THE THE yre CONNECTIONS ISSUE ELLIE FOX CHECKING OFF EVERY COUNTRY A MOTHER'S LEGACY HOUSE DEDICATIONS SPRING 2019 Volume 121 : Issue 3 alphachiomega.org Spring means different weather for Alpha Chi Omegas across the country - from sweltering for our sisters down south to the occasional snowflake for those further north. Whatever your current weather, this photo of the 1982 Chi (Oregon State University) chapter's new member class can take you to a place of new blooms and blue skies. contents Spring 2019 Volume 121 : Issue 3 The Connections Issue Real. Strong. Woman. Ellie Fox (Psi, The University of Oklahoma) Fulfilling a promise to see the world FEATURES 18 Foundation Meet the collegians serving on the Scarlet Ribbon Leadership Council 22 New Houses See the four new NHC facilities our sisters now call home 28 Harm Reduction Task Force Learn about Alpha Chi Omega's new risk management philosophy and policies The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 1 Table of Contents "Down deep in the heart of each Alpha Chi girl is a dream of a love that is true..." I danced with my husband of barely six is that I get the chance to see the Alpha Chi hours and looked over his shoulder at the Omega connections each day, in the stories women enveloping us in a circle, singing our sisters share with me. loud and proud the words of the "Sweetheart This issue is packed with connection. The Song" for the whole wedding reception to Epsilon (University of Southern California) hear. I sang along, too, and when the song was chapter honored the connection football finished, I passed out pieces of Dream Cake, coach Clay Helton had with their sister (page carefully transported from the same bakery 54). Anisa Riddell started her connection with that made the cake for my own initiation, to Alpha Chi Omega in college and completed each of the Alpha Chi Omega sisters who had the bond through her alumna initiation traveled across the country to celebrate with (page 52). And Liza Hallsten (Alpha Omega, us. Birmingham-Southern College) shares how That memory is one of my favorites from she maintains connections no matter where our wedding. The connection we share as she lives. members of Alpha Chi Omega is one that The beauty of connection is that it transcends our collegiate years and extends manifests itself differently for everyone. I'd into the milestones of the rest of our lives. It love to hear about your own connections. comforts me to know that no matter where I go, the bonds of Alpha Chi Omega are Lauren Filippini steadfast. The incredible thing about this job Alpha Chi (Butler University) In Every Issue On Campus Life AXO Connect 3 Contributors 22 Housing 33 Career Outlook 61 Collegiate Notes 4 Letters to the Editor 30 Collegiate Corner 39 Making a Difference 64 Alumnae Notes 6 Corner Office 50 Accomplished 69 Reunions Alumnae 7 Perspectives 71 Accolades 52 Alumna Initiate 8 AXO News Spotlight 72 In Memoriam 18 Foundation 54 His Side of the Story 56 Business 58 Archives The following staff members Dena Norrod (Delta Zeta, Central Madeline Plesac (Alpha Beta, Jen Wallach (Iota Chi, Middle contributed articles to this issue: Michigan University), Assistant Purdue University), Associate Tennessee State University), Director of Lifetime Engagement Director of Advancement Associate Director of Education Emily Rose Jacobsen (Iota and Leadership Initiatives Chi, Middle Tennessee State Eliza Payne (Delta Chi, William University), Assistant Director of Woods University), Housing Harm Reduction Operations Coordinator 2 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Contributors DANA CHWAN LIZA PUGLIESE HALLSTEN Alpha Chi Omega (GAMMA PI, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA) (ALPHA OMEGA, BIRMINGHAM- REAL. STRONG WOMEN. SOUTHERN COLLEGE) Chwan was inspired by her An Army wife, Alpha Chi Omega own experience Hallsten is a National Council Members: as a Vietnam founding member Angela Costley Harris War widow - and current President her 26-year-old president of the Pi Jari Askins husband was shot Sigma Pi alumnae Vice President down from his Air chapter for service Mikelle Holt Brady Vice President Force plane - for members, wives of Jennifer Daurora her novel The Reluctant Sorority. In this service members and supporters. She stays Vice President issue, she shares a surprise connection she connected to Alpha Chi Omega wherever Lynne Biggio Herndon made 50 years later. Page 36 her husband's career takes them. Hallsten Vice President is also the chapter advisor for the Gamma Jill Sabatino Lacy MAREE MAGLIOCCHETTI Xi (Western Michigan University) chapter. Vice President (ALPHA TAU, UNIVERSITY OF NEW Page 7 HAMPSHIRE) Editorial Staff: Lauren Filippini Magliocchetti spent MOLLY O'CONNELL Editor her first two alumna (DELTA CHI, WILLIAM WOODS Erin Witt years as a traveling UNIVERSITY) Director of Marketing and Communications consultant for A freshman Amy Colvin Mustafa Alpha Chi Omega. recently elected as Senior Director of Education and Engagement She lives in Boston, the vice president where she works as chapter relations vice president of new The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega and standards, is published quarterly. business development at U.S. Trust. As a O'Connell is Leadership Circle donor, she shares the POSTMASTER: Send address changes also a member importance of giving in this issue. Page 20 to The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega, of the William 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive, Woods hunter jumper equestrian team, Indianapolis, IN 46250-4343. MELANIE J. PELLOWSKI the Student Alumni Council, the pre-law (THETA TAU, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY) Submission Deadlines: fraternity Phi Alpha Delta and the William Fall issue July 1 Pellowski is a journalist and author of Woods honors program. In this issue, she Winter issue October 1 My Dearest Sister: shares what her Alpha Chi Omega legacy Spring issue January 1 means to her. Page 30 Summer issue April 1 A Heartfelt Guide to the Love, Friendship Contact Information: and Lifelong Bonds NATALIE ZEPEDA Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, Inc. of Sorority Life. After (DELTA PI, UNIVERSITY OF 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive joining Alpha Chi Indianapolis, IN 46250-4343 TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE) Omega at Rugters Phone: 317-579-5050 University, she Zepeda, a native alphachiomega.org graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Douglass of Washington editor@alphachiomega.org College and then earned her master's State, is studying Our Mission: neuroscience with in journalism from Boston University. Alpha Chi Omega is a national women's Growing up the only girl among three a minor in Spanish. organization that enriches the lives of brothers, the lasting friendships she In addition to members through lifetime opportunities for being involved in friendship, leadership, learning and service. formed with her Alpha Chi sisters are the inspiration for her second book. Page 34 her chapter, she is the university's Panhellenic Council president. She is involved in the Circle of FRATERNITY Sisterhood organization, which she shares COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION about here. Page 39 The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 3 Editor's Desk Letters Lyre Spotting Pattie Kitano (left) and Jean Trotzer-Nichols, sisters from the Rho (University of Washington) chapter, rang in the THE New Year at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND ISSUE HOW TO BE BECKA KIND TO YOUR BODY LEATHERS THE NAIP A CHAMPION CONTINUES WRESTLER FAMILY FOCUSED EGACY ON 2020 WINTER 2018 Volume Issue 2 alphachiomega.org Our social media was filled with support from all over the country for Becka Leathers (Gamma Tau, Oklahoma City University) in her pursuit of the 2020 Olympics. Interested in an update? She'll compete at Final X in June for a spot on the U.S. World Team. How to Receive The Lyre Editor's Note Collegiate members Alumnae members In the In Memoriam section receive The Lyre for the receive The Lyre as a of the winter 2018 issue, duration of their collegiate donor communications Nancy Brockow Polimer was membership. Issues are piece after reaching the incorrectly listed as a member mailed to each member's Life Loyal Roll through of Gamma (Northwestern permanent address on file cumulative gifts of $299 University) chapter. She was a with Alpha Chi Omega to the Alpha Chi Omega member of Epsilon (University headquarters. Each Foundation. of Southern California) collegiate chapter also chapter and served as chapter receives a copy of each advisor for several years. She is issue. correctly listed in this issue. The Lyre regrets the error. 4 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre 2019 A. BLING D. C. F. B. E. JONES, HERFF Corner Office Connection On and Off the Clock By Katie Lampinen Gaffin (Delta Zeta, Central Michigan University), Chief Executive Officer When women warmed by the stories I hear from memories of some of the silly times consider joining women reuniting after years apart or by we had in the house and began to a sorority, they pictures I see of women receiving their remember sisters that I had not seen in look for a number milestone membership pins surrounded more than 25 years. of things - a by their sisters. At the 60th anniversary celebration, philanthropy they I, too, have a number of stories of I recognized some of the faces around feel passionate connection with sisters. My day-to-day me, yet there were far more women about, a group as your chief executive officer is filled whom I had never met, from sisters to support them through the rigors with them. But I encountered one in before my time to those who are of college academics, a physical particular during my off-the-clock life, currently active in the collegiate home away from home during as I traveled back to Central Michigan chapter. I was SO pleased and proud their undergraduate experience and University to celebrate the 60th to see the alumnae support and the friendships to last a lifetime. For many anniversary of my chapter of initiation, commitment to celebration - a 60th of these women, however, the key Delta Zeta chapter. anniversary! -a chance for sisters to factor that motivates them to join the As anniversary celebrations go, gather again and renew bonds. It didn't fraternity/sorority community and - the planning committee had a great matter if we lacked a personal history; for the special few - to accept a bid to schedule for the guests - house tours, we already had a connection as sisters Alpha Chi Omega is the connection a lovely banquet complete with Dream of Alpha Chi Omega. We shared laughs, they feel with the sisters of the chapter. Cake and songs, and speeches by two stories and reminisces of Delta Zeta and Connection is a difficult concept of our founding chapter sisters. A photos of our chapter and members to articulate, as most feelings are. It's wonderful evening brought more than through the decades. We shared with the sense of having commonality with 130 of us together. friends new and old as we celebrated another, something that bonds two As I walked through the chapter 60 years of our chapter and looked together. It's a relationship that breeds house that was home to SO many of forward to the future our sisterhood mutual respect and empathy. It provides my college memories, I experienced a would share. a safe space to feel like the true version renewed connection and commitment How many of you have had a similar of oneself, which is why connection to my Alpha Chi Omega experience. experience? Maybe you attended your is SO important during sorority There were nostalgic moments like first convention in 2018 and saw for recruitment. seeing the bedroom I lived in in our the first time how large your network And lucky for us, connection in chapter house and also seeing the of Alpha Chi Omegas is. Or you Alpha Chi Omega continues long after basement where we would hang out volunteered as a Foundation campaign our college days are over. I'm always and watch TV. I was flooded with ambassador and connected your voice to others across the country. Or you moved to a new city and found familiarity in the welcome of your local I'm always warmed by the stories I hear from women alumnae chapter. reuniting after years apart or by pictures I see of However you experience it, I hope you take the time this year to appreciate women receiving their milestone membership pins the special connection you share with surrounded by their sisters." 275,000 other Alpha Chi Omegas. 6 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Perspectives O The Constancy of Alpha Chi Omega By Liza Pugliese Hallsten (Alpha Omega, Birmingham-Southern College) Before I begin, I should be honest REAL. STRONG WOMEN 1. Liza about who I am as a person - I am a 2. Liza (right) with Type A organizer and planner. So you REAL STRO Darcey O'Bryhim can imagine my family's surprise when (Omicron, Baker I told them that I wanted to marry a University), director of soldier in the US Army and that we'd be collegiate growth, and moving every two to three years, that their sons at the 2018 Luke would deploy often, and that each National Convention new set of orders would mean that I 3. Asher Hallsten would be home alone for long periods celebrating bid day with 1 of time while Luke attended schools or 2 the Gamma Xi chapter trainings across the country. I knew planning for the unexpected was all that I could do. What I couldn't plan for was how hard all of this could have been without Alpha Chi Omega. After living in six different states in eight years, supporting Luke through two deployments and countless temporary duty assignments, I've learned that I am far stronger and more capable than I ever could have imagined. I made it through -40-degree winters in upstate New York and 115-degree summers in southern Louisiana. Everywhere we have lived, I've made connections - social 3 and professional - thanks to Alpha Chi Omega. In addition to being a chapter advisor, live nearby, and I have remained close As much as I adored my four years as I am the president of the Pi Sigma Pi friends with those I met years ago. an undergraduate student, my time as an virtual alumnae chapter. I am honored Our sisterhood truly offers something alumna of Alpha Chi Omega has been to be one of the chapter founders and special - we are sisters who offer comfort meaningful in a way that I could not cannot begin to describe how much in the difficult times, encouragement have anticipated. I've been very fortunate this chapter has meant to me over the during the unknown and fun when you to have a wide range of experiences with last six and a half years. This chapter is can relax. I will cherish the sisters I have our sisterhood as an alumna. I advise our for sisters who are active duty service met along the way and miss those who I Gamma Xi chapter at Western Michigan members, sisters who are married to have lost touch with. University - a place I have come to call service members or any sisters who wish Wherever you live and whatever your home. No matter where we move, I to support our troops. We have sisters interests are, there is something you can know that I have family to visit anytime. across the globe, and a great feature of get involved with in Alpha Chi Omega. I Our house director has become another the chapter is that we connect sisters who guarantee that it will enrich your life, and grandmother to our baby, Asher, and the are assigned to the same duty station. you will enrich the lives of other sisters. chapter women love and spoil him when It has been an incredible experience to we go up to visit. connect with Alpha Chi Omegas who The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 7 Q AXO News THE 2016 National THE Florida FOR NOW/ FOREVER Strengthening the Present THORNTON Sustaining the Future DINAH GARCIA SPECIAL SECTION Alumnae Chapter Directory From AXO to LAPD Fall 2013 The New Life Loyal Roll Dear Alpha Chi Omega sisters, to provide a relevant and valued WHAT THIS member experience for the more EXCITING CHANGE In the history of Alpha Chi than 275,000 women we call sisters. Omega, many defining moments Today, we are thrilled to MEANS FOR YOU and landmark changes have helped share some exciting news that AND YOUR LYRE enhance the quality of our Real. we believe will have a similar Strong. Women. Experience positive and historic impact on our and direct the future path of our organization! In recent years, many of you organization. From the establishment of have asked that we make The Lyre our Foundation in 1978, to the and its wonderful member stories adoption of domestic violence accessible to more of our sisters. awareness as our national For the past 18 months, a volunteer philanthropy in 1992, to the Life Loyal Advisory Committee has creation of our industry-leading explored ways we could make this Women & Wisdom mentoring wish a sustainable reality. Based program in 2016, innovation and on the recommendations of this