The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta - Spring 2014

Spring 2014

the

of Alpha Xi Delta

Being in a Sorority Taught Me...

Sisters share inspiring stories about how Alpha Xi Delta has impacted their lives.

Three new chapters installed Meet Miss Minnesota Remembering Maxine Evans Blackburn

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Iota Upsilon Chapter President Breanna Rogy (left) proudly displays her chapter’s charter with National President Sandi Edwards during the Installation celebration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Thoughts from Sandi

D

o you ever stop to think about how Alpha Xi Delta has impacted your life? Whether you’re an undergraduate member or you recently received the Order of the Diamond, how has Alpha Xi Delta inspired you to realize your potential?

I can’t help but appreciate all that I have learned from my personal sorority experience. Networking with Sisters and building relationships as an alumna has been an amazing gift.

From moving to different states and/ or switching careers, there has always been a Sister who has helped me feel welcome in my new surroundings. In this issue, you’ll meet Sisters who share their personal Alpha Xi Delta journeys and the lessons they learned from our Sisterhood.

2

the

/ SPRING 2014

Speaking of the gift of Sisterhood, we collectively initiated more than 200 women during our recent installations at the University of Nebraska Kearney, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Michigan State University. We look forward to working with these universities to grow our new chapters and inspire women to realize their potential. You can read more about these installations on pages 18-19.

This summer, we will be hosting The Founders’ Academy (TFA) from June 19-22 for Chapter Presidents and emerging chapter leaders. The curriculum draws on Alpha Xi Delta’s commitment to our members’ strengths by focusing on the development and application of StrengthsQuest™ principles to individual and

organizational leadership. I know TFA will be a great, resourceful program for our membership, and I can’t wait to hear and see the lessons these talented women will take away from this experience.

Finally, do you notice anything different? Our beloved magazine has received a makeover! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We love receiving feedback from Sisters, so please send your comments on this issue to quilleditor@alphaxidelta.org.

Loyally,

Sandi Edwards National President

18

Colony Installations | Alpha Xi Delta proudly installed three chapters this semester.

23

Shining in the Spotlight | Sister Rebecca Yeh, Ohio Northern ’12, promotes Autism Speaks in her quest for Miss America.

9

Being in a Sorority Taught Me... | Sisters share life lessons and inspiring stories about how Alpha Xi Delta has impacted their lives.

32

Remembering Maxine Evans Blackburn | Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity is

deeply saddened by the passing of Maxine Evans Blackburn, National President 1982-1986.

CONTENTS 4 Letters to the Editor

20 Tales from the Road

49 Chapter Eternal

5 What’s Trending?

26 Foundation News

50 Be The Heart

6 Q&A

34 Inventing the Loop

51 From the Archives

7 Housing News

38 Autism Speaks News

8 National Panhellenic Conference News

44 Member News

Connect with us!

Join the conversation with Sisters and keep up to date with the Fraternity by following us on our social media channels.

alphaxidelta.org

3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta is published three times per year in spring, summer and fall/winter by Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity.® POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE QUILL OF ALPHA XI DELTA, 8702 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 Volume 111/Issue 1 Copyright 2014 by Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity; all rights reserved.

Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity 8702 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 317.872.3500 www.alphaxidelta.org fhq@alphaxidelta.org Submission Deadlines Spring issue – January 23 Summer issue – June 1 Fall/Winter issue – September 6 Submission Procedures Text and photographs may be emailed to the Editor or to the Fraternity Headquarters address listed above. Photographs submitted become the property of the Fraternity. Digital images must be taken using the highest settings on a camera that’s at least 3.2 megapixels.

Address/Name Changes Visit www.alphaxidelta.org or mail changes to 8702 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268.

National Executive Director Elysia Balster Gallivan, South Dakota ’93

Recreating a Memory We asked readers to identify the following Sisters in the fall/winter issue of The Quill.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our call out.

I definitely remember that picture! They are Sisters from the Gamma Beta Chapter at Marshall University. They are sitting in the fountain behind the Student Center, which is across the street from the chapter house. They are from top left (going counterclockwise) Karen Courts, Marshall ’84, Jayne Matlack Kinney, Marshall ’83, Deanna Keeling, Marshall ’83, Lorene Burkhart Whitehouse, Marshall ’83, Anne Harman, Marshall ’82, and Robin Hill Horch, Marshall ’82. (in the top right of the fountain).

Director of Communications and Marketing Lauren Blankenbaker Felts, Indiana ’03

Thanks for the memory!

Communications Coordinator Lauren Fisher, Indiana ‘08

- Anne Templeton LaMalva, Marshall ’84

National Council 2013-2015 National President Sandi Edwards, Kentucky ’75 National Vice Presidents Suzanne Cantando, UNC Asheville ’92 Michele Herbst Evink, South Dakota State ’86 Nancy Fehremann Gainer, Iowa State ’69 Micaela Isler, Texas ’91 Fatima Johnson, UNC Asheville ’95 Nealy Patty Wheat, West Georgia ’97 The Mission of The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta: To inform, inspire and challenge. To sustain and nurture membership loyalty and interest.

To recognize individual, group and Fraternity accomplishments. To provide a forum for the exchange of information and opinion. To be the permanent record for the Fraternity.

That picture is of my Sisters and I from the Gamma Beta Chapter at Marshall University. There was not usually much snow there, so we were enjoying it!

Jayne Matlack Kinney, Marshall ’83, is in the white lettered sweatshirt, and Robin Hill Horch, Marshall ’82, is on the top right. The young woman on the top left above Jayne is Karen Courts, Marshall ’84.

In front are Deanna Keeling, Marshall ’83, Lorene Burkhart Whitehouse, Marshall ’83, and I’m on far right, Anne Harman.

What a hoot to just now open the magazine, with my 14-year-old daughter at my side, and laugh out loud.

- Anne Harman, Marshall ’82

4

the

/ SPRING 2014

Remembering Jane Henson Jane Nebel Henson was my Beta Eta Chapter Sister at the University of Maryland. I remember her roommate telling us about that “green frog” on her bed and all of us saying, “You’re dating who? And he’s in Home Ec and does what for a hobby?”

When I was in charge of our entry in the “Mad Hatters Parade,” Jane came to my aid, and of course we won! Another time, I needed to make favors for a rush party, and Jane made a silk screen quill for me to put on bags. I used that bag for my hair rollers until it shredded.

Jane would bring Kermit to alumnae meetings to tell us about The Muppets. One year, Jim and his Muppet, Smuggums, were grand marshals for Homecoming and Beta Eta had an open house for them. There is a life-size statue of Jim and Kermit in front of the University of Maryland Student Union sitting on a bench. Jane was honored at the football game on the day in 2004 when the statue was unveiled.

The University of Maryland loved Jim and Jane, and we all loved Jane and Beta Eta. - Sibyl Klak Fisher, Maryland ’54

Social Media Comments NeeCoool: Reading @alphaxidelta’s newest issue of The Quill and I see a byline by @shellbeae. t_yildiz: Proud of Kent State Alpha Xi Delta for being in the Fall/Winter issue of The Quill. #sororityoftheyear #3peat #kentstate pic.twitter.com/Q1LHz0cwhbhb

What’s on your mind?

Have a comment about an article in The Quill? Drop us an email at quilleditor@ alphaxidelta.org or send a note to The Quill, 8702 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. We reserve the right to select letters for publication and to edit for style and length.

what’s trending now New Autism Prevalence Statistics Breaking news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data in March on the prevalence of autism in the United States. The new statistics show: • 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with autism • 1 in 42 boys is diagnosed with autism • A child is diagnosed with autism every 8 minutes

Going for the Crown Alpha Xi Delta Sister and current Miss Kansas USA, Audrey Banach, Kansas State ’10, will be competing in the Miss USA competition this summer. Show Audrey your support by following her on social media.

RealMissKSusa

MissKansasUSA

Audrey_Banach

Good luck, Audrey!

Choosing Sisterhood During National Ritual Celebration Week in February, Alpha Xi Delta’s National Ritual Chair, Andi Fouberg, wrote a blog post on The Inside Ink called “Choosing Sisterhood.” In the post, she says: “Hopefully kindly hearts have dominated your Alpha Xi Delta experience. In the chaos of every day, it is easy to forget the importance of being a Sister in every sense of the word. Your commitment to choosing to make the most out of our Sisterhood should also be about making sure your choices make the Sisterhood experience all that it can be for those around you.

Inspiring women to realize their potential should not just be our stated vision, but something we do for one another and push each other to do every day.”

Scan the QR code below to visit The Inside Ink and read the post in its entirety.

< Photo Credit: Rachel Imdieke, the official photographer of Miss Kansas USA

Upcoming Colonizations Alpha Xi Delta recently announced colonization plans for the 2014-2015 academic year. This fall, Alpha Xi Delta will be colonizing at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and reestablishing our Theta Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and our Epsilon Omicron Chapter at Oklahoma State University. In the spring of 2015, Alpha Xi Delta will be joining the fraternity and sorority community at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey.

If you are interested in assisting with one of our upcoming colonizations, please visit our website and fill out a Volunteer Interest Form.

alphaxidelta.org

5

Q&A

A Q

If you could give

one piece of advice

to our undergraduate

women about Alpha Xi Delta and life in college, what would it be?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• What’s your favorite summer tradition?

Submit your response to quilleditor@alphaxidelta.org for possible entry in the next issue of The Quill.

It isn’t all about events that are planned; sometimes the best memories come from impromptu moments. Don’t be afraid of the unplanned!

- Annamarie Travvett, South Dakota State ’08

My biggest piece of advice would be never take one another for granted.

Cherish your Sisters and the memories that you make together and always have each other’s back. Near or far, your Alpha Xi Delta Sisters will always have your heart.

My Delta Kappa family still remains a big part of my life and always will. TFJ

Stop being so self critical and constantly seeking approval of others. Be true to yourself and find confidence in the ability to realize your potential through our great Fraternity. Through the love and support of Alpha Xi Delta, you will find inner strength and a fearlessness that you never knew existed. You shouldn’t care what others think of you more than what you think of yourself.

Be strong, confident and the powerful woman you are each and every day!

- Kayla Tandarich Menart,

- Nicole Pace, George Mason ’98

Slippery Rock ’06

Don’t sweat the small stuff. The things you worry about in college are the things you wish you could worry about when you are in the “real world.” Enjoy your time in the sorority being with your friends!

- Kenna Schmeling, Iowa ’99

Spend more time with your Sisters and less time with your boyfriend. Twenty years later, your Sisters will matter more.

- Cindy DelGiorno, Millersville ’93

Remember those moments when you looked your worst; sweatpants, hair a mess, where you spent all evening laughing, talking and staying up way too late...

Or maybe the night you randomly decided to pile five deep in a small SUV and take a road trip just because. No picture can capture it and no distance will make you lose its memory. So stay up late, laugh too much and enjoy your tees and sweats for as long as possible. After all, the real world won’t let you have that back.

- Ashton Blackwood, West Georgia ’09

6

the

/ SPRING 2014

Housing News

Supporting our Sisterhood Willis provides hands-on risk management and insurance support and resources to Alpha Xi Delta. We are pleased to include seven National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities as clients, and as we have expanded our client base of NPC groups, we have expanded our activities and publications to address the needs of our women’s organizations. Some of our efforts include:

Previously published resources can be found in the library of sorority resources on our website: http://www.willisfraternity.com/Educational_Resources/ Sorority_Resources/. In addition, our Education Consultant, Bobbi Larsen, is available to consult on any additional needs your organization may have. She can be reached at blarsen@ willis.com or 800.736.4327 ext. 4178.

