alumnae profile
Like Mother, Like Daughter By Rachel Burchfield, Epsilon Beta–University of Kansas
S
even years ago, Sonya Flesner Easley’s daughter,
After graduating from Edmond High School, Sonya’s dream
Melanie, became her sister. “I reluctantly gave her my
was to attend another Oklahoma college, but finances prevented
permission to pledge whichever sorority captured her
her from doing that. She stayed in her hometown and enrolled
heart,” Sonya said. “Deep down I prayed it would be
at Central State College, now known as University of Central
Alpha Gamma Delta.”
Oklahoma, with her two best friends who went through recruitment with her.
Since being initiated into Epsilon Nu herself in 1971, Sonya held several collegiate offices such as Alpha Experience Coordinator
“I was actually a double legacy to another sorority on campus,
and Recruitment Coordinator. Her passion for serving the
as both of my older sisters attended Central State College as
Fraternity continued into her alumnae years, as she served in
well,” Sonya said. “However, after the final night, my heart
numerous roles ranging from House Association Officer to
belonged to Alpha Gamma Delta.”
Chapter Advisor. Sonya chose Alpha Gamma Delta—and unknowingly, so Sonya’s daughter, Melanie, went through recruitment at the
did her two best friends. “I nervously made the decision, not
University of Central Oklahoma in 2009 and couldn’t help but
knowing my two best friends had made the same choice to join
be influenced by her mother’s Alpha Gamma Delta journey as a
Alpha Gamma Delta,” she said. “We have continued to be life-
collegiate and alumna member. What really stood out to Melanie
long friends and sisters for nearly 50 years because of Alpha
about Alpha Gamma Delta, were the friendships her mother,
Gamma Delta.”
Sonya, maintained with her sisters over the years. There is no doubt the trio’s rock solid bond influenced Sonya’s daughter, Melanie, to choose which sorority she felt was right for her. Sonya admits even though she and her daughter are a generation apart, not much has changed in the Fraternity world. “We gained the same values from Alpha Gam, we’re surrounded by the same sisterhood and both lived in the same chapter house,” Sonja said. “The unbelievable joy of your own daughter sharing in your experiences and being a sister of Alpha Gamma Delta is a dream come true.” Melanie is now an alumna and serves as an advisor, alongside her mother, for the Epsilon Nu Chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma. “After her graduation in 2013, we have continued to share in wonderful Alpha Gamma Delta alumnae events together,” Easley said. “The bond we share as sisters has brought us even closer as mother and daughter.”
24 quarterly | summer 2016