Spring 2008 Iota Xi Chapter Installed The Benefits of Volunteerism The History of our Quill Badge New Giving Society Announced
of Alpha Xi Delta
Protecting Our Health How smart choices and deliberate actions can lead to a longer, healthier life. • Strengthen your bones • Be safe in the sun • Take folic acid And more!
President’s Letter
A Healthy Fraternity, a Healthy You Sisters,
Alpha Xi Delta is an organization devoted to the Sisterhood of Women, emphasizing the need to care for one another and inspire each woman to realize (and maintain) her potential. This issue’s highlighted focus – women’s health – is, thus, a topic both relevant and important to us. Many of today’s greatest public health threats affect women more commonly than men. Indeed, many health concerns are unique to women — reproductive-related events such as pregnancy and menopause and the horrible impact of breast, cervical and ovarian cancer. With education, prevention and early detection providing our best chances for maintaining good health throughout the decades of our lives, I hope the information in these pages will inspire you to “own” and be conscientious about your health, and to seek and attain your personal health goals. Having served as Alpha Xi Delta’s National Panhellenic Conference Delegate, I can attest that the dream of fostering the Sisterhood of Women and creating a support system for women both in college and afterward is a commitment deeply shared by other NPC sororities. As Alpha Xi Delta’s service on the NPC Executive Committee kicks into high gear, The Quill begins a long-term look at the history, goals and achievements of NPC, which are considerable, and of which we are proud to be a part. That said, there is nothing quite like the welcome of our own unique Sisterhood, a welcome we warmly extend to the women of our newly installed Iota Xi Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. You will read about these outstanding new initiates and the terrific success of this colonization in the following pages. This success, and indeed the success of Alpha Xi Delta as a whole, is directly linked to the fact that
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we have outstanding volunteers who serve as National Council members, Foundation Trustees, National Housing Corporation Directors, National and Territory Directors, Alumnae Association officers, Chapter Advisors, House Corporation Board members, and members of national teams and task forces. As you ponder this issue’s feature about the benefits of volunteerism, consider whether you or a Sister you know could make a difference for Alpha Xi Delta by volunteering to serve our organization. These positions provide fine opportunities to lead by example and truly impact the lives of our Sisters and the health of Alpha Xi Delta. Finally, in the coming weeks, more than 1,500 Alpha Xi Delta seniors will become both college graduates and Alpha Xi Delta alumnae. To you who are about to take this step, know that Alpha Xi Delta life continues well after college, and often provides some of the best memories and Sisterhood of all! Please connect with an Alpha Xi Delta alumnae association, whether you are returning home or finding a new home, and
I hope the information in these pages will inspire you to “own” and be conscientious about your health, and to seek and attain your personal health goals. take advantage of the relationships facilitated by inCircle. Alpha Xi Delta will always be here for you. To our current alumnae, please reach out to our newest alumnae Sisters, help them prepare for life after college and show them that there are still many genuine, lifelong friendships for them to make within Alpha Xi Delta. Loyally,
Deanna Detchemendy National President
Contents 5 Protecting Our Health Smart choices, deliberate actions can lead to better health.
16 Iota Xi Chapter Installed
18
Welcome to our newest Sisters at Worcester Polytechnic Institute!
18 Kappa Chapter Makes a Comeback Alpha Xi Delta returns to the University of Illinois.
33 National Panhellenic Conference News The history behind one of the world’s largest women’s organizations.
39 The Mary Burt Nash Society The Foundation announces its newest giving opportunity.
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40 Volunteering – It’s a Good Thing Reconnect, give back by becoming a Fraternity volunteer.
42 From the Archives How the Quill became our Fraternity badge.
In Every Issue 4 Letters 17 News & Notes 20 Member News
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29 Reunions 32 Chapter Eternal 34 Realize Your Potential 36 Honor Gifts 37 Memorial Gifts 43 Living Our Symphony
On the Cover The average life expectancy of today’s woman is 80 years. No matter how close you are to that age, it’s your daily choices and the habits you develop that determine the health of your tomorrows. Learn how to take a proactive approach to your health, starting on page 5. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Letters Reader Raves
Fall | Winter 2007
National Convention Recap Meet Our New National Council
I just wanted to tell you how much I love the new look of The Quill. It looks more like an actual magazine. Great work!
Alpha Xi Delta Assumes NPC Leadership Role
of Alpha Xi Delta
Alpha Xi Delta Foundation Annual Report
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
Jami Stigliano Beta Alpha ’97, University of Texas I love the new format and everything about the new and improved Quill magazine. I don’t usually have time to read it cover to cover, but this new version made it so easy to read that I did. Thank you!
of Alpha Xi Delta
Volume 105/Issue 1 Copyright 2008 by Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity
Never settle:
The Bachelorette’s Jen Schefft, Ohio University ’95, shares lessons on life and love
Julie Wilson Dillon Kappa ’84, University of Illinois I love the new Quill – all of the pictures and the new content – and I loved seeing Jen Schefft on the cover. I noticed that you can read The Quill on the newly revised national website too (way cool!). Lots of new and exciting things for Alpha Xi Delta! Stefanie Jones Nelson Theta Sigma ’00, University of Central Florida
Submission Deadlines Spring issue – February 15 Summer issue – October 15 Fall/Winter issue – May 15 Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity Headquarters 8702 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 Telephone: 317.872.3500 Fax: 317.872.2947 fhq@alphaxidelta.org Editor Ruth Goodman, Northern Iowa ’80 National Council 2007-2008 National President Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State Northridge ’83 National Vice Presidents Ann Ward Adams, Nebraska Lincoln ’66 Evonne Carawan, North Carolina State ’83 Sandra Ellen Edwards, Kentucky ’75 Diane Curtis Gregory, Wittenberg, ’61 Susan Eicher Mamber, Kent State ’77 Danica Vanasse Olson, Marquette ’90
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Join our Editorial Team Would you like to suggest story ideas, offer feedback on The Quill, proofread the magazine prior to printing and maybe even write a story or two? To be considered for The Quill’s volunteer editorial team, contact Editor Ruth Goodman at
Founders Cora Bollinger Block Alice Bartlett Bruner Almira Lowry Cheney Frances Elisabeth Cheney Bertha Cook Evans Eliza Drake Curtis Everton Julia Maude Foster Lucy W. Gilmer Harriet L. McCollum Lewie Strong Taylor
rgoodman@alphaxidelta.org or Quill Editor Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity 8702 Founders Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46268
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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.
Protecting Our Health Smart choices and deliberate actions can lead to a longer, healthier life. By Ruth Goodman, Northern Iowa ’80
Cell phones. Air conditioners. Car batteries. We don’t give them much thought until we can’t reach our friends, it’s 100 degrees in the shade and we’re stranded on the side of the road. The same can be said for our good health. Most of us don’t give it much thought until we’re stuffed up, facing surgery or unable to get up and around like we used to. Health is much more than the absence of disease. It’s living a life built around awareness and conscious, informed choices. In this issue of The Quill, we’ll take a look at women’s health to learn what each of us can do to catch problems before they turn into serious illnesses. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Follow the Dots There are certain health habits and screenings you should begin early in life and continue for the rest of your life. The colored dots before each topic represent various age groups. Use the following legend to guide you through this article, and through life:
Your 20s
Your 50s
Your 30s
Your 60s and beyond
Your 40s
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Protecting Our Health Starts Here Eat a Balanced Diet The words “balanced diet” get tossed around a lot. But what is a balanced diet? It’s eating that emphasizes: • Fruits • Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products • Vegetables • Leans meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts • Whole grains Eating a balanced diet also means limiting your intake of salt, sugar and trans fats. Trans fats, which appear on food labels as partially hydrogenated oil, increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in your blood, increase your risk of heart disease and weaken your immune system.
Why Weight? As a nation, we’re carrying more fat on our bodies than ever before. If you think extra pounds are no big deal, get a 10-pound bag of flour from the pantry. Now carry it up and down the stairs a few times. Are you breathing heavier? Does the extra weight make it more difficult to move? Now imagine if that bag of flour was 20 pounds … or 40 pounds. Being overweight is the single greatest risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and a host of other problems. Carrying more weight means your body has to work harder and, as a result, wears out faster. Do your body a favor and lose the extra fat.
Manage Menstrual Pain According to pms.com, 75 to 80 percent of women suffer from PMS; 3 to 8 percent of women have symptoms so severe that they’re diagnosed as having premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Here are a few recommendations from pms.com that could make a difference in the severity of your symptoms:
Drive Smart According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for women in their 20s and 30s. You’ve heard all kinds of ways to be a safe driver, but some bare repeating: • Always wear your lap and shoulder belts, which reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent. • Put down your cell phone, soda can or blush brush and focus only on driving. • If you’re of age and choose to consume alcoholic beverages, never drive after drinking or ride with someone who has been drinking. Doing so could change your life … or end it. • Leave for appointments early enough so you don’t have to speed to get there. If you’re pulled over or cause an accident, any time you may have gained by driving recklessly is lost. • If your car doesn’t have airbags and you can afford to upgrade your car, do it.
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• Cut down on caffeine, which can increase premenstrual breast swelling and sensitivity. • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to reduce bloating and fluid retention. • Combat mood swings with exercise, soothing music, a warm bath or a funny movie, all of which can increase endorphin levels — the feelgood chemicals in the brain that make you feel more even-tempered. • PMS often makes you to reach for chocolate, donuts or other sugary, high-fat foods, which quickly raise the level of serotonin in the brain (a chemical that affects your mood). Instead, eat complex carbohydrates like pasta, cereal or even a peanut butter sandwich on wholegrain bread. You’ll improve your mood and stabilize your blood sugar, all at the same time. • To reduce lower-back pain, lie on your back with your buttocks and legs straight up against a wall, perpendicular to your body so you’re in an L shape. Relaxing in this position for several minutes can help ease sore back muscles. • Take a walk or hit the gym to increase your energy and help you sleep better.
Stop Smoking and start healing The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that adult female smokers lose 14½ years of life due to smoking. If you’re still looking for reasons to quit, check out the wonderful changes that happen within your body when you stop smoking: 20 minutes Your blood pressure and pulse rate drops to normal; the temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal. 8 hours
The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal; the oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.
24 hours
Your chance of heart attack decreases.
48 hours
Your nerve endings start to regrow; your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 weeks to 3 months
Your circulation improves; walking becomes easier; your lung function increases up to 30%.
1 to 9 months
Your coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decreases; cilia regrow in your lungs, increasing your ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection; your energy increases.
1 year
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 years
The lung cancer death rate for an average smoker (1 pack/day) decreases by almost 50%; your risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting; your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker’s.
10 years
Your lung cancer death rate is similar to that of nonsmokers; precancerous cells are replaced; your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years
Your risk of coronary heart disease equals that of a nonsmoker.
Strengthen Your Bones If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to add weight-bearing activities to your exercise routine. The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) defines “weight bearing” as any activity done on your feet that works your bones and muscles against gravity. Your bones rely on the physical stress of exercise to stimulate them to remain strong. Muscle pulling on bone builds bone, so weight-bearing exercise builds stronger, denser bones. Some activities recommended by the AAOS to build strong bones include: • Brisk walking, jogging or hiking • Dancing • Step aerobics • Stair-climbing • Tennis and other racquet sports • Weight training with free weights or machines To sustain their bone-strengthening benefit, perform weightbearing activities at least three times per week.
Check for Skin Changes Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the most common cancer among people ages 25 to 29. The good news is that melanoma is very treatable when caught early. The American Cancer Society recommends that women examine their skin each month, focusing mostly on the face, chest, neck and back. Pay attention to new moles or changes in the shape or size of existing moles. See “Sun Sense at Any Age” on page 9 to learn how to lessen your skin cancer risk.
Information from QuitSmokingSupport.com.
Get Your Calcium Your bones absorb calcium from the time you’re born up to your mid-20s to 30s. After that, your bones begin to lose calcium faster than your body can replace it. To help counteract this loss, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends consuming 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day to keep your bones strong and prevent future osteoporosis. If you don’t like dairy foods or are lactose intolerant, calcium can also be found in the following foods: • Green leafy vegetables • Nuts • Fish • Legumes (beans) • Calcium-fortified orange juice www.alphaxidelta.org
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Get Tested
Test for Bone Density
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also called Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), if you have a history of multiple sex partners, a partner who has sexual contact with more than one person, a partner already diagnosed with an STD or a history of repeated episodes of STDs. If you fit any of these categories or suspect that you may have an STD, tell your doctor you’d like to be tested. To avoid or reduce your risk of getting an STD, follow these steps from womenshealth.gov: • Practice abstinence. This is the surest way to prevent getting an STD. • If you choose to have sex, do so in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is known to be uninfected. • Use a condom, preferably a latex condom, every time you have sex. • Have regular pelvic exams, and ask your doctor to test you for STDs as well. If you’re too embarrassed to talk with your partner about STDs, or if your partner says you don’t need to use a condom, run for the door! It’s your body. You’re the one who must protect yourself against STDs.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become extremely thin and fragile, leading to an increased risk of fractures. The most typical sites are the spine, wrist, rib and hip, although the disease can affect any bone. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), of the 44 million Americans who have osteoporosis, 80 percent are female. Women with the following characteristics are especially at risk for developing osteoporosis: • Caucasian or Asian descent • Family history of osteoporosis • Small boned and thin build • Smoker • Heavy alcohol consumption • Low-calcium diet • Sedentary lifestyle • Having joint, lung or kidney disease • Menopause beginning before age 40 • Using certain medications, such as prednisone A noninvasive, painless bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine the health of your bones. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fracture and monitor your response to an osteoporosis treatment. Contact your doctor to learn more. While there’s no cure for osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to prevent, slow or stop its progress. In some cases, you may even be able to improve bone density and reverse the disease to some degree. The NOF recommends getting enough vitamin D either through food or supplementation, performing weight-bearing exercise at least three times per week and taking medication to help improve bone health.
