Growth has always been top-of-mind for Alpha Chi Omega – beginning with the seven Founders, who quickly recruited new members just days after the October 15, 1885 founding.
According to The History of Alpha Chi Omega, One Hundred Years, “Within a few days Professor Howe suggested increasing the membership of the new fraternity. On October 23, the first seven nominated seven friends, discussed procedure with their mentor, then took a buggy ride. The next day, they, and those they had chosen to join them, festooned with their colors, walked across campus to chapel service in Meharry Hall for the first official display of their sisterhood to the cheers of fellow Greeks. University President, Dr. Alexander Martin, welcomed ‘the young ladies from the Music School, the Alpha Chi Omega.’”
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham shared the following description in one of the many scrapbooks she created to capture her Alpha Chi Omega experience: “From my diary of October 23, 1885 … Bess and Ollie had bought ribbons for our first pledged members. We pledged Leah Walker, Suda West, Ella Farthing, and Rose Meredith before lunch, and after lunch Leota Fuqua and Anna Ryan, and now we are after Minnie Shaffer.
Bertha continues, “After we had pledged these girls Bessie Grooms asked us if we didn’t want to go buggy riding. Of course we did, and had a lovely ride out into the country … When we came back, the seven Founders tied great bows of ribbons on the front of our waists, and we went over to the music hall to show Dean Howe. He was so pleased he wore a small bow on the lapel of his coat, which he wore for some time in our honor.”
Note: Mary L. Jones joined the fun just after the seven and appears in the founding photo!
FIND MORE UNTOLD STORIES ON THE ALPHA CHI OMEGA HISTORY WEBSITE. VISIT: ALPHACHIOMEGA.HISTORYIT.COM
An organization’s mission statement shares its goals and values, and Alpha Chi Omega’s powerfully communicates what it stands for: “Through the Real. Strong. Women. Experience, Alpha Chi Omega cultivates impactful communities where women are inspired to connect, lead, grow and serve.”
As we focus on one word of that statement for this issue, it’s clear to me how growth has been both a goal and a value in my experience. Like many, I joined Alpha Chi Omega to build connections on campus, but I also was interested in the way a sorority – and in particular, this sorority with its tagline of “Real. Strong. Women.” – would help me grow. I knew I needed help branching out, and I wanted a support system to push me to seek opportunities I might not think I could handle. I met that goal of growth through taking on leadership roles, making difficult decisions and even performing in a group dance competition with no particular talent.
Alpha Chi Omega also instilled in me growth as a value, something I’m always striving for. Because Alpha Chi Omega showed me the benefits of growth, I am encouraged to do things that scare me. I know that growth is a journey, not a destination, and I can always adjust, adapt and accept a new challenge to become the real, strong woman I’m meant to be.
I hope the stories about growth on these pages encourage you and remind you that you have the support of sisters in any goal you are pursuing.
LAUREN FILIPPINI ALPHA CHI (BUTLER UNIVERSITY) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER EDITOR, THE LYRE
In the spring 2023 issue, the article “My ‘Little Red Carnation’ Story” mentioned that the author of the poem “Little Red Carnation” was Margaret Rourke from the Psi (The University of Oklahoma) chapter. It turns out that one letter was inadvertently added to the author’s name decades ago when the poem was first published in an Alpha Chi Omega songbook, and ever since, the wrong sister has been credited for writing the poem.
The real author is Margaret Curry Rorke, a member and president of the Theta (University of Michigan) chapter in the early 1900s; she wrote the poem for the installation of the Delta Zeta chapter at Central Michigan University. Margaret was a real, strong women, serving as the first woman
TRACEY THOMSON
BETA SIGMA (UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA)
Tracey is a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer who is the creator and executive producer of Disney’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs. She was previously cohead writer on The Young and the Restless and associate head writer on General Hospital and All My Children. She shares her journey of growth through the television industry on page 6.
National President
Lynne Herndon
National Vice Presidents
Jari Askins
Leslie Abramsky Block
Kelli Rodriguez Currie
Cassie Gerhardt
Jill Sabatino Lacy
Chief Executive Officer
Katie Lampinen Gaffin
Senior Director of Education and Engagement
Amy Colvin Mustafa
Director of Marketing and Communications
Amanda Spice
Marketing and Communications Manager
Lauren Filippini
The Lyre is published quarterly.
president of her high school class, going on to become a lawyer who was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and posthumously recognized in the Saginaw County Hall of Fame. She was a prolific writer, with her poems appearing in the Sunday edition of the Saginaw News.
The Lyre regrets the error, and Alpha Chi Omega’s archives have been updated to reflect this information. Thanks to Karen Nash Sommer and Lenore Jensen Lemanski, both Delta Zeta chapter sisters, who researched Margaret's life and encouraged recognition of this remarkable sister.
ARIANNA BRADLEY, DIRECTOR OF LIFETIME ENGAGEMENT
SALLY CUTLER, HISTORIAN AND ARCHIVIST
ASHTON DAVIS, HOUSING OPERATIONS MANAGER
MADELINE JENKINS, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
LAURA KNOBEL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LIFETIME ENGAGEMENT
AUTUMN MCBRIDE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES
JEN WALLACH, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES
EMMA WILLE, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Lyre
5635 Castle Creek Parkway N. Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46250-4304
Submission Deadlines
Fall issue - July 1
Winter issue - October 1
Spring issue - January 1
Summer issue - April 1
317-579-5050
alphachiomega.org
editor@alphachiomega.org
Our Mission
Through the Real. Strong. Women.® Experience, Alpha Chi Omega cultivates impactful communities where women are inspired to connect, lead, grow and serve.
To me, a bedrock of being an Alpha Chi Omega is a commitment to empowering growth in ourselves and others. Throughout our lives, Alpha Chi is there to provide us tools, opportunities, encouragement, support and sometimes that “push” we need to grow, learn and develop into real, strong women who make a difference in the communities in which we live, lead, work and serve.
helps support others in need so they can focus on gaining strength and bettering their lives. Each time you make a gift to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, whether that be during Founder’s Day Challenge, Day of Giving, the Common Bond. Uncommon Impact. campaign, a housing campaign, a Community Impact fundraiser or everyday giving to the Real. Strong. Women. Fund – YOU make a difference. Your support is critical, and we can’t do it without you.
WHITENER FELLOWSAs the chair of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Board of Trustees, I have the incredible privilege of seeing how much each of you helps your fellow sisters grow through your gifts of time, talent, treasure, friendship, support and encouragement. I also have had the opportunity to watch many of your personal, transformational journeys, often facilitated by Alpha Chi Omega programs and experiences. These amazing growth experiences are partly or sometimes wholly funded and supported through the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. As such, I can be a spectator to your successes and triumphs.
Through your gifts to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, you directly help others achieve their goals. Your gifts provide foundational growth opportunities for our members through innovative, supportive and crucial programming. You fund vital scholarships and grants to your sisters. Your generosity
Last summer at our “Together” national convention in Bellevue, Washington, the Foundation launched the Common Bond. Uncommon Impact. campaign. This comprehensive campaign is focused on helping to provide critical resources to support Alpha Chi Omegas at all phases of their Alpha Chi Omega lifetime experience. I hope you have had the opportunity to get involved with the campaign, as it takes all of us to ensure a future of empowered growth for all our members. If you haven’t had the chance yet to get involved, visit axouncommon.org and check it out! You don’t want to miss out on being a part of this historic event.
My favorite part of serving as the chair of the Foundation is that I get to say “thank you!” Through your generosity and support, the Foundation had a record-setting fundraising year last year, which means we can do MORE to help grow Alpha Chi Omega! Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for giving of yourself so that others can grow. Thank you for helping to empower your sisters to become real, strong women. And thank you for your commitment to a lifelong journey of growth as an Alpha Chi Omega while empowering others to seek the heights. There is no way I can ever say “thank you” enough, but I won’t stop trying so – Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Our members are the best resource for helping recruit real, strong women into the Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood.
If you know a remarkable young woman who plans to participate in recruitment on her campus, our online recommendation form is the best way to let the chapter know!
MY.ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG/RECOMMEND
A group of NEW MEMBERS line the sidewalk along Lumpkin Street facing a stately brick home with its white columned entry covered by a hand-painted “BID DAY” banner. They exchange nervous smiles, unsure of what to expect when …
… a CHORUS OF CHEERS erupts from inside the house, growing louder as a steady stream of SISTERS pour out to greet the new member class. Hugs are shared, pictures are taken, commemorative T-shirts are slipped on over cute dresses.
Somewhere in the sea of excitement, the camera finds a SHELL-SHOCKED NEW MEMBER looking a bit of a wreck. Her linen dress clings to her like a wet napkin thanks to a combination of Georgia humidity and flop sweat.
Worried this may have been a mistake, she turns to leave only to find her heels SINKING down into the well-manicured lawn, effectively cementing her in place.
reading under the covers long past when my mom told me to turn off the lights. I would get lost in stories for hours, never imagining I would one day make a career out of the very thing that gave me such comfort. People always ask how I became a television writer. Looking back, it actually started in the basement of that brick house on Lumpkin.
It took me a while to warm up to the idea of being in a sorority. I had gone through recruitment and joined mainly because my sister was an active member of Epsilon Phi (Georgia Institute of Technology) chapter at the time. So, in my mind, I had gotten a bid simply because I was a legacy. When I finally started to let down my guard and get to know the other girls, I discovered how wrong I’d been to worry. Turns out, Alpha Chi was the right place for me, and the friends I made at the University of Georgia were instrumental in shaping who I am today.
The shell-shocked new member? Yep, that was me – wet napkin dress and all. Not the most auspicious start to college, but a defining moment in my life nevertheless. It was the first of many times I would have to learn to stand in my discomfort – literally and figuratively. Not an easy thing for most people, but especially difficult for someone with anxiety.
I’m not sure when my anxiety first started, but I do know I’ve never felt comfortable being the center of attention. Most of my childhood was spent with my nose in a book,
During a chapter meeting my senior year, a sister mentioned I was a great storyteller. Those words stuck with me for years as I worked production jobs around Atlanta, first at Crawford Communications, then later at CNN. Was she right? Did I have a story to tell? All I knew was that being in a control room for breaking news day after day only made my anxiety worse. If I was going to stand in my discomfort, why not do it while pursuing something that truly made me happy?
LOS ANGELES – a city for people with big dreams. Most end up working jobs simply to afford the high cost of living, forget chasing the dreams that brought them out here in the first place.
When I made the move, I didn’t know anyone working in the industry, much less writing for television. Those first few years were like going through recruitment all over again – making small talk, trying to find somewhere you fit, learning to lean on friends in the absence of family. There were so many times I questioned what I was doing with my life. Then, after interning and working my way up, I got my first writing job on General Hospital. I went on to write soap operas (All My Children, The Young and The Restless) for a number of years before taking a break to have my first child.
For so long, my identity had revolved around my career, and now here I was not working. Talk about standing in my discomfort. Making the decision to walk away from a
steady paycheck was terrifying and left me wondering if I would ever be a working writer again. What I didn’t expect was how it would empower me to take even more chances. Without the pressure of weekly deadlines, I started writing for myself and discovering the stories I wanted to tell.
In 2018, I sold my first pilot to Disney, a time-travel mystery series called Secrets of Sulphur Springs. In true Hollywood fashion, there would be many ups and downs before anyone would have the chance to see it. Production was shut down during our first season due to the pandemic, and no one knew when or if we’d be back. Add in the fact I had just given birth to my second child the week prior, and I was in full-on panic mode. All the uncertainty really started to take a toll on me, so much so I eventually sought help from a therapist. Making that call was the hardest and best decision of my life.
Slowly things started to turn around, the world started to open back up and we were able to complete production on our first season. Fast forward to the present, my pandemic baby is now a lively 3-year-old and seasons 1-3 of Secrets of Sulphur Springs are streaming on Disney+.
Oh, and those new members who stood on the sidewalk with me? They’re still the people I turn to when my selfdoubt starts to creep in. As an added bonus, their kids are now some of my show’s biggest fans.
Join Alpha Chi Omega in welcoming our chapter consultant team! Being a consultant means building key professional skills like public speaking, project management, professional writing and communications – all while helping our members develop leadership and assisting chapters across the country to achieve success.
Chapter: Epsilon (University of Southern California)
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in stage management
Leadership: Chapter president, Theatre Student Association executive board member
Chapter: Iota Rho (Loyola University Chicago)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in biochemistry
Leadership: Chapter president, vice president philanthropy, university honors program mentor, respite care volunteer
Chapter: Alpha Upsilon (The University of Alabama)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in criminology and criminal justice
Leadership: Homecoming chair, CRSB representative, recruitment counselor, Dance Marathon participant
Chapter: Beta Lambda (University of Arizona)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in family studies and human development
Leadership: Vice president membership programming, service chair, recording secretary, university first-year student and academic peer mentor
Chapter: Kappa Chi (Florida Gulf Coast University)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in political science
Leadership: Vice president chapter relations and standards, fraternity and sorority life experience mentor, Congressional intern
Chapter: Sigma (University of Iowa)
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication studies
Leadership: Chapter president, vice president chapter relations and standards, vice president Ritual and fraternity appreciation, university orientation leader
Chapter: Gamma Mu (Ball State University)
Degree: Mathematics education
Leadership: Chapter president, vice president finance, Panhellenic vice president of recruitment counselors, math practicum teacher
Chapter: Zeta Pi (Arizona State University)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in forensic psychology
Leadership: Vice president chapter relations and standards, vice president Ritual and fraternity appreciation, 2022 convention page
Chapter: Beta Eta (Florida State University)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary medical services focusing on clinical professions
Leadership: Vice president diversity, equity and inclusion; philanthropy chair; cultural chair; guardian ad litem; Crisis Text Line counselor
Chapter: Gamma Iota (University of Florida)
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in business administrationmarketing and Master of International Business Leadership: Chapter president, vice president membership programming, Panhellenic counselor, university Greek ambassador
Chapter: Theta Iota (Baylor University)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in health science studies
Leadership: Vice president new member education, assistant vice president recruitment, university admissions representative
Chapter: Delta Omega (University of Kentucky)
Degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and management and Master of Business Administration
Leadership: Vice president facility operations; Panhellenic inter-sorority chair; member of the national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work Group
First-Year Consultant
Experience: Resident consultant at Lambda Pi (University of Mississippi)
Chapter: Epsilon
Kappa (California State University, Fullerton)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in theatre
Leadership: Vice president membership programming, advisory board volunteer
First-Year Consultant
Experience: Resident consultant at Lambda Omicron (Chapman University)
Chapter: Beta Omicron (Florida Southern University)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in communications
Leadership: Chapter president, vice president Ritual and fraternity appreciation, vice president risk management, Foundation Scarlet Ribbon Leadership Council member
First-Year Consultant
Experience: Traveling consultant
Chapter: Gamma Zeta (Kansas State University)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in elementary education
Leadership: Chapter president, vice president new member education, elementary school paraprofessional
First-Year Consultant
Experience: Traveling consultant
Chapter: Iota Tau (California State University San Marcos)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in biology
Leadership: Chapter president, sales consultant
First-Year Consultant
Experience: Resident consultant at Gamma Sigma (University of Rhode Island)
When they joined the 2022-23 chapter consultant team, Serenity Bailey (Delta Omega, University of Kentucky) and Lakin Shelton (Gamma Zeta, Kansas State University) were looking forward to inspiring and empowering collegiate sisters while working for an organization they love. Now wrapping up their first year and looking forward to their second, they reflected on doing just that – and growing as sisters, professionals and real, strong women along the way.
