1948 until 1952. Director of Alumnae Helen Cornish Hutchinson, Oklahoma, first presented the award and described the award recipient in this manner:

"The beginning of the Kappa experience must come in the chapter; continue in alumna work, and close only with life itself. This is a tremendous force, spread over a long period of time, with almost awe-inspiring opportunities for direction and inspiration ... If I were to choose one Kappa quality, I think it would be loyalty to the Fraternity, for Kappa loyalty implies the acceptance and execution of Kappa ideals."

When asked what she loves most about Kappa, it’s fitting that Barb, a Kappa who exemplifies the aforementioned loyalty to the ideals of Kappa’s sisterhood, said: “Meeting and making friendships within our sisterhood. We have such a rich tapestry of amazing women in our organization.”

Barb will continue making a difference in Kappa as Vice President for the newly elected 2022–24 Fraternity Council and a trustee for the Kappa Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

To learn more about the history behind the Loyalty Award, visit Kappa’s digital archives and search “Loyalty Award.” For more information about Kappa’s 74^th Biennial Convention, read The Hoot, the official publication of General Convention.

Ashley Moyer
Kappa Kappa Gamma
614-228-6515
communications@kappa.org