Schedule a Mammogram According to Breastcancer.org, mammograms are probably the most important tool doctors have to help them diagnose, evaluate and follow women who’ve had breast cancer. While these breast X-rays don’t prevent cancer, they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. As with all screening tests, mammograms have limits and are only part of a complete breast exam. It is still important to perform monthly breast self-exams. Your physician should also perform a clinical breast exam, looking and feeling for any abnormalities.
Examine Your Breasts Starting at age 20, all women should follow the recommendation from the American Cancer Society and perform a monthly breast self-exam. Perform the exam about a week after your period when your breasts are not tender or swollen. If you no longer have periods, perform the exam on the first of each month. A specific date makes an exam easier to remember. Make sure your physician also checks your breasts thoroughly during your annual exam. You can download a self-exam instruction card through Susan B. Komen for the Cure at http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm.
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Sun Sense at Any Age When it comes to protecting skin from the sun, many of us focus on our face and forget about the other parts of our body. The older we get the more evident this is as brown “age spots” show up on our hands, décolletage (chest) and shoulders, and our skin becomes wrinkled and saggy. Follow these tips to be sun smart: • Sunlight that has passed through the earth’s atmosphere contains two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays — A and B. UVB radiation is the sun’s burning ray and has an immediate, harmful impact on skin. Damage from UVB rays takes place within the first 60 seconds of walking outside. • UVA rays don’t make you burn, but they’re the primary cause of skin cancer and wrinkles. • Sitting in the shade or wearing a hat only protects against a portion of the sun’s rays. Surrounding surfaces (water, cement, grass) reflect rays from the ground to your skin, which doubles your sun exposure. • According to the FDA, a product’s SPF (sunscreen protection factor) number tells you how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned. If you can stay in the sun 10 minutes before you start to turn pink, an SPF 15 product will let you stay in the sun for approximately 2½ hours without burning. 10 (minutes) x 15 (SPF) = 150 (minutes) or 2½ hours. • Check your sunscreen’s active ingredient list. If zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone (may also be listed as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) is not part of the “active” (versus “other”) ingredients list, you’re not getting adequate UVA/UVB protection. • An SPF 2 blocks about 50% of UVB rays, an SPF 10 about 85%, an SPF 15 about 95% and an SPF 30 about 97%. An SPF higher than 30 does not provide more UV protection — it just allows you to stay in the sun longer without burning. • If you’re using one product with SPF 8 and one with SPF 15, the two don’t add up to SPF 23. While you’ll get an increased SPF value, there’s no way of knowing what that SPF is. Instead, look for one product with an SPF of 30. Information from Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me by Paula Begoun.
A Sister’s Story: The Risks of Sun Worship By Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State Northridge ’83 When I moved to Southern California in my early teens, I worshipped the sun in spectacular fashion. I spent hours tanning every summer day, and my favorite suntan oils (we didn’t even use the term “sunblock” then) were baby oil and anything that smelled like coconut. Not the smartest course for a pale Caucasian girl. When I was 19, I developed a bump of odd, flaky skin near my nose. I initially thought it was a pimple, but it persisted even after a couple of months. Fortunately, I consulted a doctor relatively quickly, and I was stunned at the diagnosis: skin cancer. Fortunately, it was basal cell, a benign form of cancer. The doctor removed it surgically, taking out not only the growth itself but a good portion of the skin around and under it to ensure that all abnormal cells were removed. I had a half-centimeter pit next to my nose for a few months and the scar, although now pretty modest, remains quite visible. I was lucky, both in the benign nature of my skin cancer and in the early wake-up call it gave me. Even though I indulge in the occasional beach day (as shown by my picture on page 2, taken post-Mexican vacation), I am vigilant about my sun protection. I use makeup with 20+ SPF daily. I avoid direct sun and, when I have to be in it, I wear hats, liberal amounts of strong sunblock and sunblocking fabrics like Solumbra®. Since early detection is critical to conquering any skin cancer, I check my skin regularly and get an annual fullbody skin check by my dermatologist. There’s no guarantee that my skin cancer won’t recur, but I will definitely be on top of it if it does. Connect with Deanna at deanna. detchemendy@disney.com.
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Get a Move On As we move from our 20s into our 30s, the amount of muscle we have begins to slowly and steadily decline for the rest of our life. While genetic factors play a part, the main reasons we lose muscle tone is because most of us aren’t as active as we once were. Also, our normal daily activities don’t challenge our muscles enough to keep them strong. For the ultimate health benefits and to manage weight, the American Council on Exercise recommends 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Exercise helps in the following ways: • Stronger bones, heart and lungs • More restful sleep • Higher self-esteem • A clearer mind • Fewer PMS symptoms • Lower body fat • A sense accomplishment and satisfaction Bowling, swimming, jumping rope or simply dancing around the house to your favorite music are all great ways to exercise. The point is, move your body!
Get a Colonoscopy Statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS) indicate that nearly 90 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer are found in people over age 50. Based on this information, the ACS recommends a sigmoidoscopy, which inspects the lower colon, every five years; it recommends a colonoscopy, which examines the entire colon, every 10 years. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to see and closely inspect the inside of the rectum and entire colon for signs of cancer, polyps or small growths that can eventually become cancerous. Early diagnosis of colon cancer significantly increases the five-year survival rate to more than 90 percent. Unfortunately, only 39 percent of colorectal cancer is diagnosed early.
List Your Medications The best way to keep track of your medications and help your doctor and pharmacist have the most up-do-date information is to create a personal medication record. This record can be found at AARP.org. On the form you can list what medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements you take, how often you take them and how much you take. In addition to giving a copy of your record to your doctor and pharmacist, give a copy to a loved one, keep a record at home and keep one in your purse so it’s readily available in case of emergency.
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HPV and the “Tell someone” campaign Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a group of more than 100 viruses, more than 30 of which can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Some of these sexually transmitted HPVs cause wart-like growths on the genitals but do not lead to cancer. Because HPVs are spread mainly through sexual contact, risk increases with the number of sexual partners. Women who become sexually active at a young age, who have multiple sexual partners and whose sexual partners have other partners are at increased risk. Nonsexual transmission of HPV is rare. HPV infection is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. However, only a small percentage of women with untreated HPV infections develop cervical cancer; most infections go away on their own without causing any kind of abnormality. With regular follow-up care by trained clinicians, women with precancerous cervical abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops. The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) recently partnered with Merck & Co. to build awareness of HPV and its link to cervical cancer through the “Tell someone” ad campaign. Last September, all College Panhellenics, Alumnae Panhellenics and Panhellenic advisors received a “Tell a Sister” kit with brochures and postcards about HPV. They were asked to “tell someone” by distributing the material to the Panhellenic chapters on campus to increase sisters’ knowledge about HPV.
Schedule a Pap Test & Pelvic Exam A Pap test (also called a Pap smear and named after the test’s developer, Dr. George Papanicolaou) and pelvic exam are important parts of your routine health care because they can detect infection, inflammation or abnormalities that may lead to cancer. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you should have these tests if you’re 21 years old or older, or under age 21 and have been sexually active for three or more years. During a Pap test, your doctor will scrape cells from the cervix so they can be examined under a microscope. According to the National Cancer Institute: • The best time to have a Pap test is 10 to 20 days after the first day of your last menstrual period so that menstrual fluid is not hiding abnormal cells. If you no longer have periods, you can schedule your exam at your convenience. • Avoid douching, and avoid using vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies (except as directed by your physician) for about two days before the test to avoid washing away or hiding abnormal cells. • Avoid having sexual intercourse one to two days before the test because intercourse can cause unclear results. During a pelvic exam, your doctor will feel for lumps or changes in the shape of your vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and rectum. A sonogram (an instrument that uses sound waves to look inside the body) may also be used to help detect fibroids, which are noncancerous growths that develop from the uterine muscle, most often found in women in their 30s and 40s. A sonogram will also show if you have an enlarged ovary or ovarian cysts.
stop and smell the roses Getting involved in activities outside of work and home can make you feel better about yourself and help you enjoy life more. Joining an Alpha Xi Delta alumnae association, for example, is a great way to develop a social support system, try new activities and enjoy plenty of laughter. Laughter benefits our bodies by: • Lowering our blood pressure • Activating our immune system • Reducing stress hormones • Reducing pain • Relaxing our muscles • Improving our breathing • Triggering the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) What’s more, laughter builds — and restores — relationships and helps bring perspective to the turbulent times in life. Remember, she who laughs, lasts!
A Sister’s Story: Overcoming Infertility By Rebecca Dobson MacCudden Wisconsin-Oshkosh ’94 I married my college sweetheart, and during the first two years of marriage, we attempted to become pregnant. After celebrating our second wedding anniversary without children, we sought advice from my OB-GYN. My husband and I were sent to a fertility specialist who performed several blood and fertility tests on me. The doctor found nothing wrong and suggested we try using a fertility drug to increase the number of eggs I produced each month. After taking medication for about three months, my husband and I did an insemination to increase the chances of fertilization. The good news is that the medication worked. The bad news is that we still weren’t able to fertilize the eggs after they were produced. My doctor suggested we move on to in vitro fertilization. After taking medication to prepare my body for the procedure, taking another drug to increase the number of eggs I produced, having surgery to remove nine eggs and having the eggs fertilized by my husband, our attempts to conceive a child were unsuccessful. I was 29 when we began trying to conceive; our efforts lasted three years. I felt like I had let my husband down. For the longest time I couldn’t attend baby showers because it devastated me to see others so happy. I sobbed when my sisters-in-law announced their second and third pregnancies. Although I knew that was not the way to handle my heartache, it was the only way I knew how. Unfortunately, infertility is something many women don’t want to discuss. I am proud to speak up and say we should talk about infertility and support one another during this emotional and physical roller coaster. I remember asking my husband if we would be childless. Through much soul searching we knew we wanted a family. Today we are a family of four, with two beautiful boys from Guatemala. Although the adoption process was not easy, our sons were well worth the wait. Connect with becca at nicandbeccamac@ yahoo.com. www.alphaxidelta.org
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control your portions It’s sometimes hard to determine what a serving looks like, especially when portion sizes have been distorted by supersizing. Until you get used to eye-balling your portions, get out the measuring cups and spoons to see what a serving looks like. Or follow these handy tips: 3 oz. meat, fish or
=
poultry 2 T. peanut butter
deck of cards
=
ping-pong ball
1 medium fruit
=
tennis ball
(apple, orange, pear, peach) 1 bagel
=
yo-yo
1 slice of bread
=
CD jewel case
1 pancake
=
CD
1 c. salad greens
=
baseball
1 baked potato
=
computer mouse
1 oz. cheese
=
your thumb
½ c. cooked rice,
=
ice cream
pasta, oatmeal,
scoop
beans, cut fruit
Prepare for menopause Menopause officially begins after your last menstrual period, but menopausal symptoms can begin several years before that and last for several years. This time of change is called perimenopause. While menopause usually doesn’t happen before you turn 40, it can happen any time from your 30s to your mid-50s or later; the average age is 51. Changes in your estrogen level can cause assorted symptoms, such as: • Changes in your period. You may notice changes in when your period begins, when it ends and the heaviness of your flow. While these changes are normal, rule out any problems by seeing your doctor if you have spotting, heavy bleeding, your periods are very close together or your periods last more than a week. • Hot flashes. A sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body, often followed by heavy sweating and shivering. Your face and neck become flushed, and red blotches may appear on your chest, back and arms. Flashes normally last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. • Vaginal dryness. Changing estrogen levels can cause your vagina to get drier and thinner, which can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. • Urinary tract issues. You might find it difficult to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Sometimes your urine might leak during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing or running. • Sexual interest. You may be less interested in sexual intercourse. On the other hand, you could feel freer and sexier after menopause. After one full year without a period, you no longer have to worry about becoming pregnant. • Sleep issues. You may have problems getting or staying asleep, and night sweats may wake you up. • Mood changes. You might find yourself more moody, irritable or depressed. Some women choose to have hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is a combination of estrogen and progestin that can ease menopausal symptoms. If you are considering HRT, be sure to talk with your doctor to see whether it is a good option for you; be sure to mention whether your family or medical history indicates that heart disease, stroke and breast cancer may be issues for you. If you decide against HRT, other therapies are available to lessen menopausal symptoms.
Take Folic Acid According to the Centers for Disease Control, women who take 400 micrograms (mcg) of the B vitamin folic acid before they become pregnant can help prevent 70 percent of neural tube defects — birth defects such as spina bifida, which affect the brain or spinal cord. Folic acid pills and most multivitamins sold in the U.S. have 100 percent of the daily value of folic acid, but check the label to be sure. Even if pregnancy is not in your near future, there are other reasons to include folic acid in your diet. Some evidence suggests that folic acid prevents breast and colon cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease. Here are some great foods to eat to up your folic acid intake: • Dark green, leafy vegetables • Whole-wheat bread • Lightly cooked beans and peas • Nuts and seeds • Sprouts • Oranges and grapefruits • Liver and other organ meats • Poultry • Fortified breakfast cereals and enriched grain products
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Love Your Heart Worldwide, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the largest single cause o f death among women, accounting for one-third of all deaths. In many countries, including the U.S., more women than men die each year of cardiovascular disease. Endogenous estrogen is “protective” against heart disease; therefore, the reason our risk of heart disease increases as menopause nears is because we lose estrogen as we age. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute indicates that after menopause, women are more apt to get heart disease, in part because their body’s production of estrogen drops. Other factors that may play a role in postmenopausal risks include changes in the walls of the blood vessels, which makes it more likely that plaque and blood clots will form, and changing levels of fats in the blood — LDL or “bad” cholesterol increases; HDL or “good” cholesterol decreases The American Heart Association cites the following risk factors for heart disease and heart attack: • Increasing age. More than 83 percent of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older. • Heredity (including race). You’re more likely to develop heart disease or stroke if your close blood relatives have had them. Also, black women have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke than white women. • Previous heart attack or stroke. Women who’ve had a heart attack are at higher risk of having a second heart attack. Twenty-two percent of women ages 40-69 who survive a first stroke or heart attack will have another stroke, heart attack or fatal coronary heart disease within five years. • Having high blood pressure. Women who are older, overweight, have a family history of high blood pressure or have diabetes may be more likely to develop high blood pressure. • High cholesterol. This soft, fat-like substance found in the blood can build up with other substances in the inner walls of arteries to form plaque, which can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. • Diabetes mellitus. Women with diabetes have from two to four times the risk of dying of heart disease and are at much greater risk of having a stroke as compared to women without diabetes. • Lack of physical exercise. Heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. • Obesity and being overweight. If you have too much fat, especially around your waist, you’re at higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. • Smoking. Cigarette smoking strains the heart causing blood vessels to narrow, forcing the heart to beat faster and raising blood pressure. Learn more about heart disease and assess your risk through the American Heart Association’s online assessment at americanheart.org.
