The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta - Spring 2010
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Transcript of The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta - Spring 2010
of Alpha Xi Delta
Celebrating the First Anniversary of our Partnership with Autism Speaks
Iota Omicron Chapter Installed at San Jose State
Four Chapters Enjoy New Housing
Sisters Receive Founders’ Memorial Scholarship
Spring 2010
Creature ComfortsSisters make a
living and a life
out of caring
for animals
Creature Comforts
Quill 0210.indd 1 3/8/10 3:57 PM
2 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Sisters,Alpha Xi Deltas improve the lives of others. We have focused this past year on the nature of our service to others, which our Ritual urges us to make a vital part of our lives. As we near the one-year anniversary of our national partnership
with Autism Speaks, I am so proud of how our Sisters have stepped up to the plate and embraced this initiative! In return, the folks at Au-tism Speaks have embraced Alpha Xi Delta and proven to be excellent partners as we work to fully understand the impact of autism spectrum disorders and to make a dif-ference in this struggle.
As we approach World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, both Alpha Xi Delta
and Autism Speaks remain enthusiastic and eager to see what the future holds. Alpha Xi Delta’s goal is that our members, both collegiate and alumnae, become increasingly involved in volunteering and fundraising for Autism Speaks, and work to improve the lives and futures of families struggling with au-tism spectrum disorders. In this way, we will prove an integral partner of Autism Speaks in helping it fulfill its mission, and we will honor both our Ritual and our Sisterhood.
This same sense of pride and honor will no doubt pervade our upcoming Founders’ Day celebrations, as Sisters across the country celebrate the 10 women who, recognizing that females in close relationships gain confidence, strength and courage from one another, gave breath to our beloved sorority and made possible the genuine, lifelong friendships we share. I encourage you to participate in a Founders’ Day event. I’ll be on the road
celebrating with our Sisters in Michigan! Have fun together, find inspiration in one another, cherish our bonds . . . and of course, begin planning that summer 2011 trip to Convention in Atlanta! And when Founders’ Day activities are over, please continue to celebrate our Sisterhood, and never miss a chance to share with others how Alpha Xi Delta has enriched your life.
We have, of course, also focused this school year on con-tinuing to attract the best and brightest women to Alpha Xi Delta, and we have so many fine new members as a result! This year’s formal recruitment efforts, including those this winter and spring, have thankfully remained relatively unaffected by the economic downturn as our college chapters have welcomed more than 1,900 new women into our Circle. The newest Sis-ters will be at Founders’ Day, proudly sporting their spiffy new Quill badges; be sure to let these women know how welcome they are!
If you’re seeking a more tangible way to help Alpha Xi Del-ta continue to inspire our members, whether young or more “seasoned,” please direct your attention to our “Be the Heart” alumnae dues program on page 38. This program is making a meaningful difference in helping us grow all our members into women who are confident and self-aware citizens, experienced in leadership roles and in meeting the need for social responsi-bility. Help us achieve Alpha Xi Delta’s vision and ensure that we continue for all time as an organization of women who im-prove the lives of others. Happy spring, Sisters!
Loyally,
Deanna DetchemendyNational President
Enriching Our Lives . . . And the Lives of Others
President’s LetterPresident’s LetterPresident’s Letter
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www.alphaxidelta.org 3
5 CreatureComforts Sisters offer comfort and compassion to finned and furry friends.
13 FieldofDreamsSister Jennifer Parrott Gatley shares the joys and challenges of parenting a child with autism.
14 WalkNowforAutismSpeaksSisters walk to raise funds for children and families in need.
27 IotaOmicronChapterInstalledMeet our newest Sisters at San Jose State University in California.
28 ElevenMinutesCanSaveaLifeSister Heather Brady Gallegos shares the importance of CPR training.
32 APlacetoCallHomeAuburn, Cornell, Dartmouth and West Georgia Sisters settle in at their new digs.
5
13
30
Contents
In Every Issue16 AutismSpeaksNews
18 MemberNews
24 Reunions
30 RealizeYourPotential
34 FoundationNews
36 ChapterEternal
39 LivingOurSymphony
On the CoverAnimal advocate Allie Phillips, Michigan State ’86, volunteers at King Street Cats inAlexandria,Virginia.Herfurryfriend,Jenna,isinneedofahomeafterJenna’sadoptivemombecameavictimofthefinancialdownturnandcouldnolongeraffordher.LearnmoreaboutAllie,KingStreetCatsandotherSisterswhocareforanimals,beginningonpage5.Photography by Michael Carpenter, Springfield, Virginia.
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4 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta is published three times per year in spring, summer and fall/winter by Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity®. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta8702 Founders Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Volume 107/Issue 1©2010 Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity;
all rights reserved.
Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity8702 Founders Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268317.872.3500
Submission DeadlinesSpring issue: December 1
Summer issue: April 1Fall/Winter issue: August 15
Submission ProceduresText and photographs may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Fraternity Headquarters address listed
above. Photographs submitted become the property of the Fraternity. Electronic photos
must be taken using the highest settings available on a camera that’s at least
3.2 megapixels.
Address/Name ChangesVisit www.alphaxidelta.org or mail changes to
8702 Founders Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268.
National Executive DirectorElysia Balster Gallivan, South Dakota ’93
Editor Ruth Goodman, Northern Iowa ’80
National Council 2009-11National President
Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Cal State Northridge ’83
National Vice PresidentsEvonne Carawan, North Carolina State ’83
Sandra Ellen Edwards, Kentucky ’75 Jennifer Emerick Kuntz, Northern Iowa ’92
Wendy Kurtz, Indiana ’90 Susan Eicher Mamber, Kent State ’77 Danica Vanasse Olson, Marquette ’90
The Mission of The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta:To inform, inspire and challenge.
To sustain and nurture membership loyalty and interest.
To recognize individual, group and Fraternity accomplishments.
To provide a forum for the exchange of information and opinion.
To be the permanent record of the Fraternity.
of Alpha Xi Delta
Letters
What Should I Send to The Quill?
I’m the new public relations vice presi-dent for Zeta Nu Chapter. I’m excited to share our chapter’s news and latest en-deavors with our alumnae. Are there cer-tain things I should write about?
Lauren Gardner
Miami Ohio ’09
Editor’s Note: Excellent question, Lau-ren. Many other Sisters want to know the same thing, especially when officers tran-sition. Consider the following topic areas: academic achievements/honors, alumnae outreach activities, chapter recognitions/honors, Autism Speaks fundraising and philanthropy service events, recruitment success, chapter anniversary celebrations or housing news. Provide as many details as possible, using the five W’s and one H: who, what, where, when, why and how.
Photos can really enhance your sub-mission. We were unable to use half of the photos submitted for this issue because the resolution was too low, so please keep these tips in mind.
DO• Set your camera for the largest image
size and highest resolution possible. You’ll get fewer photos on your cam-era’s memory card, but the image quality will be much, much better.
• Send photos as tif or jpg attachments that are at least 1 MB (megabyte) in size
• Use a digital camera that’s at least 3.2 megapixels
• Remove name tags• Avoid cluttered backgrounds (busy
draperies) and cluttered foregrounds (messy banquet tables)
• Get as close to your subject as possible
• Use a flash, if necessary, even out-doors
• Submit action/active/unusual shots instead of Sisters standing in lines
DON'T• Reduce the size or initial quality of
the image before emailing it • Send photos taken on a cell phone • Send photos taken from MySpace,
Facebook or any other website• Photocopy or print a digital photo on
your home printer and send it in the mail
• Send photos that show glasses or bottles that contain or look like they may contain alcoholic beverages
Almost Like Being There
Thank you for the terrific Convention cov-erage in the fall/winter Quill. I have missed very few Conventions during the past 30 years. Unfortunately, the 2009 Conven-tion in Denver was one I was unable to attend. However, thanks to the articles in The Quill, I feel as though I were there.
Kathy and Sam’s journal entries made each day come to life. All of the pictures captured the events they discussed. The broad-based, excellent coverage gave me the ability to experience our gathering of Sisters in a way that was almost as good as if I had been there. The only thing that was lacking was my ability to hug people!
Thanks for bringing what I missed to life in such a wonderful way.
Kim StarrKentucky ’79 Past National President
CorrectionThe “A ‘Big Loser’ Becomes a Big Winner” article in the fall/winter Quill should have listed Amy Hildreth Wolff as member of Zeta Nu Chapter, ’01, at Miami University in Ohio.
Letters
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www.alphaxidelta.org 5
Afterahardday,beinggreetedatthedoorwithabig,sloppykissfromafour-leggedfriendmakeseverythingbetter!Ourpetsloveusunconditionally,andtheymakeourhouseahome.
Someofusareluckyenoughtoworkwithfinned,featheredandfurrycritters.ComejoinusonouranimaladventureaswemeetSisterswhomakealiving–andalife–outofprovidingCreature Comforts.
StoriesbyRuthGoodman,Northern Iowa ’80, EditorofThe Quill
Creature Comforts
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6 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Life had not been good to little Oscar. His mother had abandoned him
shortly after birth. And his father? He took off right after Oscar’s mom got pregnant. This precious little soul prob-ably had brothers and sisters, but how many? And where were they? Oscar, the black-and-white kitty, was all alone.
Allie Phillips was grieving. Her cat, Chyna, had died suddenly, leaving her with a broken heart and empty arms. Was it too soon to bring another kitty into her life? And could a new pet ever be as wonderful as Chyna? Allie, Michigan State ’86, was all alone.
“I originally wanted to adopt two little girls (cats), but then I saw Oscar,” says Allie. “When I met him he was alone . . . and he kept grabbing for me. I could not stop thinking about him.” The next day Allie adopted him.
Allie and Oscar’s story is a happy one. Yet for every animal that finds a forever home, thousands more are euthanized, abandoned or sold for research. Allie, vice president of pub-lic policy for the American Humane Association, devotes herself to saving pets from these situations.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law, Allie uses her legal expertise to devel-op policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect animals and children from cruelty, abuse and neglect.
“I’ve always had an affinity for ani-mals,” admits Allie. “I grew up with a brown tabby cat named Michelle, and I remember sitting in my closet with her, reading Nancy Drew books. I also had several rabbits, all named Bugsey.”
When Allie was in her early 30s, she took that affinity one step further and began volunteering at an animal shelter. “I was becoming ‘jaded’ in my career as a prosecutor after witness-ing countless acts of inhumanity each day. Working with homeless animals seemed like a good fit to put me back in touch with myself. Little did I know it would completely change my life!”
One of Allie’s first life-changing acts was launching American Humane’s Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS)® Program. “I’ve seen too many abused women return home to save their pet. The PAWS Program prevents that from happening by removing the animal from the abusive home and housing the pet at the shelter with his family.” Since February 2008, 40 PAWS shelters have been launched nationwide.
With a coworker, Allie also started American Humane’s Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK)™ Program, which encourages child welfare pro-fessionals to incorporate registered therapy animals to help heal children who have been mistreated or who have witnessed abuse.
“It can be difficult for children to talk about abuse and feel safe during the court process,” confides Allie. “If they’re given a therapy cat or a therapy rabbit, a child feels unconditional love and com-fort and discloses right to the animal.”
Allie’s commitment to animals doesn’t stop there. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she was part of a group of attorneys that helped draft legislation that includes family pets in disaster evacuation plans. She also trains animal shelter employees on the concept of “recession pets” – pets abandoned because of difficult economic times. And if that’s not enough, this compassionate Sister also serves as vice president of No Pets Left Behind, a national nonprofit that assists pets caught in foreclosure and financial crises.
Allie’s Cats
Allie adopted Oscar from the Ingham
County Animal Shelter in Mason,
Michigan, where she volunteered. Oscar
now has a forever home.
“Alpha Xi Delta instilled in me a strong sense of community
responsibility and compassion toward others. Helping both
humans and animals exemplifies to me what it means to be
an Alpha Xi.”— Allie Phillips
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www.alphaxidelta.org 7
Allie’s most intense work, however, involves King Street Cats, a free-roam-ing, no-kill orphanage in Alexandria, Virginia, that provides loving homes for the cats and kittens in its care. Allie is a past president and served as webmaster/photographer for six years. She’s also a “foster mom” for cats in need of a home environment. In 2009 she worked with the city to help the orphanage relocate to a new, larger facility.
Allie’s advocacy is far reaching. Literally. While speaking at the St. Croix Animal Welfare Conference last year in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Allie learned the local shelter receives about 4,000 cats and dogs each year. The euthanasia rate is a staggering 95 per-cent because of the limited number of adoption options on the island.
Allie immediately became involved in the shelter’s Pets From Paradise program, which arranges for travelers returning to the U.S. Mainland to bring an animal with them as carry-on bag-gage so the animals never ride in the cargo hold. Allie brought a cat named Whisper with her to King Street Cats, and the cat quickly found a home. To date, King Street Cats is the only U.S. Mainland cat rescue organization helping the St. Croix shelter — and she emphasizes that more are needed. “Every time I meet a traveler at the airport to receive the latest cat arrival, it impresses upon me that every life is precious and worth trying to save.”
✽ Nationally recognized expert/trainer on The Link,®
a program on the connection between human and animal violence ✽ Drafted Michigan Pound Seizure Bill that prohibits using shelter cats and dogs for experimentation✽ Drafted Michigan Humane Euthanasia Bill that prohibits shelters from euthanizing via gas chambers✽ Former chapter advisor and housing corporation president for Beta Theta Chapter, Michigan State✽ Amateur ballroom dancer
Later this year Allie will add “pub-lished author” to her list of accomplish-ments with the release of Pound Seizure, a book about how shelter cats and dogs are brokered for experimentation and research, a little-known practice in the United States. She’s currently working on another book on how to become an animal advocate.
“It’s the individual pets that I help get to safety that keep me going,” says Allie. “I’ve fostered more than 100 cats and kittens in my home over the years, most of which would not be alive today but for my ability to open my home to them.
“It breaks my heart to see people toss away their pets, or worse, abuse their pets,” she continues. “Yet for all the abused animals I’ve met, they are the most forgiving and loving pets. They don’t hold grudges. Humans could learn many lessons from ani-mals.”
There aren’t enough pages in The Quill to share all of Allie’s acts of com-passion and advocacy. Suffice it to say this bold, talented woman epitomizes what it means to live our vision and realize her potential. And if Oscar, the black-and-white kitty, could talk, we know he’d say she’s a “purr-fect” mom too!
After Hurricane Katrina, Allie traveled
to Jackson, Mississippi, to care for pets,
including Spike, at the state fairgrounds
while his family searched for new housing.
