FIVE OVER FIFTY

from Themis—Spring 2022

by Zeta Tau Alpha

GETTING CAREER READY

by kristel aranas contributing writer

When students leave college, the world opens up to them, providing opportunities to seek out new horizons. Daunting as those horizons may be, each choice informs the path ahead. Over time, those decisions build upon one another not only to create individuals’ stories, but also to make a difference in people’s lives. These five Zetas over fifty are shining examples of what it means to make a positive impact.

Dr. Alyce Culpepper

Gamma Iota Chapter, University of Florida

Dr. Alyce Culpepper always wanted to be a teacher. A lover of the theater and the University of Florida Gators, she graduated in 1967 with a degree in language arts education. With a positive mindset, and despite never having been on a publication staff, Alyce took on a role in 1971 as South Plantation High School’s first journalism teacher. Before everything went digital, Alyce had to learn journalism before teaching her classes. “I had only taken two journalism classes in college,” she explained. “When I taught the chapter on headlines, I learned proper headline usage and the same for editorials and so on.” She saw each new challenge presented to her as a chance to try out something new, and she recommends trying new things. “You may like it and even succeed although you had no previous experience with it,” she said. Alyce was named the Dow Jones National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year in 1988. One such challenge was guiding SPHS students as they produced their first TV series for the community. With the help of her husband and his production company, they produced “The Nunnie Robinson Show,” where students interviewed football coaches and players each week. “It was just when cable television was starting,” she recalled. “We filmed at the school media center and provided the cable company an automatic tape player that continually repeated the show all weekend long.” The success of the show inspired her students to keep trying new things, including creating a show called “Profiles: African Americans” which highlighted prominent African Americans in the local community. Alyce transferred to the county’s Instructional Television

Center to create the studentproduced “Broward Teen News” series encouraging the 23 county high schools to include TV production within their journalism programs. Not too long after Alyce started her career as a journalism teacher, the SPHS principal approached her about becoming a crosscountry and track coach in light of the passing of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school and educational program that receives federal funding. “They needed female coaches; I wasn’t athletic, but at least I could run,” she said. After leading a successful program at SPHS, The Miami Herald and the Ft. Lauderdale News Sun-Sentinel named her Girls’ Track Coach of the Year several times. Alyce then became the first woman athletic director in Broward County and was responsible for overseeing all the coaches and athletes on the men’s and women’s varsity and junior varsity teams at the county’s 23 schools. At the time, the Broward County School System was the third largest fully-accredited school system in the nation. Alyce’s influence as a teacher was undeniable: By 1997, when she retired for the first time, colleagues and former students had created the Culpepper Journalism Foundation. The CJF awards high schoolers fellowships to attend summer journalism programs at colleges and bring that knowledge back to their school writing staff. Even in “retirement,” Alyce couldn’t stay away from the education world; she continued to teach at Lynn University in Boca Raton and completed her doctoral degree in higher education instruction at Florida International University. In 2000, Alyce was recruited back to her old school to establish a magnet program dedicated to Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration. Ever the diligent educator, Alyce aimed to find the best instructors for her students. “The teachers I found were attorneys and scientists actually working in the field,” Alyce said. The work paid off, and in recognition of her efforts, the Broward County School Board named the new $12 million building for the magnet program in her honor.

