Spring 2024 Quarterly

Q alpha gamma delta

QUARTERLY Chief Marketing Officer Wendy Theus Barker Gamma Alpha–University of Georgia

Quarterly Editor/Content Manager Maddy Fritz Duncan Theta Upsilon–Georgetown College Alumnae Engagement Manager Tara Prather Theta Kappa–University of Virginia

Alumnae Development Manager Maria Nowicki Rice Beta Delta–Indiana University Bloomington Events and Engagement Manager Louisa Lee Upsilon–University of Oklahoma Digital Content Specialist Katie Sellards–Delta Delta Delta

THE MISSION

The Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly magazine endeavors to serve as a forum of communication to inspire, educate and challenge members on Fraternity and women’s issues. To rekindle, sustain and excite member loyalty and interest through celebrating and validating sisterhood and recognizing and acknowledging individual and chapter/club accomplishments. To serve as a permanent record and archive, documenting the Fraternity.

PRODUCTION NOTES

The Quarterly is published by the Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity and is created by its in-house marketing and communications department. The

Spring 2024 issue is digitally distributed to members. In an effort to continue being financially responsible stewards of the Fraternity, we will continue reassessing various distribution methods for the Quarterly going forward. Please continue emailing your article submissions to à quarterly@ alphagammadelta.org. Submission

deadlines are the first day of September, and March. Visit ® alphagammadelta.org/quarterly-mag to update your mailing address and distribution preferences or to ® view past issues.

M E M B E R O R G A N I Z AT I O N B

Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

International President's Viewpoint uring my first International Convention address in 2018, I stated that our focus would be on two specific questions: Will our actions create the best sorority experience possible? How are we inspiring women to impact the world?

Those words were spoken with a lot of hope, but not knowing what the next six years would bring. Looking back now, I can say those two questions have remained guideposts, even through the challenges of COVID-19, political discord and increased polarization of viewpoints that is happening throughout the U.S. and the world. I firmly believe our actions in re-envisioning how Alpha Gamma Delta is governed and operates have empowered staff and volunteers to work together and provided a space for us to truly focus on the sorority experience.

I’ve long believed that each International President has a specific role to serve based on what the Fraternity needs, and each International President and the Councils she serves with find a way to leave the Fraternity in a better place than it was before.

My role has been to be a bridge, allowing the organization to move from Operational Governance, a model that once served us well, to Policy Governance, a model that has better empowered staff and volunteers to work together with focus on the sorority experience. I truly believe this has positioned the Fraternity so that we will continue to flourish. I am sincerely grateful to Alpha Gamma Delta for the opportunity to serve, and I have grown and learned so very much stewarding this governance change.

As I have traveled the US, visiting chapters, meeting and talking with sisters, and as I have worked with International Council, our Volunteer Service Team, Foundation Trustees, FHC Directors, and staff from all three Alpha Gam entities, Alpha Gamma Delta has shown me time and time again that she is a place where, if you let her, she will change your life. We are a big tent, with sisters who have different beliefs, backgrounds, experiences and passions. Where else but in Alpha Gamma Delta do we have a

chance to find commonalities despite our differences—providing us the opportunity to gain understanding, grow in wisdom, cultivate acquaintance, cherish friendships, learn the joy of service, and multiply our talents of leadership. Alpha Gamma Delta encourages us to do the best we can in this brave space we call sisterhood.

It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve Alpha Gamma Delta as her 24th President. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to the well-being of Alpha Gam, just in a different role and place, all while cheering on the next group of leaders as they continue to move our beloved Fraternity forward.

Fraternity Policy Governance To learn more about the Fraternity's shift from an Operational Governance model to a Policy Governance model, turn to ® page 28 for Lee's reflections on International Council guiding the Fraternity towards a more efficient process of Council governance.

Dr. Lee Woodham Langub International President Gamma Alpha–University of Georgia

In This Issue

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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Members are making a splash on social media with their ambitious endeavors!

ON THE COVER: ANGELA PARK TILLEY (left)

Theta Xi–Clemson University

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02 04 06 08 10 12 14

ALUMNAE EXPERIENCE JOURNEY Craft your own alumnae experience; don't miss this special alumnae-focused section.

26

ALUMNA COMPETES IN BOSTON MARATHON Audrey Fischer aims to complete races with worldwide acclaim, starting with the Boston Marathon.

16 22 24 26 28 32 34

Alumnae Connections Alumnae Survey Recap Grad Journeys Alumna Feature: Audrey Fischer Policy Governance Update Foundation Day of Giving Update Chapter Grand

Spot a Squirrel Social Spotlight Media Mix Fraternity Updates Alumnae Feature Alumnae Experience Map Connection Groups

Alpha Gam ONLINE

Facebook AlphaGammaDelta Instagram AlphaGamIHQ Pinterest AlphaGam LinkedIn Alpha-Gamma-Delta Web AlphaGammaDelta.org Issuu Issuu.com/alphagammadelta

click HERE

We have several linked sources in this issue. If you're reading this in print, you can view linked content in the digital version by scanning the QR code with your smart phone camera or by visiting bit. ly/3M74z8x. When viewing online, click the ® icon to follow the link or the à icon to send an email.

Katie Overcash

Psi–University of Alabama Sisters Angela and Katie show Alpha Gam spirit in front of African wildlife while on a yoga retreat in Kenya, November 2023.

READ MORE: ® Page 16

UPCOMING FHC EVENTS: FHC SUMMER SLEEPOVERS JUNE 7-9 Syracuse University The Ohio State University University of Minnesota Purdue University

JUNE 21-23 University of Kentucky University of Illinois Illinois Wesleyan University

JUNE 26-28 Indiana University Purdue University

JULY 12-14 Pittsburg State University Florida State University The University of Oklahoma

® RSVP for Summer Sleepovers

Spring 2024

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spot a squirrel INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 8710 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46260 317.663.4200 à info@alphagammadelta.org Office Hours 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL International President: Lee Woodham Langub Vice Presidents: Klazina van den Berg, Kalina Haynes, Catherine Matthews, Jennifer Smentek Mores, Andrea Pendleton, Daniella Picciotti Chief Executive Officer: Katie Jolley Abernathy

FOUNDATION Chair: Carol Richards Peske Vice Chair: Adrienne Kerr Beckett Trustees: Lee Woodham Langub, Melissa Jacobson James, Martha Petry Parham, Maurie Jones Phelan, Lynne Dunford Rossell, Bobette Sandifer Thompson, Sylvie Kramer Weikert

Top Left to Right:  1. April Runcik, Theta Psi–Austin Peay State University, looks after two rescued baby squirrels at a wildlife rescue.  2. Glenace Schaefer Klinker, Beta Epsilon–Carroll University, and Barbara Buber Cordray, Epsilon Gamma–University of Denver, spot a metal origami squirrel statue at Fort Worth Gardens.  3. Alpha Pi–Wayne State University alumnae touring a home in Farmington, Michigan designed by Emily Butterfield. Pictured (left to right) are: Linda Smith Switzer, Kathy Lebedeff Padula, Geraldine Cusack Ceremuga and Kathy Penz Hosten.

Chief Executive Officer: Julie Waitman

FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION

Join the Squirrel Talk on Facebook!

Search for the "Squirrel Talk" group or view this link! ® Squirrel Talk

President: Caroline Mahoney Vice President: Mary Kate Toomey Daly Directors: Libby Kavoulakis, Jennifer Smentek Mores, Cynthia Hunt Chief Executive Officer: Lisa Busch Spalding

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Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Email us at à quarterly@alphagammadelta.org.