Allie looks forward to connecting with Sisters at
[email protected] 703.836.7387.
Learn more aboutAmerican Humane at
www.americanhumane.org.
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8 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Making a SplashFor a little girl living in Atlanta,
becoming a marine mammal train-er seemed pie in the sky. Her excite-ment about working with sea lions was met with heavy sighs, gentle head pats and dream-crushing words: That’s nice, dear. But you know, most people don’t grow up to be what they wanted to be when they were young. And besides, you live so far from the ocean. Where would you work?
“I was never encouraged to fol-low my dream, even by my parents,” says this determined little girl turned accomplished career woman. “Being an Alpha Xi at Auburn helped me get on the path to success. I realized no dream is too big, and with the right attitude, I can achieve anything I want.”
Meet Bevlynn Moser, Auburn ’99, a marine biologist at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. “I’m living my dream!” she says with unbridled joy.
Every morning, Bevlynn and her colleagues make sure the aquarium’s 65 exhibits are shipshape for the thou-sands of guests who visit each day. They also prepare meals for the sea otters, penguins or beluga whales. The rest of the day includes feeding the ani-mals, keeping their habitats clean and something called “enrichment.”
“Enrichment activities keep the animals’ minds stimulated,” explains Bevlynn. The sea otters get containers with food hidden inside, and they have to work to find the food. The penguins receive small toys, such as rattles and balls with bells, to pick up, collect and interact with. And the larger “kids” in the bunch, the belugas, get bigger toys – inner tubes they can flip with their tail or balls attached to a rope so they can drag them around.
And what Bevlynn says may sound gross to some is one of her favorite activities. “We give the belugas tongue rubs. They come to the surface with their mouths open and we pat their tongues. They love it, as do we!”
Getting Schooled onthe Georgia AquariumBevlynn Moser was born and raised in Atlanta and is extremely proud to share it with Sisters. “I’m ecstatic that Alpha Xi Delta’s National Convention will be held here July 6-10, 2011. I hope you’ll come to Atlanta and also visit the aquarium when you’re in town.” Here are 10 reasons why: l The largest aquarium in the
world: 8 million+ gallons of aquarium space
l Within walking distance of our Convention hotel, the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta
l More than 500 species of fresh and saltwater animals from around the globe
l New dolphin exhibit that opens in November 2010
l A rare, behind-the-scenes tour that explains how the aquarium operates
l The largest living coral reef in the world
l The only aquarium outside of East Asia that houses a whale shark – the largest fish in the ocean (the aquarium has 4)
l The only place in the world to snorkel and SCUBA with 2 manta rays, 3 great hammerhead sharks, 4 whale sharks and 100,000+ fish
l Within walking distance of the Coca-Cola Museum, CNN Center, National Patriotism Museum, Children’s Museum and Centennial Olympic Park
l “Touch tanks” for interacting with stingrays, sharks, shrimp, sea stars, lobsters and more
“We hope our aquarium guests leave with a connection to all the animals we house and
will want to help conserve our world and the animals that live in it,” says Bevlynn Moser.
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www.alphaxidelta.org 9
in the National Marine Sanctuaries’ education department and taught coral reef ecology to middle school children.
After completing her internship in 2004, Bevlynn applied for jobs at aquariums and marine mammal parks across the southeastern United States, with the eventual goal of landing the big one: a job at the Georgia Aquarium, which was set to open at the end of 2005. After months of multiple appli-cations, phone calls and serious net-working, Bevlynn realized her child-hood dream and joined the aquarium staff. She was one of the first marine biologists hired and has been with the aquarium nearly five years.
And what do the Negative Neds and Nellies have to say to this bold, talented
“I’ve become very passionate about marine animals as my knowledge has grown. It’s an incredible world out there.The animal kingdom is amazing to study and learn from.”
— Bevlynn Moser
Bevlynn has always felt a connec-tion to marine mammals, particularly dolphins and sea lions. During a fam-ily vacation to Busch Gardens Tampa when she was 5 years old, Bevlynn was picked out of the crowd to feed and be kissed by a sea lion during one of the training shows. “After that, I knew I wanted to become a marine biologist,” she says with a smile. “I’ve become very passionate about marine animals as my knowledge has grown. It’s an incredible world out there. The animal kingdom is amazing to study and learn from.”
Bevlynn majored in marine biology in college and served as a research assistant for one of her professors, tak-ing part in his research on polychaete worms off the coast of Monterey Bay, California. She also conducted her own research in the Bahamas on the eating behavior of reef fish. These experienc-es, along with her rigorous coursework at Auburn, helped her land a post-graduation internship with a Florida Keys nonprofit, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), to collect and archive data about the various fish populations in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Bevlynn became proficient at identifying reef and pelagic (open-water) fish and shared that knowledge with the locals; she also volunteered
animal lover with big dreams? “Right before the aquarium opened to the public, each employee was given four ‘sneak-peek’ tickets to give to friends and family. I invited my parents and two couples I grew up with — the ones who patted my head and said my dream was out of reach. Showing them what I’ve done and am still doing was a fan-tastic feeling!”
“It’s an amazing feeling to have a connection with an animal and be able to build
that trust every day,” says Bevlynn. When she’s not at work, Bevlynn builds
Sisterly connections while serving as an advisor for Iota Theta Chapter at Southern
Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia.
Connect with Bevlynn at [email protected] more about theGeorgia Aquarium at
www.georgiaaquarium.org.
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Going to the DogsBy Patricia Cornwell Miller, Auburn ’95
For the past 13 years, I’ve worked at the Auburn University Canine
Detection Training Center, one of the premier facilities for canine officer training in the country. Located in McClellan, Alabama, 100 miles north of the university, we teach dogs to detect either 10 to 15 different explosives or five to 10 different drugs (one dog does not learn both). They learn these scents to protect our schools, the general pub-lic and our national infrastructure.
We breed our own dogs for the program and have found that Labrador retrievers have a strong desire to please, which makes them eager to learn. They’re also very intelligent. Overall, I’ve trained and handled about 100 dogs.
Inmates from three area prisons foster the dogs for the first 18 months of life. The prisoners feed the dogs, groom them and perform basic obedi-ence training. They also make sure the dogs play well with other dogs and behave correctly around people.
In the past, detection dogs have been fostered in peoples’ homes instead of with inmates. However, we found a clear distinction between dogs raised as “pets” and dogs raised as “working dogs.” In a prison, we can control how the dogs are treated. There’s absolutely no feeding of table scraps or lounging on a couch all day! And the dogs are crated at night instead of sleeping in bed with their owners. Prisons also maintain strict schedules, so the dogs learn much faster because their envi-ronment is predictable.
Dogs enter the detection training program when they’re between 12 and 18 months old. Training takes three to four months and consists of presenting the dog with an odor, which is usually placed in a box with holes in the top, and then telling the dog to “sit.” Once the dog smells the box and sits, we throw a ball or whatever its preferred
toy is. The dog eventually learns to sit whenever it smells the particular odor. The faster the dog sits, the faster it gets the ball! After the first two odors are trained, subsequent ones are learned pretty quickly.
Dogs are usually fully trained and graduate from the program before their second birthday. A dog can work until it’s 10 years old, but will often work until age 11 or 12.
At the end of the day, I leave the Labradors and go home to my Belgian Malinois, Bentley. She’s a great dog! In my free time I’m an advisor for Zeta Xi Chapter at Auburn – my initiating chapter. Through my involvement as an alumna and an advisor, I feel I’ve begun to “realize my potential.” The past three years have been years of tre-mendous growth for the chapter, and I’m honored to be part of it.
I also feel honored to work with animals. I’m truly fortunate to be able to use my degree in behavioral psychol-ogy while spending time with such fabulous dogs. Their loving nature and desire to please makes them wonderful co-workers!
Patricia Miller and Labrador retriever
Sadie worked together at the Auburn
University Canine Detection Training
Center. Sadie retired from duty in 2006
and now lives with her adopted family.
Connect with Patricia at [email protected].
Learn more aboutAuburn’s Canine Detection
Training Center atwww.vetmed.auburn.edu/cdri.
10 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
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www.alphaxidelta.org 11
A Peaceful KingdomHaving a tiger cub for a pet is so
cute! They’re soft and warm and so darn snuggly. Sometimes, they’ll even let you dress them up in adorable bonnets and frilly dresses, just like a human baby.
But a funny thing happens in about 18 months’ time. Those precious little furballs grow into 450-pound adults with razor-sharp claws, flesh-tearing
teeth and a craving for raw meat. Suddenly they’re not so cute anymore. Now what do you do?
If you’re like the person in Kansas who owned tigers Apache and Nitro, you put them in a too-small cage, drop them off at a junkyard with no food or water, and drive off as fast as you can, hoping no one witnessed your horrendous act. The tigers are out of your hair, so who cares what happens to them? Sara Waltz and the Carolina Tiger Rescue (CTR) do.
Since the 1970s, the CTR in Pittsboro, North Carolina, about 40 miles west of Raleigh, has provided a better life for wild cats of all sizes that would other-wise be euthanized or left in deplorable conditions. Its current residents, res-cued primarily from the exotic pet trade, include Apache, Nitro and more than 75 other wild cats from six species.
“These animals are our family, and even though we can’t pet them (they’re wild animals with wild-ani-mal instincts), we learn their quirks, their expressions and their moods,” says Sara, who began interning at the CTR in 2008 after graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. “I’ve always been in awe
of tigers, so having the chance to work with them is unbelievable.”
As a CTR intern, Sara prepared food for the animals, cleaned their enclo-sures, mended fences and built homes for the smaller cats. She also took part in animal enrichment activities – using barrels, Christmas trees, pumpkins, bowling pins and other “toys” to men-tally stimulate CTR residents.
Another way the cats were stimu-lated was by rousing their sense of smell. “My favorite tiger used to love Calvin Klein’s Obsession, so I always had that perfume with me,” says Sara. “The smell of it would make him roll over, rub against the fence and chuffle (a low snuffling sound similar to the purring of a house cat), which is an expression of peace.”
Sara currently volunteers as a CTR tour guide and works as an inten-sive care unit nurse at a veterinary emergency hospital in Raleigh and as a veterinary nurse at a general practice 15 miles to the west in Apex, North Carolina. Her ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian; she’s waiting for acceptance letters from veterinary schools right now.
“I love cows,” Sara admits. “I want to pursue large-animal veterinary med-icine and work primarily with bovine and equine patients.
“Working with animals is my call-ing,” she continues. “They respond really well to me. When I’m working with animals, I’m at peace.”
“I feel honored to be part of the Carolina Tiger Rescue team,” says Sara Waltz. “We all
work together to provide the utmost care for our furry family members.”
Connect with Sara at [email protected].
Learn more about theCarolina Tiger Rescue at
www.carolinatigerrescue.org.
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Fostering Love and UnderstandingBy Melanie Campbell-Boatright, Alabama Birmingham ’97
12 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
On New Year’s Eve 2006, I was preparing to go out of town with
my husband. While waiting to hear the weather report on television so we’d know what to pack, a news story caught my attention: 200 Persian cats were seized from a local breeder. The cats were living in deplorable conditions and suffered from numer-ous ailments. Their fur was extremely matted, and some weren’t even able to walk or stand due to large, heavy mats.
After seeing pictures of the fright-ened cats, my holiday cheer fizzled. The reporter said The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (TEARS) in Tuskegee, Alabama, was asking for donations, volunteers, and foster and permanent homes for these cats.
I tried not to think about the story and instead focus on our trip. But all those scared little faces troubled me. As we counted down to the New Year, I resolved to help.
I contacted TEARS when we got home and was told they needed help verifying adoption applicants so the cats could be placed in foster homes. In their temporary homes, people would help socialize the cats and show them that life can be good. So I went to TEARS to pick up the paperwork . . . and came home with four cats, not to keep, but to foster until a permanent home could be found.
I spent as much time with Diego, Tortii, Cuda and Snotz as I could. I fed them sardines, tuna and other delica-cies that any cat would find hard to refuse. At first they were reluctant to come near me because of everything they’d been through. I took it slow. After about two weeks, they came to me without hesitation. I also bought some cat toys with long strings attached so I could manipulate the strings and invite the cats to come closer without being too obvious.
After a few months, Cuda and Diego were capable of being adopted. I knew mine was the forever home for Snotz because he’s “special.” His face is flat, so when he breathes, it sounds like he’s snoring. He also sniffles and snorts and can’t smell.
We were thinking about keeping Tortii too, because she was still shy
around people. She and Snotz seemed to have an attachment because they snuggled and groomed each other. But Tortii was frail and didn’t gain weight; I was worried. I came home one day to find her partially comatose. I rushed her to the vet, but there was nothing they could do for her. I was devastated. I worked hard to give Tortii a promising future, and now she would never know what it was like to be taken care of the way she deserved.
I continued to help TEARS by verify-ing applicants and spreading the word about the need for forever homes. Of the 200 Persians rescued from the breeder, only four remained unplaced the last time I checked. One of the great things about TEARS is that there is no euthanization, and the animals get to play, sleep and eat without the confines of cages.
I’ve been helping my local animal shelter by donating aluminum cans and adopting when I can. I recently adopted three outdoor cats, and I feel good knowing I saved them from eutha-nization. Still, it’s hard not being able to save them all.
“My cat, Snotz, is the most loving pet
I’ve ever had. I plan to adopt from now
on and encourage everyone to do the
same,” says Melanie Campbell-Boatright.
✽ Contact your local shelter if you’re interested in fostering a pet. ✽ Shelters are always in need of monetary and supply donations
and will gladly welcome yours. ✽ Help save an animal’s life by adopting instead of buying. Even
if you want a specific breed, many shelters have waiting lists and/or can refer you to a specific breed’s rescue group.
✽ Spay or neuter your pet to help control the pet population.
Message from Melanie
Connect with Melanie at [email protected] more information
about TEARS, visitwww.tearstown.com.
Quill 0210.indd 12 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 13www.alphaxidelta.org
Austism Speaks
Field of DreamsBy JenniferParrottGatley,Cal State Fresno ’94
I briefly studied autism during my un-dergraduate days as a child develop-ment major. Autism wasn’t talked about a lot in the mid-1990s; we covered it one, maybe two days in class. But I re-membered enough that in 2000 when I saw my third child, Ethan, having a tantrum and arching his back when he was 6 months old, I began to panic. That
night I went online to research the warning signs of autism in infants, but there was no research; all the information I found was for children 3 years and older.