A Sister’s Story: Knowledge is Power By Deirdre Sautter Auburn ’86 I started to feel exhausted right after I turned 40. I also became forgetful, gained weight and had a myriad of aches and pains. The pain was mostly in my abdomen; sometimes it was under my ribcage or down my left leg. My doctor made a diagnosis of “premenopause.” I was told to “chart my period,” which I did for 18 months. Afterward, the doctor still couldn’t find anything wrong but did tell me I had anemia. When the pain in my side became severe, my doctor thought I had an ovarian cyst or tumor and sent me to my gynecologist. By this time my stomach looked as if I was four months’ pregnant, which is a common occurrence with ovarian cancer. (Unfortunately, I have a family history of that dreaded disease.) Nine ultrasounds later and the cause of my pain and symptoms could not be found. My gynecologist recommended laparoscopic exploratory surgery since I had all the symptoms of ovarian cancer, even though the tests revealed nothing. The doctor discovered extensive internal bleeding, which was caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm – a type of aneurysm that occurs when the abdominal aorta expands or bulges. These aneurysms are unusual for a woman in her 40s, especially with no family history of heart disease. Looking back, all the clues were there. The exhaustion and forgetfulness was from the anemia. The aches in my abdomen were from the aortal leak. The pain in my leg was from the leak in my femoral artery. My low blood pressure, fatigue and enlarged abdomen were from internal bleeding. With heart disease among women on the rise, tell your Sisters, friends and daughters to get to their doctor and keep searching for the correct diagnosis until they find it. Knowledge is power! Connect with Deirdre at DeirdreSautter@cfl.rr.com. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Watch Your Calories
Address Depression
As we’ve learned, our body begins to lose muscle tissue after age 20, which significantly reduces our metabolism, or the rate at which we burn calories. To maintain a healthy weight, reduce your daily caloric intake by 100 to 200 calories or increase your daily caloric output by 100 to 200 calories. Weight gain puts you at risk for breast and other cancers, so changing your diet and exercise is a healthy habit to begin or continue. Restaurants are now serving larger portions for “only a few cents more,” which makes it easy to fall into the super-size-me trap. To get a better handle on what one serving of meat, fruit or salad actually looks like, check the chart on page 12. Making a conscious decision to monitor what and how much you eat will pay big dividends.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, women age 18 to 45 have the highest incidents of clinical depression — an estimated one out of every eight women — although it can strike at any time. Clinical depression is more than “feeling blue” and includes symptoms such as: • Persistent sad, anxious or empty feelings • Feelings of hopelessness, guilt and worthlessness • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed • Inability to concentrate • Insomnia or excessive sleeping • Fatigue and decreased energy • Increased isolation • Suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide • Persistent aches, pains, cramps or digestive problems that don’t ease with treatment Depression is not something you can just “snap out of.” If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, contact your doctor. Depression is highly treatable.
Watch Your Step Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that each year, one out of every three adults ages 65 and older falls. More than 50 percent of all falls happen at home, which is why it’s important to make your home “fall-proof.” Here’s how: • Improve the lighting in all rooms • Put grab bars and nonslip mats in your bathrooms • Keep stairways free of clutter • Install secure handrails in your stairways • Replace torn or loose throw rugs with fixed rugs • Replace unstable tables and chairs with supportive furniture with armrests • Wear a paging device, carry your cell phone or place a phone in every room so you can call for help if you fall Also, wear shoes with thin nonslip soles that provide good support instead of athletic shoes or slippers with deep treads that could causes to you trip on grooves on the floor.
Talk about family planning According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the national average age of first-time mothers is 27. If you have a child later in life, you’re more likely to have a normal pregnancy and healthy baby if you’re in good health, have early prenatal care and practice healthy lifestyle habits. The Women’s Health Resource Center (WHRC) indicates there are risks associated with pregnancy during your 30s since fertility decreases during these years, particularly after age 35. It may take longer to get pregnant than it would for a younger woman, and the chances of miscarriage and pregnancy-related health problems increase, especially in women ages 35 and above, as do risks for birth defects for babies born to older women. The WHRC recommends that if you’re under age 35 and don’t get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive, talk to your health care professional or a fertility specialist. If you’re 35 and older, talk to a specialist if you don’t conceive after six months of trying.
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Spring 2008
Ask Your Doctor About Endometriosis The disease endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, is found outside of the uterus. This misplaced tissue develops into growths that also respond to a woman’s monthly cycle. Menstrual blood normally flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina. For the millions of women worldwide who have endometriosis, this growth of blood and tissue has no way to leave the body. For this reason, growths tend to get bigger and the symptoms of endometriosis often get worse over time. Inflammation and scar tissue from endometriosis can cause pain, infertility and bowel problems. While there is currently no cure for endometriosis, many treatments, such as over-thecounter and prescription medications, hormonal therapy and surgery, can help control the symptoms. A sister who is living with endometriosis has shared her story on this page. If you haven’t been diagnosed with endometriosis yet this sister’s symptoms feel all too familiar, call your doctor and schedule a pelvic exam. You can also learn more from the Endometriosis Association at endowalk.org.
Days to Celebrate March
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
April
Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
May
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month May 11-17 – National Women’s Health Week May 12 – National Women’s Check-up Day
August
National Immunization Awareness Month
September
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month September 24 – National Women’s Health and Fitness Day
October
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 17 – National Mammography Day
Editor’s Note: The Quill staff thanks Dr. Natalie DiPietro, PharmD, MPH, for her guidance and editorial support for this article. Dr. DiPietro is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Ohio Northern University; she also completed a fellowship in women’s health issues. Dr. DiPietro currently a teaches a course on women’s health and conducts research in the area. A 1996 initiate of Gamma Tau Chapter at Ohio Northern, Dr. DiPietro also serves as a faculty advisor to Gamma Tau. Information provided in this article is not intended to take the place of a physician’s advice. Please consult your health care provider with questions and for proper evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
A Sister’s Story: Menstruation Shouldn’t be Painful By Wendy Bitman Cohen Rider University (NJ), ’95 I’ve had bad cramps and heavy bleeding ever since I began menstruating at age 11. During high school I spent a day or two each month curled up in a ball, at home or in the nurse’s office, due to extreme cramps and pain. The pain became worse during college, but I believed pain was normal. At least that’s what I was told. “I keep feeling like something’s there,” I told my doctor, pointing to my right ovary. “It’s all in your head” and “You need to learn to deal with the pain” was the response. Shortly after finishing college, the pain during ovulation and menstruation was unbearable. I also developed urinary and gastrointestinal problems and was extremely fatigued. In June 2002, after 15 years of increasing pain, discomfort and sometimes feeling like I was going crazy, I finally heard the word “endometriosis” and was given a definitive diagnosis through a laparoscopic procedure. The pain subsided after my surgery, but only for a short time. It came back with more intense bladder and bowel problems and I started to develop new symptoms. Since then, I’ve suffered with ongoing pain, frustration and fatigue. I’ve been prescribed one medication after another, run from doctor to doctor, and felt uncertain about my fertility and whether a hysterectomy is in my future. Many say a hysterectomy is the only cure for endometriosis, but even this is not guaranteed. As hard as it was to learn that I have a disease with no known cure, a future filled with pain, numerous doctor visits, surgeries and possible infertility, I was relieved to finally know my pain isn’t “in my head.” I’ve had three laparoscopic surgeries with three different doctors and have finally found a reproductive endocrinologist who’s knowledgeable about endometriosis and the problems associated with it; I see other specialists for the related problems. I currently have slight discomfort during ovulation, pain that intensifies during my period and I usually feel bloated – yet I remain positive. I have found great support in my husband, family and friends, as well as an array on online resources. Learn more about this disease from the Endometriosis Association, endo-online/org/. Connect with Wendy at wenco7_5@yahoo. com. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Installation
of a New Alpha Xi Delta Chapter
Iota Xi Chapter Installed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute By Allison Elder, Worcester Polytechnic ’07
F
ifteen women at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., wanted to experience Greek life and the bonds of sisterhood, but hadn’t found what they were looking for on campus. “The New Sorority Interest Group,” as the women called themselves, worked hard to receive approval from the campus Panhellenic Council to extend the Greek community. When the OK was given, three women’s fraternities were asked to give presentations on campus. Of the three, Alpha Xi Delta was chosen as the best fit for the women of WPI. After a year of bonding as colony members, recruiting additional members, selecting chapter officers and creating a presence on campus, 66 initiates gathered at the Crown Plaza on October 6, 2007, to officially become Alpha Xi Deltas. The Initiation and Installation ceremonies were led by National President Deanna
Wollam Detchemendy, National Vice President Sue Mamber, Director of Membership Growth Gretchen Balling DiMarco, Associate Director of Member Services-West Mel Krueger and Educational Leadership Consultant Lindsay Bonner. Colony Development Alpha Xi Delta’s Specialist Stephanie Institute. Holmes, local alumnae and Alpha Xi Sisters from Dartmouth College also helped with the ceremony. A post-ceremony luncheon was held for initiates, their family and friends, and several members of the WPI community, including the dean of students, the dean of undergraduate students, WPI Greek chapter presidents and chapter advisors, and members of WPI’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils. During the luncheon, Iota Xi Chapter received several gifts from the Fraternity, including its official charter, a gavel and a Fraternity flag. The chapter also received flowers from WPI’s Lambda Chi Allison Elder, Jola Myrta, Julie Kent and Vanessa Walton proudly wear our colors and Quill as initiated members of Alpha Xi Delta.
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Spring 2008
newest Sisters at Worcester Polytechnic
Alpha chapter and numerous congratulatory cards from Alpha Xi Delta collegians and alumnae. Learn more about Iota Xi Chapter at users.wpi.edu/~alphaxi/index.html.
WPI Fast Facts • Located in New England’s third largest city (pop. 170,000) • 35 miles west of Boston • Founded in 1865 • One of the nation’s earliest technological universities • More than 50 degree programs, ranging from aerospace engineering to premed • 2,800 undergrads – 26% female, 74% male • 2 additional sororities on campus,12 fraternities
Sisters Honored by Greek Honor Society Nichole Allem, Elon ’05, and Lynn Walsh, Ohio ’05, won a $100 and $500 scholarship, respectively, from The Order of Omega national Greek honor society. The scholarship program recognizes academic ability; citizenship; participation and leadership in campus organizations; and service to Order of Omega and the campus Greek community. Since 1985, the Order of Omega has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships.
Scholarships Available for Communication Majors Undergraduate Alpha Xi Deltas who are pursuing degrees in communicationsrelated fields (journalism, graphic design, public relations, broadcasting, etc.) are encouraged to apply for scholarships offered by the College Fraternity Editors Association (CFEA). Juniors who are beginning their senior year in the fall of 2008 and seniors who will complete their senior year in the fall of 2008 are eligible to apply. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2008. Scholarship recipients will be awarded a minimum of $500. To learn more, contact CFEA scholarship committee chair Jean Gileno at 317.875.8900 ext. 211 or Gileno@deltau.org.
Convention 2009 Comes to Colorado Alpha Xi Delta’s next National Convention will be held June 24-June 28, 2009, at the Denver Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. The Mile High City will be an excellent setting for education, recreation and conducting Fraternity business. Learn more about Convention 2009 in future issues of The Quill.
Be Part of The Quill Is there something you’d like to read about in upcoming issues? Is a sister doing great things that we should know about? Send your story ideas and photos to Editor, Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, 8702 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268, or rgoodman@alphaxidelta.org. In the meantime, here are a few stories we’re exploring for future issues:
dealt with this issue, which leaves us to grieve alone.” If you have experienced miscarriage/pregnancy loss or infant loss and would like to share your story to help inform Sisters and help them heal, please let us know. If you are health professional who can serve as a subject matter expert on this topic, we would love for you to offer your input.
Recruitment The summer issue of The Quill will take a look at the lifeblood of our Fraternity — recruitment. Be part of this issue by telling us what specific skills you learned during recruitment that serve you well today.
Woman’s Best Friend Animals can bring a lot of joy to our lives and the lives of others. Are you a pet therapist, dog walker, veterinarian or K9 officer? Do you volunteer at an animal shelter, help rescue animals or train animals? If your career or volunteer work involves animals, we want to hear from you.
Miscarriage, Infant Loss A Sister wrote us and said, “After the tragic loss of my twins six years ago, I’ve hoped to see an article on the topic of miscarriage/pregnancy loss and/ or infant loss. I was lost in the search for information, grief counseling, understanding and finding a ‘sisterhood’ with others who have experienced such a loss as I had. People often do not know how to deal with a grieving mother if they themselves have not
Moving Home These days, more and more college students are moving back in with their parents after graduation. Did you move back home? Are you a parent whose child or children have moved back home? Are you a career counselor, family therapist, sociologist, etc. who can serve as a subject matter expert on this trend? Please let us know.
