The Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha: Spring 2011

Spring 2011

INSIDE:

The legacy of Sidney Gremillion Allen

of Alpha Sigma Alpha

â–

Passion and purpose: Keys to living authentically

ON THE COVER:

Sidney Gremillion Allen,

F E AT U R E S

Spring 2011

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5

New curriculum to be unveiled at LDI

6 8 12

The legacy of Sidney Gremillion Allen

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Living from within . . .

By doing what you love

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Theta Xi Chapter installed

Meet the national headquarters staff PASSION AND PURPOSE: Keys to living authentically

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PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

SPRING 2011

Volume 97, Number 2

of Alpha Sigma Alpha Spring 2011

FROM THE EDITOR Dear readers, Unfortunately just before I sat down to write this message to you, I found out that a very dear family friend passed away.

After hearing that news, I started to think about how important the message of this Phoenix issue may be to its readers.

The theme for this issue is doing what you love. Love is a theme throughout the Ritual of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and has been a focus of recent leadership development institutes.

DEPARTMENTS 4

Message From the President

17

FOUNDation news

18 22 23

District News

From the Archives

Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Winter . . . . . . . . . September Spring . . . . . . . . . . December Summer . . . . . . . . . . . March

EDITOR

Erika Ann Butts, ebutts@alphasigmaalpha.org

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STAFF 10 10 10 10

We were very lucky to find two alumnae members who have based their professional careers around helping people establish a better sense of self so they can spend their days doing what they love. I hope you find inspiration reading these two feature stories by Dr. Karin Anderson, Ph.D., , and Lee Ann Howard, .

In Alpha Sigma Alpha,

News & Events

DEADLINES

I am reminded today that we never know what life may have in store for us tomorrow. So why not spend our days doing something that we love and are passionate about?

Contributing Editor Nancy I.Z. Reese, niz.reese@gmail.com

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 9002 Vincennes Circle Indianapolis, IN 46268 Phone: 317-871-2920 Fax: 317-871-2924 E-mail: asa@alphasigmaalpha.org

Erika Ann Butts Phoenix Editor

PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA (USPS 430-640) is published quarterly by Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices. Produced by Maury Boyd & Associates, Indianapolis. Š Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Send address changes, death notices and business correspondence to the national headquarters. Address all editorial correspondence to the editor.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Printed in the USA.

PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMa ALPHA

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M essage from the president

Are you doing what you love?

B Y C I N D Y K E L L E Y ,

National President

“Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.”

— Dr. Wayne Dyer Are you doing what you love? Whether it is your career, course of study, lifestyle or extracurricular activities, what you do and how you choose to spend your time often helps to define who you are and what you care about. Take a look at these areas of your life. What do they say about you?

Do you love what you are doing? How important is it to love what

How do you go about finding your passion or discovering your

you do? In order to get the most out of something, you must enjoy

strengths? There are many wonderful resources devoted to helping

doing it.

individuals with their own self-discovery.

“When we aren't doing what we love, we are less than we could

For example, members of national council have enjoyed

be. We fail to reach our full potential when we aren't doing what we

completing exercises presented by Marcus Buckingham in his book,

love. We may survive. We may even thrive in a material sense, but we

Now, Discover Your Strengths, and subsequent book, Go Put Your

won't thrive without passion for our work,” said Kent Blumberg

Strengths to Work. All members of Alpha Sigma Alpha have a

executive coach, in a post on his website on becoming a better boss.

tremendous resource at our fingertips in the Advantage

For many Alpha Sigma Alphas who have participated in the Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in

initiative that also can help guide our personal development.

In this issue of the Phoenix, you’ll enjoy learning more about

recent years, we have learned the importance of doing what you

“doing what you love” and what that means to you as well as other

love in order to become an “extreme leader.” Through the LDI

Alpha Sigma Alphas through articles about loving your job and

curriculum inspired by Steve Farber’s book, The Radical Leap,

the importance of authenticity in the strive for passion in your life.

we learn that love is the motivator in being a leader.

Farber says “Love is the ultimate motivation of the Extreme Leader: love of something or someone; love of a cause; love of a

As nature seems to awaken and begin anew with the spring season, I hope you will discover that you are indeed doing what you love or that you soon will begin your journey to that very discovery.

principle: love of the people you work with and the customers you serve; love of the future you and yours can create together; love of

In Alpha Sigma Alpha,

the business you conduct together every day.

“Without the calling and commitment of your heart, there’s no good reason for you to take a stand, to take a risk, to do what it takes

Cindy Kelley,

to change your world for the better.”

National President

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New curriculum to be unveiled at LDI New curriculum Alpha Sigma Alpha is excited to introduce a new curriculum for the Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in partnership with the Leadership Institute – Women with Purpose. Past LDI participants have been involved in helping create this new and exciting curriculum. Participants will spend the weekend focusing on their individual development and working through four phases of leadership: internal impact, peer-to-peer impact, small group impact and organizational impact.

This highly interactive curriculum will keep participants on their toes with activities, large and small group discussions and personal reflection. Members can expect to develop personal skills and values they can use in relationships, friendships, life as a student and in leadership positions.

The weekend will feature the use of several types of media and will infuse the values and Ritual of Alpha Sigma Alpha into the concepts of LDI. B Y H I L A R Y M O E , Leadership Development & Event Coordinator

“The opportunity to partner with Alpha Sigma Alpha to provide curriculum for their Leadership Development Institute is incredibly exciting! We are in our fourth year of partnership with Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the chance to once again work alongside their talented and

This summer Alpha Sigma Alpha

passionate staff, volunteers and members is invigorating,” said Erin Correa, executive director

will provide two weekends of

of the Leadership Institute — Women with Purpose.

leadership and personal

“The curriculum for the Leadership Development Institute is based on the survey results from

development opportunities for

thousands of women across the United States. In the survey, the participants ranked their top

its collegiate members.

needs for enhancing their personal leadership development capabilities, and the curriculum for

The Emma Coleman Frost

the weekend was written to serve as a resource to help women on this journey. The weekend

Leadership Development

program is focused on personal growth for individual members with applications that will be

Institute (LDI) is held the

relevant to all areas of their lives.”

summers of non-convention years and focuses on the personal growth of emerging collegiate leaders of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Program details LDI events are planned for July 8-10, 2011, at the Renaissance Hotel at the St. Louis Airport, and July 22-25, 2011, at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Registration for both events will open at 2 p.m. on Friday and the program will begin at 5 p.m. Friday evening. LDI will conclude Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

Fees Each collegiate chapter is required to send four members to LDI and may choose the location closest to them. Chapters are encouraged to send more than four members. Regular registration is $180 per person and is due May 1, 2011. Late registration will be accepted May 2–June 15, 2011, with a registration fee of $200 per person.