In 2003 my worst fears were confirmed. A psychologist evalu-ated Ethan and diagnosed him to be borderline autistic/pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). A month later, the M.I.N.D. Insti-tute at U.C. Davis in Sacramento confirmed that Ethan is autistic.
Ethan attended occupational therapy once a week and speech therapy twice a week; an Early Start teacher also visited our house twice a week. When he was 7, behavioral tutors came to the house 15 hours a week to help with Ethan’s head banging, tantrums and functional-living skills.
The rigorous schedule of having a child with autism while trying to maintain a normal life for my other three children sent me into a deep depression, although I wouldn’t admit it at the time. I spent years building an emotional barrier around me so no one and nothing could hurt me. Just over two years ago that wall came crashing down as the stress of having a child with au-tism nearly destroyed my marriage, which commonly happens to parents of autistic children. Seeing a marriage counselor, setting weekly coffee dates and reopening the paths of communication helped my husband and I save our marriage, and we are bet-ter parents to all of our children. We use our coffee dates to go over the week’s schedule and to discuss any issues regarding our marriage, children, work lives or ourselves.
I have stopped crying over what Ethan isn’t and have started to appreciate him for what he is. I realize I held him back by underestimating his abilities; I still saw Ethan as a toddler and
treated him as such with the toys I gave him and movies he saw. With the help of tutors, I’ve be-gun to see Ethan’s capabilities. Ethan can now tie his own shoes, read books, spell and do multi-plication. Ethan has grown during the last two years, and so have my husband and I.
In 2007, I had the opportunity to pitch an autism-awareness idea to an employee of the Fresno Grizzlies, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A Baseball team. The idea was to have an Autism Awareness Night at the ballpark and involve Will Clark, former first baseman for the Giants and the father of an autistic child. In April 2008 I was in the stands as my vision came true. Through ticket sales and a jersey auction, the Grizzlies raised more than $20,000 for the Central California Autism Center and for Ath-letes Against Autism.
I purchased one of the special Autism jerseys – number 22, which had been Will Clark’s number. And I even got to meet him and have him sign my jersey. I was overcome with emotion when he thanked me for what I had done to help raise awareness and funds for autism. Here was my childhood baseball hero, facing the same daily struggles I face, thanking me! That’s a moment I’ll always remember. And to think that moment was inspired by our wonderful son, Ethan.
Connect with Jennifer at [email protected]. Share “Your Sister & Autism” stories at www.alphaxidelta.org/yoursisterandautism.
Jennifer and Ethan Gatley
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14 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Austism Speaks News
Sisters made great strides in raising awareness and thousands of dollars during Walk Now for Autism Speaks events across the country!
Delta Alpha, Wisconsin LaCrosse; Epsilon Alpha,
Wisconsin Eau Claire; Minneapolis St. Paul Alumnae
Association: $1,800+
Walkin’ for a Cure
Delta Alpha, Wisconsin LaCrosse; Epsilon Alpha,
Wisconsin Eau Claire; Minneapolis St. Paul Alumnae
Sisters made great strides in raising awareness and thousands of dollars during Walk Now for Autism Speaks events across the country!
Delta Alpha, Wisconsin LaCrosse; Epsilon Alpha,
Wisconsin Eau Claire; Minneapolis St. Paul Alumnae
Greater Kansas City Alumnae Association: $1,000
Theta Nu, Elon: $2,000+
Theta Lambda, Southwestern: $1,300
Psi, Ohio State: $2,150
Quill 0210.indd 14 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 15
By DebKeyes,Illinois ’77 President,ChicagoNorthwestSuburbanAlumnaeAssociation
As Sisters from the six Chicago-area alumnae associations par-ticipated in last year’s Chicago Walk Now for Autism Speaks event, we talked and walked and wondered what else we could do to help Alpha Xi Delta’s new philanthropic partner. Several of us had attended a session at last year’s National Convention that demonstrated an Autism Speaks recruitment party idea that chapters would be implementing in the fall.
During the party, Sisters and poten-tial new members would make sensory stimulation kits for children with autism. The rationale behind the kits is that the various colors, shapes, sizes and textures of the objects will help children improve
their ability to appropriately use incoming sensory information and encourage the tolerance of various sensory inputs.
We thought making sensory stimula-tion kits would be great for our asso-ciation as well. In November we made 50 kits during our Chicagoland philanthropy event at the home of Kiyoko Farrington Czech, Iowa ’89. Sisters brought items to
add to the kits; those who could not attend but wanted to contribute sent checks to purchase supplies. We’re happy to report that the kits have been well received by area schools.
One of the highlights of the meet-ing is that Autism Speaks’ Chicago executive director, Liz Klug, came to our event. She shared a video about her organization, statistics about autism, ideas on how we can contin-ue to help and her gratitude for the work we’re doing as an association and a Fraternity.
Creating sensory stimulation kits was fun, rewarding and a great way to meet area Sisters. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for tips on planning your own kit party. And if you want to join or make a donation to this year’s Chicago walk team, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/chicago/alphaxidelta.
Sisters put together sensory stimulation kits at a Chicagoland alumnae meeting.
On last year’s World Autism Awareness
Day, April 2, 2009, Alpha Xi Delta proudly
announced our new philanthropic part-
nership with Autism Speaks. We har-
nessed our collective womanpower, and
as of December 31, 2009, Alpha Xi Delta
had raised more than $120,000 nation-
ally for autism research. In addition to
funds raised, Sisters volunteered count-
less hours in support of Autism Speaks.
“It was apparent from the start that
Autism Speaks would be a dynamic phil-
anthropic partner for Alpha Xi Delta,” said
National President Deanna Detchemendy.
“Autism Speaks staff members under-
stand what we’re about and appreci-
ate what Sisters contribute. In addition,
Autism Speaks’ cause is deeply meaning-
ful for Sisters, with many impacted across
the country. Alpha Xi Delta is proud of
having raised over $120,000 so far, but we
consider it just the beginning.”
Rebecca Fehlig, executive director of
Autism Speaks’ St. Louis chapter, is also
quick to point out the power – and posi-
tives – of our partnership. “The women of
Alpha Xi Delta understand the importance
of raising funds to support research so we
can better understand, diagnose and treat
autism,” she said. “But you also express a
true desire and amazing initiative to learn
how you can each make an impact in your
community by raising awareness, edu-
cating others and ultimately, generating
greater compassion among your fellow
students.”
Watch for further updates in The Quill and on the Sister Shout Out page,
both of which can be found at www.
alphaxidelta.org.
What a Year It’s Been!Sistersraisemorethan$120,000forAutismSpeaksinjustninemonths.
Looking for a Fun, Creative Way to Help Autism Speaks? Use This One!
Upcoming WalksApril17 Allentown,PA FortLauderdale-Davie,FL SanAngelo,TX Sonoma,CAApril24 Pasadena,CAMay1 Milwaukee,WI SaltLakeCity,UT St.Petersburg,FLMay8 Abilene,TXMay15 Chicago,ILMay22 Cincinnati,OH MountLaurel,NY Wheeling,WVMay23 Atlanta,GA Paramus,NJJune5 OklahomaCity,OK SanJose,CAJune6 Purchase,NYJune12 BlairCounty,PA Honolulu,HIJune13 NewYorkCity,NYJune19 WestDesMoines,IAJune26 Pittsburgh,PAOctober2 LittleRock,AR
For additional walk dates, visit www.walknowforautism.org.
Quill 0210.indd 15 3/8/10 3:59 PM
16 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201016
Missouri St. Louis | AttheSt.LouisWalkNowforAutismSpeaks,EpsilonXiSisterssoldT-shirtstoincreasetheir donation to our philanthropic partner.—MichelleChambers,[email protected]
George Mason |IotaAlphaSisters,includingLizParish,’09,right,raised$5,000forAutismSpeaksduringtheirXiRockbenefitconcert.Theconcertfeaturedfivelocalbands and 11-year-old musician Will Gilbertson, whohas autism. SistersmetWillwhenhe sangandplayedhisguitarattheOctober2009NationalAutismWalk.—MichelleRenaud,[email protected]
Wright State, Dayton Alumnae Association |SistersinvitedfriendsandfamilytojointhematTGIFriday’s,where15percentofeachdiner’scheckwasdonatedtoAutismSpeaks–$170inall.“Eachdollarhastobethoughtofasthedollarthatcouldfindthecure,”saidJanDorroughAustin, Wright State ’78, pictured with her nephew, Hunter, who hasautism,andherdaughter,JessicaAustin,Wright State ’03.
Alpha Xi Delta and Autism SpeaksLooking for more ways to raise funds and awareness? Check out what these Sisters did.
Mount Union |DuringPhilanthropyNight,Sistersmadesockpuppetswith their recruitment guests for donation to the Hattie Larlhamorganization in Mantua, Ohio. The puppets can help children withautismexpresstheirfeelingstoothers.—KateHlavin,[email protected]
Quill 0210.indd 16 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 17
Defiance (OH) | Christina-Marie Drake, ’08, was featuredin the October 2009 issue of Seventeen magazine for herphilanthropic efforts. Christina-Marie started putting on rockconcerts at age 15 and has raised $15,000 for diabetesresearch, cancer research, music education and a varietyof other causes. Last year she expanded those causes tobegin Rock For Autism, an organization that raises fundsand awareness through concerts, mentoring, educationalpresentations,musicfestivalsandextremesportingcompetitions. Inadditiontoherstudies,chapterinvolvement,cheerleadingandmusic(sheplays14instruments),Christina-MarieservesasRockForAutism’sassistantdirectorandtourmanager.LookforourrockerSisterasshetoursthecountrythissummeraspartoftheVansWarpedTour.Connectwithhernowatharley.tst08@yahoo.com.
Worcester (MA) Alumnae Association | Sisters joinedin the sport of geocaching, a worldwide game of hiding andseeking treasure using a global positioning system (GPS). Thegoalofgeocachingistolocateacache(container)thatincludes,at a minimum, a logbook for geocachers to sign and coins orinexpensivetrinkets.Thegeneralprocedureistoopenthecache,recorditscoordinates,tradeatrinketandhidethecacheinitsspotagain.Theassociationsponsoredatravelbug,whichisatrackabletagattachedtoanitem(inthiscase,anAlphaXiDeltakeyring)sothebugcanbemonitoredasitjourneysfromcachetocache. AssociationmemberStefaniMagninoHolmes,Bethany ’92,releasedtheassociation’sbuginSeptember2009atanAutismSpeaks event in Westfield, Massachusetts. Finders are askedtokeep thebugmovingandhelp it reach itsgoals,whichareto visit Autism Speaks events, Alpha Xi Delta chapters andeventuallyFraternityHeadquarters.Thebughasalreadytraveledmore than 700 miles in five months. Use tracking numberTB2RBZ3tofollowthebug’sprogressatwww.geocaching.com/tracking/.—StefaniHolmes,[email protected]
Cal State Stanislaus | Nearly50 Iota Beta collegians and areaalumnae participated in the CentralValley (CA) Walk Now for AutismSpeaks event in October and raisedmore than $8,500. Sisters arrivedearlytoassistwitheventsetup,takephotos, raise awareness of autism-related legislative bills, and staffthe face-painting, registration andrefreshment booths. At a February6, 2010, luncheon, the collegiate/alumnae team received the SilverAward from Autism Speaks for itsoutstanding fundraising efforts.—MarianneRusso
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18 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
ALABAMA
Epsilon Pi, Jacksonville State University
Membersof thechapter’snewParentsAssociationmetfor the
first time inOctober togetacquainted.Theassociation,which
isopentoallparentsofEpsilonPiSisters,willhelpwithvarious
tasks,suchashousingdécorandrecruitment.—ElizabethDavis,
Zeta Xi, Auburn University
After another successful formal recruitment, Zeta Xi initiated
agroupofwomen that has shown its unity at such events as
SisterhoodRetreat,socialsandpeprallies.Thechapter’sstrong
sisterhoodwasevidentduringtheAlumnaeTailgate,whichwas
heldhomecomingweekendinthebeautifulnewchapterroom
(see related story on page 33). The tailgate drew enthusiastic
alumnae back to campus to show their support for their
chapter and alma mater.—Jaclyn Wilson, jaw0027@auburn.
edu.Editor’s Note: The fall/winter Quill incorrectly listed Zeta Xi
Chapter as being in the state of Georgia. Sisters also raised more
than $13,000 for the Partnership for Children. The Quill staff
apologizes for these errors.
Huntsville-Madison County Alumnae Association
Alumnae began their year with a potential new member
recommendation-writingpartyat the lakehouseof JanDavis.
Members also enjoyed boating, good food and fellowship.
In late summer, Nita Price Farquahar recruited association
members to volunteer at her place of employment. Alumnae
woreAlphaXiDelta T-shirts as they volunteeredat the“Early
Works”BirthdayParty for theCommunity. Sisters served cake
and ice cream and assisted with make-and-take craft projects
and other important tasks during their time at the children’s
historymuseum.
CALIFORNIA
Diablo Valley Alumnae Association
SistersgatheredtoinductCarlynnRankinOtis,U of Washington
’59, into the Order of the Rose and Doris Darnall Hamel, San
Diego State ’49, into the Order of the Pearl for 50 and 60
yearsofAlphaXiDeltamembership, respectively.ManySisters
Cuyahoga West Shore (OH) Alumnae Association |Charter member Lee Chilton Brookins, left, Jody Dettmer Halley and the rest of the association’s members celebrated 50 years of sisterhood and service at the association’s Golden Anniversary Luncheon.
Texas - El Paso | Marissa A. Martinez was named UTEP’s 2009 homecoming queen.
Member News
Quill 0210.indd 18 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 19
participated in the local Panhellenic brunch in
October; in November, they helped the Bay Area
Crisis Nursery assemble its fall newsletter. During
the holiday season, Sisters met for coffee before
headingoff to shop. LindaHarmeson, Illinois ’73,
returned to her alma mater to receive an award
from the McKinley Foundation for her work in
adultdaycareanddayservices.—LindaHarmeson,
DELAWARE
Theta Gamma, University of Delaware
Sistersembracedournewphilanthropicpartnership
by participating in the Walk Now for Autism
Speaks event in Philadelphia. Their efforts paid
offas they raisedmore than$1,300asachapter.
ThetaGammacontinued its annualXiManFitness
Competition as part of its AmaXIng Challenge
and raised nearly $4,000 for Autism Speaks. This
eventbrings theGreek community together for a
charitable night of talent and creativity.—Alyssa
Kopelman,[email protected]
FLORIDA
Theta Omicron, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ.