“Being a consultant means you are constantly having to adapt to a new environment, new people and new chapters,” says Lakin, who traveled across the country visiting chapters, about her growth. “In order to really dive into the culture of the campus or chapter, I really try to understand the women I meet and what makes them the people they are.”
As a resident consultant at our new Lambda Pi (University of Mississippi) chapter, Serenity also grew while getting to know others, explaining, “I’ve found growth in building intentional and meaningful relationships with various people ranging from alumnae and collegians to campus staff.” Like Lakin, Serenity also strengthened her ability to adapt, pivoting as she learned the chapter’s strengths and opportunities and practicing being proactive instead of reactive.
Both women gained professional experience they never expected. “If you told me in May of 2022 I was going to move to Mississippi, help a chapter start at a university with a rich history of Greek life, provide 100+ new members with the Alpha Chi Omega experience and then watch the chapter come into its own, I would never have believed you,” Serenity says. Lakin adds that she never thought she’d be comfortable leading workshops in front of hundreds of sisters but gained the confidence and knowledge to do so time and again.
This growth is thanks to the sisters they’ve met and worked with.
“Being constantly surrounded by real, strong women day after day is what has helped me grow into the woman I am today,” Lakin says. Serenity echoes that: “I’m surrounded by real, strong women who push me day in and day out to be better and do better, to go after the things I want in life and to relish in the opportunities that present themselves.”
Lakin and Serenity can't wait to see what new growth opportunities are ahead in their second years. To the women who are joining them on the 2023-24 team and to those considering the role in the future (hint: the application will open in the fall), they share how much there is to look forward to. Serenity says, “You will be challenged, and you will grow immensely, but it will undoubtedly be some of the most rewarding work you will ever do.” And Lakin adds, “Being a consultant has given me friendships I will cherish for a lifetime and has helped me grow into a confident woman with skills that will help me for many years to come.”
The Alpha Omicron chapter will celebrate 100 years on September 1517, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Check out axocolumbus.com/centennial for details as they are available.
To recognize the centennial of Alpha Pi, a celebration weekend is being planned for November 17-19, 2023 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. More details can be found at https://oooaxoalum. square.site/alpha-pi-centennial or by emailing axo.alphapi100@gmail.com.
FOUNDED
MARCH 17, 1923
FOUNDED
MAY 11, 1923
March 1 marks the celebration of Hera Day for Alpha Chi Omegas. Hera Day honors our patron goddess, Hera, and is reminiscent of the Heraea, a festival of ancient Greece held in the spring to honor the wedding of Hera and Zeus. In Alpha Chi Omega traditions, we have observed Hera Day since 1911 with a mission of helpfulness to others. Each year on March 1, sisters volunteer their time in service to their communities and the well-being of others. This year, we challenged alumnae to participate in one hour of service to others, individually or in groups, in honor of Hera Day.
We asked alumnae to share about their service experiences as we captured the power of our collective sisterhood in living to benefit others. Nearly 100 hours of service were reported by alumnae, and we know even more sisters participated. Service activities included reading books to children, garden beautification projects, donating blood, working in food pantries, writing letters and more!
“I believe very strongly in the importance of giving back. I think if you’re blessed with the gifts of money or time, you should pay them forward to help others,” says Christine Owens (Iota Alpha, Alumnae Initiates). “I discovered an organization that I’m going to participate with regularly! I chose to write notes as part of the Love for Our Elders campaign.”
The Beta Psi Beta (Alliance, Ohio) alumnae chapter collected goods for the Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter. “It was important for Beta Psi Beta to serve in honor of Hera Day because we see firsthand how our local domestic violence shelter serves our community,” says Gabriela Botzman (Alpha Eta, University of Mount Union), alumnae chapter president. In all, the chapter donated $800 worth of goods!
Gabriela went on to share, “Alumnae should participate in Hera Day of Service next year, and following years, because our philanthropy involvement doesn’t end after graduation. There is so much still that we are able to do for our communities … Participating in Hera Day realigns us as alumnae with our shared values of being Alpha Chi Omega women. Philanthropy is such a large part of our undergrad experience, and it is not something that we should be stepping away from as alumnae.”
We hope alumnae will mark their calendars each year on March 1 to dedicate in service of others. “I think it’s an easy way to show your lifelong commitment and to serve the community!” adds Christine. How will you serve in 2024?
inish out your summer by joining Alpha Chi Omega sisters in reading and discussing these three books. Request to join the AXO Alumnae Book Club group on Facebook and look for discussion questions to be posted during the dates below – but you can always jump in later to share your thoughts!
JULY 2023
After fighting against 1960s standards of women and her allmale research team’s doubts of her abilities, chemist Elizabeth Zott unexpectedly finds herself as a single mother and the reluctant star of America’s favorite cooking show, Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s scientific approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves to be unique and crowd-pleasing. As her following grows, Elizabeth isn’t just teaching women to cook; she’s daring them to be different. The problem with changing the status quo? Not everyone is a fan.
DISCUSSION:
JULY 17-21
AUGUST 2023
Byron and Benny are left with an interesting inheritance when their mother, Eleanor Bennett, passes away: a voice recording, a family recipe and a black cake. While Byron and Benny listen to their mother’s story of a young girl who escapes her home under accusations of murder, they learn new things about themselves, their mother and where they came from. As the siblings work to find out more about their mother’s history, can they regrow their previously close relationship and fulfill Eleanor’s last request to “share the black cake when the time is right”?
DISCUSSION: AUGUST 21-25
SEPTEMBER 2023
Sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai’s decision to move to a sophisticated retirement community to hide a shameful mistake from her youth also affects her son’s ex-wife, Aly, who lives with her. As the two figure out their new normal, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is fighting for her place in the tech world and is forced to move forward with her last-minute dating app idea, even though she’s never been on a first date. The Vibrant Years is a story about three generations of women who are empowering, laughing with and loving each other on the journey to self-discovery.
DISCUSSION: SEPTEMBER 18-22
This February, executive boards and advisors from collegiate chapters across Texas gathered for a one-day retreat to collaborate, learn Alpha Chi Omega news, share challenges and solutions, and spend time with sisters. The event was hosted by the Epsilon Lambda (The University of Texas at Arlington) collegiate chapter and the Delta Eta Delta (Arlington, Texas) alumnae chapter; supported by the two Texas province collegiate chairs, Leslie Moss (Gamma Rho, Texas Tech University) and Megan Hershfeld (Epsilon Psi, University of California, Irvine); and sponsored by Texas alumnae chapters and individual alumnae.
The event saw more than 160 executive board leaders, 50 advisors, and many more volunteers and alumnae come together from all over Texas. National Vice President Jari Askins (Psi, The University of Oklahoma) opened the retreat with an update on Alpha Chi Omega. Headquarters staff shared about the importance of member retention, and attendees gathered in groups by
position to exchange ideas. The evening closed with an address on the relevancy of sororities and the importance of collaboration from Deana Gage, past international president of Alpha Phi Fraternity.
“There is such value in a large chapter being able to bounce ideas off of leaders from other large chapters, for small chapters to compare challenges with other small chapters, for new advisors to hear tips and successes
from veteran advisors,” Megan explains. “Getting 150+ women to any one place at any one time can feel nothing short of a miracle, but there is value in sisters hearing from other accomplished, capable sisters; there is value in memories formed in hotel lobbies after hitting the delirious part of the day; there is value in the laughter shared on long car rides home; and there is value in being reminded that Alpha Chi is bigger than any one Monday meeting, exec board or chapter house.”
Leslie adds, “This is the first time in almost 10 years that this group has been organized at this level. Our plan is it is not our last!”
“THIS WEEKEND PROVIDED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE SO MANY AMBITIOUS AND TALENTED SISTERS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES AS NATURAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT THEIR JOURNEY AS COLLEGIATE MEMBERS OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA AND BEYOND THESE FOUR YEARS. IT GOES TO SHOW HOW DEDICATED OUR YOUNGER SISTERS ARE AND THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE WORLD WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER.”
– NIKKI MODHA (EPSILON LAMBDA, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON), CHAPTER ADVISOR FOR EPSILON LAMBDA
“IT WAS SO BENEFICIAL TO HEAR IDEAS FROM OTHER COLLEGIATE WOMEN IN THE SAME POSITION THAT I AM. I LEARNED A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THAT I WAS ABLE TO TAKE BACK TO ZETA NU! TEXAS STATE DAY ALSO PROVIDED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TEXAS A&M EXEC BOARD TO BOND. LEAVING THE STATE DAY, WE ALL CAME BACK VERY INSPIRED WITH A BUNCH OF EXCITING NEW IDEAS!”
– LAUREN WAX (ZETA NU, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY), CHAPTER PRESIDENT
“THE RETREAT WAS A REMINDER THAT I AM NEVER ALONE IN MY POSITION! I HAVE MY ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO SUPPORT ME THROUGH THE GOOD AND THE BAD AS WELL AS SO MANY TEXAS SISTERS WORKING TO EXCEL IN THE NME PROGRAM JUST LIKE MYSELF! THE RETREAT GREW OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD TOGETHER EVEN MORE, WHICH WAS JUST ANOTHER PLUS.”
– QUINCY BEATY (DELTA KAPPA, SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY), VICE PRESIDENT NEW MEMBER EDUCATION
“ I LOVED MEETING THIS NEW GENERATION OF ALPHA CHIS! COLLABORATING WITH OTHER CHAPTER ADVISORS AND VPS TO FOCUS ON THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS SMALLER CHAPTERS FACE IN PR AND MARKETING PROVIDED SO MANY GREAT IDEAS.”
– MEREDITH STROMBERG (GAMMA RHO, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY), PRM ADVISOR FOR EPSILON ETA (STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY)
April 2023 marks the official 22nd anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) –but did you know that its history can be traced back even further? Even before its official declaration, SAAM was about both awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment and abuse. As long as there have been people who care about making the world a better place, there have been individuals advocating for sexual assault prevention. In the United States, movements for social change gained traction in the 1950s and 60s with the Civil Rights Movement and continued throughout the late 1900s as activists for equal rights began to challenge the status quo.
As part of our Fraternity’s philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omegas are dedicated to educating ourselves on and raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and supporting survivors. This year, Alpha Chi Omega offered suggested areas of focus for our members each week of April to ensure a holistic approach to sexual assault awareness and prevention: raising awareness, supporting survivors, action and advocacy, and reflection and remembrance. Through Alpha Chi Omega educational programs such as The History of Sexual Assault Awareness, Challenging Bystander Behavior and Supporting Survivors, members learned about the history of SAAM, the realities of sexual violence and how they can take action to support one another and prevent violence in their communities. Members also engaged in tabling efforts, walks/runs and other activities to raise awareness and educate
those in their communities about the prevalence of sexual assault and how to advocate for themselves and others.
On April 18, Alpha Chi Omega, in collaboration with our national partners at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), hosted a RAINN Day webinar. RAINN Day is an opportunity for members of Alpha Chi Omega and their communities to demonstrate to their peers that they are allies in the fight against sexual violence. Collegians, alumnae and friends of Alpha Chi Omega joined the webinar to learn more about the services RAINN provides to survivors as the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
On April 26, Alpha Chi Omegas recognized Denim Day. The Denim Day campaign was developed by Peace Over Violence, an organization that brings awareness to victim-blaming and destructive myths
about sexual violence. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The next day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace
Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day encourages participants to make a social statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
With April now behind us, we encourage you to consider how you can help your community yearround. Volunteer with a local care provider or research laws in your state and advocate for the changes you want to see! Take time to reflect and honor your own connection to this cause. The only person responsible for committing sexual assault is a perpetrator, but all of us can do something to make a difference for survivors. Through our work to end sexual assault, we continue our commitment to our national philanthropy of domestic violence awareness.
If you or anyone you know has been impacted by sexual assault or if you have questions about sexual violence, you can reach out to RAINN via its 24/7 confidential chat at hotline.rainn.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Congratulations to these women for their commitment and leadership in supporting Alpha Chi Omega and their communities. Join us in recognizing their hard work in building the Real. Strong. Women. Experience.
Honors a senior who best represents the ideals of Alpha Chi Omega
GRACIE O’RORKE (Zeta Omicron, Vanderbilt University)
Gracie has led the Zeta Omicron chapter as president and vice president finance. She has maintained a rigorous course schedule while also staying active in several campus organizations, She is a passionate, mature and confident leader who has been an excellent role model to the chapter. Her nominator shares, “She is reliable, she is respectful and she is resilient."
Honors a real, strong woman who was initiated no more than 12 months prior to being nominated
MAEVE EVANOVICH (Beta Rho, American University)
Shortly after being initiated, Maeve took on the role of sisterhood chair when chapter members were in need of stronger bonds. She worked with chapter leaders to rebuild members’ connections by emphasizing kindness, support and genuine friendship through teambuilding and sisterhood events. Her nominator shares, “She has an energy about her that can lift your spirits no matter what you may be dealing with in your life.”
Presented to a campus-based professional advising fraternity and sorority life at an institution with an Alpha Chi Omega chapter
KARA REX
(Pi Beta Phi Fraternity), Assistant Director of Greek Life at the University of Georgia
Kara supports our Beta Sigma (University of Georgia) chapter, helping members grow as real, strong women. The chapter shares, “Kara goes absolutely above and beyond to support all 19 Panhellenic chapters. She unites so many people from different backgrounds and chapters and leads them with one common goal of women supporting women.”
Congratulations to the collegiate chapters on the next few pages that are being recognized for their work throughout 2022. Please join us in applauding the chapter members and leaders for their successes in creating transformative and everlasting connections among sisters!
Presented to the chapters that have displayed significant growth and progress in the areas of chapter operations, member support and development in the past calendar year
Presented to the chapters that have performed exceptionally in marketing and promoting the sorority experience to potential new members and welcoming new members into Alpha Chi Omega
ALPHA ETA (UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION)
BETA ETA (FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY)
EPSILON CHI (UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL)
Presented to the chapters with exceptional dedication to providing members with events, programming and activities
OMICRON (BAKER UNIVERSITY)
ALPHA MU (INDIANA UNIVERSITY)
ZETA OMEGA (WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY)
Presented to the chapters that have been outstanding in providing wellness activities, promoting mental health programming, and educating on and implementing harm reduction strategies to support the safety and well-being of their members
BETA DELTA (COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY)
BETA SIGMA (UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA)
DELTA MU (UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS)
Presented to the chapters that have exceeded expectations in all areas related to chapter operations and management to ensure that policies and processes of Alpha Chi Omega are being adhered to by chapter leadership and members
ALPHA ETA (UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION)
GAMMA XI (WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY)
GAMMA TAU (OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY)
MORE AWARDS TO COME!