Anne Burns Roeper FCSI CCPR

Alpha Kappa Chapter, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Working as a product representative in construction, Anne Roeper works each day not only to promote products but also to be a resource to the other professionals working to make buildings. Having been a representative for many kinds of products over the years, she understands her job well. “I guess an easier way to explain what I do is that I’m like an influencer,” she said. During one of her first jobs as a product representative, a colleague suggested that Anne consider joining the Construction Specifications Institute, an association of construction industry professionals. CSI enables professionals from different disciplines of construction to mingle and network in order to improve communication. “It’s really developed my career,” she noted. “I’ll have been a member for 25 years this May.” “I learned early on in ZTA that if you’re going to be involved, you need to put in what you’re going to get out of it,” Anne said. She served as an officer of CSI at the chapter, regional and institutional levels and by 2017, had done enough work to attain a CSI Fellowship, which is the second-highest honor granted by CSI. Becoming a certified construction product rep (CCPR) helped get her there. “It’s a very difficult exam,” she said, “but it’s also the kind of thing that can boost your career and increase your credibility.” The rarity of both achievements is also laudable. Of the 145 individuals who have the CCPR in the CSI, only 25 of those are women. Of those 25 women, only five are Fellows. Anne acknowledges that while the construction industry has had a negative reputation in regard to conduct toward women, she has felt well-respected throughout her career. She and the other women in CSI encourage young women to consider careers in the construction industry. CSI also afforded her the opportunity to continue working with others toward the common goal of improving the industry. She was there when the women in the organization united to create a “CSIsters” group of 75 women. “When we got together, it was just like a sorority in that I knew that every single woman had my back,” she said. As a Fellow in CSI, Anne also continues to stay involved as a member of the Jury of Fellows, a group dedicated to admitting new members to the Fellowship at CSI. Despite all of her professional achievements, Anne understands her impact in the greater community is one that is both delayed and understated. “I usually never get told in the end whether my products are in buildings,” she explained. “Even when I am told, buildings take years to get built.” However, it doesn’t change the key role she plays in the creation of a building. “Next time you walk into a building, take a look around,” Anne went on. “Look at the windows, the doors, the carpeting, the doorknobs, the cabinets—all of those items were promoted at some point by someone like me.”

Debby Shema Hampton

Zeta Theta Chapter, East Central University

When Debby Hampton entered college, she focused on finding a way to provide for herself. As a first-generation college student, she received advice to try out different classes and find something she loved. Debby credits her time volunteering through ZTA as one of the things that made her realize she loves giving back. “I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t do it, but when you’re a Zeta, it’s just instilled,” she said. While working at a counseling center, she caught the attention of the chief operating officer of the Red Cross located in the same building. Recalling herself as being naïve at the time, Debby didn’t even realize that she was being approached for a job. “She watched how I worked with people,” Debby recounted. After that conversation, Debby found her first role as a volunteer coordinator, and soon, she rose through the ranks to find herself as the CEO of the Oklahoma chapter of the Red Cross. While at the Red Cross, Debby responded to some of the nation’s most significant disasters, such as the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11. Reflecting on the effect the Oklahoma City bombing had on her, Debby said, “We were trying to prepare for mass casualties. These were people that were just going in for work, and it made me realize that I won’t work anywhere that I don’t love what I do.” After 16 years with the Red Cross, Debby left her role as CEO to be a stay-at-home mom. Despite being part of local parent groups and being more involved with her sons, Debby missed her professional role. One call from a recruiting firm was all she needed to get back into the nonprofit sector as the CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. There, Debby was in charge of an organization dedicated to the advocacy of the 20,000 nonprofits located in Oklahoma. “It prepared me a lot for my current role,” she said. After four and a half years, Debby applied for her current role as CEO at United Way of Oklahoma. As CEO, she works with United Way’s board of directors to coordinate aid to various nonprofit organizations under her purview. “It’s the largest one I’ve ever worked for, and they all care about the community and give back resources to the city,” Debby explained. “They never turn us down.” Debby’s work in the nonprofit world has earned her multiple accolades. She was named Compassionate Citizen of the Year in 2016 by the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled, Inc., OKCityan of the Year in 2020 by OKCFriday, and was once voted the Fourth Most Powerful Woman in Oklahoma City. Even with these awards, Debby stays humble. “I do get a bit embarrassed,” she said. “My father was a humble man. I was taught to do things without taking credit, but if it means bringing visibility to the work that I’m doing with United Way, then I’m okay with it.”