Sisterswelcomed13newmembersintothechapter
during fall recruitment. Later in the semester,
ThetaOmicronhelditsannualcampus-widePenny
Wars fundraiser, which raised nearly $800 for
child-related charities. At the end of the week,
the organization with the most points, which
this year was Delta Upsilon Fraternity, received a
dinner cooked by the ladies of Theta Omicron.
In November, Sisters participated in an area Walk
NowforAutismSpeakseventandraisedmorethan
$1,300forautismresearch.
Theta Sigma, University of Central Florida
Caitlyn McManus was named UCF’s 2009
homecoming queen, and Elizabeth Rossi was
crowned UCF Miss Greek, a new pageant and
fundraising competition sponsored by Delta Tau
DeltaFraternity.InsupportofAutismSpeaks,the
chapterheldasuccessful,inaugural“Dodgebrawl”
dodgeballtournamentfortheGreekcommunity.—
NicholeMillikan,[email protected]
Monmouth (IL) | Beta Epsilon’s executive board prior to their “Classic Hollywood” recruitment event. Front row: Kristen Wyse, Melissa Lindsay, Mary Schuch, Mollie Doubet. Back row, Kim Dwyer, Ashley May, Morgan Koss, Sara Fitch.—Melissa Lindsay, [email protected]
Huntsville-Madison County (AL) Alumnae Association | Sisters put their talents to work and created original paintings at a local art gallery, aided by an artist.
Bowling Green State | Stan Bortel, husband of Chapter Advisor Jill Foster Bortel, was invited to the chapter house, but he wasn’t told why. When he got there, Sisters surprised him by asking if he would be their 2009-2010 Dream Boy. Stan said yes and will have his picture on this year’s composite.—Jill Bortel, [email protected]
Quill 0210.indd 19 3/8/10 3:59 PM
20 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
IOWA
Sigma, University of Iowa/Iowa City Alumnae Association
Alumnaemetat theSigmachapterhouse forahandbagparty
to raise money for Autism Speaks. Fifteen percent of the total
sales of these spunky handbags and accessories, $120, was
contributed.—JaniceBaumback,[email protected]
Cedar Rapids Alumnae Association
Alumnaeheldajewelrypartyandraisedmorethan$150,which
was given to a family in need with a child with autism. The
association began a new tradition at the November meeting –
playing Bunco and watching Dancing with the Stars. Alumnae
haveagreattimeattheirmonthlymeetingsandwelcomenew
Sisters to join the association!—Amy Gaffney-Ingalls, amygi@
msn.com
LOUISIANA
Delta Epsilon, University of New Orleans
ThechapterwasrecognizedduringGreekWeekforreceivingthe
ChapterProgressaward.DuringUNO’sRelayforLifeevent,Delta
EpsilonwasnamedHighest StudentOrganization Fundraiser.—
ClaireCummings,[email protected]
GEORGIA
Zeta Omega, State University of West Georgia
Sisters moved into their beautiful new 20-bed chapter house
in theuniversity’sGreekVillage (see related storyonpage32.)
Thanks to Sisters, alumnae, parents and friends, the chapter
had a decorator come in and make the house a home. Zeta
Omegahadgreatsuccessduringrecruitmentandwelcomed25
wonderfulnewSistersintothechapter.Theannualflagfootball
tournament,whichattracted10men’steamsandtwowomen’s
teams,helpedZetaOmega raise$1,200 forAutismSpeaks.—
AshleyWaters,[email protected]
Eastern Washington | The chapter’s recruitment theme, Alphaxiville, played off the whimsical “Betseyville” fashion line, created by Sister Betsey Johnson, Syracuse’62. Recruitment was a success as Epsilon Zeta welcomed 24 wonderful women into our Sisterhood.—Alexis Welch, [email protected]
Miami Ohio | Sophomore Sisters warmly welcomed potential new members to their Autism Speaks recruitment party.
Portland Alumnae Association | Sisters enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant and celebrated a wonderful example of sisterhood – Blanche Gustavson Crook, ’38,and Barbara Stallcup Miller, ’38, Alpha Lambda pledge Sisters at the University of Oregon. Both have devoted many years of service to Alpha Xi Delta at the national and local levels. Seated: Blanche, Barbara and Barbara Evonchuck Cyrus. Standing: Angela Callahan Hoefer, Bonnie Baker Blish, Lynne Woodlief Winkler, Sarah Tripp, Jeniene Zumbo Frisco and daughter Emily, and Lisa Baker.—Bonnie Blish, [email protected]
Quill 0210.indd 20 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 21
MARYLAND
Chesapeake Alumnae Association
Morethan20SistersmetatthehomeofNancyThomasCarmanin
St.Michaelsforacovereddishluncheonandpoolparty.President
Janet Gleason White reported on National Convention, and
SisterswhoattendedwithhersharedtalesfromtheirConvention
RoadTrip. Their trip included fourdays spent afterConvention
exploring the Redstone, Colorado, area where Linda Zerfing
arranged for them to stay in a mountain cabin. In September,
severalalumnaeassistedwithnewmemberrecruitmentatTheta
DeltaChapteratTowsonUniversity. InOctober,alumnae joined
areacollegiateandalumnaeSistersattheWalkNowforAutism
SpeakseventsinTowsonandWashington,D.C.
Nearly40SistersandguestsgatheredatthehomeofDawn
HainesThomasinWestminsterforamemorialceremonyforAnn
RobinsonBaird.Theceremonywasfollowedbyaluncheonand
aholidayauction,whichraisedalmost$900fortheassociation’s
CollegiateFund.—SusanRobinson,[email protected]
MASSACHUSETTS
Iota Xi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Sisters welcomed into the chapter a new member class of 44
incrediblewomen.—StephaniePost,[email protected]
MICHIGAN
Phi, Albion College/Gamma Zeta, Eastern Michigan University/Theta Eta, Western Michigan University
Phi Chapter held its inaugural AmaXIng Challenge, which
included a 5K run/walk, bowling event and canoe race, and
raisedmorethan$6,100forAutismSpeaks.PhiSisters teamed
upwithSistersfromEasternandWesternMichigantorepresent
Alpha Xi Delta at the 2009 Southeast Michigan Walk Now for
AutismSpeaksevent.—JulieJackson,[email protected]
Zeta Upsilon, Alma College
Sisters recently began sponsoring play days for local children
with autism. During their time together, children build their
social skills while parents socialize with other parents who
havechildrenwithautism.Playdayactivities includepainting,
coloring,andplayingboardgamesandwithbouncyballs.On
average,10childrenattendeachplayday.Sistersalsohavefun
making items, like maracas and water bottles with sparkles,
duringphilanthropyserviceeventsandgivingthemtotheirplay
daychildren.—CourtneyMartin,[email protected]
NEBRASKA
Gamma Delta, University of Nebraska at Omaha
The chapter held an Aunt Reveal and celebration at Big Fred’s
Pizza to unveil their new Alumnae Aunts program. Each new
member,or“niece,” ispairedwithanalumnasoshecan learn
more about the chapter and Fraternity. The evening was filled
withSistersbearinggifts,reunionswitholdfriendsandwomen
excited by the promise of a new-found Sister.—Kenzi Meyer,
NEVADA
Iota Epsilon, University of Nevada – Las Vegas/Las Vegas Alumnae Association
CollegiansandalumnaegottogetherfortheirannualChristmas
gift-wrappingsessionandbrunch.EachSisterbroughtagiftto
be wrapped, and all gifts were donated to the Candlelighters
Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.—Ame Williams,
OHIO
Psi, Ohio State University
SistershostedtheirFootballFrenXIflagfootballtournamentand
raisedmorethan$2,100forAutismSpeaks.AfterenjoyingDads
Weekend,members’fathersservedastournamentrefereeswhile
Sisters coached the 39 participating teams.—Allison McKinney,
Beta Mu, Bowling Green State University
Sisters raised nearly $900 for Autism Speaks through their
inaugural 5K around the BGSU campus and their annual flag
football tournament.DuringMomsWeekend,mothers came to
campus toseewhatbeinganAlphaXiDeltaSister isallabout.
Theweekendincludedabrunchaswellasaraffle,whichraised
$1,650forAutismSpeaks.—LindseyWhitacker,[email protected]
Beta Tau, Kent State
Thechapterheldajam-packedweekofactivitiestoraisemoney
and awareness for Autism Speaks. Sisters asked for donations,
invitedspeakerstocampustospeakaboutautism,invitedother
studentstohelpthemputtogetheragiantpuzzlepiece,helda
penny wars fundraiser and ended the week with their Xi Man
competition.Alltold,Sistersraised$6,600forourphilanthropic
partner.—BrittanyLucido,[email protected]
Quill 0210.indd 21 3/8/10 3:59 PM
22 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Zeta Nu, Miami University
Thechapter’s second roundof recruitment focusedonAlphaXi
Delta’snewphilanthropicpartnership.Sistersandpotentialnew
memberswatchedavideoaboutAutismSpeaksandthenmade
stimulationkitsthatincludedkazoos,pipecleaners,colorfulballs
andothertoys.Thekitswillbegiventolocalclassroomsthathave
childrenwithautism.—LaurenGardner,[email protected]
Theta Upsilon, Youngstown State
SistersheldtheirannualJail’N‘Bailfundraiserandraisedmore
than$1,800fortheRichCenterforAutismontheYSUcampus.
InOctober, Sistersparticipated in theClevelandWalkNow for
Autism Speaks event and proudly raised more than $1,300.—
CarolanneSemancik,[email protected]
Cuyahoga West Shore Alumnae Association
Sisters held a Golden Anniversary Luncheon in September to
celebrate50yearsofalumnaesisterhoodandservice.Asunny,
autumn day welcomed past and current members, including
threeoftheassociation’schartermembers:NancyHaffnerWirth,
LeeChiltonBrookinsandBettyGerusKavander.
More than 20 chapters are represented in the association,
includingthreemother-daughterpairs.Thesuccessofthismulti-
generationalchapteristheresultofanactivemembershipdrive
and interesting, flexible monthly programming. Their Interest
Groups(RecentGraduates,TGIFersandPensioners)shareaddi-
tionalspecialsisterhoodactivities.OneofthePensioners’favor-
ite activities is their annual craftworkshopwhere Sistersmeet
to create a table favor for the December holiday dinner while
enjoyingthecompanionshipofotherretiredSisters,alongwith
coffeeandlunch.
PhilanthropychairJodyDettmerHalleyhasgottentheasso-
ciationactively involvedwithAutismSpeaks.Associationmem-
bers, family and friends participated in the Cleveland autism
walk, raising more than $1,000. In addition, the local autism
centerbenefittedfromdonationsbroughttotheDecemberholi-
daydinner.—LindaDettmer,[email protected]
OKLAHOMA
Iota Delta, University of Central Oklahoma/Oklahoma City Alumnae Association/Tulsa Alumnae Association
SisterscelebratedtheholidayseasontogetherwithaThanksgiving
meal and the exchange of Christmas presents. Laughter, food
andfunweresharedbyall.—JenniferBurris,[email protected]
TEXAS
Arlington Alumnae Association
Alumnae had a busy end to 2009. Sisters gathered for dinner
at a local restaurant, took a tour of historic Thistle Hill in Ft.
Worth and celebrated the holidays with collegiate Sisters at
the home of association president Sherry Villanueva-Scott.
In November, alumnae raised more than $2,400 as they
walked and volunteered with members of the Dallas Alumnae
Association and Zeta Lambda Chapter at Texas Wesleyan for
theDallas/Ft.WorthWalkNowforAutismSpeaksevent.—Joie
Furlong,[email protected]
Dallas Alumnae Association
Sisters are proud of Dolores English for heading up the Walk
Now forAutismSpeakseventat theballpark inArlingtonand
theLoopforLupusmotorcycleride.Alumnaealsogavebackto
thecommunitybywrappingChristmasgiftsforat-riskyouthat
theStewpotaspartofthemissionofFirstPresbyterianChurch
ofDallas.—LisaA.Lanier,[email protected]
Houston Area Alumnae Association
Alumnae continue to see an increase in attendance at their
monthlysocialhourandencourageSisterstojointhemforfun
andfriendship.Learnmoreabouttheassociationandupcoming
eventsatwww.axidhouston.orgorbycontactingMarySlaterat
VIRGINIA
Delta Mu, Old Dominion University
Duringfallrecruitment,Sisterswelcomed18newmembersinto
the chapter. The chapter helped register participants during
theWalkNowforAutismSpeakseventsinRichmond,Virginia,
andWashington,D.C. The chapter alsopartneredwitha local
business,AmericanIndoorKarting,inVirginiaBeachandraised
morethan$600forAutismSpeaksbyhostinggo-kart,jousting
andsumowrestlingevents,aswellassellingpizza.Sisterswere
also involved in other philanthropic events, including walking
intheSusanG.KomenandFoodandAllergywalks,bothheld
in Virginia Beach. Sisters continue their visits to the Ronald
McDonald House in Norfolk each month to prepare meals for
thefamiliesthatstaythere.—JillKempie,[email protected]
WASHINGTON
Nu, University of Washington/Seattle Area Alumnae Association
InNovember,thelivingroomatthechapterhousewasstanding
roomonlywithmorethan80collegiateandalumnaemembers
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present to bid on live and silent auction items during the
chapter’s Pickle Mix. A 100-year-old tradition, Pickle Mix
began when collegians asked their mothers for canned
itemstosupplement theirmealsat thechapterhouse.The
motherscontributedavarietyofitems,suchasrelishes,jams,
vegetablesand fruits.Thename“PickleMix”derived from
thefactthatmostoftheitemscontributedwerepickles!The
eventraisedmorethan$1,200forthechapter’sscholarship
fund.—MichelleRutherford,[email protected]
WEST VIRGINIA
Iota, West Virginia University
The chapter had an amazing fall recruitment and proudly
welcomed24newmemberstoourSisterhoodinNovember.In
support of our new philanthropic partnership with Autism
Speaks, Iota held a Football FrenXI tournament and raised
nearly $800. Sisters also prepared sensory stimulation kits
for children with autism in the Morgantown area and
volunteeredinclassroomstoassistchildrenwithautism.