Sorority Insights: Each semester we publish a newsletter for sorority House Corporation Officers, House Directors and volunteers. Articles include resources to assist with risk management issues as well as aids for property management.

Past articles have dealt with issues like managing the risks of water features and amusement devices; closing a chapter house for the summer and how to prevent freeze and mold damage. Past issues are available on our website: www.WillisSorority.com.

Monthly Email Blasts: Each month we send out educational resources dealing with both risk management and property issues. These resources are sent to sorority staff, local volunteers and local house corporation officers as appropriate. Past topics have included designated drivers, bar crawls, safe holiday decorations, renter’s insurance and more.

Checklists: We publish checklists on ways to prepare your properties for summer, Thanksgiving and winter breaks, as well as alerts for tropical storms, hurricanes and winter storms. Storm warnings are targeted for specific regions of the country.

Programming at Conventions and Leadership Academies: In the last several years, Willis staff members have made educational presentations at inter/national meetings for most of our NPC clients. Resources developed for those meetings have been shared on sorority websites and with regional and local volunteers who continue to provide training for undergraduate members. Willis staff members have shared information about best practices, claim prevention and ways to best protect the students who live in our facilities. Bobbi Larsen attended the Alpha Xi Delta Convention in San Francisco to deliver two programs: My Sister’s Keeper and Creating an Online Persona.

alphaxidelta.org

7

NPC News

Meet Alpha Xi Delta’s NPC Delegation The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the umbrella organization for 26 inter/ national women’s fraternities and sororities. Every two years, Alpha Xi Delta’s National Council appoints one National Panhellenic Conference delegate and up to three alternate delegates to represent Alpha Xi Delta and act as liaisons between the Conference and its member groups. Alpha Xi Delta’s NPC delegate is Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State, Northridge ’83, and the Fraternity’s alternate delegates are Erin Macdonald Peck, Eastern Washington ’95, Julie Lambert, Oregon State ’81 and Patrice Orr Blum, North Carolina-Asheville ’89.

We recently sat down with our NPC delegation to learn more about them and why they choose to serve Alpha Xi Delta and NPC:

Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State, Northridge ’83 NPC responsibilities: Serves as the Area Advisor for a number of campuses in southern California and serves on the Release Figures Method Leadership Team, the Board of Development Committee and the Campus Mergers Task Force Past Alpha Xi Delta roles: Alpha Xi Delta Extension Committee (1990-1993); New Member Orientation Program Chair (199-1997); National Collegiate Vice President (19971999); NPC Delegation (1999-2007); National President (2007-2011); Foundation Board of Trustees (2007-2011); NHC Board of Trustees (2011-Present)

8

the

/ SPRING 2014

“Alpha Xi Delta was my family and ‘home base’ in college.

It never occurred to me not to serve the Fraternity after graduation. I began serving on the NPC Delegation in 1999 after my first stint on National Council, and I found a legion of like-minded women wearing other pins who became wonderful friends and allies!”

Julie Lambert, Oregon State ’81 NPC responsibilities: Works with seven College Panhellenics in Northern California and serves on the Measurable Outcomes Committee, which collects, evaluates and analyzes NPC data and creates fact-based talking points for the organization

Past Alpha Xi Delta roles: Delta Rho Chapter Advisory Board Member (1990-1992); Gamma Alpha Chapter Advisory Board Member (1992-1993); Steinbeck Alumnae Association President (1995-1997, 2002-2004, 2012-2013); Regional Membership Advisor (1993-1997); Regional Collegiate Director (1997-2001); Foundation Trustee (20032011); Foundation Chair (2009-2011) and NPC Delegation (2011-Present) “At the Alpha Delta Chapter at Oregon State University, we were fortunate to have women from many different chapters serve as advisors. They made sure we understood that membership was a life-long benefit, that Sisters we hadn’t even met yet would make a tremendous impact on our lives and that we should consider giving back to the Fraternity as alumnae members. As such, I have served in a variety of capacities for Alpha Xi Delta as well as being a member of the Monterey Bay Area National Alumnae Panhellenic group prior to joining the NPC delegation. Past and present Alpha Xi Delta Sisters have been great contributors to the National Panhellenic Conference, and I am thrilled to be one of its representatives to help educate collegians and alumnae on the value of its advocacy and support of the member groups.”

Erin Macdonald Peck, Eastern Washington ’95 NPC responsibilities: Works with campuses in Alberta, British Columbia and Utah and serves on the College Panhellenics Committee Past Alpha Xi Delta roles: Alpha Xi Delta Educational Leadership Consultant (1997-1999); Regional Collegiate Director (2000-2001); NPC Delegation (2001-2003, 2007Present) and Assistant Executive Director-West (2003-2006)

“The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is such an important organization. It promotes the development of leadership and academic success. NPC reaches so many women across North America, and I get to see the impact NPC has on women daily. I am so very proud to be a part of such a respected and progressive organization.”

Patrice Orr Blum, North CarolinaAsheville ’89 NPC responsibilities: Serves as the Area Advisor for a number of universities in the northeast and serves on the College Panhellenics Committee Past Alpha Xi Delta roles: Educational Leadership Consultant (1992-1993); Regional Collegiate Director (19962001); National C.A.R.E. Director (2001–2003); National Vice President (2003-2007); National Housing Corporation President (2007-2009); Chapter Development Specialist (2012–Present); and NPC Delegation (2013-Present) “During my new member period in the Zeta Tau Chapter at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, I was asked to serve as our chapter’s very first Junior Panhellenic Delegate. While I am one hundred percent positive that I did not fully ‘get it,’ I knew there was something pretty special about representing my chapter within the Greek community. I went on to serve as Panhellenic Vice President my senior year and have used the knowledge I acquired in that position throughout my entire volunteer career. When I was asked if I was interested in representing Alpha Xi Delta on our NPC delegation with the added bonus of getting to work with Deanna, Erin and Julie, I jumped at the opportunity.”

alphaxidelta.org

9

Being in a sorority Taught me...

Being in a Sorority

taught me...

By Erin Grimes, Wisconsin-Oshkosh ’98

Thanks to my time in Alpha Xi Delta, I already knew how to prioritize workloads based on due dates and how to work quickly to get any job done.

— Alexa Passalacqua, Monmouth Univ. ‘09

Being in a sorority taught me membership is truly lifelong.

— Kahlin McKeown, Delaware ‘07

10 the

/ SPRING 2014

Alpha Xi Delta gave me much more than a memorable college experience – it gave me a network of women who believe in the same things I do.

— Kristin Farina, Rider ‘10

Being involved in my chapter helped me land my dream job. During my interview, not only was my interviewer in the Greek system, but we were both involved in recruitment.

— Rachel Fishman, Cal State, Northridge ‘09

alphaxidelta.org 11

Being in a sorority Taught me...

“C’mon, let’s check it out. Seriously. My cousin is in it. Just go. Come on. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to go anymore but just go this once.”

— Erin Grimes, Wisconsin-Oshkosh ’98

Those were the words said to me by my Sister Jenny when she was trying to DRAG me to an informal recruitment event. “I’m not the sorority type,” I told her. “I can’t stand those types of girls.” Boy was I wrong! My life has been completely different since I made the decision to go to that recruitment event with Jenny, and I owe it all to Alpha Xi Delta.

Being in a sorority was more than I ever thought. I’d seen the stereotypes. I knew what I “thought”

sorority women were. Turns out, joining a sorority was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life, and I don’t regret it for a minute. The life skills that I’ve learned over the years through my experience with Alpha Xi Delta have had a huge impact on my life, my career and my drive to be a volunteer.

12 the

/ SPRING 2014

“I can’t do this. This isn’t for me. I know what those girls are like.”

That was my idea of a sorority, and it wasn’t something I wanted to be a part of. Or so I thought. I went to a very small high school where everyone knew everyone else’s business and often had to deal with people who looked at me unfavorably because I was taking advanced classes, participated in music and had a great amount of respect for my parents and teachers. That often made me a target of people who thought they were better than me.

Coming out of high school, I was intimidated to go to college due to my lack of self-confidence. I remember my mom saying, “No one in college will know what you did or didn’t do in high school. Everyone starts with a clean slate.”

Going to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I put that all behind me, listened to my mom and decided to take Jenny up on her offer and check out this “sorority thing.” What I found after I joined was a group of women who accepted me for who I was. They didn’t care where I’d come from and didn’t care what I went through in high school. To my Sisters, I was another Sister; an addition to the Delta Tau Chapter.

The unconditional love and support of my Sisters is what shaped me in my college years and in my life after. I learned it was ok to have moments when you just needed a Sister to hang out with or that challenges could be overcome with the support of my chapter. My family was only 30 minutes from my college, but my Sisters were just a call or walk away. Being involved gave me so much that I could never begin to give back. I was the shy person who learned how to come out of her shell when I was with my Sisters at a homecoming event or at a social event with a fraternity. I learned how to love my Sisters. I met some fantastic fraternity men and sorority women whom I still call friends today. Learning how to accept others as I was accepted by my Sisters has really helped me in my current position where I work and support my clients all over the country and world.

“What is it that you are looking for in a sorority?”

While going through college as a business major focusing on human resources (HR) and business law, I was taking many classes specific to HR. One of my classes focused on how to recruit employees. Being a member of Alpha Xi Delta, this was not a new topic for me. I developed the ability to practice interviewing and reviewing resumes throughout my curriculum in the HR track at UW-Oshkosh, and I was able to put this skill into use and refine my ability through Alpha Xi Delta.

Going through recruitment is like an interview process for both the potential new member as well as the chapter members. When I was participating in recruitment as a chapter member and looking for new members, I was able to ask questions that helped me learn if the potential new member I was talking to would be a good fit in our chapter. In turn, the potential new member often had questions for me, as she tried to find her home in the Greek community. It was during recruitment that I realized interviewing is nothing more than a conversation between two individuals trying to determine the best fit for a certain position. It suddenly made me feel less nervous in job interview settings, and over the years of talking with potential new members, I was able to fine-tune my ability to listen to the questions being posed and answer questions in a professional and suitable way. Like everything,

The unconditional love and support of my Sisters is what shaped me in my college years and in my life after. I learned it was ok to have moments when you just needed a Sister to hang out with or that challenges could be overcome with the support of my chapter.

alphaxidelta.org 13

Being in a sorority Taught me...

skills develop with time and practice, and my years as an undergraduate member during recruitment helped prepare me for interviewing in the real world.

The years of being an undergraduate member, working through recruitment and talking to potential new members did more than just prepare me for my own interviewing skills and abilities; it helped me become a better interviewer, and I got to use the skills I learned when I spent five years as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company where hiring and recruiting were done in large numbers.

The conversational skills, the ability to quickly assess a candidate’s resume and the ability to ask the right questions in all the years looking for the right Sisters helped me locate the right employees for the positions I was trying to fill as a recruiter/HR Generalist.

“What’s philanthropy? And why do we do it again?”

Before joining Alpha Xi Delta, I really had never heard of the word philanthropy, let alone knew what it meant.

That certainly changed when I became a member of Alpha Xi Delta. I discovered my passion for helping others when I was volunteering with my Sisters at the Christine Ann Center (the local Women’s Domestic Abuse Shelter in Oshkosh, Wisconsin) and participating in on-campus events with other Greeks giving back to the greater community.