O S

A I C

GHT I L T O P S L

Cori Keller, Epsilon Zeta–Arkansas State University, competed in the 2024 Miss America competition representing Miss Arkansas. Cori was one of the Top 11 finalists. @cori.keller

Brooklyn Davis, Psi–University of Alabama, debuted her first season as an NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader in 2023. @brooklyndavis01

@ryleiporter

Senior Rylei Porter, Theta Tau–Belmont University, walked and worked the red carpet at the 2024 Grammy Awards, escorting talent and interacting with A-list celebrities.

Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

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2024 Convention Charm Available Now!

Fall 2023

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media mix

news affecting our members and the greater fraternity/sorority community

MEMBER NEWS

Allyssa Kaiser named Leader to Watch in 2024  Allyssa Kaiser, Alpha–Syracuse University, was named a “Leader to Watch in 2024”

by CommerceNext and chosen for this year’s CommerceXcellence Awards in recognition of her leadership and innovation in media. Honorees were selected by a committee of retail industry executives and recognized during the CommerceNext Reception in New York City this pastJanuary. ® CommerceNext 40 Under 40 Spotlight on Lenel Brown  Lenel Brown, Beta Epsilon– Carroll University, made the 2023 Hardwood Floors Magazine 40 Under 40 list. The recognition spotlights professionals under 40 who are helping to determine the future of the wood flooring industry. She is attributed for many company successes and contributions within her 10-year tenure at Bostik, Inc. ® Hardwood Floors Magazine 6

Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

Two WSU Students Named Boeing Scholars  Delta Beta– Washington State University students, Ava Doney and Emily Johnson, were two of 12 junior-level students selected as 2023 Boeing Scholar. Scholars participate in a multidisciplinary design course in which they address Boeing-sponsored projects with both engineering and business components. ® WSU.edu IUPUI Program Manager Takes Part in Israel, Palestine Delegation  Indiana University– Purdue University Indianapolis DEI professional, Jamie Royce, Alpha Lambda–The Ohio State University, took part in a multiuniversity delegation to Israel and Palestine to meet with local university leaders, tour holy sites of multiple religions and learn about peace-keeping efforts in the region.

Texas Governor Appoints Janie Stubblefield to State Board  Carolyn "Janie" Stubblefield, Epsilon Psi– University of Texas at Dallas, was reappointed to the Texas State Board Of Examiners Of Professional Counselors by Governor Greg Abbott. The Board has licensing, examination, and rulemaking responsibilities for the field of professional counseling.

Janie's term will run through February 2029. ® Gov.Texas.Gov UGA Selects Sydney Branton as Tieger Fellows  Sydney Branton, Gamma Alpha–University of Georgia, was announced as one of three new Tieger Fellows by UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The Tieger Fellowship provides students pursuing the Public Affairs Professional Certificate in Public Affairs Communications (PAC) with the opportunity to promote the PAC program by applying the skills learned in the program’s courses. ® Grady.UGA.edu

Four FHSU Students Travel to State Capitol  Four Epsilon Mu–Fort Hays State University members traveled to the Kansas state capitol in Topeka to learn about period equality. Pictured are Madison Albers (left) and Kaylea Lock, (not pictured: Ryleigh Hannah and Emma Lindsay). ® Instagram CBS News Profiles Architect Jeanne Gang  CBS News labeled Jeanne Gang, Sigma– University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, as, "arguably the most important female architect working today."

Jeanne heads her own Chicagobased firm, Studio Gang. She was interviewed by CBS correspondent Martha Teichner about her most recent project, an expansion of New York's American Museum of Natural History. ® CBS News

PUBLISHED WORKS

Kelley Pramberger Coauthors Book  Author Kelly Pramberger, Alpha–Syracuse University, published, "Imperfectly Perfect: 10 Inspirational Stories of Self-love & Self-discovery." with nine other authors. "Imperfectly Perfect" is a book about real women who have faced challenges and heartache, but have come out the other side stronger and more resilient. ® Imperfectly Perfect

Kirsten Reneau Publishes Debut Essay Collection  Author Kirsten Reneau, Alpha Omicron–West Virginia Wesleyan College, publishes a debut memoir in a collection of essays that explores the most animal parts of our human nature. Discussions of various creatures in the natural world serve as portals to the painful realities Kirsten confronts.

Honest in their descriptions of sexual assault and its traumatic effects, "Sensitive Creatures" ultimately is a story of darkness, resilience, and the light that still manages to crack through. ® Sensitive Creatures

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter remembers author, museum founder and Chapter Grand member, Ethel Lund Pattison, Delta Alpha–University of Southern California.

Among the many things Ethel accomplished, she was the founder of the Flight Path Museum at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

She loved it so much that she co-wrote a book on the history of LAX. She was responsible for the museum up until the past few years.

Sisters enjoyed her guest speaker IRD presentation where she brought memorabilia, books and photos from the museum. Ethel was a 1945 initiate and entered Chapter Grand in September 2023. (Story submitted by Diana "Di" Agajanian, Delta Alpha– University of Southern California.) ® Los Angeles International Airport

Ann Nelson Taepke Makes Appearance in The Holderness Family Podcast  Ann Nelson Taepke, Zeta Sigma– Northwood University, who is the CMO of Holderness Family Productions has made appearances in the popular "The Holderness Family Podcast" and videos. Viewership has resulted in over a billion views and 4.5 million followers across social media. On the episode, "Finding Our Unicorns," Ann talks about what it's like working behind the scenes with the team. ® Holderness Family Productions

CONNECT WITH ALUMNAE, EXPLORE THEMES IMPORTANT TO MODERN WOMEN

JOIN !

Y TODA Alpha Gam

Each year, the book club reads, learns and joins together with sisters virtually.

Join the Facebook Group ® bit.ly/AGD-Book-Club

BOOK CLUB

Here's your opportunity to connect with alumnae and explore themes important to modern women.

Each year, the book club reads, learns and joins

Spring 2024

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fraternity updates Leadership Consultant Program IHQ Receives Highest Honor at FCA Annual Conference The 2023-24 Leadership Consultant Team wrapped up their travels for the year, completing 147 visits to 89 collegiate chapters! Our team of six traveled to 33 states and three provinces for 62 Growth Visits and 85 Member Experience Visits. Thank you to the 2023-24 LCs for their service to Fraternity and for the impact they made on our collegiate chapters this year! Learn more at ® alphagammadelta.org/leadership-consultant.

Send an Empower Participant an Appreciation Rose eCard In fall 2023, the Fraternity launched its second year of Empower, Alpha Gam’s premier leadership program. Through a cohort-style model, participants engaged in monthly meetings facilitated by accomplished alumnae and Peer Mentors. During their meetings, participants have deepened their knowledge of leadership practices to utilize in their chapters and community, while forging connections with sisters across North America. The program will culminate in late May with the Empower Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. All participants will gather in-person to develop a capstone project and celebrate their year of success. If you would like to send a participating sister a message of encouragement or pride, consider sending an ® Appreciation Rose eCard! View the list of ® Empower Institute attendees and send your sister an Appreciation Rose today! Generously funded by the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, the Fraternity is excited to share that ® applications for Empower 2024-25 will open this summer.

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Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

The 100th Fraternity Communications Association Awards took place at the Centennial FCA Annual Conference in Indianapolis in May 2023. The Communications and Marketing Team from IHQ brought home three awards. The team placed first in the William C. Levere Award for Total Communication (organizations are only able to receive this award once in a three-year period) for the 2022 Convention communication strategy. They also placed first for Promotional Resources for the Extension Packet, and third in the Annual Report category for the 2022 Gratitude Report.

Alumnae Travel Program Announces Group Trip to Italy After polling alumnae interest in group travel opportunities, the Fraternity is excited to announce the new Alumnae Travel Program!

We have partnered with EF Go Ahead Tours to bring you an exciting group travel opportunity to experience a food and wine tour through Tuscany and the Italian Riviera. Eating just isn't a part of the daily grind here—it's an art form. Sisters will have the opportunity to stand beside the masters in their kitchens, farms and wineries and learn the ins and outs of the region's delights. This trip will span ten days, with eight nights in Italy and space is limited to 22 attendees. Everyone is invited to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, May 1 at 8 p.m.