Dr. Beth Shaughnessy

Alpha Kappa Chapter, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sometimes a caring touch is all that it takes to make an impact on another person. When Dr. Beth Shaughnessy gets to work as a surgeon for breast cancer patients, the last thing she does before they go under is hold their hand. “I do it for all of my patients—to be with them when they go under,” she explained. “It’s a very vulnerable time for patients. There’s a loss of control, and I want to be there to reassure them.” That loss of control is something that Beth knows very well; she’s a survivor of breast cancer. Having been exposed to DDT, an insecticide with damaging environmental effects, growing up in Chicago, Beth felt that a future with breast cancer was likely. “I know it sounds morbid,” she said. That awareness led her to conduct self-checks habitually. “There are limitations to what mammograms can see,” she explained. “When I found my lumps, they wouldn’t show up on the mammogram.” When doctors took an ultrasound, they ended up finding four in all. In order to fight breast cancer, Beth opted to get a double mastectomy. Even before being personally affected by breast cancer, Beth’s work in the field of breast cancer education and awareness also extended into her free time. “I actually joined Susan G. Komen® about a year or two before ZTA got involved,” she recounted. During her fellowship in Duarte, California, Beth was one of the individuals who helped start the Los Angeles chapter of Susan G. Komen. Continuing to be active in the organization after she left Los Angeles, she had a chance meeting at a Komen event with a woman who spoke to her about joining the Association of Women Surgeons as part of the Committee for Grants and Fellowships. In joining AWS, Beth found camaraderie among women who understood what it was like being a woman in a male-dominated field like surgical medicine and heard stories from other women about being discouraged from continuing on in the field because of their sex. Beth has since seen AWS grow from a group of 30 to 45 women to over 3,000 members internationally and currently serves as the organization’s president. Beth views her role within AWS as that of a servant leader, and she credits her time in ZTA with instilling that mindset. “I don’t always have the answers, but I want to work together to come up with solutions,” she said. “I was always surrounded by strong women.” She also aims to continue serving the community beyond her career as a surgeon. “I think when I retire, I really want to focus on issues of environmental sustainability and social justice and equity,” Beth said. Based on Beth’s experiences growing up in Chicago, it’s only fitting. “Those issues have been something I’ve been thinking of since I was a child,” she explained. “I was never so shocked as when I saw the response the day that Dr. King was assassinated. We’re all in this together; we should all be helping each other out.”

B.J. Richardson Williams

Omicron Chapter, Brenau University

In the beginning, B.J. Williams wanted to be a writer, but she struggled with typing on a typewriter. “We had to be able to type at least 35 words a minute in college to graduate in journalism, and I barely made it out.” An advisor at her school told her that she may be a good fit for radio instead, so she started an internship at WDUN in 1981. B.J.’s first experiences at WDUN convinced her to continue pursuing a career in radio. When the owners of Jacobs Media sold WDUN’s FM counterpart to another broadcasting company, B.J. was able to make the move to the airwaves in her hometown of Atlanta. Y106 and Y104, a rare double-FM signal for that time, covered all of Atlanta and North Georgia. B.J. was the news voice for “Atlanta’s Morning Zoo Crew,” the top-rated country morning show in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After the birth of her first daughter in 1993, B.J. left Atlanta, and returned to her radio roots at WDUN. “Since I worked on the morning show, it got really difficult for me to get up at three o’clock, drive to Atlanta from Gainesville and be a new mom,” she said. After a second stint at WDUN and a short radio side-trip to a station in Athens, B.J. took a break from her radio career for a job in retail marketing. In 2008, she had an opportunity to return to the newsroom at WDUN, eventually becoming news director for the regional talk station. With her new role, she was able to return to radio, and because of the company’s popular news website, AccessWDUN, she was able to do more of what she always wanted to do: write. “I always loved telling stories—true stories.” For B.J., an avid writer and grammarian, writing the news on the website allowed her to author news stories from “the mundane to the magical.” Sometimes, B.J. found herself drafting difficult stories. One article she worked on was about young parents who had lost their son when he ingested E. coli at Lake Lanier. B.J. waited until they were ready to talk, not pushing just to get a story. After a year of silence, they were ready to share. “It was a brief conversation, but they trusted me to do it,” she said. In that moment, news wasn’t just about traffic accidents and snowstorms; it also involved people’s lives and a lot of trust. The stories she’s followed have also left a mark on her. As part of a story about the anniversary of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, B.J. found a photo of herself interviewing a young torch runner. While working on this story, she learned that despite growing up in Gainesville, Georgia, and having a family living in the U.S., he was deported to Mexico for an expired driver’s license. Now a proud grandmother, B.J. has retired from 30 years in radio and is a public information officer for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Part of her work involves building trust between the community and law enforcement. “I’m a civilian in a law enforcement world, and I’m learning a lot from the men and women there,” she said. “It’s definitely an interesting time.” While B.J. may be new in this role, her time being a part of people’s homes and car rides resonates with those who grew up listening to her. “I used to cringe when people would say they grew up listening to me, because that means I’m old; but now when they say that, it’s really an honor.”