All collegiate chapters received registration packets in March 2011. If you did not receive registration information, please visit http://www.alphasigmaalpha.org/collegians/news-andevents/LDI for more details about the event.

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The

legacy of Sidney Gremillion Allen

B Y B A R B W I L L I A M S O N , National Historian Alpha Sigma Alpha and the entire fraternal community lost a true friend and mentor with the passing of Sidney Gremillion Allen, , Northwestern State University, LA, on Nov. 15, 2010, as Alpha Sigma Alpha celebrated 109 years of sisterhood. Sidney was the perfect example of someone doing what she really loved in life, and what Sidney loved was dedicating her time and enthusiasm to .

Sidney served the sorority as the national fellowship & philanthropic chairman, alumnae director, advisors chairman, philanthropic chairman, vice president of alumnae programs, National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) delegate and the Foundation secretary and treasurer. Sidney is the only member of to serve through the National Panhellenic Conference progression of offices, serving as treasurer from 1981–83, secretary 1983-85 and chairman 1985–87.

Her dedication to NPC culminated in national council renaming the collegiate chapter Panhellenic award the Sidney Gremillion Allen Panhellenic Award at the 1994 Milwaukee convention.

In her first years as a volunteer, Sidney served as chapter advisor for Beta Delta Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi. She was serving in that capacity when Dolly Purvis Loyd, past national council member pledged Beta Delta.

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“I remember looking at her and thinking what a remarkable woman she was,” Dolly said. “Her love for our sorority showed in everything that she did. After I graduated in 1965, I lost touch with her until the first national convention that I attended. It was in 1978, and I was serving as chapter advisor for Beta Delta. I walked in the door; Sidney threw her arms around me and hugged me. She introduced me to Betty Wallick! Betty Wallick, the national president! They were friends! I couldn’t believe it!”

“Several conventions later,” said Dolly, “Sidney encouraged me to volunteer for national work. I guess she saw something in me that I did not see in myself. I did volunteer and now realize that if she had not encouraged me, I would have never had the opportunity to serve in several national roles, worked with some wonderful women and become best friends with some.”

Sidney met many people at conventions, having attended 20 of them in her years of sorority service. Everyone she met came away feeling special and part of something bigger than an individual chapter or even an individual sorority.

Angela Dantzler Bauldree, , University of Southwestern Louisiana, past national council member and past Foundation trustee, recalls one particular convention. “At the 1994 convention, I was asked by Marianne Bullock, , Central Michigan University, to be an

alumnae region director. I ran and found Sidney to tell her that I was now a national volunteer. Sidney was so happy.

She told me that she was so proud of me.

That was the first time someone said that to me; and with every ounce of me, I knew that she meant it.”

Angela went on to say, “At the 2000 convention, I was sitting next to Dolly waiting for the convention program to begin. Sidney walked up behind us and placed a hand on my shoulder and Dolly’s shoulder. She turned to Betty Wallick and said, ‘My girls are going to be on national council together!’ You were special when you were called one of Sidney’s girls.”

Past National President Betty Urban Wallick, , University of Central Missouri, served on national council with Sidney and attended many national conventions with her. “She was such a special lady and a dear, dear friend,” Betty said. “Alpha Sigma Alpha was Sidney’s life. She didn’t golf or play cards or join clubs. All her time went into the sorority.”

While Sidney served as first delegate to NPC and moved through the NPC offices, Betty was the second delegate. “I remember telling Sidney often to be careful. I didn’t want anything to happen to her because I didn’t want her job,” Betty laughed.

Most members of Alpha Sigma Alpha see the sorority as an organization in and of itself, not answering to another organization. Sidney always saw as

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Above: The 1985–87 National Panhellenic Conference Executive Committee. Left to right: Veachey Bloom, Phi Sigma Sigma, Chairman Sidney Gremillion Allen, , and Beth Saul, Alpha Epsilon Phi. Inset photo on left: Sidney, front center in red dress, stands with representatives from the 26 National Panhellenic Conference women’s fraternities.

Members of the 1967–70 national council are, seated from left: Anne Petree Niemeyer, , membership director and Mary C. Goecke, , president. Standing from left: Juanita Roberts Rowe, , treasurer; Lynn Peters Fountaine, , extension director; Bonnie Payne Koenemann, , Phoenix editor; Wilma Wilson Sharp, , president emerita; Helen Hooper Malone, , vice president and NPC delegate; Sidney Gremillion Allen, , alumnae director; Viola Caraway Brewer, , secretary; and Rose Marie Fellin, , headquarters executive.

part of the NPC community, and she wanted her beloved sorority to shine.

During Alpha Sigma Alpha’s early history in 1915, the sorority co-organized the Association of Education Sororities with Sigma Sigma Sigma. The education sororities eventually joined NPC, but by 1960, three of the six had merged with other NPC sororities, leaving only three of the original Association of Education Sororities in NPC. In the early 1970s, Betty and Sidney discussed at length if Alpha Sigma Alpha could survive.

Sidney worried over like a mother over a young child, keeping constant vigilance to ensure that the legacy our Founders began would indeed continue into the future.

“Sidney wanted to be known among the NPC sororities; she wanted to keep us alive and vibrant,” said Betty.

“Throughout her years working with NPC, Sidney formed wonderful friendships with the delegates from the other sororities.”

In 1989, Kappa Delta Sorority awarded Sidney the Order of the Diamond Award for outstanding service as a sorority woman. Sidney also received the Evelyn G. Bell Award in 1990 for outstanding leadership and loyalty to .

The last convention Sidney attended was 2002 in Nashville, TN. At the end of the convention, Dolly Loyd was in charge of making sure Sidney got on the shuttle, the plane and made it to the correct gate

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in Memphis to change planes to fly home to Louisiana.