STAY TUNED TO @ALPHACHIOMEGAHQ SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE FALL LYRE FOR MORE AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS, INCLUDING MAJOR COLLEGIATE CHAPTER AWARDS, MORE INDIVIDUAL COLLEGIATE AWARDS AND INDIVIDUAL ALUMNAE AWARDS.
Presented to the chapters with exceptional strides in programming and events for sisters at every stage of collegiate membership
Presented to the chapters that host a signature event or initiative within the calendar year that is both creative and innovative
Presented to the chapters that have worked to educate members on issues related to diversity and inclusion internally as well as participate in diversity and inclusion efforts in their community and on campus
Pictured clockwise from top left:
EPSILON (UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
GAMMA SIGMA (UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND)
ZETA THETA (BROWN UNIVERSITY)
ZETA CHI (MUHLENBERG COLLEGE)
DELTA ZETA (CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY) DELTA KAPPA (SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY) EPSILON TAU (VIRGINIA TECH) BETA SIGMA (UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA) EPSILON OMEGA (CAL POLY, SAN LUIS OBISPO) THETA LAMBDA (CLEMSON UNIVERSITY)Since its earliest days, Alpha Chi Omega has embraced service to others as an important expression of our core values and belief system.
At the 1978 National Convention, the convention body voted to establish the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, and that’s where the story really begins. The Foundation was created so members and friends could financially support priority programs and receive the benefits of making a charitable contribution.
Our first trustees were true servant leaders: Dorothy Chambers (Alpha Omega, Birmingham-Southern College), Harriet Holden (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota), Barbara Horton (Gamma, Northwestern University), Jessie Payne (Upsilon, Millikin University),
1978 Delegates at the 1978 National Convention unanimously approve the creation of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation.
Helen Reckord (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho), Marian Smith (Alpha Nu, University of Missouri) and Karen Miley (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota). These early leaders of the Foundation focused on the business of fundraising, creating operational practices, establishing recognition levels and completing our first appeal – a direct mail campaign to more than 3,500 which raised more than $72,000!
1979
The Foundation’s first direct mail campaign raises more than $72,000 from 3,553 donors.
1983
Total Foundation assets reach $500,000.
1985
The Second Century campaign launches with a goal of raising $2 million.
Today, Alpha Chi Omega continues to make an uncommon impact through support from generous donors and remains true to its mission of realizing and sustaining the educational and philanthropic values of Alpha Chi Omega through successful fundraising and stewardship.
Growth has been a common theme for the Foundation each year since its founding in 1978. We’ve increased financial support for Fraternity educational and leadership programs, awarded more than 4,000 scholarships and grants to our sisters, and exceeded $5 million in gifts for the past two years!
There are many ways to support the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, helping to sustain the vision our leaders had 45 years ago – and the work we do as real, strong women wouldn’t be possible without all of us coming together.
1986
Total assets surpass $1 million.
1988 Sky of Fame (later known as Star Challenge) is launched.
1990
The Circle of 20 is created to recognize 20 sisters who made gifts of $1,000 or more to support a summer training program for chapter advisors.
1992 Domestic violence awareness and prevention is adopted as Alpha Chi Omega’s national philanthropy.
1997 Foundation
total assets reach $5 million.
1999
The Pathway to the Future campaign is launched with a goal of increasing the general endowment to $2.5 million.
“ The unparalleled generosity of so many members and friends has enabled our Foundation to truly be ‘of assistance to those who may need our aid.’”- Faythe Vorderstrasse (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho) as shared in the 1985-86 Annual Report
As the Foundation has grown, so have its efforts to provide funding and support to our sisters. Donors can make gifts to programs they’re passionate about through many different avenues of giving.
Whether you choose to support our greatest needs through a one-time gift to the Real. Strong. Women. Fund, make a multi-year pledge to a specific campaign or program, or remember Alpha Chi Omega in your estate planning, you’re making an impact and ensuring a bright and sustainable future for our sisterhood. Here are a few ways you can give back to Alpha Chi Omega:
We welcome all gifts to the Foundation and are eager to meet each member where she’s at with her ability to give back. While there are multiple options for sustained giving, many donors choose to make a one-time gift each fiscal year (August 1 to July 31). Some donors choose to give to our annual giving initiatives like Founders’ Day Challenge, Day of Giving
or Star Challenge while others like to give when it works best for them and their budget – all gifts are appreciated!
Each month, more than 200 donors support the Foundation through a recurring monthly gift as part of our Foundation Partners program. Think of Foundation Partners like a Netflix subscription; once it’s set up, you don’t have to think about it, but you receive the benefits! As a Foundation Partner you can make a recurring gift in an amount that works for you – and amplify your impact in multiples of 12!
Leadership Circle is a giving society of sisters who support the Foundation with gifts of $1,000 or more to the Real. Strong. Women. Fund during the fiscal year. These engaged donors learn more about the impact of their gifts through exclusive quarterly webinars, newsletters, and visits from Foundation and Fraternity leaders. Additionally, Leadership Circle donors receive a special gift for their donations and invitations to exclusive events. Donors at the Silver ($2,500 or more) and Gold ($5,000 or more) levels receive even more benefits, like access to Discovery Experience.
2004 Annual contributions reach $1 million per year, and total assets exceed $10 million.
2005
The Local Philanthropic Initiative program (known now as Community Impact) is established to allow collegiate and alumnae chapters to fundraise for local charities through the Foundation.
2012
The For Now, Forever campaign publicly launches with a goal of $7 million.
2015 Foundation total assets exceed $20 million.
2015 Foundation Partners is established to recognize monthly donors.
2016 Leadership Circle is established to recognize donors making gifts of $1,000 annually to the Real. Strong. Women. Fund.
When you establish an endowed fund, you’re leaving a long-term legacy on Alpha Chi Omega and making an impact right away. Academic, member assistance and chapter education grants are made possible through endowment giving, and program-specific endowments help sustain educational and leadership programs that make up the Real. Strong. Women. Experience. Donors can support existing endowed funds or create a new fund through a gift of $25,000 or more from an individual or group.
Not only are there many programs you can give to, but there are also many non-cash giving options! One of the most popular ways is through stock transfers. Gifts of appreciated securities are a great way to have a meaningful impact while enjoying significant tax benefits. The Foundation also accepts gifts of cryptocurrency. If you have an appreciated asset of any kind that you’d like to use to benefit Alpha Chi Omega, the Foundation would love to talk to you!
Does your employer offer a matching gift program for monetary gifts or volunteer hours? As a 501(c)(3), the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation qualifies for corporate
matching gifts from most employers. The Foundation partners with Double the Donation to make it easier for you to apply for your company’s corporate matching gift program to match your donations.
Through a planned gift to the Foundation, you’ll leave a legacy to our sisterhood that will help ensure our future. There are many options for planned giving including bequests, IRA rollovers, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities and more. Our Foundation team is happy to talk about all the different options with you!
Your gifts to the Foundation directly impact every collegiate and alumna member – and help us realize the vision our early leaders had to sustain Alpha Chi Omega for future generations of real, strong women. To learn more about the Foundation or ways you can give, reach out to the us by email at foundation@ alphachiomega.org, by phone at 317-5795050, ext. 0290 or by scanning the QR code to visit alphachiomega.org/Foundation/Giving-Opportunities.
As of the end of the 2022 calendar year
2018
The Foundation celebrates 40 years of impact.
2020 Foundation total assets exceed $25 million.
2022
The Common Bond. Uncommon Impact. campaign publicly launches with a goal of raising $25 million.
200+ Foundation Partners
328 Leadership Circle donors
$5,370,896 total contributions
60,000+ Foundation-funded collegiate experiences
Mealtimes are an integral part of the college experience, and we see that in many of our chapter houses across the country. The quality time and memories we make with our sisters around the dinner table are things we can hold onto for years to come. Having a great meal plan to offer our members is something that the National Housing Corporation takes pride in, and we work hard to partner with food service companies that have a lot to offer.
We talked with staff at one of our food service partners, College Fresh, which provides services at many of our chapter houses. Mealtimes are an important way to connect with sisters, grow independence as collegiate women, learn about others and bring comfort in being away from home; College Fresh staff helped articulate what exactly that means from their point of view.
The live-in plan offers many perks. First, it’s the best way to get a healthy variety of meals for an affordable price, and the customization of a personal chef is unrivaled. Getting together around the dinner table fosters friendships and builds relationships among the members. The closeness of sharing a meal together, chatting about your day and laughing with fellow sisters provides a sense of comfort and home. I rarely meet an alumna who had a live-in meal plan that doesn’t reminisce about times with friends around the dinner table.
TELL US ABOUT WHEN YOU HAVE WORKED WITH MEMBERS TO ACCOMMODATE A SPECIAL DIET. HOW DID YOU TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
We had the privilege of working with Alpha Chi Omega’s Alpha (DePauw University) chapter to research and develop a halal dietary guide. We were able to share this information via a virtual presentation with their kitchen team and answer specific questions on how to prepare foods and ensure the traditions are honored correctly.
We were also made aware of a severe peanut allergy at a chapter [of another organization] we partner with. The women were very concerned with waste in general, and so they were using bulk peanut butter in their servery, leading to the member being worried about having a reaction. We worked with the chapter to help them understand that in this instance, the safety of their sister was more important than the waste created by using single portion peanut butter, and we stayed committed to reducing waste in other ways.
It’s imperative that we have the members’ buy-in whenever there are changes to their food service. To ensure that all members’ needs are accommodated and that everyone is fed and satisfied, we strive to maintain open and valuable communication between our team and the chapter members. The communication channels vary, from weekly face-to-face meetings with their chef, utilizing our app to provide meal reviews and suggestions, or contacting us via social media. No matter how members contact us, we always want to ensure they feel comfortable in providing their feedback so, in turn, we can provide them with exceptional service.
Usually food service is one of, if not the biggest, bills the chapter pays. With that in mind, the decisions regarding food service are ones that should be made with diligence. Cost, flexibility, responsiveness and presence on campus of a potential vendor should all be considered. In making food service decisions, make sure to talk to several groups to understand your options.
Since the beginning of time, people have gotten together to share food, stories and ideas. The opportunity to share a meal with others is a special ritual. It’s around the table, over good food, that we can get to know someone better and appreciate that human connection.
College Fresh’s partnership with Alpha Chi Omega is the true definition of partnership built on open communication and trust. We share a lot of the same values in that we are focused on what is good and right for the member experience.
Enjoy your time at the chapter house. I know it sounds cliché, but the few years you have as an undergraduate will be among your most cherished memories. Having a meal plan only adds to those memories!
FORTY-NINE ALPHA CHI OMEGA CHAPTERS UTILIZE A THIRD-PARTY FOOD SERVICE VENDOR TO OFFER A FULL MEAL PLAN.
NINE ALPHA CHI OMEGA CHAPTERS HAVE A HIRED, PRIVATE CHEF.
MEAL SERVICES CAN ACCOMMODATE EVENT FOOD FOR OUR MEMBERS INCLUDING FAMILY WEEKEND, PHILANTHROPY EVENTS AND PRE-RECRUITMENT WEEK.
SNACK SHOPPING IS A GREAT WAY TO TURN GROCERY SHOPPING INTO A SISTERHOOD ACTIVITY FOR THOSE WITHOUT A MEAL SERVICE.
MOST FOOD SERVICE PARTNERS HAVE AN APP THAT ALLOWS FOR MENU VIEWING, MEAL RATING AND LATE PLATE ORDERING RIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE.
MEMBERS’ FAVORITE MEALS:
• BRINNER – BREAKFAST FOR DINNER
• BUILD-YOUR-OWN MEALS, LIKE PIZZAS AND RAMEN BOWLS
• ACAI BOWLS
A special thanks to College Fresh staff for contributing to this article: Jack Dawson, president; Jake Waldecker, director of client services; and Megan Weinstein, employer brand and marketing manager.
A DECONSTRUCTED SUSHI BOWL FROM THE NU (UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER) CHAPTER; PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLEGE FRESH A DRAGON FRUIT SALAD SERVED AT THETA (UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN) CHAPTER; PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLEGE FRESHRenovations allow for our Alpha Chi Omega facilities to be safe and competitive housing for members. During the renovation process, the National Housing Corporation works alongside the chapter project team, typically made up of the chapter president, vice president facility operations, chapter
advisor and facility operations advisor, to share progress and important updates on the renovation project. The National Housing Corporation also works with the chapter project team on finishing touches to the facility such as furniture selections, lighting and décor.
One of Alpha Chi Omega’s latest reestablishments, Gamma Sigma chapter, had major updates done to its facility, including all the common areas, bedrooms and bathrooms; an elevator was also added with a new entryway. Here are some before and after pictures showing the work that the National Housing Corporation completed!
Wallpaper was part of the sitting room before renovations (see photos on left), but the NHC made sure new wallpaper tied in the colors of the space and elevated the design for a modern aesthetic.
Relaxing in some Alpha Chi Omega branded chairs helps create a sense of home (see photos below). Did you know the NHC can have our Greek letters put on most pieces of furniture, including desks and beds?
SHOP THE LARGEST SELECTION OF ALPHA CHI MERCHANDISE!
SCAN TO SEE MORE OR VISIT SHOPALPHACHI.COM
It’s common advice that getting out of your comfort zone is an avenue for growth, and one of the most tangible ways to leave your comfort zone is to travel somewhere new! With the world opening up again, collegiate members have been able to study abroad – exploring new places while learning about cultures, customs and themselves.
Before her fall semester abroad in Rome, Italy, Ilanah Mangan (Alpha Chi, Butler University) had never traveled outside the United States. She had always wanted to see the world, and her sisters encouraged her to study abroad.
“My Alpha Chi sisters were a big influence; many of them had studied abroad before me,” she says. “They raved about how this experience totally changed their lives and was something they would never forget. They were also there for any questions, concerns or reservations I had about doing it and encouraged me to expand my horizon.”
Ilanah took classes in political science during her semester, and she learned about Italian and European cultures and histories, in addition to picking up some of the Italian language. She encourages sisters not to be dissuaded from a study abroad location just because of a language barrier!
Riley Otis (Iota Psi, Elon University) traveled farther north last fall, spending her semester in London, England taking classes on media and completing an internship with The Wellness Traveler.
“I chose to study abroad because I wanted to experience life from the perspective of a different culture,” she says. “I was excited to learn about British politics and government, and I was coincidentally there during the change of power within the royal family, which was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience.”