IotatookhomefirstplaceduringMountaineerWeekand
second place during homecoming. The chapter hosted an
alumnae weekend in October and welcomed 30 Sisters to
the pregame tailgate. A Sunday brunch was also prepared
soalumnaecouldmeetcollegiateSistersandseethe latest
updates to the chapter house. Special congratulations to
SistersservinginthefollowingofficesonWVU’sPanhellenic
Council:presidentClaireBarth,vicepresidentofpublicrela-
tionsKristinMitchellandvicepresidentofriskmanagement
MalloryMiles.—DanaZelder,[email protected]
WISCONSIN
Delta Alpha, University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Sistersareexcitedtohavefivenewadvisorsforthechapter,
thanks to the hard work of Delta Alpha’s Area Facilitator/
InterimChapterAdvisor.Asthechaptercontinuestogrow,
Sisters look forward to working with and getting to know
these dedicated alumnae.—Becky Putzer, putzer.rebe@
students.uwlax.edu
Delta Tau, University of Wisconsin Osh Kosh
At theFraternity/SororityExcellenceAwards,DeltaTauwas
namedChapteroftheYearandtheChancellor’sChapterof
Merit.ErinZimmerman,’98,wasnamedChapterAdvisorof
theYear.—AllisonPopple,[email protected]
Bay Area Houston-Galveston Alumnae Association | Sisters got in the holiday spirit during their December gathering at the home of president Jennie Bryan Hampton (far right). Front row: Rachel Barnes Smith, Diane Brofazi Overman, Bonnie Barnes Keith, Jennie. Back row: Susan Garrott Raschke, Darla Schneider McKitrick.—Jennie Hampton, [email protected]
Denver Alumnae Association | Each year, family and friends of alumnae look forward to the association’s Sweet Charity Brunch, Bake Sale, Boutique and Auction, which helps raise funds to support association activities and projects. Ready to welcome guests are alumnae Barbara Quinn Hoover, Debbie Boos-Neff and Amy Halvorson-Bayer.—Barb Stover, [email protected]
Eastern Michigan |Rosemarie Alcini Konczal and Marita Fisher Koch attended a Detroit Tigers game and met Placido Polanco.
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24 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
ReunionsSisters celebrate their genuine, lifelong friendships in Alpha Xi Delta.
Bowling Green State | Pledge Sisters from 1956 met at theBetaMuchapterhouseforanOctoberreunion.EvenhouseboyArchieDeancamebacktoreminiscewiththeladies.Manyofthecurrent collegiate Sisters and Chapter Advisor Jill Foster Bortelwereat thechapterhouse.Alumnaehadagreat timemeetingthemandcomparingstoriesoflifeattheXihouseinthelate50scomparedtotoday.—LindaGeeLamb,[email protected]
Rochester Institute of Technology | Alumnae gathered inOctober for a magical weekend reunion. More than 60 alumnaefromthe1970s,‘80s,90sand2000sjoinedcurrentcollegiateSistersfor a beautiful breakfast and ceremony. In the evening, alumnaerented a cabin at nearby Mendon Ponds Park, complete with acateredmeal,oldphotos,T-shirtsandotherAlphaXimemorabilia.
DeltaLambdawillcelebrateits50thyearatRITin2013withahugecelebration.BepartofitbycontactingDebraL.Rothenbergat [email protected], Deborah Crescenzo Martz atkartmom18@yahoo.comorGretchenRobbinsMittelstaedtatmit-telstaedt@yahoo.com.CheckouttheDeltaLambdaalumnaeblogathttp://ritazd.blogspot.com/.
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www.alphaxidelta.org 25
Virginia | Zeta Psi Sisters gottogether in June during theuniversity’s 20-year Class of ’89reunion celebration. In attendancewere Beth Wright Redford, SusieBruce, Martha Dickens Taylor,DebbieSchiffgensFales,JennyElderLeeds, Cathleen DeRonja Phelpsand daughter Lyra, Barbara AdamsHall, Leslie Beth Lazarus Kornreichand Gretchen Tibbits. Ten of theSisters foundedZetaPsiChapter in1987;LeslieBeth initiated in1990.Gretchen is holding the Tiffanyloving cup, awarded by the UVAalumniassociationtothegraduatingclass with the highest number inattendance.—Susie Bruce, [email protected]
Indiana | Beta Pi Sisters whowere students at IU in the early1960s gathered for a mini reunionin Bloomington in September.Front row: Kay Welch Kelly, LindaRethmeyer,NancyGrossSeitz.Backrow:VeraStillabowerMurphy,JudyMyersCotterman,BarbaraKeunekeParks, Wanda Wallace, RieszDuchnowski, Judy Martin Pingel.—BarbaraParks,[email protected]
Henderson State (AR) | AlphaXi Delta sisterhood continues longafter pledging in 1969 and 1970!Gathered for a homecoming-weekend reunion are GlennaAveryBennett,DebbieBrockJames,Leesa Haney Renshaw and KathyNicklaus Owrey.—Kathy Owrey,[email protected]
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26 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Purdue | Sisters from the 1959pledge class were honored withanOrderof theRoseCeremonyatthe chapter house in October. ThegroupstayedatthePurdueStudentUnion, toured campus, and hadlunchwithseveralcollegiateSistersand housemother Mary Guckien.Their next reunion will be in 2011in Camas, Washington. Front row:Wilma Knoop Shackleton, RuthBishop Phelan, Marilyn MathesBaumann, Ann Martin Durkos.Back row: Marie Kaleta Bailey, LeShafer Eliason, Sue Collins Shaw,Jean Noe Clark, Sally BridgewaterSpencer,VirginiaMitchellPettigrew,Nancy Hahn Morgan.—Jean Clark,[email protected]
Oklahoma State | EpsilonOmicron alumnae traveled back toStillwater for a football tailgate.Front row: Jill Schrontz Tenzythoff,DebbieRoebuck Leland.Back row:Ann Lowrance, Judy White, LynneBranch McElroy, Lynne StanleyCaroon, Kay Hunt. These alumnaeagree: It’s always fun to returnto “where it all began” and seeSisters!—Jill Tenzythoff, [email protected]
Share your Reunion News and Photos!
Renew your friendships and Sisterly ties by holding a chapter
reunion. Fraternity Headquarters can help you assemble your
guest list by providing an Excel file with the names and addresses
of alumnae from your chapter and/or in specified ZIP codes. You
can also request mailing labels, which are available for a nominal
fee. Learn more in The Blue Room of www.alphaxidelta.org or
by calling 317.872.3500. There’s even a helpful Sisterhood Event
Planning Guide in The Blue Room too!
Southern Maine |Morethan100alumnaeinitiatedbetween1971and2005reunitedinOctoberatVerrillo’sConvention Center in Portland.Sisters enjoyed a brunch, an AlphaXi Delta trivia game, an AutismSpeaks presentation and an EpsilonRho“through theyears” slideshow.Evening festivities includeda formaldinner and dance, reminiscing withfriends,andaraffle,whoseproceedsweregiventoAutismSpeaks.—SarahFarwell,[email protected]
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www.alphaxidelta.org 27
Installation
San Jose, California, is known for its technology-based economy, its mild, Mediterranean climate and its glitter-ing downtown cityscape. Now it also boasts the newest chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. On January 24, 2010, Iota Omicron Chapter at San Jose State University was installed with 45 colle-giate Sisters and two alumnae initiates.
The Pre-Initiation Ceremony was held Saturday night at the Downtown Crown Plaza Hotel. The highly antici-pated Installation Ceremony took place Sunday morning at the Crown Plaza as well and was followed by a celebra-tory luncheon with family, friends and supporters of the chapter. The new initiates were thrilled at the pres-ence of National President Deanna
Detchemendy, Fraternity staff, volun-teers and many encouraging alumnae from local associations. Also in atten-dance at the luncheon were members of the university’s Student Involvement staff and the Panhellenic president.
During their semester as a colony, our newest Sisters wasted no time in making an impression. With the guid-ance and support of their Educational Leadership Consultants and many oth-ers, colony members established a lasting sisterhood, formed strong and active relationships within the Greek community, and earned the highest grade point average of all Greek orga-nizations at San Jose State.
Iota Omicron is made up of confi-dent, poised leaders who are extremely
active on campus. Our newest Sisters are resident advisors, Programming Board members, orientation advisors and members of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, just to name a few of their activities. They also participate in club volleyball, theatre, speech and debate, and serve on the executive committee for Up ’til Dawn.
SJSU is located in downtown San Jose, midway between San Francisco and the Monterey/Carmel area at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay. More than 31,000 students are enrolled at the university. Alpha Xi Delta joins five other NPC sororities on campus: Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta and Kappa Delta.
Iota Omicron Chapter Installed at San Jose StateBy TobiRichards,Iota Omicron ’10, ChapterPresident
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28 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
ByHeatherBradyGallegos,Cal State Fresno ’91
When I went running early one Wednesday morning, I didn’t think it would change me forever. And I certainly didn’t think I would save the life of a stranger.
Who am I? I’m a not-so-avid runner with a bum leg, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three girls, a corporate writer and a Sister. I can now also be called a “hero,” but prior to that morning I would have never thought that possible. The following experience has shown me that everything happens for a reason, and that each of us has extraordinary potential.
On a pre-dawn Wednesday in 2009, I arrived at our local high school track and began walking to warm up. A nearby runner suddenly collapsed, and within seconds his breathing slowed to a stop. In a moment of alarm and crystal clarity, I began chest compressions and urged another person to do mouth-to-mouth until the runner’s breathing returned. We did CPR for several minutes before the paramedics arrived. The EMTs used an AED to defibrillate the runner’s heart, twice, before his heart restarted. He was immediately taken to the hospital. I went home because I no longer felt like running.
For days following, the events of that morning kept replaying in my head like a movie, and I wrote it down to simply stop the re-runs. What follows is an excerpt from that story.
The house is quiet when I get home. I can hear my husband in the shower. I am definitely shaken and consider having a glass of wine to settle my nerves. Since it’s 6:20 a.m. and I need to drive the kids to school, wine is not really a good option right now. Tempting, though.
I check my voicemail and listen to a message from Marisa that she wasn’t coming today. I realize how close I came to not being there to help today . . . if I had checked my voicemail, or if I had gone back to sleep . . . I would have stayed home. While I know that if I wasn’t there today someone would have surely stepped up, I can’t be sure they would have been so close or had a cell phone with them.
I am again reminded that everything indeed does happen for a reason. I was there today for a reason. To help save a life. To learn my own inner strength and grace under pressure. To be reminded again that there is a higher source I can trust to give me opportunities to live my purpose.
I walk back to my bedroom, in a bit of a daze. “There is a reason I woke up today,” I tell my husband.
“Hold on, Babe. I can’t hear you. I’m almost out,” he calls out from the shower.
Sister to Sister
Heather Gallegos was in the right place at the right time to save the life of fellow runner, Jim.
Eleven Minutes is Enough Time to Save a Life
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I wait in the doorway to the steamy bathroom, absorbing the warmth of the room. I take off my sweatshirt and start to put my phone on the dresser. I pause before I set it down and check my last call, curious how long I was on the phone with 911.
Eleven minutes.Eleven minutes for my life to briefly intersect with his. Enough time for me to be his
heartbeat until help arrived. Enough time to save his life. Enough time to change mine. While in the midst of writing everything down, I realized the story would serve a
more important purpose. First, to serve as a memory for the runner who will never remember those 11 minutes. And second, to share with others the lessons I learned that day:
1. Everyone can and should learn CPR. Maybe it will be a stranger or maybe it will be a loved one, but you can save a life. The Red Cross holds CPR and First Aid classes regularly in your area. Although I hadn’t taken a class in more than 15 years, some of it came back to me and I instinctually knew what to do. Since those 11 minutes, I spent a Saturday at the Red Cross and am now recertified in CPR.
2. Always carry ID, especially when exercising alone. Bring a card with your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts, or wear a tag from RoadID.com if you run/bike/walk alone. The runner did not have identification with him. For close to 36 hours after his cardiac arrest he was unidentified in the hospital, heavily sedated and unable to talk to hospital staff. His girlfriend broke into his house and found only his wallet and car keys. She then called the local hospitals to find him.
3. From your mobile phone, call your local 911 dispatcher to save time. Calls to 911 from a mobile phone are routed to a regional dispatcher who must transfer the call to your city. Look up and save your local 911 dis-patch number on your mobile phone to shave a minute or more off the emer-gency response time by avoiding this transfer. Find yours by searching online for “<your city> 911 dispatch.”
4. Everything happens for a reason. Even the little things in life, like get-ting up early in the morning, matter and shape your life. Be open and look for the opportunities presented to you to learn, live your purpose and realize your potential. You can find a reason, a lesson, a purpose for just about everything if you look in the right place.
5. Eleven minutes is enough time. Many of us, myself included, go through life thinking there’s not enough time to do everything. Whether it’s spending a few minutes reading with your child or stopping to help a stranded motorist, there’s always enough time to make a difference.
The runner who collapsed is Jim, a 47 year old whom I had never met before. He recovered and a few days later celebrated his 48th birthday. I had the pleasure of
meeting him again one month later, and I visited with him, his girlfriend and his sister for several hours. I expect they will continue to be part of my life, as we’ve run into each other at the grocery and have mutual friends in the neighborhood.
I’ve always felt a deep, personal connection to Alpha Xi Delta’s vision of “Inspiring women to realize their potential,” yet never before that day had I felt so intensely that I had actu-ally realized my extraordinary poten-tial. It is my hope, my fervent wish, that you also realize that it’s in each one of us to be extraordinary, even if it’s for 11 minutes.
Connect with Heather at heather. [email protected]. Read the full story Eleven Minutes at http://eleven-minutes.wordpress.com.
Do you have a message you’d like to share, “From Sister to Sister”? Send your story and photos to the Editor for future consideration.
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30 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Suzanne Davis Courtney, Eastern Michigan ’64, wrote and illustrated her first chil-dren’s book, Ride to the Stars, to help children understand the cycle of life and death. Suzanne wrote the book after the death of her 25-year-old son, Daniel. “The loss of a loved one is tragic,” she said, “but with hope, healing and love comes an understanding of how a life is truly infinite as well.”
Suzanne teaches elemen-tary school and lives with her family in Monroe, Michigan. Her book can be ordered from www.eloquentbooks .com/RideToTheStars.html and Amazon.com. Part of the book’s proceeds are given to the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to purchase rescue equipment to help firefighters and rescue teams save lives on the Big Island of Hawaii, where Daniel died. Suzanne is currently working on a nonfiction book on bereavement for parents.
Connect with Suzanne at [email protected].
Shannon K. Stevens, Syracuse ’94, joined Jaffe Associates, a public relations agency dedicated to law firms and the legal indus-try, as an account supervisor. Shannon began her career in corporate and financial PR and has represented The New York Bar Association and several prominent law firms. Most recently, she worked with PR firm M Booth & Associates in New York, where she was an integral part of the Vaseline, JCPenney and Tropicana teams. Her work on the Vaseline “Skin is Amazing” and “Skinvoice” campaigns helped yield several PR industry awards.