FOUNDATION REFLECTS ON 30 YEARS OF THINKING PINK

By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer

In 1991, Zeta Tau Alpha leaders gazed into the Fraternity’s future, hoping to find a philanthropic project that would engage members for years to come. Inside their proverbial crystal ball were three worthy organizations selected to make presentations to National Council and the boards of the Foundation and Fraternity Housing Corporation at National Leadership Conference that year. That is where the crystal ball turned decidedly pink. The boards voted to recommend the Susan G. Komen® Breast Cancer Foundation as ZTA’s new national philanthropy at Convention 1992. That recommendation passed, setting the course for what has been a 30year passion for ZTA and prompting leaders then to make bold predictions for the future. “I have a suspicion you will never see anything quite like the energy that is going into this new alliance,” said then-National President Sherry Server Tilley from the Convention podium. She has spearheaded ZTA’s breast cancer efforts as the Foundation’s Vice President of Philanthropy since 1998. “This is a game changer,” said then-Vice President Alumnae II Nan Barkley Boettcher. “This is something every member can identify with.” Mrs. Boettcher became National President in 1994 and discovered her own breast cancer while in that office. She has been a survivor for 25 years. “The proposal promised a program that would engage our members to give not only their money but also their time,” said then-SecretaryTreasurer Becky Hainsworth Kirwan, “and it snowballed.” Mrs. Kirwan has served on the Foundation board continuously since that vote, including as President from 1998 to 2018. ZTA had embraced three other national service projects in its history—the Currin Valley Health Center, Easter Seals and The ARC, founded in the 1950s by parents of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While those organizations provided worthwhile services, ZTA’s role was mostly to fund special projects. Those had fulfilled the call of The Creed to serve people “without our circle.” Breast cancer education and awareness brought service within ZTA’s circle of women. “We could wrap not only our heads around it but also our hearts,” said Mrs. Tilley. “Our people mobilized because unfortunately, everyone knew someone who was affected.” ZTA’s earliest efforts in the new philanthropy included volunteering at the Komen Races for the Cure and grew quickly to include the Fraternity’s own Don’t Be A Fool—Do

1993

ZTA receives Jill Ireland Award from Komen Foundation for volunteerism

1992

ZTA adopts Susan G. Komen® Breast Cancer Foundation as national philanthropy (partnership ends in 2014)

1999

First Think Pink® game with an NFL team

2004

Think Pink trademarked; Yoplait® lid collection begins (ends in 2013); Courage Nights with Geralyn Lucas at Betsey Johnson stores

1996

National philanthropy broadens to breast cancer education and awareness and survivor recognition

2000

Convention Initiate: Bobbye Irvin Sloan (ZTA mom, wife of NBA coach Jerry Sloan and breast cancer survivor)