ET. Registration for the session is required, ® register here. If you are unable to join on the 1st, a recording will be made available at the link above. Trip dates will be April 26-May 5, 2025.

ON THE CALENDAR

SPRING COLLEGIATE REPORTS

Pearl Sisters & RIFs Needed for University of Tennessee, Knoxville New Member Class We cannot wait to officially rejoin the University of Tennessee Panhellenic community this fall. We will be recruiting during the month of September. Do you know anyone who would be a great fit? Complete a Recruitment Information Form by visiting ® https://alphagammadelta.org/rif/. We are also still looking for a few more alumnae interested in serving as Pearl Sisters for the new member class. These new sisters will not have the benefit of having older sisters on campus to serve as their Big Sisters. While living near Knoxville is a bonus, it is not required that you be local to Knoxville to serve as a Pearl Sister. We have had over 120 sisters sign up so far but we would like to have around 200 ready to go before our Bid Day. Interested sisters should fill out this form: ® https://forms.office. com/r/e6PdvT1Ypw. Staff members will contact you later this summer with further details. Be sure to follow @UTKAlphaGam on Instagram for more chapter updates and extension news.

2024 International Convention Updates & Attendee Info Registration for the 52nd International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia closed at the end of April.

This year we will have over 670 sisters in attendance at the threeday event, taking place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, June 27-29!

This year's schedule will include Keynote Speaker Lindsay Boccardo, a Fighting Hunger Service Event, Foundation Jewel and Corinthian event at the Georgia Aquarium, as well as some traditional business, awards, sisterhood and ritual events and more! Follow along on social media and use the tag #AlphaGamConvention for live Convention updates, and don't miss the opportunity to add this peachy ® 2024 Convention charm to your collection!

Statistical information, such as: new member total, scholarship, giving and housing details reported on all collegiate chapters.

READ MORE: ® Spring 2024 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK April 22-26 marked Volunteer Appreciation Week! Alpha Gamma Delta is thankful for all our volunteers that go above and beyond! Thank a volunteer by sending an Appreciation Rose eCard!

SEND: ® Appreciation Rose FHC SUMMER SLEEPOVERS The June-July dates are posted for Summer Sleepovers! All alumnae are able to attend any event, regardless of chapter.

VIEW DATES: ® Sleepovers FOUNDERS' DAY An opportunity to attend a Virtual Rededication Service will be available on Founders' Day, May 30th (more info coming soon on social media). Share Founders' Day photos with the Quarterly magazine.

SEND PHOTOS: à Quarterly

Spring 2024

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amma Delta Quarterly

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Lifelong Sisterhood

F RO M G IRL H OOD T H RO U G H WO M A N H OOD. M A X IM IZ E YO U R A LP H A GA M A LUMN A E E X P E R IE N CE, N O M AT T E R W H E RE L IF E F IN DS YOU.

Spring 2024

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here to start?

W LEADERSHIP C O N S U LTA N T Join IHQ staff to coach and guide collegiate members. ® Discover the benefits and application process.

CHAPTER L O C AT O R ® Find a chapter or club near you to see how you can connect with other alumnae members.

CONNECTION GROUPS Connect on social media with members who share the same interests, such as Book Club, Cooking with Alpha Gam, Squirrel Talk and more. ® View Connection Groups.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL Don't miss daily updates from IHQ on ® Facebook, ® Instagram, ® LinkedIn and ® LC Updates.

BOUTIQUE Purchase official Alpha Gam merch where a portion of ® Boutique sales goes back to support Alpha Gamma Delta.

FREE ONLINE RESOURCES Stream all 35 episodes of the podcast ® Love Lead Listen.

Watch over 30 recorded Impact Talks featuring mental health professionals. Get professional development and more on the Resource Spot on ® Acorn by logging in to MyAlphaGam.

Coming Soon!

Alumnae can look forward to a Fraternity alumnae E-newsletter and more online resources to subscribe to (see ® page 25) in the near future!

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U P D AT E C O N TA C T I N F O ® Update your email and mailing address with Alpha Gam after graduation and every time you move to stay up-to-date on the latest alumnae communications.

PEARL SISTER Pearl Sisters are alumnae members who serve as mentors to new members at our newest chapters. New members of these chapters don’t have “Big Sisters,” so Pearl Sisters help fill that role. ® Learn more.

D AY O F GIVING AMBASSADOR Use your social media influence to help maximize the Foundation's Day of Giving engagement and awareness. ® Learn more.

BECOME A F O U N D AT I O N DONOR Give back in a small way by sending a sister an ® eCard for any occasion, or ® Give monthly for as little as the price of a latte.

GEM, JEWEL & PEARL Experience the value in joining one of the Foundation's giving societies, the ® GEM Society (give every month), ® Jewel Society or ® Pearl Circle.

READ THE MAGAZINE & S U B M I T A S TO RY The Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly magazine is distributed to all members.

Members can ® View the archive and ® Submit stories to the editor.

HOW TO CRAFT YOUR OWN

Alumnae Experience VERIFIED ALUMNA Join the growing group of members who get select perks for paying their optional annual Alumnae Dues. ® What are alumnae dues?

JOIN AN ALUMNAE CHAPTER OR C L U B | Experience the lifelong bond of sisterhood by joining an alumnae chapter or club. Over 100 affiliations are located in the U.S. and Canada. Use the ® Chapter Locator to find one near you. Learn more about how women can join Alpha Gam as an ® Alumnae Initiate.

S H O R T-T E R M VO L U N T E E R OPPORTUNITIES Short-term opportunities exist within the Fraternity and Foundation for members with a budding interest in volunteering (such as Empower Facilitator, Pearl Sister, A Team Commitee and more). Inquiries may be made VOLUNTEER by email à volunteer@ SERVICE TEAM alphagammadelta.org.

VST members help the Fraternity flourish in a variety of ways, supported by those volunteering at the local levels, including collegiate chapter advisors and alumnae group C O L L E G I AT E A D V I S O R officers. ® View VST Nourish collegiate chapters as they roles and application info. grow by volunteering as an Advisor.

Local and virtual options available, reach out using the ® Advisor Interest Form.

AT T E N D I N - P E R S O N E V E N T S From ® Sisterhood Sleepovers, to ® International Convention, create a wellrounded alumnae experience by attending in-person events with sisters. A great place to start is to ® Find an IRD event near you.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Network with industryspecific alumnae on Facebook via ® Professional Groups, and ® View IHQ jobs and ® FHC jobs online and on ® LinkedIn.

CORINTHIAN SOCIETY For members interested in leaving a legacy gift in their estate or future financial plans, consider joining the 270 members in planned giving by joining the ® Corinthian Society.

A LU M N A E AWA R D S Alpha Gamma Delta women are doing amazing things in the places where they live and work.

All alumnae are encouraged to ® Submit a sister for recognition who shares our Purpose with others every day.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L A N D BOARD OF DIRECTORS ® International Council is comprised of seven, long standing Alpha Gam volunteers and is the deciding body for the Fraternity. Along with the FHC and Foundation's governing boards, our leadership navigates Alpha Gam towards a bright and promising future.

Spring 2024 13

S TAY E N G A G E D V I R T U A L LY W I T H

Connection Groups Discover a variety of ways to stay connected with sisters and make new connections. Find your fit in one or more of Alpha Gam's Connection Groups on social media.

Alpha Gam Rose Sisters

Kirstie Leigh Are you planning to participate in this year's Secret Squirrel gift exchange? Fill out the linked survey, I'll be doing match-ups later this week!

"I love seeing my chapters/ clubs thrive and incorporate the Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose in all they do.