Over the years, my desire to give back has come through in many ways. For several years I served on the board of directors for the Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County (a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families and children) and took part in a number of work sponsored events where we adopted families in need during the holidays. I’ve been a part of drives to benefit Humane Societies, participated in school supply drives, donated to the United Way and have been a member of several area SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) organizations.

But most importantly to me, I’ve been serving Alpha Xi Delta as a volunteer advisor for about ten years. I have worked with the Theta Tau Chapter at Marian University and currently serve as the chapter advisor for the Delta Tau Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. To me, it’s the very least I can do for an organization that gave me so much. Every year, you will find me putting in late

14 the

/ SPRING 2014

Spring Formal 2013 with Delta Tau alumnae. Left to right: Shannon Diedrick, Erika Kiley, Brittany Dorfner, Jessica Seymour, Erin Grimes, Amber Bauer.

nights during recruitment, attending chapter meetings and serving as a reference and support person for my Sisters.

My current chapter will tell you they appreciate the things I do for them, but really, I appreciate them for allowing me to give back. I appreciate the chance I was given to become a part of Alpha Xi Delta and to be able to realize my potential.

I will be eternally grateful for the Sisterhood, love, support and knowledge I’ve been given, and it is the reason why I continue to give back every day.

“You know, maybe this was the right place for me.

This isn’t like what everyone ‘thinks’ it is.”

Even though most of these lessons I learned as an undergraduate of Alpha Xi Delta, I am still growing and learning from my sorority experience every day. I often get asked by my collegiate Sisters if I can review their resumes because they know I have experience in the HR field. I have learned to be a better teacher and mentor and have realized that I, at one time, was in their shoes, unsure of life beyond college. It has helped me become a better resource, and I have learned how to better help my collegiate Sisters prepare for life after college. Some of the collegiate Sisters I served as an advisor to have become some of my closest Sisters, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It has truly been a blessing to see the collegiate Sisters I work with become successful and amazing people! But the most important thing I have learned is that Alpha Xi Delta and Sisterhood truly is for life, and I am thankful I listened to my friend many years ago when she “dragged” me to a recruitment event.

Being in a sorority taught me...

Being in a sorority taught me...

After I married my husband and became an Army wife, we moved around a lot. I’ve been fortunate to find Alpha Xi Delta collegiate chapters at some of our duty stations, and it gives me a chance to give back to my Sisters. I’ve helped collegians during recruitment all around the United States.

In addition, I’m a Department of Defense Civilian, and I work for Army families. I’ve found that the collegiate chapters are always happy to volunteer to write letters to my soldiers who are stationed in Afghanistan and help Army families make “welcome home” banners. There are also alumnae chapters who help me get acquainted with my new communities and help me get comfortable as I move around. I look forward to meeting more of our Sisters as my Army journey continues! TFJ!

...How to effectively manage my time throughout college. During college, I was managing a full class schedule, working one to two jobs and holding executive positions in both Alpha Xi Delta and Monmouth’s Relay for Life committee. I quickly had to learn how to get all my work done for classes, along with any responsibilities I had in my extracurricular activities. I learned how to prioritize my workload and work together with groups of people to help when responsibilities called for it. Learning effective time management skills helped me when I started working.

Thanks to my time in Alpha Xi Delta, I already knew how to prioritize workloads based on due dates and how to work quickly to get any job done.

— Alexa Passalacqua, Monmouth Univ. ’09

— Erica Grace Borg Koelder, Nebraska-Lincoln ‘99

Being in a sorority taught me...

Alpha Xi Delta led me to discover my true passion in working professionally with fraternities and sororities and allows me to give back to values-based organizations I so whole-heartedly believe in. The opportunity to serve the Theta Gamma Chapter as president taught me how to mediate conflict, communicate professionally and lead a group of more than 175 collegiate women to accomplish short-term goals and contribute to the chapter’s shared vision. Being a member of Alpha Xi Delta taught me the power of women’s organizations in developing leadership abilities, raising awareness for women’s issues and strengthening values of chapter members. Being in a sorority taught me membership is truly lifelong and that as long as you remain active and engaged as a sorority woman, sorority will always have something to teach you. — Kahlin McKeown, Delaware ‘07

alphaxidelta.org 15

Being in a sorority Taught me...

Being in a sorority taught me...

Being in a sorority taught me...

Being involved in my chapter helped me land my dream job.

During my interview, not only was my interviewer in the Greek system, but we were both involved in recruitment as undergraduates. We discussed the creativity, people skills and leadership involved in the recruitment process. Every day, I use the skills I learned from being in a sorority, such as the ability to foster my connections and to find commonalities with individuals that I encounter. Lastly, Alpha Xi Delta taught me to be myself by sticking to my morals and beliefs. Due to my experience in a sorority, I am now part of a company that coordinates the top movie premieres and corporate events in Los Angeles. I travel all over the United States organizing events such as the “Great Gatsby” and “Gravity” premieres as well as putting together trade shows for companies like Hewlett Packard.

I am one of the lucky ones who joined Alpha Xi Delta as a college student and have been able to come back and revisit my Fraternity experience from a mature, seasoned point of view as the House Director of the Kappa Chapter at the University of Illinois. When I first attended Marshall University, I hardly knew what a sorority was. I was asked by Jeanette Hash, a family friend, teacher at my high school and alumna of Gamma Beta Chapter, if I would like to go through recruitment. She wanted to write a letter for me, and said I should be an Alpha Xi Delta. When I pledged Alpha Xi in 1963, it was a wonderful way to meet like-minded women who were serious students, liked to have fun, and had character and a set of values. The thing I most love about being a House Director is seeing the caliber of women Alpha Xi still chooses. They are truly women whom I admire, and they make me proud to be a part of the Greek community. The sorority has taught me to value friendship and to be present for friends throughout my life. I still remember my pledge Sisters and my Big and Little Sisters. They represent a group of friends who I value and cherish to this day.

— Rachel Fishman, Cal State, Northridge ‘09

— Constance Burgess Kelley, Marshall ‘64 16 the

/ SPRING 2014

I am proud to have Alpha Xi Delta on my resume, and I believe my experience in college and the connections I’ve made with Sisters post-graduation will help me realize my potential in my career.

— Kaitlyn Livoy, Millersville ’09

Being in a sorority taught me...

Being in a sorority taught me...

...Leadership and loyalty, but above all, it has taught me to be confident. Confidence is important when going on a job interview, and I know my experiences have helped mold me into the person I am today. The life lessons I have learned through Alpha Xi Delta have allowed me to stand out amongst other candidates for a job. During my time as an undergraduate Sister, the positions I held prepared me for the workplace. I learned the fundamentals of leadership and gained experiences that have helped boost my resume and spark interest in an employer. I am proud to have Alpha Xi Delta listed on my resume, and I believe my experience in college and the connections I’ve made with Sisters post-graduation will help me realize my potential in my career.

Painted on the wall at Epsilon Lambda Chapter’s house is the saying, “It’s not four years, it’s for life.” I didn’t know what that truly meant until I started to reach out to alumnae about employment opportunities post-graduation. Alpha Xi Delta gave me much more than a memorable college experience – it gave me a network of women who believe in the same things I do.

As an undergraduate, I completed six internships to ensure myself a place in the world following graduation. Inspired by the quote on the wall, I reached out to Toni Lynn Gross, and she connected me with Brown Forman, the supplier of Jack Daniel’s. After a rigorous interview, I received a full-time employment offer! The best part of this entire experience is knowing that someday a Sister from Alpha Xi Delta will reach out to me, and I can help her realize her potential because it’s not four years, it’s for life.

— Kaitlyn Livoy, Millersville ‘09

— Kristin Farina, Rider ’10

alphaxidelta.org 17

Chapter Installations

Chapter Installations

The University of Nebraska Kearney

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Location: Kearney, Nebraska Chapter: Delta Gamma Re-Installation date: January 12, 2014 Chapter size: 32

Location: Edwardsville, Illinois Chapter: Iota Upsilon Installation date: January 26, 2014 Chapter size: 50

The school: The University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) is one of four institutions in the University of Nebraska school system. UNK is committed to providing outstanding education to its nearly 7,100 students.

The school: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a public, comprehensive university dedicated to the communication, expansion and integration of knowledge through excellent undergraduate education.

Colony snapshot: Delta Gamma Chapter was originally established at the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) on April 7, 1962, making it the first national Greek organization at Kearney State College (now UNK). The chapter became dormant in 1969.

Fraternity Headquarters received the invitation to reestablish our Delta Gamma Chapter at UNK in the spring of 2013 and began colonization efforts on campus in the fall of 2013 when Educational Leadership Consultant Amanda Torpey, North Carolina-Wilmington ’10, arrived on campus.

Since bid day in September, the colony women have participated in and won their first ever Homecoming at UNK, gathered with Alpha Xi Delta alumnae at the Museum of Nebraska Art, went on an all-chapter retreat and hosted officer elections.

On January 12, 2014, more than 125 Sisters and friends gathered in Kearney, Nebraska, to celebrate the chapter’s Installation and watched as 32 women were initiated into the Delta Gamma Chapter.

Colony snapshot: Alpha Xi Delta announced in April 2013 plans to colonize a new chapter at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and began colonization efforts in the fall of 2013 when Educational Leadership Consultant Shay Galley, Bowling Green State ’08, arrived on campus.

Bid day was celebrated on September 30, 2013, and since then the colony has thrived at SIUE. The week after bid day, the colony women participated in SIUE’s Homecoming activities where they placed first in the golf cart decorating contest. They quickly became involved with the Greek community and have participated in various philanthropy events, including their very first Walk Now for Autism Speaks event.

The SIUE Colony officially became the Iota Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta on January 26, 2014 when the chapter was installed and 50 women were initiated into our Sisterhood.

18 the

/ SPRING 2014

Michigan State University Location: East Lansing, Michigan Chapter: Beta Theta Re-Installation date: February 23, 2014 Chapter size:121

The school: Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is a public research institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The University is home to more than 37,900 undergraduate students and more than 50 nationally affiliated Greek organization.

Colony snapshot: Alpha Xi Delta first installed its Beta Theta Chapter at Michigan State University in 1934, where it was an active participant in the fraternity and sorority community until the chapter became dormant in 2001.

Plans to reestablish the Beta Theta Chapter were announced in October 2012, and in the fall of 2013, Educational Leadership Consultants Allison Davies, Indiana ’10, and Hollie Amato, Ohio ’09, arrived on campus to conduct a successful colony recruitment. Since bid day in October, the colony has grown tremendously, participating in Michigan State University’s Safe Halloween and various Greek philanthropy events.

Sisters are involved with many organizations on campus, including the MSU Greek Week Executive Committee and

Student Government, with Alpha Xi Delta Sister Kiran Samra serving as the current Student Body President.

In addition, the colony women won MSU’s Greek AntiHazing Awareness Competition and placed second in the Greek Week Twitter competition.

Sisters were excited to welcome the Beta Theta Chapter back home to MSU when the chapter was officially reinstalled on February 23, 2014. More than 275 Alpha Xi Deltas attended the Installation and celebrated the addition of 121 women into our Sisterhood.

alphaxidelta.org 19

Tales from the Road

tales from the Road

Hollie (left) and Allison (right) with Sparty, Michigan State University’s mascot, during a Greek Life event on campus.