Breast Self-Examinations campaign. During the month of April, chapters distributed shower cards that depicted the proper way to do a breast self-examination. The enthusiasm of volunteers at Races for the Cure resulted in Komen presenting ZTA with its Jill Ireland Award in 1993 and naming ZTA as presenter of the National Survivor Recognition Program. However, not every community had a Race for the Cure, and ZTA members and chapters wanted to support breast cancer awareness locally. At Convention 1996, delegates voted to broaden the scope of the national philanthropy to breast cancer with emphasis on education, awareness, early detection and survivor recognition. That change opened the door for chapters to present local 5K races, golf tournaments, cheerleading clinics, Big Man on Campus pageants and other fundraising events for the ZTA Foundation’s own efforts. A partnership in 1999 between the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter and the National Football League franchise in Washington, D.C., led to the first ZTA Think Pink® game. Since then, that partnership has spread to all 32 NFL teams and many college campuses. Of the 24,413,890 Think Pink ribbons ZTA has distributed, 9.8 million of them have included the NFL’s logo shield. The NFL is just one of the well-known brands that put ZTA into the pink spotlight. As cosponsors of the Race for the Cure Survivor Recognition Program, ZTA shared billing with Ford, ReMax® and Kellogg’s®. ZTA also presented Courage Nights with Betsey Johnson stores, SELF magazine, Lifetime® Television, Stila Cosmetics, St. Martin’s Press and the Young Survival Coalition®. In 2002, Yoplait® began a pilot project with 12 ZTA collegiate chapters to collect yogurt lids. Yoplait donated 10 cents to Komen for each lid collected. In 2004, all ZTA chapters joined the campaign, and Yoplait gave the ZTA Foundation an additional 5 cents per lid. When Yoplait ended its lid collection program in 2013, ZTA had collected nearly 2.2 million lids. In October 2014, ZTA announced it would end the 22-year partnership with Komen when the financial requirement for ZTA to be the sole sponsor of survivor recognition significantly increased. Other proposals with lesser fees did not include member engagement with survivors, the cornerstone of ZTA’s involvement. ZTA’s partnership with Bright Pink® began in spring 2015 with Brighten Up workshops educating, equipping and empowering women to be advocates for their breast and ovarian health. In summer 2015, after reviewing several proposals for new partnerships, the ZTA Foundation announced a new partnership with the American Cancer Society® as the National Survivor Ambassador of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® walks, allowing Zetas to continue to honor survivors. ZTA now has a presence at 150 walks. Through shower cards, reminder stickers, yogurt lids and pink ribbons, ZTA has played a major role in raising awareness of early detection of breast cancer for 30 years and as a result has made a positive impact on saving lives. “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we have to find another philanthropic outreach in the future because there is a cure for breast cancer?” said Mrs. Tilley. Until then, ZTA will continue to think pink. “We have had a passion for 30 years,” said Foundation President Carolyn Hof Carpenter, “and we will keep fighting together until the one in eight diagnosed with breast cancer becomes none in eight.”

2010

Convention Initiate: Tanya Snyder (organizer of first NFL Think Pink game and breast cancer survivor)

2015

Partnerships with American Cancer Society® and Bright Pink® begin

2022

ZTA Foundation celebrates 30 years of supporting breast cancer education and awareness

2006

Convention Initiate: Geralyn Lucas (author of “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy”); Lifetime movie watch parties

2013

Partnership with NFL has reached all 32 teams for at least one game

2021

Think Pink ribbon distribution reaches 24,413,890

TEXTILES IN THE ARCHIVES HELP WEAVE ZTA HISTORY

By Patti Cords Levitte, Archivist, and Susan L. Beard, Archives Committee Chair

When visitors come to the Historical and Educational Center at International Office, some of their favorite items are the old photos because the clothing reflects the cultures and time periods of days gone by. ZTA’s textile collection includes numerous fabric artifacts, from the most formal of evening gowns to decades of ZTA-branded items to quilts and pillows.

EARLY ZETAS’ ARTIFACTS

Among the most important textile items stored in the HEC are items belonging to the Founders and earliest Zetas. Their belongings give today’s members insight into who these women were and what their lives were like. The 116-year-old silk skirt, silk chemise, lace fan and gloves from Maud Jones Horner’s wedding outfit are professionally conserved. ZTA only displays them on special occasions because it is easy for these delicate fabrics to degrade over time. The last time they were on display was at Convention 2016. Two of the oldest fabric pieces in the archives are Frances Yancey Smith’s toddler dress and bonnet, which her mother made circa 1883. These pieces are made of linen and hand-tatted cotton lace and are exceptionally well preserved; they look almost the same as they did when they were new. Currently on display in the HEC are Ethel Coleman Van Name’s silk stockings and satin evening pumps (right). She donated these special pieces in 1924 to help begin ZTA’s historical collection. The stockings are in such good condition that the manufacturer’s mark on the toes is still legible. Shirley Kreasan Krieg Strout, ZTA’s Historian Emerita, also saved items for ZTA’s archival collection. In addition to a 1930s silk blouse, she donated gloves and matching evening bags that offer a taste of pre-war glamour.