It brings me joy giving back to the organization that brought so much value and purpose to my life.

I hope to inspire other Alpha Gams to volunteer for the Fraternity!"

Kimberly Hall Johnson

Delta Xi–Arizona State University Regional Alumnae Specialist

From: East Texas-Gilmer

Alpha Gam Sisters in Business

Years of VST Service: 31 years Time Commitment in Current Role: 4-5 hours per month

Did you know?

While most VST duties can be performed remotely, all newly appointed volunteers attend the virtual Academy for VST, taking place during the summer.

14 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

Sonya L. Sigler Sharing info on a webinar I am giving on a chapter from my new book, "Set Yourself Up for Success."

Disney Loving Alpha Gams

Alpha Gam Historian

Rediscover the history of Alpha Gam, its chapters, traditions, heritage badges and unforgettable members.

Alpha Gams Will Travel

Angela Park Tilley Katie Overcash and I are on our third yoga retreat together, this time... we're in Kenya

Shari Koss Emily and I discovered we were going to be on the same Disney cruise this week. Here we are in front of the Ariel statue!

(Read more on page 16)

Cooking with Alpha Gam

Alpha Gams Will Travel

Joan Hallford Volunteer Community Cook for Taste of Home magazine, Joan Hallford–Epsilon Eta, credits her mother for instilling her love of cooking.

CONNECTION GROUPS Connect on social media with members who share the same interests: ® Alpha Gam Book Club ® Alpha Gam Historian ® Alpha Gam Shirt Swap ® Disney Loving Alpha Gams ® Squirrel Talk ® Stitching Squirrels

Joan Hallford Our sister, Antonia GuerraWatson's son, Samuel Watson, is a speed rock climber that will be going to the Olympics in Paris this summer. Please cheer for Sam, Antonia will be there too!...

Connect with more Alpha Gam women in Professional and Safe Spaces on social media. ® tinyurl.com/4ah9rwv9 Spring 2024 15

A L P H A G A M S S TAY I N G C O N N E C T E D

Around the World

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Volunteering at the Local Level

A

ngela Park Tilley, Theta Xi–Clemson University, and Katie Overcash, Psi– University of Alabama, met through the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter in 2006. After discovering a shared interest in yoga and travel, Angela and Katie together have visited Florida, Mexico, Panama and, now, Africa.

A fast friendship started when Angela and Katie traveled to Orlando together for International Convention 2016, and they became even closer during the COVID-19 lockdown.

November marked their second Above Yoga retreat, but it was their first time spending 10 days in Kenya, where they also ventured on a one-week safari.

Among their most impactful moments was living in the conservatory with the animals.

They saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs and the last two northern white rhinos on the planet—two females, Najin and Fatu.

Angela and Katie are planning another yoga retreat to Morocco in the fall of 2024 and a Cambodia trip in 2025!

Get volunteer experience by integrating with a local Alumnae Chapter or Club near you.

Katie Overcash

Psi–University of Alabama

Charlotte Alumnae Chapter member since 2004 Positions Held: Junior Circle President, Editor, Vice President, President, and currently the Recruitment Information Chair.

T

he Alumnae Chapter is what introduced us, but we have become close outside chapter events. Traveling with friends is an act of trust, and a deepening of that friendship. We like to say that we have to 'study the perfecting of our friendship' abroad!"

-Katie Halstead Overcash

Angela Park Tilley

Theta Xi–Clemson University

Charlotte Alumnae Chapter member since 2006 Positions Held: Ritual Chair, VP-MD, Housing Chair, and currently the Chapter Treasurer.

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A L P H A G A M S S TAY I N G C O N N E C T E D

Around the World

I

have a group of sisters who have been doing group trips since college. It's so special! Some are local, but now that I live farther away we meet somewhere out of state for all of us!"

- Christel Barnes Cater, Epsilon Zeta–Arkansas State University

Sharri Edenfield Lindsey

Gamma Alpha–University of Georgia

"Kristy Walden Thomas, Gamma Iota–Mercer University, Laura Burkards Junkin, Upsilon– University of Oklahoma, Laurie Vesalo, Omega–University of Akron, Kristin Schafer Bowler, Zeta Psi–Western Michigan University, and I were LCs in 1999-2000. Beginning with an LC road trip from Indianapolis to Chicago for Christmas shopping and ice skating. Kristy and I visited Laurie when she lived in New York City for New Year's in 2002 and again in 2008 with some Junior Circle friends. The group came to Savannah to visit me in 2004. I remember visiting Laura when she lived in Chicago; Laura and Kristen came to Atlanta for New Year's once. I flew to meet Kristy and her family for Thanksgiving in Oahu, Hawaii, and when she was living in Washington, D.C., I flew to visit her, and we got to see the National Christmas Tree Lighting and toured the White House. In 2018, Kristy and I traveled to St. Lucia (we let our husbands come this time) to celebrate our birthdays. It has gotten harder to get together with my LC sisters as we have gotten older, but we still keep in touch. I hope our next trip is sooner rather than later!"

Laurie Vesalo Omega–University of Akron | "I hope so too. That Savannah trip was one of my best memories ever. I still think about how hard we laughed."

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" I became a volunteer after my year of traveling as an LC. I love being part of Ritual Committee, because it’s so important to reflect on our history and the tie that binds us. Before this I served on Archives Committee; thumbing through original photographs of our Founders is chill-inducing, magical, and inspiring.

E

ight Delta Etas just returned from a twoweek river cruise of the March 2020 via Zoom Christmas markets in and helped raise funds Switzerland, Germany for the Patricia Carey and France! This group, Floren Foundation (and 10 others) have Scholarship." stayed connected - Patti Holcombe Gylock, Delta every Saturday since Eta–San Diego State University

I serve to make the Fraternity a better place.

It brings me great joy; I remember my mentors, and I hope that my contributions will be meaningful for someone else."

Laurie Vesalo Omega–University of Akron Ritual Committee Member, Omega Alumnae Chapter VP

From: Ohio Years of VST Service: 12 years Time Commitment in Current Roles: 5-10 hours per month

Spring 2024 19

B

ritt and I didn’t know each other while we were in the chapter, but have connected as alumnae.

Brittney Lewis Paxton, Theta Lambda–University of West Florida, is the Assistant Director of Member Education and Experience for Delta Tau Delta.

" Volunteering is one of the reasons I joined Alpha Gam in the first place. Giving back to the Fraternity that has given me so much fills my cup.

I love helping make the overwhelming chapter financial information more manageable. I enjoy getting to work one-on-one with VPFs, while empowering them to maintain financially sound chapters."

The fraternity hosts conferences, and I was invited to be a small group facilitator for a group of brothers from all over the United States to bring emotional intelligence to their chapters.

During the event, I met two Alpha Gams, Alyssa Mohr, Zeta Nu–Alma College, and Alex Kennedy, Alpha Upsilon–Central Michigan University.

Alex was the Director of Member Education and Experience for Delta Tau Delta at the time, and Alyssa was the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life for Kettering University.

Laura Welch Sokalski

Theta Phi– University of Tampa Collegiate Finance Specialist

The connections between sisters can support each other through various avenues!"

From: Florida

- Lauren Strickland, Theta Lambda–University of West Florida

Years of VST Service: 7 years Time Commitment in Current Role: 3-4 hours per month

Debbie Foster Sunden Alpha Beta–University of Michigan

"Five Alpha Betas met in 1980 at the University of Michigan. Four of the five of us pledged in the fall of 1980; the fifth was one of

20 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

our roommates in the dorm and pledged in the winter of 1981 during COB. We roomed with each other in various combinations

A L P H A G A M S S TAY I N G C O N N E C T E D

Around the World

S

isters from the 70s pledge classes at Alpha Kappa–Bowling Green State University Chapter have been planning group travel events for over 10 years.

