National Convention Recap

The 2021 virtual National Convention offered a variety of opportunities for collegians and alumna alike. We are thankful to the many volunteers and sisters who joined us! Your National Sorority Board enjoyed bringing you this year’s convention, and can’t wait for what’s ahead.

Thank you to the ag industry panel volunteers for sharing their experiences and knowledge!

Ag Communications • Emily Upchurch Callison – Iowa Corn –

Government Relations Manager, Sigma Alpha

Alumna University of Tennessee • Lindsay Calvert – Iowa Corn – Leadership

Development Manager • Emily Buck – RFD TV – Washington D.C.

News Bureau Chief, Sigma Alpha Alumna

University of Tennessee

Food Science and Ag Production • Samantha Bryant – Ardent Mills – Quality

Manager, Sigma Alpha Alumna University of

Nebraska Lincoln • Alexis Andershock – University of Tennessee,

Knoxville – Career Coach, Sigma Alpha

Alumna University of Tennessee • Jody Anderson – Cargill – Project Engineer,

Sigma Alpha Alumna South Dakota State

University Agronomy & Horticulture • Katie Farro – Channel Seed – Field

Representative, Sigma Alpha Alumna

Michigan State University • Madelaine Abreu – Site One – Area Nursery

Business Manager

Animal Science & Agribusiness • Tera Baker – Nedap Livestock Management –

Applications & Marketing Manager, Sigma

Alpha Alumna Michigan State University • Amelia Woods – Tyson Foods – Animal

Welfare Specialist • Dr. Casey Langley – Large Animal

Veterinarian – WY, Sigma Alpha Alumna

University of Tennessee • Macy McGuire - Farm Credit , Sigma Alpha

Alumna University of Tennessee • Lockard Cassidy - Tyson Foods - Welfare

Specialist, Sigma Alpha Alumna University of

Tennessee

1st Alpha Psi – Cornell University 2nd Alpha Iota – California State University – Chico 3rd Alpha Kappa – University of Delaware

Lambda – University of California – Davis Alpha Iota – California State University – Chico Alpha Kappa – University of Delaware Alpha Mu – University of Illinois Alpha Chi – University of Missouri – Columbia Alpha Psi – Cornell University

Fellowship:

1st Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College 2nd Alpha Psi – Cornell University 3rd Alpha Iota – California State University – Chico

Scholarship:

1st Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College 2nd Alpha Iota – California State University – Chico 3rd Alpha Kappa – University of Delaware

Leadership:

1st Theta – University of Tennessee 2nd Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College 3rd Omega – South Dakota State University

Service:

1st Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College 2nd Alpha Pi – Texas A&M University 3rd Sigma – Western Illinois University

Beta Omicron – University of Kentucky

Chapter Membership Under 30

1st Alpha Gamma – Southern Illinois University –Carbondale, 91.67% 2nd Alpha Tau – University of Wisconsin – Madison, 25.00% 3rd Alpha Eta, 12.50% – Stephen F. Austin State University

Chapter Membership 30 – 49

1st Upsilon – North Dakota State University, 17.24% 2nd Beta Rho – Southern Arkansas University, 13.95% 3rd Alpha Xi – Missouri State University, 13.16%

Chapter Membership 50+

1st Lambda – University of California – Davis, 43.59% 2nd Alpha Zeta – Tarleton State University, 28.57% 3rd Alpha Beta – Northwest Missouri State University, 16.67%

Outstanding Website: Alpha Chi – University of Missouri – Columbia Outstanding Leader: Sarah Thomas – Pi – Virginia Tech Outstanding Advisor: Deborah Grusenmeyer –Alpha Psi – Cornell University Outstanding Social Media: Alpha Gamma –Southern Illinois University – Carbondale Outstanding Senior: Emilee Stump – Beta Gamma – University of Florida Outstanding New Member: Paige Teeters –Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College

Jennifer McMillan Outstanding Service in Ag:

Gamma Alpha – Wilmington College

Marissa Bradsher – Alpha Iota Alumna Dr. Anna Daniel Reddish – Alpha Omicron Alumna

On Monday, July 19, there was a special virtual alumnae team-building event. The event sent groups of alumnae on a virtual scavenger hunt to create videos, solve riddles, capture photos and many other challenges to score points. 20 alumnae participated in the event, which allowed them to meet other sisters and get to know each other better. Here are a few photos!

Clockwise from upper right—Jessica Graham receiving Board Recognition from Kim Neumann; April Burg receiving Board Recognition from Kim Neumann; a few at home attendees enjoy convention; members of NSB “backstage” at Emerald Banquet learning to FLY; Chapter Consultants learning to FLY during Emerald Banquet.

Our keynote speaker from National Convention, Former Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, Elizabeth McCormick provided a free gift online for all of our members.

Visit SoarYourLife.com to access the online course "Master Your Motivation" at no cost to you! Thank you to Elizabeth for this free gift to Sigma Alpha!

Carmen is an alumna of the Alpha Omicron Chapter. She is a Fulbright Specialist, Army combat veteran, and agricultural education specialist. Carmen started her career as a middle and high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor after earning her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She served as the Curriculum Writer and as a Facilitator for the Sigma Alpha and AGR leadership seminars for three years. Carmen and her two dogs recently relocated to Washington, D.C. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Texas A&M University with an emphasis in Program Evaluation and Non-Profit Management.

Lynn graduated from University of Wisconsin – River Falls in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications. She Lynn began her position as a National Chapter Consultant in 2019. She has been a marketing communications specialist at Kuhn North America, Inc., but recently decided to pursue graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. In her free time, Lynn chairs the newsletter committee for the Public Relations Society of America, likes to farm with her family, spend time with friends, write, bake, and travel.

Andrea graduated from South Dakota State University in 2016 with a degree in Ag Communications and served as president and sisterhood chair at the Omega chapter. In 2020, Andrea served as an AGR/Sigma Alpha Leadership Seminar Facilitator. She is the owner of Avenue A by Andrea, focusing on weddings, portraits and livestock photography. When she isn’t behind the camera or computer, you can find Andrea playing with her sons or traveling to visit extended family on their farms in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Angela graduated in 2016 from California State University – Chico with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in agricultural business. She was vice president and recruitment chair of the Alpha Iota Chapter. Angela is building a “side hustle” of buying, growing, and selling feeder calves. In her spare time, she teaches Jazzercise and manages PR for the Oregon CattleWomen’s Association.