MAUD’S WEDDING SKIRT PRESIDENTS’ DRESSES

The extensive collection of presidential outfits and gowns is a very special part of the archives. Traditionally, ZTA’s National Presidents donate the evening gowns they wore at the Conventions where they were installed (top right). Martha C. Edens, National President from 1968 to 1974, was one of the first to donate her gown from this occasion. The HEC’s rotation of ensembles on display also includes daytime outfits Presidents have worn at events like ZTA’s centennial, anniversaries or NPC meetings. ZTA changes the pieces every nine to 12 months to allow fabrics to rest away from light and humidity.

EVENT MEMORABILIA

T-shirts give a very clear picture of what was trendy when they were created and are a great way to look at ZTA’s history on a local

CHI CHAPTER LINEN BRIDGE TABLECLOTH

MRS. EDENS’ WHITE BATH TOWEL COWHIDE WALL HANGING, 1920s

level. Sweatshirts and T-shirts from individual chapters make up the majority of the textiles in the archives. The oldest shirts in the archives are from the 1960s, and some of them are on display in the HEC. ZTA hopes to have T-shirts from every chapter one day. In addition to T-shirts, the HEC showcases clothing members wore during Recruitment throughout the years, from the mid-1960s to now. The archives also house the skit night costume collection from all of ZTA’s national skits produced in the 1980s and 1990s (top right).

OTHER TEXTILES

The archives’ textile collection encompasses more than just clothes, including Mrs. Edens’ white bath and hand towels from her years at Beta Omicron Chapter (University of South Carolina). She embroidered them with “Zeta Tau Alpha” in blue thread by hand. They’re all in such good condition they look like they could be found in someone’s bathroom today. About 10 years ago, a sister donated a linen bridge tablecloth from Chi Chapter (University of Pittsburgh). It’s dated 1934 and has the signatures of each sister in that year’s new member class embroidered in red thread. Members of the Kokomo, IN Chapter have donated their quilts that have won awards at state fairs (bottom right). These quilts beautifully represent ZTA’s symbols, combining history and art in vintage textiles. Another unique piece is a satin throw pillow from Psi Chapter (University of Washington). The art deco embroidery on this decorative pillow (bottom right) ties it to the late 1920s. A number of these vintage items will be on display at Convention 2022 in Grapevine, Texas. If you have a textile item that you think might be of historical significance and you would consider donating it, please email Archivist Patti Cords Levitte. There is a special interest in items from the 1950s-1980s range. Clothing items are most desirable if there is a photo of the owner wearing it.

WOOL BLANKET 1950-1960s

Noble Achievements

As Zeta Tau Alpha’s mission states, the Fraternity “emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and personal growth for women.” It comes as no surprise, then, that members are doing amazing things within ZTA and in their communities. From earning recognition for professional success and outstanding volunteerism to helping improve the lives of others around the world, these members are making ZTA proud. Do you know ZTA collegians or alumnae who should be featured? Submit their names and accomplishments through the Themis Story Submission form at bit.ly/ThemisStories. *Indicates an alumna

*Emily Watkins Bai

Beta Omega Chapter

Union University Emily was crowned Transcontinental Mrs. Universe North America Ltd. Her personal platform is “Conquering Anxiety: Reigning with Courage,” and she is the spokesperson for The Pledge Campaign - Against Domestic Violence and Abuse. She is competing for Mrs. Universe Ltd. in South Korea this April. Through her platform, Emily uses her Master of Arts in clinical psychology and personal anxiety journey to help break the mental health stigma and point others to life-changing resources.