In 2013, Barb Reich Zeller arranged a reunion for over 40 sisters to gather at Barb's home in Kelleys Island, Ohio, for a potluck dinner, and a mini-golf event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

In 2015, Nancy VanSchoor Ptak put together a reunion so sisters could revisit the BGSU campus.

Nancy planned three reunions following that, with the most recent being in 2022 at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, at Lake Erie in Ohio.

throughout our years in the chapter house. We remained great friends and were in and/or attended each other's weddings. In 1996 we did our first trip to Chicago. We all had at

least two small children each by then and needed to get away. We've taken a trip averaging 18 months apart ever since. We have our 20th trip coming up at the end of April 2024."

In 2023, Sherri Campbell Kalvin organized a cruise from Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico for 28 sisters, and she has already begun planning another cruise for 2025, with the next on-land reunion taking place again at Kelleys Island this June.

- Peg Gilmore McAfee, Alpha Kappa– Bowling Green State University

Spring 2024 21

Ask the Q

Asking the right questions is a part of our Strategic Plan.

TA K E A L O O K AT R E C E N T F I N D I N G S FROM OUR ALUMNAE SURVEY AND HOW O U R O R G A N I Z AT I O N I S I M P L E M E N T I N G FEEDBACK.

22 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

We asked and 683 alumnae responded.

Alumnae rated their overall opinion of Alpha Gam:

Alumnae rated their overall alumna experience:

E XC E L L E N T: 5 7 %

E XC E L L E N T: 3 8 % OVERALL, VST AND

FA I R : 3 6 %

FA I R : 4 3 %

COLLEGIATE CHAPTER ADVISORS REPORT A

POOR: 4%

POOR: 10%

SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER, POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AS ALUMNA.

N /A : 3 %

N /A : 7 %

63%

Of Young Alumnae

(out of college less than 5 years) REPORTED NEVER DISCUSSING OR RECEIVING INFO ABOUT ALUMNAE OPPORTUNITIES OR WHY IT WA S I M P O R TA N T TO R E M A I N I N VO LV E D .

Top 3 Things New Alumnae Are Interested In:

F I N D I N G A LO C A L A L U M N A E G R O U P, J O I N I N G A YO U N G ALUMNAE SOCIAL MEDIA G R O U P & VO L U N T E E R OPPORTUNITIES.

You let us know we can better communicate the value of Alumnae Dues, and send more reminders.

29% NOT A PRIORITY 15% UNNECESSARY

22% FORGOT TO PAY 26% OTHER/DON'T KNOW HOW

Alpha Gam has already increased the frequency of reminders and is currently working on other improvements.

What can Alpha Gam do to make a meaningful impact in the next 5-10 years?

THE TOP ANSWER AT 4 4 % WA S CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER ALUMNAE.

❤❤❤❤❤ Spring 2024 23

The Epsilon Pi Journey, Alpha Gamma Delta’s member experience programming, is divided into four paths: Embark:

designed for our newest collegiate members o help foster friendships and create a strong sense of belonging.

Elevate:

promotes collegiate members' individual growth—grounded in the themes of loving, leading and lasting.

NESTLED IN THE ENGAGE PROGRAM OF THE EPSILON PI J O U R N E Y, G R A D J O U R N E Y S PROVIDES SENIORS WITH RESOURCES TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO T H E I R P O S T- G R A D L I V E S , A N D PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF THE O P P O R T U N I T I E S AVA I L A B L E F O R LIFELONG DEVELOPMENT AND E N G AG E M E N T. 24 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

Empower:

optional, elite leadership that supports sisters' growth through personal, professional and leadership development.

Engage:

the enrichment of our alumnae experience, focusing on connection and growth by offering resources, such as Grad Journeys, for lasting development.

T

hrough Grad Journeys, graduating seniors can attend a series of engaging and informative virtual life skill sessions led by accomplished alumnae who bring their expertise to the forefront in the following topics:

New Online Community for Alumnae Dues Payers Coming This Summer!

RECONNECT WITH SISTERS Our online community provides a virtual way for Alpha Gam sisters to reconnect, reminisce and forge new friendships.

INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED Within our digital hub, you’ll find dynamic discussion forums buzzing with engaging conversations and thought-provoking topics.

•Personal Finance: Learn the

GROW PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY Explore our Alpha Gam job board for career opportunities, engage in member-to-member chats for instant connections and access on-demand learning opportunities.

•Graduate and Career Prep:

EXPERT GUESTS AND CURATED COURSES Expert guests, including Dr. Daryl Appleton, Gamma Zeta–University of Memphis, will join us for live recordings, sharing insights on a range of topics.

Curated courses tailored to Alpha Gam women will empower you to pursue your passions with confidence and purpose.

essential skills necessary to manage their personal finances, budget effectively and make informed financial decisions for a secure future.

Gain insights into preparing for graduate school, leveraging the experience they have gained while job searching and navigating the early stages of their careers.

•Healthy Well-being: Explore

strategies to prioritize their mental and physical well-being and maintain a healthy work-life balance as they transition into their next chapter of life.

PAY YOUR ALUMNAE DUES AND JOIN US IN THE CIRCLE!

International Headquarters is looking for dynamic volunteers who are eager to provide mentorship and share their wealth of knowledge with future alumnae sisters.

To learn more about the program and express your interest, please reach out to à alumnae@alphagammadelta.org.

Spring 2024 25

SISTER PROFILE

Self-Made Marathoner: How Audrey Fischer Found Her Purpose

A

udrey Fischer, Delta Epsilon–University of California, Los Angeles, was always active in sports but never fully committed to just one. If you told high school Audrey that she would be running marathons for fun at this stage in life, she wouldn’t believe it. Now, Audreyhas completed her first Boston Marathon.

“After I graduated from college, I found myself feeling lost.

A lot of my self-worth was derived from performing well in school or leading organizations. When I entered the workforce, I felt the weight of being one person in a world of billions. I needed something that I could actively work towards and meet goals quickly. With running, every half mile more felt like a victory. I always want to outdo myself, and when I reach a certain distance, then I can train to see how fast I can go.”

Through self-training, Audrey pushed herself to the limit.

Since starting her running journey, she has completed one full marathon, four half marathons, and countless

26 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

smaller races. While this is her first time competing in the Boston Marathon, it’s not her first time running 26.2 miles.

to put too much pressure on herself. Her main goals are finishing the race and having fun.

Another satisfying part of being a runner is choosing a cause to run for. Having had family members afflicted by cancer, Audrey chose to run for a cause close to her heart—to support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. As of "Before I started April 15, she training, I couldn’t has generated over $8,000 in even run down the raised funds, street, then nine over halfway months later I ran towards her $11,000 goal.

“I did the LA Marathon in March 2023, and it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I like to call it the best, worst day of my life. It was so incredibly difficult, but the feeling when you are done is indescribable.”

By challenging herself to do things she thought she was never capable the LA Marathon." of, she has “Almost all my learned how grandparents to create goals around bettering herself. have been afflicted by cancer.

I am running in honor of my “I do have a goal to run the grandpa, James, who lost his six major marathons in the battle with cancer in 2017, my world. Those are the Boston grandmothers, Lenora and Marathon, New York Marathon, Karin, who are in remission, Chicago Marathon, London and my late grandma, Linda, Marathon, Berlin Marathon and who also won her fight against the Tokyo Marathon. When cancer.” all those are complete, it's a big deal, and there is a special Feeling connected to a bigger purpose gives her training and medal, too.” While Audrey has races a whole new meaning. big racing goals, she tries not

Audrey feels lucky to be showered with generosity and kindness from those who want to help her raise funds for the cancer institute. Knowing that her support system and loved ones are cheering her on makes her feel very proud.

“My family has been so incredible and supportive during this entire process.