“When we all got to the gate in Nashville, I asked if Sidney had her boarding pass, and she didn’t have one.

How in the world did she get through security without a boarding pass? I told her she would have to get one from the gate attendant.

“Sidney, in her southern voice, told the gate attendant that she did not have a boarding pass and asked to be issued one.

Sidney told the attendant that she had just attended her sorority’s national convention and that the other women in our group were her sisters. The gate attendant looked at us and said, ‘I have some extra first-class seats and since all of you are sisters to this sweet lady, I am upgrading you to first class.’

Thanks to Sidney, we flew in style,” said Dolly.

And Sidney certainly did have style.

That southern voice and sweet disposition captivated audiences everywhere. But behind the sweetness was a determined work ethic and a desire to help people.

Sidney, while serving as philanthropic chairman from 1974-76, was largely responsible for securing Special Olympics as the national philanthropic project for . The 1976 convention body voted to accept Special Olympics as a national philanthropy, and collegiate and alumnae chapters across the country became involved in the various events.

“Sidney was a true southern lady,” said Diane Yencic James, , Pittsburg State University, KS, past national president and past Foundation trustee. “She was an inspiration to Alpha Sigma Alpha members and a role model for our younger women. She loved Alpha Sigma Alpha, and no matter what she was asked to do, she was always ready to serve in that capacity. Sidney was a jewel in the crown of Alpha Sigma Alpha.”

In 1998, Sidney wrote a letter to her sorority sisters upon the closing of national headquarters in Springfield, MO, in preparation for the move to Indianapolis. “How proud of all of you I am—national officers, staff, loyal, dedicated alumnae, collegians, new initiates,” she wrote.

“My very special wish is that our splendid sisterhood will continue to grow spiritually, intellectually, lovingly, and through our thoughts, words and deeds, will affect a truly positive influence on all our society.

“May God bless each one of you and keep you in the palm of his hand, forever.”

Sidney Allen is survived by her daughter Lisa and son-in-law David; sister Sunshine and brother-in-law Marlin; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one nephew, two nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews. Sidney was buried in Minden, LA.

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Meet the national headquarters staff

B Y K R Y S T A L G E Y E R S L I V I N S K I , Executive Director

The Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters staff is a great example of a group of people doing what they love, for an organization that they love. They are the people who answer member phone calls and emails and work every day to further the mission of the sorority.

The national headquarters staff gets direction from the sorority’s strategic plan to accomplish the everyday tasks needed to move the organization forward. “Alpha Sigma Alpha is extremely fortunate to have such a high caliber, professional staff focusing on the day-to-day operations as well as always looking and planning ahead for our future. Both individually and collectively, the staff is a very creative, dedicated, sharp and passionate group, and I for one am thrilled and at ease knowing they are working at the helm for Alpha Sigma Alpha,� said Cindy Kelley, , national president.

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Executive Director Krystal Geyer Slivinski, East Stroudsburg University, PA Year(s) on staff: 11 Fondest memory: The dedication of the Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters What other staff members say about her: “Krystal is a driven and goal-oriented person, but she is also pragmatic. She is great at putting things in context and generating ideas, and she has a determined spirit. Krystal is known for always working to make our organization better and guiding and allowing staff to think creatively and flourish in our positions. She is known as the biggest Colts fan on staff. Everyone on staff always hopes that the Colts will make it to the Super Bowl so she will consider giving us a day off for the victory party.�

Communications & Marketing Coordinator Erika Butts, Millersville University, PA Year(s) on staff: 4 A quote she lives by: “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.� — H. Jackson Browne What other staff members say about her: “Erika is known for her ability to get the job done.

Give her a project and she can complete it with 110 percent love and energy. She keeps us organized and on-track. She is known for taking pride in her work and expects nothing less of perfection. Erika is creative, but she is also a realist. She has a good eye for how things should look and feel. Erika is known for her communication skills and her love of Mexican food.�

Leadership Development & Event Coordinator Hilary Moe, Emporia State University, KS Year(s) on staff: 1 What do you enjoy most about working at HQ? “I love being a part of the bigger picture. I have a much better perception of how Alpha Sigma Alpha can last a lifetime and how staying involved can open doors you could have never imagined. I enjoy providing learning experiences for our collegiate and alumnae members and getting to connect with the thousands of Alpha Sigma Alphas across the country.�

What other staff members say about her: “Hilary is known for her fun and welcoming personality. People gravitate towards her. She is known for her hard work and dedication. She’s always positive and appreciative of everyone who plays a part. She is very good at listening during discussions and processing information. Every time she has an idea you can tell she has put a lot of thought into it. Hilary is known for her fabulous cakes and her love of country music and Sonic restaurants!�

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Membership Development Coordinator Christy Adams, DePaul University, IL Year(s) on staff: 5 What do you enjoy most about working at HQ? “It’s clichĂŠ, but it’s the people. Not only do I get to work with the funniest, most dedicated, most loving staff, but I also get to work for some of my favorite people on Earth.â€?

What other staff members say about her: “Christy is known for her honesty and humor. Christy always has a way of putting a situation into perspective with her sense of humor, but she is also a great person to work with because you know she will give you her honest thoughts on a topic. She is known as the database guru in the office. Christy has the loudest and most contagious laugh in the office. It rings throughout the hallways.�

Membership Growth Coordinator Katie Matis, DePaul University, IL Year(s) on staff: 1 role models? Past National President Suzanne Kilgannon, Who are your What other staff members say about her: “Katie is known for making everyone laugh. She can make any situation fun and she is really great at communicating with anyone. She has a fantastic presence, public speaking ability and makes women want to be Alpha Sigma Alphas. Katie is known for her crazy sense of humor, eating cereal for lunch and the weird way she eats burritos.�

Volunteer & Alumnae Coordinator Rachael Candee, Truman State University, MO Year(s) on staff: 1 What do you enjoy most about working at HQ? “I love when an alumna member e-mails or calls looking to connect with other women. It is so exciting to see her progress from living in a city with strangers, to be surrounded by sisters.�

What other staff members say about her: “Rachael is known for her dedication to her position and her outgoing personality. She is admired for her thoroughness, positive and light-hearted attitude.