change have helped us continue team and creative solutions from 8 Spring 2019 II The Lyre AXO News O our staff, we're happy to announce communications program, in cumulative gifts over $299, for that Alpha Chi Omega Life Loyal is addition to Foundation news about reaching the Foundation Life Loyal now a Foundation program! the educational aspects of our Roll! All donors to our Foundation signature Real. Strong. Women. who have contributed $299 or Experience and our sisters' efforts Loyally, more in cumulative gifts are now to fight domestic violence and recognized as members of the sexual assault. Angela Costley Harris new Life Loyal Roll. In addition, As part of this exciting change, National President all Fraternity Life Loyal fees the Lyre endowment has also and annual Lyre subscriptions become a reality, safeguarding the Mary Pat Lambke have been added to a member's commitment made to our original Chair, Board of Trustees cumulative recognition total with Life Loyal members. Effectively the Foundation. stewarded by the Foundation, So what does this mean for you and Life Loyal Roll members are the fund will help sustain this your Lyre? Find your path below, part of a very special group of important connection to Alpha Chi and contact Madeline Plesac, Alpha Chi Omegas who have Omega for you and our sisters, associate director of advancement, invested in the present and future today and to come. at implesac@alphachiomega.org to of our sisterhood. All Life Loyal We're delighted to congratulate discuss your personal path to the Roll members will receive The Lyre all Life Loyal members, as well Life Loyal Roll. as part of the Foundation's donor as all Foundation donors with I am a collegian. You will continue to receive The Lyre throughout your time as an active collegiate member. I am a Life Loyal You have automatically transitioned to the Life Loyal program member. Roll and are recognized as an Alpha Chi Omega donor. Your Lyre delivery will continue uninterrupted. I am partway through my You have automatically transitioned to the Life Loyal Life Loyal program Roll but should continue making payments to the payment plan. Fraternity until your commitment is complete. Your Lyre delivery will continue uninterrupted. I am a member who donates When your cumulative giving reaches $299, you will to the Alpha Chi Omega reach the Life Loyal Roll and receive The Lyre while it Foundation. is part of the donor communications strategy. I am a subscriber Your current subscription will be honored through to The Lyre. its paid term but is not eligible for renewal. Your subscription dollars were added to your cumulative Foundation recognition total. With additional gifts to the Foundation to reach $299 cumulative, you will reach the Life Loyal Roll and receive The Lyre while it is part of the donor communications strategy. I am an advertiser As part of the transition, we are no longer able to in The Lyre. sell ad space in the magazine. Contact the marketing department to discuss other opportunities for advertising or sponsorship. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 9 AXO News Learning at Leadership Academy 2019 On January 11-13, chapter Anna Jones to spread domestic violence awareness presidents, vice presidents (Beta Phi, Bowling Green State University) and to embrace the power of being real, Ritual and fraternity strong women through engaging in the never knew that I could fall in appreciation, vice presidents Alpha Chi Omega experience. The role love with Alpha Chi Omega all new member education of collegiate intern allowed me to work over again until I had the privilege closely with headquarters staff members and vice presidents risk of serving as a collegiate intern who worked tirelessly to prepare for this management converged in at the 2019 Leadership Academy. The weekend. Indianapolis for the annual energy and excitement of the newly It was in these interactions that I Leadership Academy. This elected officers from across the country found a new answer to the question, were contagious! Throughout the premier training for officers "Why Alpha Chi?" I chose Alpha Chi weekend, I worked to support the staff from each collegiate chapter three years ago because the moment I that planned Leadership Academy by stepped into the room filled with my combines innovative learning greeting collegians and completing their now sisters, I felt at home. I continued sessions with sisterhood and registration, providing information to choose Alpha Chi because of the networking to inspire officers and guidance, and preparing workshop support I received while personally just starting their term. spaces in order to allow the collegians to developing to become the best version maximize their learning experience. of myself. I will now and forever choose Beyond all of these responsibilities, This year, sessions specific Alpha Chi because of the dedication of my favorite part of my experience to the officers in attendance all of my sisters to continue to share our was during roundtable discussions on message and inspire women to become included inclusive leadership, Saturday night. The other collegiate confident, passionate leaders. I saw prevention planning and a intern, Megan, and I had the opportunity firsthand the impact that the Alpha Chi mock initiation, as well as to host a roundtable discussion to Omega experience has had on staff action planning to bring offer our experience and guidance members. Further, I was able to see the lessons learned back to to incoming presidents. During this their commitment to teaching collegians one-hour discussion, my heart became chapters. for years to come about the sorority full as I saw the eager, strong women experience and sharing the wisdom they who would be leading our sisterhood have gained over their many years of Along with dedicated over the course of the next year. They involvement with this organization. volunteer facilitators and boosted my confidence and assured headquarters staff, two me that the future of our organization collegiate interns were is in good hands. I also genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to pay forward instrumental in the success of my experience of serving as chapter the weekend. These women president by sharing the things I had are former chapter presidents learned from my term to hopefully aid in Dance and Leadership Academy the success of these incoming presidents. attendees. They worked on Leadership Academy is especially Floor event logistics and shared unique because I, as well as all of the other collegians in attendance, have the their experiences during a opportunity to see Alpha Chi Omega roundtable. Read more about on a national scale. We interact with the weekend through their diverse women from across the country eyes. that are united behind the same cause, 10 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre AXQ News Collegiate interns Anna Jones (left) and Megan Asbury their own Ritual or Symphony line that could serve as their personal guiding point throughout their term, as mine did for me. When I reflect on that weekend, I mostly think of the incredible people I got to meet because of it. Having the opportunity to network and interact with not only other collegians, but the Megan Asbury large sessions, checking in people for facilitators, Alpha Chi Omega staff and (Zeta Sigma, Missouri State University) the weekend, or going on the occasional the National Council has made me Starbucks run, I was so happy I had truly value this sisterhood (more than erving as one of the 2019 someone to share the experience with. I S I already thought possible) and the Leadership Academy also gained a lifetime friend. opportunities it continues to provide for interns was one of the most To kick off the weekend on Friday, women long after their collegiate years. unforgettable experience I had the privilege of opening formal of my collegiate life. I first attended meeting with hundreds and hundreds Gamma lota (University of Florida) officers Leadership Academy in 2017 when of sisters-I had never felt a stronger celebrate the snowy weather I served as chapter president of the Alpha Chi Omega bond than I did Zeta Sigma chapter at Missouri State in that moment and I know it will be University. I remember leaving that a memory I will cherish forever. As weekend feeling so much more confident interns, Anna and I also got to share and empowered to take on my term, SO some words of wisdom with the newly when the intern opportunity presented elected officers, which was a special itself, I jumped at it! moment for us both. I got to share the weekend with I chose to share a Ritual line that another intern, Anna Jones, who was was a guiding point for me throughout the former chapter president at Bowling me term "May only words of truth Green State University. Having one and graciousness be spoken, and only another to lean on throughout the worthy acts be done." I spoke about the weekend was awesome. We helped run truth of having honest and sometimes Alpha Chi Omega's Instagram stories hard conversations, but how the results and did most tasks together. Whether it of those may be beneficial for members was setting up rooms for breakouts or years to come. I encouraged them to be patient and speak with grace, not only to others, but themselves as well, especially when it is hard. In my experience, meeting challenges with truth, grace and worthy acts will inspire their executive boards and in turn, their chapters, allowing for more open lines of communication and a more meaningful experience for all. I ended by challenging them to find Sisters participating in the closing keynote by Melissa Ruiz of Swift Kick D AXQ News Share the Love: Healthy Relationships Week 2019 Each year, Alpha Chi Omega hosts Healthy Relationships Week during the week that includes Valentine's Day. Members learned about the relationship spectrum February 1= and how to communicate effectively and resolve conflict within their own Women's Shelter of last Texas relationships and for those around them. Using this year's Share the Love theme, Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred Six and our collegians hosted social media campaigns and tabling events to communicate Alpha Chi Omega the importance of healthy relationships to their campuses. Are your relationships healthy? Take our quiz! 1. You always feel like your partner's love Epsilon Eta (Stephen F. Austin goals come first. State University) Healthy or strong Unhealthy? 2. You feel like you can share things lota Xi (University of California, Riverside) with your partner but also feel like you can keep some things private. HURT Healthy or Unhealthy? 3. Your partner texts you more than DONUT you want and gets LET LOVE Epsilon Chi (University of North HURT angry when you Carolina at Chapel Hill) don't respond. Healthy or Unhealthy? 4. Your partner uses Beta Psi (Louisiana Tech University) a name you don't like but stops using it once you correct them or ask them not to. Healthy or Unhealthy? (Answers on page 13) Gamma Mu (Ball State University) Zeta Sigma (Missouri State University) Alpha Chi Night Out Sisters gather for fun and fellowship throughout the year, but every February, Alpha Chi Omega encourages sisters to get together again for Alpha Chi Night Out. A part of Healthy Relationships Week, the event saw women gather for everything from coffee and dinner dates to virtual hangouts with sisters across the country. Check out some photos shared with # #AXONightOut, and start planning for 2020! Chi Chi (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Answers from our healthy relationships quiz (on previous page): 1. Unhealthy - Relationships THROWING should be respectful of both partners' feelings and desires. 2. Healthy - Relationships should promote healthy boundaries. Gamma Phi Gamma (Tampa, Florida) 3. Unhealthy - Relationships should not involve control of the other. 4. Healthy - Relationships should promote Mu Mu open communica- tion. (Kansas City, Missouri) Have questions about what a healthy Advisors for Zeta lota (Stanford University) relationship looks like? Text "LOVEIS" to 22522 to be connected to a peer advocate. Alumnae from Beta Psi (Louisiana Tech love is Alpha Gamma Alpha (Atlanta, Georgia) University) The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 13 AXO News national organization - but on the words that are spoken and the Ritual sentiments behind our shared purpose as Alpha Chi Omegas. So often, our chapters spend SO much time focusing on the logistics of a ceremony and not nearly enough time focusing on the VS. Tradition commitment they make to each other and to Alpha Chi Omega each time it is performed. We have a renewed focus on our Ritual - on connecting each CONNECTING TODAY'S MEMBER member to the expectations and ideals of Alpha Chi Omega. WITH OUR SHARED RITUAL In the coming months we will provide even more support and resources to the VPs Ritual and fraternity appreciation who are By Jen Wallach executing the Ritual at the chapter level, and we will engage with (lota Chi, Middle Tennessee State University), Associate positional and chapter advisors to help them better understand Director of Education and Leadership Initiatives our Ritual and feel empowered to support our collegiate sisters. We will continue to ensure our Ritual is inclusive and relevant to Alpha Chi Omega has one thing, yes ONE thing, it can offer members for years to come. its members that no one else can. Do you know what that is? Just this month, we encouraged every member to participate It is our Ritual. No, I'm not talking about the rituals we do in in National Ritual Celebration Week. Something as simple as our everyday lives, like brushing our teeth AFTER our orange wearing your badge with pride on NPC's International Badge juice in the morning or checking for our phone, wallet and keys Day is honoring the Ritual we hold SO dear - that lyre badge immediately before we walk out the door for class or work. I'm over your heart an outward symbol of the heartbeat of our whole talking about the words our Founders organization found in our Ritual. The line in our Symphony, wrote in 1885 that are found today in our "be her badge what it may" encourages us beloved Ritual book. to appreciate all our Panhellenic sisters, While facilitating a session for VPs who share their own valued Ritual with Ritual and fraternity appreciation at their organization. I can think of no better Leadership Academy in January, I made display of unity, no better way to honor the the comment that, "Ritual is the heartbeat ideals and commitment to our bond, than of the chapter." I moved on from it, but participating in this Ritual-centered week. I realized later that the sentiment really Tolerance. Open-mindedness. Balance stuck with many people who heard it. between the head and the heart. These I had multiple women share with me are some of the things we commit to each throughout the weekend that the idea time we perform our Ritual, but are we that Ritual is our chapter's heartbeat really executing those in practice every day? resonated with them, but they were not In a world where each day seems more sure how to convey that to their fellow tumultuous than the last, one thing that chapter sisters back home. remains steady and constant is Alpha Chi Omega. When I Not surprisingly, ensuring our members remain connected to say steady and constant, I do not mean unchanging. In fact, I the national organization is a strategic initiative set forth by our mean the opposite. Alpha Chi Omega members are changing National Council, SO that combined with these women's plight and as such, the organization changes with them. However, the to connect their sisters with the Ritual seemed to go hand in constant, binding component of our sisterhood, the Ritual we hand. What is Alpha Chi Omega doing to remain important and committed to a year ago or 75 years ago, remains the glue that relevant for today's members? holds us all together. In fall 2018 we rolled out all our Ritual and Ceremonies If you haven't read through our Ritual in a while, I encourage information online - any member with login credentials can you to do SO. Each time I read it, I find something new that read her Ritual at any time from our website. In addition, I connect with - something that reminds me that I have supplemental resources were created and updated to support committed to more than just average. I have committed to chapters in their Ritual endeavors. But we needed to do more. guarding and protecting my sisters, standing up for them and We needed to refocus our chapters - not on the "rules" that being not only a sister to them, but also a friend. Alpha Chi surround initiation or the things our chapters perceive to be Omega expects more of all of us and no matter our differences, Ritual but are in fact chapter traditions not mandated by the we share the heartbeat of Alpha Chi Omega. 