They are great accountability partners. My boyfriend, Nick has also been a great support system. He took me to my first marathon in Los Angeles, which meant waking up at 3 a.m.”

While getting to where she is today took a lot of willpower, Audrey wants people to know that anyone can do it.

“Before I started training, I couldn’t even run down the street, then nine months later I ran the LA Marathon.”

The 128th Boston Marathon was on April 15; Audrey’s bib number was 24269. Learn more of Audrey’s progress towards racing for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at ® http://danafarber.jimmyfund. org/goto/Audrey.

Fall 2023 27

LAYING THE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR LEADERS served as President, as well as a moment for me to reflect on progress, happenings, and things learned along the way.

or complex, and volunteers at all levels were more likely to be balancing careers and/ or families in addition to volunteering for Alpha Gam. Our Operational Governance model eventually led to two parallel support structures of staff and volunteers. These two structures created a duplication of efforts that sometimes made it difficult for members to get help quickly, silos within the Fraternity that impacted communication, or created internal conflict, and difficulty in ensuring that both staff and volunteer roles were manageable or meaningful.

Governance and Operational Structure

The recognition that our governance structure

Reflecting on a Historic Shift Towards Policy Governance by International President Lee Woodham Langub

E

very two years Alpha Gamma Delta experiences a change in leadership with the election of a new collective of women to serve as our International Council members. I have had the pleasure of serving with five stellar groups of women on International Council over the past decade, and for the past six years, the privilege of serving as International President. As ten years is now the maximum time that any sister can serve on International Council, this summer marks the end of my International Council service.

Since The Quarterly serves as a historical record of things happening in the world and the Fraternity, the transition of International President leadership represents a good time to chronicle the fundamental shift in how the Fraternity is governed and operates that has occurred within Alpha Gamma Delta during the six years I have 28 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

When I was elected to International Council ten years ago, Alpha Gamma Delta was at the apex of the Operational Governance model. Under Operational Governance, each International Council member served as a different operational head of the Fraternity (e.g. alumnae, collegians, finance, etc.). For many years, this structure was a necessity and worked well.

Our size and budget did not allow for many staff members, and we had to ensure that each area of the Fraternity had volunteers to support it.

Over time, however, the need to professionalize Fraternity services became evident.

Membership expanded, collegiate and alumnae needs were often more immediate

needed to be examined for the health and stability of the Fraternity prompted the formation of a work group to study governance models just prior to my first term as International President began in 2018. Within a year, the workgroup recommended, and International Council agreed to, a change from Operational Governance to Policy Governance, which would move operational responsibilities from International Council officers to the full purview of our CEO. The recommendation for the Policy Governance model would further allow International Council the opportunity to develop and

"The shift to policy governance has enabled the Fraternity to have a better handle on the health of all of our chapters— that’s been a big win in this transition."

-Lee Woodham Langub

monitor policies to guide the work of the CEO in conducting the operations of the Fraternity, more space to focus on strategic priorities, and more time to connect with members to determine if policies are effective or need revision.

To make our new governance model work, however, we needed to be deliberate in our actions—not making change quickly or for the sake of change, but with a thoughtful transition of operations. Before we changed the governance model, we needed to ensure that, among other things, the previous operational responsibilities of International Council officers were accounted for, collegiate and alumnae chapters and clubs were receiving consistent support, and staffing structure and roles for both staff and volunteers were reimagined to eliminate duplication as well as promote accountability, manageability, and meaningfulness.

Further, within our new Policy Governance model itself, the roles and responsibilities of members of International Council also needed to be reconsidered and redefined.

Previously, the path to Council was primarily about how one performed with operational responsibilities within the Fraternity, which made sense when Council members served as operational heads. Under Policy Governance, however, more emphasis is put on a Council member’s ability to analyze information to act strategically in addition to

the knowledge or skills she might bring to the table. These abilities may have been gained through service to Alpha Gam, but also may be a result of other professional or board service. The redefinition of the roles of International Council members led to a revision in our Constitution in 2020 to eliminate titles for International Vice Presidents and the International Council elections process being examined and changed for the 2022 election to better support the needs of Policy Governance.

As with any change of this magnitude and scope, progress did not occur in a straight line, and success was not always easy to see or feel at the leadership level.

COVID-19 threw in a monkey wrench that impacted our focus, but it also allowed for some of the changes made during the first few years to settle. As we regularly assessed our progress, thoughtful reconsideration of how to do things in a Policy Governance structure emerged. For example, the first attempt at drafting policies to guide both the CEO and International Council was okay, but clunky. The experience of using those policies, however, allowed us to determine where we needed help and caused us to seek out coaching on how to restructure our Policy Governance Handbook, as well as how to monitor our policies and their effectiveness. This coaching became the key to helping us learn how to govern in a different way.

At the same time, there were Spring 2024 29

milestones along the way that made it clear we had made the right decision to change our governance model. Under the previous governance structure, a crisis within the Fraternity would often result in emergency International Council meetings, as our operational model tended to rely on Council decisions at many levels of the organization, and affirmation that Council would support specific actions was critical.

As we made the shift to Policy Governance in 2020, however, policies were developed and implemented that acted as guard rails for staff behavior.

In other words, our CEO and her staff were empowered to act as long as their actions were within our policies.

I distinctly remember the feeling that Policy Governance was working after the first crisis that was handled without an emergency Council meeting, as well as a few months later when a university administration thanked Alpha Gamma Delta for our partnership in working with them to handle a crisis quickly and professionally.

Other milestones have also emerged over the past few years, such as appreciation from Chapter Advisors and collegiate officers for the streamlined support structure, improved numbers of chapters 30 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

achieving good standing, watching staff members utilize Fraternity volunteer committees to accomplish various tasks for the Fraternity, and seeing committee chairs and their committees develop and own specific tasks and responsibilities that are both logical and impactful and connected to our strategic plan.

So, what does International Council service look like in our Policy Governance model?

That can be summed up through Council Committee service, Council meetings, and linkage opportunities.

International Council Committees Five of the six Vice Presidents on International Council serve on at least one of three Council Committees that directly impact how we govern: Governance, Linkage, and Audit. The Governance Committee focuses on the effectiveness of Council and the organization, both in terms of appropriateness of policies and how we act to ensure Fraternity success. They work to determine board education needs and ensure that they occur. The Linkage Committee focuses on intentional connections with our members and gathers things learned through these opportunities

in order to inform policy assessment, board education, and Fraternity action. The Audit Committee monitors the financial health of the Fraternity. Additionally, one Vice President and the International President serve on the Partnership Committee, which connects the Fraternity to both the Foundation and the Fraternity Housing Corporation through service on those boards and regular meetings with the President and CEO of each entity.

Council Meetings The International President serves as the Chief Governance Officer, determining International Council meeting agendas based on regular conversations with the CEO, routine monitoring of policies, as well as the work of International Council Committees. The Council meeting agenda is driven by areas where the CEO is not allowed to act and is directly connected to our Policy Governance Handbook. As Chief Governance Officer, the International President must be careful to ensure that meeting agendas represent what International Council is charged to do and not creep into the operational purview of the CEO. To do this, the Policy Governance Handbook

is regularly reviewed and any item on our agenda must have a clear connection to the policies, otherwise it is not brought forth for discussion.

Since I served on International Council under both the Operational Governance model and the Policy Governance model, perhaps it is easier to show what this means with a comparison of how similar items on the two different types of agendas might have been presented.

With Operational Governance, the Council meeting agenda was primarily determined by what each council member needed to bring forward based on her operational role. As Vice President-Extension, for example, I would often use my time on the agenda to present research around new chapter opportunities and bring forth motions to apply to them when they were deemed promising.

Similarly, the Vice PresidentFinance might use her time to present a proposed budget, and discussion would happen in the different operational areas until consensus was reached and approval granted.