She is very professional and is an outstanding example of poise and purpose. Rachael is known for having a story for every occasion and being a jazzercise expert. She also has great shoes.�

Finance Manager Gino Hill, Crown Degree recipient Year(s) on staff: 12 Fondest Memory: Receiving the Alpha Sigma Alpha Crown Degree for 10 years on staff What other staff members say about him: “Gino is known for knowing the ins and outs of everything financial. Gino is known for his sense of fun. He will always come down the hall just to say hello, and his smile is heart-warming. He is also known for his staff quizzes, final four bracket competitive spirit and his love of the Alpha Sigma Alpha rap.�

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Office Assistant Linda Wyrick Lineback, Ball State University, IN Year(s) on staff: 5 A quote she lives by: The Alpha Sigma Alpha Creed, especially, “to love life and joyously live each day to its ultimate good—” What other staff members say about her: “Linda is known for her genuine personality. She would do anything for anyone. Linda is the staff’s surrogate mom. Since a lot of staff members have family out of state, Linda is always taking care of us and making sure we are OK. She is also our in-house Alpha Sigma Alpha historian.”

Office Assistant Renatta White Year(s) on staff: 1 Favorite core value: Growth, I have always been inspired by the words of my grandmother when she says, “Reaching for higher heights and deeper depths!”

What other staff members say about her: “Renatta is efficient and persistent. She is known for her reliability and willingness to help anyone with anything. She has an incredible work ethic. Renatta is the sweetest and most stylish staffer.”

Foundation Development Coordinator Naydia Spears Mills, Austin Peay State University, TN Year(s) on staff: 5 Who is your role model? Wilma Wilson Sharp, , president emerita What other staff members say about her: “Naydia is a natural care-giver, but she is also a very focused and sharp person. She is not content with the status quo. If she sees a way something can be better, she pursues it and achieves her goals. Naydia is known for putting those special touches on anything she does. She wants others to feel recognized and appreciated, and she goes out of her way to make all that she does is 110 percent great. Naydia is known for her ambiguous southern accent and the way her eyes get really big when she tells a story.”

Alpha Sigma Alpha leadership consultants Every year, Alpha Sigma Alpha employs recent graduates to serve as leadership consultants who travel to chapters to assist with recruitment and chapter operations.

During the 2011–12 academic year, we will be employing five women as our leadership consultants.

Look for their introduction article in the fall 2011 issue of the Phoenix.

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Passion and purpose: Keys to living authentically

Want to read more of Karin’s work?

Karin’s first book, It Just Hasn’t Happened Yet, presents a new angle sorely needed in the relationship genre—one that counteracts the messages single women frequently field, such as “You’re too picky!,” “You’re too needy!” or “You’re too neurotic, which is why you aren’t married.” It Just Hasn’t Happened Yet encourages women to stay true to themselves, instead of changing just to “snag a man.” It asserts that single women are smart, sexy, cream-of-thecrop “catches” who will eventually be “caught”—it just hasn’t happened yet.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

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B Y K A R I N A N D E R S O N , Phoenix Contributor To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. — e.e. cummings, 1955 Ever since we were little girls, we have been told we could have it all. And as women of the new millennium, we are afforded more educational, professional and relational opportunities than women from any other time in recorded history.

Lucky us!

We revel in these choices and carefully navigate our journeys—pursuing multiple degrees, scaling corporate ladders, marrying our soul mates and nurturing our children. And yes, we have it all. So why then do so many of us feel flat and apathetic? How have we lost our zest for life? Where’s our passion, our zeal, our poise and purpose?

The why: psych 101 It all goes back to the proverbial question of Nature vs. Nurture. You remember the argument from your intro to psychology class—the issue of how much of our development is influenced by our genes and how much is due to the environment in which we were raised.

As scientists continue to crack the human genome, they are determining that much more of our personality comes from our genes (nature) than was previously believed. We call the genetic contribution to our personality our temperament— which encompasses our natural gifts, abilities and passions—essentially, our core self. But that’s only half the story.

As we grow up, we are bombarded with myriad messages from family, friends and society (nurture). These factors greatly impact our development, and at times, they challenge and redirect our authentic selves in ways that throw us off track.

The identity problem By the time we reach adulthood, we have spent years internalizing cultural mandates, societal expectations and familial pressures. While some of these influences line up with our authentic

selves, many do not. But after years of assimilating what isn’t you with what is you, it is often hard to determine which parts of the person you’ve become are actually you and which parts belong to other forces. Therefore, the old adage of “just be yourself” is much easier said than done because just who is “yourself”?

The passion problem Not only do we struggle to know ourselves and be ourselves, as we grow we frequently lose our passions along the way. It is not intentional, of course. We don’t wake up one day and say, “Hmm… I think it’s time to abandon my dreams and alter my identity in order to please others.” Nevertheless, we often do just that via a multitude of small decisions that move us incrementally away from our true selves. No wonder we take stock of our lives and feel inauthentic and unfulfilled. We have been letting our passion slip away from us for years.

How to get your passion back 1. Get reacquainted with you. The first step to getting your passion back is finding yourself again. How can you identify what excites and stimulates you until you check back in with who you are?

Knowing ourselves is a lifelong process, and as noted, it is not as easy as it sounds. It is a complex exploration of digging deep into your core self and weeding through the innumerable influences that have latched on to you, taking up residence and trying to convince you they are a part of you.

2. Pay close attention to your spirit and mood.

Take your “emotional pulse” as you examine your weekly routine.

Granted, our professional and personal roles require us to tackle many obligatory tasks, but how about the times (or moments) when you get to choose your direction? Psychologists contend that due to the pull of our genes, we naturally gravitate to certain activities and endeavors that suit our temperament. In these moments, we feel invigorated, effective and fulfilled—we are resonating with our passions and thriving! If you rarely

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experience this “in the zone feeling,” you have somehow lost much of your core self, and it’s time to get it back.

3. Reframe your conception of “selfish.”

Perhaps you have internalized one of the most prevalent messages women receive in our culture—that it’s our job to take care of others at the expense of our own happiness. To you, discourse about “finding your passions” smacks of entitlement and egocentrism. You have no interest in such self-absorbed introspection and you may even stifle your quest for authenticity and passion believing you are doing the right thing. But is it really so selfish to focus on you?