Riley enjoyed the shift from her small Elon campus to the huge city of London, where she could learn about the country by visiting historical museums and sites and navigating the iconic London Tube. Both Riley and Ilanah also appreciated the chance to visit other countries on weekend trips.
“I made my way around Europe independently and with friends I made abroad while seeing and doing things I never thought possible for me,” Ilanah says. “It
brought me a sense of freedom and maturity that I had never felt before.”
This personal growth through travel is something both women found during their experience. Ilanah says studying abroad “forced me to be outgoing, meet people, use the language and just become comfortable with uncertainty and the unknown.” Riley adds, “More than anything, I feel like I matured emotionally, and I consider it a big turning point in not only my college experience but in my life as a whole. I came home feeling more confident in my abilities to make friends, live independently and navigate unfamiliar territories.”
Encouraging them were their Alpha Chi Omega sisters! Riley remembers the day she received a package from her Iota Psi sisters filled with letters about how much they missed her and hoped she was having a good time. “This made me feel so loved and like my presence was truly missed,” she says. Ilanah found that social media helped her stay connected to her sisters back home, including group chats, calls and her travel Instagram account that sisters followed to stay updated on her
semester. They were both also able to meet up with other sisters abroad too!
To any Alpha Chi Omega collegians thinking of studying abroad, Riley and Ilanah resoundingly share – do it! “It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Riley says. “I feel as though I gained a newfound sense of independence.” Ilanah encourages sisters to choose a destination where you can both feel comfortable and push yourself to experience new things. “Trust yourself and make the most of every minute you’re abroad,” she says. “I don’t think I would have had as much individual growth and development if I hadn’t had this experience.”
GROW WHERE YOU GO – AND DO IT WITH SISTERS! WITH MORE THAN 300,000 INITIATED WOMEN, THE SISTERHOOD IS COAST TO COAST. THE DELTA OMEGA (UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY) CHAPTER REMINDED ITS FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM OF THE SISTERLY LOVE SHARED BETWEEN MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT CHAPTERS!
DELTA OMEGA SHARED PHOTOS OF MEMBERS TRAVELING TO VISIT SISTERS, ALONG WITH THIS CAPTION: “WHETHER IT’S NEW FRIENDS OR OLD, SIBLINGS OR RELATIVES, THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HOLD WITH EACH OTHER ARE ONLY STRENGTHENED BY SHARING THE BOND OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA. EXCHANGING STORIES WITH OUR GRANDMAS, VISITING ANOTHER CHAPTER’S HOUSE OR SIMPLY CATCHING UP OVER FACETIME ARE WAYS WE CONTINUE BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS REGARDLESS OF THE DISTANCE.”
Everyone’s journey in Alpha Chi Omega looks different, but one thing is the same: every sister has the opportunity to develop and demonstrate her leadership skills. Whether this means being a mentor to new members, serving in an executive board position or taking on leadership roles within your campus, each offers a new way to grow your skills.
To learn more about the wide variety of leadership experiences offered from Alpha Chi, we spoke to three collegiate sisters at different stages in their leadership journeys.
• Sadie Pirkle (Zeta Eta, Bradley University)
• Sabrina (Bean) Atkin (Epsilon, University of Southern California)
• Audra Nivens (Gamma Rho, Texas Tech University)
Sadie: Alpha Chi Omega believes in its members – I have had the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them as a leader, and what better way is there to learn? I am lucky to be a member of an organization where I feel like I can try out different ideas to lead with active support from both headquarters and my chapter sisters. These experiences have made me far more confident as a leader. In addition to the confidence I have gained, though, I have been empowered to run for more leadership positions and opportunities, including Panhellenic president.
Sabrina: This organization has helped me improve my leadership abilities by providing me with a variety of different opportunities in which to lead. Obviously, we
have prominent leadership roles like the executive board that do tons of hard work, but I prefer to help in smaller ways that don’t necessarily have a title associated with them. Whether it be keeping people’s spirits up during long recruitment days or helping the new members feel welcomed on Bid Day, my time at Alpha Chi has helped me grow into a multifaceted leader.
Audra: Alpha Chi Omega immediately stood out to me, especially when I learned that first-year students could run for executive positions. Just this semester, I had the privilege of attending Leadership Academy in Indianapolis [as vice president risk management] and our Texas state conference. I also had the opportunity to plan social events for 250+ people, which is more people than attended my entire high school! All of these experiences have helped me with organization, time management and confidence.
Sadie: I believe that the secret to good leadership is asking questions. Through asking good questions, leaders can see what members want to see, what the root causes of issues may be, what could be done to work through ideas and how to create a healthier community. Asking questions allows a fuller understanding of people’s thoughts and actions before working through accountability. In addition, good leaders follow through on their words.
Sabrina: I used to think that being a leader meant being the person in charge, but I have come to find that a successful leader doesn’t always need to be the top of the pyramid. I think it is more important to try and pitch in whenever possible and be a leader in less obvious ways simply for the success of the group. In terms of qualities of a leader, I think it is important to be approachable and trustworthy so that the people around you know that you have their best interests at heart.
Audra: Good leaders are organized and confident. They listen and are willing to collaborate with others. They are reliable while also making sure the organization’s needs are put ahead of their own personal interests.
Sadie: Being a real, strong woman means choosing to put oneself into a community that is supportive, kind and encouraging. With this recipe of a community, members are naturally empowered to be the best versions of themselves – real, strong, compassionate leaders who build others up through hardships and conflict and, in turn, build themselves up. I am proud to be a part of a community of real, strong women who have built each other up.
Sabrina: To me, being a real, strong woman means pursuing your passions and sticking to your morals. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for
what you believe in. Also, be confident in your abilities and know that you are capable of great things.
Audra: I was drawn to the “Real. Strong. Women” tagline during recruitment. Being a woman isn’t always easy, and I hate being underestimated. Alpha Chi Omega helps me see the power and strength in being a woman while helping other women in need.
Sadie: Finding a mentor is such an important way to become a leader. You can achieve this by using Women & Wisdom or finding an inspiring leader within your chapter. In addition, it doesn’t take a title to be a leader. Sisters want leaders who they can trust; taking time to learn about them builds that trust so that your sisters feel like they can come to you with feedback. Then, taking that feedback and doing something with it will further the trust, and they’ll know that they are safe with a leader like you.
Sabrina: Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Nobody has created change or done something incredible by simply going through life doing what everyone else is doing. Be your own person and take chances. If you want something to happen, make it happen. Take action to help make yourself, Alpha Chi Omega and society what you want them to be.
Audra: Run for a leadership position! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be prepared to work, and know it can be hard. However, the more you put into Alpha Chi Omega, the more you will get out of it.
After hearing that Hurricane Ian was nearing their campus in September 2022, collegiate members of Kappa Chi (Florida Gulf Coast University) chapter were in shock. The large hurricane was initially on track to hit Tampa, more than 100 miles away from their campus in Fort Myers. However, with only 24 hours’ notice, the devastating hurricane shifted direction, leaving an impact on the Fort Myers community no one could have anticipated.
For some members, this meant evacuating if they could, but most had no option to leave and had to bear the storm. The members of Kappa Chi quickly came together, demonstrating the true meaning of sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega, comforting sisters in times of need and serving those in their community in the weeks following.
For members like Brooke Burch, who has lived in Fort Myers her entire life, the hurricane was devastating. “My family lives in Fort Myers and my elderly grandparents live in Bonita Springs, so we didn’t have an option to leave,” she says. “My family had a home on the beach, which unfortunately was washed away by the storm. We didn’t even have enough notice to prepare for the storm, so we were not able to take any of our belongings out before our home washed away.”
With most sisters taking shelter in the local area, many were anxious and worried about each other throughout the storm. The severity of the storm limited access to any outside information or communication; with no internet and cell towers down, members were left in the dark. “It was hard not knowing how other sisters were doing,” Brooke says. “My big, Millie, was a major support during and after the hurricane. She was constantly asking if I was OK and what she could do to help”.
Through the storm, the true bond of sisterhood shone as sisters quickly volunteered to house fellow chapter
members and even alumnae through the hurricane and aftermath. Seana Perkins was one of the many members whose family quickly opened their home to members, making sure everyone had a safe place to go. “Without food, power or running water amidst an uncertain tragedy, we were able to bond and spend time distracting ourselves with board games. We were extremely privileged that we could retreat to a space that was safe and dry,” she says.
Hurricane Ian ultimately hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane; the city of Fort Myers experienced its highest recorded storm surge of more than 7 feet. After the storm passed, sisters began to see the devastation around them. Not only was the damage physical, but the emotional damage was also significant. While still working through the impact of the storm, members jumped into action in any way they could.
Current Kappa Chi President Ellie Elander knew that volunteering was not just an option – it was essential. “I volunteered at a food distribution site handing out meals to families that needed them,” she says. “It was
extremely heartbreaking to see that many families that needed a hot meal because of the effects of the hurricane. It was also extremely powerful to see all of the members of the community come out and show support.” Sisters volunteered any way they knew how: housing those who lost their homes, participating in local clean-ups and just making sure members in the community felt safe.
Members of Kappa Chi weren’t alone in their efforts to restore the community; Alpha Chi Omega’s bond stretches beyond chapters. The members from Gamma Pi (University of Tampa) chapter jumped into action to help support their Florida Gulf Coast University sisters. Gamma Pi sisters spent time tabling with the university’s Phi Delta Theta chapter to collect food, monetary and product donations for hurricane relief. As a group they even went door to door asking University of Tampa residents for donations to send to the Fort Myers area. Their willingness to volunteer and support their sisters from afar demonstrates the line of The Symphony, “to shed the light of love and friendship round me.”
Kappa Chi members continued working to rebuild the Fort Myers area and also to comfort each other. Returning to campus felt different after the storm; many classes were completely online, and all campus activities were cancelled for the semester. For Brooke, it’s still painful to reflect on what occurred, but with the support of her sisters, she finds comfort. “Even thinking about it six months after the hurricane, I still feel so much pain. Having my sisters supporting me is
something that helps me keep going,” she says. “With a life-altering experience like what I have lived through, you need people by your side.”
Even though life is different after Hurricane Ian, sisters have been able to find a home with one another. Ellie says that the chapter became a safe space for sisters to escape what had happened. “It was a space to forget about the hurricane and just bond with sisters,” she says. Ellie says that the storm helped them learn and grow, and she reflected on how the hurricane put a lot of things into perspective for her. “As Alpha Chi Omegas one of our membership values is service. Our chapter is dedicated to helping our community in any way we can”.
“With a life-altering experience like what I have lived through, you need people by your side.”KAPPA CHI MEMBERS SERVING THE COMMUNITY AFTER THE HURRICANE GAMMA PI MEMBERS, WITH MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S PHI DELTA THETA CHAPTER, RAISING DONATIONS FOR HURRICANE RELIEF
CURRENT VOLUNTEER ROLES: Risk management specialist, risk management advisor for Lambda (Syracuse University)
We are honored to spotlight one of Alpha Chi Omega’s volunteers in each edition of The Lyre. Our volunteers share their time and talent with the organization while developing skills to use in their role and beyond! Read about the experience of one of our risk management volunteers.
I joined Alpha Chi Omega because I was looking for friendships in college. I stayed because with the leadership positions I held, I was able to help the chapter grow and improve. I became a much better leader in college because of Alpha Chi, which has helped me a lot in my career and other activities outside of work. I choose to remain involved because I want other women to be able to experience the same things I did.
The most useful thing I’ve learned is to use whichever communication and organization style works best for the other person. Depending on the person, I’ve used email, texting, phone calls and Zoom calls. When scheduling meetings, I’ve started asking what organizational/calendar system the other person uses so there’s less chance of forgetting about a meeting.
Another thing I do is always specify the time zone. I started doing that with the first chapter I worked with in another time zone so I wouldn’t get confused, and I’ve continued the practice.
My favorite part of being a specialist and advisor is meeting and building relationships with both advisors and collegians. I like seeing the growth in chapters that I’ve interacted with multiple times.
I have looked up to every volunteer who’s been in a position of authority over me. That includes advisors when I was a collegian, the chapter advisors when I’ve been a positional advisor and the lead risk management specialists. Each woman has invested in making sure I succeed in my role. Their dedication has modeled the way for me as a volunteer.
It’s a great way to meet sisters from other chapters! Being connected to not just my chapter of initiation but all of Alpha Chi has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve enjoyed learning what each chapter’s differences and similarities are and meeting people from chapters in other areas of the country.
If you’re inspired to get involved as a volunteer specialist or another one of our many volunteer roles, log in to My Alpha Chi, your member portal, to submit your volunteer interest form.
Meet the seven women being recognized for the way their Alpha Chi Omega experience has inspired them to become the best versions of themselves and to seek the heights!
Real. Strong. Women. of Distinction are sisters who are doing great things across the globe and down the street. They are difference makers, risk takers and dream chasers. They’re out to make a positive impact on their own lives and on lives around them.
Among this year’s recipients are STEM pioneers, philanthropic innovators and education leaders. In their efforts to impact countless people and communities, they draw on their skills, connections and growth from their Alpha Chi Omega membership and remind us all of the power of the Real. Strong. Women. Experience.
As the director of the cardiology fellowship at the Marshall School of Medicine, Ellen Thompson is teaching the next generation of cardiologists. The ripple effect of her work in this role and after 20 years practicing in noninvasive cardiology is hard to quantify.
“As one of my fellows from a small village told me, [this work] doesn’t just change one life, but the siblings, the parents and the whole village,” Ellen says. “Then try to extrapolate the difference that all of these new cardiologists have made, from hometowns and families to their current patients and communities. I really can’t quite grasp it, but I know that another great benefit from my time at Marshall [is] at least some lives were better because of it.”
Ellen could have taken her expertise anywhere, but she chose to invest in the rural communities of Appalachia. As her nominator said, “She is a pillar to her community, and she chose to stay local after her training. She has been an asset to the rural communities of West Virginia.” In fact, right after graduating, Ellen started a rural outreach clinic in her hometown to fill the need for more cardiologists there. Years before, Ellen took a huge jump from that small town to Marshall University for college, and she credits Alpha Chi Omega for easing that transition and setting her path.
“I am positive I would not be here without Alpha Chi Omega,” Ellen says, reflecting on her journey. She lived in the chapter house, found sisters to support and push her, and gained the self-assurance that she could reach her dreams. “The confidence I found, I
am sure, is the only reason I was able to go through with medical school applications and interviews and ultimately succeed in medicine.”
In addition to her current cardiology fellowship director role, Ellen cofounded the school’s cardio-oncology program for chemotherapy and is also the director of echocardiography. And continuing her commitment to support underserved communities, she started a tele-education program.
“I am keenly aware of the disparities in health and education, not only in rural America, but all over the world,” Ellen says. Through the program, Ellen’s team met virtually with frontline practitioners to support them on complex cases for patients living too far from specialists. Though the program was put on pause when the pandemic started, Ellen looks forward to starting it up again and even extending it internationally.