How to Submit Photos to The Quill Photos can either be sent to the Editor as high-resolution tif or jpg files, or as prints made from a film-camera negative. Photocopies and digital printouts of color copies cannot be used because they don’t reproduce well in the magazine. To obtain a high-quality digital image, set your camera on the highest settings possible. (This mode requires the most memory and takes the fewest number of photos.) The original digital image must be at least 4x6 inches at 300 dpi. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Kappa Chapter Returns to the University of Illinois By Jennifer Gianino, Southeast Missouri State ’94, Associate Director of Member Services-Midwest
A
lpha Xi Delta enthusiastically welcomed the invitation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to return to campus this fall. The Fraternity is excited to rejoin the largest Greek community in the nation and looks forward to a new beginning for Kappa Chapter. Alpha Xi Delta alumnae volunteers and Fraternity Headquarters staff started working on recolonization efforts almost immediately — and there’s still more to be done! In coordination with the campus Panhellenic Council and
dren at the Anabel Huling Early Learning Center in nearby Rantoul, Ill. This spring, plans continue to progress. Each month Educational Leadership Consultant Heather Haroff meets with women on campus who are interested in Alpha Xi Delta, The Alma Mater Statue at the U of I. attends Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council meetings to creLast month, the Illinois Panhellenic ate excitement about Alpha Xi Delta, and Council hosted its annual Panhellenic trains the FOXs (Friends of Xi), Alpha Xi Pride Week. Ginny Carroll, Western KenDelta’s on-campus ambassadors. tucky ’82, president and CEO of inGINuA Greek leader reception and ity consulting, was the week’s keynote alumnae reception, hosted by Alpha Xi speaker. She shared her message “The Delta’s National Council, were held on Gift of Sorority” to more than 1,000 Panhellenic women.
Did You Know … •
The University of Illinois has nearly 100 Greek organizations.
•
Of the university’s 28,500 full-time, undergraduate students, more than 6,300 (23%) are Greek.
•
With the addition of Alpha Xi Delta, the U of I Greek community includes 20 of the 26 National Panhellenic Conference sororities.
•
More than 3,000 women on the U of I campus are Greek.
Greek Life staff, the Fraternity continues to work on public relations efforts to promote Alpha Xi Delta’s return to campus. Last fall, Fraternity Headquarters staff and volunteers observed the university’s formal recruitment, hosted a tailgating event during homecoming and hosted a book drive to benefit chil-
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campus earlier this month. “We want to make certain that Illinois is once again a place where Alpha Xi Deltas will have fun together, develop genuine, lifelong relationships and be inspired by their Sisters — our Sisters — to realize their potential,” said Alpha Xi Delta National President Deanna Wollam Detchemendy.
Ways to Get Involved “Team Illini” has been created to develop and put into place the Fraternity’s recolonization plans. The team is focused on four areas: alumnae support, housing, public relations and member recruitment. Alpha Xi Delta needs your help to make this fall’s recolonization a success. Here’s how you can help: • Join Alpha Xi Delta’s inCircle online networking community at www.alphaxidelta.org/incircle. Once you register for inCircle, join the group “Kappa Chapter/University of Illinois Recolonization” to stay connected with sisters and be in the loop for recolonization efforts and activities. • Complete an Extension Volunteer Interest Form. This is the best way for Team Illini to know where your interests lie. We’re looking for short-term and longer-
term volunteers for a variety of positions. The interest form can be found under the Alumnae section of www.alphaxidelta.org. • If you know unaffiliated women at the U of I or women who will be attending the university in the fall, complete a Potential Member Profile, which can be found under the Alumnae section of www.alphaxidelta.org. Alpha Xi Delta will be recruiting an entire chapter, so profiles on women in all classes are being accepted. Completed forms can be mailed to Nikki Sefffron at Fraternity Headquarters; she can also be reached at nseffron@gmail.com. Let’s work together to bring Kappa Chapter back to the University of Illinois! If you have further questions about how you can help, contact Jennifer Gianino at jgianino@alphaxidelta.org or 314.324.1832, or Mariassa Rowe at marissa@cground.org.
How Kappa Came to Be The beginning of Kappa Chapter dates back to 1904 when seven young women of vision formed a local sorority at the U of I called Omega Omicron. The women worked in secret while pursuing a charter with Alpha Xi Delta and adding six more members to their group. Omega Omicron’s petition to become a chapter of Alpha Xi Delta was submitted in October 1905. Two months later, on December 15, Kappa Chapter was installed and 12 Sisters were initiated. Alpha Xi Delta was the sixth sorority to be welcomed to the U of I campus.
Charter members of Kappa Chapter in 1905: (front row) Mattie Fargo, Katherine Black, Agnes Shannon, (middle row) Louis De Witt, Rosalie Retz, Louise Yale, Nellie Branch, (back row) Winifred Campbell, Marian Bell, Clarine Llewellyn, Elizabeth Abbott, Iris L. Wood.
We’re looking for Sisters skilled in: • Interior Design • Accounting • Banking
Don’t have a lot of time but still want to help the Fraternity? Join a local housing corporation and volunteer part time. Chapters That Need You Right Away: Eta, Syracuse University Alpha Beta, Cornell University Epsilon Zeta, Eastern Washington University Theta Eta, Western Michigan University
• Landscaping • Property Management • Architecture • Mortgage Lending • And more!
Contact Tabatha Phan, Director of Housing, at 317.872.3500 or tphan@alphaxidelta.org.
www.alphaxidelta.org
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Member News Arizona Theta Zeta, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Sisters sponsored their annual mud volleyball tournament and raised $500 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yavapai County. –Allie Wood, wood385@erau.edu
Arkansas Zeta Iota, Lyon College On January 13, 2008, Zeta Iota reached an important milestone: its 35th anniversary as a chapter. During fall semester, Sisters got to know the incoming freshmen by helping them move into the dorms. Sisters also helped women on campus learn about Greek
Denver Alumnae Association | Pat Schassburger (left), philanthropy chair Carol Clare and other members of the association collected school supplies for donation to needy children in the area. –Barb Stover, barbstover@comcast.net
life by handing out personalized cups filled with candy. –Jaime Warrington, jw5304@lyon.edu
California Gamma Epsilon, Fresno State University Everyone had some sticky fun navigating an obstacle course, bobbing for fruit in Jell-O and sliding on a Slip ’n Slide covered with Jell-O during the chapter’s annual Jell-O Olympics. The money raised was given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sisters attended prom at Valley Teen Ranch, a facility that helps troubled teenage boys build a better life. Sisters enjoyed dinner and dancing with their escorts, all while helping a wonderful cause. –Melissa Vandever, sosweetmel@hotmail.com Theta Beta, Sonoma State University Sisters helped with the YMCA’s annual Halloween Carnival and participated in a powder puff football game. The chapter also had a book drive and collected 65 new and gently used books for a local elementary school. –Allison Murray, murrayal@ sonoma.edu Theta Beta, Cal State University San Marcos Sisters held a car wash for a 2-year-old boy named Tanner
Cal State Northridge | Alpha Xi Delta National President Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, center row in pink, paid a visit to her initiating chapter, Delta Rho at Cal State Northridge. –Lauren West, laurenwest3@gmail.com
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who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. After washing cars for six hours and taking donations only, Sisters raised $1,000, which they later donated to Tanner’s family. –Chelsea Caldwell, caldw016@csusm.edu
Delaware Theta Gamma, University of Delaware Collegians welcomed alumnae back to the chapter house during the homecoming weekend Alumnae Appreciation Brunch. Later in the fall, campus fraternity men competed in various events to be crowned Xi Man. The three-day event raised money for First Book, which helps children from lowincome families own their first new books. –Meaghan Jones, meaghanj@udel.edu
Florida Theta Omicron, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University On February 21, Theta Omicron celebrated its 15th year as a chapter. In the fall, Sisters donated the money raised during Penny Wars to the Gabrielle Campione Memorial Fund to build a park in Gabrielle’s honor. Gabrielle, the cousin of Theta Omicron Sister Michelle Rodio, passed away from injuries sustained in an accident last year. Theta Sigma, University of Central Florida The chapter’s housing corporation surprised collegiate Sisters with a new chapter house parking lot. Needless to say, the collegians are delighted. Sisters help out at local schools by reading to children on a regular basis. This activity also benefits alumnae who are elementary school teachers. –Brittany
Indiana | Jill Kase and her Beta Pi Sisters held a cookout and played outdoor games with members of the local Boys and Girls Club. Several Sisters also volunteer their time at the club each week. –Rashelle Ludolph, rludolph@indiana.edu
Rodriguez, alphaxigurl06@yahoo.com Gainesville Alumnae Association Members held a ceremony in August to officially reestablish the alumnae association. In the fall, Sisters invited the director from Peaceful Paths, a local shelter for women and their children, to their meeting to speak about domestic violence. During October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, association members donated $500 worth of school supplies and items to Peaceful Paths. If you’re interested in joining this new association or attending the Founders’ Day Celebration, contact Stefanie Nelson at ucfstef@hotmail.com. Pinellas County Alumnae Association Sisters joined forces with Macy’s department store for the annual Shop for a Cause event. Each coupon book Sisters sold
Tallahassee Alumnae Association The association kicked off the year with a luncheon honoring Sisters with more than 50 years of membership in Alpha Xi Delta. Everyone was greeted with a special nametag in true Alpha Xi Delta fashion: double blue and gold ribbons holding a pink rose. Alumnae rekindled friendships and enjoyed experiencing the special bond they share. –Judy Levy, judithlevy@earthlink.net
Georgia Gamma Eta, Georgia Institute of Technology The chapter hosted its fourth annual volleyball tournament with the men of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and raised $2,000 for The Children’s Miracle Network. –Sarah McKibben, gth848q@ mail.gatech.edu
helped support the association’s charities: Boggy Creek Camp and a family shelter called The Grace House. In January, Sisters
Idaho
and members of the St. Petersburg and Clearwater Panhellenic
Epsilon Psi, Boise State University
groups held a Reading Day event at The Grace House. At the end
The chapter held its annual Quarter the Quad event to raise
of the day, 10 children received new books to take home and
money for the local Ronald McDonald House and raised $650,
enjoy. –Julie McHugh, jdmmk@tamapbay.rr.com
which is double the amount raised last year. –Ashley Colbert
www.alphaxidelta.org
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Delaware | Theta Gamma Sisters (left to right) Kristen Braun, Dannielle Miccinello, Kelly Disler, Kelly Votta, Alison Cohen, Lauren Murray and Chrissy Boscarino enjoyed the chapter’s annual trip to Milburn Orchards to pick apples. Iota Kappa, Idaho State University
the 14 National Panhellenic Conference sororities on campus.
At the annual Greek Council Banquet, the chapter was recognized
Sigma also received a Certificate of Excellence in academic
for outstanding campus involvement, outstanding community
achievement; chapter management and operations; fraternal
service and highest cumulative GPA. The chapter continued
and community relations; philanthropy and community service;
its success by starting fall semester with five new members.
and risk reduction, education and management. –Mallory Logan,
– Kristen Williams, willkri3@isu.edu
mallory-logan@uiowa.edu Cedar Rapids Alumnae Association
Indiana
The association held a garden walk and home tour and enjoyed
Alpha Eta, Purdue University The chapter welcomed 27 new members during fall formal and informal recruitment. The chapter’s annual Fuzzie Football tournament attracted 22 teams and raised more than $3,000 for Group Homes for Children Inc. in Lafayette.
22
seeing 150 beautiful annuals. Members donated school supplies to two elementary schools; sisters will continue to help children by collecting new and used books for childcare centers. Alumnae also continue to help Iowa’s three collegiate chapters any way they can. –Char Janda-Nechanicky, RDNech@aol.com
Iowa
Kansas
Sigma, University of Iowa
Alpha Kappa, Kansas State University
Sisters were recognized for their achievements at Tagarista, the
Sisters opened their chapter house and parking lot to the KSU
university’s Greek Panhellenic awards. The chapter received the
community during the chapter’s annual Fiesta Feed. A live
Chapter Excellence award, which was given to only three of
band played outside, unlimited nachos were dished out in the
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Spring 2008
dining room and more than 400 people came to the event. The
Diabetes Research Foundation. Nearly $250 was collected through
money raised was given to the Make-A-Wish foundation. –Katie
ticket sales and a bake sale. –Allison Elder, ane@wpi.edu
McCauley, kmccaule@ksu.edu
Michigan Louisiana
Phi, Albion College
Delta Epsilon, University of New Orleans
Sisters donated books to the American Association of University
More than $800 was raised during the chapter’s Save It or
Women (AAUW) Home Tour Book Sale. Proceeds benefited
Shave It fund-raiser for the St. Jude Research Foundation and
the Trish Elms/Marshall AAUW scholarship, which is given
Children’s Miracle Network. One man from each UNO fraternity
each year to a Marshall High School senior and the children’s
volunteered to donate his hair. If his fraternity raised the most
department at the Marshall District Library. This year’s donation
money for the children’s charities, he got to “save” his hair. The
helped fund library story hours and family time. –Lauren Flynn,
volunteers from the fraternities that didn’t win had to shave off
LKF10@albion.edu
their hair. “A Christmas Toy Story” was held during the holidays for all
Theta Eta, Western Michigan University
campus organizations. The entry fee was one new toy; more than
The chapter was recognized for having the highest GPA of all
1,000 toys were collected for Toys For Tots.
sororities on campus. Cassie Merrill won Greek Woman of the Year and Joelle Fundaro won Greek New Member of the Year. Joelle also won the Dr. Smart Scholarship for education majors,
Maine
acknowledging her achievements in academics, leadership and
Epsilon Rho, University of Southern Maine During fall semester, sisters spent time with adopted and foster children by volunteering at Camp Conference. Sisters played games and entertained the children while parents and guardians attended educational sessions. –Caitlin Gunter, caitlin.gunter@maine.edu
community service. Sisters helped freshmen move into the residence halls prior to the start of school, raised $1,200 at their annual Xi Cup tournament and initiated 26 women in December. The women of Theta Eta also attended Phi Chapter’s Turkey Trot and got to know Sisters at Albion College. –Alicia Shafer, alicia.a.shafer@wmich. edu, and Lizi Dorrance, e5dorrance@wmich.edu
Maryland Chesapeake Alumnae Association Association members had a fun and “energetic” meeting by learning the principles of yoga practice. Following the session, Sisters enjoyed a reiki demonstration (a Japanese technique
for
stress
reduction,
relaxation and healing), enjoyed a healthy lunch, then left relaxed and energized at the same time! –Susan
Robinson,
susanbet@
verizon.net
Massachusetts Iota Xi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Sisters joined with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, the WPI dance team and Nola Borrelli’s Dance Studio to host a dance show to support the Juvenile
Gainesville Alumnae Association | “Fun with a Focus” is the motto of the newly reestablished Gainesville (FL) Alumnae Association. Founding members are (L-R) Mary Anders Adams Smith, Lori Talcott Hoopes, Jessica Tofani Dimuzio, Mary Brown, Pat Delrich Spencer, Deborah Green, Monica Leahy Rehman and Stefanie Jones Nelson.