Justification for living an authentic life Actually, we could argue that chasing down your passions and resonating with your authentic self are anything but selfish; rather, they’re selfless in nature.

When you don’t know yourself, you live an inauthentic life—an unfortunate reality for you, of course, but your lack of authenticity can also wreak havoc on those around you. You may embark upon an ill-fitting career bringing frustration to superiors, coworkers and clients. Or you may strike up close friendships with women with whom you lack a natural

affinity. Without a strong sense of your authentic self, you could walk down the aisle toward the wrong person, resulting in a subsequent painful divorce and nasty custody battle.

When you know yourself and live an authentic life, you allow others to respond to your true identity. Although unintended, when we lack self-knowledge, any relationship we embark upon has the potential to go south since we engage others with a phony version of ourselves.

True intimacy, romantic or otherwise, is impossible without partners coming together with their identities intact.

Otherwise, one or both partners is being duped (even if the duping is unintentional, it’s still happening).

When you know your true identity and live authentically, you learn your destiny and purpose. As women, we strive to be women of poise and purpose. Each of us has a calling—a reason for being here.

However, until we chip away at the layers of false self and release our authenticity, we will never find our purpose. It’s impossible for our mission to clearly present itself amidst the noise of external voices and influences.

Discovering our passions and finding our purpose ultimately begin with crystalizing the essence of our core self—

which, admittedly, remains an arduous endeavor. Or, in the words of e.e. cummings, “it’s the hardest battle any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”

Finding your core self Again, rediscovering your core self will take some time and effort, yet it’s well worth it. How to go about it? Consider the following tips: 1. Walk through the steps listed above as to “How to get your passion back.”

Remember, your passions are rooted in your core self.

2. Commit to living authentically by internalizing the truths under “Justification for living an authentic life.” As you leave behind any guilt associated with focusing on yourself, your core will begin to emerge.

3. Create opportunities to discuss these issues with like-minded women. A good way to do this is to read books on self-discovery like Eat, Pray, Love or How Stella Got Her Groove Back and engage in dialogue with others (book club members or sisters.)

4. Check out Karin’s website AuthenticallyMe.com to see posts from women of all ages who have committed to pursuing a life of authenticity.

About Karin An associate professor of psychology and counselor education at Concordia University, Chicago, Dr. Karin Anderson has a doctorate in developmental psychology, a track record of well-received presentations at national and international psychology conferences and a speaking platform focusing on women’s identity construction and cultivation.

Despite these credentials, she’s no stuffy academic peering down from the Ivory Tower. In fact the inspiration for her writing derives from the ebb and flow of her personal relationships—not the data garnered from professional research. Yet it’s precisely this fusion of academic chops and “girl about town” experience that perfectly positions her to tackle themes of relationships and single adulthood. Readers perceive her as “one of them,” connecting with her accessible and engaging voice. Yet as an academic, she provides a measure of objectivity and authority that enlightens, encourages and empowers.

Karin is an alumna initiate of the Gamma Lambda Chapter at Loyola University of Chicago.

Her mother, Nancy Coon Anderson, is a 50-year member of the Gamma Beta Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Karin has presented workshops at several national convention & leadership conferences and District Day events.

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Living from within…

By doing what youlove

B Y L E E A N N H O W A R D , Phoenix Contributor

Would you ever consider taking career advice from an 18 year-old? Well that is just what most of us did when we chose our major as college freshman. Did we really know at age 18 what we aspired to be? Have you ever found yourself waking up and wondering “how did I get here?” I think many of us get to a point in our lives where we stop to evaluate our life’s journey and question: Am I doing what I was born to do?

Am I maximizing the natural talent I was given?

Am I in the right environment to achieve personal and professional success?

Am I having a positive impact and contributing to society?

Am I settling for something less than what I am capable of doing?

After you have lived in the real world for awhile and figured out where you best fit, it is almost as if what you set out to achieve initially does not always match where you are today. You have gained experience, knowledge and worked through the trials and tribulations of adulthood, and amongst all of that, you might have found out who you really are and what you want to become.

Some may think it is too late, but I believe it is never too late; you just have to have the desire and passion to live from within and do what you love.

We ask ourselves these questions because we are constantly striving for something that keeps the fire burning within. That fire is called passion. T. Alan Armstrong said “if there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it and let it become you, and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.”

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As I have gained more experience and insights into who I am and what I love, Armstrong’s quote has gained more meaning. After college, I spent nearly 15 years working for great organizations such as Frito-Lay, Marion Labs, DuPont-Merck and Nestle in a human resources capacity.

I learned tremendous work and life skills and seemed drawn to opportunities that I could rationalize for “my career.” But this required many personal sacrifices, including numerous relocations and putting parts of my life on hold. I had always heard that the greatest growth comes from the greatest challenges. This is true. When you are in a new town, in a new company, with a new job and there is no one to spend time with outside of work, you have much time to reflect on what is really important to you.

In my mid-30s, I decided to step back and figure out where my life was going and if I was on the path I wanted to choose versus the easiest one to take. Early in my career one boss told me “if you don’t know where you are going, then any road will take you there.” While I had always had a path that I thought I was following, I realized through this process that it was a less defined and planned path that I was taking. I sat down and created my “102-year life plan,” which was a reflection of what I had done so far, who had been important, what challenges I overcame

and what accomplishments I had achieved.

It also included a projection of what I wanted to do with my life until at least I was 102 years old. By planting the seeds in my subconscious of what I wanted to achieve, my future decisions became easier and things I desired came into my life.

There is a book called The Path of Least Resistance, and I believe that my 102-year plan put me on that kind of a path.

The life plan also helped me to realize my passion of helping people connect with the work that they loved, so I left corporate America and went into the executive search business. My avocation became my vocation.

My work allows me to learn about individuals by getting to know them, seeking out what motivates them and then putting them in an environment where they could be successful. While doing this new line of work, I knew that I had found the right path, but I also knew that working for a large global executive search firm was not the environment and culture that reflected who I was. So in 2002, I started my own firm.