14 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre AXQ News Share Stories with Sisters March NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The Immortalists ALUMNAE by Chloe Benjamin AXO BOOK This novel, set in the 1960s, asks the CLUB THE question, "If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your IMMORTALISTS life?" Four siblings visit a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell Looking for a new way to connect anyone the day they will die; what NOVEL with sisters across the country? they learn shapes their lives. We'll Alpha Chi Omega's Alumnae Book discuss the power of belief, family Club is the perfect program! As a CHLOE connections and destiny while we participant, you'll read the book read this exciting book! within a month's time and respond to BE NJAMIN discussion questions at your own pace posted in a private Facebook group. You'll also be invited to quarterly video chats for face-to-face discussions with the sisters you've connected with online. Sharing a story is a great way April to develop commonalities with others Text Me When You Get and to share your ideas with a diverse group of women. Home by Kayleen Schaefer More than 900 women were part of our Facebook group to discuss The author explores almost every our February pick, Dare to Lead by iteration of the modern female Brené Brown. Following the author's friendship and validates the definition of a leader as one who importance of developing these strong recognizes the potential in others, relationships. While we read this sisters discussed what it means to book, we'll discuss the importance be a brave leader and to make a and influence of female friendship in G EAT difference in their personal lives, in our own lives. We'll also delve into their professional roles and in their how to focus on our friends and how Alpha Chi Omega membership. HOME Alpha Chi Omega can play a part in Missed the first book? You can those friendships. THE EVOLUTION AND TRIUMPH still join us! Simply search for "AXO OF MODERN FEMALE FRIENDSHIP Alumnae Book Club" on Facebook and requeset to join the group. Here's a KAYLEEN SCHAEFER preview of the next two months' picks. If you have questions, contact Hannah Harris, assistant director of volunteer management, at hharris@ alphachiomega.org. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 15 #MEMBERDISCOUNT geico.com/greek/axo GEICO #MemberDiscount All' Good WHEN YOU'RE Saring Money Alpha Chi Omega sisters could save even more on auto insurance with a special discount from GEICO. Some discounts. coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO contracts with various membership entities and other organizations, but these entities do not underwrite the offered insurance products. Discount amount variesa in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual In New York premium reduction may be available. GEICO may not be involved in formal relationship with each organization; however, you still may qualify for special discount based on your membership, employment or affiliation with those organizations. GEICO is registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C.a 20076: a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO Help Us Stay Connected! In February, Alpha Chi Omega launched a campaign to update and maintain our alumnae data. We've partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to help collect contact information from as many alumnae as possible and to produce the 2020 Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity Alumnae Directory. Alpha Chi Omegas are adventure-takers and go-getters - SO moving is inevitable for many of our members! If you are an alumna, you have been or will be contacted by PCI via mail, phone and email asking you to update your contact information. It only takes a matter of minutes! By participating in this campaign, you'll allow us to stay connected with you and to better use our data for serving our sisterhood. We don't want you to miss out on important news, events and opportunities to engage with your sisters. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase a member directory, which will help you stay in contact or reconnect with sisters around the country! Thank you for participating. We're excited to stay connected with you for years to come! The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 17 Foundation MEET THE SCARLET Courtney, left RIBBON Courtney Ball (Delta Chi, William Woods University) LEADERSHIP "Giving back to Alpha Chi Omega keeps me connected to my chapter and the national organization. I can take things I learn as a student volunteer and help COUNCIL teach my chapter about them. It's great to help both sides become the best they can be." By Madeline Plesac (Alpha Beta, Purdue University), Associate Director of Advancement The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation's Scarlet Ribbon STATE Leadership Council is a group comprised of collegiate donors who serve as ambassadors for the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation's mission, purpose and initiatives. VIRES ARTES MORES Throughout the year, they work to promote annual fundraising campaigns and help educate their chapter, along with others in their region, on the work of the 1851 Foundation. We asked them why they volunteer and give back, and how this role keeps them connected to our sisterhood. Mallory Mallory Hartline (Beta Eta, Florida State University) "As a little girl I was taught showing appreciation and giving to others is vastly important. Giving back to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation is a way for me to show my appreciation for all Alpha Chi has given me. Giving back also allows me to set a good example within in my chapter, and as VP new member education I get to show our new members the involvement you can have not only locally but nationally, too." 18 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Josie Allie, right Colette, right Josie Bates Allie Cantalupo Colette Garcia (Delta Rho, University of Arkansas) (Kappa Chi, Florida Gulf Coast (Epsilon Kappa, California State University) University, Fullerton) "Serving as a volunteer means serving a purpose much bigger than myself. "Giving back to Alpha Chi Omega "Alpha Chi Omega has taught me to It means finding ways to serve sisters keeps me connected to the national chase down my goals and not be afraid that I've never even met. And it means organization and my chapter by helping of trying new things. Being surrounded impacting women all over the world me get involved in every aspect of the by such intelligent and unique women through our programs whether or not sorority and meeting SO many sisters I all the time has helped me grow in all they are a part of our organization." never would have met if it wasn't for the aspects of life." opportunities I have had by giving back and volunteering." ly to The one love yo nging. ga Anna, right Madison, second from right Anna Jones Madison Pratt Mary-Margaret, right (Beta Phi, Bowling Green State (Zeta Nu, Texas A&M University) University) Mary-Margaret Murray "As a volunteer for the Alpha Chi Omega "I firmly believe giving is much more (Delta Pi, University of Tennessee Foundation, I am able to experience rewarding than receiving. I have gained Knoxville) sisterhood in a completely different new insights, new opportunities and "Alpha Chi Omega has taught me that way. Meeting sisters from different new outlooks because of my time schools, hearing from Foundation staff being a real, strong woman means it is volunteering with Alpha Chi Omega. I OK to lean on others, especially your and learning how to promote a cause want to share what I have learned and sisters, in times of need. It has taught me unfamiliar to my peers has been a give back to help educate the future that we can still be strong even if we ask transformational experience for me. I leaders of our organization and provide for help sometimes." have gained confidence in myself and support to allow it to continue to grow." a new appreciation for my chapter, and deepened the love I have for Alpha Chi Omega nationally." The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 19 Foundation nationally and locally through our efforts to promote domestic violence awareness, and we are on the receiving PIRIT end as we are able to participate in important developmental programing like REPRESENT, MyJourney and OF Leadership Academy. I saw firsthand during my collegiate SIS TERHOOD years how my life was improved because sisters before me donated to the Foundation. I was a recipient of an academic scholarship and saw how AND developmental programming provided me with skills that allowed me to have a leg up in my academics and professional PHILANTHROPY interviews. I started donating $18.85 while I was in college, and as my career and financial situation changed, SO did the amount I donated. By Maree Magliocchetti I think of donating to the Foundation (Alpha Tau, University of New Hampshire) like retirement: if I consistently contribute an amount that correlates to my financial means, I am investing in a life for future Maree. Just as the After graduating from the University condolences from sisters across the sisters who came before me invested of New Hampshire, I took a job as country. Some drove hours to attend the in my development, I want to invest in a traveling chapter consultant for services; some were there in spirit; and the development of Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Chi Omega. I traveled in the Mid- some, whom we've never met in person, women for future generations. Atlantic and Northeast regions during sent cards and emails to let us know they Whether it is $18.85 or any other my first year and as the nationwide were thinking of us. In a similar way, amount, nothing feels better than consultant in my second year. when the youngest Magliocchetti sister, donating to an organization that helped I currently live in the Boston area and Hannah, became an Alpha Chi Omega me become who I am today; that has stay involved with Alpha Chi Omega this past November, she was greeted with helped my biological sisters become who at the national level by serving on the congratulations from sisters across the they are today; that has helped my best Investment Committee and supporting country. friends, confidantes, future bridesmaids the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation as a Alpha Chi women are introduced to become who they are today; that has Leadership Circle donor. philanthropy, both giving and receiving, made the world we live in a better place, What I love most about our as collegians. We see the difference because let's face it Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood is the unconditional love and we can make in the lives of women women make the world a better place. appreciation we have for one another. Like that of a sibling or pet (I am partial to all the pups out there), there is this powerful bond we share that drives us to be there for one another in times of "I WANT TO INVEST IN THE crisis and success. When my father passed away, my DEVELOPMENT OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA younger sister Nora (also an Alpha Chi Omega) and I were in awe as we found WOMEN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS." ourselves surrounded with prayers and 20 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Foundation O Maree (front, center) with her family, including two sisters who also joined Alpha Chi Omega Maree (left) with Michelina Campanella (Delta, Allegheny College) at University of Connecticut establishment The Alpha Tau chapter from Maree's collegiate years Housing A Time to Celebrate and Dedicate By Eliza Payne "The dedication of this house stirs our imagination The National Housing Corporation was pleased (Delta Chi, William and vision. We will encourage knowledge and to open four brand new Alpha Chi Omega facilities Woods University), scholarship, altruistic giving to our campus and in August 2018. These homes were years in the Housing Operations community, and good friendships within and outside making, and the excitement expressed from our Coordinator our chapter. We will continue to enunciate the ideals members as they walked into their homes for the of Alpha Chi Omega." first time was contagious. The NHC celebrated and dedicated these homes throughout the fall semester. -From the Alpha Chi Omega house dedication The NHC Board of Directors and staff are thankful ceremony for the hard work and efforts put forth by all those involved with these projects. Theta Omega (Marquette University) On September 30, the Theta Omega chapter hosted parents, alumnae and special guests during its house dedication ceremony. The reception that followed included house tours, a ribbon cutting and refreshments to celebrate the new facility. The house boasts four floors with plenty of room for members to conduct meetings, study and gather for sisterhood events. During the house dedication ceremony, the Theta Omega chapter was honored to have the university president, Michael Lovell, speak and provide his support for this housing initiative. Cassie Gerhardt, NHC president, was also in AXO attendance for the event; she expressed her excitement for the chapter members and shared the positive impact this facility will have on their overall Alpha Chi Omega experience. It was a wonderful day to celebrate and highlight the hard work and efforts of those involved with this project. Welcome home, Theta Omega sisters! The sisters of Theta Omega are all smiles for their new house. GOODGOO The living room was the perfect spot to gather after the ceremony. Cassie Gerhardt (left) presented Ana Corona, The kitchen was a popular room to enjoy Theta Omega chapter president, with a gift to refreshments and connect with sisters after welcome members home. Photo: Jenny Russell Alpha Om the ceremony. Photo: Jenny Russell NATIONA G CORPOR ON 22 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Housing O Delta Omega (University of Kentucky) It turned out that September 30 was a busy day for the NHC as we hosted a second house dedication ceremony at a beautiful outdoor celebration in Lexington, Kentucky! Delta Omega was honored to host special guest Lynne AXO Herndon, national vice president and NHC director; parents of members; Alpha Chi Omega staff; and some of the key business partners that made the project a reality. Following the ceremony were house tours, refreshments and a ribbon cutting to officially open the new house. The NHC is thankful for each and every We can't wait for the sisters of Delta Omega to create lasting memories at 411 Pennsylvania Court! dedicated individual involved with this project, from local alumnae to chapter members, designers, architects and donors who made this dream a reality! Guests enjoyed touring the chapter facility after the ceremony. Left to right: Lynne Herndon, national vice president and NHC director; Sarah Back, chapter advisor; Holly Grajera, 2018 chapter president; Nicole Crace, 2018 VP facility operations; Kim Bugg, facility operations advisor; and Taylor Moody, assistant director of new chapter development Members were excited to showcase their rooms during the tour to share how they've added personal touches. Housing Delta Rho (University of Arkansas) The third house dedication ceremony took us to the University Lynne Herndon, national vice president and NHC director, of Arkansas with our Delta Rho chapter. October 19 was a special was on site to speak about the build and the importance of day for many; the culmination of several years' worth of planning this new home to our chapter. We were also fortunate to have was celebrated with alumnae, chapter members, Alpha Chi University of Arkansas' director of Greek life, Parice Bowser, Omega staff and project partners. A large number of the chapter's speak during the ceremony; she has been an avid supporter of founding class was even in attendance! The chapter was also our Delta Rho chapter, and we are thankful for both of these celebrating homecoming in the same weekend, which provided a women! Welcome home, Delta Rho! We are excited for your great opportunity for alumnae and families to return! future at 722 West Maple! AXO lyre legacy Our Delta Rho sisters celebrated bid day 2018 at their new house! REAL. STRO Alpha Chi Omega touches throughout make Lynne Herndon (right) gifted the chapter with Members who need a quiet place to work or this house a home! a plaque to dedicate the house. meet can retreat to this conference room. 24 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Housing O Zeta Pi (Arizona State University) The final house dedication ceremony of the year took place at the Zeta Pi chapter on November 4. Hosting the event over homecoming weekend Women moved into the new facility in August and were able to welcome new members on allowed for maximum attendance from bid day with celebrations in the new space. alumnae, members and honored guests. Cassie Gerhardt, NHC president, spoke along with the chapter president and vice president facility operations to express their sincere appreciation for all those who worked on this new facility and to officially welcome members home! When the ceremony concluded, attendees enjoyed