Michigan State University

By Allison Davies, Indiana ’10, and Hollie Amato, Ohio ’09

One of the best experiences being an Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) offers is the opportunity to colonize or recolonize a chapter. Colonizing gives us the chance to start a chapter from scratch, and as ELCs, we help find women who will be colony members of the chapter and remembered on their campus and within Alpha Xi Delta for years to come.

Some of the most exciting things about working with our colony members are helping them to build the Alpha Xi Delta brand on their campus, inspiring chapter traditions and seeing each woman sign the chapter’s charter. This is such a huge and rewarding experience, and we were lucky enough to be part of it at Michigan State University (MSU). While stationed in East Lansing, Michigan, we learned that such a momentous

20 the

/ SPRING 2014

occasion requires an equally large amount of work. Here’s a look into how we assisted with the recolonization of the Beta Theta Chapter.

For the first two months, we spent our days tabling in high traffic areas on campus, getting familiar with campus traditions and individually meeting with potential colony women. We met with Michigan State’s Panhellenic Council and Interfraternal Council regularly and visited all 42 Greek organizations at MSU to tell them about Alpha Xi Delta’s colonization plans and partnered with them to help us spread the word about our return to campus. During this time, we also focused strongly on the use of social media and researched how we could strategically reach our potential new member target audience at a school with more than 40,000 students.

Before Panhellenic formal recruitment kicked off, we spent our time preparing to meet with the more than 1,000 potential new members (PNMs) who signed up for sorority

New members at Michigan State throw what they know during an on-campus photo shoot.

recruitment at MSU. With assistance from our Psi Sisters at The Ohio State University and our Beta Pi Chapter at Indiana University, we were able to educate all of the PNMs on the countless benefits of joining an Alpha Xi Delta colony. Since Alpha Xi Delta only participated in the first round of formal recruitment, we spent the remaining days touring the other chapter houses on campus so we could gain more insight into the formal recruitment process at MSU.

After Panhellenic formal recruitment was completed, it was our turn to begin our membership selection, and boy, it was a whirlwind! Prior to member selection weekend, we hosted events to build awareness of Alpha Xi Delta, educate PNMs on the colonization process and promote the colony experience.

Events were focused on our partnership with Autism Speaks, the history of Alpha Xi Delta and the benefits of being a colony member. During each event, women signed up for a personal information session where they could speak one-on-

one with an Alpha Xi Delta representative. In two days, and with the help of nine staff members, we met with more than 480 PNMs who were interested in being colony members. On October 13, we proudly welcomed more than 120 women home to Alpha Xi Delta at MSU!

The hard work and sleepless nights of preparation were worth the enthusiasm we saw amongst the colony women and continue to see as they build their legacy at MSU. Although it wasn’t exactly “life on the road,” the feeling of truly leaving our mark on Alpha Xi Delta and the experience of colonizing the Beta Theta Chapter is one we will never forget.

alphaxidelta.org 21

Tales from the Road

Welcome to the Jungle

By Shelby Young, Alabama at Birmingham ’09

During my time as a Leadership Coach, I spent a lot of time working with Sisters to develop life skills. One of my favorite activities to do with the chapters and colonies I visited was called “Welcome to the Jungle.” See the activity below and try it on your own!

Start the activity by reading the statements below. Then, starting at the center of the graph, move in the direction that corresponds with the statement you relate to the most. Move vertically for the first six statements and horizontally for the last six statements.

When you get to the final statement, note your spot on the graph and circle it. At the end of the activity, you should end up in one of the four quadrants.

Move Up 1. Tends to be dominant, demanding, aggressive, forceful, active, ambitious 2. Tends to talk more than ask questions 3. Tends to take a stand and makes position clear to others 4. If “fight” tends to be a priority 5. Tends to act before you think 6. Tends to relax by spending time with others

Move Left 7. If achievement tends to be a priority 8. Tends to be cautious, intellectual, serious 9. Tends to be independent of, or indifferent to, other’s feelings

1. T ends to be passive, unassuming, contented, quiet, reserved, easy-going 2. Tends to ask more questions than talk 3. T ends to express moderate opinions, cooperative, let others take initiative 4. If “flight” tends to be a priority 5. Tends to think before you act 6. T ends to relax by spending time alone

Move Right 7. I f acceptance tends to be a priority 8. Tends to be warm, emotional, light hearted 9. T ends to be self-indulgent, attention-seeking, not interested in the feelings of others

10.Tends to be precise, no-nonsense, critical, efficient

10. T ends to be casual, playful, dramatic, impulsive, open

11. If truth is more important than being tactful

11. I f being tactful is more important than fact.

12. Tends to make decisions based off facts, statistics, and know information

22 the

Move Down

/ SPRING 2014

12. T ends to make decisions based off how others feel and their opinions

Shelby (left) with Megan Rash at the University of Nebraska Kearney Colony retreat.

Shining in the spotlight

shining in the spotlight

By Shannon Slatton Schwartz, Henderson State â&#x20AC;&#x2122;99

Sister Rebecca Yeh, Ohio Northern â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12, promotes Autism Speaks in her quest for Miss America.

alphaxidelta.org 23

Shining in the spotlight

R

ebecca Yeh didn’t really expect to join a sorority at Ohio Northern University in the fall of 2012. But one small, simple message sparked her interest in the Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta.

“It was actually the autism facts that were chalked on the sidewalk by Alpha Xi that initially caught my eye,” says Rebecca.

“After learning more about the chapter and feeling welcomed by the Sisters, I decided that it would be a great opportunity for me to use my own experience with autism to contribute to our chapter.”

Rebecca’s older brother Phil has a moderately severe form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder.

“He has a difficult time understanding body language, humor and communicating his thoughts with others,” says Rebecca.

Phil now has his driver’s license, a job and relationships with his peers and adults. “As his sister, I realize that his successes wouldn’t be the magnitude they are without his family, educators and a diagnosis when he was four years old,” says Rebecca. “I saw this realization as an opportunity to educate our students, teachers and families on autism and to increase funding for autism research and education.”

After Rebecca was initiated into the Gamma Tau Chapter, she served as Philanthropy Chair and organized events like Puzzlepalooza and the Blue Dinner that raised money for Autism Speaks. She also gave presentations on autism to her chapter and created information brochures for her community.

But Rebecca got to promote autism awareness on a much bigger stage when she won the title of Miss Minnesota in 2013. “By the time I graduated high school, I was an accomplished violinist, straight-A student, AllState cross country runner and had been accepted into Ohio Northern University’s selective Doctorate of Pharmacy program,” says Rebecca. “I realized that competing in the Miss America Organization would help me integrate these different areas of my life and magnify the influence I could have on other people.” Besides her assigned duties as the official spokesperson for Children’s Miracle Network, Rebecca serves as the Autism Speaks honorary community ambassador in Minnesota and as the spokesperson for Walk Now for Autism Speaks at the Mall of America. “There are

24 the

/ SPRING 2014

so many pieces to the autism puzzle that are still missing: the cure, the cause and to some extent, the best treatment,” says Rebecca. “If I can help put just one piece of the puzzle together, why not?”

As Rebecca prepared for the Miss America pageant, she spent time polishing her public speaking skills, working out in the gym perfecting her swimsuit physique and increasing her awareness of current events. “My Sisters were there to support me, whether lending an ear or joining me in the gym,” says Rebecca.

Rebecca received accolades at the Miss America pageant for her violin performance. She started playing violin when she was four years old. By the time she was in sixth grade, Rebecca was taking lessons three hours away from her hometown of Nisswa at the University of Minnesota.

Photo Credit: Sarah Morreim

“While my friends were at football games or sleepovers, I was practicing three to four hours everyday,” says Rebecca.

She was performing nationally and even giving lessons by the time she was 13. When Rebecca began competing in pageants, she began to have more fun entertaining the crowd while staying true to her classical roots. “Whether I have a performance in front of millions of people or in front of the bathroom mirror, my focus and concentration is the same,” says Rebecca.

Rebecca finished as fourth runner-up, a Preliminary Talent winner and the recipient of $12,000 in scholarship awards. “I had two of the best weeks of my life at Miss America, not because of the end result, but because of the people I met and the people who supported me through it all,” says Rebecca. Her Gamma Tau Sisters sent a packet of notes for

Rebecca to open on her final night of preliminary competition.

“It was the greatest feeling to know that these ladies were thinking of me and that I was their Miss America.”

“If I can help put just one piece of the puzzle together, why not?

– Rebecca Yeh, Ohio Northern ‘12

alphaxidelta.org 25

Foundation news \ Meet a Scholarship Recipient

“The ability to realize one’s potential is a lifelong process that flourishes with the guidance and support of family, friends and Sisterhood.” - Amy Rosen, Bowling Green State ‘01 26 the

/ SPRING 2014

meet a scholarship recipient Amy Rosen, Bowling Green State ‘01 Mary Burt Nash Scholarship Recipient 2013 Amy holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and is currently pursuing a J.D. from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. After finishing law school, Amy hopes to become part of a university’s general counsel team with the goal of eventually being the General Counsel of a major institution. This would allow her to combine her passion for student involvement and student development with her love of the law. As a full-time law student, Amy cannot hold a full-time job so the financial assistance from the Foundation scholarship is critically important.

“I would like to thank the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation for awarding me the Mary Burt Nash Scholarship. I am honored that I was chosen and extremely thankful for the support. The financial support the Foundation provides each year to so many women of Alpha Xi Delta is exceptional. It reminds me that Alpha Xi Delta continues to benefit women long after the collegiate experience ends,” Amy said.

“The ability to realize one’s potential is a lifelong process that flourishes with the guidance and support of family, friends and Sisterhood. The Mary Burt Nash Scholarship has immediately been able to assist me in my academic pursuits by enabling me to register for classes last summer. Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to take the courses I need in order to graduate on time.

I recently finished my first year of law school and plan to graduate with the class of 2015. I love that Alpha Xi Delta offers a scholarship for current or first-year law students. I have a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and a master’s degree in higher education and neither prepared me for the challenges of law school. It makes me very happy to know my Sisters support me and are rooting for me to succeed.”

Undergraduate Giving Challenge In 2012, The Foundation transitioned the Senior Challenge to The Undergraduate Giving Challenge. During this annual challenge, each collegiate member is encouraged, or challenged, to make a gift to the Foundation of $18.93. This is each collegiate member’s opportunity to make a mark on Alpha Xi Delta, as our alumnae do, with donations to The Loyalty Fund. Their gift helps Alpha Xi Delta inspire women to realize their potential and ensures the Alpha Xi Delta experience we all love is strong today and tomorrow. Collegiate members giving $18.93 or more during the year are recognized by joining the Heart Sunshine Circle, and they receive a special dangle to wear proudly on their badge.

“They’ve been announcing it [the Undergraduate Giving Challenge] in chapter meetings for a couple of years now. With this being my third year, I thought it was time for me to give. I went to The Workout two summers ago and it was a great experience, both to learn and to meet other Alpha Xi Deltas from across the country. Alpha Xi Delta and my Sisters have helped me live my college life and make the most of my time here. It was time for me to give back. I decided now was time to support the Undergraduate Giving Challenge and help support our future,” said Tanya Keys, Cal State, Stanislaus ’11.