With Policy Governance, these two specific items would be placed on the agenda only when triggered by policy limitations we have set on the CEO. The CEO is given the authority to ensure extension

opportunities are researched, but one only appears on the Council meeting agenda for consideration when staff has determined an opportunity is viable. With the Fraternity budget, International Council has provided specific policies to the CEO that must be met when the budget is created. When the budget is presented to Council, the CEO must demonstrate that the budget fits within the policy parameters, and if it does, no approval is needed.

on our members. This area continues to evolve as we get more comfortable with how to utilize Policy Governance.

Linkage

The move to Policy Governance has fundamentally changed how International Council, and for that matter, the Fraternity, operates.

By removing much of the operational load that used to be on Council members, and Council meeting agenda items emerging based on what it is that only International Council can decide, rather than on the needs of any one operational position, Policy Governance has created more space for critical discussions that need to be had. As we continue to face the college enrollment cliff, generational changes, and the population decline for years to come that will greatly impact sorority membership numbers and revenue, space for these critical discussions has never been more important to our stability.

Connecting with our members is vitally important and greatly impacts policy development and assessment. International Council joins in with Fraternity Committee Chair meetings monthly to have a better sense of issues chairs are facing, as well as learn about operational success or challenges. Additionally, each Vice President is assigned several Fraternity Committee Chairs to connect with on a quarterly basis for coaching and connectivity. International Council members represent the Fraternity as they are able at special events.

Council meetings, when in person, have been in different geographic locations to allow for an opportunity to meet with local sisters. All members of Council are encouraged to connect with collegiate and alumnae chapters as personal or Fraternity travel might allow. A recent addition to linkage plans is for focus groups to learn specifically about the impact of policies

It is fair to say that this paradigm shift and the change management that it has required has been a large focus of my six years as International President. It has legitimately taken until the past few months to complete the transition, and to truly operate in a Policy Governance structure.

This shift to Policy Governance has also significantly ensured that personal agendas are not driving decisions, but that the will of the entire board is what moves the organization.

I actually think this point is critical to understanding

how important this change is to Alpha Gamma Delta, in addition to how important each person in International Council is in moving the organization forward in a Policy Governance structure.

While Council meeting agenda items are determined by the International President, and every member of International Council has the ability to offer individual perspectives on issues, the Vice Presidents are the ones who decide movement on issues through their discussion and votes.

I find it fascinating that as International President I have only voted one time over the past six years to break a

tie. Further, there have been multiple times where the results of discussions and votes were not necessarily what I wanted or expected, but the diversity of thought and experiences, ability to analyze data and think critically about tough topics, and pertinent discussion points brought forth by different members of Council have led to good decisions for the health and stability of the Fraternity.

The will (and wisdom) of International Council as a whole is vitally important, and I am proud of how we have worked to establish consensus and speak with one voice.

2024 Anniversaries 75 YEARS Delta Eta–San Diego State University

50 YEARS Zeta Alpha–Eastern Michigan University

25 YEARS Kappa Gamma–Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Theta Tau–Belmont University Theta Upsilon–Georgetown College

5 YEARS Beta Phi–Valparaiso University

Spring 2024 31

#AlphaGamGives #AlphaGamGives, the Foundation’s annual Day of Giving, is a 1,904-minute fundraising challenge benefiting the Foundation’s mission to provide essential support for education, philanthropy and leadership. Gifts help sisters finish school, provide clothing, shelter and food during moments of crisis, develop young leaders, and provide food on tables across North America.

Day of Giving History

2024 marked the sixth annual Day of Giving event. Since 2019, our sisters, family and friends have raised

$1,194,103.

32 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

THE POWER OF ONE SISTERHOOD Day of Giving is made possible through the collective effort of our entire sisterhood. For 1,904 minutes, sisters across the world come together for one reason—to make a difference for our sisters and communities.

THE POWER OF YOUR GIFT You may sometimes wonder, “Does my gift make a difference?” The answer is yes! Your gift creates a powerful wave of generosity, change, hope and care.

THE VISIONARY

For the sister who is great at building relationships, a forward thinker, motivated by the big picture... Consider Volunteering As: Foundation

Trustee

THE INNOVATOR

For the sister who is passionate about philanthropy, inspired by new ideas, motivated by local impact... Consider Volunteering On: Fighting

Hunger Committe

By choosing to give, you join a community of like-minded sisters determined to make an impact.

Your support of our sisters, most of whom you will never meet, brings our Alpha Gam experience full circle. For it was generations of Alpha Gams who came before us who did the same.

Thank you for joining this movement of sisterhood and care!

THE CHAMPION

For the sister who is passionate about women’s education, great at spotting potential, motivated by stories of impact... Consider Volunteering On: Scholarship Committee

THE CONNECTOR

For the sister who is passionate about connecting with sisters, looking to spread joy and gratitude, a good listener..

Consider Volunteering On:

Ambassador Team Committee

Spring 2024 33

Remembering Cherished Friendships Alpha Gamma Delta will deeply miss and always appreciate those who have faithfully served the Fraternity.

Former International Council Member, Anne Loring Eiler, Enters Chapter Grand 1940-2023 | ALPHA XI University of Maryland-College Park

We are saddened to share the passing of former International Vice President, Anne Loring Eiler, Alpha Xi–University of Maryland-College Park. Anne entered Chapter Grand on November 3, 2023. Anne, a 1960 initiate, was a devoted member of our organization and held an extensive service record volunteering for many years as an alumna. Anne served on International Council as International Vice President-Finance from 2008-12, and from 2011-23, she volunteered

in many roles, including House Associations Specialist, Province Finance Specialist, House Association Coordinator, Ambassador Team Member and Foundation A-Team Committee. Anne was a part of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alumnae Club. She was also a frequent attendee at International Convention. Anne was awarded several honors through Alpha Gam and was a wearer of the Arc of Epsilon Pi with Diamonds.

Memorializing Madison Becknell

Remembering Julia Welchance

2002-2024 | EPSILON University of Kentucky

2005-2024 | DELTA ETA San Diego State University

Madison Pearl Becknell, Epsilon-University of Kentucky, entered Chapter Grand on February 28, 2024. Madison, 21, of Oldham County, Kentucky was a graduate of Oldham County High School and was a student at the University of Kentucky majoring in clinical leadership and management with a minor in communication.

Julia Welchance, Delta Eta–San Diego State University, entered Chapter Grand. Julia, 18, of Chula Vista, California, was a graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School and student at the San Diego State University, where she was pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

“Madison was sunshine in human form. Any room she entered, she lit up and Madison always made any person she encountered feel like the most important person. She truly embodied what it means to be a kind, loving person. The impact and legacy she leaves behind is tremendous and we will miss her greatly, but we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to call Madison our sister,” Emma Pence, Epsilon Chapter President.

“Julia was a very beautiful soul and always had a happy and lighthearted nature. She never failed to be incredibly outgoing, always made everyone laugh and danced like no one was watching no matter what.

She truly brought so much light and positivity wherever she went and embodied the best parts of our sisterhood through her kind and loving personality,” said Kate Smyrniotis, Delta Eta Chapter President.

34 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

Chapter Grand

The Fraternity extends sincere condolences to family and friends of these members. This list includes notices received between September 1, 2023 - April 15, 2024, in order of initiation date.