refreshments while touring the facility. The NHC worked closely with Arizona State University and committed alumnae to oversee the construction, design and completion of this project. All those involved are eager to watch the chapter continue to seek the heights in their new home! The interior design in this home reflects both the region and campus culture. K The kitchen was the first stop for many guests to sample appetizers Left to right: Cassie Gerhardt, NHC president; Tami Shaw, finance advisor; Katie Cuilty, 2018 following the ceremony. chapter president; and Madison Swift, 2018 vice president facility operations The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 25 Housing Facility Focus: Delta Our Delta chapter at Allegheny College saw some upgrades to their university-owned suite this past fall. The NHC provided furniture and accessory pieces for the space, which members use for meetings, studying, a quiet place to relax and more! Before After 26 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Housing O Housing Appreciation Week Thanks to all who Real celebrated our AXOISHOME inaugural Housing Appreciation Week AXO this January. We AXO loved hearing your stories of how your facility has impacted your collegiate experience. Take a Delta Lambda look at some of the A place know can ALWAYS run to that will (Ripon College) welcome me with openarms photos shared on @alphachiomegahq missing this place @arkansasaxo social media with our and the girls in it #AXOISHOME new housing hashtag, Delta Rho #AXOisHome! (University of Arkansas) Omicron (Baker University) AXO Chi (Oregon State University) #AXOisHome "Living at Alpha Chi is the best because I get to spend everyday with my amazing sisters!! I'm so thankful to live in such a beautiful house like ours and be part of the greatest sisterhood!" Eta RULES Beta Xi (Bucknell University) Blu (Utah State University) Alpha Nu (University of Missouri) Psi AXQ (The University of Oklahoma) @alphachiomegahq #WeAdoreHouseCorp On Campus Alpha Chi Omega's Harm Reduction Task Force By Emily Rose Jacobson (lota Chi, Middle Tennessee State University), Assistant Director of Harm Reduction For the last several decades, the same conference with the purpose of three most problematic forces facing beginning our review of all Alpha fraternities and sororities have remained Chi Omega risk management alcohol consumption, hazing and sexual efforts. This review included ALPHA CHI OMEGA assault. These three topics are discussed our philosophical approach to Event at every student and professional risk management, policies for Planning Guide conference and are on every risk collegiate chapters related to risk reduction professional's mind. These management, and educational issues have been seen in stories covered efforts and resources to support by major news outlets and school chapters in implementing risk newspapers across the country. reduction strategies. Although fraternities and sororities The group began with a are not alone in the desire to end review of all information and these behaviors, they do impact policies related to hosting an fraternity and sorority students at a event. It became clear that highly disproportionate rate on college streamlining information and campuses compared to nonaffiliated providing clarity on the policies students. There is, therefore, a sense for collegiate chapter event of urgency in the fraternity/sorority planning was essential. The task industry for successful prevention force established 17 alcohol and Alpha Chi Omega experience with strategies. Alpha Chi Omega continues drug policies and an updated hazing health and safety as a priority, and to be committed to providing a premier policy. The alcohol and drug policies to make positive choices reflective of collegiate experience, and the health and streamline the information specific to dignity and respect. The Fraternity safety of our members is our greatest engaging in events with alcohol. believes that substance abuse prevents priority. These policies also led us to the individual members from seeking the In an effort to evaluate our creation of the Alpha Chi Omega risk heights as real, strong women and from philosophical approach to risk management philosophy statement. exemplifying these characteristics of management and prevention-based The statement provides a framework sisterhood. services we provide to our collegiate for educational efforts, a commitment Within the philosophy statement, chapters, Alpha Chi Omega formed the to health and safety in our decision- Alpha Chi Omega states that through Harm Reduction Task Force in fall 2018. making, and a call to all members to education, training and mature adult This task force is comprised of national act in accord with being a real strong, guidance, we provide the tools to volunteers and staff members who woman. The philosophy statement help women make good choices and worked in consultation with Dr. Lori declares: to understand the consequences of Hart, a leading researcher, presenter Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity their choices. The organization will and expert on health and safety in encourages members to stand up and hold chapters and individual chapter the fraternity/sorority community. In intervene when something is unsafe members accountable for the choices October 2018 the Harm Reduction Task or undignified, be a positive role they make. The health and safety of our Force came together for an in-person model and influencer to shape the members is paramount to the Alpha Chi 28 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre On Campus PREVENTION QUESTIONS Alpha Chi Omega recommends that chapters be able to answer yes to the following questions. 1. Is this event planned for fewer than five hours in duration? YES NO If no, please explain why this event will exceed five hours: Omega experience and should be 2. Will ample food, other than snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, be available? what every member expects. The full YES NO philosophy and policies can be found on the Vice President Risk Management If yes, what food/beverages will be served, and how will that be provided? page of the Resource Center on the Alpha Chi Omega website. Once the philosophy statement and 3. Are glass bottles prohibited from the event? policies were constructed, the task force YES NO participated in several virtual meetings to review event planning materials and 4. If this event will involve any physical activity, has the chapter printed waivers or resource guides. The group created confirmed the use of waivers by the venue to be signed by participants? the Event Planning Guide and three YES NO additional resource guides covering the topics of transportation, bring your own 5. Will doors to residential living be locked/secured during the event? beverage events and event monitors. YES NO This Event Planning Guide replaces the three previous Event Planning Packs 6. Will you stop the service of alcohol at least one hour before the event ends? (EPPs) and serves as a tool that chapters YES NO should use to plan for events with alcohol and other social, sisterhood and 7. Will you select music that is NOT disrespectful or degrading to a particular philanthropy events. The guide contains group of people or culture? questions specially aimed at helping YES NO chapters think about event planning with a prevention mindset to provide 8. Will you ensure no illegal drugs and controlled substances are at the event? the safest event experience possible. YES NO The task force conducted a webinar in December 2018 for national collegiate 9. Will you ensure there are no tables or paraphernalia within the event that are experience volunteers, chapter advisors used for drinking games? and risk management advisors to YES NO present the work of the task force before the updates were rolled out to chapter This excerpt from the new Event Planning Guide shows the decision-making steps an officer presidents and VPs risk management should go through when planning an event. during Leadership Academy 2019. Following Leadership Academy a The task force continues to meet membership in Alpha Chi Omega, and webinar series was launched for those regularly via conference call to review our organization continues to serve as a particular volunteers and collegiate educational support for chapters, leader in harm reduction efforts. officers to break down the policies, each resources for chapters and long-term resource in the Event Planning Guide approaches to harm reduction. The and the guide itself. task force believes in the benefits of The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 29 Collegiate Corner Composite photos of Molly O'Connell (left) and Melissa Brooks O'Connell A Connection to Mom By Molly O'Connell (Delta Chi, William Woods University) The blazing mid-August sun beat down upon Sorority Circle at William Woods University as I entered the house that would soon become my home. With the words "Welcome to Alpha Chi Omega!" ringing in my ears, I couldn't contain my excitement. A massive smile beamed across my face. For the past year, I had been searching through boxes of my mom's personal belongings, messaging back and forth with several active members, and connecting with my mom's best friend and sister in the bond, Nancy Mitchell (Delta Chi). I had prayed all summer that the Lord would guide me to the best possible sisterhood and that by some Molly with her mother Melissa 30 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Melissa (left) with her chapter sisters Nancy Mitchell and Jennifer Roper and I were beyond fortunate to have her loving parents, my Mimi and Papa, right by our side. My grandparents have done more for me than I can adequately thank them for. They have attended and cheered me on at every horse show, school function and important event of my entire life. They have always been two of my biggest advocates and play a major role in helping me become the best possible version of myself, just like my mother did. While I didn't hear much of Alpha Chi directly from my mother since I was SO young, I know that she and the Lord purposely placed innumerous people in my life to help send me on my way there. The miracle, it would be Alpha Chi Omega. inviting mother to something I didn't outpouring of love and support that my Instantly upon entering the house, I even know, her character never once mother's Alpha Chi Omega sisters have knew that it was a perfect match. I was wavered. Through the eyes of an eight- given me has been simply incredible. My touched by the genuineness, kindness year-old, it was as though my mother relationships with them have brought and ambition of the women of Alpha was slowly withering away. From the my mother's legacy to life for me in Chi. Each time I entered the house I felt bulge on the left side of her chest ways I never knew were possible. I have at peace and comfortable. Choosing to that was her medicinal port, to the discovered more about my mother's own run home to Alpha Chi Omega on bid sunken-in area of flesh on her clavicle character, dedication to her chapter, and day was one of the easiest decisions I from having lymph nodes removed, personality these past few months as a have made in my entire life. to the long, scraggly scar on her skull member than I had in the 11 years since My mother, Melissa Brooks O'Connell from tumor removal surgery on her she passed. (Delta Chi), had a knack for connecting brain, fluctuations of weight, loss of Being a part of the same organization with each and every person that she hair and appetite, chronic nausea, as my mother is a gift I am most grateful spoke to. She had the most generous and uncontrollable dehydration, I was for. The experiences that I was blessed heart of anyone I have ever known. astonished at what a disease was capable with throughout my first semester were Even in the most trying, painful years of doing to my mother. Regardless, she beyond memorable. My dear friend and of her life, she never once complained. was still my everything, and I never Delta Chi sister, Haleigh Hartwig, kicked My mom's focus was never on herself, doubted her. She was the epitome of a off a semester of heartwarming surprises but always on those around her and on real, strong woman. by inviting both my mom's friend Nancy beating cancer for her family. Losing my mother at the age of eight Mitchell and her own mom, Melissa As I watched her body slowly was just as much of a nightmare as one Hartwig (also a Delta Chi alumna and transform from that of my strong and could imagine, but my little brother, dad a collegiate member at the same time The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 31 Collegiate Corner as my mom), to my bid day. I couldn't joyous smile. Shea returned the smile, prevent the tears streaming down my and from my right, Nancy appeared face, causing some puffy-eyed pictures. It yet again. As she stood before me, was the bid day of my dreams. pinning Shea's badge over my heart, I I have been able to connect with my felt something I never had in 11 years. mom in a deeper, more substantial way I felt my mom's presence. For the first than ever before. Initiation particularly time since her passing, I knew that my struck a chord in me. The ceremonies mom was standing right there, initiating and traditions shared throughout all of me into our beloved sisterhood through Alpha Chi Omega and those unique to Nancy's hands. the Delta Chi chapter truly touched me. Knowing that my mom experienced the Melissa's chapter sisters who attended same ceremonies and was trusted with Molly's inititiation the secrets of Alpha Chi Omega just like me was, and is, indescribable. Being a part of Alpha Chi Omega not only allows me to follow in her MOLLY footsteps, but also to define my legacy by becoming the woman I want to be. I felt SO incredibly loved and fortunate to have five of my mom's closest Delta Chi sisters (Nancy Mitchell, Melissa Hartwig, Stephanie Szewczyk, Debbie Ashlock and Tina Remingler) supporting me at my initiation. When it came to be my Top: Melissa (right) and Nancy Mitchell turn to be pinned during initiation, I celebrated bid day their sophomore year. gave my big, Shea Benson, the most Bottom: Nancy was also at Molly's bid day to welcome her home. Career Outlook A Network of ters he first of its kind among T NPC groups, the Women & Wisdom program is an online networking experience designed to connect alumnae and collegians through professional interests and experiences. The program allows participants to share their passion for a particular industry and develop a relationship with a sister at a different stage of life. The benefits of a mentoring relationship are profound for both people in the pairing. Mentors gain renewed enthusiasm in their role as an expert, develop experience in leadership and earn satisfaction in helping a younger sister learn and grow. Mentees improve their skills and knowledge in industry story, these gatherings allow information will be available on the their industry, gain a role model and set women to connect with sisters in the Alpha Chi Omega website as the action plans for achieving professional area and network in a diverse set of events near. The relationships formed goals. fields. Past speakers have included TIME in person at these events can set Research overwhelmingly supports Person of the Year Sherron Watkins attendees up for success - and allow the benefits of mentorship. According (Alpha Phi, The University of Texas them to find the friendly face of a to a 2017 report by Mentor City, 95% at Austin) and Lauren Schoenthaler sister who is part of their industry. of mentoring participants said the (Gamma, Northwestern University), Whether you are looking to experience motivated them to do vice provost for institutional equity and connect with women virtually or in their very best. Additionally, the US access at Stanford University. person, Women & Wisdom is here to Department of Education found that Women & Wisdom events will be help you launch your career or take students who are mentored throughout held in Chicago, Illinois in April and it to the next level - and meet new college are 170% more likely to finish Boston, Massachusetts in May. More sisters along the way. their bachelor's degree than those without a mentor. Taking the program one step further, Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity and Foundation have begun hosting Women Women Wisdom & Wisdom events around the country. Featuring guest speakers with a powerful AXO The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 33 Life they would mean tomorrow. My The highs and lows of life as a college student swirled around us with our sisterhood providing a solid beacon of guiding light. Even if we did value the foundation, we couldn't have anticipated the forever friendships it would help Dearest us build. Still, being in a sorority isn't only about the bonds we create with one another. Perhaps even more important is the lasting connection it allows us to forge with our former selves. Sister Remembering