The 2013 Undergraduate Giving Challenge was an amaXIng success raising nearly $17,000 for the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. Our collegiate members are stepping up to make their mark on the Alpha Xi Delta they love.

alphaxidelta.org 27

Foundation news \ Memorial Gifts

Memorial Gifts The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation recognizes Memorial Gifts from August 16, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

William Andrich, father of Diane Andrich

by Diane Andrich, University of Northern Colorado Gretchen Kelly Barrett, University of Iowa

by Susan Ann Barrett Boelke, Monmouth College Ellen Paliani Bish, West Liberty University

by Kay Gilchrist Murray, West Liberty University Maxine Evans Blackburn, Wittenberg University

by Evonne Carawan, North Carolina State University Diane Curtis Gregory, Wittenberg University Julie Lambert, Oregon State University Virginia Drick Messing, Ohio Wesleyan University Sara Pullis Molnar, Ferris State University Elizabeth McCoy Walley, University of Mississippi

Virginia Paxson Degenhardt, Wittenberg University

by Virginia Ellen Vorhis, Rochester Institute of Technology Keith Lee Silcox Derian, University of California-Berkeley

by Dorothy Anderson Tregea, University of California-Berkeley Evelyn Gibbs Dice, Northwestern University

by Suzanne Petru, Northwestern University Phyllis Borkowski Eckman, Purdue University

by Helen Maxine Hardin Townsend, Purdue University Olive Gabriel Faries, Western Kentucky University

by Martha Small Greenlaw, University of Texas Lesley Noll French, Ohio Northern University

by Julie Shadley Braley, Ohio Northern University

Betty Clipson Hunt, Drake University

by Elaine & Robert Adams Wilma Arnold Phyllis & William Clipson Beverly & Jack Farrellk Anne Gavin Grosvenor Park III Condominium Board Of Directors Peter Harab Donna & Jim Lavery Rosalie Ann Fruin Veatch, Michigan State University Ruth Justus, mother of Marcia Brink Adair

by Marcia Brink Adair, Monmouth College Arline Elizabeth Kadel, Baldwin Wallace College

by Cuyahoga West Shore, OH, Alumnae Association Kristine Kelley Kelly, University of Northern Iowa

by Tracy Borlaug Pursell, University of Northern Iowa

Ruth Fowler Brown, Ohio University by the Giles Foundation

Lois Beacham Gordon, Purdue University

by Sandra Smith, Purdue University

Patti Clark Lampru, Jacksonville State University

by Atlanta North Metro, GA, Alumnae Association Paige Cronia Bushart, Valdosta State University Susan Buhay Du Part, Western Kentucky University Sara Pullis Molnar, Ferris State University

Mrs. Burgdorf, mother of Patricia Burgdorf Reed, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

by Kathryn Yager Brown, Monmouth College

Grandmother of Michele Herbst Evink, South Dakota State University

by Martha Small Greenlaw, University of Texas

Ruby Atkinson Leonard, Oregon State University

by Janet Leonard Baillie, Oregon State University

Mary G. Rallis Butler, mother of Angie Butler Ackerman

by Angie Butler Ackerman, University of South Dakota

Jane Ferguson Harvey, Ohio Wesleyan University

by Jane Stone, Ohio Wesleyan University

Dorothy Trepal Clark, University of Connecticut

by Margaret Lewis Wardle, University of Connecticut

Margaret Hirsch, mother of Heather Hirsch

by Heather Hirsch, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Jennie Morgan Lombard, University of Michigan

by Barbara Libs Murray, University of Michigan Marian Sayward West, University of Michigan

William A. Cowles, Jr., husband of Betty Akin Cowles

by Betty Akin Cowles, Syracuse University

Harriet Hitchcock Holtman, The Ohio State University

by Mary Holtman-Reed, University of Tennessee

28 the

/ SPRING 2014

Lana Hanks Gallagher, Southeast Missouri State University

by Georgia Lorrain Stergios, Southeast Missouri State University

Kathleen Ryan Marquardt, San Diego State University

by Gloria Kleponis Hunt, San Diego State University

Jane Morley, mother of Laura Morley Zuidema

by Cathleen Curley, Alma College Ronda Guimond, Alma College Laura Morley Zuidema, Alma College Rudy Oras, father of Barbara Oras Blatchford, Northern Illinois University

by Cynthia Rossi Kass, Northern Illinois University John Overby, husband of Gail Schaum Overby, Northwestern University

by Kathryn Yager Brown, Monmouth College Judith Drews Haring-Green, University of Iowa Patricia Young Poling, Ohio University

by Charlotte Richards Forquer, Ohio University Betty Geiler Porter, Ohio University

by Marilyn Geiler Netschke, Ohio University Evelyn Rose Raia

by Cheryl Epstein Tier, Rider University Katherine G. Roberts

by Sandra Rogan Gretchen Grove Saltz, Bowling Green State University

by Nancy Brown Brockman, Bowling Green State University Janis Stockman Simonds, University of Wisconsin

by Norma Malmanger Liebenberg, University of Wisconsin Kelly Sizer, Thiel College

by Monica Anderson, Thiel College Margaret Slocum, Georgia State University

by Paige Cronia Bushart, Valdosta State University Susan Buhay Du Part, Western Kentucky University Tracy Andersen Roberts, Georgia State University

Jane Vincent Smith, University of South Dakota

by Karen Knutson Ferris, University of South Dakota Ellen Elston Snediker, Marietta College

by Merrilynn Neidig Hayes Todd, Marietta College Margorie Wintz Stenger

by Nancy Stenger Todd, University of Maryland Lucille Stinton, mother of Carol Stinton Henrikson, Northern Illinois University

by Kathryn Yager Brown, Monmouth College Martha Davies Stone, RandolphMacon College

by Jane Stone, Ohio Wesleyan University Liz Tarpey, Georgia Institute of Technology

by Lindsay Wells, Georgia Institute of Technology Robert & Marcia Duffy Barbara Tatar, Alpha Deuteron

by Betty Suzanne Tatar Wiseman, Central Michigan University Jane Terveer, The Ohio State University

by Ellen Louise Dettra Kunst, The Ohio State University Virginia Holtman Thigpen, University of Tennessee

by Mary Holtman-Reed, University of Tennessee Tracy Goad Walter, Hillsdale College

by Christina Munck Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara, Hillsdale College Mrs. Edmond Westburg, mother of Linda Westburg Eberlein, Northern Illinois University

by Kathryn Yager Brown, Monmouth College Cathy Brady Weston, Eastern Michigan University

by Joy Morrison Farmer, Eastern Michigan University

Lawrence Willis, Jr., father of Regina Willis Hawkins, Jacksonville State University

by Nancy Fehrmann Gainer, Iowa State University Kimberly Starr, University of Kentucky Daphne Wright, Southern Polytechnic State University

by Iota Theta Chapter, Southern Polytechnic State University Ann Yanosky, Bowling Green State University

by Christine Shellhammer Gilliam, Bowling Green State University

HONOR Gifts The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation recognizes Honor Gifts given from August 16, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

All Alpha Xi Deltas

by Samantha Jackson, Purdue University Alpha Xi Chapter, University of California-Los Angeles

by Patricia Lee Dillon Clegg, University of California-Los Angeles Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity

by Madeliene Dumond, University of New Orleans Anela Amba-Pascua, California State University-San Marcos

by Ashley Smith, California State University-San Marcos Sapphire Andersen, University of Nebraska at Omaha

by Margaret Koenig, University of Nebraska at Omaha Liz Pope Battaglia, University of Virginia

by Margaret Payne Greene, Stetson University Beta Pi Chapter, Indiana University

by Vivian Schilling Surface, Indiana University

Heather Bland, Youngstown State University

by Breanna Bayer, Slippery Rock University Souha Bouhafs, Georgia Institute of Technology, September FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Jen Brady, University of Nebraska at Omaha

by Elizabeth Achenbach, University of Nebraska at Omaha Haley Brueggemann, Florida Atlantic University

by Nicole Montoya, Florida Atlantic University Katie Burke, Florida Atlantic University

by Bailey Hamm, Florida Atlantic University Cassie Byrne, University of Toledo

by Kristen Filzer, University of Toledo Suzanne Cantando, University of North Carolina-Asheville

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

Brenda Diaz, University of TexasEl Paso, May FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Maya Doghman, University of Nebraska at Omaha

by Sara Doghman, University of Nebraska at Omaha Peggy Martin Dorsey, West Virginia Wesleyan College

by Mary Jean Dorsey Taylor, West Virginia Wesleyan College Melissa Dupree, Southern Polytechnic State University

by Donna Dupree, mother of Melissa Dupree Ruth-Ann Eagle, University of Texas

by Madison Preston, University of Texas Taylor Earley, University of Alabama at Birmingham, April FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Sandi Edwards, University of Kentucky

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

Leslie Chastain

by Rachel Eaton White, University of West Georgia

Anna English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

by Sapphire Andersen, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Ann Spalding Cochran, Georgia Southern University

by Carol Spalding Wakamo, Georgia State University

Michele Herbst Evink, South Dakota State University

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

Whitney Cook, University of Northern Iowa

by Cinthia Cook, mother of Whitney Cook

Suzanne Failor Forkin, Ohio Northern University

by Patricia St Clair Smith, Ohio Northern University

Delta Mu Chapter, Old Dominion University

by Kristine Anderson Stephens, Old Dominion University

David Foulk, father of Tosha Foulk

by Tosha Foulk, University of Nebraska-Kearney

Delta Pi Chapter, Defiance College

by Christina-Marie Drake, Defiance College

Michelle Freeman, mother of Kelsea Freeman

by Kelsea Freeman, Kent State University

Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, California State University-Northridge

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

Nancy Fehrmann Gainer, Iowa State University

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

alphaxidelta.org 29

Foundation news \ Honor Gifts

Barbara Celluzzi Galaini, Bucknell University

by Alexis Galaini, Bucknell University Paige Gallagher, Southeast Missouri State University

by Donna Gallagher, mother of Paige Gallagher Shay Galley, Bowling Green State University

by Alexandria Jenkins, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Gamma Xi Chapter, Valdosta State University

by Sue Hilton Kenneally, Valdosta State University Jessica Gerwig, Florida Atlantic University

by Brittney Smith, Florida Atlantic University Dale and Barbara Gilbertson

by Krystn Elaine Gilbertson Aversa, Michigan State University Gabrielle Girard, Cornell University

by Ann Girard, mother of Gabrielle Girard Ann Williams Hall, University of Alabama

by Lois Taylor Williams, University of Alabama Kellie Hanser, Southeast Missouri State University

by Katherine Hanser, Southeast Missouri State University Katie Hanser, Southeast Missouri State University

by Kellie Hanser, Southeast Missouri State University Judy Harlan, mother of Katherine Harlan

by Katherine Harlan, Carroll University Zoey Hartpence, University of Central Oklahoma

by Bambi Hora, University of Central Oklahoma

30 the

/ SPRING 2014

Nancy Watson Harvey, Iowa Wesleyan College

by Shelley Wilmes Grider, Iowa Wesleyan College Deborah Hoover, mother of Emily Hoover

by Emily Hoover, Pennsylvania State University Savannah Howe, University of Illinois

by James Howe, father of Savannah Howe Kristen Hudson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

by Cindy Hudson, mother of Kristen Hudson Bette Furuki Idemoto, The Ohio State University

by Cuyahoga West Shore, OH, Alumnae Association Iota Chapter, West Virginia University

by Joanne Walker Bowie, West Virginia University Iota Lambda Chapter, St. Norbert College

by Angela Schneider, St. Norbert College Iota Mu Chapter, Lycoming College

by Susan Yerkes, Lycoming College Iota Rho Chapter, DePaul University

by Hannah Perron, DePaul University Micaela Isler, University of Texas

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia Fatima Johnson, University of North Carolina-Asheville