For any sisters who want to follow in Ellen’s footsteps or dive into a male-dominated profession, Ellen shares her advice: “The secret to confidence is competence. If you know you are right, own it!” She also believes that women in leadership roles have a duty to help other women see that there is a place for them. “We can do that by modeling it … It’s each of our responsibility to lift the next generation on our shoulders.”
You have probably heard the saying, “Empowered women empower women.” Phoebe Edalatpour is a true example of that saying in action – inspired and encouraged by the women in her life to make a difference for women across the world.
Phoebe knew from the start of college that she wanted to be an Alpha Chi Omega, and she found the value of being part of groups of women, including her water polo team and her sorority, at an engineering school with more male classmates than female. She says her sisters are “one of my most significant support systems and always will be.” Also from her Alpha Chi experience, she gained experience in and a passion for philanthropy, which helped lead her to her current career.
Last year, Phoebe founded a social impact business venture called Wi Yone Plastik, which empowers Sierra Leonean women to change their relationship with plastic by engaging them in programs to transform waste into valuable building materials. While launching the pilot phase, Phoebe has been living in a rural village in Sierra Leone, working directly with the women involved in the program.
“Plastic waste affects everyone worldwide, but in resource-scarce areas it can pose an even worse risk to health,” she explains. “In rural Sierra Leone, women typically manage this waste and experience these negative consequences.”
Wi Yone Plastik has introduced community-led plastic waste collection programs and health education
curriculums in addition to employing local women to collect plastic waste and educate their communities about hygiene and sanitation. In less than a year, the women collected more than 4,000 pounds of plastic waste!
“Our employees also see benefits from this work beyond their paycheck,” Phoebe adds. “They learn leadership skills as they take an active role in changing their communities for the better. Furthermore, 60% of these women have joined local investment clubs since starting work with us.”
As the co-founder and executive director of the venture, Phoebe is responsible for program design, fundraising and training. She is working toward a master’s degree in sustainable development and environmental engineering, and she uses her experience as a former Peace Corps Health Extension volunteer to live in and build community in Sierra Leone.
As she works to empower women of Sierra Leone, Phoebe is proud to embody the characteristics of the women who made her who she is – her mother’s determination, her stepmother’s ambition, her grandmother’s compassion and her aunt’s spontaneity. “And just like each of my Alpha Chi Omega sisters,” she adds, “I am a real, strong woman.”
Dr. Kelly Jean (KJ) Burtard is no stranger to the challenges facing women and BIPOC individuals in the STEM field. But the adversity she experienced, including as a victim of discrimination and sexual misconduct in the workplace, hasn't deterred her – it has fueled her to seek the heights and bring others with her.
In addition to those workplace experiences, as a Native American woman and first-generation collegian, Dr. Burtard navigated many difficult endeavors in her pursuit of advancement within the life sciences. She leveraged those hardships, often paired with failures, on her road to success as an executive clinical and health services informatics leader and continues to apply those indispensable life skills.
“Despite my perceived differences and obstacles, my utilization of self-reliance and resilience carried me through and persists with new challenges,” she explains. “My greatest accomplishment is the resilient ability to withstand, cope, and recover from frequent failures knowing that my ongoing personal growth coupled with a continuous learning approach to life will support my success as a mother, wife, sister, and scientist.”
As she climbed the ranks in health informatics – the science of using data to identify and solve information problems in health care – Dr. Burtard broke barriers for others. She mentored more than 100 students and
colleagues across STEM fields, acquired grant funding for undergraduate research and helped found the IBM Diversity Matters business resource group.
“STEM advancement, specifically for women and BIPOC populations, receives my continuous support and engagement,” she says. “My efforts are focused to improve diversity and inclusion programming to advance the STEM workforce and pipeline of students seeking advanced degrees.”
These efforts parlayed into her work as deputy chief science officer of evidence-based practice at IBM and currently as director of evidence development at CVS Health®. She is driven to design and implement products and practices that address health care inequities and disparities in clinical areas like neurodegenerative disease, cancer and COVID-19 mitigation.
Dr. Burtard's advice for sisters pursuing a STEM career is simple yet profound: “Remain curious, confident, committed, and connected.” She believes STEM is the future of the U.S. economy, so Alpha Chi Omegas need to push through barriers and find their advocates who will support them. And those advocates can be other sisters!
“Alpha Chi Omega has taken on many dimensions and facets that are a home,” she says. “It has been a physical structure, a place of foundational personal growth, a safe haven, and most importantly, a family.”
When the pandemic began, every industry was hit hard – and the arts were especially impacted. That’s where Tiffany Kerns stepped in. As executive director of the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation and CMA’s vice president of industry relations & philanthropy, Tiffany led her teams to provide instrumental support to CMA's members, music educators and the music community.
“I believe that the pandemic centered us and reminded us that the people we support is the reason we exist at all,”
Tiffany says of CMA’s initiatives to provide financial relief, mental health support and other initiatives.
A focus on people has been a theme throughout Tiffany’s career; before the CMA, she led fundraising efforts for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help countless patients. She explains, “As part of every professional role, people are truly the center of the business. When you take the time to learn about people, their passions and desires, you create trust.”
This mindset began with Alpha Chi Omega, as Tiffany explains the value she learned in building community and creating an authentic sisterhood. “Through my experience as an Alpha Chi, I know I am a better listener, communicator and empathetic to all situations.”
Tiffany believes in the power of music
– for all its cognitive benefits and learning opportunities, and also for its ability to create connections. “It allows our young people to be a part of something special,” Tiffany says in reflecting on the value of music education. “There is truly nothing better than watching music unlock potential and a young person’s creative capacity all while bringing them joy.”
During her tenure at CMA, Tiffany has worked with schools and teachers to eliminate barriers in access to music and arts education. As a case for this support, she shares, “I often say adults cannot imagine their life without music, so why would we ever want our next generation to miss out on the extraordinary benefits?” Tiffany has also led the organization’s investment in professional development projects for members, including CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy. She has received numerous accolades for her efforts, including being named twice as a Billboard Country Power Player and once as a Women in Music City Award recipient.
One of the keys to Tiffany’s success has been a commitment to lifelong learning and pushing herself –and it’s a challenge she offers to sisters on their path to seeking the heights.
“Early in my career I realized that I thrived in moments when I was challenged to learn a new skill or area of expertise,” she says. “I never let my professional path limit me from new opportunities. I never allowed myself to give up on something simply because I did not have the skill. Instead, it drove my curiosity to learn.”
The word “community” is a perfect one for Jennifer Lane. In addition to being a residential faculty member at Glendale Community College, she is an active volunteer in many local and national organizations.
“Community, in my mind, means we are interdependent,” Jennifer explains. “We each contribute to building the communities in which we live. We have to invest in those communities to make them what we want them to be.”
Jennifer puts these words into action. She is the president of National Charity League, Inc., a philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters, serves in several Alpha Chi Omega volunteer roles and recently wrapped up her time as a commissioner on the Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism – among many other roles. This community-oriented mindset is something Jennifer passes on to her students.
“My parents were both teachers, so I guess I learned from them that you can just do your job or you can do your job in a way that truly invests in other people, which for teachers means engaging beyond the classroom, showing up for extracurricular activities, tutoring and authentically building people up,” she says. She provides resources and opportunities for students to learn about their leadership and passions so they can impact their communities.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Jennifer’s community-focused mindset was essential; the experience reaffirmed for her the interconnectedness of people, especially her students and colleagues. At the time, she was the school’s director of the Center
for Teaching, Learning, and Engagement and led the team to transition everything to a virtual environment. She leveraged the skills of those who were comfortable with online work to support those who were not and built a resource-sharing database to help distribute tasks. As a takeaway from the experience, Jennifer shares, “When we work to bring out the best in one another, we have that to fall back on when times get tough – we have a foundation of trust on which to build, and we can support each other in new ways.”
Joining the sorority community in college was another step in Jennifer’s lifelong journey of involvement, starting with working as a resident assistant on another sorority’s dormitory floor and learning the value of the shared Greek experience and women supporting women. That continued to show up throughout her life.
“Alpha Chi Omega gave me a very strong foundation of knowing who I am while also providing me a support network that challenged me to be and do more,” Jennifer says. Several alumnae encouraged her to volunteer right after college, and Jennifer adds, “These alumnae saw something in me that I don’t know I would have confidently stated about myself at that time.”
While her accolades are many – 2010 National College Council Fellow, 2014 Flinn-Brown Fellow and 2017 Phoenix Panhellenic Woman of the Year, to name a few – Jennifer is humble, summing up her work simply: “I can only say that I always want to do my best and help improve my community in any way that I can.”
In March 2020, Sarah Gensler Mariani took over as the executive director of the organization she cofounded, Unlimited PossAbilities; the next day, the state of West Virginia shut down for the pandemic.
“Trying to navigate the waters of my leadership style coupled with the burden of keeping my members healthy and safe, plus the responsibility of keeping my staff healthy and safe, was an enormous task,” she says. Unlimited PossAbilities provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with services like agency and home-based support, day programs, supported employment and transportation. Sarah knew the organization was needed more than ever and put in tireless effort. “It has definitely been a struggle … but I rest easier knowing the health of the agency is stronger than ever by making solid decisions that ultimately benefit our staff and members.”
Along with her day-to-day work with Unlimited PossAbilities, Sarah has also advocated nationally for people with disabilities and those who work with them, sharing about the impact of the workforce crisis on her members and asking for funding to continue hiring and retaining direct support professionals. Her work has been celebrated on Capitol Hill and has led her to receiving the Advocacy Grassroots Star Award from the American Network of Community Options and Resources. But she doesn’t do it for the accolades –it’s for those she serves.
“It is all about the person you are providing support for, and when you can focus on that, you both win,”
Sarah says. “Helping someone live as independently as possible is the best feeling, and knowing I am a small part of that makes my heart overflow!”
Sarah says her greatest accomplishment has been setting an example for her kids of what a real, strong woman is. She shares, “I have hopefully instilled in my children to set their goals high, work hard and give themselves the grace to fail. With continued dedication, those failures will eventually lead to success.”
From our sisterhood, she learned the value of surrounding herself with those who encourage her to seek the heights. She also credits Alpha Chi Omega for building her confidence at a young age through leadership opportunities and skillbuilding.
“Alpha Chi Omega saw my potential and knew how to develop it while letting me build and strengthen my character with grace,” she says. “The result is a confident woman who has remained true to her inner self. I am forever grateful for my mentors and peers from Alpha Chi Omega.”
The internet is practically impossible to ignore in today’s American society, but the laws that govern internet use are relatively unknown. This field of study, known as cyberlaw, is the specialty of Kimberly O’Connor, professor and associate vice chancellor of teaching and learning at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
“Because technology has become so intertwined with our everyday lives, one thing that internet users should know is that they must stay educated and informed about legal developments related to technology,” Kimberly says. As an expert in cyberlaw topics like intellectual property, cyberbullying and data protection, Kimberly has published 25 articles and book chapters in the field. In particular, her passion is digital citizenship and educating young people on internet use.
“Digital citizenship involves teaching ourselves and our children appropriate and responsible behavior when using technology,” she explains, pointing to topics like digital literacy, law, security and wellness. Kimberly has been invited to share her expertise across the country and even internationally. “My personal passion is helping children lead healthy lives in our modern-day, digital world. I am the mother of three teenage daughters, and I see firsthand the impact that technology has on our youth today. I want to make a positive contribution.”
The contribution Kimberly is making is part of a lesson she learned from her Alpha Chi Omega sisters: what it means to be part
of something bigger than yourself. She says her sisters taught her how to be a leader and the importance of surrounding herself with women who push her to do better.
“I strongly believe that female mentorship plays a major role in shaping real, strong women. Alpha Chi Omega was an early example of this in my life,” Kimberly says. From her collegiate days through her current career in a male-dominated field, she has found the value of a community of women in helping her thrive.
“My advice to any Alpha Chi Omega sister who is interested in entering the male-dominated STEM world would be to trust your skills and ignore the pressure that others may put on you to pursue another career path,” she says. “Remember to never feel bad for claiming credit for your ideas and accomplishments.”
Whether educating school-age children, teaching employment law to undergraduate and graduate students or publishing research in an emerging field, Kimberly is proving that strong women can do anything.
“A strong woman follows her dreams and works hard to achieve them … She is confident, humble and leads effectively. She gives her personal best and is continuously committed to serving others,” Kimberly says. “Being a real, strong, woman can mean so many things and apply in so many different and unique contexts. Yet, no matter what, there is something in our sorority’s motto that is undoubtedly meaningful to all.”
an ALUMNA looking to network with sisters within and outside of your field?
a COLLEGIAN wanting support from a sister to review your resume?
a MEMBER exploring open job, internship or volunteer opportunities?
an ENTREPRENEUR hoping to promote your sister-owned business?
a MANAGER seeking applicants to join your team?
a SISTER looking for community or advice from real, strong women?
YOU’RE ON THE GO!
Scan the QR code or visit womenandwisdom.org on your phone or tablet to access the mobile-friendly version of our Women & Wisdom network!
With Women & Wisdom, you can find mentoring, events, groups, open opportunities, member and business directories, and connections with sisters sharing your interests and experiences.
If you are looking to empower and support sisters in reaching their fullest potential, while investing in your personal and professional growth, Women & Wisdom is for you!
The Job Search Mentor Program kicked off in February with mentoring milestones scheduled through May. This program created short-term mentoring relationships specifically focused on the job search experience. After matches were made, 95 sisters received valuable advice from alumnae volunteering their time and talents as mentors. Be sure to stay connected on Women & Wisdom to get involved in future mentoring programs! And remember that opportunities for mentorship are available outside of structured programs through the Make a Connection section of Women & Wisdom.
Find past SERIES recordings and more at WOMENANDWISDOM.ORG/RESOURCES
You can now earn badges on Women & Wisdom in recognition of your participation! Log in and edit your profile information with current experience and contact details to earn the gold “Updated Profile” badge. Alumnae can also earn the red “Ready to Mentor” badge by editing their Settings under the Make a Connection tab and selecting how they can offer mentorship to others. What badges will you earn on Women & Wisdom?
As the senior vice president of commercialization & customer experience for Daxor Corporation, Jean Han Oertel (Alpha Delta, University of Cincinnati) leads teaching and awareness-building for the company’s blood volume measurement products, helping drive home the impact of these products in changing patients’ lives. It’s a role that’s come through years of advocating for herself as she climbed the ladder in both the male-dominated industry of medical technology and the male-dominated career of sales.
Jean was recruited early in her career to a training program with Ethicon, a division of Johnson & Johnson, and found the experience opened doors for her at other Fortune 500 companies. She made her mark at companies like Boston Scientific and Medtronic, on the forefront of women starting to find their place in the industry. Jean sought out mentors who encouraged her to push for what she knew she deserved, ultimately becoming the first woman to hold several roles.