our sorority days gives us the chance to reconnect with our past - whether that reminds us to be confident or inspires us to be better. The real world can be harsh. When our resilience and stamina are often tested, it's empowering By Melanie J. Pellowski (Theta Tau, Rutgers University) to have a tangible link to the spunky, carefree and ambitious personas we playfully embraced. ecoming a member of B As alumnae, we may harbor a Alpha Chi Omega means being a sister for life - that's a mystifying longing for that simpler time - when we didn't have to carve truth pinned to our hearts as a few minutes into our calendar for a we embrace new challenges and tackle phone date and we could just plan on unique adventures all over the globe. However, it's hard to understand the true catching up as we pass by one another at chapter meetings. Every new member impact of joining a sorority when we hears about what being an Alpha Chi first decide to accept a bid. It's not that means - and we all kind of understood we were too naive to imagine it. We were just too busy experiencing the poignant that. Except we couldn't possibly feel moments to concern ourselves with what the longevity of that true purpose until we began to feel the space between our current lives and the magical times we shared together when we were young. AXO How could we have known that the seemingly silly conversations we had on the sorority house steps would bring us such genuine joy years later at bridal showers? Why would we think twice about the morning we tripped over our own feet trying to be on time for class, or the tragic time we lost our keys, or the tearful glance we shared with a sister on graduation day? These moments quickly pile up as we bask in the sheer jubilance of our collegiate years. It's not until we become focused on our own Melanie (second from right) with her chapter sisters during college adult lives that we realize the innocence 34 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Life O The Theta Tau chapter's 2004 recruitment event '04 and significance in such sweet times. It's mothers, wives, teachers, lawyers, nurses, not until we have SO little free time as managers, writers, editors, engineers, working women, mothers and wives that actresses, producers, scientists, artists - we value the rarity in being friends not for every future path, there's probably an only close at heart, but in proximity. Alpha Chi navigating it. Today, our identities as sorority Being an adult is a challenge. It's not women do not just fill old scrapbooks easy letting go of the virtuous existence of our college days. They are more than that predated mortgages and retirement throwback pictures on a timeline - plans. It's definitely difficult hearing that they are pieces of ourselves embedded first "ma'am" from the checkout boy at into one another's hearts and history. the grocery store. As the lines around When we grow up, we notice just how our faces begin to form, our eyes will young we were when we met and how always sparkle when thinking about the vibrantly our stories were written. Sure, candles we held together. We all have we can all admit that not everything that one song that still makes us get up we experienced together was perfect and dance like our lower backs won't or ideal, and we all have our own sob mind, and we all remember the lyre with stories or regrettable moments. It's just love. We continue to depend on one that in some bizarre way, we remember another whether we realize it or not. We those awkward times fondly. Time gives inspire one another through a network us a chance to have a sense of humor. that is always there and consistently Plus, the less-than-flawless memories are growing. Part of what makes us strong shielded by the support a sister provided women is the common thread we share with the sixth sense she had to hand us a in the AXO letters we wear with pride. box of tissues or a bag of chocolates. Singing songs and sharing handshakes It doesn't matter if our T-shirts are are added perks that make us smile. We stored in a box under the bed, or if will always be sorority women, and we our big and little crafts are taking up are capable of accomplishing anything. real estate in the garage. The reason we continue to share a connection Melanie J. Pellowski is a journalist in spite of the time that has passed is and author of My Dearest Sister: A unique to each and every one of us. Heartfelt Guide to the Love, Friendship That's what makes our time together so and Lifelong Bonds of Sorority Life. Her endearing and our personal stories SO Alpha Chi Omega friendships inspired special. What we have in common is her to write this interactive journal and the support we felt in finding our own reflection on the lasting bonds of sorority unique paths. We aren't exactly the same, sisterhood. Fit for any present, past or and we never have been. Celebrating future sorority woman, this keepsake our unique interests and backgrounds honors the spirit, community and history is what sparked our sisterhood and it's of sororities while providing women with what helps it last. Today, we are career the opportunity to keep their sorority women and homemakers. We are connection strong for years to come. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 35 Life My Colorado Christmas Miracle By Dana Chwan (Gamma Pi, University of Tampa) C onnections - we just never know where or when a life-altering situation will show up. So if you get the urge to reach out to a stranger and lift their spirits, for heaven's sakes - do it! Your life and theirs will be richer for it. It started out as just an ordinary December day, having lunch with a gal pal. I was in Colorado from my Santa Fe home, to be chief critter-sitter while my daughter and her husband took vacation. The temperature was about 10 degrees as we entered the restaurant, a nice little, inexpensive, homey place right in the town of Buena Vista in the foothills of the Rockies. It was just after 11:30 in the Dana Chwan morning, and there were only four tables occupied. Airlines in Minneapolis while he was on were returned and positively identified Next to the window was a couple, his 90-day assignment to Southeast Asia as those of my husband, and separate and the man was chatting with another in the summer of 1965. remains were identified as Cham's. gentleman at the table next to them. His "90 days isn't forever," Mike said. "We Wow, that's an interesting voice carried through the almost empty can make it. I'll be back before you know coincidence. what are the odds of those café, and when I heard the man say, "I'm it, I promise." Except that for us, the 90 connections right here in this small town a Vietnam veteran, Air Force" - my ears days turned into 19 and a half years. His in the middle of Colorado? I wondered. perked up. I kept my eye on him while my F4-C plane was shot down over North Vietnam, Air Force and Minnesota. How friend and I chatted and ate lunch. Then Vietnam, and he and his front seater very strange. I heard the same voice say, "We're from (pilot Cham Chestnutt) were listed as I got up to pay the bill and feeling the Minnesota and love it here." I got more MIA (missing in action) and later after spirit of the season, I told our waitress and more curious and listen more intently. hostilities ended, declared KIA/BNR that I wanted to pay the check for the My husband Mike was an Air Force (killed in action/body not recovered). couple by the window. I had a business pilot in Vietnam, and on a lark, I went to I never expected their remains to be card in my purse with my Santa Fe be a stewardess with Northwest Orient found, but in 1985, a handful of bones information: address, phone and email 36 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Life O 14 seater pilot of the airplane in which my husband was the navigator/ bombardier. and they died together on a mission bombing the Ninh Binh Bridge on September 30, 1965. I immediately emailed back, and for the next few days we exchanged numerous emails. Earl, now 80, relayed that he had been in Mike's squadron at MacDill in Tampa. He recognized the Chwan name and felt they must have flown training missions together in Tampa. That would have been 50 years ago! Michael Chwan during Air Force training in 1964 - "I have aged, but he will always be I sent a lot of information to Earl 26 years old," says Dana Chwan. over the next few days and he and/ or his wife, Karen, responded with additional questions and info. They were close friends with Cham and Patti Chesnutt and their children and went on family picnics when they were stationed in Arizona and Tampa together. As we corresponded, I learned that Karen volunteered at the ARK Valley Humane Shelter here in Buena Vista and knows my daughter Michele - who was the director there for many years. At the University of Tampa, I worked in data processing and graduated in 1964; Earl graduated from there in 1967 under a reciprocal program for military personnel. It just kept getting curious- er and curious-er. Somehow, I was reminded of, "Welcome to my tea party, Alice,' said the Mad Hatter." Dawn meeting up with Earl again I cannot even imagine what the odds are of having this encounter. I get address. On the back I wrote: "Thank thanking me for my kindness in buying goose bumps just thinking about it. So you for your service - military widow, their lunch and saying they would pass connections - reach out and make them! Dana Chwan." I asked the waitress to this deed on to another in the future. You just never know what the outcome give them my card instead of the bill, He wrote that he had done training at might be. Life is a wonder for sure! and I left the restaurant feeling happy MacDill Air Force Base, then had been that I'd done a good deed for the day. at several bases in Vietnam as a forward Dana Chwan is the author of The Later that day, I turned on my air controller in a particular squadron, Reluctant Sorority, a novel she wrote computer. And there in my inbox was a and that his best friends while in based on her own experiences and her message from an unknown sender. training in Tampa and at a previous base realization that no wife ever wants to With some trepidation, I clicked had been Cham Chestnutt, Jack Gravis join the sisterhood of widows. More on it, and it was a thank you note from and others and then I started to get information about the book and her life the Vietnam veteran - whose name I this woo-woo feeling can be found at www.thereluctantsorority now saw was Earl Bjurstrom. He was Cham Chestnutt was the front- com. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 37 On their Disney Life adventure, Beta Omicron (Florida Southern College) Connections big and little sisters McKenzie Bengry (left) and Alexis Gettemy met fellow sister Kasey working Hallee Haygood Follow @hallee_haybad as a PhotoPass photographer. The professor I'm doing research for my Master's was also an Alpha Chi during her undergrad, and today we bonded about all are the experiences this opportunity brought us. Further proof that real strong women are everywhere you look @AlphaChiOmegaHQ 8:26 PM 4 Sep 2018 Everywhere 3 Retweets 135 Likes 1 tt 3 135 From Hallee Haygood (Sigma, University of lowa) via Twitter WITH 220,000 LIVING MEMBERS OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA ACROSS THE WORLD, IT'S NOT UNLIKELY THAT YOU MIGHT MEET A NEW SISTER IN EVERYDAY LIFE. SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S WEARING HER AXQ LETTERS, OTHER TIMES IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S SHARING HER REAL. STRONG. WOMEN. EXPERIENCE. NO MATTER HOW IT Olivia Russo (left, Theta Omega, HAPPENS, RUNNING INTO AN ALPHA CHI IS Marquette University) met sister Emily SURE TO BRING A SMILE TO YOUR DAY. Andersen (Alpha Nu, University of Missouri) while ice skating in Chicago over winter break. When Jennifer Sue Butler Harris From Natalie Weiss (Beta Omega, The (Theta Lambda, Clemson University, University of Toledo) via Twitter right) traveled to southeast Florida to lead a training session for colleagues Natalie Weiss Follow @nweissESQ in the soil and wetland industry, she wasn't expecting to meet an Yesterday, the woman taking my order at @CompassCoffeeDC had on an Alpha Chi Omega. But after asking a @AlphaChiOmegaHC shirt. I geeked out and group member if she had a sorority mentioned that I'm from @UToledo. She's connection, she learned she was from @UMassAmherst. So awesome. LITB. talking to a sister: Christina Leonard (Kappa Upsilon, Florida International University). Says Butler Harris, "You should never be shy to ask people about being Greek! Alpha Chis are everywhere and our bond is lifelong." 38 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Co Making a Difference O Women from many of the University of Tennessee's Panhellenic chapters attended Trek. You can see Natalie in her green AXQ shirt. empower women." When I heard of CoS Finding Family and its mission, I instantly fell in love. There is nothing greater than women helping other women gain strength in their communities though getting in Senegal an education, and I think that a lot of women in my community realize that. So we set off to raise funds to build another school in a developing country, and within two years we had raised over By Natalie Zepeda electricity and water in structures $40,000, becoming the nation's first (Delta Pi, University of Tennessee, Knoxville) that are already being used as suitable Panhellenic community to raise funds learning environments, as well as helping for not just one but TWO school builds! ircle of Sisterhood is a Circle of Sisterhood (CoS) support other I was lucky enough to be one of the C philanthropic organization organizations with the similar goal of few selected to attend Trek to the school that strives to improve the empowering women to accomplish their build we would be funding in Mboyene, lives of women globally own goals by granting them monies to Senegal. Trek is an opportunity for through education. It accomplishes this allocate for their own initiatives. sorority women involved in CoS to by partnering with 264 Panhellenic When I came to the University of travel to the country in which their Councils nationally and by allowing Tennessee, Knoxville, I knew that I school build will be taking place and sorority women to spearhead change needed to find my "family" as well as to experience the culture of the area, globally. Those Panhellenic communities something that I could be passionate to make relationships with the people raise funds for various projects such about. I quickly found my family in in the village, as well as to physically as building schools in deserving Alpha Chi Omega and was able to contribute to building the school. So communities, funding grants to install foster my mantra, "Empowered women for nine days in June, 13 other sorority The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 39 D Making a Difference women and I spent time among the people of Senegal learning about them, their language, their culture, their food and their lifestyle. For those nine days, we challenged ourselves and each other to immerse freely in the culture that we were so privileged to experience. For the middle portion of our trip, we spent time on the school site. Personally, I did my best to do work anywhere I was needed. I helped dig the foundation for the school alongside one of the chief's wives, helped two skilled workers make cinderblocks by hand, helped construct the structure of the building with rebar and more. One of my favorite experiences at the build site was when we were digging two latrines side by side. Two sorority women, four to five men from the community and I were working on one latrine, and in the next were five to six sorority women working on the other. While there was a major language barrier, we were still able to engage in some friendly competition and see who could dig their latrine the fastest. We would all laugh even if we had no clue what was funny. We spent time with the people of Mboyene, and we were also able to Natalie and Juma connect with one another. I learned SO much about the women who had compound" to "Today I am going to traveled with me and about who they drink 7 liters of water" or even "Today were, what they represented and what I am going to work for 3 hours on the their passions were. We talked about our school build without taking a break." Panhellenic community as a whole, and When we weren't congregated we truly became a family. The women together, we were with our host families. whom I had the pleasure of traveling We played games like Jenga and magnets with have some amazing stories to tell, with the kids in our compounds and and they helped me appreciate things had dance battles for hours to music in my life that I didn't even know were they would play on their drums. For the there. Every morning for breakfast we duration of the Trek my housemate was would tell each other what our personal a Kappa Kappa Gamma named Maddie, goal for the day was and if we had and she and I would take out our accomplished the goal