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia

Stephanie Lankford, Monmouth College, August FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Jennifer Bellas Lee, Old Dominion University

by Nealy Wheat, University of West Georgia Clarisse Leppien, Kansas State University, June FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Taylor Lisy, DePaul University

by Julia Wilson Dillon, University of Illinois Alyssa Litzenberger, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, July FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc. Madison Lobel, Boise State University

by Megan Scharar, Boise State University Rachel Marcotte

by Hannah Marcotte, University of New Orleans

Julie O’Hair, mother of Alexis O’Hair

by Alexis O’Hair, Marietta College Outgoing Iota Rho Exec Board & Officers

by Julia Wilson Dillon, University of Illinois Madison Panek

by Morgan Ferris, University of Iowa Rose Smith Pattison, West Virginia University

by Marsha Ellen Wildermuth Pattison, The Ohio State University Mary Kampen Pertuit, Louisiana State University

by Amy Holobyn, Indiana University South Bend Megan & Corey Peterson

by Regina Todero Mangine, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sara Pompeo, Youngstown State University

by Jerrilyn Guy, Youngstown State University

Hope Martin

by Sarah Tousignant, University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Sara Price, mother of Hannah Marcotte

by Hannah Marcotte, University of New Orleans

Dylan Martin, University of Northern Iowa

by Carolyn Martin, mother of Dylan Martin

Paulette Trumpp Raburn, Bowling Green State University

by Jessica Raburn Mormino, Bowling Green State University

Sharon McCone, Henderson State University

by Brianna Vilches, Henderson State University

Jane Fursey Ralston, University of Mount Union

by June Fursey Lee, University of Mount Union

Nicolas Nagy Jr.

by Brittany Nagy, DePaul University

Maggie Read, Georgia Institute of Technology

by David Read, father of Maggie Read

Kyle

by Molly McCullough, California State University-Northridge

Caroline Narron, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, October FVP of the month

by Omega Financial, Inc.

Roslyn LeBon Lacrouts, University of New Orleans

by Kelsey Matthews, University of New Orleans

Lauren Nolan, Ferris State University

by Margot Chadwick, mother of Lauren Nolan

Melissa Schinker Reed, Carroll University

by Alexandra Santoro, Carroll University Nancy Ries

by Morgan Neff, Kent State University

Jada Rigby, California State University-San Marcos

by Ashley Uranga, California State University-San Marcos

Rachel Toren, South Dakota State University

by Kara Peters, South Dakota State University

Talia Roffman, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

by Jen Rowell, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Lauren Ustaszewski, The Ohio State University

by Krista Early, The Ohio State University

Alexandra Santoro, Carroll University

by Elizabeth Krajnik, St. Norbert College

Allie Wessel, Florida Atlantic University

by Stefanie Scalish, Florida Atlantic University

Martha Schoonmaker, mother of Annalise Schoonmaker

by Annalise Schoonmaker, Cornell University Sandy Keim Shackelford, University of Georgia

by T.J. Merck Parker, Georgia Southern University Robyn Smith, Ohio Northern University

by Allison Fay, Ohio Northern University Gracie Sorrell, Auburn University

by Rebecca Sorrell, mother of Gracie Sorrell Karen Steinhofer, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

by Phil and Susan Steinhofer, parents of Karen Steinhofer Stacie Stewart, University of North Carolina-Asheville

by Gina Stewart, mother of Stacie Stewart

Caprice Buchmeier Witt, University of Northern Iowa

by Jodi Levell, University of Northern Iowa Rebecca Worcester, East Carolina University

by Mary Shadoin, East Carolina University Young Alpha Xi Deltas

by Barbara Behnke Ayres, Baldwin Wallace University Shelby Young, University of Alabama at Birmingham

by Tricia Selzer, University of Alabama at Birmingham Paige Williams, University of Alabama at Birmingham Sarah Ziskend, Georgia State University

by Maeghan Dessecker, Georgia State University

Monna Lou Stoller

by Kendall Stoller, University of Illinois Shellby Sweeney, Florida Atlantic University

by Alexandria Jenkins, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville The Monday Night Girls

by Laura Mitchell, Gettysburg College Norma Jean Tiller

by Lucinda Jean Tiller Cordo, University of Tennessee

alphaxidelta.org 31

Remembering Maxine Evans Blackburn

Remembering Maxine Evans Blackburn

Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity is deeply saddened by the passing of Maxine Evans Blackburn, Wittenberg ’37, National President 1982-1986. Maxine entered Chapter Eternal on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 in Oxford, Mississippi. She was 94.

“Maxine was the finest representation of an Alpha Xi Delta woman, and she will be forever remembered for her wisdom, graciousness, kindness and steadfast love of Alpha Xi Delta,” said Sandi Edwards, Alpha Xi Delta National President.

Maxine was initiated into Zeta Chapter at Wittenberg University on May 30, 1937. When she was elected National President in 1982, Maxine brought to the office more that 40 years of Fraternity experience and service. On the national level, Maxine served two terms on National Council and one term as Expansion Director. She and her husband, John, both worked tirelessly to bring about the chartering of Zeta Gamma Chapter at the University of Mississippi in which their daughter, Christine, was initiated. Maxine served Zeta Gamma Chapter as advisor and Corporation Board President. From 1988-1993, Maxine was Alpha Xi Delta Foundation Chair.

In her keynote address at Alpha Xi Delta’s 37th National Convention in 1986, Maxine said, “Belonging to a group which has similar ideas and values to our own affords us a great deal more than a social calendar filled with parties…It opens the door to opportunities for personal growth, service, leadership and best of all – lifelong friendships.” During Maxine’s tenure, National Council focused on policy making and long range planning; the Fraternity volunteer structure was revised to provide greater opportunities for involvement and leadership; the traveling consultant program was strengthened; and our financial base was broadened.

“Maxine Blackburn is an Alpha Xi Delta treasure. At a time in the 1980’s when the worth and viability of the Greek fraternal system was being challenged, Maxine stepped up to lead Alpha Xi Delta and to turn those challenges into opportunities for growth, stability and influence. National Council explored ideas which would keep Alpha Xi Delta moving forward, yet Maxine’s leadership kept the discussions from bogging down or getting lost in minutiae. Her self-deprecating sense of humor was often present, bringing levity when needed. Maxine was calm,

32 the

/ SPRING 2014

optimistic, gracious, committed, courageous, empathetic and encouraging. I cannot imagine my present life without Maxine in my past,” said Sara Pullis Molnar, Ferris State ’64, National Council 1982-1988.

As chair, Maxine inspired the Foundation to establish our Society of 1893 recognizing planned gift donors. Many years ago, Maxine joined Alpha Xi Delta’s Society of 1893 by choosing to name the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation beneficiary of an insurance policy. She did not designate the use, trusting her unrestricted bequest gift would be used wisely to provide support for Alpha Xi Delta’s priority leadership and life-skills programming.

Maxine’s undergraduate degree was in business administration. A master’s in education led to a teaching career – first as a high school English teacher and then to joining her husband on the faculty of the University of Mississippi as an assistant professor of education and director of field experiences for the School of Education. She enjoyed travel, sewing, quilting, photography and playing the organ and piano.

Our deepest condolences are with her daughter, Christine Blackburn, and son, Michael Blackburn.

alphaxidelta.org 33

Inventing the Loop

loop

By Lauren Fisher, Indiana ’08, Communications Coordinator

[inventing the]

Jennifer Baird Blaese, Northern Iowa ’93, always considered herself to be an entrepreneur. When she was a little girl, she had her own paper route and learned at a young age hard work really does pay off. When she was older, Jennifer dabbled part-time into some of her own small business ventures, including a designer dog bed business, Animal Haus Chicago, but it wasn’t until she lost her job in 2011 that Jennifer decided to put everything into founding her own company, Loft 312.

34 the

/ SPRING 2014

Jennifer and her new puppy, Kane.

If you are a dog owner, chances are you’ve seen Jennifer’s product in local pet stores or on a dog’s leash. The Loop is a modern dog waste bag dispenser and is currently considered the most “durable and unique” poop bag dispenser on the market. While explaining her product, Jennifer laughs and says, “I never wanted to be the poop bag girl, but I’ve kind of just accepted it.”

Jennifer’s two dogs, Winston and Mable, sparked the initial idea for The Loop. Sadly, Winston passed away in

December of 2012, but according to Jennifer, he was one of main sources of inspiration for the product. “I’ve had them since they were puppies,” Jennifer explains. “I always knew there were lots of holes in the market and needs that weren’t being fulfilled.”

One of those needs was a stylish and practical way to carry poop bags. Before The Loop, a typical holder was a plastic bone that dangled from your pet’s leash. “To me, it’s really ugly, kind of juvenile looking and normally pretty

alphaxidelta.org 35

Feature \ Inventing the Loop

“Don’t let other people tell you it’s not possible. If you have a dream and you believe in yourself, then that dream is possible.”

cheap,” Jennifer says. “We didn’t invent the concept, we invented utility and design. There had to be a better way to carry your poop bags and something that integrated into your style.”

In fact, Jennifer had the idea for this type of product years before she founded Loft 312. “Remember when the Razor phone was popular? That was about the same time that we started our process,” Jennifer recalls. She worked with her father-in-law, who is an engineer, to design various prototypes for The Loop. “I remember I used to describe it to my father-in-law as the Razor version of the poop bag holder. So our first few prototypes were metal.”

When they were working on the eighth prototype, Jennifer lost her job and made the decision to put everything

36 the

/ SPRING 2014

she had into The Loop for Poop. “You have to have faith that your business and your dream will come to fruition,” Jennifer says. “When I got let go from my job, my instant reaction was not to look for another job and put 100% into this. And we’ve made some adjustments. We sold our house, we downgraded our car and there were a lot of financial sacrifices that were made to do what we are doing.”

Once Jennifer made the decision to put everything into her own business, things started moving quickly. She established Loft 312 in January 2012, and shortly thereafter, met with a manufacturer in Chicago to discuss producing her product and hired an independent freelance designer who tweaked Jennifer’s initial design, adding the loops on the end of the product to give it its name, The Loop. Now, almost a

year later, The Loop is being sold in 150 stores across the United States, with plans to offer it at Bed Bath & Beyond and major pet retailers.

In addition to The Loop, Jennifer’s company currently produces the first biodegradable waste bag on the market, the GreenLine bag, and it is designed to biodegrade in landfills. “The average dog owner that uses poop bags will consume more than 1,000 bags a year with one dog,” Jennifer explains. “Combine that number with the 73 million dogs living in the United States, and there are a lot of waste bags just sitting in our landfills.”

Looking back at her year, Jennifer says she could not have done it without the support of the other small, local businesses that helped her and agreed to offer her product

in their stores. “The people that decide to buy your product when you’re nobody, those are the people that are really important,” Jennifer says.

Looking towards the future, Jennifer wants to grow her brand as a whole. She has plans to launch a new line of dog leashes, metallic versions of The Loop, as well as another poop bag product. “We just want to keep creating,” she exclaims.