Connect with Shannon at [email protected].
Suzanne Davis Courtney and her daughter, Laura Sayre Dunworth,EasternMichigan’88.“ Laura and her brother were very close, and her input toward the book was immense,” said Suzanne.
Karen Casey Elliott, Purdue ’58, reveals everyday ways to open our hearts and minds to the power of hope in her new book, Cultivating Hope. Karen is the author of numerous books devoted to the enhance-ment of one’s personal and spiritual journey. Her first book, Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women, has sold more than three million copies.
Shelli Sanderson Miller, Bowling Green State ’89, was named principal at Hoffman Trails Elementary in Hilliard, Ohio. Shelli started teaching English in 1992 at what was then Hilliard Middle School; she accepted her new post in May 2009. Fun fact: As an undergrad, Shelli was BGSU’s mascot, Frieda Falcon!
Are you realizing your potential
in your career, profession or
community? Do you know a Sister
who is? Let us know by
contacting the Editor at
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www.alphaxidelta.org 31
Gloria Horton, Alabama ’62, (left) was named Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year by the Jacksonville State (AL) National Alumni Association. JSU English pro-fessor Pamela D. Young, Jacksonville State ’74, was also honored during the university’s homecoming game as Outstanding Alumna of the Year.
Carol Cooper, Florida State ’71, was recently recognized for her career accomplishments by the FSU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Carol has held numerous stateside and overseas positions during her 27-year career with the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps. During that time she received two Navy Achievement Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals and three Legion of Merit Medals – the second-highest noncombat award that can be earned.
Carol was the first female Navy judge advocate to be appointed to the Appellate Court of the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. She is also the first female director of Appellate Defense for the Navy, a position in which she supervised 13 other active-duty appellate attorneys and 20 reserve attorneys. To cap her military career, Carol became the senior counsel for the surgeon general of the Navy.
Carol retired from military service in 2005 and is now the deputy general counsel for TRICARE Management Activity, the organization that develops the policy and imple-ments the programs for the nation’s military healthcare system.
Connect with Carol at [email protected].
Lisa Cao, Cornell ’06, spent a year volunteering with City Year, an AmeriCorps organization that unites young people to serve as full-time tutors, mentors and role models. Lisa served at MS 302 in the South Bronx, the middle school alma mater of former secretary of state Colin Powell.
Lisa and fellow corps members Anthony Apollon and Matthew Thomas had the honor of meeting privately with Gen. Powell and introducing him as a keynote speaker at the annual Forum for Institutional Investors conference last fall in New York City. Gen. Powell thanked the trio for giving a year of their lives to serve the nation’s children and, to Lisa’s surprise, said, “Lisa will always have a special place in my heart because she served in my alma mater, MS 302!”
Connect with Lisa at [email protected]. Learn more about City Year at www.cityyear.org.
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32 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Alpha Xi Delta occupies more than 750,000 square feet of housing space on college campuses nationwide. These living spaces range from large homes to lodges and from dorm floors to suites.
In 2009, the Fraternity added three more chapter houses and one chapter room to this growing list. See who got new digs!
Zeta Omega Chapter, University of West Georgia (above)
After 20 years of moving from dorm hall to dorm hall, Zeta Omega Sisters finally have a chapter house! Plans began in 2005 when the university’s Panhellenic Council started discussing the benefits of building houses in a Greek Village. As with many construction projects, the timeline was extended and delays occurred. Finally, in fall 2009, the Alpha Xi Delta chapter house was complete.
Twenty of Zeta Omega’s 73 Sisters excitedly packed up their belongings
and moved into their new home. Fourteen sororities and fraternities live in Greek Village, the new hub of West Georgia’s Greek life.
Professionally decorated, the chap-ter house resembles a home found in an upscale neighborhood while offer-ing all the comforts of a college apart-ment. Sisters look forward to hosting chapter events, as well as homecoming and Family Day, at their new home.—Merrie Griffith Martin, ’91
Alpha Beta Chapter, Cornell University (opposite page, top)
In fall 2009, Sisters moved into their new home at 40 Ridgewood Road in Ithaca, New York. The new chapter house is a magnificent white structure, complete with columns and balconies. Inside is a chapter room, formal room, library, gym, TV room, laundry facili-ties and an enormous dining room. The 18 bedrooms double the chapter’s
live-in capacity to 38 Sisters. Many of the bedrooms have private bathrooms; three connect to private balconies.
A prominent Cornell horticulture professor originally owned the chapter house. Several fraternities and sorori-ties also occupied the house through the years.
In September, Alpha Beta hosted a housewarming barbecue for the other sororities at Cornell and the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs staff. As Sisters gave house tours, their excitement for their new house was obvious.—Tracey Zhou, ’08
Zeta Xi Chapter, Auburn University (right, middle)
After months of planning, building and designing, Zeta Xi was delighted to welcome potential new members into their new chapter room during fall 2009 recruitment.
While it’s a huge endeavor for a
Housing
A Place to Call Home
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www.alphaxidelta.org 3333
housing corporation to conduct a capi-tal campaign to garner funds for a new chapter room/house, these efforts are beneficial beyond the obvious delight of a brand new space. When alumnae give monetary gifts for a new chapter room/house, they’re contributing not only to the new space, but also to the chapter’s recruitment efforts for years to come.
Project manager Gina Willis Hawkins, Jacksonville State ’86, interior designer Ginny Aday, Florida State ’65, and local project coordinator Grace Byrd Morris, Auburn ’91, crafted the new chapter room to meet a variety of needs: a meeting room, a living room and a welcoming space for alumnae and guests. To Sisters, the chapter room is also a physical representation of their respect for Alpha Xi Delta.
Zeta Xi’s chapter room features creamy yellow walls, a rich hardwood floor accent-ed with beautiful rugs, several lovely occasional tables, and sofas and chairs with beautiful light blue, dark blue and gold coverings. Each item was handpicked to reflect Southern charm and sorority pride.—Michelle LeNoir Collier, Zeta Xi ’94
Theta Psi Chapter, Dartmouth College (right, bottom)
Theta Psi Sisters are proud to call home their residence at 17 East Wheelock in Hanover, New Hampshire. The chapter house was renovated last summer and sleeps 15 seniors and seven juniors.
Paint colors and furniture are brand new and tailored to Sisters’ specifications. The first floor displays our colors – light blue, dark blue and yellow; the beautiful entranceway welcomes Sisters and guests with our Greek letters inlaid in marble. This stunning entrance leads to a great hall, painted a warm shade of yellow, that sits adjacent to the kitchen and study room.
The chapter house is situated near the East Wheelock residential cluster, across the street from Alumni Gym. It’s also close to several Greek houses, including Kappa Kappa Gamma and Chi Heorot.—Michelle Chan, ’08
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34 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
“I will be back in the hospital next year and unable to work since I’m often in the hospital from 5:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. This scholarship will allow me to focus on my studies.”
Sima Yazdani, Texas ’03, Duke University School of Medicine, a recipient of the presti-gious Howard Hughes Medical Fellowship during which she con-ducted research on identifying mechanisms of epilepsy. Her goal is to be accepted into a neurosur-gery residency program with a strong emphasis on research.
Alpha Xi Delta’s Founders left us a great legacy. They taught us the value of edu-cation because it frees us to achieve our goals and gives us the power to be what-ever we choose. They taught us to sup-port one another through shared experi-
ences and understanding. They taught us to serve others and reach out to better the lives of those less fortunate.
To honor their legacy, the Founders’ Memorial Scholarship was announced at Alpha Xi Delta’s 75th Anniversary
Diamond Jubilee Convention in 1968. Through the years it has been awarded to 47 Sisters. We look forward to follow-ing the journey of our 2009 Founders’ Memorial Scholarship Recipients and the difference they will make in our world.
Foundation News
Inspiring Knowledge and Inspiring Sisters
“Alpha Xi Delta has always been there for me throughout my college career. My involvement in Greek life has taught me skills that are important for medical school and beyond: persistence, orga-nization and loyalty. I am hopeful that someday my daughter will see how much my sorority and Sisters have meant to me and become a Sister in Alpha Xi Delta.”
“Time and time again, I see the reasons why Alpha Xi Delta is the perfect women’s fraternity for me. Our vision, ‘Inspiring women to realize their potential,’ is my career objective! I blossomed and grew into who I always wanted to be because of my experience in Alpha Xi Delta, which led me to my current career path in student affairs.”
Shayna Royal, Nebraska Omaha ’04, a student in the college student personnel master’s degree program at Bowling Green State University.
“Alpha Xi Delta has changed my life. The Fraternity put me where I am today, and I will be forever grateful for the woman she has taught me to be.”
Amanda Benson Hicks, Southern Polytechnic State ’04, Finance Territory Director for Alpha Xi Delta chapters in the southeast, pursuing an MBA in finance online at Grand Canyon University.
Diamond Jubilee Convention in 1968.
“Time and time again, I see the reasons why Alpha Xi Delta is the perfect women’s fraternity for me. Our vision,
Through the years it has been awarded to 47 Sisters. We look forward to following the journey of our 2009 Founders’ Memorial Scholarship Recipients and the difference they will make in our world.
to 47 Sisters. We look forward to following the journey of our 2009 Founders’ Memorial Scholarship Recipients and the difference they will make in our world.
“Time and time again, I see the reasons why Alpha Xi Delta is the perfect women’s fraternity for me. Our vision, ‘Inspiring women to realize their potential,’ is my career
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www.alphaxidelta.org 35
Isn’t it a good feeling to invest in young women’s lives? Your current and future gifts to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation will inspire young women to realize their potential through the leadership opportunities we offer, the lifelong learning we inspire and the service we give to improve the lives of children. This was the dream of our Founders and is more important in our lives today than ever before.
What is your dream for Alpha Xi Delta and our young Sisters? Whatever your passion — women’s leadership, personal growth, lifelong learning, scholarship, com-munity service — we can help you realize your dreams through a planned gift to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. Have you already named the Foundation in your will, trust, IRA, retirement plan or life insurance policy? Please let us know so that:
• You receive appropriate thanks and appreciation.• You are enrolled in our Society of 1893 planned
giving society.• You receive invitations to special gatherings at
national meetings.• You can verify that the Foundation is able to
comply with your wishes within IRS guidelines, if you have included special terms with your gift.
• You can make new friendships based on your commitment to Alpha Xi Delta’s future.
□
Can We Count on You?
✁✁
The Society of 1893IhavenamedtheAlphaXiDeltaFoundationinmyestate
plans.PleaseenrollmeinTheSocietyof1893.
I’dlikemoreinformationaboutestateandgiftplanning.
I’llsharemystoryaboutwhy IgivetotheAlphaXiDeltaFoundation to inspireothers. (Pleaseattach your story tothisformoremailKendraLewis,DirectorofDevelopment,[email protected].)
Name
Initiatingchapter
Address
City
State
ZIP
Phone()
Pleasecliporcopythisformandmailitto:
AlphaXiDeltaFoundation
8702FoundersRoad
Indianapolis,IN46268
Angela Byun Robinson,Case Western Reserve ’97, a pediatric rheumatology Fellow at Duke University pursing a master’s degree in public health in epidemiol-ogy. Her ultimate goal is to become a clinical researcher at an academic institution,
taking care of children clinically and helping per-form research to advance the treatment of chronic childhood diseases.
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36 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201036 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
EternalChapter
The spring Chapter Eter-nal includes Sisters whose passing was reported to Fraternity Headquarters be-tween September 1 and De-cember 31, 2009. To notify us of a Sister’s passing, please send an obituary notice, me-morial service pamphlet or other written confirmation to Fraternity Headquarters.
Beta ChapterIowa Wesleyan CollegeMildred Marcilliat Byerly ’38Rosemary Davis Logsdon ’40Susan Long Mueller ’77Karen Boruff Pease ’59
Gamma ChapterMount Union CollegeJean Madison Krahling ’42Ruth Newell Newman ’38
Delta ChapterBethany CollegeLouise Gettys Dutt ’39Ann Harman Gray ’40Alice Cree Hamilton ’52Helen Aull Meess ’45
Epsilon ChapterUniversity of South DakotaDoris Wright Hill ’40
Zeta ChapterWittenberg UniversityAlice Wiegel Hill ’41Merle Asplin Wearstler ’36
Theta ChapterUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonElizabeth Brown Stiller ’47Kathryn Kaeser Taplick ’31
Iota ChapterWest Virginia UniversitySelby Parsons Greer ’52Barbara Cather Weltman ’30
Kappa ChapterUniversity of IllinoisPriscilla Lavin Kuhn ’41Lera Margaret Spencer ’23
Mu ChapterUniversity of MinnesotaDorothy Sandberg Hegdol ’38Helen Stephens Pohl ’23
Nu ChapterUniversity of WashingtonJeannette Uddenberg Vander Woude ’41
Omicron ChapterUniversity of California, BerkeleyCarol Lowe Arne ’52Shirley Haueter Dodge ’56Ruth Nisson Sawyer ’32
Pi ChapterOhio UniversityBetty Jane Otstot Brown ’36Margaret Sheldon Hadden ’42Joanne Hammerstrand Kunath ’43
Tau ChapterUniversity of New HampshireEthel Steigmann Garcia ’41Jeannine Kieft-Schnipper ’88
Phi ChapterAlbion CollegeNancy McSween Dunne ’51
Psi ChapterOhio State UniversityAnna Eggleston Klotz ’39Mary Reeder Lawless ’35Marlena Richards ’73Mildred Geren Seybold ’33
Omega ChapterStetson UniversityLuanna Krause Carswell ’58Frances Chandler Futch ’41Martha Howe McConnell Hall ’35
Irma Chappell Sprinkle ’34Mina Kingston Tinsley ’51
Alpha Beta ChapterCornell UniversityJoyce White Cima ’49Grace O’Dare Kimball ’38Louise Laverty Matejka ’50
Alpha Gamma ChapterCoe CollegeMary Northey Knapp ’28Sydney Jayne Lawrence Ortman ’70
Patricia Wilson Ruigh ’40
Alpha Delta ChapterOregon State UniversityMina Hessler Carr ’30Jean McKinney Griffith ’41Marylou McAllister Lacey ’41
Alpha Epsilon ChapterUniversity of MichiganBeatrice Brown Nobles ’47Ann Dixon Thomas ’40
Alpha Eta ChapterPurdue UniversityRuth Brown Heaton ’35Nelda Wood Kramer ’39Maxine Brossart Paonessa ’36Jane Switzer Vaux ’44
Alpha Theta ChapterNorthwestern UniversityShirley Barnes Asquith ’51Elizabeth Rainford Berkemeyer ’60
Peggy Lee Baugher Garrett ’54Edith Maudain Barnard Wood ’42
Alpha Iota ChapterDrake UniversityMartha Lou Fischer Denton ’74Dorothy Beswick Wiechmann ’38
Alpha Kappa ChapterKansas State UniversityNorva Jeanne Wolfe Henrichs ’48
Alpha Mu ChapterOhio Wesleyan UniversityMary Gibson Gardner ’54Bettie Lowther Riggs ’45Geraldine Phelps Stalnaker ’43
Alpha Xi ChapterUniversity of California at Los AngelesAudrey Leeman Lincoln ’35
Alpha Rho ChapterAllegheny CollegeDorothy Devlin Poleno ’42
Alpha Sigma ChapterWashington State UniversityHelen Frost Austin ’67
Beta Alpha ChapterUniversity of TexasFrances Brunner Herzik ’36
Beta Beta ChapterWashington UniversityMargaret McLean Harkness Glahn ’48
Karleen Redle ’57
Beta Gamma ChapterCentenary CollegeHazel Kendrick Bice ’41
Beta Epsilon ChapterMonmouth CollegeAgnes Kilpatrick Anderson ’46Mary Beal DeYoung ’36Eva Ketzle Gobble ’41Minna Fricke Work ’32
Beta Zeta ChapterLake Forest CollegeMary Dusenberry ’45
Beta Eta ChapterUniversity of MarylandShirley Pfeiffer Herbert ’39Harriet Littell Kitsz ’45
Beta Theta ChapterMichigan State UniversityHelene Olmstead Staercke ’45
Beta Kappa ChapterBaldwin-Wallace CollegeJane Wilkerson Koppenhafer ’50Marian Lundi Scheutzow ’57
Beta Lambda ChapterPennsylvania State UniversityCarmela Marino Harvey ’55
Beta Mu ChapterBowling Green State UniversityPatricia Fillner Berry ’43Nancy Claspy Swenson ’56
Beta Nu ChapterCulver-Stockton CollegePatricia Swank Pickering ’49
Beta Xi ChapterMarietta CollegeAnne Anderson Davidson ’45Loretta Morrissey Gelbach ’45
Beta Omicron ChapterMissouri Valley CollegePatricia Johnson Davies ’50
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www.alphaxidelta.org 37
A Classic...Redefined!From understated elegance to stunningly spectacular, express your unique sense of style with a beautiful new Quill from Herff Jones.