The timing of my decision, to take the greatest risk I could ever imagine and start my own business, could not have been worse. It was shortly after the tragedy of 9/11, during the technology bust and the downturn of the economy where jobs became more uncertain by the day. Even with the odds stacked against my business, I knew in my heart that this was the right thing to do. I also realized that sometimes what appeared to be the greatest risk — starting my own business — was actually the least risk that I could take. In my company, I was the one who controlled my success or failure regardless of what the economy was doing. I knew if I was following my life plan and really working in the area that I had passion, success would follow.

You can meet a person and there is an inner light and strength that glows when they walk into a room or talk about what is important to them. It can be their career, their family, their community involvement — it does not matter what it is, just that they found the key that unlocks the SPRING 2011

Lee Ann Howard is the founder and chief executive officer of Howard & O’Brien Associates, a boutique executive search firm that focuses on finding the candidate who is the right ‘fit” for a client.

For more information about Howard & O’Brien Associates please visit www.howardobrien.com.

formula so that they can be doing what they love every day. By living from within, you can find a path to what you want to do and what you love. To find your own key, you must take the time to reflect and outline your own personal life plan.

When I met my future husband, I told him about my 102-year life plan. He said it sounded great and wanted to tag along.

But it was MY life plan and he had to develop his own. It cannot be someone else’s plan; it has to reflect your past and your desired future. Once we each had our own life plans, we did a couple’s life plan and it has guided our relationship for more than 15 years.

My husband and I work together and have a life plan for our business. Together we developed a logo that matched our business’ philosophy. We agreed that the archer would become our image. It takes a talented marksman to hit the target every time. We knew that in our business, to be successful, we would need to hit the target every time. What we did not know when

we developed our logo is that people would think the emblem looked like cupid and we would sometimes be known as corporate matchmakers for executive talent. Rather than being upset with this alternative interpretation, we realized that it fit into our life plan, since “fun” was one of the things we wanted to accomplish in our business. Now we use the fact that our logo also looks like cupid during our discussion, and it adds humor and helps us stand apart from the competition.

Our motto is that “we are only as good as our last search.” We are a professional services business and our business is generated by our product and our product is people. Our reputation is built on the care we have for our clients to recruit talented individuals that fit culturally and are qualified to accomplish the organization’s vision.

It turns out that starting my own business was not as risky as I thought.

In fact, I could not be happier with my decision. My business allows me to

meet the most interesting people and organizations all over the world. Our clients vary from privately held to publicly traded; from multi-million to multi-billion dollars in revenue. But what connects them all is our “no jerk” policy. You may ask what a “no jerk” policy is. In 2000, I realized that some of the people that I was working for and working with were jerks and that I was not having much fun working with them. So I decided going forward that I was not going to work with jerks and added this to my life plan. Since then I have been jerk free. My rationale is that if you don’t have jerk clients, then you won’t have to find jerks to work for them.

And it also meant that when we started our own business, we only wanted to work with people who we thought were not only competent, but that we liked. So even though the work may be challenging, we are fortunate to be surrounded with mutual respect and a great deal of fun.

I once read an inspiring book entitled This time I dance! Creating the work you love by Tama J. Kieves. The story tells of how one Harvard lawyer left it all, to have it all. The premise is “If you’re this successful doing work you don’t love, what could you do with work you do love?” Tama asks the intriguing question: How do you find out what you love? And she provides the following responses: a) Focus on what you love; do not think in terms of a job. i. Do not think in terms of what will pay the bills. ii. Do not think in terms of the known job market, credentials or experience. iii. Do not discount something because it is fun or easy or you can’t yet see the value it might have in the market place. b) Focus on your desire instead of the obstacles. i. Whatever you focus on, you strengthen. ii. Desire gives you strength to overcome obstacles, problem-solve, network, discover hidden resources.

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iii. Commit to your path first, before you see the “how” of it. Resolve brings resources, new perspectives and opportunities. iv. The mother picks up a car to save a pinned child. She is motivated by desire and does not hesitate.

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■ ■

My advice to anyone who is waking up wondering “how did I get here?” is to: ■ Identify your talents and capitalize on those talents by taking a chance to do something you love.

■ Develop your own personal life plan — write it in pencil and feel free to change it as you gain new insights and leanings to match the life you want to create.

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Take fear, money and time out of the equation as they are all pitfalls that will hold you back. If you truly do what you love, you will have all of the money that you need provided to you.

Surround yourself with individuals that will support your ambitions.

Before asking what these individuals can do for you, ask them what you can do for them.

Recognize that “pay it forward” is not just another catch phrase, it is a reality of life.

Behave in ways that you want others to treat you. Lead by example. Look for the good, even in a bad situation.

Follow your gut instincts, if it feels right, then go for it!

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Theta Xi Chapter installed Nov. 20, 2010 PHOTO BY NATALIE HINOJOS

New initiates of Theta Xi Chapter: Ismalia Almaraz Vilma Alvarez Brianna Arciva Rain Arrendondo Kelly Ayers Janet Bernal Stephanie Cabral Iris Carrasco Cristina Cervantes Jessica Deharo Robin Delgado Mayra Fernandez Gabriela Flores Jeanette Galvan Wendy Galvan Brenda Garcia Jessica Garcia Rocio Gomez Priscilla Iglesias Jennifer Johnson Ivonne LeBlanc Amanda Leyva Elizabeth Marquez Kim Martinez Kristian Mendoza Sylvia Munoz Nancy Ojeda Alexia Pena Yvette Perez Amanda Sanchez Denise Saucedo Cynthia Sosa Deane Sosa Krystal Soto Chantell Thompson Carla Torres Mayra Torres Stephanie Trejo Jasmine Zubia

Gifts were received from: Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter Mid-Michigan Crown Alumnae Chapter Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter Dallas Alumnae Chapter Buffalo, NY, Alumnae Chapter Zeta Sigma Chapter, University of the Incarnate Word, TX

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B Y M A U R E E N H O E H N E ,

Leadership Consultant The weekend of Nov. 20, 2010, was a special culmination of 12 weeks of work by 40 women at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). These women were the newly initiated members of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s newest chapter, Theta Xi. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large university with more than 20,000 students. The small, but mighty, Greek community of about 400 students has already made a special place for Alpha Sigma Alpha. Currently there are two other NPC groups on campus, Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Xi Delta.