When asked if she has any advice for future entrepreneurs, Jennifer says, “Don’t let other people tell you it’s not possible. If you have a dream and you believe in yourself, then that dream is possible.”

alphaxidelta.org 37

autism speaks NEWS

Minneapolis-St. Paul Alpha Xi Delta Sisters participated in the Minnesota Walk Now for Autism Speaks event this fall at the Mall of America. Jennifer Beeman Zipf, Wisconsin-Eau Claire ’98, served as this year’s Walk Chair and was joined on the Walk Committee by Makenzie Provorse, Kansas State ’05, and Kelli Basa, Wisconsin-Eau Claire ’08. Special guest Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh, Ohio Northern ’12, performed during the opening ceremonies, and our three local Alumnae Association Presidents (Devin Minor, Wisconsin-La Crosse ’10; Hilary Stone, Wisconsin-Eau Claire ’10; and Becky Soderholm, Iowa State ’97) also participated in the opening festivities. – Jen Zipf, mspaa.axid@gmail.com

Monmouth COLLEGE

E MBRY-RIDDLE (AZ) More than 75 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students and members of the Greek community joined Alpha Xi Delta’s Theta Zeta Chapter to participate in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Arizona this fall. Theta Zeta Chapter raised $3,100 for the event, setting a new chapter record. – Christina Halverson, c.halverson@live.com

38 the

/ SPRING 2014

Beta Epsilon Chapter at Monmouth College recently hosted their AmaXIng Challenge: Xi Marks the Spot event on campus. The event was a campus-wide scavenger hunt that raised money for Autism Speaks. – Emily Olson, eolson@monmouthcollege.edu

Texas State On Saturday, September 28, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, Sisters from the Delta Psi Chapter at Texas State University, the Theta Lambda Chapter at Southwestern University and the Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of Texas gathered to participate in the 2013 Greater Austin Walk Now for Autism Speaks event to support children and families affected by autism. Sisters helped set up booths, pass out snacks and cheer on participants. – Delta Psi Chapter, alphaxidelta.deltapsi@gmail.com

ALBION This year, Phi Chapter hosted their 12th annual Turkey Trot 5K! On October 6, more than 200 participants from across the state took off running through Albion, Michigan, to support autism research.

Sisters had fun at the event and raised $8,000 for Autism Speaks! – Rachel Kohanov, rek13@albion.edu

Towson This semester, the Theta Delta Chapter at Towson University was hard at work raising awareness for Autism Speaks by tabling on campus and hosting percentage nights at local restaurants. The chapter also participated in their local Walk Now for Autism Speaks event and raised more than $9,300! – Carly Peltz, cpeltz@ymail.com

alphaxidelta.org 39

autism speaks NEWS

NORTHERN VIRGINIA On November 2, collegiate and alumnae Sisters of Alpha Xi Delta in the metropolitan area of Washington D.C. joined together with Kappa Delta alumnae and Girls Scouts of America to attend the Walk Now for Autism Speaks in our nation’s capitol. This major event for our philanthropy attracted 380 Alpha Xi Deltas, their families and friends along with a group of Girl Scouts and the philanthropy chairs of Kappa Delta. In total, the teams for Alpha Xi Delta raised close to $27,000! – Christina Jaimes, cjaimesrd@gmail.com

NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON

EAST CAROLINA Alpha Xi Delta’s Gamma Phi Chapter at East Carolina University organized their third annual AmaXIng Challenge: Step it Up 5K for Autism Speaks. At the event, Sisters raised more than $5,000 for our philanthropic partner. – Katie Kennedy Schafer, Schafer.katie@ comcast.net

40 the

/ SPRING 2014

This fall, the Zeta Chi Chapter at the University of North Carolina Wilmington hosted their second Cornhole Tournament to benefit Autism Speaks. Pictured from left to right: Eryn Hawkins, North Carolina Wilmington ’10; Sammy Thompson, North Carolina Wilmington ’12; and Alice Rademacher, North Carolina Wilmington ’10 – Morgan Varnell, mkv3518@uncw.edu

WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE On November 9, Epsilon Alpha Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire held their first ever AmaXing Challenge: Step It Up 5K. Forty-eight people and a few furry friends ran/walked the 3.1 mile-long course. Sisters from Epsilon Alpha were placed along the course to provide snacks, water and encouragement to all participants.

In total, the event raised $800 for Autism Speaks. - Kayla Menzie, menzieke@uwec.edu

KENT STATE

Photo Credit: Braeden McClain Media

Beta Tau Chapter hosted their annual Xi Man event at Kent State University this fall. Beta Tau alumna and Alpha Xi Delta’s National Philanthropy Director, Susan Mamber, was at the event to present the first ever Susan Mamber Award. The award was created by the Beta Tau Chapter to honor Susan and recognize the collegiate Sister who raises the most money on her own for Autism Speaks. This year’s recipient was Hannah Congelio. She raised $1,736.60 for Autism Speaks! From left to right: Lauren McClain, Internal Philanthropy Chair; Hannah Congelio, the first winner of the Susan Mamber Award; Susan Mamber, Alpha Xi Delta’s National Philanthropy Director and Anna Lood, former Beta Tau Chapter President.

alphaxidelta.org 41

autism speaks \ Making Autism Speaks My Full-Time Job

Making Autism Speaks My Full-Time Job

By Kaitlin Hart, Slippery Rock ‘09

When I was in college and others would ask me about where I saw myself in five years, I envisioned myself putting on a business suit and pearls and going into my office at a public relations firm. After volunteering and working with Autism Speaks, that vision changed.

My journey to a full-time position with Autism Speaks began my junior year of college; I had worked with Autism Speaks as my chapter’s Philanthropy Chair, and when it came time to complete an internship for my degree in nonprofit leadership, I decided to call Autism Speaks. I was terrified and excited to find myself on the phone with the Autism Speaks Northeast Ohio Walk Events Director telling her why she needed her first ever intern. I was offered the position and spent the summer of 2012 working closely with families, walkers, sponsors and vendors of the Cleveland Walk Now for Autism Speaks committee and learning everything I could about Autism Speaks. In addition to working for Autism Speaks that summer, I attended Alpha Xi Delta’s first ever Summer Immersion Experience in Washington, D.C. If the internship itself hadn’t already solidified my love and passion for Autism Speaks, that weeklong trip only made it stronger.

In my junior year of college, a few of us from the Delta Kappa Chapter attended the DC Walk Now for Autism Speaks on the National Mall. This was a tradition for our chapter to take the five-hour road trip south to attend this walk every fall. I loved the time we spent bonding during this overnight trip as well as supporting an important cause. The morning of the walk, the weather was very warm, and I remember standing and looking down the National Mall at the vast amount of people, event tents, entertainment and the stage with the Capitol Building in the background and just feeling

42 the

/ SPRING 2014

at home and as if I belonged. There were puzzle pieces all over, friendly faces, happy people and a community.

It was that moment at the walk that made me want to participate in all the things related to Autism Speaks, which lead to my internship and my participation in the Summer Immersion Experience. This was when I decided that my heart was in the nonprofit world, not in public relations.

Currently, I am the Senior Coordinator of Field Development for Michigan. In this role, one of my main responsibilities is to help plan the Michigan Walk Now for Autism Speaks event. I remember my first Walk as a staff member at Autism Speaks. As I stood at the Walk start line, watching our top team cut the ribbon, I was blown away by the mass of people lined up behind them to support this cause. I couldn’t help but tear up and feel grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Since starting my journey at Autism Speaks, I have not once regretted the decision to trade in my business suit and pearls for tennis shoes and a Walk day t-shirt.

These items have become staples in my wardrobe and my life, and I can’t wait to have them with me as I continue to grow with Autism Speaks and make a difference for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

Connect with Kaitlin at kaitlin.hart@autismspeaks.org

Kaitlin has been working with our philanthropic partner since 2012 when she became an intern for Autism Speaks.

Making a difference can be your full-time job!

Want to create a brighter future for those affected by autism? Consider entering into one of these autism-related career fields: • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapists use positive

• Researchers carry out research into new and

reinforcement techniques and principles to bring about

existing health, education, social and environmental

meaningful and positive change in behavior.

interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals

• Family Advocates assist families in accessing and receiving special services and supports.

• Special Education Teachers implement an individualized education program to provide one-on-one support and interventions to students affected by autism

on the autism spectrum.

• Autism Speaks staff members/volunteers work or volunteer time with Autism Speaks to raise funds at local offices or working at their headquarters in New York City.

and other conditions. alphaxidelta.org 43

Member News

San Jose State Iota Omicron Chapter at San Jose State University hosted their second annual Northern California Area Wide Training with the Theta Beta Chapter at California State University Stanislaus and the Iota Beta Chapter at Sonoma State University. The day was filled with educational sessions, officer trainings and Sisterhood bonding. – Alexis Welch, alexisjwelch@yahoo.com

Mount Union During the fall semester of 2013, Gamma Chapter had a very successful and fun recruitment. There were four nights of recruitment: open house, theme night, philanthropy night and formal dessert. Our theme this year was a “Night in New York City.” Sisters dressed to impress and got ready for a night on the town. On bid day, the chapter welcomed 31 women into our Sisterhood. – Sarah Filipovich, filiposn@mountunion.edu

44 the

/ SPRING 2014

PURDUE A group of Alpha Eta alumnae recently visited Purdue University and the Alpha Eta Chapter house. While there, Sisters went on a campus tour aboard the “Boilermaker Special.”

Pictured from left to right: Christa Williams Jordan, Purdue ’85; My Nguyen, Purdue ’86; Donna Wampner Simmonds, Purdue ’82; Carrie Grose Higgins, Purdue ’83; Eileen Pintz Pesce, Purdue ’84; Karen Kendall Miller, Purdue ’84; Jennine Sonntag, Purdue ’84; Mary Jean Memering Gardner, Purdue ’84; Darla Williams, Purdue ’83; and Cindy Troyer Durr, Purdue ’82. – Eileen Pesce, azd87@comcast.net

GEORGia STATE On October 26, Delta Xi Chapter at Georgia State University celebrated 50 years of Sisterhood! Alumnae and collegiate Sisters enjoyed a cookout at the Alpha Xi Delta chapter house followed by a dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Throughout the day, alumnae received tours of the house and campus while sharing their memories with current Sisters. To end the celebration, Sisters gathered to sing “Evening Hymn” and recite the Ritual together. – Nikki Wilbanks, nwilbanks1@student.gsu.edu

East Carolina Gamma Phi Chapter at East Carolina University (ECU) hosted their Annual Alumnae Brunch during ECU’s Homecoming Weekend. They provided alumnae with custom tumblers filled with blue and gold M&Ms and “ΑΞΔ loves the Pirates” stickers.

When alumnae arrived at the newly renovated chapter house, they were greeted by Sisters old and new and a delicious breakfast. – Payge Taylor, taylorpay10@students.ecu.edu

North CArolina

Boston Sisters in the Boston Alumnae Association gathered this winter for their annual holiday luncheon.