Choose a sleek, classic badge or a Quill adorned with dazzling gemstones. With prices starting at just $50, you’ll want to order more than one!
View the new collections at www.alphaxidelta.org/QuillBadges.
EternalChapter
Beta Pi ChapterIndiana UniversityPatricia Prince Hasselfeldt ’58
Beta Sigma ChapterWest Virginia Wesleyan CollegeImogene Randolph Hymes ’47
Beta Upsilon ChapterUniversity of Rhode IslandPatricia Huettel Gilbert ’54
Beta Phi ChapterUniversity of ConnecticutMary Castenholz Stack-Dunne ’49
Beta Omega ChapterMemphis State UniversityAnne Coda Drake ’49
Gamma Epsilon ChapterFresno StateBernadine Silva Cotta ’52Nancy Dadian ’76Winifred Berg Jewell ’52
Gamma Eta ChapterGeorgia Institute of TechnologySylvia Bassett ’55
Gamma Kappa ChapterSusquehanna UniversityGayle Troxell Yingling ’57
Gamma Nu ChapterSoutheast Missouri State UniversityJudith Wood Despres ’58
Gamma Sigma ChapterThiel CollegeFrances Tinley Rosselot ’63Cynthia Guyer Vanetta ’61
Gamma Upsilon ChapterUniversity of GeorgiaLinda Sutton Fletcher ’60
Delta Iota ChapterChadron State CollegeRoxane Andersen ’80
Delta Mu ChapterOld Dominion UniversityKathryn Edwards Benner ’99
Delta Pi ChapterDefiance CollegeBonnie Warren Tomlinson ’65
Delta Upsilon ChapterUniversity of Wisconsin-SuperiorJane Webster Wallace ’66
Delta Phi ChapterUniversity of CharlestonJulie Ann Hamlin ’80Marcia Jones ’65
Delta Psi ChapterTexas State University-San MarcosMary Margaret Mayfield ’68Cherryl Towns Sigwing ’72
Epsilon Pi ChapterJacksonville State UniversityMiriam Cockrell Higginbotham ’68
Zeta Lambda ChapterTexas Wesleyan UniversityMary Martin Pinkerton ’87
Zeta Sigma ChapterHillsdale CollegeJoyce Roberts Howell ’85
Quill 0210.indd 37 3/8/10 3:59 PM
38 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Be the Heart of Alpha Xi Delta My $20 check is enclosed. Please charge $20 to my credit card.
First Name
Maiden Name
Last Name
Initiating Chapter
Address
City State Zip
Phone
MasterCard Visa American Express Discover Card Number
Expiration Date SignaturePlease mail this form to: Alpha Xi Delta FHQ, c/o Member Services • 8702 Founders Road • Indianapolis, IN 46268
If every Alpha Xi Delta alumnareading The Quill sent...
Alpha Xi Delta could... Increase membership and help more young women realize their potential
Offer to every collegiate chapter Bridges, a program for graduating seniors to guide them as they transition into alumnae members
Enhance technological capabilities to open new doors for Sisters to connect
Strengthen and build our Sisterhood from coast to coast, ensuring a vibrant Alpha Xi Delta for generations to come
This check could do a lot. Be the Heart!(Now imagine what $200 could do.)
reading reading reading reading reading reading The QuillThe QuillThe QuillThe QuillThe QuillThe Quill
AlumnaeDuesAd v2.indd 1 2/24/2010 3:21:20 PMQuill 0210.indd 38 3/8/10 3:59 PM
www.alphaxidelta.org 39
Be the Heart of Alpha Xi Delta My $20 check is enclosed. Please charge $20 to my credit card.
First Name
Maiden Name
Last Name
Initiating Chapter
Address
City State Zip
Phone
MasterCard Visa American Express Discover Card Number
Expiration Date SignaturePlease mail this form to: Alpha Xi Delta FHQ, c/o Member Services • 8702 Founders Road • Indianapolis, IN 46268
If every Alpha Xi Delta alumnareading The Quill sent...
Alpha Xi Delta could... Increase membership and help more young women realize their potential
Offer to every collegiate chapter Bridges, a program for graduating seniors to guide them as they transition into alumnae members
Enhance technological capabilities to open new doors for Sisters to connect
Strengthen and build our Sisterhood from coast to coast, ensuring a vibrant Alpha Xi Delta for generations to come
This check could do a lot. Be the Heart!(Now imagine what $200 could do.)
AlumnaeDuesAd v2.indd 1 2/24/2010 3:21:20 PM
By BriAltier,ChiOmegaFraternity,TulaneUniversityDaughterofSarahBookerAltier,Stetson ’79
When writing this article and reflecting on The Sym-phony, I only had to read the first line to see that my mom is truly living this creed. My university does not have an Alpha Xi Delta chapter, yet my mom sup-ported me in joining the Greek community as a Chi Omega, which allowed me to develop a further under-standing of her connection to Alpha Xi Delta.
As a dedicated teacher for 19 years, my mom has been honored with numer-ous awards, most notably the 2008 DeLand, Florida, High School Teacher of the Year and as a top five finalist for 2009 Volusia County, Flor-ida, Teacher of the Year.
My mom also has a passion for exploration, which led her to jobs all around the world, including two years working as a model in Australia and a summer in Namibia teaching reading strategies and AIDS awareness.
When she’s not winning awards and touring the world, Mom is busy pursuing her love of knowledge. In 2006 she completed her master’s degree at Stetson University and is currently working toward her doctorate at the University of Florida. Her GPA is a 4.0. Can you believe this woman is my mom and your Sister?
I must also mention a detail that never fails to impress my friends: Mom was a con-testant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Jeopardy! As a smart yet humble woman, she always gets a little modest when I start bragging about her game show history. (Are you rolling your eyes yet, Mom? I’m sorry, but you know I just couldn’t leave this out.)
Finally, and most importantly, I respect my mom for the things you would never find on a resume. Twenty-seven years ago she married the best man in the entire world, the man I’m proud to call my dad. Of those years, 23 were completely dedicated to raising my two brothers and me. I will always respect my parents for giving me such a strong foundation.
With my Mom’s clear vision of life, she sets new goals every day and lives them out. She is an amazing teacher, student, community member, person and, most importantly, mother.
Living Our SymphonyA Clear Vision of Life
The Symphony of Alpha Xi Delta
These things do we
earnestly desire:
A clear vision of life,
that with gracious
and kindly hearts we
may share both joy
and sorrow and bring
into living reality the
sisterhood of women.
An appreciation of
real merit and worth,
steadfastness of soul,
that without bitterness
or defeat we may
encounter misfortune
and with humility meet
success.
These things, O Lord,
help us to instill within
our hearts, that we may
grow in courage and
graciousness and peace.
Send your Living our Symphony stories and photos to Fraternity Headquarters,
or email them to [email protected].
Sarah Booker Altier and her daughter, Bri.
Quill 0210.indd 39 3/8/10 3:59 PM
40 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201040 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201040 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
EternalChapter
Honor GiftsTheFoundationrecognizesHonorGiftsgivenfromSeptember1,2009,throughDecember31,2009.
Alpha Eta Chapter, Purdueby KendraBeckerLewis,Purdue
Alpha Xi Delta by ShannonDutton,Georgia Tech
RachelHenry,Georgia Tech
Alpha Xi Delta staff by JackieLyerly,Alpha Deuteron
Rachel Amato, Sonoma State, October 2009 FVP of the Monthby OmegaFinancial,Inc
Martin & Carol Anderson, parents of Laura Anderson by LauraAnderson,South Dakota State
Autism Speaks by KathrynCollinsFilar,Alma
Jillian Auxter, Toledoby CharleneDangler,Toledo
Bianca Bareswill, Old Dominionby GladysHerrera,Old Dominion
Ellen Barrett, mother of Kelly Barrett by KellyBarrett,Toledo
Jan Colton Belka, Slippery Rockby KimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Beta Alpha Chapter’s 80th anniver-sary, Texasby DevonMcGoldrick,Rochester Institute of Technology
Beta Epsilon Chapter, Monmouth by SonjaZedigianLowry,Monmouth
Christina Betcher by AngelaSchneider,St. Norbert
Cathy & Paul Breslin, parents of Abigail Breslin by AbigailBreslin,Stetson
Catherine Winckler Brown, Alpha Deuteronby ShirleyAlbrechtWinckler,Iowa
Denise Brown, Northern Iowaby KimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Samantha Carlson, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JenniferNewport, Wisconsin Oshkosh
Erica Contreras, Wisconsin Oshkoshby AllisonPopple,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Corporation boards supporting Delta Xi Chapter, Georgia State bySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Corporation boards supporting Gamma Eta Chapter, Georgia TechbySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Corporation boards supporting Theta Phi Chapter, Alabama BirminghambySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Corporation boards supporting Zeta Omega Chapter, West GeorgiabySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Corporation boards supporting Zeta Xi Chapter, AuburnbySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Katie Costa by JenniferHodor,West Virginia
Casey Cowhey, Missouri St. Louisby LindseyHeminghaus,Missouri St. Louis
Mary Crafton, Miami Ohio, December 2009 FVP of the Monthby OmegaFinancial,Inc
Blanche Gustavson Crook, OregonbyBarbaraStallcupMiller,Oregon
Delta Chi fall pledge class of 2006, Northern Iowaby AshleyPatton,Northern Iowa
Delta Chi members, Northern Iowaby DeniseBrown,Northern Iowa
Alice Frampton Dittman, Nebraska LincolnbyMarjorieStapletonOlney,Nebraska Lincoln
Pamela Donaldson, West VirginiabyCarolineWilson,West Virginia
Christina-Marie Drake, DefiancebyKateLambertHayfield,Defiance
Rikki Ealy-Hill, Western Michigan, September 2009 FVP of the MonthbyOmegaFinancial,Inc
Epsilon Phi colony members & 1969 initiates, Iowa State, for 40 years of membershipby JudyErickson,Iowa State
Michele Herbst Evink, South Dakota Stateby anonymousdonor
Julie Ferguson, Old Dominionby BiancaBareswill,Old Dominion
Brittany Fischer, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JadaLettenberger,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Foundation Board by MyraWigginsGrant,Western Carolina
Elizabeth Shetler Frank, Ohio State by SusanCooperKirschner,Ohio State
Melinda Frank, Ohio StatebySusanCooperKirschner,Ohio State
Lauren Fuller, Albion byLindsayCarniak,Albion
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www.alphaxidelta.org 41www.alphaxidelta.org 41www.alphaxidelta.org 41
EternalChapter
Gamma Delta members, Nebraska Omahaby KaroleeBunnieWybengaOlsen,Nebraska Omaha
Gamma Xi Chapter, Valdosta State by SueHiltonKenneally,Valdosta State
Avery Garcia, St. Norbert by CassandraBaker,St. Norbert
Donna Gerofsky, mother of Karen Gerofskyby KarenGerofsky,Lycoming
Jennifer Gianino, Southeast Missouri Stateby SaraKonopka,Purdue
David Goodliff, father of Michelle Goodliffby MichelleGoodliff,West Virginia
Emilee Goralski, Albion by MaryShellenbergerBrown,Central Michigan
Craig & Janet Gordon, parents of Jennifer Gordonby JenniferGordon,Nebraska Omaha
Jennifer Gordon, West Virginiaby RebeccaCampbell,West Virginia
Barbara Renick Graves, Frostburg Stateby SandraPriebeDay,Frostburg State
Mary Hartzell Greenman, Southeast Missouri Stateby KarenOgorzalek,Monmouth (IL)
Meghan Griffith, Florida State Class of 2012, daughter of Margaret Miesiaszek Griffith by MargaretMiesiaszekGriffith,Western Carolina
Sandra & Richard Harrington, parents of Jennifer Harrington by JenniferHarrington,West Virginia
Sondra Stonebraker Harrison, Washington St. Louisby AnnaLouiseLarsonFisher,Kansas State
Lindsey Heminghaus, Missouri St. Louisby CaseyCowhey,Missouri St. Louis
Jennifer Bauer Henson, Wittenbergby GammaPhiBetaSorority
KimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Katy Hicock, Old Dominionby GladysHerrera,Old Dominion
KimberlyNichols,Old Dominion
Marijo Hocevar, mother of Renee Hocevar by ReneeHocevar,Toledo