*Holly Webster Barrón

Alpha Upsilon Chapter

Oklahoma State University Holly’s family was named Parents Magazine’s Kindest Family in America. The family heads up the K Club, an organization founded by their son Keaton Barrón, who passed away from leukemia in May 2018. The K Club brings joy to children fighting cancer and their families through monthly Lego parties at the hospital, birthday parties for children in treatment, surprise gifts for children who are struggling and assisting with funeral costs. They also spread kindness wherever they go through random

*Monica Holcomb Aldama

Kappa Chapter

The University of Texas at Austin Monica is a decorated cheer coach with 14 NCA AllStar National Championships and five grand national titles. She stars in the Netflix show “Cheer,” about the Navarro College cheer team she coaches and recently published her first book.

acts of kindness, writing kind messages with chalk and supporting other local charities.

Kylie Blackburn

Iota Eta Chapter

University of Nevada Las Vegas Last summer, Kylie worked as a lodging intern for Xanterra in Yellowstone National Park. During the internship, she managed lodges daily, ensured all room attendants were on task and productive, enforced company cleaning standards for all guest rooms to a staff of six people, and attended biweekly management courses taught by company directors.

*Rachel Carpenter

Zeta Alpha Chapter

University of Evansville Rachel was named vice president for student affairs and dean of students at University of Evansville and will begin her new role in June. She will oversee areas that support students outside of the classroom, including residence life, student engagement, security, career services, counseling, intramurals and recreation, and international student services. Rachel most recently served as the interim university dean for students at Pace University in New York for two campuses and has also held the following positions: interim associate vice president for student affairs and dean for students, interim dean, and director of the center for student development. She recently obtained her doctorate in business from Pace University and her research interests focus on leadership and team dynamics.

*Jennifer Carrol

Zeta Alpha Chapter

University of Evansville Jennifer is a physician assistant working with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and has worked with the University of Washington department of family medicine, traveling with the USA Diving Team on a parttime, volunteer basis. She was a full-time athletic trainer/ physician assistant for the USA Diving Team during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

*Kayla Brown

Upsilon Chapter

University of California, Berkeley Kayla is a graduate student and Gates Cambridge Scholar at the University of Cambridge, where she is researching the evolution of corporate social responsibility in the technology industry. After earning her bachelor’s degree in media studies and public policy and spending a year working as a sustainability and human rights consultant, Kayla developed an interest in understanding how shifting cultural and political norms have influenced business practices.

Hailey Chaikin

Iota Omega Chapter

University of Maryland Hailey is the co-founder of a program called “Get Ovary It.” The program’s goal is to provide free feminine hygiene products across the university’s campus. The student government association allocated $48,000 over the span of three years to fund this initiative. “Get Ovary It” also won the top prize at the Do Good Now Competition in 2019, and has been published in The Lily, an online subsidiary of The Washington Post. She is also the president of the club Preventing Sexual Assault at UMD. In this role, she leads workshops, advocates for survivors and organizes campuswide events.

*Karen Courtright Crnkovich

Alpha Psi Chapter

University of Missouri Karen was one of 70 women selected nationally to participate in the LBJ Women’s Campaign School, offered by The University of Texas at Austin. The school is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that trains women who want to run for elected office or become campaign managers, regardless of political party. The monthly virtual classes took place from April through November. Karen owns an HVAC and plumbing contracting company, served as President of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, for 2020-2021, and this year has co-founded Strong HomesStrong Families, a Kansas City-based nonprofit to assist homeowners in need.

Kaitlyn Furst

Kappa Iota Chapter

Moravian University Kaitlyn received the prestigious Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. The recipient of this national undergraduate award is selected by the music faculty of an accredited music institution. The award is given to a music student who shows a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embodies the qualities of leadership and citizenship. The recipient is one who has grown individually and who has contributed to the success of the school of music.

Emily Gabriel

Kappa Xi Chapter

Stockton University Emily was invited to accept membership in the 2021 New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association Honor Society. Only the top 1% of students at their respective colleges are invited to join this society, which the deans of colleges of business at two-year and four-year colleges in New Jersey established. The induction ceremony took place virtually, and two members of the New Jersey General Assembly personally reached out with letters to congratulate Emily.