“I’m sure I was an example, because there were a lot of other women who wanted to be a district manager or regional VP but never saw themselves there,” Jean says. “I had the opportunity to be on stage with a lot of men … so I think it’s a visualization of seeing yourself in another person’s shoes.”
And Jean continued to serve as inspiration by setting up mentoring programs for women. Her advice for
those women – and any Alpha Chi Omega sister – has been to speak up, be willing to negotiate for what you deserve and actively seek promotions.
“I would tell my younger self, go ahead for the next position, ask for more responsibility,” she says. “And any time something feels too comfortable, then it’s time to do something else.”
This was advice Jean wished she had gotten earlier in her career but learned to embrace along the way. “There was a lot of speaking up and feeling like I had the right to sit at the table and not be in the back seat,” she says. Jean deserved that front seat,
consistently bringing in top sales numbers, and she was front and center when Daxor Corporation rang the opening bell at Nasdaq in February 2022.
Jean believes women bring a valuable perspective to any company in their ability to look through a different lens to solve a problem. She shares a few examples of bringing the female viewpoint to discussion about medical devices, such as girls and women wanting pumps that could be hidden in their clothes or made in pink, or designs for a medical vest that accounted for women’s chests.
“I think that we [women] give that perspective, and it’s always good no matter what you do, I don’t care where you are in business,” Jean says. “Always have a diversity of mindset and opinions. You do not want to be a herd where you all think alike.”
Jean is particularly proud of her role in the medical technology industry for its ability to make a positive impact on patients every day. As she explains, the products help patients and their doctors make better, more informed decisions about health care. And while it’s not about being on stage, Jean has enjoyed those moments too, with the caveat of her personal philosophy: “If you do the right things, you will end up on stage … You’re not doing it for the accolades and to be in front of everyone. But when you do your job as well as you’ve done it, those things sort of follow after.”
Jean’s other philosophy is one that Alpha Chi Omega sisters will be familiar with: our open motto, “Together let us seek the heights.”
“I use that phrase in business all the time,” she says. “It’s about partnering with other people to seek the heights of what you can do.”
"If you do the right things, you will end up on stage ... You're not doing it for the accolades and to be in front of everyone. But when you do your job as well as you've done it, those things sort of follow after."
When she was almost 20 years old, Nycole Freer (Epsilon Kappa, California State University, Fullerton) walked into a branch of a major bank and told an advisor she had $500 to invest. The advisor told her to come back when she had more money.
“I never went back,” Nycole says. “Instead, I became the advisor I was looking for.”
After graduating with a business degree, earning her Certified Financial Planner and Behaviorial Financial Advisor certifications, and working 10 years in financial planning and investment management, Nycole founded Eden Financial this year in pursuit of that goal and her personal commitment to help others – especially young entrepreneurs, families, women and children – create a life of financial security and understand their finances.
“Financial literacy is important because it allows someone, especially a woman, to make decisions that are in her best interest and not just in her livelihood’s best interest,” she explains. With Eden Financial, Nycole is helping her clients make strategic investment decisions, set financial goals and plan for life events – all without a required minimum investment amount that many other firms have.
“Financial independence can allow someone to walk away from a job they can’t stand, retire with dignity, help kick-start a dream project, buy a house, buy a car, stay out of revolving credit card debt and beyond,” she explains.
“Financial literacy is important so you are empowered and are not left in the dark.”
This empowerment is something that Nycole believes should start at a young age; as a result, she and her mother co-authored a book that came out this April, Haisley’s Birthday Money. The story teaches children that money can be saved, shared and used to help others, in addition to being spent on themselves.
“It is important for children to start learning early about financial literacy because it helps set the stage for a strong financial foundation they can use as they learn and grow,” Nycole says. “Starting the learning curve early allows for mistakes to be made in younger years, when recovering from them is much more attainable.”
But if you didn’t get that education early in life, it’s not too late. Nycole shares that college-bound women should be strategic about taking on student loan debt, and women at any age can build a community of people they aspire to be and can continue to learn from.
That kind of community can be found in Alpha Chi Omega, as Nycole discovered herself. She says, “If you want to get from point A to point B, just put it out there to your sisters, and someone might know someone who can help you.”
In January, Alpha Chi Omega’s education and engagement staff was proud to launch a new diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, Notes of Belonging. Notes of Belonging can be found across Alpha Chi Omega communications, including the blog and social media, and is a space where members can share where they have found belonging as sisters of Alpha Chi Omega and how they and their chapters have created a sense of belonging for others. This new initiative is an additional way Alpha Chi Omega is continuing to advance our diversity, equity and inclusion goals!
Together we will compose the melody of our organization, celebrating the full diversity of our membership, all while exploring quick tips and resources to aid diversity, equity and inclusion learning.
The graphic on this page is part of our new infographic series that can be found on the Educate and Take Action page of alphachiomega.org. How can you use these tips when interacting with those in your communities and networks? What tip is your favorite?
We encourage all members to read the infographics and take advantage of the resources and tools to support their education, learning and development! And don’t forget to share your newfound knowledge with those around you.
Since launching Notes of Belonging, we have heard amazing stories of how members have embraced diversity and inclusion and found belonging in Alpha Chi Omega. Lyda Jean Schurman (Gamma Omicron, Marshall University) shared how she felt unwavering support
for
and give
Make sure all VOICES ARE HEARD Speak from your personal experiences and share perspectives that BELONG TO YO U
when she attended the chapter’s 70th anniversary celebration: “I cannot begin to explain the joy that I felt to return 70 years later as an original charter member. Alpha Chi Omega has given me lifelong sisters.”
When asked what belonging means to her, AnnaMaria Fernandez, president of Zeta Chi (Muhlenberg College) chapter, said, “Belonging to me means not only having a seat at the table or being invited to the party, but being served food that aligns with your needs, wants and preferences. As a chapter, we understand that equity and diversity mean little to nothing – and lead to tokenization – without fostering a sisterhood with a deep sense of belonging.”
We hope that through Notes of Belonging, you will learn something valuable that will encourage you to foster inclusive and equitable environments where all members can feel a sense of belonging.
Want to share your thoughts or personal experience with belonging through your Alpha Chi Omega experience? Share your story by emailing editor@alphachiomega. org or scanning/clicking the QR code to fill out our survey.
Alpha Chi Omega has initiated more than 300,000 women to our sisterhood since our founding. Looking more broadly across the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) member groups, there are around 5 million sorority women. A common goal among all sororities is to grow membership numbers. Doing so allows each chapter to continue creating environments that build leaders and connections, increases the impact that sorority women make on the world and makes the experience more affordable.
Growth is not a given, and in fact, colleges and fraternity/sorority communities are preparing for the opposite. Widespread research is predicting a higher education enrollment cliff after 2025, during which the number of students starting college will drop by more than 15%. Add to that the impact of the pandemic and the increased accessibility and quantity of ways for people to learn outside of the traditional fouryear college experience, and you’ll understand why Alpha Chi Omega has been prioritizing growth in our strategic planning.
When it comes to membership growth, chapters and their national organizations are developing new strategies and creative initiatives to bring more women to sisterhood. Alpha Chi Omega headquarters is on the forefront of this work, through many avenues outlined on the coming pages – but it will take each and every member to preserve and grow the sorority experience. How can you get involved?
With a projected smaller pool of potential new members (PNMs) due to the enrollment cliff, it’s more important than ever that members of all ages promote the sorority experience and bring unaffiliated women to recruitment. NPC prioritized this in a 2020 policy that states all sorority women should promote the experience and membership through all forms of communication (see sidebar on next page for policy language). This policy not only allows outreach; it emphasizes that this outreach must be done.
What can you do? There are some misconceptions about contact with a PNM, so let us be clear that Alpha Chi Omega believes both alumnae and collegiate members should do the following (and more!):
• Talk to PNMs any time, particularly leading up to the beginning of recruitment
• Follow and message them on social media
• Meet up with them for coffee or ice cream
• Help your alumnae chapter host an event for women going to college
• Share your Alpha Chi Omega affiliation in conversations and other communication, including social media
As sorority women use the NPC policy to spread the word about the Panhellenic experience, they may wonder what the right messaging is. In today’s landscape, it’s more than telling PNMs to sign up for recruitment; it’s explaining the value of the sorority experience and sharing your own sorority journey to highlight that value. The personal touch has the biggest impact in helping PNMs see their place in the sorority community. This sort of communication happens one-on-one between a member and a PNM,
as well as through chapter- and organization-wide efforts.
NPC recently concluded a year-long recruitment marketing campaign aimed at increasing interest in sororities and registration for recruitment. Targeting campuses that experienced a decline in the previous year’s recruitment registration numbers, NPC provided a grant, coaching and resources to support College Panhellenic (CPH) leaders.
The campaign found that potential new members are more likely to join sororities when they know women and their stories; messaging about finding belonging is the most successful. Coaching sessions focused on developing clear communication (e.g., deadlines, dates, links to registration) and leveraging paid social media advertising. While year-round marketing is key, a targeted campaign that begins weeks before the recruitment registration deadline sees the most success.
Alpha Chi Omega has long invested in supporting our members in sharing their experience. In early June, we celebrated #WhyAlphaChi Week to share tangible steps our members can take in helping promote the sorority experience. Here are just a few:
• Meet up in person or schedule a phone call with a PNM to share your story one-on-one.
• Post a video or story about the lifelong friendships you made in Alpha Chi Omega.
• Reshare Alpha Chi Omega’s or NPC’s content on social media or use Alpha Chi Omega’s templates to customize your post.
• Use #WhyAlphaChi to share your story.
• Watch our recruitment micro-training series in the Resource Center that covers a variety of recruitment topics including lingo, connecting with PNMs and virtual recruitment.
• Wear your favorite Alpha Chi Omega swag.
Continued on next page
ALL SORORITY WOMEN INCLUDING COLLEGIANS, ALUMNAE, COLLEGE PANHELLENICS, ALUMNAE PANHELLENICS, INTER/NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE SHOULD ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE OVERALL SORORITY EXPERIENCE AND MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN ORGANIZATIONS. THIS SHOULD BE DONE THROUGH ALL FORMS OF COMMUNICATION (E.G., PRINT, DIGITAL, IN PERSON) IN THE SPIRIT OF PANHELLENIC UNITY AND DESIRE TO REACH OUT TO ALL WOMEN TO SHARE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SORORITY MEMBERSHIP. COLLEGE AND ALUMNAE PANHELLENIC RULES SHOULD NOT INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS, CHAPTERS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CONTENT OR FORMS OF COMMUNICATION TO PROMOTE THE SORORITY EXPERIENCE.
PNMs are looking for their home away from home when they go through recruitment. Sharing your authentic story of membership in Alpha Chi Omega will show them that our sisterhood could be where they belong. Imagine the impact of 5 million sorority women sharing their stories!
What can you do? Share your story with potential new members to show them the value of the sorority experience! NPC also offers a Recruitment Marketing Checklist for CPHs, and Alpha Chi Omega has guides and tools in the Resource Center for grassroots marketing whether you are an alumna or a collegiate chapter leader.
One of the most impactful things alumnae can do is letting collegiate chapters know about PNMs, and
FULLY STRUCTURED RECRUITMENT (FSR): CPH SETS THE TIMING, EVENT FORMAT AND BID DISTRIBUTION DATES, AND CHAPTERS BUILD THEIR RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK. PNMS ARE PROVIDED WITH A SET SCHEDULE TO VISIT EACH CHAPTER. BID MATCHING IS ALWAYS DONE, AND EVERY CHAPTER IS ENTITLED TO BID TO QUOTA.
PARTIALLY STRUCTURED RECRUITMENT (PSR): RECRUITMENT IS ORGANIZED BY THE CPH, BUT CHAPTERS HAVE AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY IN PLANNING ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS HOSTING LARGE EVENTS, MEETING WITH PNMS ONE-ON-ONE OR CONNECTING IN SMALL GROUPS. PNMS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE EVENT FOR EACH SORORITY PRIOR TO INVITATIONAL ROUNDS. QUOTA AND BID MATCHING ARE UTILIZED, AND THERE IS A CPH-WIDE BID DAY.
CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT (CR): CHAPTERS, ON THEIR OWN, SET EVENT DATES AND DETAILS AND DETERMINE WHEN TO EXTEND BIDS. THERE IS NO BID MATCHING, QUOTA OR REQUIRED CPH-WIDE BID DAY. WHILE COB CAN BE USED TO HELP REACH TOTAL ON A CAMPUS THAT USES FSR AND PSR, CR REPLACES OTHER STRUCTURES ENTIRELY WITH YEAR-ROUND RECRUITMENT.
Alpha Chi Omega has made it quick and easy to do this! Members can submit a recommendation through the online form available at my.alphachiomega.org/ recommend.
The form provides our collegiate chapters with information to begin their directed marketing and outreach efforts, which allows them to build longlasting connections with PNMs and promote Alpha Chi directly to incoming and unaffiliated women.
What can you do? Submit recommendations through the online form to provide the most complete information to chapters. You can also share a PNM’s name directly with a chapter.
Total and COB are essential to growing the sorority experience, but they might be new terms for some members. Let’s talk through them and how they apply to our collective efforts.
Total is the maximum number of members a collegiate chapter can have at a given time. COB, or continuous open bidding, is a process outside of the structured setting of primary recruitment that allows chapters to reach total by recruiting PNMs to membership through casual or one-on-one conversations.
With enrollment decreasing on many campuses the past several years, we have also seen the number of women registered for recruitment decrease. As a result, when total is set following recruitment, it also decreases. When total decreases over time and chapters don’t have the opportunity to COB, we see the membership experience suffer as chapters are not able to balance their budgets, fill their facilities and have the funds to pay for fun events that build the connection and community we hold dear. Alpha Chi Omega believes that COB is key in the future of recruitment and that keeping total high allows chapters to maximize their membership numbers and combat the enrollment cliff.
Most Alpha Chi Omega chapters across the country are participating in COB. It provides an opportunity
for many women to join a sorority who may not have done so otherwise: those who thrive during a less formal recruitment experience, those who transfer schools outside of the primary recruitment window and those who simply find their interest piqued throughout the school year.
Alpha Chi Omega recognizes the huge potential of COB in growing the sorority experience and has long been investing in resources and support to our chapters with guides, planning calendars and access to software to manage PNM pools through each step of COB. And we’ve seen huge success! The number of Alpha Chi Omega members recruited through COB has grown each year since 2018, including in the height of the pandemic!
What can you do? Promote the value of COB on your campus and with PNMs you know who did not take part in primary recruitment.
In the same way COB can provide a better experience for some PNMs, so can other recruitment structures. That’s not to say fully structured recruitment (FSR) is without merit – it is largely successful on many
campuses and allows thousands of women to find their homes each year. However, some campuses (particularly smaller, liberal arts or regional state schools) that are most at risk from the enrollment cliff are considering other setups to fit the needs of College Panhellenics (see sidebar on previous page for descriptions).