Phil & Teresa Hood, parents of Katherine Hood by KatherineHood,Northern Iowa
Housing committees supporting Epsilon Pi Chapter, Jacksonville State by SaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Housing committees supporting Iota Theta Chapter, Southern Polytechnic Stateby SaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Liz Jackson by JulieJackson,Albion
Carol Sutliff Jordan, Bowling Green StatebyLindaLutzDettmer,Baldwin-Wallace
Kappa Chapter, Illinoisby BethHenningPolizzotto,Illinois
Lorene Graver Kelley, Nebraska Lincolnby BethCohen,Penn State
Jessica Kelly-Paul, Wisconsin Oshkoshby AllisonPopple,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Erika Kiley, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JessiSeymour,Wisconsin Oshkosh
June Grebe Kilo, Washington St. Louisby AnnaLouiseLarsonFisher,Kansas State
Bobbie-Jo King, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JadaLettenberger,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Karen Knudson, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JadaLettenberger,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Jessica Koenen, Wisconsin Oshkoshby JenniferNewport,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Mary Koester, mother of Alysia Jensen by AlysiaJensen,Northern Iowa
Jennifer Emerick Kuntz, Northern Iowaby KimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Emily Spuhl LaBarge, Washington St. LouisbyAnnaLouiseLarsonFisher,Kansas State
Patricia Neffler Lafferty, UCLAbyElleenHallDenahy,UCLA
Julie Lambert, Oregon StatebyKimberlyStarr,Kentucky
June Ann Fursey Lee, Mount UnionbyJaneFurseyRalston,Mount Union
Kristin Maas, Lyon byLaurenNash,Embry-Riddle (AZ)
Katherine Listwan Martin, FloridabyJenniferBellasLee,Old Dominion
NealyPattyWheat,West Georgia
Deb & Dave McCarrison, parents of Katie McCarrison byKatieMcCarrison,West Virginia
Rebecca McMurray, Albion byChelseaGray,Albion
Quill 0210.indd 41 3/8/10 3:59 PM
42 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201042 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 201042 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
EternalChapter
Caryn Miller, Albion by EmileeGoralski,Albion
Jennie Windsor Mills, Marshallby MarthaGerberGuinn,Marshall
Kristen Mitchell, Toledoby ElizabethHeffern,Toledo
Claressa Moreland, Friend of Alpha Xi Deltaby KendraBeckerLewis,Purdue
Rachel Mullen, Christian Brothersby HildaChaseMullen,Memphis State
Aline Lacey Neumann, Culver-Stocktonby AnnaLouiseLarsonFisher,Kansas State
Allison Ortlip, Miami Ohioby DianeOrtlip,Ohio State
Kelsey Partipilo, Cal State Northridge, November 2009 FVP of the Monthby OmegaFinancial,Inc
Lon & Linda Pickart, parents of Laura Pickart by LauraPickart,St. Norbert
Tammy Tuley Purves, Georgia Techby KyleHanofee,Georgia Tech
Betty Puskar by MaryKathryneCaussinWiedebusch,West Virginia
Melissa Krueger Ramsey, Kent Stateby SaraKonopka,Purdue
CherylEbyMiller,Nebraska Omaha
The Roosevelts by SaraAnderson,Texas
Marilyn Schmoeller Sandefur, Washington St. Louisby AnnaLouiseLarsonFisher,Kansas State
Dan & Diane Scanlon, parents of Alanna Scanlon by AlannaScanlon,West Virginia
Jan Schefstad, mother of Lauren Schefstadby LaurenSchefstad,Georgia Tech
Lauren Schefstad, Georgia Techby KatiePhillips,Georgia Tech
AmandaRigg,Georgia Tech
Evelyn Schreier, mother of Kimberley Schreier by KimberlySchreier,Toledo
Cynthia Smith, Michiganby ShannonPatrick,Rochester Institute of Technology
Leigh Smitley, West Viriginiaby ClaireBarth,West Virginia
Kelly Stetser, Albion by StevieCollini,Albion
Courtney Styres, Alabama Birminghamby BryndenStyres,Alabama Birmingham
Jennifer Tanner, Georgia Techby LauraKitashima,Georgia Tech
Dawn Haines Thomas, Frostburg Stateby JanetGleasonWhite,Frostburg State
Marty & Terri Trepp, parents of Meghan Trepp by MeghanTrepp,Northern Iowa
Toni Marie Villines, Hartfordby LynneMcNamee,Virginia
Kelli Vomacka, Nebraska Omahaby CherylEbyMiller,Nebraska Omaha
Chelsea Wecker, South Dakota Stateby TaraTschetter,South Dakota State
Nealy Patty Wheat, West Georgiaby JenniferL.BellasLee,Old Dominion
DawnVictor-Herring,FriendofAlphaXiDelta
Connie Bartel White, Toledoby CharleneDangler,Toledo
Judy White, Oklahoma Stateby KimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Susan C. Winckler, Iowaby ShirleyAlbrechtWinckler,Iowa
Bill & Ellen Wolfrum, parents of Carrie Wolfrum by CarrieWolfrum, Toledo
Kathy Goforth Wooten, Western Carolinaby CathyStuttsPortaro,Western Carolina
Wendy Wray, mother of Alexa Wray by AlexaWray,West Virginia
Erin Zimmerman, Wisconsin Oshkoshby ErikaKiley,Wisconsin Oshkosh
Quill 0210.indd 42 3/8/10 3:59 PM
EternalChapter
Ann Robinson Baird, Frostburg StatebyJayBaird,husbandofAnnRobinsonBaird
SheilaKlaseBenac,Frostburg State
AnneHudsonBrinsmade,Frostburg State
NancyThomasCarman,Frostburg State
Chesapeake,MDAlumnaeAssociation
SandraPriebeDay,Frostburg State
EllenGibsonGoodwin,West Virginia
RebeccaNeilson,Frostburg State
LindaZerfing,Frostburg State
Gretchen Kelly Barrett, IowabySusanBarrettBoelke,Monmouth
Sarah Emblen Beneke, Wittenberg byLisaBenekeBurris,Marshall
Patricia Ann Wyatt Berry, Florida State byJoanClark,Florida
LuanneShaferCollins,Florida State
Dr.BonnieClarkJefferis,Defiance
PinellasCounty,FLAlumnaeAssociation
Joan Updegraff Bleyle, Bethany byAlleneCushingKnibloe,Cornell
Margaret Borst Taggart Braumiller, WittenbergbyNormaJeanJonesMozier,Wittenberg
Ruth Fowler Brown, Ohio byGeorgeBrownJr.,FriendofAlphaXiDelta
TheCharlesH.GilesandFannieM.GilesMemorialFoundation
Carmen Bohrer Bryant, Iowa Wesleyan byJaneStone,Ohio Wesleyan
Michelle Lively Clinton, Ohio StatebyKimberlyStarr,Kentucky
Beverly Van Buskirk Cook, IowabyAnneMorganRogers,Iowa
Marion Cosenza, Rider byJudithDispenzaStabile,Rider
Vicki Crane, mother of Kathryn Crane, TexasbyBetaAlphaChapter,Texas
Evelyn Gibbs Buntain Dice, NorthwesternbySuzanneMittonPetru,Northwestern
Nancy McSween Dunne, Albion byNancyFehrmannGainer,Iowa State
Esther Fitton Foster, Ohio byAnnaFoster,Stetson
Elinor Shilts Fursey, Mount Union byJaneFurseyRalston,Mount Union
E. Virginia Curtis Cronkhite, mother of Diane Curtis Gregory, WittenbergbySaraPullisMolnar,Ferris State
Mervin Huebner, husband of Dorothea Moser Huebner, CoebytheCedarRapids,IAAlumnaeAssociation
Jessica Hughes, Nebraska LincolnbyJacquelineRockwellEldal,Nebraska Lincoln
Elizabeth Kavooras bySaraRossGouzenne,Cal State Stanislaus
Robert J. Kelly, father of Peggy Kelly Anderson, New OrleansbytheNewOrleans,LAAlumnaeAssociation
Shirley King Kreimeyer, MarylandbyCarolynKingScudder,Maryland
Stan Kuryla byBeverlyGoughKurylaSmith,Michigan
Shirley Sikora Lapeer, MarshallbySuzanneSikoraSimpson,Marshall
Marnie Laudadio byJeanSauerDeFrances,Florida State
Nancy Lindell Leslie, Nebraska OmahabyMarilynHorner,Nebraska Omaha
Irene Hughes Braun Loweth, Ohio WesleyanbyAlleneCushingKnibloe,Cornell
Shan Mahaffey, daughter of Marcia Hixson Mahaffey byMarciaHixsonMahaffey, U of Washington
Nancy Helton McConnell, KentuckybyKarenCookRudd,Kentucky
Phyllis Oetjen Moller, Coe byDennyMoller,husbandofPhyllisOetjenMoller
Julia Warthen Armel Morgan byJaneStone,Ohio Wesleyan
Mildred Marshall Morgan, South DakotabyAnneMorganRogers,Iowa
Mary Patricia Nearman, grand-mother of Elysia Balster Gallivan, South DakotabyDeannaWollamDetchemendy,Cal State Northridge
Beatrice Brown Nobles, MichiganbytheFlint,MIAlumnaeAssociation
TheFoundationrecognizesMemorialGiftsgivenfromSeptember1,2009,throughDecember31,2009.
Memorial Gifts
www.alphaxidelta.org 4343
Quill 0210.indd 43 3/8/10 3:59 PM
Lucille Ogle by BeverlyGoughKurylaSmith,Michigan
Sally Old, Albion by AllisonJamesGreen,Albion
Rose Mary Smith Pattison, West Virginiaby JaneStone,Ohio Wesleyan
Karen Boruff Pease, Iowa Wesleyanby LouAnnLaRochedeRoode,Penn State
Chuck Pierson, husband of Mary Lewis Pierson, Northwestern by DonnaFieldHannibal,Northwestern
Patricia Hass Pilger, Culver-Stocktonby JodeyMaxwell-Swee,Culver-Stockton
Mary Martin Pinkerton, Texas Wesleyanby LeslieStorey,Texas Wesleyan
Jean Harkless Pond, Alleghenyby AlverisBonnellVanFleetCorson,Michigan
Robert Posthumus, father of Sandra Posthumus Holcomb, Cal State Northridgeby SusanLeeds-Horwitz,Cal State Northridge
Helen Banda Ralsten, Marshallby NancyMillerLince,Marshall
Karleen G. Redle, Washingtonby DianeHarrison,Missouri St. Louis
SondraStonebrakerHarrison,Washington
Lynn Ledwitch Reid, Georgia Techby KimbroughPaceNoonan,Georgia Tech
Elizabeth “Betty” Reid Shawn, Marylandby BettyAxtMcCurry,Maryland
Cherryl Towns Sigwing, Texas Stateby Mr.RichardSigwing,husbandofCherrylTownsSigwing
Jane Brisco Skinner, Purdue by JaneBlindGlover,Purdue
Carl Robert Smith, grandson of Kathy Orebaugh Reinke by KathyOrebaughReinke,U of Washington
Josephine Smith Southworth, Oregon Stateby MargaretRiggsArndt,Oregon State
Martha Davies Stone, Randolph-Maconby JaneStone,Ohio Wesleyan
Lulu Coberly Stout, Stetsonby VirginiaGerretsonBrooks, Florida State
Nancy Claspy Swenson, Bowling Green Stateby GinnyBolasPhilp,Arizona
Barbara Lee Tatar, Alpha Deuteronby SueRileyFackler,Ohio State
AmyDawsonKraenzlein,Iowa State
MaryMackieMroz,Northern Michigan
BettyCroninWebb,Ohio State
MaryWhitman,Central Michigan
DellaAkehurstWilder,Central Michigan
BettyTatarWiseman,Central Michigan
Janet Kendall Tower, Purdue by Dr.&Mrs.RobertS.Main,FriendsofAlphaXiDelta
DonnaGettleWorthley,Indiana State
Mary Jane Switzer Vaux, Purdue by MarjorieBlaksleeBoyle,Purdue
Abigail Verhelst, Kent Stateby MarandaMarieMangino,Kent State
Betty Robertson Wert, Wittenberg by MaryShatzerJaeger,Wittenberg
NancyBaldwinKinzie,Michigan State
Diane Zukow by BeverlyKeisterMorlok-Finger,Coe
44 The Quill of Alpha Xi Delta | Spring 2010
Quill 0210.indd 44 3/8/10 3:59 PM
Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity 8702 Founders RoadIndianapolis, IN 46268
NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S.POSTAGE
PAID
HUNTINGTON, INPERMITNO.832
Are you a recent graduate looking to stay connected to Alpha Xi? A mom needing a little break to socialize with other ΑΞΔs? Or, an empty nester wanting to share your talent and skills with the Fraternity? Become a volunteer and start sharing your time and talent today.
Learn more at www.alphaxidelta.org.
Why I Volunteer:I volunteer for Alpha Xi Delta because I love it! The networking and friendships are so important. And it’s rewarding to see the chapters I work with succeed. I also enjoy helping collegiate Sisters become better leaders.
I joined Alpha Xi Delta because it’s an organization I can be part of for a lifetime. I wanted to be an active alumna after I graduated, and I’ve been able to do so by serving as a Chapter Advisor and Area Facilitator. Every day I’m so thankful for the wonderful experiences Alpha Xi Delta brings me.
I share my time and talent with Alpha Xi Delta.
Missie Rogers SteigerwaltInitiating Chapter: Zeta Eta, West Chester ’97
Current Volunteer Position: Area Facilitator for Theta Delta (Towson) and Theta Gamma (Delaware)
Other info: Former Chapter Advisor for Zeta Eta Chapter (West Chester)
Profession: Stay-at-home mother for two wonderful girls: 4-year-old Joanna and 10-month-old Emily
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, meeting new people, Pilates, yoga
Other activities: President of the Walter Reed Auxiliary - the Officers’ Wives Club at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; chair of the Treehouse Playgroup for the Oakleaf Club of Greater Washington, D.C.; member of the Navy Wives Club; member of Army Community Service
Be Inspired.
Be an ΑΞΔ Volunte
er.
Volunteer Ad_Spring2010.indd 1 2/17/2010 10:07:00 AM
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