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Ann Arbor Alumnae Association Association members collaborated with Family Book Club to visit a kindergarten and Head Start class, both made up of children who do not have many books at home. Alumnae read What Can I Do? to the children and gave each of them a copy of the storybook. The children then made pictures of the kinds of things they could do. –Marian West, mswest59@hotmail.com
Missouri Epsilon Xi, University of Missouri St. Louis Sisters spent a night in Wentzville, Mo., bonding with their new members at the chapter’s new member retreat. The women participated in teambuilding activities and crafts, ate yummy food, and ended the evening with smores and a bonfire. On January 27, 2008, Epsilon Xi reached a notable milestone: its 40th anniversary as a chapter. –Holly Burmeister, habyqf@umsl.edu
Nebraska Rho, University of Nebraska Lincoln Collegians and alumnae of all ages gathered to hand out candy
New York City Alumnae Association | Alumnae had a ball during the association’s recent bowling party. –Erin Arnold, ecarnold2780@yahoo.com
and give children a safe place to trick or treat. Guests played Halloween musical chairs, decorated pumpkins, sang songs, danced and had a great time. –Sarah Mathews
Nevada Las Vegas Alumnae Association Sisters gathered for monthly bingo games, a Lemongrass spa party and a dessert party. During the holiday season, they held a Christmas party with Iota Epsilon Chapter at UNLV where Sisters wrapped toys for children with cancer. –June Deindoerfer, deindoerfer@cox.net
New Hampshire Tau, University of New Hampshire The chapter received accolades for having the highest GPA on campus for new members (3.51), (3.17)
Minneapolis-St. Paul Alumnae Association| Sisters brought teddy bears to their Christmas party for donation to Dakota Woodlands women’s shelter. –Laura Robinson Ramsey, robin444@umn.edu
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
initiated and
members
combined
members/initiated (3.18). –Katie Kelsall
new
members
New York Delta Lambda, Rochester Institute of Technology Sisters participated in the campus Mud Tug and raised $150 to support breast cancer research. –Lisa Janos, lmj2123@rit.edu
Ohio Psi, Ohio State University More than $650 was raised for the chapter’s housing corporation during a chapter yard sale. The money will be used for house renovations. In October, the chapter held its 27th annual Fuzzie Football tournament. Eighteen teams participated and $1,150 was raised for Hope Street Kids, an organization founded by Psi alumna and Ohio State Congresswoman Deborah Price. –Amber L. Milano, milano.15@osu.edu Beta Mu, Bowling Green State University Sisters served as coaches, referees and cheerleaders for teams that participated in the chapter’s annual Fuzzie Football tournament. The funds raised were given to child-related charities. The chapter ended the academic year with the second highest Greek GPA and the highest sorority GPA. –Caitlin McTaggart, cmctagg@bgnet. bgsu.edu
Marietta (OH) | The weather was rainy but spirits were high as Tucky Dangamuwa, Melissa Schulte and their Beta Xi Sisters welcomed 16 new members on bid day.
Beta Xi, Marietta College Sisters participated in a walk for Alzheimer’s research and raised $1,350 – the second highest amount raised by any group. The chapter also raised money for child-related charities by setting up a dunk tank on campus. Beta Xi is proud to recognize chapter alumna Emily McGinty who ran the 2007 Chicago Marathon for charity. –Melissa Schulte, mas002@marietta.edu Gamma Tau, Ohio Northern University Sisters celebrated the addition of 20 new members and welcomed back several alumnae during their annual Teddy Bear Picnic during homecoming weekend. One of the highlights of the event was a raffle for an Alpha Xi Delta blanket bearing our Fraternity crest, which was won by alumna Mary Howard. –Autumn Steiner, a-steiner@onu.edu Cuyahoga West Shore Alumnae Association Association members celebrated Sisterhood at a luncheon for 50-year members of Alpha Xi Delta, and charter members and past
East Tennessee State | Sisters and their homecoming partner,
presidents of the association. Three members qualified for all three
the men of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, collected nearly 1,100 cans of food for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. –Tiffany Miller, ztam21@ goldmail.etsu.edu
categories: Nancy Haffner Wirth, Peggy Sonday Pohjala and Betty Kavander. –Carol Sutliff Jordan
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Pinellas County (FL) Alumnae Association | Carol Shogren, Kay Mason, Helen Tulenko and Sully Lowe enjoyed the association’s annual Christmas Banquet.
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Iota Mu, Lycoming College
Epsilon, University of South Dakota
During homecoming, collegians and alumnae rooted for
Sisters and their parents joined forces to paint and redecorate the
Lycoming’s football team, Sisters on the cheer squad proudly
chapter house. New furniture was a major improvement, which
represented the chapter and everyone reminisced over dinner
made a big difference during recruitment. The chapter reached
after the game. A farewell brunch was held for alumnae the next
quota and has maintained a great retention rate. –Stephanie
morning. –Amanda Herrick, heraman@lycoming.edu
Klock, Stephanie.Klock@usd.edu
Pittsburgh Alumnae Association
Epsilon Eta, South Dakota State University
Each year, members create Jared Boxes – small care packages
The chapter reached both quota and total during formal recruitment,
filled with toys and best wishes for children at a local hospital
which gave Sisters the rest of the semester to focus on educating
who are fighting cancer. To learn more about the project, please
and retaining their new members. Sisters also completed major
visit www.jaredbox.com. Association members would love to
renovations to the chapter house basement and made better use
have more chapters and associations join them in this endeavor.
of the living room. Sisters’ parents generously donated a piano and
–Dana Koluezez Brown, danakbrown@gmail.com
tile replacement services, and the yard looks much better after leafraking and bulb-planting sisterhoods to revitalize the outside of the chapter house. Most importantly, Sisters worked hard to raise their
South Carolina
cumulative GPA through study hours and tutoring sessions. –Molly
Epsilon Iota, Newberry College During a September football game, more than 100 stuffed animals
Muth, ollymay3182004@hotmail.com
were collected during the chapter’s annual teddy bear drive. The animals were donated to local fire and EMS departments to give
Texas
to children rescued from traumatic situations. –Tresa Cummins,
Beta Alpha, University of Texas at Austin
tscummins@aol.com
Sisters and potential new members decorated picture frames and later delivered them to the Austin Miracle League, which sponsors a baseball league for children with physical and mental disabilities. This organization also receives proceeds from the
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Spring 2008
chapter’s annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The chapter launched a new fund-raising event this year, hosting a dinner at the chapter house, which raised even more money for the Austin Miracle League. –Katie Willcutts, k8t87@yahoo.com Delta Psi, Texas State University - San Marcos Delta Psi had a successful fall recruitment, welcoming 38 women to the chapter. The women hosted a golf tournament and raised $4,000 for Hope for Tiny Hearts, which helps fund research for pediatric heart disease. Sisters also assisted Project Night Night, an organization that donates blankets to severely ill children in hospitals across the nation. During recruitment week, potential new members helped cut and tie the blankets while learning more about our philanthropic focus. –Morgan Gross, mg1236@ txstate.edu Zeta Lambda, Texas Wesleyan University Sisters welcomed 13 new members during recruitment and continuous open bidding, which more than doubled the chapter’s size. Collegians thank alumnae for their help and support during recruitment. –Joette Andrews, jnandrews@mail.txwes.edu AXiDjan'08ad.qxp
1/17/08
11:18 AM
Northern Iowa | The homecoming parade at Northern Iowa passed in front of the Delta Chi chapter house, making the front lawn a perfect location for a bake sale fund-raiser. The $200 raised was given to First Book. –Hanna Albaugh, jalbaugh@uni. edu
Page 1
C. A. B. G. D. E.
H. I.
F.
A. Swirl Rose Ring, #12774K ..............................SS $30 (Whole sizes 5–8)
B. Silhouette Rose Ring, #RD141 ................SS $30 (Whole sizes 5–9)
C. Mini Monogram Ring, #4000 ..................SS $47, 10K $104 D. Swirl Ring with sapphires, #1000 ..........SS $111, 10K $201
E. Swirl Ring with CZs, #1000 ....................SS $111, 10K $201 F. Heritage Ring, #1893 ................................SS $50 (Sizes 6, 7, and 8 only)
G. Sincere Ring, #1022..................................SS $35 (Whole sizes 5–9)
H. Quill Ring, #4000........................................SS $85, 10K $144 I. Cushion Ring with sapphire, #0452R ....SS $104, 10K $199
Treat yourself to an Alpha Xi Delta ring . . . just because! To order, visit www.HJGreek.com or call 1.800.422.4348 Prices subject to change. Colored stones are synthetic. Returns must be made within 30 days of reciept.
www.alphaxidelta.org
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Virginia Delta Mu, Old Dominion University Delta Mu welcomed nine new members during recruitment. The chapter was victorious during Greek Week and placed first. One of the highlights of the week was making a difference in the college community by recycling more than 300 pounds of items. –Nicole Caldwell, ncald003@odu.edu
Tulsa Alumnae Association | Members of the Tulsa Alumnae Association met for a recruitment reception to discuss ways to support Iota Delta Chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma. –Lynne Stanley Caroon, lscaroon@hotmail.com
West Virginia Iota, West Virginia University An Iota Sister is a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which prompted the rest of the chapter to participate in the Light the Night Walk and the Relay for Life. Sisters also promoted literacy and helped underprivileged children receive books by raising money and participating in the Walk for Literacy.
Wisconsin Delta Tau, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Seventeen new members were welcomed into the chapter after fall recruitment. During homecoming, Sisters teamed up with Delta Sigma Phi and Theta Chi fraternities to win the Sprit Award and first place in the lip ‘sync contest. At the end of February, Sisters were “Freezin’ for a Reason” when they participated in the Polar Bear Plunge for the Special Olympics. Sisters raised more than $1,000 for the organization. Later
Sonoma State | Theta Beta Chapter nearly doubled in size with the
in the semester, Sisters participated in the March of
addition of 38 new members from fall recruitment.
Dimes’ March for Babies, formerly called WalkAmerica, to raise funds to help improve the health of babies. –Ashey Niemuth, niemua94@uwosh.edu, and Jessica Puhl, puhlj07@uwosh.edu Epsilon Alpha, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Epsilon Alpha reached quota and surpassed total by welcoming 15 new members during fall formal recruitment. Sisters thank the alumnae who generously volunteered their time to help. In philanthropy service, Sisters participated in the Longfellow Elementary Puddle Jump 5K to raise money for an after school program; the Longfellow Walk Students to School Day;
Chesapeake Alumnae Association | Sandy Priebe Day, Donna Moxley Isaacs, Pam Gardiner Enger, Becky Neilson and Audrey Huthwaite joined other First Book volunteers at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., in celebration of Make a Difference Day, October 27, 2007.
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Spring 2008
and Lighted Schoolhouse, an after school program. The chapter has volunteered at Longfellow for more than 10 years. –Adrian Northrup, northram@uwec.edu
Reunions
Reunions
Beta Pi Indiana University
Sisters from the 1960s gathered for dinner and reminiscing during Alpha Xi Delta’s National Convention in Indianapolis. Front row: Beverly Krick Neihardt, Rita Stewart Barnett, Beverly Rutz Emmons, Barbara Keuneke Parks, Judy Myers Cotterman, (back row) Judy Martin Pingel, Shirley Caldwell McInnes, Sue Sleppy Caldwell, Teresa Hirtzel Dowling, Linda Rethmeyer, Phoebe Hamilton and Vera Stillabower Murphy. –Barbara Parks
Sarasota (FL) Alumnae Association Marianne
Frank
Turman,
Ohio ’52, and Sue Harvey Madison,
Ohio
State
’57,
met unexpectedly in Sun City Center, Fla., and wondered if other Sisters lived in the area. Marianne and Sue found 22 Sisters, four of whom live on the same street! These ladies got together, had lunch and celebrated Founders’ Day ’07 with the Sarasota Alumnae Association. More events are planned for the future.
Front row: Janet Hawkins Wilson, Marilyn Thatcher Kreider, Louise McFarland Sams, Marge Peoples Korver, (back row) Marianne Frank Turman, Ruth Ann Bishop Phelan, Sue Harvey Madison, Sally Habermann Wepfer, Dot Stacy Cushman, Donna Ulicny Barone, Betty Palmenter Schermesser. –Sue Madison, Marianne Turman, tomatochef@aol.com
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Reunions Delta Xi, Georgia State University Alumnae who were in Atlanta during Christmastime got together to catch up.
From left: Kris Narey Michels, Marilyn Marker Whitmer, Nancy Cotter, Marisa Lambert, Gretchen O’Brien Brechin, Risa Fowler Wallace, Tracy Andersen Roberts, Danielle Lepley Lambert. –Tracy Andersen Roberts, tjaroberts@ comcast.net
delta lambda Rochester Institute of Technology More than 50 Delta Lambda alumnae who initiated in the 1970s and 1980s returned to campus for their first reunion in over 20 years. The two groups enjoyed special decade events then gathered at the chapter house for an alumnae ceremony and alfresco lunch, hosted by Delta Lambda collegians.
Delta Lambda alumnae from the 1970s.
After chapter house and campus tours, alumnae went to a cabin they had rented at Mendon Ponds Park for a slideshow, more catching up and looking at Sisters’ Fraternity memorabilia. To be part of the next reunion, contact Debra L. Rothenberg at rothenbergphoto@ yahoo.com. –Photos and news from Debra L. Rothenberg
Delta Lambda alumnae from the 1980s.