The first members of the UTEP colony began their journey as members of Alpha Sigma Alpha on Aug. 21, 2010, with the arrival of their leadership consultant Maureen Hoehne, .

Only hours after Maureen’s arrival, the colony’s first Phoenix Degree Service was held for 17 women. These 17 women were members of a local sorority called New Delta. The original 17 members then added 22 more new members during formal recruitment. Over the next several weeks, the women worked hard recruiting to meet their target of 40. “The road to installation and initiation was long and sometimes tough for our girls, but we aspired, sought and finally attained. Learning the Ritual of Alpha Sigma Alpha made the hard journey all worthwhile, and we will forever give of ourselves freely to Alpha Sigma Alpha and its members,� said Priscilla Iglesias, Theta Xi colony treasurer, installation chairman and newly elected chapter president.

Friday night, Nov. 19, the colony held a reception on campus, open to faculty and staff, parents and family and other fraternal organization representatives and members.

Following the reception, there was time for the members to get to know the national representatives in town for the installation.

Saturday morning the women met at the Camino Real Hotel in El Paso where the Sanctuary Degree Service was held, followed by the chapter installation and the installation of chapter officers. The installation weekend continued with the white luncheon and evening banquet where the chapter charter was presented.

The women of Theta Xi were able to share their weekend with some special guests.

National guests included Kim Benson, - , vice president of finance; Jess Bridwell McKenna, , Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation chairman; Katie Matis, , membership growth coordinator; Leigh Ann Greathouse Levy, , District 7 education coaching team leader and installing officer; and Maureen Hoehne, , leadership consultant.

Greek advisor Wendy Kane attended the reception Friday evening as well as the white luncheon and banquet Saturday. The group was honored with the presence of Ryan Holmes, assistant dean of students, who was the guest speaker for the Saturday banquet. The chapter’s advisor, Bianca Martinez, who has been with the group for two years when it was a local chapter, was able to share Saturday evening with the women as well.

This memorable weekend could not have been more perfect for the Theta Xi women and guests. “It was an honor and, quite simply put, a blast working with the women of Theta Xi Chapter as they prepared for their installation.

They simply just have it. I am so proud with how everything seemed so easy for them. The weekend was fantastic and it was because these sweet, fun and strong women put so much into it. The spirit of Alpha Sigma Alpha is naturally in them, and they will definitely leave a legacy in the national organization,� said Katie Matis, membership growth coordinator.

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F OUNDATION NEWS

Chapters rise to the Foundation District Day challenge B Y N A Y D I A S P E A R S M I L L S , Foundation Development Coordinator

Foundation to host weekend getaway in Las Vegas!

Staff and trustees for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation are excited to invite alumnae and friends to the first-ever alumnae getaway weekend in sunny Las Vegas.

Mark your calendars for the weekend of Aug. 5–7, 2011. The weekend will feature dinner and a show on Friday evening, optional tours and activities on Saturday and conclude with a champagne brunch on Sunday morning. The event is open to all alumnae and attendees are encouraged to bring friends, family and guests as well.

“We really wanted to be able to give alumnae members the opportunity to reconnect with chapter sisters, fellow volunteers and friends in a fun-filled environment. This will be a great alumnae-only opportunity especially for the many women who only see each other at the biennial national convention & leadership conference,” said Foundation Chairman Jessica Bridwell McKenna, .

Travel and hotel accommodations costs are on your own. A room block will be available. Registration is open and includes multiple packages to fit your desired adventure and budget. Visit www.alphasigmaalpha.org/foundation or find the event on Facebook by searching for Foundation Vegas Getaway 2011! For questions please contact Naydia Spears Mills, development coordinator, at (317) 713-1924 or email her at nmills@alphasigmaalpha.org.

WWWD? (What Would Wilma Do?) More than 80 years ago, Mrs. Wilma Wilson Sharp, , University of Central Missouri, made decisions for Alpha Sigma Alpha that changed the direction of the sorority for decades to come. Because of her legacy, the Foundation named a society in her honor.

The Wilma Wilson Sharp Society recognizes members who include the Foundation as a beneficiary of their wills, life insurance policies, retirement plans or testamentary trusts or annuities. Members of the society are recognized at the national convention & leadership conference.

For more information about joining this society, visit the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation website at www.alphasigmaalpha.org/foundation or contact us at (317) 713-1924.

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The 2010–11 District Day events raised more than $30,000 for the Foundation.

In addition to raffles sponsored by local alumnae chapters, sky of inspiration donations and new 1901 Society and repeat giving donations, chapters from District 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9 also participated in a Foundation challenge, hosted by the district facilitators.

The Foundation challenge began in District 8 as part of the 2009–10 District Day event. Carol Jensen, , district facilitator, engineered the idea by offering an ice cream social goodie basket to the collegiate or alumnae chapter that creatively raised the most money for the Foundation. After seeing the outstanding success of this challenge, Carol shared her idea with other district facilitators.

Winning chapters were selected in each participating district. In District 2, Delta Iota Chapter, University of Delaware, won for the largest donation, and Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Millersville University, PA, won for most creative fundraiser. In District 8, Gamma Lambda Chapter, Loyola University, IL, won for largest donation, and Zeta Beta Chapter, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, took the prize for most creative fundraiser.

In District 7, Beta Beta Chapter, University of Northern Colorado, won both categories.

Theta Beta Chapter, Roanoke College, VA, also won both in District 4. In District 9, Phi Phi Chapter, Northwest Missouri State University, won for the most creative fundraiser and Zeta Zeta Chapter, University of Central Missouri, won for largest donation.

The Foundation experienced incredible success from District Day. Thanks to all chapters and volunteers who made this outstanding success possible.

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D istrict news

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Relationships 1. Seven Delta Kappa Chapter members from the University of Southern Indiana were initiated into the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Order of Omega in Nov. 2010. From left: Lily Mattingly, Amy Neuner, Mandi Luttrell, Amy Martin, Caitlin Kapps and Maria Jalipour-Esfaphani.