NPC Chief Executive Officer Dani Weatherford says her team has identified about 100 CPHs (of the 575 campuses with a CPH) that they believe could benefit from switching to a partially structured recruitment (PSR). “We know not every community has the need for an experience that is so regulated, and something less formal is more welcoming and less intimidating for many,” she explains. Some campuses are also considering using a continuous recruitment (CR) structure that provides even more opportunity to meet PNMs on their own time and in a way that works best on that campus.
Alpha Chi Omega provides resources and coaching to chapters on campuses that are switching recruitment styles and has seen the payoff in thriving chapters and Panhellenic communities. For example, in spring 2021 headquarters staff and volunteers supported the Beta Chi (Willamette University) chapter after the CPH voted to move primary recruitment to the fall term as well as move to a continuous recruitment structure. By doing this, the campus has seen a 186% increase in new members joining since 2018-19.
What can you do? If you’re a collegiate leader who has seen recruitment challenges across Panhellenic, talk with your Panhellenic specialist for advice; contact information is on the Resource Center. Alumnae are always welcome to volunteer in recruitment- and Panhellenic-related roles!
Growing the sorority experience is a job for every Alpha Chi Omega member – collegiate and alumna. With options to promote sororities at any level of effort and involvement, as quick as sharing a name with a chapter and as dedicated as leading recruitment on your campus, there’s something for everyone. Together with Panhellenic women, we can ensure future generations make memories like those we cherish and have the personal growth opportunities they deserve.
At 94 years old, Martha Bird Knighton (Beta Sigma, University of Georgia) isn’t slowing down – in fact, she’s eagerly working toward her next role on the big screen! Martha has spent the past few decades of her life acting in TV and films, like The Change-Up at age 81 and The Internship at age 84. And she can’t wait to see what’s next!
Martha got her first taste of show business when her children were little, doing some local modeling alongside her teaching job to help with the family’s bills. But when her youngest turned 3, Martha found out she had breast cancer and would need to get a mastectomy. She explains that breast cancer was not talked about as much 60 years ago as it is today, so she had to seek out information about treatment and recovery on her own. Martha connected with the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program in its early days and shared her experience; she also asked her husband to reach out to some of the men at the hospital who were there supporting the women in their lives, and he of course obliged.
After her mastectomy, Martha wasn’t sure her new physical appearance would allow her to continue modeling. But when a friend reached out about having her walk in a Neiman Marcus runway show, she took the chance – and the door opened to a new world of opportunities.
“She gave me my first job to get back into the world that I wanted to be in, and from there it went to print work,” Martha says of her modeling career. After that, Martha began booking commercials, connected with an agent, and took her talents to TV shows and movies. Decades have passed, and Martha’s kept up speed. She even managed to keep working during the pandemic, filming The Waltons’ Homecoming TV special amid periodic nasal swabs and masking between takes. A few years ago, Martha booked her first role
in a romance movie, a role she’s particularly proud of because, as she says, “You don’t get to do romance things when you’re 90.”
A role in show business is rarely smooth sailing, and that is true for Martha; however, she always manages to take a positive outlook on the down days. For one role Martha was hired for, the production company flew her out to Charleston, South Carolina for a three-day shoot; she spent time with her niece who lived there and made her promise to see the movie when it came out and let Martha know what she thought. Months later, she got a call from her niece – the movie was out, but Martha’s entire role had been cut!
“Oh well,” Martha says in reflection. “I got a trip, I got paid, and I got credit on the film and therefore residuals. I got cut from several things, which is OK. I got the job, and I got a chance to do it. It was fun.”
A life of fun and adventure has always been Martha’s plan. At the University of Georgia, she joined Alpha Chi Omega and found a sisterhood of laughter and support. Martha loved living in the chapter house, even though it had only two bathrooms and one phone line for 28
women. And Martha says if it wasn’t for Alpha Chi, she wouldn’t have passed her math class! One of her fellow sisters, a math major, made sure she completed her study hours to keep Martha’s and the chapter’s GPA up.
“We had a good time,” Martha says. “We loved each other. Alpha Chi was good for me, and with the exception of math, I hope I was good for them.”
The fun has continued throughout her life, from watching Georgia football with her husband before he passed away to now taking “good luck walks” around her block with a neighbor during halftime. “The other day she [Martha’s neighbor] said, ‘I don’t think the University of Georgia realizes how important we are to them.’ I’m making it around the block.”
Another highlight in Martha’s career was spending several months in Switzerland teaching a course on fashion – and when she wasn’t sure she could leave her daughter for that long, the program allowed Martha to bring her along!
“It’s been an exciting life, full of goodness and sadness,” Martha reflects.
This is the first year in six decades that Martha is not teaching, another passion of hers outside of acting. But don’t mistake that as Martha slowing down. During the phone call for this story, Martha was waiting on a different phone call – from her agent about a part she had just auditioned for, a “wacky lady that is just wonderful for me.” Looking ahead, she wants to continue acting, spending time with her children and maybe even taking a river cruise.
“I hope I’m not running out of time since I’m 94 now,” Martha says. “I still have things I want to do.”
“We loved each other. Alpha Chi was good for me, and ... I hope I was good for them.”
Have you ever thought about what Alpha Chi Omega was doing 10, 20, 50 years ago? How have things changed for our members and organization? How have they stayed the same? Taken from previous Lyre magazines, the “Then and Now” series offers a glimpse into what life was like for Alpha Chi Omegas throughout history.
Alpha Chi Omega has always relied on our alumnae volunteers to guide and support our collegiate chapters through time, life experience and caring. While the value of these dedicated members has never been in question, the best way to support and empower them has naturally evolved and grown over time. What was once an aspirational goal for the Fraternity is now embedded in our ongoing volunteer support.
In her 1980 report to the convention delegates, National President Karen Aunan Miley (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota) laid out her vision for Alpha Chi Omega in our second century. Among her many hopes for our sisterhood, she specifically mentioned the need for “a national leadership school for chapter officers and advisers, a training school for rush visitors and a property management school for house corporation officers, and so the dreams go on.”
While training sessions had been held for some volunteers in the 1970s, the scope and professionalism soon broadened. In June 1981, Alpha Chi Omega held the Training Leadership Conference (known as TLC) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Attending the conference were national, district and province officers, along with chapter advisors. According to the fall 1981 issue of The Lyre, “The conference, led by members of the Alumnae and Collegiate Program Planning Committees, provided an opportunity for Alpha Chi’s leaders to learn more about the Fraternity’s goals, policies, finances and responsibilities.” Topics covered during TLC included programming, recruitment, extension, the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and a discussion of “Campus Concerns of Today.”
Today, Alpha Chi Omega proudly offers Volunteer Summit, a premier leadership academy for chapter advisors, operational volunteer teams and local house corporation volunteers, along with Pearl Stone Partners house directors. Volunteer Summit combines educational sessions with sisterhood growth opportunities to empower and support our volunteers in their work with collegiate and alumnae members. The experience broadens the perspectives of volunteers through keynote and breakout speakers, roundtable discussions and networking sessions. We look forward to welcoming volunteers to this year’s in-person event July 14-16 in Indianapolis!
Alpha Chi Omega also provides ongoing volunteer support through a variety of innovative initiatives and resources. The lifetime engagement department coaches and guides volunteers across the Alpha Chi
Omega Enterprise and provides the Golden Key webinar series, which focuses on volunteer core competencies. Beyond the series, volunteers can attend trainings ranging in topic based on their role, have access to training modules on The Heights Learning Center and utilize materials in the Resource Center.
Serving as an Alpha Chi Omega volunteer provides alumnae with the opportunity to further their personal development to use in their volunteer role and beyond!
IN 2021, VOLUNTEER SUMMIT WAS HELD VIRTUALLY, BUT IDEASHARING WAS STILL STRONG ACROSS ALL SESSIONS, LIKE THIS CHAPTER ADVISOR BREAKOUT SESSION;
Each Alpha Chi Omega member has a special story she can share about when a sister supported her through a challenging time. For Lainey Bradley (née Forde, Alpha Upsilon, The University of Alabama), the support of the Alpha Chi sisterhood started long before she officially became a member.
Growing up in North Carolina as the youngest of three girls, Lainey became a proud graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (home of our Epsilon Chi collegiate chapter), where she transferred after completing her first undergraduate year at a private women’s college. Her two older sisters Lindsay and Lesley joined the Epsilon Chi chapter in 1984 and 1987, respectively; Lainey hoped to follow in their footsteps, but her courseload and the recruitment schedule prevented her from doing so.
“Because I didn’t graduate as a member of my sisters’ Alpha Chi Omega chapter, there has been a part of me that has always wondered what my undergraduate experience would have been like if I had made a different decision,” Lainey shares. After college, Lainey went on to get her master’s degree in special education. She married her husband Phillip (an alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity) in 1997, and they moved to the suburbs of Atlanta to grow their careers and family together.
Although she was not a member herself, Lainey always understood the impact that Alpha Chi Omega had in her sisters’ lives, never more so than when Lindsay battled metastatic breast cancer for 11 years. “I witnessed many examples of Alpha Chi Omega sisters reaching out to offer encouragement and prayers during her cancer journey … Those same sisters have shown kindness to me when I have needed it. Alpha Chi Omega members have always reflected commitment and loyalty.”
Lindsay passed away in July 2021, but her influence on Lainey, Lainey’s daughter Julia (Alpha Upsilon), and many other friends and family members remains. “When Julia moved to The University of Alabama for college and participated in 2021 recruitment, she knew right away that the Alpha Upsilon chapter felt like ‘home.’ I believe she associated Alpha Chi Omega with many positive attributes she had witnessed in both of her aunts’ adulthoods,” Lainey recalls.
Julia agrees. “I knew I was looking for a sisterhood that would be a source of love and encouragement in my college years and beyond,” she says. “I knew that the women of Alpha Chi Omega would be lifelong friends
and sisters who would push me to be the best version of myself academically, professionally and personally. Additionally, I grew up hearing stories from both of my aunts about their experience at UNC and how that sisterhood carried into their adult lives.”
Lainey, Phillip and Lesley were all thrilled to learn that Julia had joined Alpha Chi. “When Julia’s dad and I attended Bid Day festivities, we also felt like she was perfectly connected with her home away from home. When we saw the letterhead of our first piece of mail – Real. Strong. Women. – we were confident that Julia would thrive as an Alpha Chi Omega member. We have appreciated the chapter’s impact on all facets of Julia’s college experience so far [including] academics, friendships, spiritual development, philanthropic opportunities and emotional growth.”
It was clear from the start that Alpha Chi Omega was the right sisterhood for Julia. And Lainey soon discovered it was not too late for it to be her sisterhood, too. “I learned from Julia about the opportunity to be an alumna initiate of the Alpha Upsilon chapter. My heart told me that this would be a second chance to become affiliated with Alpha Chi Omega’s prestigious ideals,” she says.
Then in August 2022, shortly after Julia shared the news about the National Alumna Initiate Program (NAIP) with her mom, the family suffered another tragic loss. Julia shares, “At the beginning of sophomore year, I lost my dad unexpectedly in an automobile accident in the middle of primary recruitment. From the moment I received word that he had passed away, I was wrapped in love and support from my sisters and chapter advisors. Our chapter president at the time, Brooke, along with my chapter advisor, Whitney, packed a bag for me and drove me home in the middle of the night to be with my family.”
Lainey remembers well the way Julia’s sisters supported them both after losing Phillip. “Members of Alpha Upsilon upheld Julia with prayers, their presence and a large box filled with handwritten letters that was delivered to our home. My heart was comforted by the evidence that Julia is so loved and cared for by her sisters, and I know this love will endure.”
After experiencing such loyalty from Julia’s Alpha Chi sisters, Lainey had plenty of reasons to trust that her experience as a NAIP candidate would be just as safe and supportive. After being sponsored for Alpha Chi Omega membership by her daughter and sister Lesley, Lainey joined a group of 35 Alpha Upsilon family members and friends who were preparing to initiate over Parents Weekend at Alpha Upsilon in February 2023. NAIP volunteers hosted virtual gatherings for the group of women to connect and learn together as they worked their way through The Heights Learning Center online modules for their Alpha Chi Omega education (some of the first alumnae initiates to do so!).
Lainey remembers this time fondly. “The ladies who led our alumna initiate program Zoom meetings were
so welcoming to us, and we had the opportunity to share with each other as we logged in from all over the United States and introduced our reasons for becoming members of the Alpha Upsilon chapter … it was clear to see how Alpha Chi Omega membership allows for lifelong involvement in philanthropy, learning and forming friendships. The modules paid tribute to the founding members of Alpha Chi Omega in such a way that we felt honored and grateful to become a part of their original vision of a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime,” she says.
When it came time for the Initiation Ceremony, Julia was thrilled to welcome her mom into Alpha Chi Omega, and Lesley was fortunate to be present to celebrate the momentous occasion as her youngest biological sister also became her and Lindsay’s sorority sister.
Lainey felt Phillip’s presence that day as well, just one year after the two of them had celebrated Parents Weekend at Alpha Upsilon during Julia’s first year in the chapter. “Before the ceremony I anticipated the day as an event that Phillip had known was going to happen, and it was an event he was present for in spirit. A few days before the accident, he sent Julia a text message that read, ‘I cannot wait for you and Mom to be sisters,’ and his excitement over this opportunity for me was in the forefront of my mind all day,” she recalls.
Julia and Lelsey pinned Lainey’s badge over her heart together and welcomed her as a sister in the Bond. For Lainey, it was the culmination of not only her NAIP experience, but also the continuation of decades of love
LAINEY AND JULIA’S MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOND BECAME EVEN STRONGER WHEN LAINEY JOINED OUR SISTERHOOD THROUGH THE NATIONAL ALUMNA INITIATE PROGRAM.
DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND OR WOMAN IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE A GREAT ALPHA CHI OMEGA? SCAN THE QR CODE TO SPONSOR HER FOR MEMBERSHIP OR VISIT THE “HOW TO JOIN” PAGE UNDER MEMBER EXPERIENCE ON ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG!
and support that she always knew were waiting for her in Alpha Chi Omega. “I felt like a circle of women within our family was now complete,” she says.
Julia knew her mom was always meant to be an Alpha Chi. “Growing up, my mom instilled a lot of the same values in me that Alpha Chi Omega holds,” says Julia. “She modeled for me what it looked like to selflessly serve those around her … She models both compassion and intentionality in her relationships with others and leads with grace. She has shown strength and resiliency through tragedy and hardship. She is the epitome of a real, strong woman, and I am so proud to call her mom and sister.”
Now that Lainey is officially an Alpha Chi Omega, she is leaning into hope and healing and holding on to both the new and old connections she’s made through Alpha Chi; she knows now more than ever that no matter what, Alpha Chi is always there for you.
“I believe that the learning and adapting we undergo in times of tragedy and loss will become someone else’s life raft,” Lainey says. “Perhaps I will be able to support other Alpha Chi Omega sisters when their lives change in an instant, and the symphony of our sisterhood is more important than ever before.”