from the day notebooks and have the kids write their before. These goals could be anything names in them, draw us pictures or write from "Today I am going to learn the us little letters. One girl I quickly made names of all of the children in my friends with was an 18-year-old named Natalie dances with Juma Making a Difference O circle in the middle of the arena. Juma and I danced in circles forever, trading sunglasses and cracking up laughing! Meeting everyone in the village was amazing, but there is one connection I will hold close to my heart forever, and that is one of our translators, Saijo - but I always called her "Honey." She was always there to help me ask questions and communicate with the community around me. On the day we left the village, we traveled to Dakar to the hotel where we would shower and eat lunch. It sat on the ocean and had a beautiful sitting area. Everyone was inside resting or cleaning up, but I ventured away and sat by myself looking at the ocean. Honey Natalie learning to make couscous found me, and we just sat in silence, but we both knew what we were feeling. She gave me a letter, and I gave her one, and we sat there appreciating the time we had been able to share and the sisterhood we were able to be a part of. We talked about the possibility of her coming to visit and us staying in touch. I still communicate with her, and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet such an amazing woman. There is SO much more I wish I could convey when writing this. I wish you could see the memories as I experienced them. I wish you could feel the camaraderie we shared with the elders of the village, taste the food I ate, and dance the dances I learned. This was the experience of a lifetime. I knew going into it that I wasn't special Natalie (right) and the other CoS Trek participants were welcomed into the village. to the lives of the Senegalese, but I never expected them to be as special as they Awa. She spoke some English and a bit and when I would see little Juma, I are to me. They taught me the peace of of French along with the Wolof language would yell "JUMA" and point at both of appreciation and the energy of living in that is native to Senegal. She would show us. Then I would stick out my tongue the moment. So thank you, Senegal, my me some songs that she listened to on at her and strike a pose, and she would family in Mboyene, Awa, Juma, the 13 her phone or write me letters. copy me with this spunky little sass. We other sorority women I traveled with, Another little girl that had me did that the whole Trek. One time when our team, and thank you, Honey. wrapped around her finger was named we were waiting for the boys to wrestle, "Be Her Hero." Juma, which means "Friday." My host the leaders of the match began to play family gave me the name Juma as well, the drums, and we had a huge dance The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 41 Real. Strong. Woman. 42 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. AROUND THE WORLD IN 81 YEARS ELLIE FOX IS MAKING GOOD ON A LIFELONG PROMISE TO SEE THE WORLD. By Lauren Filippini (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor, in collaboration with Ellie Fox The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 43 Real. Strong. Woman. llie Fox was with a tour group visiting a park in North Korea, listening to a band playing. In her 70s at the time, she was enjoying the music when a North Korean general told her tour leader he wanted to dance with her. And she did. "But | swear that if he knew I was an American, he never would have asked me to dance with him," Ellie (Psi, The University of Oklahoma) says. "He thought | was British because was speaking English." Now 81 years old, Ellie has stories and holidays, the family would travel all choice." that could fill dozens of Lyre issues from over Europe, enjoying the sights. She and her sister Anne were initiated her travels quite literally around the Her family returned to the States, into Psi chapter in 1958. world. She made the decision and life and when the Korean War started, her "What is great is that my twin sister goal to see the whole world when she father's service was requested again. had the same feeling I did, that the Psi was a senior at Heidelberg American Because he was only three years from chapter members were the friendliest." High School in Heidelberg, Germany; retirement, he asked for a "peace After college, it was time to make Ellie graduated third in her class in June assignment" and was stationed in good on her worldwide promise, now 1955. To date she has visited all but one Heidelberg, Germany. Ellie completed with her husband Ed along for the ride. country. In fact, she would have visited tenth through twelfth grades at For years the couple would fly to a new every country in the world in November Heidelberg American High School. country, rent a car and visit all the main 2018 had her trip to Nicaragua not been Next was a stop back in the States cities and sites using their trusty Lonely canceled due to "political unrest." So the for junior college at City College of Planet travel books as their guide. quest continues. San Francisco, where she earned her Then in September 1990 Ed was Ellie's commitment to explore the Associate of Arts degree, and then her diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and whole world is more than 60 years old junior and senior years at The University could no longer drive and eventually, no and has roots that go back even further. of Oklahoma, where she received her longer travel. But Ellie was determined "I had a unique childhood," she states. Bachelor of Business Administration to continue her goal to see the whole Her father served during World War degree. There, she and her twin sister world and began to travel with tour II, fought all through Germany and Anne decided to join a sorority. companies. The organized tours and was the first Allied officer into Vienna, "We went to several sororities during guides provided her access and safety in Austria. Her family lived there from recruitment, and I really liked the the more unstable countries like North 1946 to 1949, and Ellie completed third Alpha Chis," she says. "I decided to join Korea. through fifth grade there. On vacation Alpha Chi Omega as that was my first On a trip to Iraq, during which her 44 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. O group had armed guards with them at all times, having a guide was invaluable. One evening in Baghdad, they were supposed to go to a restaurant for dinner, but their tour guide told them they would stay in the hotel for dinner, because there had been a bombing at a restaurant that afternoon and he didn't want to take them out where it would be unsafe. Ellie chooses to tour with only companies that take small groups. Because she joins these trips not knowing anyone, she finds it more enjoyable to have a small group of traveling companions that she can get to know over meals and while sightseeing. She's even found herself traveling with some of the same people on multiple trips, their love of travel connecting them time and time again. Ellie has been averaging five to six trips a year in her quest to see the world. She is currently using her eighth passport. "For my last four passports, I had extra pages added. But they don't add extra pages anymore. When you fill your passport up, you have to get a new one. I have only five pages left in this one and it doesn't expire until June 2026." A problem many world travelers run into is language barriers. It can be difficult to connect with the locals when you can't communicate verbally with them. Ellie has found a unique way to overcome this: playing duplicate bridge. "Bridge is a fabulous game, and it's played all over the world." She is a member of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and is a Ruby Life Master with 1638.12 masterpoints. She plays bridge four times a week in her home city of Fort Myers, Florida. When she had to close her successful real estate company to care for her husband, she asked herself, "What am I going to do with all this free time?" The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 45 Real. Strong. Woman. The answer was bridge. She took methods." The card allows her to South Africa and Bogotá, Colombia, a beginner's class; six weeks later she understand her new partner's playing where she and her partners placed first played her first sanctioned game and style. in regular games. won 0.25 masterpoints. She joined the Ellie explains that you don't have to She also recalls her most expensive ACBL immediately. share a language with your partner or game in Moscow, Russia, which included "From that day on, I've been hooked opponents to play bridge, as the bidding a $16 entry fee (compared to a $5 entry on bridge," she says. is done with bidding boxes. This allows fee for the games in Fort Myers). With Ellie has played bridge in 13 countries the players to make their bids with the taxi rides to the bridge game and outside the U.S. When she knows her bidding cards so there is no talking out back to the hotel, plus $8 for a cup of tea, tour schedule in a new country, she loud. She recalls that only once have the her game in Moscow cost $194. But she researches bridge games and finds one bidding cards not been in English. was able to check "play bridge in Russia" at night so she can devote the daytime "In Marrakesh, Morocco the cards off her list, SO she found it well worth it. hours to sightseeing. She'll email the and bidding boxes were in French," she "Travel and bridge are my two main game organizer and request a partner. explains. "But once I got the playing passions in life," she says, "and I am just When she arrives at the game and meets cards and bidding cards into my grateful that I can do both." her partner, they fill out a convention thinking, I had no trouble playing in After seeing nearly every country card - which the ACBL explains is "a French." Ellie cannot say what her favorite is. card that shows the conventions you Some of Ellie's favorite international "I'm asked that a lot. There's always use along with your general approach games have been in Islamabad, Pakistan, good and bad in each country, but the to bidding and goes into detail about where she and her partner came in first country that intrigues me the most is your offensive and defensive bidding in a tournament, and in Cape Town, China," she says, citing the marvels that Ellie Fox has one country and 13 territories left to see. Here's where she'll visit and how far from her home of Fort Myers she'll travel to get there. Faroe Islands 4,121 mi Srpska 5,401 mi Nakhchivan St. Pierre and 6,790 mi Miquelon Jeju Island 1,971 7,879 mi Sharjah Ras Al Khaimah 7,850 mi 7,857 mi Nicaragua Margarita Island 1,042 mi Hainan Island Nauru 1,591 mi 9,142 mi 7,534 mi Kiribati Diego Garcia 6,126 mi 10,279 mi Bouvey Island 7,509 mi 46 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. O IRAZIL 1.11.2017 08 ALEÃO was in the wrong line and there was a Of Korea partition to the right with a sign above it that said, 'Women Only." Also in Saudi Arabia, her tour group was not allowed to even drive through Mecca and Medina because they weren't Muslim. 07-20-17 Ellie states that an interesting SPAIN fact about North Korea is that every child from the age of two is required TURKIYE CUMHURIYET GERMANY to learn a performing art. The tour BERLIN included a show, and they saw amazing 20/08/2017 performances by children aged four to BER six, singing, dancing, playing the piano and violin, etc. With all the diverse cultures she's experienced, one thing remains the same after each trip. "The thing that's always true is when I come back to the States, I'm always glad to be an American," she says. "We have freedom, we can go where we want, were created without modern tools like live where we want, eat what we want. the Terracotta Warriors and the Great It's such a great feeling to come back Wall of China. "There are over 8,000 and be proud and happy that you are an Terracotta Warriors, all hand carved, and American." no two faces are alike." Ellie's longtime goal to see the world But it's an easy answer to where she is nearly complete. Though her trip to has no desire to return to: "Somalia is her last remaining country of Nicaragua "IT'S SUCH very dangerous as you can be kidnapped was canceled last year, she has already there and held for ransom." Ellie says she rebooked it for this November. A GREAT "flew into the capital Mogadishu from Ellie belongs to the Travelers' Century Djibouti, spent one hour in the airport Club, which has 327 countries and and then flew back to Djibouti." FEELING TO territories on their list of places to visit Ellie's worldwide travels have allowed to see the whole world. She has been to her to learn about other cultures and 313 of these countries and territories. COME BACK traditions. For example, when she Along with Nicaragua, she still needs landed in Saudi Arabia, her tour leader to visit Kiribati, Nauru, St. Pierre and AND BE instructed her to immediately don Miquelon, Margarita Island, Faroe a black abaya, the garment worn by Islands, Srpska, Bouvet Island, Ras Al Muslim women that covers the whole Khaimah, Sharjah, Diego Garcia, Hainan PROUD AND body except the head, feet and hands. Island, Jeju Island and Nakhchivan. Then in the capital of Riyadh, she And what will she do once her goal HAPPY THAT learned the policy of separating men and more than 60 years later is fulfilled? women in public places. She was waiting "I've already been to every state in the at a mall kiosk for lunch, and the man Union," she says. She recently bought the YOU ARE AN behind her in line said, "Madam, you are book 1000 Places to See in the United States not allowed here." and Canada Before You Die and plans to AMERICAN.' "He then pointed to a sign above us visit all the places listed in the lower 48 that said 'Men Only," she explains. "I states and play bridge along the way. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 47 Real. Strong. Woman. ALPHA CHI PRIDE - WORLDWIDE THEY MAY NOT HAVE TRAVELED TO EVERY COUNTRY LIKE ELLIE FOX, BUT THESE SISTERS ARE SHARING THEIR LOVE FOR ALPHA CHI OMEGA ACROSS THE U.S. AND OVERSEAS! OUTHERNMOST POINT CONTINENTAL Just a few months after meeting on their bid day, Clovie Knowles (Gamma Epsilon, Oklahoma State Taking a break from the "study" part of their study Jenna Maggiolo (left, Delta Omega, University of University) reached new heights when she hiked abroad term in Bishkek, Kygyrsztan, big and little Kentucky) and her Alpha Chi Omega twin Alyssa through Hawksbill Crag National Park in Arkansas. sisters Ashley Martinez (right) and Lois Oxley took Erickson traveled to the southernmost point in the to the heights for a snowboarding adventure. United States. Years ago, three Alpha Chi Omegas from different chapters met in Sacramento. Their careers took them apart - coast to coast and even to Berlin - but when their beloved Oakland Raiders played a game lph Ohi om in London, they turned it into a reunion trip! (Left to right) Lisa Johnson (Epsilon Kappa, California State University, Fullerton), Kelly Burger (Alpha Chi, Butler University) Kappa Rho (University of North Carolina at Stephanie Cohen celebrated her chapter's bid day from Sweden; her Charlotte) big and little sisters Kristie Jacobs (right) (Theta Pi, University of sisters even made sure she had the matching bid and Courtney Luther took their Alpha Chi pride to California, Davis) and day sweatshirt! the top of the London Eye. Jia-Yi Lin (Beta Lambda, University of Arizona) 48 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Volunteer Spotlight Jill Bowen Stuart Epsilon (University of Southern California) Chapter advisor for Epsilon chapter " Alpha Chi Omega is a lifetime of friendships and connections that extend far beyond the college years. My commitment to volunteering has introduced me to so many wonderful sisters across the nation, and it has been a very rewarding experience working with the collegians at Epsilon. Being a volunteer is the best gift you can give. " What do you do in your volunteer role? quiet house with my husband Chip and As chapter advisor, I work very closely our dog Summer. My current goal is to with the chapter, executive board, tackle the project list that grew over the advisory board, house corporation years and do a few things for myself like board, parent club and house director. pilates, take walks along the beach with We work as a team to provide support my girlfriends, needle point and learn and guidance to the chapter. And we mahjong. have a lot of fun along the way! USC What is your favorite Alpha Chi Omega How did you become involved as an memory as an alumna? Alpha Chi Omega volunteer? Attending the 120th anniversary for Several years ago I decided to expand USC Epsilon was a highlight for me. The my volunteer activities to include ballroom was filled sisters I had not something that meant a lot to me at my for them to see how someone who seen since college, and I met wonderful alma mater, USC. I was the Panhellenic