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
Reunions Beta Pi, Indiana University Sisters initiated between 1994 and 1996 gathered for a long weekend in Hilton Head Island, S.C. It was a chance for many sisters to meet one another’s children for the first time. Sisters, front row: Tanya Manadee Albert, Amy Scheaffer Groff, Kelley Gall Jones, Monica Miller, Jen Beck Dainton. Sisters, back row: Julie Featherstun Crague, Michelle Lawless, Sarah Krooswyk Pelletier, Melissa Chiaro Haycock, Christy Meunier Lamm. –Melissa Haycock, mchaycock@hargray.com
Epsilon Lambda, Rider University Alumnae held a reunion celebrating the 40th anniversary of their initiation and the installation of their chapter. Attendees represented five class years, including one class from Sigma Iota Chi, the local sorority that affiliated with Alpha Xi Delta to become Epsilon Lambda Chapter. One of the weekend’s highlights was the anniversary-reunion luncheon held in the campus student center where alumnae rekindled the bonds of Sisterhood, shared memorabilia and took photos. During the luncheon program, Sisters paid tribute to Chapter Advisor Marion Cosenza, ’67, who entered Chapter Eternal in 2006. –Alice Gagyo Katocs, katocs10@ gmail.com
Zeta, Wittenberg University; Springfield (OH) Alumnae Association The Springfield Alumnae Association sponsored a homecoming
Youngstown State | During homecoming ‘07, alumnae gathered for their first ever alumnae tailgate. To attend this year’s tailgate, contact Heather Bland, heatherb2442@netzero.net, or Karen Maughan, fuzzie17@aol.com.
luncheon at Wittenberg University for 35 Sisters from Zeta Chapter who were initiated in the 1970s. Alumnae and collegians from Gamma Tau Chapter at Ohio Northern University were also on hand for the festivities. Fond memories were shared while looking at scrapbooks, singing Alpha Xi Delta songs and enjoying delicious “Witt Cookies.” For information about this year’s reunion, contact Jennifer Henson at jbhenson@residentialacapitalcorp.com.
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Chapter Eternal
T
he spring 2008 Chapter Eternal includes the names of sisters whose passing was reported to Fraternity Headquarters between August 1 and December 31, 2007. 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, 8702 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Alpha Chapter Lombard College/Knox College Carol Fisher Miller ’48 Zeta Chapter Wittenberg University Marjorie Eipper ’32 Eta Chapter Syracuse University Christine Seren Short Gehring ’41 Theta Chapter University of WisconsinMadison Jane Hamby Anderson ’34 Mary McNary Bogart ’33 Sue Slaker Buhse ’42 Pat Patterson DeMaster ’41 Kathleen Bradley Rutledge ’68 Iota Chapter West Virginia University Loretta Fishbach Kight ’26 Alice Thayer Stafford ’47 Kappa Chapter University of Illinois Phyllis Maxwell Lafata ’46 Ethel Schoenrock Muelhoefer ’37 Mu Chapter University of Minnesota Laurel Dobbs Eschner ’46 Jeanne Stonge Witt ’46
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Xi Chapter University of Kentucky Betty Smedley Bryson ’48 Pi Chapter Ohio University Helen Byington ’18 Alice Mackey Rodgers ’32 Jean MacArthur Walker ’48 Rho Chapter University of NebraskaLincoln Marilyn Eidam Graves ’47 Marjorie Reeve McMeekin ’48 Sigma Chapter University of Iowa Grace Gibbs Johnson ’31 Eunice McLaughlin Thompson ’45 Upsilon Chapter University of Vermont Lorraine Carver Bliss ’40 Psi Chapter Ohio State University Elizabeth Ellis Bowman ’42 Delane Schindler Kittel ’24 Bonnie McCray Nelson ’65 Omega Chapter Stetson University Mary Mahon Farley ’40 Eleanor Hillman Harper ’39 Marjorie Jensen Yengling ’37 Alpha Beta Chapter Cornell University Helen Rowley Munson ’32 Norma Hajek Nichols ’42 Alpha Gamma Chapter Coe College Mildred Nemmers Kehrer ’33 Marian Mohr Zimmerman ’32 Alpha Delta Chapter Oregon State University Leslie Moore Morris ’55 Alpha Theta Chapter Northwestern University Elberta Jeffers Kohlhepp ’46 Alpha Iota Chapter Drake University Geraldine Smith Groeneveld ’49 Rae Gene Fearing Robbins ’39
Spring 2008
Alpha Kappa Chapter Kansas State University Mary Keturah Kennedy Milkie ’39
Beta Lambda Chapter Pennsylvania State University Jeanne Shipman Futch ’43
Alpha Lambda Chapter University of Oregon Lois Beamguard Hall ’47
Beta Mu Chapter Bowling Green State University Louann Merrick Drew ’58 Josephine Mercer Frank ’44
Alpha Omicron Chapter Hunter College Leonore Hart Feinstein ’32 Grace Amico Flynn ’43 Betty Korn Grossman ’43 Alpha Pi Chapter Middlebury College Catherine Andrus Fessenden ’37 Alpha Upsilon Chapter Brenau College Virginia Selby Heyman ’31 Beta Alpha Chapter University of Texas Judith Kately Rogers ’65 Jane Moller Zimmerman ’41
Beta Pi Chapter Indiana University Bonnie Stanley Allen ’52 Wilma Price Smith ’66 Gamma Epsilon Chapter Fresno State University Sara Hedgpeth Pollard ’52 Gamma Lambda Chapter University of Tennessee Beverly Norden Hunley ’75 Gamma Pi Chapter Northern Illinois University Karen Sinn ’63
Beta Beta Chapter Washington University Barbara Tischer Barr ’55
Delta Chi Chapter University of Northern Iowa Dorothy Hamilton Ellis ’67
Beta Delta Chapter Denison University Lois Drake Kommer ’46 Mary Jane Townsley McIntosh ’37
Delta Omega Chapter Winona State University Patricia Fritz Nelson ’68
Beta Epsilon Chapter Monmouth College Priscilla Harney Beckett ’36 Virginia Morton Hackerd ’32 Glendora Shaver ’46 Elizabeth Eavey Zimmerman ’33 Beta Eta Chapter University of Maryland Maria Fagnoni ’77 Beta Theta Chapter Michigan State University Ferne Streeter Shipp ’42 Beta Iota Chapter Louisiana State University Kathrine Brown ’40 Beta Kappa Chapter Baldwin-Wallace College Eva Fandrich Long ’61
Epsilon Omicron Chapter Oklahoma State University Cara Stockham Langer ’73 Epsilon Pi Chapter Jacksonville State University Effie White Sawyer ’68 Karen Johnston Wilder ’86 Zeta Nu Chapter Miami University Lori Black ’84
Corrections The fall/winter issue listed Alpha Mu Sister Patricia Ann Young Allen and Beta Theta Sister Denise Mary Dattoma as having entered Chapter Eternal. The Quill staff apologizes for these errors.
The National Panhellenic Conference I
f you have more than one national women’s fraternity on your campus, chances are you have a college Panhellenic, or at least an interfraternity council of some sort. Each chapter has a delegate who represents her chapter in campus and Greek matters. On a national level, Alpha Xi Delta belongs to a similar group, called the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Our national delegate, Michele Herbst Evink, South Dakota State ’86, represents of our Fraternity. The beginning of NPC dates back to 1891 when Kappa Kappa Gamma issued an invitation to seven national women’s fraternities to meet in Boston. Although much was discussed at this meeting, ultimately little was accomplished. Instead, NPC cites as its first meeting the one that took place in Chicago on May 24, 1902.
Guidelines Established Prior to this time, guidelines for rushing and pledging did not exist. Women could be pledged to a sorority before enrolling in college; they could even belong to more than one sorority. This lack of structure led Alpha Phi’s Grand President to invite Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Chi Omega and Chi Omega to meet in Chicago. Out of this meeting, and the next few, came several mutual agreements, especially regarding pledging, that brought order and civility to the process. In 1915, an organization similar to NPC, the Association of Pedagogical Sororities (APS), was formed, representing sororities that were primarily
An organization created for women, by women.
The National Panhellenic Conference is one of the world’s largest leadership- and lifetraining organizations for women.
located at normal schools (colleges that helped educate teachers). Over the next 16 years, the original members of APS, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha, were joined by Pi Kappa Sigma, Delta Sigma Epsilon, Theta Sigma Upsilon, Alpha Sigma Tau and Pi Delta Theta. The group later changed its name to the Association of Education Sororities (AES) and focused on scholarships, women’s issues and issues outside of the sorority world. In the late 1940s NPC and AES began to merge. The merger was completed by 1951. Today there are 26 sororities that make up the National Panhellenic Conference.
Alpha Xi Delta Joins NPC Alpha Xi Delta was invited to join NPC in 1904. During that meeting, an order of rotation was established as to when each sorority would enter into NPC
leadership positions. This rotation was based on when each sorority joined NPC. Since that time, Alpha Xi Delta has entered into the leadership rotation four times. Ella Boston Leib, Lombard 1894, became NPC Chair in 1906. Lena Grandin Baldwin, Syracuse 1904, was Chair from 1917 to 1919 and Mary Burt Brook Nash, Northwestern ’30, was chair from 1963 to1965. This year, Alpha Xi Delta entered into the conference’s Executive Committee rotation once again. Jane Hooper Sutton, Western Carolina ’75, currently serves as NPC Treasurer until 2009, at which time she will become Conference Secretary until 2011. In 2013, Jane becomes NPC Chair for a two-year term. In future issues of The Quill we’ll look at how NPC has continued to evolve over the years, how NPC impacts collegians and alumnae, and our Fraternity’s role in that evolution. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Susan Banks Angulo, Ph.D., Ed D., Florida State ’69, received LatinBiz magazine’s 2007 Women of Virtue Award for her work in making a difference for thousands of students seeking career advancement. This award is presented to outstanding professional women to acknowledge the impact of their personal and professional dedication to the community. Dr. Angulo is associate provost for academic support services at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. Ellen Campbell, Mount Union ’99, assistant director for student involvement and leadership at Mount Union College in Ohio, ran the New York City Marathon in November. She officially crossed the finish line in 5:50:33.
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
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Senior setter Melissa DeLuca, Wingate (NC) ’05, is a 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerica ® volleyball first-team selection in the college division. An elementary education major with a 3.93 GPA, Melissa earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America ® honors for the first time in her career. Melissa was also was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III volleyball first team for the second year in a row. She is the only South Atlantic Conference student-athlete to earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® honors in volleyball this year. Marsha Vas Dupre, Ph.D., Ohio State ’62, is running for Santa Rosa, Calif., city councilmember — a position she previously held from 1998-2002. During her tenure, Marsha championed open government, low-cost housing, a living wage for all Santa Rosa residents, and the preservation of hillsides, ridge tops and creek corridors. Marsha is a retired educator from Santa Rosa City Schools and a 35-year resident of Santa Rosa. Katherine Bryan Hollingsworth, Wittenberg (OH) ’71, is co-owner of Innovative InterChange Associates. This Dayton, Ohio-based firm helps people interact more effectively with others by helping them build new habits to unleash their creative potential.
Nancy Slater Larkin, Stetson (FL) ’55, won first place at the TriState Juried Water Media Exhibition in Tallahassee, Fla., for her painting Ritual Dance at Dawn. Brooke Queen Martin, Western Carolina (NC) ’96, is the owner and operator of Franci B Children’s Boutique in her hometown of Gastonia, N.C. The boutique features clothing, toys, books, furniture, luggage and tea sets. Learn more at www.francib.com.
Donna Avery Meyers, Texas ’76, won the gold medal for golf in her age category at the 2007 National Senior Olympics and had the lowest score of any player in the women’s division. Donna also won the 2007 Maryland State Amateur First Flight Championship and the 2007 Baltimore Women’s Golf Association Senior Tournament.
Jennifer Myers Wasinger, Kansas ’92, is president of the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) board of directors. KOB encourages, promotes and assists in efforts to beautify and preserve Oklahoma’s environment. Jennifer is also president of the Oklahoma City Alumnae Association.
Girl Scouts of the USA honored Elizabeth Okrutny, Ohio Northern ’06, as a 2007 National Young Woman of Distinction for her extraordinary leadership and community service work. For her “A Thousand Words” Girl Scout Gold Award project, Elizabeth, one of only 13 young women in the nation to receive this honor, developed a software program to create computerized drawings to help her hometown police department apprehend criminals.
The quilt Twenty-Five Stars over the Seven Hills, made by Betsy Gnau Schapp, Washington Univ. (MO) ’55, was displayed at the prestigious 2007 Nashville Quilt Exhibition, a juried national show.
The new novel Climbing Through Windows, written by Kimberly Zeidner, Florida Atlantic ’02, focuses on a college student named Katie, who struggles to follow her heart and not lose herself in the process. This is Kimberly’s first novel.