"I felt like the circle of women within our family was now complete."
New
Delta
Twelve collegians were awarded scholarships from
Chapter members helped out the Junior League of Tucson by sorting, inspecting and organizing more than 1,000 dresses for Cinderella’s Closet, helping local girls find the prom dress of their dreams for free.
School pride was high as sisters cheered on their men’s basketball team in the March Madness tournament.
Twenty-five sisters volunteered with the Children’s Cancer Center at its Golf Madness event, helping the organization exceed its fundraising goal in support of children and families battling cancer and blood disorders.
Members of our Kappa Tau chapter were excited for their University of Connecticut men’s team to play in March Madness.
As they took photos across campus for PR and marketing, members enjoyed some
16
Sisters enjoyed a beautiful spring day together.
too!
The chapter took a trip to pick some flowers and enjoy the Indiana spring.
The laughter never ends with sisters by your side.
For a fun sisterhood event, members decorated tote bags together.
Alumnae chapter sisters enjoyed a curling lesson in January. As they shared on social media, “Never too late to try something new!”
Supporting the arts for MacDowell Month, chapter members visited the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and explored the “Regeneration” Black filmmakers exhibit, the Godfather exhibit and Oscar highlights.
Sisters gathered to celebrate two women who were initiated as alumnae a decade apart – Ida Guerra (second from left) in 2012 and Rae Cooper (second from right) in 2022.
The chapter celebrated Alpha Chi Night Out with latkes and love, bringing red and pink items for a gift exchange.
Members celebrated Galentine’s Day a few days early with a Saturday brunch at a local restaurant.
Sisters created beautiful winter paintings during the chapter’s Alpha Chi Night Out event.
For Alpha Chi Night Out, sisters enjoyed a happy hour in Scottsdale, Arizona while collecting more than $900 in cash and gift cards for residents of a local shelter.
Sisters enjoyed an English tea service to welcome spring.
With 27 sisters in attendance, the
funds for
Celebrating 50 years of sisterhood, these women took a cruise in February, sharing favorite memories and making even more.
13 WASHINGTON, DC ALUMNAE
Sisters in the Washington, DC area enjoyed a wine tasting to celebrate Alpha Chi Night Out in February.
14 ALPHA ETA (UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION) COLLEGIANS AND ALUMNAE AND BETA PSI BETA (ALLIANCE, OHIO) MEMBERS
Collegiate and alumnae members enjoyed a chilly game day during homecoming at the University of Mount Union.
15 IOTA PSI (ELON UNIVERSITY) ALUMNAE
Sisters celebrated Courtney Kobos’ wedding in Texas this March. Photo credit: Opal & Onyx Photography
16 ETA (BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY) ALUMNA
Joan Carter Medlin received her 75-year membership milestone pin from her daughter Susan Medlin Flesher (Epsilon Omega, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) and the Gamma Eta Gamma (Eugene, Oregon) alumnae chapter at a ceremony in April.
Karen McRae opened Mother Shuckers seafood truck in Bend, Oregon. Many sisters have stopped by to celebrate Karen’s long-held dream come true, including Laura Storie Dolinar and Claire Buvick Eishen pictured here with Karen.
Amanda H. Hays (right) was recognized in the inaugural class of Pillars of the Community by the Clemson University Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. She is the assistant vice president in Clemson’s Division of Student Affairs. She’s pictured here with fellow Theta Lambda sisters who cheered her on at the recognition event!
Michelle Martin was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who for her work as an interior designer with HKS Inc.
Holiday Hart McKiernan was named to the Academy of Law Alumni Fellows from Indiana University's Mauer School of Law. The listing recognizes alumni with achievements and dedication at the highest standards of the profession. She recently was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Lumina Foundation.
Suzanne Groves published her first book, We Need to Talk: Communicating Through Difficult Situations in Four Easy Steps, based on the communications methodology she developed during her 35-year career in marketing and communications.
Janice Reeves Johnson has published the first two books of a trilogy. The Jessie Reynolds series starts with A
Alumnae and collegians cut the ribbon to welcome sisters home to the new Psi chapter house at the March dedication event, attended by almost 400 people! The facility is owned by the Alpha Chi Omega Psi Chapter House Corporation and is the first new construction sorority house on campus in five years.
Reported to headquarters between Feb 1 and April 30, 2023
Name, Initiation Year, Month and Year of Death
Alpha (DePauw University)
Susan Christensen Beatty, 1953 , January 2023
Jeanne Petracek Kipp, 1955, April 2023
Beta (Albion College)
Doris Lee Scott, 1954, March 2023
Gamma (Northwestern University)
Joyce Urbach Niffenegger, 1953, February 2023
Delta (Allegheny College)
Miriam Gillespie Filer, 1948, May 2021
Epsilon (University of Southern California)
Virginia Strike Malone, 1946, February 2023
Zeta (New England Conservatory)
Jeannette Boretti Deiulio, 1948, April 2006
Eta (Bucknell University)
Barbara Bergmann Pahren, 1954, February 2023
Theta (University of Michigan)
Carol Schumacher Carlson, 1948, April 2023
Lambda (Syracuse University)
Marcia Larson Street, 1954, February 2023
Mu (Simpson College)
Phyllis Peters Lorenzen, 1948, March 2020
Nu (University of Colorado Boulder)
Tracy Lee Bloch, 1998, March 2023
Shirley Weathers Carlson, 1948, February 2023
Carolyn Ruden Cornell, 1956, December 2022
Margot McKnight Everett, 1957, February 2023
Jeri Edwards Joseph, 1951, March 2023
Ella June Altvater Pulis, 1947, October 2017
Miriam Slemmons, 1944, March 2023
Xi (University of Nebraska – Lincoln)
Donna Gies Aksamit, 1957, March 2023
Omicron (Baker University)
JoAnn Jones Lamb, 1948, July 2022
Nina McDaniel Smith, 1921, September 1989
Erica Joy Stilley, 2022, April 2023
Joan Harris Wilson, 1948, September 2019
Pi (University of California, Berkeley)
Patricia Rodgers Moore, 1948, March 2017
Rho (University of Washington)
Beverley Gilbert Bills, 1948, March 2023
Elora Campbell Erickson, 1941, January 2023
Aileen Miller McGinnis, 1943, February 2023
Sigma (University of Iowa)
Jane Marie Rulon, 1972, August 2012
Upsilon (Millikin University)
Ann Marie Derrick, 1980, November 2022
Phi (University of Kansas)
Susan Lowry Bland, 1957, March 2023
Piper Alexis Carter, 2021, April 2023
Carol Barker Euritt, 1956, January 2023
Frances Holland Woodman, 1945, March 2023
Chi (Oregon State University)
Lorna Roberts Acker, 1947, February 2023
Margaret Gish Enzor, 1961, March 2023
Patricia Smith McKinney, 1947, March 2023
Psi (The University of Oklahoma)
Carol Hilburn Johnson, 1957, February 2023
Frances Fish Kashwer, 1952, February 2023
Barbara Benson Mayfield, 1962, March 2023
Ann Murrah Shaw, 1951, April 2023
Omega (Washington State University)
Kay Myers Reese, 1963, May 2017
Alpha Beta (Purdue University)
Judith Anuta McFadden, 1957, March 2023
Alpha Kappa (University of Oregon)
Terry Bolstad Morrison, 1975, February 2023
Alpha Mu (Indiana University)
Joan Chamberlin Short, 1948, September 2018
Janet Hamilton Zimmer, 1956, November 2022
Alpha Nu (University of Missouri)
Carolyn Jarrett Hecht, 1960, February 2022
Carol Gray Poteat, 1961, April 2023
Alpha Xi (University of Montana)
Florence Wildman Orcutt, 1945, September 2022
Alpha Omicron (The Ohio State University)
Fione Davis Garing, 1949, March 2023
Jean M. Janson, 1948, November 2019
Carol McKissick Mock, 1948, October 2019
Alpha Upsilon (The University of Alabama)
Katherine Dorsett Raughley, 1979, February 2023
Alpha Phi (The University of Texas at Austin)
Marilu Grace Burns, 1962, March 2023
Arlene Scott Flatley, 1956, March 2023
Phoebe Burch Procter, 1949, March 2023
Alpha Chi (Butler University)
Henrietta Hurt Armstrong, 1946, July 2020
Mary Browder Brink, 1948, August 2018
Mary Marks Christenberry, 1946, January 2015
Karolyn Gould Crockett, 1947, April 2019
Shirley Yoder Deckard, 1955, April 2023
Dolores Daugull Diener, 1947, February 2019
Elizabeth Schumaker Edwards, 1944, September 2017
June Goodrich Ellis, 1944, July 2018
Madeline Harman Glickert, 1945, January 2004
Nancy Gillis Hepburn, 1963, February 2023
Betty Thoennes McBride, 1948, December 2017
Rosemary Helen Myers, 1942, September 2005
Phyllis Byers Prater, 1946, September 2016
Mary Schreiber Robertson, 1945, December 2013
Mary Perkins Schneider, 1948, December 2008
Marjorie Phillips Stonehill, 1944, January 2007
Alpha Omega (Birmingham-Southern College)
Mariam Wilder Bailey, 1948, May 2017
Lynda James Thompson, 1967, January 2023
Beta Epsilon (Michigan State University)
Bonita Lesselyong Malmstone, 1940, March 2023
Beta Zeta (Whitman College)
Diane Moore Caggiano, 1952, December 2021
Patricia Kelly White, 1953, March 2023
Marian Love Williams, 1941, February 2023
Beta Eta (Florida State University)
Patricia Mathewson DeLettre, 1965, February 2023
Mary Hannon Gray, 1955, February 2023
Sharon Crow Teel, 1966, January 2023
Suzanne Bransom Wester, 1964, March 2023
Beta Theta (Lawrence University)
Betty Hintz Hemmeter, 1966, April 2023
Beta Lambda (University of Arizona)
Dorothy Louise Cronin, 1957, May 2022
Barbara Apperson Hinton, 1952, March 2023
Beta Nu (University of Utah)
Darlene Kmetzsch McNeil, 1948, January 2020
Frances Williams Monson, 1953, February 2023
Beta Rho (American University)
Carolyn Hutchins Lavender, 1948, January 2013
Beta Tau (Miami University)
Norma Young Hendricks, 1952, March 2023
Cecelia McCormish Peddle, 1948, March 2020
Beta Phi (Bowling Green State University)
Marianne Schnabel Hannum, 1961, April 2023
Corinne Baldwin Sigafoos, 1948, May 2018
Beta Chi (Willamette University)
Elizabeth Provost Hanauska, 1944, November 2020
Beta Psi (Louisiana Tech University)
Mary Davis Lindsay, 1960, December 2022
Joy Anthony Smitherman, 1949, April 2023
Gamma Delta (University of Denver)
Mariam Israel Filson, 1950, December 2022
Wilburta Tainter Miller, 1947, March 2023
Verna Bonnickson Sanacore, 1964, January 2023
Gamma Epsilon (Oklahoma State University)
Barbara Hines Neil, 1955, December 2021
Mary Way Reeder, 1948, April 2021
Sandra Schroeder Thomas, 1963, February 2023
Lynda Fulton Thompson, 1959, April 2020
Gamma Zeta (Kansas State University)
Lillyan Grace Koehn, 2022, March 2023
Jane Rogers McClelland, 1959, September 2022
Gamma Eta (San Jose State University)
Nancy Inglis Atkinson, 1953, March 2023
May Irene Gardner, 1948, December 2022
Vivi Xerogeanes Sarantitis, 1948, July 2020
Gamma Theta (University of Maryland)
Edythe Zeck Adams, 1948, January 2021
Gamma Mu (Ball State University)
Evelyn Linde Buckner, 1953, December 2022
Gamma Nu (San Diego State University)
Debra Louise Seaburg, 1971, February 2023
Gamma Rho (Texas Tech University)
Sandra Sherrill Hammitt, 1956, February 2023
Sandra Day Phillips, 1958, April 2023
Linda Loving Whigham, 1957, August 2021
Gamma Phi (Lamar University)
Diane Daigle Kelly, 1956, February 2023
Wanda Pool Owen, 1956, April 2023
Gamma Psi (Wichita State University)
Marilyn Baker Johnston, 1958, April 2023
Delta Zeta (Central Michigan University)
Barbara Broughton Flaggert, 1960, December 2022
Kristin Naomi Kent, 1988, January 2023
Angela Marzella Robinson, 1986, March 2023
Katherine Wood Tichon, 1995, February 2023
Delta Theta (University of Maine)
Diane Hatchfield Saparoff, 1963, December 2021
Delta Rho (University of Arkansas)
Charlotte Sulcer Alexander, 1962, February 2023
Epsilon Xi (University of Nevada, Reno)
Mary Ellen Morgan Matzoll, 1977, January 2023
Epsilon Chi (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Lindsey Forde-Smith, 1981, July 2021
Theta Pi (University of California, Davis)
Kristen Ann Galovich, 1994, February 2023
It’s official – Alpha Chi Omega is on TikTok! We are so excited to connect with sisters all over the country through video. Follow us @AlphaChiOmegaHQ to see more about our sisterhood, history and more!
WE HOPE YOU’RE ENJOYING THE DIGITAL VERSION OF THE LYRE !
We also know there’s something special about receiving a magazine in print and flipping through the pages to read the stories of our sisterhood.
Alumnae members who make cumulative gifts of $299 or more to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation reach the Life Loyal Roll and receive the printed version of The Lyre four times a year as part of the donor communications plan.
LEARN MORE: WWW.ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG/LIFELOYALROLL
CALL US: 317-579-5050, EXT. 0290
EMAIL US: FOUNDATION@ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG
GIVE NOW: GIVE.ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG/LIFELOYAL
SEE YOUR CURRENT GIVING TOTAL: LOG INTO MY.ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG AND CLICK THE “FOUNDATION” TAB.
When you join the Life Loyal Roll, you’ll support the Foundation’s mission to enhance the lifetime experiences of our members – and dream big about the future of Fraternity programming. Through your gifts at the Life Loyal Roll level, you’ll make a lasting impact on the future of Alpha Chi Omega and in the lives of our sisters. Transformational programs and experiences that make up the Real. Strong. Women. Experience help our members gain life skills like confidence and leadership ability, self-awareness and interpersonal relationship skills, and comfort with vulnerability and bridging difficult topics.
Only with support from donors will Alpha Chi Omega continue to:
• Promote mental well-being for our sisters through programs that facilitate authentic conversations about mental health
• Empower our members to build healthy relationships through programming like Let’s Talk Love while increasing awareness of domestic violence
• Create communities of support where sisters encourage sisters to discover their most genuine selves through the Real. Strong. Women. Experience
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING A GIFT TO THE FOUNDATION AT THE LIFE LOYAL ROLL LEVEL!
Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity
5635 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis IN 46250-4304
alphachiomega.org
foundation@alphachiomega.org
317-579-5050, ext. 0290
AXOuncommon.org