has given back to an organization can women spanning all generations. It was rush chair as a collegian, and I always impact their life. at this event that I truly realized the loved the process, SO I decided to lifelong bond of sisterhood. volunteer at the Epsilon chapter during Who is an Alpha Chi Omega role model recruitment. I was quickly impacted by that you look up to? Why should alumnae become volunteers? the energy of college women and the My chapter advisor as a collegian, Mary I love the saying "time, talent and excitement of welcoming new sisters Davids (Chi, Oregon State University), treasure." There is a way for every into the chapter. Since I had such a has been my role model at AXO. I have alumna to volunteer and contribute to great time, I expressed an interest in such fond memories of her at Monday AXO. All ways are equally important becoming more involved as an advisor, night dinners and chapter meetings, and they benefit the chapters, the and here I am today. and I loved how she interacted with the Foundation and the Panhellenic women and always seemed interested community. Why is volunteering with Alpha Chi in getting to know them. I am fortunate Omega important? that Mary still volunteers at Epsilon and I believe the best gift you can give is a great resource for me. For more information about is your time. College students are becoming a volunteer, visit the very impressionable, and they look What keeps your Monday through Friday Alumnae page on the Alpha Chi to mentors as they learn to navigate busy? life. I love getting to know the young Omega website and select I am recently an empty nester with women and interacting with them on a three boys in college, my youngest "Volunteers" from the side menu. daily basis. I also think it is important being twins. So I am adjusting to a The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 49 D Accomplished Alumnae Building Named for AXQ Barbara Curtis Miller's late husband, Joseph, always told her "the bigger the dream, the bigger the dream come true." One dream of Miller's (Beta Eta, Florida State University) has come true in ways she could not have imagined, as the automotive training center at Seminole State College of Florida - for which Miller led the fundraising campaign - was named in her honor. For over 30 years, Miller has been a champion of the top-ranked automotive training program at Seminole State College of Florida. In 1988, after leaving FSU and 20 years of legal experience, she became the executive vice president of the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association (CFADA), a nonprofit automotive trade association. At the time, she was one of only five The automotive training center, awaiting the Howat, chairman of Seminole State's women among the Automotive Trade sign for the newly renamed Barbara Miller Board of Trustees. "Her vision of our Association Executives (ATAE) in the CFADA Automotive Training Center college's future and importance to US and Canada. the community, combined with her Starting in 1996, Miller successfully determination to fight for our students led the campaign to raise $2.5 million and the resources they need to succeed, to replace Seminole State's outdated has in great part brought us to where we buildings with a new automotive are today. We are eternally grateful and training center. The 55,000-square-foot see no honor more fitting than renaming automotive training center opened the automotive center that would not be in January 2007 and features five standing today without her." high-tech classrooms, a shop with 40 "It is an honor I never dreamed of," bays, a 2,000-square-foot showroom Miller says. "It's all about a team effort. and CFADA corporate offices. Miller You have a vision and see the vision served on the College Foundation's become reality. I'm SO happy that I've Board of Directors for 13 years, with been part of a team that has touched SO the distinction of serving as the first many lives in our community." female chair. In 2018, the college's Board Miller is a founding member of of Trustees unanimously approved Gamma Upsilon Gamma (Orlando, renaming the automotive training center Florida) alumnae chapter and remains the "Barbara Miller CFADA Automotive active today. She and her Beta Eta little Training Center" in honor of her long- sister Lanny Harris Skelly return to FSU term efforts on behalf of the program. each year to twirl in the alumni band "Barbara Miller has been one of our and visit the current collegiate members greatest voices of support at Seminole at the Beta Eta house. State for the past 30 years," says Scott Barbara Miller 50 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre LphaChiOn STANFORD STANFORD Chi Omega OlohaChiOmeya STANFORD alphachiomega.org/recommend Know someone who would make a great sister? As a member of Alpha Chi Omega, you are our best resource for helping recruit real, strong women into our sisterhood. If you know an outstanding young woman who plans to participate in recruitment on her campus, be sure to take advantage of our convenient online recommendation form to let the chapter know. Visit alphachiomega.org/recommend to create and submit a recruitment other resources to discover what's new with recruitment! recommendation form. While you're there, view our helpful videos, FAQs and Alumna Initiate Spotlight Completing Her Journey to AXQ By Dena Norrod (Delta Zeta, Central Michigan University), Assistant Director of Lifetime Engagement Anisa (right) with fellow alumna initiate Calla McCulley nisa Riddell's path to Alpha Chi Omega and was instantly the years that many of these women A membership in Alpha drawn to the women there. happened to be Alpha Chi Omega Chi Omega reads like a Riddell received a bid from Alpha Chi members. Even her best friend Jennifer missed connection story Omega; however, after conversations Riso (Epsilon Omega, Cal Poly, San Luis that finally was completed with her parents, they convinced her that Obispo) had joined Alpha Chi Omega! when she was initiated at the 60th focusing on her academics would be a The two have been friends since they National Convention in Austin, Texas, better use of her time. It was a decision were 15, and it was Riso who first shared on June 29, 2018. Her story started in that she came to regret; she explained with Riddell about the National Alumna 1993 when she was an undergraduate she was yearning for a community that Initiate Program. student at California State University, she hadn't found elsewhere and could After she spent some time Fullerton. Her roommate was attending have had in Alpha Chi Omega. researching the program, Riddell recruitment, SO Riddell went along with After graduation, Riddell grew close realized that "you are who you surround her. It was then that she first visited to a group of women and learned over yourself with" and decided she had There are truly no words to describe the feeling of being surrounded by so many women who are connected by the same fundamental beliefs and Teenaged Anisa Riddell (right) with Jennifer values." Riso, now sisters in the bond 52 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Alumna Initiate Spotlight O to finally become a member of the organization that had been a subtle part of her life all these years. She submitted her application, was interviewed by the National Alumna Initiate Panel and completed an education process with a volunteer that finished upon her passing her initiation exam. At the 2018 National Convention, Riso was right by Riddell's side during her special initiation ceremony. Their shared Alpha Chi Omega membership has strengthened the already strong connection that the two have had over the years. "It has cemented our friendship into official family status," Riddell adds. Not only did Riddell participate in the initiation ceremony, she attended many of the sessions during the convention weekend. "There are truly no words to describe the feeling of being surrounded by so many women who are connected by the same fundamental beliefs and values," she says of her convention experience. "I was SO inspired by the wonderful women that I met." 55 Being a lifetime member of Alpha Chi Omega has brought the sense of community that Riddell had been yearning for all this time. She adds that it is "almost unimaginable" to finally feel ANISA like she is home. ALUMNA INITIATE Anisa enjoying convention after her initiation To learn about the National Alumna Initiate Prog visit the Alumnae page on the Alpha Chi Omega website and select "Alumna Initiate Program" on the left. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org D His Side of the Story 73 USC Photo by USC Athletics A USC Friendship and an AXQ Connection By Lauren Filippini (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor EPSILON PARTY CENTRAL After Janice Moser Dyer lost her three- year battle with breast cancer in August 2018, many Alpha Chi Omegas mourned her loss and remembered her with fond memories - her Epsilon (University of Southern California) sisters, the collegians at Epsilon chapter with whom she worked as a local house corporation board director and the numerous women she volunteered alongside. Also honoring her memory was a man with a special connection to Dyer and a new connection to Alpha Chi Omega - head coach of the USC Trojan football team, Clay Helton. Jan Dyer was arguably one of the Trojans' biggest fans, a season ticket holder for years. She met Helton at an Jan (front and center) celebrating with Epsilon sisters at a past convention 54 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre His Side of the Story relationships in your life," Helton told ESPN after her death. "They may be brief, but those relationships are SO special, SO beautiful, and I told her that this relationship will carry on for a long, long time, maybe not face to face, but in my heart." In October, the Epsilon chapter decided to honor the coach who had supported their sister throughout her battle. At a session of Monday Morning Quarterback, a weekly program to discuss the previous Trojan game, chapter members and alumnae gathered to make Helton a member of the Order of the Red Carnation, an honor reserved for those men who support Alpha Chi Omega. "We presented Coach Helton with the pin of Hermes in a surprise ceremony, where he told the crowd how he was incredibly touched with the honor," Liz Hannan, Epsilon chapter president, said. "Speaking to us following the Q&A session, he told of how important the presentation was to him, tearing up slightly as he shared that he would place Jan at a USC football game with band member Stephanie Graves (Epsilon) the certificate and pin next to a photo of Jan taken on the football field of the Los alumni dinner and, as she told Sports Knowing her health was declining, Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which he Illustrated, she said to him, "I'm fighting Helton and his wife Angela were able to has on his desk." with cancer and I'm counting on you." visit Dyer in the hospital two days before Hannan added, "Coach Helton is Helton, whose wife is a breast cancer her passing, just as the 2018 college deserving of this meaningful recognition survivor, shared his cell phone number, football season was beginning. from Alpha Chi Omega, and we know Jan and the pair traded texts and calls "Sometimes the good Lord puts would have been glad for him to receive it." during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with the team's victories providing Dyer the morale boosts to keep fighting. The coach Coach Helton with Alpha Chi Omega collegians and alumnae at Monday Morning Quarterback even set her up in his suite SO she could make it back to a game during her intense treatments. Along with the USC football wins, Helton's dedication to Jan was instrumental in her fight. In an ESPN interview, she told Helton, "You have made the past three years bearable." To which Helton responded, "You're beautiful" with a kiss on the cheek. The friendship was meaningful to Helton as well. He told ESPN, "Even in the darkest times, you can provide light to people. And she's provided the light to me." The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 55 Business The National Panhellenic Conference's New Governance Structure At the October 2018 NPC Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors made a historic change in approving revised PC NPC NPC NPC NPC governing documents to develop a new organizational and governance structure for the NPC. This change will allow NP NPC the conference to be more nimble and responsive to the most pressing challenges facing students, campus partners and the greater Panhellenic community. In a press release from NPC, Chairman Carole Jones explained, "The challenges facing students on campus today are more complex and require robust engagement from the professionals that serve the Panhellenic community. Our ability to lead and effectively partner with our campus- based colleagues demands we equip ourselves as a stronger, more strategic ally." "The Panhellenic community is increasingly looking to us as a resource and a convener," NPC CEO Dani Weatherford said in the release. "Our new organizational structure reflects our desire to further expand our capacity to serve such a role, and to do SO in partnership with campus officials and Alpha Chi Omega collegians who serve as Panhellenic officers on their other like-minded individuals and campuses attended NPC's College Panhellenic Academy in January. Their organizations who share our values." class will be the first benefitting from the new structure. The new NPC governance structure will consist of two parts: appointed director during its A Council of Delegates, on which turn in the rotation, or may have will sit one representative from an elected director should the NPC each of the 26 NPC member Council of Delegates choose. organizations. In this model, For the first year of the new structure, national panhellenic conference Alpha Chi Omega will have one National President Angela Costley seat on the Council of Delegates. Harris will serve as our representative to Rutgers University) and Amy Zoldak A Board of Directors, which will the Council of Delegates. They will meet (Zeta Upsilon, Case Western Reserve include five members elected in May to appoint and elect the Board University), who will be point persons by the Council of Delegates and of Directors, who will assume office on for campus-based information from two members appointed on a July 1. volunteers or NPC. Volunteer area rotational basis between all member We will also be supported by two advisors will serve as well. organizations. In this model, volunteer chief Panhellenic officers, We are excited to be part of this Alpha Chi Omega will have an Leslie Abramsky Block (Theta Tau, historic change for the sorority industry! 