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Honor Gifts
The Foundation recognizes Honor Gifts given from August 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007. Samantha Almanza, Christian Brothers, November 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc. Alpha Lambda Chapter, Oregon by Patricia Clayton Smith, Oregon Jayne Wade Anderson, Nebraska Lincoln by Beth Hoegemeyer Ripp, Nebraska Lincoln Jessica Lee Austin, Wright State by Jan Dorrough Austin, Wright State Gabrielle Baldwin, South Dakota State, July 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc. Hannah Leigh Baxter, granddaughter of Sharon Brown Richardson, Texas by Julie Lambert, Oregon State Pam Beck, Georgia State by F. Vandiver P. Bradow, Michigan Beta Eta Chapter, Maryland by Cherie Groff Letcher, Maryland Beta Xi Chapter, Marietta by Leslie Martin Lederer, Ohio Wesleyan Virginia Bingham, Oregon by Ellen Wachtel Turner, Oregon Debbie Brockman, Georgia State by JoAnna Pipkin Shipe, Georgia State Marilyn Buchman, Defiance by Kate Lambert Hayfield, Defiance
36
Meghan Butler, Kansas State, October 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc. Ginny Carroll, Western Kentucky by Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity Alpha Eta Chapter, Purdue Erin Hannan Clapp, Rochester Institute of Technology by Lemar Frank, Purdue Lori Holt, Alpha Deuteron Deborah Cooper, Georgia State by Cynthia Hagain, Georgia State Dianne Hanrahan Coughlan, Maryland by Gloria Barnabei MacKenzie, Maryland Blanche Gustavson Crook, Oregon by Ellen Wachtel Turner, Oregon
Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State Northridge by Julie Lambert, Oregon State Stephanie Short, Texas Sarah Edwards, Albion by Mary Shellenberger Brown, Central Michigan Epsilon Zeta Chapter, Eastern Washington by Erin Macdonald Peck, Eastern Washington Nicole Franklin, Sonoma State by Hope Parker, Sonoma State Gamma Phi Chapter, East Carolina by Melissa King Holloman, East Carolina Gamma Psi Chapter, Frostburg State by Anne Hudson Brinsmade, Frostburg State
Wilda Crosby, Ohio Wesleyan by Virginia Drick Messing, Ohio Wesleyan
Gamma Theta Chapter, East Tennessee State by Jennifer Hoppe Olmsted, East Tennessee State
Jennifer Cross, Lyon by Heather Mize Skinner, Lyon
Kris Dahms, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance
Veronica Dahms, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance
Jennifer Gianino, Southeast Missouri State by Julie Wilson Dillon, Illinois
Stephanie Davis, Lyon by Heather Mize Skinner, Lyon Delta Tau Chapter, Wisconsin Oshkosh by Melissa Schinker, Carroll The new Delta Xi chapter officers, Georgia State by Rachel Eaton White, West Georgia Denver Alumnae Association members by Paula Kokesch Holdren, Nebraska Lincoln
The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
Courtney Green, Florida Atlantic by Jean Sauer DeFrances, Florida State Karol Dahms, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance Emily Hanks, Miami Ohio by Richard Brown, son of Ruth Fowler Brown, Ohio Charles H. Giles and Fannie M. Giles Memorial Foundation
Emily Hanks, Miami Ohio, December 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc.
Katherine Listwan Martin, Florida by Nealy Patty Wheat, West Georgia
Kate Lambert Hayfield, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance
Maryland Metro Alumnae Association by Cherie Groff Letcher, Maryland
Betsy King Helber, Mount Union by Barbara Nims King, Kentucky
Kristin Kaiser McVay, Northern Iowa by Ruth Goodman Akin, Northern Iowa
Summer & Brady Hilliard, children of Kimberly Hooper Hilliard, Maryland by Lauren Chesnut Barker, Maryland
Barbara Stallcup Miller, Oregon by Virginia Drick Messing, Ohio Wesleyan Ellen Wachtel Turner, Oregon
Margaret Holmes Cook, Tufts by Jean Koza Leider, Iowa
Amy Morehous, Tennessee by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Lori Holt, Alpha Deuteron by HRH/Kirklin & Co., LLC
Claressa Moreland, sister of Lemar Moreland Frank, Purdue by Lemar Moreland Frank
Amelia Horwitz, granddaughter of Susan Leeds Horwitz, Cal State Northridge by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Nu Chapter’s 100 years, U of Washington by Rebecca Amos Stuart, U of Washington
Christina Bame Kieper, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance
Marjorie Stapleton Olney, Nebraska Lincoln by Ann Haskins Olney, Nebraska Lincoln
Melissa Lindsay, Monmouth, September 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc.
Judith Francis Parker, Missouri Valley by Linda Anderson Phillips, Missouri Valley
Dawn Webster Liner, Newberry by Jane Dunlap Gaby, Tennessee
Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance by Kate Lambert Hayfield, Defiance
Christina Lynch, Texas by Devon McGoldrick, Rochester Institute of Technology
Tabatha Phan, Indiana U of Pennsylvania by HRH/Kirklin & Co., LLC
Alicia Mader, Bethany, August 2007 FVP of the Month by Omega Financial, Inc.
Rebecca Webster Rees, West Virginia by Alpha Xi Delta House Association
Shayna Royal, Nebraska Omaha by Cheryl Eby Miller, Nebraska Omaha Saginaw Valley Alumnae Association by Betty Tatar Wiseman, Central Michigan Mary Ruth Hadley Snyder, Purdue by Arthur & Jane Hadley, Friends of Alpha Xi Delta Josephine Smith Southworth, Oregon State by Margaret Riggs Arndt, Oregon State Barbara Boland Stuckwisch, Culver-Stockton by HRH/Kirklin & Co., LLC
Memorial Gifts The Foundation recognizes Memorial Gifts given from August 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007. Gilana Shira Alpert, daughter of Anna Drumlewicz Alpert, UCLA by Bonnie Baker Blish, UCLA Barbara Jean Badger, Illinois by Heather Hunley Curtis, Illinois
Evelyn Gibbs Buntain Dice, Northwestern by Suzanne Mitton Petru, Northwestern Catharine Loucks Donohue, Northwestern by Lorraine Schumacher Klemke, Northwestern
Lola Bartol, Oregon by Becky Anderson Wiseman, Kansas State
Jewell Louann Merrick Drew, Bowling Green State by Margaret Kiskaddon McFate, Clarion
F. Kenneth Becker, father of Kendra Becker Lewis, Purdue by Kendra Becker Lewis
Martha Wright Drew, Wisconsin Madison by Kathleen Ryan Rice, Wisconsin Madison
Theta Gamma Chapter, Delaware by Joan Barnett Cornwell, Kentucky
Priscilla Harney Beckett, Monmouth by the Portland, OR Alumnae Association
Theta Phi Chapter, Alabama Birmingham by Carol Williams, Alabama
Phyllis Hakes Felton, Ohio Wesleyan by Margaret Diehl Robinson, Ohio Wesleyan
Mary Ann Drews, mother of Judith Drews Haring, Iowa by Kathryn Yager Brown, Monmouth Judith Drews Haring, Iowa Pamela Butler James, Northwestern
Theta Epsilon Chapter, Marquette, Xi Achievement winner by the Greater Milwaukee Area Alumnae Association Danica Vanasse Olson, Marquette
Theta Pi Chapter, Christian Brothers by Lorraine Delgado Amador, Christian Brothers TLC/The Workout by the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Association
Linda Berry, Rochester Institute of Technology by Joyce Greenberg Goode, Rochester Institute of Technology
Barbara Elsbury, Purdue by Karen Kendall Miller, Purdue Maria Fagnoni, Maryland by Linda Cahow, Maryland Faith Magyar McKenna, Maryland Mary Ridpath Raver, Maryland
Shari Vickery, Indiana by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Mary McNary Bogart, Wisconsin Madison by Nancy Fehrmann Gainer, Iowa State
Virginia Vorhis, Rochester Institute of Technology by Dorothy Borneman Bell, Syracuse
Beth Darling, Wisconsin Madison by Kathleen Ryan Rice, Wisconsin Madison
Susan Winckler, Iowa by Shirley Albrecht Winckler, Iowa
Mary Payne Davis, Stetson by Peggy Payne Greene, Stetson
Elouise Farris, mother of Kathy Farris Andersen, Nebraska Omaha by Marilyn A. Horner, Nebraska Omaha
Deceased members of Xi Chapter, Kentucky by Carol G. Wagner, Kentucky
Mary Fordyce, Wisconsin Madison by Kathleen Ryan Rice, Wisconsin Madison
Deceased members of Zeta Chapter, Wittenberg by the Springfield, OH Alumnae Association
Lana Hanks Gallagher, Southeast Missouri State by Georgia Stergios, Southeast Missouri State
Katherine Woods, Defiance by Jamie Dahms Pelfrey, Defiance New members of Iota Xi Chapter, Worcester Polytechnic Institute by Jean Koza Leider, Iowa Zachary & Deagan, grandsons of Martha Small Greenlaw, Texas by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Col. John Wilburn Garland, husband of Susan Morrison Garland, Tennessee by Susan Morrison Garland Betty Kington Gilfoil, Kentucky by F. Robert Gilfoil Jr., Friend of Alpha Xi Delta Herbert Greiner, husband of Marsha Ford Greiner, Iowa by Judith Drews Haring, Iowa Grace Davies Gross, Bowling Green State by Herbert Lee Gross, Friend of Alpha Xi Delta Elizabeth Korn Grossman, Hunter by Ruth Ann Davidson Farkas, Purdue Mary Ruth Hadley Snyder, Purdue John & Luella Guisinger, parents of Joan Guisinger Oversmith, Kent State by Joan Guisinger Oversmith Shirley Parker Hardin, Nebraska Lincoln by Dorothy Steele McKeever, Nebraska Omaha Denis Hessoun, husband of Sharon Scherer Hessoun, BaldwinWallace by Sharon Scherer Hessoun Virginia Heyman, Brenau by the Toledo, OH Alumnae Association Marjory Pollock Hibner, Wisconsin Madison by Kathleen Ryan Rice, Wisconsin Madison Mary Sue Brooks Holstein, Marshall by Ellen Gibson Goodwin, West Virginia www.alphaxidelta.org
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Geoffrey Hughes, son of Barbara Landry Hughes, Tufts by Barbara Landry Hughes Jeanne Brown Irwin, Maryland by Betty Axt McCurry, Maryland Joan DeLamatre Kailey, Nebraska Lincoln by Margery DeLamatre Sorenson, Nebraska Lincoln Sheryl Black, Friend of Alpha Xi Delta Cynthia Kariolich, Embry-Riddle (AZ) by Matt Kloss Miglin, Embry-Riddle (AZ) Elberta Jeffers Kohlhepp, Northwestern by the Flint, MI Alumnae Association Helen Ann Osborn Ladd, Illinois by Shirley Taylor Dolan, West Virginia Wesleyan Jim Lawson, son of Patty Lawson, Michigan State by the Ann Arbor, MI Alumnae Association
Fontabelle Baker Snodgrass, Ohio State by Jeanne Snodgrass, Ohio Wesleyan
Helen Darby Moore, Marshall by Martha Gerber Guinn, Marshall
Nancy Fritz Stephenson, Carroll by Mary Marten Jackson, Carroll
Muriel Davis Moore, Denver by the Atlanta-Fulton County Alumnae Association
Sue Teter, West Virginia by Susan Sharpe Dotson, West Virginia Wesleyan
Mary Burt Brooks Nash, Northwestern by Rebekah Fenstermaker Druetzler, Purdue
Virginia Lamby Tino, West Virginia Wesleyan by Jamie Wellman Stevens, West Virginia Wesleyan
Ruth Purdy Neidert, Kent State by Beverly & Ralph Grace, Friends of Alpha Xi Delta Betsy Gnau Schapp, Washington Lois Horning Norris, Indiana by Ruth Ann Davidson Farkas, Purdue Jane Lindenberg Keltsch, Indiana Freda Nell Jenkins Oyler, Ohio Wesleyan by Diane Ward Nason, Ohio Wesleyan
Lee, mother of Susan Leeds Horwitz, Cal State Northridge by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Zelma Patchin, Oklahoma by Margaret Shrontz Tenzythoff, Oklahoma State
Ivy St. Leger Leonard, Hunter by Edna Kaprelian Trent, Hunter
Wilmer Schaumberg, husband of Dorothy Schaumberg, Wisconsin Madison by Julie Lambert, Oregon State
Doris Harshman Linsley, Bowling Green State by Nancy Hammans Shellhammer, Bowling Green State Norma Macleod, Marietta by Mel Neidig Hayes Todd, Marietta Dean Mann, husband of Beth Sacksteder Mann, Mount Union by Lori Holt, Alpha Deuteron
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Phyllis Merle Oetjen Moller, Coe by Denny Moller, Friend of Alpha Xi Delta
Mae N. Sears, Illinois by Thomas Sears, Friend of Alpha Xi Delta Shirley Weaver Sherman, Wittenberg by Shirley Holt Sprague, Wittenberg Diane Raney Smith, daughter of Shirley Stone Raney, California Berkeley by Roxanna Rasey Seales, California Berkeley
The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
Maurice James Tolliday, grandfather of Julie Lambert, Oregon State by Mary Shellenberger Brown, Central Michigan Julie Lambert, Oregon State Mary Ruth Hadley Snyder, Purdue Kimberly Kay Starr, Kentucky Joan Elizabeth Turner, Charleston by Catherine Kawash Leikhim, Charleston Patricia Keith Waggoner, California Berkeley by Elsie Reimers Falconer, California Berkeley Karen Rugaard White, Coe by the Ann Arbor, MI Alumnae Association Barbara Wolfe, Oregon State by Lynnette Woodlief Winkler, Auburn Phyllis Banker Wunderlich, Indiana by Joyce Banker Stanton, Indiana
5 Reasons to Give an Honor Gift 1. To welcome an Alpha Xi Delta legacy to the world 2. In recognition of a Sister’s wedding 3. To remember your mom on Mother’s Day 4. In celebration of an association or chapter anniversary 5. To say “thank you” to a special Sister
5 Reasons to Give a Memorial Gift 1. In remembrance of a Sister who entered Chapter Eternal 2. In memory of a friend, family member or beloved pet 3. To pay tribute to someone who impacted your life 4. To celebrate a life that has passed 5. To say “I care” and “I’m thinking about you”
W
hen you send your gift to the Foundation, a card announcing your gift will be sent to the honoree, or, in the case of a Memorial Gift, to the family of a loved one. The amount of your gift is not disclosed. Donations are used to help fund educational programs, scholarships and leadership opportunities for alumnae and collegiate Alpha Xi Deltas. You can make your donation online using Alpha Xi Delta’s secure server at www.alphaxidelta.org. You can also send your check to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation, 8702 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268.