Ivy English

Gamma Pi Chapter

University of Georgia In summer 2020, Ivy interned for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. She spent summer 2021 in Washington, D.C., with Representative Buddy Carter from Georgia District 1 as part of the University of Georgia Congressional Agriculture Fellowship. In Representative Carter’s office, she gained experience in the legislative process and networking. Both of these internships inspired her to remain in D.C. and begin a career on Capitol Hill, where she now serves as a staff member in a congressional office.

Tricia Gordon Lindsey Grant

Delta Upsilon Chapter

West Virginia Wesleyan College Tricia won the 2021 Employee Excellence Award from Friends of South Carolina Libraries. Tricia was nominated for her leadership as the manager of the Barnwell County public library, particularly for how she expanded programs and services since being hired in 2016. This award goes to personnel who have innovative and creative ideas that have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of a library unit or service. In addition, the winner must exhibit exemplary performance in the employee’s own responsibilities as well as service beyond assigned duties. Tricia now works for a local nonprofit.

Iota Iota Chapter

Fairleigh Dickinson University Lindsey ran the 50th New York City marathon as part of the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation team and raised money for American Cancer Society®. The cause is very close to her heart, especially after her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis. She wore her Think Pink® ribbon as she ran and crossed the finish line in just under four and a half hours.

*Molly Jochem

Gamma Chi Chapter

Indiana State University Molly completed an internship for summer 2021 with Tesla in Reno, Nevada. The internship with the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security team gave students the opportunity to undertake projects directed at specific topics such as equipment safety, industrial hygiene, occupational ergonomics, environmental compliance, sustainability, and training and education under the guidance of EHS managers.

Claire LaMantia

Lambda Theta Chapter

New York University Claire earned a spot as an ecommerce intern at Proenza Schouler, a New York-based womenswear and accessories luxury brand, for summer 2021. The position provided her ample practical experience to complement her studies in media and marketing with an emphasis in fashion and film. As an intern, Claire developed her understanding of the ecommerce and digital marketing operations and functions of the company. She also learned about the complete process of marketing, from the product selection to photo shoot preparation, production, post-production and site upload.

*Dr. Krista Harrell

Iota Sigma Chapter

Old Dominion University Dr. Harrell, the assistant vice president for student affairs at the University of South Alabama, received two prestigious awards in 2021. In March, she was named a Legacy Leader by the Association for College Unions International, and in April she was named part of the 40 Over 40 Women in Mobile by Focus Women’s Conference. The Legacy Leader Award recognizes individuals who have served as leaders within the college union profession and have worked to advance campus community building. Focus published a Q&A with Dr. Harrell on its website.

*Tammy Bennett Laughlin

Alpha Zeta Chapter

The Ohio State University Tammy received the 2021 Excellence in STEM Teaching Award from the Ohio STEM Learning Network. The award recognizes a teacher who exemplifies integrated, STEM-infused teaching strategies and classroom innovation and whose work has led to positive student learning outcomes. Through STEM/computer classes for grades Kindergarten through fifth, she teaches students to learn how to be critical thinkers and learn from their mistakes.

Dabney Linderman

Lambda Eta Chapter

Virginia Commonwealth University Dabney completed an internship with the Library of Congress Law Library to study international law last summer. This 10-week program broadened her knowledge and experience and took her closer to her goal of becoming a lawyer. She spent the summer researching the historical foundations of corporate regulation and partook in engaging professional development opportunities hosted by the Library of Congress researchers.

Tori Hogan

Gamma Rho Chapter

Auburn University Tori interned under the head designer at Montce Swimwear in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last summer. She worked primarily within Montce’s pre-production and design department doing fittings, qualifications and designs. She also got to travel to Miami Swim Week with her coworkers. Tori launched her own clothing line in 2020 and was recently named one of the Class of 2022 scholars of the Fashion Scholarship Fund for their design case study. In fall 2021, she created a collaboration between Target® and Fabletics to create a line that specifically targeted all the needs of consumers in the middle of a pandemic.