56 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre Business O Previous NPC Structure New NPC Structure One Board of Directors of 26 women, one from each of One Council of Delegates, with one delegate the NPC's member organizations, who were responsible for selected by each of the 26 member organizations, who are sharing their organization's voice in the NPC; supported by responsible for Conference membership and Panhellenic alternate delegates from each organization policies Delegate 2nd Alternate Delegate 1st Alternate 3rd Alternate (times 26) (times 26) One Executive Committee of five women, who were One Board of Directors of seven women, who are responsible for carrying out NPC's vision, mission and responsible for overseeing the affairs of NPC, including values: corporate policy, strategic direction and organizational performance: one chairman, who rotated between each of the two directors appointed on rotation member organizations every two years through the member organizations one vice chairman and five directors elected by three area chairmen the Council of Delegates *The NPC chairman is elected from these seven by the Council of Delegates The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 57 Archives A Composer Leaves Her Mark By Lauren Filippini (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor "Fight, fight, fight for Washington State! Win the victory! Win the day for Crimson and Gray!" Our Omega chapter sisters at Washington State University will recognize these opening words to their alma mater's fight song, published 100 years ago this February. But how many of them know what that song has in common with this: "Alpha Chi Omega, we will sing to thee. Sisters true and loyal we will ever be. Alpha Chi Omega with thy golden lyre respond to thine own true daughters loyal in the bond!" These words are the chorus of the song "In Praise of Alpha Chi Omega." The Gamma chapter class of 1916; Phyllis Sayles is the first member in the second row. Both this Alpha Chi traditional tune and the Washington State fight song It is being featured in an exhibit at was to designate composers and were composed by Phyllis Sayles WSU's libraries through April. writers only by chapter name. In Davis. Past issues of The Lyre report that the seventh edition of our songbook Davis was initiated into the Gamma Davis also compiled the Northwestern published in 1918, "In Praise of chapter at Northwestern University University songbook in 1917 and the Alpha Chi Omega" appeared again, in 1915 and later transferred to what Washington State College songbook in along with the song "Alpha Chi," was then called Washington State 1919. She and three other Alpha Chi composed by "Gamma." Alpha Chi College, where she affiliated with the Omegas were some of the founding Omega's archivist Vicky Harrison Omega chapter. A music major, Davis members of the college's chapter of suggests Davis could have been the teamed up with Zella Melcher on the the Mu Phi Epsilon honorary music composer of this convention favorite fight song - a senior class project - in fraternity, which held its installation song. With many other songs in our an effort to bring more spirit to the ceremony at the WSU Alpha Chi early songbooks composed by Gamma post-World War I campus, explained Omega chapter house. women, it's a fair guess that Davis was University Archivist Mark O'English Davis shared her composition behind a few. to The Daily Evergreen university skills well with Alpha Chi Omega. Davis passed away in 1971. Her newspaper. Along with "In Praise of Alpha Chi legacy lives on in the songs of her alma Davis composed the music, and Omega," which was published in the mater and her sorority. with Melcher's words, the song was fifth edition of our songbook and is "Alpha Chi, how we love thy name. published in the newspaper in 1919. directly attributed to her, she may have Alpha Chi, thou art ever and always the The song has become well-known helped with other songs dear to our same to those who love thee and have across the country and holds a special sisterhood. felt thy spell. Alpha Chi, we love thee, place in the hearts of WSU alumni. An early tradition in our songbooks we love thee well." 58 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre In Praise of Alpha Chi Omega Words by Music by JANE WOOD, Lambda PHYLLIS SAYLES, Gamma Lively The first page of Davis' Hon - or, praise and glo - ry, dear old Al pha Chi score from Sing un - to the Ly - re, em - blem of our queen the seventh edition of Songs of Alpha Chi Omega. Ev - er may she flour - ish on her throne so high Flow - ers red and smi - lax green we bring to thee May her own fair daugh-ters ev - er ren der praise As we stand to - geth - er, hand to hand, heart to heart May they ev - er hon - or her with joy ful lays Sing a song to Al - pha, Sis -- ters, ere we part W sisters mentors mentees friends Participating in a mentoring program is an effective way 96% of mentees are able to develop new skills, achieve goals and identify areas for to apply their learning growth. A good mentoring relationship is mutually beneficial directly to their for both the mentor and the mentee and, especially for the careers. mentee, can predict career success. 67% of women who said One of the core tenets of Alpha Chi Omega is wisdom, which that they have never been a is woven throughout our sisterhood. We strive to grow in wisdom and impart our wisdom on to other women. mentor said that it's because Our collegians and alumnae have also expressed a need for no one ever asked. connection and opportunities to give back to Alpha Chi Omega in meaningful ways that are interactive, engaging, 60% of college and flexible and time-finite. graduate students list mentoring as a job criterion. Enter Women & Wisdom, AXO www.alphachiomega.org/womenandwisdom AXO Connect O 1 3 collegiate notes 1 Kappa Phi (Loyola Marymount University) 2 Alpha Pi (University of North Dakota) 3 Kappa Chi (Florida Gulf Coast University) The beautiful weather of Los Angeles At the university's 2018 Greek Awards The chapter invited the Delta Pi Delta made for the perfect photo-op with the Ceremony, the Alpha Pi chapter received (Naples, Florida) alumnae chapter women of the Kappa Phi chapter. the Excellence in Leadership Development for a Thanksgiving dessert gathering. Award, Excellence in Citizenship Award The women sported shirts that said and the highest honor a chapter can "SistersGiving" to commemorate the new receive, the President's Award of Greek event. Excellence. Also receiving individual awards were (left to right) Lauren Cain (Future Greek Leader Award), Hannah Hasbargen (Outstanding Chapter President Award) and Maria Wallenhorst (Gordon Henry Award). The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 61 AXO Connect Chi P REAL WOMAN 4 5 IRIS SESSION Friend DM ALPHA CHI 6 4 Theta lota (Baylor University) 5 Alpha Chi (Butler University) 7 Alpha Upsilon A red and green bid day was the perfect The cold weather couldn't stop the (The University of Alabama) way to welcome new members home to Alpha Chi chapter's excitement to share Collegians (left to right) Caroline Wigley, the Theta lota chapter. their sisterhood with new members on Haley Cotton and Allie Coogler joined bid day. Marsha Grady, chief development officer and Past National President, at the 6 Delta (Allegheny College) Lean On: Alabama Women's Summit New members celebrated the start of their in February. Grady serves as the vice Alpha Chi journey at the Delta chapter. president of the organization, and Coogler was a facilitator during the event. AXQ Connect O 915 Alpha Chl Omega Alpha Chi 8 9 Go Bananzs ALPHACHIA 10 11 8 Alpha Lambda (University of Minnesota) 9 lota Psi (Elon University) 11 Kappa Nu (Carnegie Mellon University) The Alpha Lambda chapter welcomed Lifetime members celebrated with their There's nothing like sisters to keep you home a new class of real, strong women new members on the lota Psi bid day. warm in the snow! during spring recruitment. 10 lota Rho (Loyola University Chicago) lota Rho members couldn't wait to meet their new sisters on bid day. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 63 AXQ Connect VICT 1 2 3 alumnae notes 1 Beta Zeta Beta (Houston, Texas) 2 Alpha Epsilon Alpha (Washington, DC) 3 lota Chi (Middle Tennessee State Members of the alumnae chapter attended Members of the alumnae chapter took University) Alumnae the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic a pie-making class just in time for For Amanda Hanks Gehringer's wedding Foundation Wine Tasting in October. Joni Thanksgiving. in July 2018, her bridesmaids - all chapter Stewart Landon (Alpha Eta, University sisters - affixed their Alpha Chi Omega of Mount Union, fifth from left) and her badges to their bouquets before walking husband were guests of honor. down the aisle. 64 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre AXQ Connect O Holidays HEATHERDOWNS country club 4 5 6 4 Zeta lota Zeta (Charlotte, North Carolina) 5 Beta Phi Beta (Toledo, Ohio) 6 Gamma Theta Gamma (Los Angeles, The chapter held its annual fall event to Members of the alumnae chapter hosted a California) make Thanksgiving baskets for the Safe holiday brunch for the collegians of Beta Chapter members enjoyed a potluck Alliance women's shelter. Phi (Bowling Green State University) and dinner and a "steal the gift" activity at their Beta Omega (The University of Toledo) annual holiday party. chapters. The alumnae also put together baskets of treats to power the collegians through their final exam weeks. 7 Founder's Day 8 7 Delta Pi Delta (Naples, Florida) 8 Florida Sisters 9 Mu Mu (Kansas City, Missouri) At their holiday luncheon, the women of Delta Sigma Delta (St. Petersburg, Florida) The chapter gathered for its annual cookie Delta Pi Delta collected gifts and donations celebrated Founders' Day by inviting exchange and holiday trivia contest and for The Shelter for Abused Women & members of Gamma Phi Gamma (Tampa, collected donations for the Rose Brooks Children. Florida), Eta Sigma Eta (Clearwater, Center. Along with Greater Kansas Florida) and Gamma Pi (University of Alumnae Panhellenic chapters, Mu Mu Tampa) to join in a brunch. was able to raise more than $600 for the shelter. 66 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre 11 10 12 13 10 Beta Kappa Beta (Dallas, Texas) 12 Beta Omicron Beta (Miami, Florida) 13 Eta Sigma Eta (Clearwater, Florida) On December 6, chapter members took Sheri Shoup (Alpha Phi, The University Sisters of Eta Sigma Eta hosted their a bus tour through holiday lights in of Texas at Austin) hosted members of the annual holiday party at Haven House, Highland Park, Texas. alumnae chapter at her home for a holiday a women's shelter in Pinellas County, dinner. Florida. Chapter members sponsored 11 Gamma Chi Gamma (Northwest nine mothers and 24 children to provide Suburban Illinois) them gifts for the holidays. They also ran Sisters of Gamma Chi Gamma gathered craft and cookie decorating stations - and for a holiday celebration, bringing along arranged a visit from Santa! their loyal "Alpha Chi Guys" too! The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 67 14 16 15 14 60-Year Pin 15 75-Year Pin 16 75-Year Pin Thomasine Morris (Gamma Omega, Alice Knoble Jacobs Driver (Beta Phi, The Alpha Omega Alpha (Detroit, University of Miami, right) received her Bowling Green State University, seated in Michigan) chapter presented Evaline 60-year pin from her little sister Zoe center) received her 75-year pin from the Whaley Calhoun with her 75-year pin. Helmuth Sicking. Morris was a founding Delta Pi Delta (Naples, Florida) chapter, Even more special is that chapter president member of the chapter, and the pair have all dressed in red for their holiday party. Heather Hall (back right) is the great-niece remained close friends over the last six Forty-five members and guests attended of Calhoun and could be present for the decades. the event. ceremony. She shared that Calhoun still has her college journals, one of which mentions that she and her friends were "on cloud nine at pledging Alpha Chi Omega." 68 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre AXQ Connect O 1 AXO AXO Celebrating of Sisterhood 2 reunions 1 Gamma (Northwestern University) 2 Epsilon Kappa (California State University, Alumnae Fullerton) Anniversary Coinciding with their 50th reunion at As part of a weekend of festivities to Northwestern, Gamma sisters celebrated celebrate the chapter's 50th anniversary their decades of Alpha Chi Omega in 2018, Epsilon Kappa sisters of all membership with dinner, a football game ages gathered for a gala. Photo by and an open house visit of the Gamma allure:ventures. chapter facility. "We spent four years of our lives together and had no trouble reconnecting," Pam Stone Eagleson (bottom left) said. "College and sorority life has changed over the past five decades. It is reassuring to see Alpha Chi Omega providing experiences to support the growth of its members into real, strong women." The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 69 3 COUGAR 4 3 Delta Tau (Minnesota State University, 4 Omega (Washington State University) Mankato) Alumnae Alumnae Eight sisters from member classes in the A Washington State University football 1980s reunited in early December at the game brought 18 sisters from the 1988-91 Radisson Blu Mall of America to catch member classes together in California. up and kick off the holiday season. 70 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre 2 RUNNING WITH OUR EYES CLOSED Mel Greenberg 1 3 accolades 1 Alpha Zeta (Washington University in 2 Alpha Zeta (Washington University in 3 Alpha Phi (The University of Texas at Saint Louis) Alumna Saint Louis) Alumna Austin) Alumna Mel Greenberg has published her first Beth Maser was appointed president of In November, Beverly Taylor was inducted novel, Running with our Eyes Closed. It is History Associates, a historical research into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame Class the first installment of a series following company dedicated to researching and of 2018. She was honored for her great Samantha, a recent empty-nester who writing histories, managing historical impact in the lives of those in the Houston finds out her husband has his own secrets content and crating education experiences. community by serving through tennis. She that will redefine the perfect life she She will guide the company in focusing has spent countless hours volunteering thought she had. on digital history and strengthening its at tennis tournaments, and her dedicated innovative approaches. leadership has resulted in tremendous improvement in free youth tennis and education programs to thousands of low-income youth in the Houston area. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 71 In Memoriam Alpha Chi (Butler University) Name, Initiation Year, Month and Year of Death Marabelle Roof Derr, 1937, December 2018 Alpha Psi (UCLA) Gamma (Northwestern University) Ann Hartig Hannig, 1942, September 2018 Donna Marquardt Core, 1953, December 2018 Beta Gamma (Louisiana State University) Betty Hite Guier, 1949, December 2012 Lily Gatzke Carrigan, 1945, January 2019 Epsilon (University of Southern Beta Zeta (Whitman College) California) Pauline Fargher Ernst, 1945, October 2018 Nancy Brockow Polimer, 1951, September It is the responsibility of 2018 every Alpha Chi Omega Beta Eta (Florida State University) to see that the lyre badge Mildred Register Meixsell, 1929, December Eta (Bucknell University) she wears is protected and 1999 Margaret Bortz Andrews, 1937, November never in the possession of Pauline Marie Register, 1929, May 2007 2018 a non-member. Badges of Beta Xi (Utah State University) lota (University of Illinois at Urbana- members who have passed Joyce Johnson Cardon, 1939, April 2006 Champaign) may be bequeathed to Carolyn Cardon Packard, 1940, June 2002 Mary Jean Ralph Hagen, 1948, December another Alpha Chi Omega or 2018 returned to headquarters. A Beta Omicron (Florida Southern College) badge should never be sold Nona Johnson Rawls, 1937, February 2013 Nu (University of Colorado Boulder) Beverly Carson Brewer, 1944, November by any means. For further Beta Phi (Bowling Green State University) 2018 information, please contact Larrilee Carrington Rich, 1950, June 2017 Ilamae Olson Watters, 1944, December headquarters at 2018 317-579-5050. Beta Chi (Willamette University) Doris Kimble Tillotson, 1947, March 2018 Omicron (Baker University) Betty Hunley Carlyon, 1946, June 2018 Beta Omega (The University of Toledo) Eunice Johnson McCaulie, 1941, March Alpha lota (University of Vermont) Ramona Ford Jenkins, 1967, October 2018 2015 Audrey Hutchins Bickford, 1945, November Barbara Haddad Sahley, 1953, January 2019 2018 Pi (University of California, Berkeley) Ann Hawks Lackey, 1952, December 2018 Gamma Delta (University of Denver) Claire Hollingsworth Burt, 1947, October 2018 Erna Hon Pyle, 1947, December 2018 Alpha Kappa (University of Oregon) Sigma (University of Iowa) Susan Yeatman May, 1956, October 2018 Gamma Epsilon (Oklahoma State University) Jean Hunt Ogden, 1950, March 2018 Jacquelyn Sandberg Irby, 1947, November 2018 DeLores Pechman Wakefield, 1939, November Alpha Mu (Indiana University) 2018 Judith Ann Taylor, 1954, October 2017 Gamma lota (University of Florida) Patricia Haldeman Eyster, 1949, November Chi (Oregon State University) Alpha Rho (University of Idaho) 2018 Suzanne Michelson Stewart, 1943, November Mary Josephine Farley Bennett, 1938, 2018 November 2018 Epsilon Theta Barbara Kenagy Vance, 1939, October 2018 (California State University, Sacramento) Omega (Washington State University) Wendy Caron Wasserman-Kellogg, 1976, Marilyn Shields Matulich, 1951, February 2018 Alpha Sigma (Ohio Wesleyan University) September 2018 Emily Wendt Akerstrom, 1938, January 2019 Alpha Beta (Purdue University) Kathryn Blayney Upton, 1948, September 2018 Epsilon lota (University of Northern Iowa) Elizabeth Dilts Applegate, 1944, November Cindy Wiren Bartlett, 1970, December 2018 2018 Alpha Upsilon (The University of Alabama) Rhoda Crabill Hartsell, 1956, December 2012 Rosemary Woodham Bonifay, 1945, November Zeta Eta (Bradley University) 2018 Lisa Nesbit Carnes, 1983, August 2015 Alpha Delta (University of Cincinnati) Sally Goldsborough Lambert, 1971, November Lorie Heiser Patterson, 1982, April 2015 Jacqueline Kent Juenke, 1958, November 2018 2018 Virginia Culbertson Stephan, 1951, January Laura Kendrick Speaker, 1966, December 2017 Zeta Nu (Texas A&M University) 2019 Jeanette Ludwig Atkinson, 2002, April 2018 Zeta Omega (Western Carolina University) Barbara Bolinger Coulter, 1986, December 2018 72 Spring 2019 Il The Lyre ELL HALL 346 To Alpha Dhd Chi Pha Chi Omega Alph Ipha Chi Our New Chapter Welcome home to the women of our newest chapter at Northeastern University! The chapter will be installed in April. Photo by GreekYearbook The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 73 Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive U.S. Postage Indianapolis IN 46250-4343 PAID Bolingbrook, IL alphachiomega.org Permit N. 467 85 minutes SAVE THE DATE! Empowered women EMPOWER April 10, 2019 women #AXOempower DAY of GIVING 4.10.19 A day of Alpha Chi Omega celebration EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION through GIVING For more information, email foundatioh@alphachiomega.org