New Foundation Giving Opportunity
T
he Honorable Mary Burt Brooks Nash, a 1930 initiate of Alpha Theta Chapter at Northwestern University, believed in service for the greater good. This belief led her to serve as Alpha Xi Delta’s National President (1957-1962) and Chair of the National Panhellenic Conference (1961-1963). Mary Burt was also a driving force behind the establishment of the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation in 1957. During her terms as National President, Mary Burt challenged Sisters to “press toward a Fraternity of greater achievement in college life, greater usefulness in society and greater significance in the lives of individual members.” Mary Burt’s dedication to leadership is the inspiration behind an exciting new giving opportunity to help women realize their potential. Established just last year, the Mary Burt Nash Society provides funds for leadership and lifeskills training to help develop confident, bold, talented Alpha Xi Deltas.
Yes,
What does it take to be part of the Mary Burt Nash Society? All it takes is an open heart, a desire to help Sisters develop leadership and life skills and a $5,000 unrestricted commitment to the Loyalty Fund. Alumnae and friends of the Fraternity are invited to be part of the Mary Burt Nash Society.
Mary Burt Brooks Nash
What is the Loyalty Fund? The Loyalty Fund is the Foundation’s “general” fund that supports Alpha Xi Delta’s quality educational programs. Among those, the Realize Your Potential Member Development Program, helps young women discover and build their strengths to achieve success in their life’s endeavors. And The Workout recruitment conference helps young women develop actionplanning, communication and motivation skills. Do I have to make my gift all at once? Your gift can be made at one time or over a five-year period using a check or credit card. Why should I join the Mary Burt Nash Society? Just as with most everything else in life, the cost of educational and leadership-training opportunities continues to increase each year — as well as the demand for these opportunities. Your generous donation will help Sisters receive leadership education they can use within the chapter, on campus and in their future careers. How can I join the Mary Burt Nash Society? Contact Development Director Kendra Lewis at 317.872.3500 klewis@alphaxidelta.org or complete the form below and mail it to: Alpha Xi Delta Foundation, 8702 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Become a vital partner in taking Alpha Xi Delta to an even higher level of excellence for its students. Join the Mary Burt Nash Society today!
Mary Burt Nash Society Enrollment Form I proudly pledge my support to the Mary Burt Nash Society with a commitment of $5,000.
Name_______________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________
I would like to pay this pledge over a period of ___ years.
City____________________________________ State_ ___________ Zip__________________
Please remind me: annually semiannually quarterly monthly
Home Phone_ _______________________ Email____________________________________
Please send the first notice:
Signature_ _____________________________________________ Date_________________
____/____(month/year)
Please charge $_________ to my: Visa MasterCard American Express Discover
Enclosed is my first payment of $_________ payable to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. Account #________________________________________________ Exp. Date _____________ Signature_ _____________________________________________________________________
(Optional) I wish to make my pledge in honor of in memory of_ ___________________________________________________ Please notify:
Name_______________________________________________________________________________________
Address_ ____________________________________________________________________________________ The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the donor as allowable by law.
www.alphaxidelta.org
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Fraternity Life Can You Ever H av e
Too Much of a Good Thing? Not When it Comes to Alpha Xi Delta!
“W
hy don’t you be our Chapter Advisor?” asked Kayla Rogers, chapter life vice president for Zeta Omega Chapter at the University of West Georgia. Kathy Nicklaus Owrey, Henderson State (AR) ’70, considered the question carefully. Kathy had served as Membership Advisor when
As a volunteer, you can help collegians build skills that will last a lifetime.
Zeta Omega was still a colony, so she was familiar with the young women, their strengths and their abilities. “Yes, I will be your Chapter Advisor,” she said. Those seven words took Kathy on a satisfying 13-year journey as Zeta Omega’s Chapter Advisor. “Being asked to volunteer is the most compelling reason I started to volunteer,” said Kathy. Kathy’s statement couldn’t be more true. How many times have you baked cookies for your child’s soccer team or helped read to youngsters at your local library, simply because a friend asked you to help? Sisters, please consider this your
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
official invitation to help a college chapter or alumnae association by becoming an Alpha Xi Delta volunteer! The reasons Sisters volunteer are as varied as the opportunities themselves: • To give back to the Fraternity and/ or their initiating chapter • To feel more connected to Alpha Xi Delta • To learn new skills that will help them at work or in their personal lives • To help young women develop leadership skills, achieve academic success and experience the joy of serving others • To meet and reconnect with Sisters • To have fun! “Alumnae support makes a college chapter stronger and is vital to its success,” said Denise Brown, Northern Iowa ’78, Chapter Advisor for Delta Chi Chapter at the University of Northern Iowa and recipient of the university’s Advisor Excellence award. “I wish every alumna would take advantage of the opportunity to advise a chapter and reap the personal rewards.” Andi Fouberg, South Dakota ’95, Alpha Xi Delta’s National Ritual Director, commented on some of these rewards. “I’ve met wonderful collegians and alumnae whose dedication to our Sisterhood is immeasurable. A chance to work and socialize with dynamic women dedicated to the same thing … that’s priceless.”
Where You Fit In Alpha Xi Delta adopted a new volunteer structure in 2006. The structure changed to give more women the opportunity to support and guide college chapters and alumnae associations. We need your help in the following positions: • Area Facilitators - To provide consistent leadership and support to three to four college chapters in your geographic area • National Directors and Territory Directors – To provide additional support to chapters and associations by sharing your experience in finance, member development, public relations and/or recruitment • Chapter Advisory Boards and Corporation Boards – To assist college chapters on a local level
Meeting new Sisters and reconnecting with Sisters you haven’t seen in a while is one of the many perks of being a Fraternity volunteer.
Become a Volunteer
What does it mean to be a Fraternity volunteer? What kinds of things will you do? Take a look at what some other Sisters have asked prior to becoming an Alpha Xi Delta volunteer:
By volunteering for the Fraternity, you can inspire women to realize their potential, just as you were inspired to realize yours. We look forward to receiving your volunteer interest form at Fraternity Headquarters!
✁
Before You Say Yes …
I’ve been out of college for so long. I’m afraid I won’t be able to relate to the college women – or them to me! Everyone has talents to share with our chapter women and alumnae. One of the most important components as a volunteer is to make a solid connection with the women you are working with. Technology and terminology has changed over the years, but the sorority experience has not changed.
Name_______________________________________________ Address______________________________________________ City_________________________________________________ State, Zip_____________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________
How much time does it take to be a volunteer? On average, it takes about five to seven hours per week, depending on the position you’re interested in.
Email________________________________________________
Will I receive any training? Every other year, Fraternity Headquarters hosts volunteer training for national volunteers. The next volunteer training will be held this summer, which will include a chapter advisory board component for those who are interested.
Employer_____________________________________________
Initiating Chapter and Year______________________________
Position______________________________________________
Which areas interest you most? Academics
Do I have to travel? For national volunteers, most of the work is done through email and phone calls. For local advisors, some of that work can be done in person. Travel is occasionally required to visit a chapter or alumnae association, but this depends on the specific needs of the chapter.
Where can I learn more about volunteer positions? You can learn more and even fill out a volunteer interest form at www.alphaxidelta.org. Click on the “Alumnae” box on the home page, then click on “Alumnae” and “Volunteering for Alpha Xi Delta.” You can also call Fraternity Headquarters to receive a volunteer form at 317.872.3500.
Extension (starting new college chapters) Finance Member Development & Education Philanthropy Service Public Relations Recruitment Ritual (members’ commitment to AΞ∆) Working with Collegiate New Members
✁
Once I agree to volunteer, am I committed to a certain number of years? Advisors’ terms are for two years, which coincide with National Convention. National volunteers are also appointed for two-year terms.
Alumnae Relations
Please return to: Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity Headquarters c/o Member Services 8702 Founders Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46268 www.alphaxidelta.org
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Archives
From the
The History Behind Our Badge S ince our Fraternity’s founding, the golden Quill of Alpha Xi Delta has been an outward, visible link that binds all Sisters, from coast to coast and around the
world. But why was the quill pen chosen as our badge? Founder Lewie Strong Taylor, who designed our Quill badge, received part of her design inspiration from the quote “The pen is mightier than the sword,” which acknowledges Alpha Xi Delta’s commitment to academic excellence. Her grandfather also inspired her. Said Mrs. Taylor, “When I was a young girl, my grandfather whittled the end of a nice quill from the poultry yard, shaping it into a pen to show me how he used to write when he was a boy. This was interesting to me. “When I was in Galesburg, attending Lombard College, the 10 girls who formed the first group of Alpha Xi Delta were each asked to submit a design for a pin to be worn to distinguish its members. I thought of the quill pen my grandfather had used and how it would look in gold and of the significance of the pen, and I did not hesitate to ask for its consideration. I was not greatly surprised when it was accepted as I felt sure it would mean much to each one of our members.” Lewie Strong’s design had a rose above the quill pen, but it was omitted on the advice of the jeweler who said the rose would be structurally unstable. The original Quill badges were smaller than they are today — about seven-eights of an inch long compared to the current length
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The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta
Spring 2008
of 1¼ inches — and were set on stickpins. Several years later, the stickpin was changed to a badge with a clasp, which is still used today. As Founder Almira Cheney noted, “Being stickpins, with a tiny prong guard, we promptly lost them during the first few years. I believe I still had mine when I graduated in 1896, but had lost it by 1913.” The first jeweled Quill was made for Founder Cora Bollinger Block by Lamphere Jewelers in Galesburg, Ill. It was set with three jewels on the shaft of the quill — a sapphire, which was adopted as the Fraternity’s official jewel in 1894, flanked on each side with a turquoise, representing the light and dark blue colors of our Fraternity. Gold was not added to our colors until Alpha Xi Delta became a national fraternity with the installation of Beta Chapter at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Gold was also added to differentiate our Fraternity from Kappa Kappa Gamma, which had already chosen light and dark blue as its official colors. After Alpha Xi Delta became a national fraternity, the lack of a uniform badge became a growing concern among members. The first indication of a desire for the standardization of our badge was made in the address of Grand President Ella Boston Leib to the Fifth Convention in 1909. In 1911, a definite die was chosen for the official badge, and the choice of jewels was limited to pearls and diamonds, set within the shaft, alone or in combination. At the 1911 Convention, it was also adopted that an official jeweler be appointed to further ensure the uniformity of our badge. Our golden Quill, which is also available in sterling sliver, has remained the same since that time.
Lewie Strong Taylor’s original stickpin Quill, the only original Fournders pin in the Fraternity’s possession.
Prior to standardizing our badge in 1911, the Quill design and jewel choice was left up to each member.
Turquoise and sapphire rest above the badge of Helen M. Smith, Lombard 1898.
Opals adorn the Quill of Helen G. Tobin, Syracuse 1904.
Living Our Symphony The Symphony is Alpha Xi Delta’s open creed, or set of beliefs, that help guide our actions as Sisters. It also speaks to what we should strive to achieve in life. Each issue of The Quill will feature stories of how Sisters are living The Symphony. For example, have you encountered misfortune without bitterness or defeat? Have you grown in courage or graciousness or peace? Write in and let us know. Send stories and photos to: Fraternity Headquarters Attn: Quill Editor 8702 Founders Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46268 or to rgoodman@alphaxidelta.org.
The Symphony of Alpha Xi Delta These things do we earnestly desire: A clear vision of life, that with gracious and kindly hearts we may share both joy and sorrow and bring into living reality the sisterhood of women. An appreciation of real merit and worth, steadfastness of soul, that without bitterness or defeat we may encounter misfortune and with humility meet success. These things, O Lord, help us to instill within our hearts, that we may grow in courage and graciousness and peace.
Gracious and Kindly Hearts By Karen Dixon Olson University of Northern Colorado ’70
Edna spent her first two years of college at the University of South Dakota where she joined Epsilon Chapter in 1922. After two years she had enough credits to teach and spent the next two years teaching at a country school adjacent to her home. Edna completed the
My dear Alpha Xi Delta friend, Edna Braase Weller, celebrated her 106th birthday last fall at her home in Mitchell, S.D. Our shared love is that we’re both proud to be an Alpha Xi! Edna and my mother became friends through the organization P.E.O., so I’ve known Edna my whole life. In fact, Edna was one of the women who wrote a recruitment recommendation for me when I attended the University of Northern Colorado and was chosen to become a member of Epsilon Mu Chapter. Edna and I always speak of our love for our Sisters and friends Edna Braase Weller and Karen Dixon initiating chapters, our Olson. experiences with our last two years of her education at UCLA alumnae friends, and current world events. and took summer classes at the UniverYes, Edna keeps abreast of everything that sity of Southern California. In 1927 Edna goes on in the world around her, yet it’s graduated with a degree in education her memories of the past that continue to and got married – both on the very same astound me. I could sit by Edna’s side and day! listen to her forever. Edna is one of my role models and My dear friend told me that she moved dearest friends. When I visited her shortfrom Iowa to South Dakota when she was ly after her 105th birthday, Edna shared 10 years old. In high school Edna’s class with me her secret for longevity – lots of selected her as their beauty queen. This onions and oranges! honor comes as no surprise to those of us Edna Braase Weller. A very special who are privileged to know this gracious woman and a very special Sister with a and kind woman; we know what a beautigracious, kind heart. ful person she is, both inside and out. www.alphaxidelta.org
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Calling All SCUBA Divers And book lovers. And attorneys. And quilters.
Check out www.alphaxidelta.org/incircle and get connected today!
Did you know there are more than 250 interest groups and nearly 5,000 Sisters reconnecting, making new friends and sharing ideas at www.alphaxidelta.org/incircle? (Yes, SCUBA Lovers is one of the interest groups!)
Sisters are chatting about where they’ve vacationed, what they’ve read, what they’re scrapbooking, reunion ideas – you name it! Join inCircle and join the conversation.
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 her home address, and we hope you enjoy reading it. 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.
o Please remove me from The Quill mailing list.
o This alumna is deceased.
College Chapter
Initiation Year
o Address Change Name (first, middle/maiden, last) Former Address Home Phone
New Address Work Phone
o Name Change Former Name
Current Name
Husband’s Name (if applicable) Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity 8702 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
nonprofit organization u.s. postage
paid HUNTINGTON, IN permit no. 832