Not pictured: Brooke Armbruster. 2. Women from the Zeta Phi Chapter, Illinois Institute of Technology, pose at their fall formal which they call Adelphia. From left: Amber Ulasich, Erin Chapman, Elyse Doll, Laura Klicker, Gwen Parker, Neli Perales, Kathy Asztalos, Cassie Godette and Chrissy Ho. 3. On Nov. 6, 2010, the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter and members of the Zeta Chi Chapter from Niagara University, NY, enjoyed Founders’ Day with a luncheon at Bing’s restaurant in Amherst, NY. 4. The women of the Beta Pi Chapter, Concord University, WV, pose for their Christmas photo. The photo was featured on Christmas cards the women sent to the alumnae members of the chapter.

5. The Des Moines, IA, Alumnae Chapter got together to celebrate the Christmas holiday by collecting new children's books for Blank Children's Hospital. This annual philanthropic project allows children staying in the hospital during the holidays the opportunity to have new books. From left: Stacy Williams Horner, , Nancy Nelson McGraw, , Faith Chapman McGee, , Heidi Onstot Johnson, , Roxi Rabe Beck, , and Nikki Tews, . 6. Boston Alumnae Chapter members and their families had an apple picking event in September 2010. From row from left: Connor McKinnon, Jackson Comperchio and Eavan McKinnon. Back row from left: Wendy Corr, , Amanda Felty Comperchio, , Gina Nagy McKinnon, , Brent McKinnon, Amy Fritz, , and Dawn Eades, .

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1. The Zeta Lambda Chapter, Rowan University, NJ, went pumpkin picking during fall 2010 for a sisterhood bonding activity. From left: Samantha Marx, Iris Leibowitz, Sarah Pickell, LaTonya Moore, Stephanie Sleet, Jenna Kong, Staci Lincoln, Danielle Nesbit, Eva Guido, Laura Agudelo and Caitlin Babcock.

2. The Dallas Alumnae Chapter celebrated Founders’ Day. 3. The Greater Atlanta Alumnae Chapter delegation with Deb Fields Dietrich, , District 6 facilitator, back right, at District Day in Memphis, TN. 4. The Twin Cities All Stars Alumnae Chapter and Zeta Beta Collegiate Chapter, University of WisconsinRiver Falls, celebrated Founders’ Day together. The two chapters gathered for dinner at the Machine Shed in Lake Elmo, MN. 5. Members of the Greater Kansas Alumnae Chapter, MO, pose for a minute before they took the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Jan. 29, 2011. From left: Holly Beer, , Jessica Green, , Erin Donegan, , Carolyn Bitz, , and Heather Riley, .

6. The Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Millersville University, PA, raised $5,000 for the S. June Smith Center through their homecoming charity queen fundraising.

The chapter welcomed Ken Harrison, executive director of the S. June Smith Center, to their chapter meeting to personally present him with their donation.

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N ews & events

2012 Alpha Sigma Alpha National Convention & Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, VA Alpha Sigma Alphas, we are going back to the state where our sisterhood began, Virginia, for our 47th biennial national convention & leadership conference. We can’t wait to hit the beach July 11–15, 2012, for the event. Virginia is home to eight collegiate chapters and more than 4,000 alumnae.

With this many Alpha Sigma Alphas already in the area, we hope this will be one of our biggest and best conventions yet.

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Partnership with GEICO insurance Alpha Sigma Alpha has begun a partnership with GEICO to offer discounted rates to qualified applicants. As a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, you could qualify for an exclusive member savings opportunity.

GEICO will be sending a mailing at their expense in April to Alpha Sigma Alpha alumnae members.

Contact GEICO today by visiting Alpha Sigma Alpha’s personalized GEICO website www.geico.com/landingpage/ go51.htm?logo=17961 or by calling 1-800-368-2734. Don’t forget to mention your Alpha Sigma Alpha affiliation to see how much your membership could save you.

(GEICO does not own Alpha Sigma Alpha’s mailing list and does not sell it to third-party vendors.)

SPRING 2011

From the Archives

1989 READER’S GUIDE The Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the official quarterly publication of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, has been published continuously since 1914.

Its mission is to reflect the character of the organization and its members and to communicate the goals and direction of the sorority and Foundation.

Contact us Post us: The Phoenix, Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268 E-mail us: ebutts@alphasigmaalpha.org Call us: (317) 871-2920; for magazine questions, select ext. 20 Fax us: (317) 871-2924 Visit us: www.alphasigmaalpha.org

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Collegians enjoy the first Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute in 1989.

How to receive the Phoenix All collegiate members and alumnae members receive the Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Individual copies are mailed to each member’s permanent address and a few are sent to the chapter editor or the chapter house.

Parents and guardians Your daughter’s magazine is being sent to your address while she is in college.

We hope you enjoy reading it too.

If she is not in college, or is no longer living at home, please send us her new permanent address (see below).

How to change an address You can send address changes to the mailing address listed above or e-mail your old and new addresses to asa@alphasigmaalpha.org. You may also call us at (317) 871-2920, ext. 110.

How to get published

How to send a letter to the editor

Collegiate chapters and alumnae chapters: Each editor is a correspondent for the Phoenix magazine.

View deadlines and photo requirements listed below. Chapter updates and photos must be submitted via e-mail to ebutts@alphasigmaalpha.org. If you have news about an individual alumna, please send information to ebutts@alphasigmaalpha.org or send information to the address above.

We always welcome your comments— both criticism and praise—about this publication. E-mail ebutts@ alphasigmaalpha.org or send mail to Editor, Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Photo requirements

General deadlines for submissions Fall issue: June 10 Winter issue: Sept. 10 Spring issue: Dec. 10 Summer issue: March 10

Please e-mail only high resolution photos at least 500kb in size. Only pictures that are of good quality can be used. Pictures that are blurry or have been scanned do not produce well and therefore cannot be used. Pictures should tell a story of what is happening.

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“As a member of the Arista Alumnae Association, I have the opportunity to support the values and encourage the friendships of Alpha Sigma Alpha women.

It strengthens my commitment to women who are, and will be, serving, leading and making a difference.

Membership is a practical option to honor the sorority that has given me countless positive life experiences.�

Denise C. Ferree, Central Pennsylvania Alumnae Chapter president Epsilon Kappa Chapter standards advisor