- Jill Potts, jillpotts@comcast.net

Sisters in Charlotte, North Carolina, attended the annual Hopebuilders Stroller Roller 5K this fall to support Melia Knight Mauldin, Western Carolina ’00, and her son, Wyatt. Wyatt was born with a heart defect in September 2012 and had to undergo major heart surgery when he was just two weeks old. Pictured from left to right: Amy Wilson Paris, Western Carolina ’00, and her daughter Taylor Grace Paris; Melia Knight Mauldin and her son Wyatt Mauldin and daughter Lacie Rae Mauldin; Rachel Newcomb Gates, Western Carolina ’99; Ashley Poteat Barnwell, Western Carolina ’01, and her son Tyler Barnwell; and Caroline Johnson Mullan, Western Carolina ’99, with her daughters Mollie and Morgan Mullan. – Melia Knight Mauldin, meliamauldin@gmail.com

alphaxidelta.org 45

Member News

Triangle of North Carolina Sisters from the Triangle of North Carolina Alumnae Association rocked out Broadway style when they went to see the musical “We Will Rock You.” In attendance Jane Ralston, Gamma ’65; Vikki Gehring Clark, North CarolinaWilmington ’87; Kara Blackwelder, North Carolina-Wilmington ’04; Beka Todd, Marshall ’11; Britt Ellis, North Carolina-Wilmington ’05; Leslie Blanchard, East Carolina ’05; Claudine Caro, Rider ’92; and Lori LoPresti Bruhns, Rider ‘94. – Claudine Caro, claudinecaro@gmail.com

Dartmouth This fall, Theta Psi Sisters at Dartmouth University took their new members apple picking at a local orchard in New Hampshire. – Sophia Vazquez, Sophia.c.vazquex.14@dartmouth.edu

Ferris State Delta Sigma Chapter Sisters where named the champions of Ferris State University’s Intramural Sorority Volleyball League. – Lyndsey Lampe, lampel@ferris.edu.

46 the

/ SPRING 2014

Marshall Alumnae Sisters from Marshall University recently gathered at the Nancy Lopez Restaurant at The Villages in Florida. It had been more than fifty years since many of us had been together. Pictured: Donna Lawson, Marshall ’54; Patsy Jones Carnahan, Marshall ’54; Rosalie Hudson Hull, Marshall ’55; Judy Grass Stover, Marshall ’54; and Jean Ford Ferrell, Marshall ’54. – Jean Ferrell, ferrell57@frontier.com

Iowa State Alumnae Sisters from the Epsilon Phi Chapter at Iowa State University recently held a reunion in San Francisco.

Many Sisters hadn’t seen each other in more than 20 years! The weekend included winery tours in Sonoma, singing songs and looking at old scrapbooks. Pictured back row, left to right: Jennifer Hubert Kinney, Iowa State ’91; Jenny Hansen Das, Iowa State ’91; Michelle Parrott Morgan, Iowa State ’90; Kelli Quinn, Iowa State ’89; Laura Greiman, Northern Iowa ’89; Amy Gaffney-Ingalls, Iowa State ’92; Missy Nepple Boris, Iowa State ’90; Sara Kuboushek Neuzil, Iowa State ’91; Courtnee Zobac Pingaro, Iowa State ’91; Heather Varilek Doe, Iowa State ’90; and Amy Coughenour, Iowa State ’92. Front row, left to right: Amy Potter Langille, Iowa State ’93; Heidi Varilek Cadwallader, Iowa State ’93; Theresa Jacobs Kemp, Iowa State ’90; Tammy Udomratana Oltman, Iowa State ’91; and Cindy Zoeller Barwick, Iowa State ’91. – Amy Gaffney-Ingalls, amygi@msn.com

Pikes Peak Alumnae The Pikes Peak Alumnae Association held a Welcome Pot Luck Brunch for new association members this fall. Pictured from left to right, front row: Ann Hall, Maryland ’64; Ali Eckmeyer, Washington ’07; Stacy Butler, Memphis State ’72; Jeannette Bruce, Centenary College of Louisiana ’58; June Hallenbeck, Michigan ’51; Jean Swartzendruber, Syracuse ’45; Joleen Poe, Kansas State ’53; Christine Hennessey, Maryland ’92 and Lori Langin, Florida ’83.

Back row: Sue Bigus, Ohio State ’76; Georgia Schreiner, Illinois ’09; Jo Weilbrenner, Northern Iowa ’66; Gini Simonson, WisconsinLa Crosse ’61; Natalie Brown, Alpha Deuteron ’13; Deb Grandia, Northern Colorado ’68; Dareleen Schaffer, Allegheny ’60; Fran Dudenhoeffer; Texas State – San Marcos ’65; and Sandy Zautcke, Kentucky ’64 – Gini Simonson, gini.jim@comcast.net

Omaha This winter, members of the Omaha Alumnae Association gathered for an evening of “Appetizers and Auction.” Here they are gathered at the home of the hostess, Deb Whitehill Bloom, Nebraska at Omaha ’74. Members also participated in a wreath sale, netting $1,950 for Autism Speaks and local autism causes. - Cheryl Eby Miller, cherylemiller@windstream.net

Be sure to check out our blog at www.alphaxidelta.org, or our Facebook page to see more photos and stories!

alphaxidelta.org 47

48 the

/ SPRING 2014

Chapter Eternal

The spring 2014 Chapter Eternal includes all the names of Sisters whose passing was reported to Fraternity Headquarters between September 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014. Sisters are listed alphabetically in chapter order, along with their initiation year. To notify the Fraternity of a Sister’s passing, please send an obituary notice, memorial service pamphlet or other written confirmation to Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity Headquarters.

Gamma Chapter University of Mount Union Helen Elizabeth Moore Crouse ’27

Zeta Chapter Wittenberg University Maxine L. Evans Blackburn ’37 Virginia D. Paxson Degenhardt ’49 Theta Chapter University of Wisconsin Charlyne Ann Young Lemberger ’44 Iota Chapter West Virginia University Patricia Lou Robinson Ashworth ’45

Kappa Chapter University of Illinois Elaine M. Bartow Groat ’66 Mu Chapter University of Minnesota Mary Alice Dietrich Stewart ’42 Nu Chapter University of Washington Erma Lou J. Johnson Donnell ’43 Sally Marie Wilson Morrison ’53

Sigma Chapter University of Iowa Joyce Madelon Palmer Campbell ’52

Beta Theta Chapter Michigan State University Rose Lavergne Potter Ringstad ’42

Alpha Delta Chapter Oregon State University Violet Lee McKee Nordlinder ’43

Alpha Eta Chapter Purdue University Marjorie Jean Blakslee Boyle ’44

Beta Lambda Chapter Pennsylvania State University Ann Rita Alexander Lafferty ’65 Madelyn McCall Madigan ’45

Zeta Tau Chapter University of North Carolina-Asheville Rebecca Ann Rimmer Brookshire ’94

Beta Mu Chapter Bowling Green State University Ruth Rosina Schill Weaver ’44

Zeta Omega University of West Georgia Lauren Ashley Rogers ’08

Alpha Theta Chapter Northwestern University Nancy Wilhite Haldrup ’49 Alpha Mu Chapter Ohio Wesleyan University Julia Ann Boyce ’59 Doris Leyerle Burnett ’47 Alison Slocumb Rand ’63

Alpha Xi Chapter University of CaliforniaLos Angeles Una Dowlin Payne ’48 Alpha Omega Chapter Florida State University Eleanor Hocker Lundquist ’39

Xi Chapter University of Kentucky Ann Lightfoot Monarch Huntsman ’54

Beta Delta Chapter Denison University Margaret Menendian Kachadoorian ’37

Pi Chapter Ohio University Patricia Jean Young Poling ’48

Beta Epsilon Chapter Monmouth College Mrs. Mary Jo S. Shelby Burke ’50 Isabel Fullerto Bickett Marshall ’34 Dorothy Ruth Smith Oaks ’45

Zeta Xi Chapter Auburn University Caitlyn Marianne Wiggins ’08

Beta Xi Chapter Marietta College June Eileen Lafaber Bogard ’51 Beta Sigma Chapter West Virginia Wesleyan College Glenna Glee Wagner Blair ’47 Gamma Kappa Chapter Susquehanna University Janet Ann Fritsch Miller ’61 Gamma Lambda Chapter University of Tennessee Virginia Ann Holtman Thigpen ’60

Gamma Mu Chapter Ripon College Darlene Ann Etchingham White ’59 Gamma Tau Chapter Ohio Northern University Lesley Rose Elizabeth Noll French ’93 Zeta Theta Chapter Wright State University Debra Anna Langenkamp ’97

alphaxidelta.org 49

be the heart Alexis Danford, Eastern Washington ‘01

What would you say is the best part of your job?

You currently work for Google. Can you tell us a

new challenges. The creative environment really encourages

little bit about your position and what you do?

I am a contractor at Google Seattle with Eurest Services.

I am part of a team that builds those environments that keep Googlers feeling inspired and energized everyday.

I am a facilities operations professional that constantly creates new ways to improve workplace efficiency and make Google a great place to come to work everyday.

Some of my areas of focus are on event coordination, sustainable pursuit, space planning, office operations, perks and amenities.

I am always learning new things and enjoying the everyday me to be me and allows me to be the person that I am. At Google, I am a part of the sustainable pursuit team, and I get to play a part in saving our environment everyday by reducing our environmental footprint with green building. My passion is pursued every day with event planning. I work hand-in-hand with Googlers from all over the world to plan events in the Seattle office. More than anything else, Google is a fun place to work, and I have a hand in making that happen.

What’s one thing you learned from Alpha Xi Delta that has helped you with life after college or at your current job?

Alpha Xi Delta gave me the experience I needed to pursue a career in event planning. As a collegian, I learned right away that planning events such as recruitment, formal, bid day, Sisterhood activities and retreats were fun, exciting and rewarding. I learned a lot about myself during this time and have carried that experience with me to this day.

If you could give one piece of advice to Alpha Xi Delta Sisters, what would it be?

“Sail beyond the horizon; fly higher than you ever thought possible; magnify your existence by helping others; be kind to people and animals of all shapes and sizes; be true to what you value most; shine your light on the world; and be the person you were born to be.” - Blake Beattie Why do you pay your alumnae dues?

As a Chapter Development Specialist for Iota Omicron Chapter at San Jose State University, I get to see the alumnae dues in action and the dollars at work. My dues and other alumnae dues have given the chapter support since its founding in 2010 by providing Educational Leadership Consultant and Leadership Coach visits, recruitment advancement and training and programs to help the women realize their potential. I also pay my alumnae dues to help ensure the future of our beloved Fraternity. Alpha Xi Delta has helped me realize my potential and has given me the skills I need to succeed. I want to pay it forward.

50 the

/ SPRING 2014

from the archives

from the

T

archives

his spring, The Quill is celebrating its 110th birthday! The first issue of the magazine, The Alpha Xi Delta of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, was published in February 1904. Measuring only 5 1/2 inches

by 8 inches, the cover of the magazine featured Alpha Xi Delta Founder and first local and National President, Cora Bollinger Block.

alphaxidelta.org 51

Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity 8702 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Change of Name/Address Form Parents of Alpha Xi Deltas: While your daughter is in college, The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta is sent to the home address we have on file. We hope you enjoy reading it and will pass it on to your daughter. If she is no longer in college and is not living at home, please send her new permanent address to Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity. Any Alpha Xi Delta member should use this form to change her name/address. Send this form to: Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, 8702 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 or email fhq@alphaxidelta.org. Your daughter can also update her address online via Exclusively Xi. Please visit alphaxidelta.org for more information.

o Please remove me from The Quill mailing list. o I would like to receive the online version of the magazine online only.

My email address is: College Chapter

Initiation Year

o Address Change Name (first, middle/maiden, last) Former Address Primary Phone

o Home o Cell

New Address Primary Email

o Name Change Former Name

Current Name

Spouse’s Name (if applicable)

Wedding date (if applicable)

o Enewsletters o I would like to receive Alpha Xi Delta enewsletters. o I do not wish to receive Alpha Xi Delta enewsletters.