ALPHA Syracuse University Ann Slocomb Merrill 1952

LAMBDA Northwestern University Virginia Yates Cole 1950

BETA University of Wisconsin-Madison Lois Koester Breen 1942 Janice Mary Gee Fleiner 1948 Marilyn Gottschalk Larson 1949 Audrey Berg Kaasa 1950 Joan Bitner Mills 1952 Carol Bloxdorf Maglietta 1954 Diane Marie Wagner Bingaman 1956 Barbara Smith 1973

MU Brenau University Louise Gibbons 1949

DELTA University of Minnesota Jean MacGibbon Conroy 1942 Marjorie Vaughn Wezeman 1944 Donna O'Leary Richardson 1954 EPSILON University of Kentucky Betty Ginocchio Rehm 1943 Alma Atkins McGuire 1953 Margaret Stewart 1984 Madison Becknell 2020 ZETA Ohio University Rita Meyers Dougherty 1949 ETA DePauw University Carol Larson Kalbas 1949 Marjorie Crichton Holland 1953 THETA Goucher College Ethel Weber Berney 1943 IOTA University of Washington Linda Walker Capron 1975 Pamela Cheney 1983 KAPPA Allegheny College Marilyn Werley Shannon 1947

XI Illinois Wesleyan University Joan Warnecke Martin 1949 OMICRON University of California-Berkeley Jeanne Clark Whetstone 1949 Kitty Koonse Hill 1954 Carol Norris Voss 1955 PI Coe College Rose M Blomquist Kohl 1940 RHO Iowa State University Patricia Larsen Johnson 1949 Kalliope Papantonis Jolas 1952 SIGMA University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Shirley Rue Murray 1943 Doris Musick Sanders 1955 Cynthia Armstrong Andrews 1967 UPSILON University of Oklahoma Betty Collins Boudreau 1949 Jackie Olive Gibbs 1958 PHI Oregon State University Carol Tyler Schaeffer 1968 Moira Gilles 1975 PSI University of Alabama Margaret Koster Findley 1945 Mary Lutrell Stewart 1948 Louise Smith McWaters 1949 Catherine Cheatham Snell 1954 Mary Haralson Bratton 1953

OMEGA University of Akron Catharine Walcott Holloway 1942 Carolyn Cappabianco Brown 1948 Eleanor Watts Blocker 1960 ALPHA BETA University of Michigan Gloria Kishpaugh 1943 Elaine Andrews Lamb 1944 Dorothy Jefferson Greer 1944 Joyce Lawrence Whitney 1945 Sandra Johnson Cooley 1966 Monica Aemisegger-Cote' 2006 ALPHA DELTA Ohio Wesleyan University Caroline J Rhoads Lukingbeal 1949 Linda Schwab Corso 1957 ALPHA ETA Dalhousie University Bonita Regan Kirby 1959 Marsha Auld Hurshman 1973 Anita Vyse 1998 Chantale Pard 2003 ALPHA IOTA Baldwin Wallace University Diane Doane Trinter 1949 ALPHA XI University of Maryland-College Park Anne Loring Eiler 1960 ALPHA PI Wayne State University Carole Redding Ligienza 1960 ALPHA UPSILON Central Michigan University Barbara Hagle Kenn 1959 BETA ALPHA Nebraska Wesleyan University Carmen Embree Nastase 1943 Rose Stoner Brandt 1943 Carolyn Weatherhogg Wassung 1952 Sandra Kerr Carlson 1963

BETA BETA North Dakota State University Beverly Kurtz Den Baars 1949 BETA EPSILON Carroll University Alice Crofts Morava 1952 Judith Morey Gardner 1956 BETA ETA Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Mary Williamson Catlin 1958 Kristen Jean Kessler Holtkamp 1979 BETA THETA University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cheryl Keegan Peck 1967 BETA MU Minnesota State UniversityMankato Marsha Christiansen 1967 DELTA ALPHA University of Southern California Ethel Lund Pattison 1945 Carol Crawford Murdock 1953 DELTA BETA Washington State University Kathryn Dunbar Fazio 1986 DELTA GAMMA Montana State University Elaine Hammerstrom Livers 1945 DELTA DELTA University of Oregon Mary Gulick Gray 1943 Beryl Howard Smith 1945 Helen Hoyt Phillips 1946 DELTA EPSILON University of California-Los Angeles Barbara Arthur Darling 1952 DELTA ETA San Diego State University Julia Welchance 2023 Spring 2024 35

Chapter Grand DELTA THETA University of Idaho Joyce Littleton Simpson 1958 DELTA IOTA California State University-Chico Rosemary Wicker Gregory 1959 Ann Metzer Preston 1968 DELTA KAPPA University of Alberta Carol Marie Cunningham Hauk 1964 EPSILON ALPHA University of Missouri Clara Waldrop Humphrey 1942 EPSILON BETA University of Kansas Leah Renee Hurst 1971 EPSILON GAMMA University of Denver Dorothy Wooddell Wintringham 1944 EPSILON DELTA University of Texas at Austin Naomi Bluntzer Tischler 1948 Cerise Cameron Blair 1954 Shirley Loraine Priest Thruston 1954 Marion Guerguin Gregory 1954 Betty Fones Wandel 1956 Shirley Miller Foster 1958 EPSILON ZETA Arkansas State University Betty King Wood 1948 Pauline Welch Swan 1954 Loretta Langford Bookout 1955 Jerrie Rogers Walden 1969 EPSILON ETA Texas Christian University Beverly McElroy 1969 Suzanne Fletcher Zuver 1960 EPSILON IOTA University of Northern Colorado Carol Ann Scheve Yung 1961

36 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly

The Fraternity extends sincere condolences to family and friends of these members. This list includes notices received between September 1, 2023 - April 15, 2024, in order of initiation date.

EPSILON KAPPA Pittsburg State University Leseley Adey Simpson 1959 Rita Menghini Jurcyk 1960 EPSILON LAMBDA University of Central Missouri Marilyn McCarty Greene 1959 Janet Woltkamp Thacker 1972 EPSILON MU Fort Hays State University Sheryl Nickelson Denny 1968 EPSILON UPSILON Tarleton State University Sena Goodlett Leese 1985 Jennifer Gilly Monteith 1993 Kelli O'Neal Meyers 2001 GAMMA ALPHA University of Georgia Martha Titshaw Bobbitt 1949 Margie Burden Clowe 1956 Shirley Lee Riddle Satterfield 1957 Virginia Dykes Cole 1967 GAMMA BETA Florida State University Jo Anne Setzer 1952 Sara Hartness Deiters 1954 GAMMA GAMMA Queens University of Charlotte Helen Hendley Griffin 1941 Kathryn Hickman McCrary 1950 GAMMA DELTA Auburn University Jerry Nelson Johnson 1953 Anita Griffith Hill 1958 GAMMA EPSILON The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Jennie Meador Forehand 1957 GAMMA ZETA University of Memphis Doris Wood Sigman 1947

GAMMA ETA High Point University Grace Miller 2017

GAMMA NU University of Tennessee, Knoxville Janet Erwin Anguas 1965

GAMMA THETA Florida Southern College Bonnie Warner 1967

GAMMA RHO Georgia Southern UniversityArmstrong Campus Beverly Thompson Hathaway 1970

GAMMA IOTA Mercer University Melinda Irene Bunton 1975 GAMMA LAMBDA Longwood University Debbie Alspaugh 1974

GAMMA SIGMA Troy University Kathryn Mowrey Armstrong 1974

Member Directory Update Members can access the Member Directory through myAlphaGam and find sisters around the world. Watch the tutorial on myAlphaGam to best use the directory and understand its functionality.

If you have not re-registered your myAlphaGam account and created a new password since January 2022, please follow the directions to access your account at this link, ® adobe. ly/3e8IABq, or using the QR code below.

3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE AREA OF GREATEST NEED 1. JOIN THE GIVE EVERY MONTH (GEM) SOCIETY. For the cost of a cup of coffee each month, you can make an incredible impact.

2. SEND A CONVENTION APPRECIATION ROSE.

Rose contributions support the Foundation's annual fund.

3. GIVE STRAIGHT FROM YOUR COMPUTER OR PHONE. Scan the QR code below or use this link to make a gift.

Visit alphagammadeltafoundation.org or call 317.663.4242.

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Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity 8710 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46260 alphagammadelta.org

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