Chi Omega - Oklahoma State University

Χ Ω 2 The Tau Beta Hoot "To Be Womanly Always; To Be Discouraged Never." Tau Beta Alumna Tess Maune '04 Lives by These Words from the Chi Omega Symphony T ess Maune '04 wasn't initially sold on the idea of being a part of a sorority, but after her mom encouraged her to go through recruitment she changed her mind. It was when Tess met the ladies of Chi Omega through the recruitment process that she saw the shining standards and core values of the sorority; plus they seemed like a lot of fun to her! "I knew almost instantly that I wanted to go Chi O," Tess said. "My sisters were driven, focused, and encouraging, which made it easy to stay, and made me proud to call myself a Chi O!" During her time in the Tau Beta Chapter House, Tess enjoyed the little things such as Chapter on Monday nights, chatting with her sisters during freshman year study hours, walking to class together, doing makeup together before a fun evening out, and sitting around with all the girls reliving a date party from the night before. She also enjoyed the traditions in Stillwater surrounding the university, especially when she served as the Homecoming director in 2005. One of the best parts of living in the house was that Tess had a built-in support system around the clock, and her biggest regret was only living in during her sophomore year. She advises that active members consider living in for an extra year. "You only get one chance," Tess said. "Living in the Chi Omega house is such a brief and special moment in your life. It flies by, so take a break from all the studying and embrace every second of being a carefree college kid with your sisters. You'll miss it, and you'll miss them!" Tess graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism in 2007. After graduation, she went on to work as a television news anchor and reporter for various news organizations. She is currently working with KOTV-News on 6 in Tulsa, where she has been since 2012. "I knew from the time I was 10 years old that I wanted to pursue a career in the TV news industry," Tess said. She began her path to working in TV during high school when she interned at her local newspaper. In college, she continued while working for a local TV station and later began applying for jobs in TV across the nation during her final semester at OSU. Throughout her career path, the lessons she learned at Chi Omega have followed her and made a positive impact on her personal and professional life. These lessons helped her grow her leadership skills, confidence, and discipline. One of the greatest gifts from her time in Greek life came from the words of the Chi Omega Symphony, "to be womanly always; to be discouraged never." "I can't count how many times I've referred to that one line to change my outlook and my attitude," Tess said. "For me, there aren't many better words to live by!" Tess returned to the Tau Beta Chapter House for her pledge class's 10-year reunion, and she was impressed at the upgrades that were made since she had last visited. She goes back to Stillwater several times a year, and is always amazed at how much has changed. "I always think the campus couldn't get much more beautiful," Tess said, "but each time I visit it seems to do just that. Even with all the new additions and changes, what stays the same is the feeling I get every time I drive into town… that I'm home." She enjoys the sense of home that she gets from not only Stillwater, but also Chi Omega and all of her sisters. Her pride in Chi Omega has only grown stronger since she graduated by staying in touch with her sisters and making new connections with other Tau Beta's in Northeastern Oklahoma. "Whether they're a doctor, teacher, or stay-at-home mom," Tess said, "I see these strong, empowered, and successful women that I'm connected with and it makes me beam with pride knowing part of the foundation for their success, and mine, was laid during our time in Stillwater as Chi Omegas." When she isn't on TV, Tess is most likely enjoying time in the woods or on the water with her husband, Matt, and their little dog, Muffin. "The thing folks find most surprising about me is that I noodle almost every day in the summer," Tess said. Noodling is an activity that involves catching catfish using only your hands. She went for the first time during a story for News on 6 in 2012, and it's been one of her favorite hobbies ever since. The biggest catch for Tess to date was a 52-pound flathead. You can reach Tess at tess.maune@griffin.news. Alumnae News Lesta Labadie Oliver '52 felt overwhelmed reading the previous newsletter. "The extraordinary love, challenges, and accomplishments of our Chi Omega sisters is beautiful," she says. "Being a Chi Omega is truly a treasure to me, and I am especially proud of Tau Beta!" Lesta lives in Oklahoma City, OK. Janet Dage Utzman '57 turns 80 years old this year! She lives in the active adult community of Robson Ranch in Denton, Texas, where they recently started a Chi Omega alumnae group of 14 sisters. Janet has a Chi-O daughter, Suzann, and together they have attended the Chi Omega Christmas fundraiser in Dallas every year for over 15 years. Nancy Nash Meyer '62 is happy to share that her grandson, Jake Meyer, married Allyson Cain Meyer '14 on February 17, 2018. Jake and Allyson are both '17 OSU graduates. Jake was an OSU Beta like his dad, Brandon, and grandfather, Tim. Nancy and Tim live in Texhoma, OK. Sandra Stuart Cohlmia '65 is a retired teacher. She stays busy serving on the youth committee at her church, participating in a book club, taking a daily yoga class, training to walk half-marathons, gardening, and traveling. Sandy lives in Stillwater, OK. E-mail: sswn@aol.com Elizabeth Clift Nelson '67 and her husband, Robert, moved to Dallas, TX, in June 2017, right after her pledge class's 50-year reunion. They get to see more of their Dallas grandkids and still attend OSU football games with the El Reno grandkids. Beth hopes to get involved with Dallas Chi-O alumnae. E-mail: bethcnelson27@gmail.com Renee Walker Gunkel '81 has practiced law in Atlus, OK, for 31 years. Her son, Preston, recently joined her, and they work together as Gunkel Law Group PLLC. E-mail: renee@gunkellawgroup.com Audrey Hamker '12 has been living and working in Houston, TX, for nearly three years. She has joined the Houston Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter and attended the annual dinner on April 4, 2018. No matter where she goes, Audrey will always find Chi Omega women. E-mail: audrey.hamker@kalypso.com Tau Beta pledge class of 1980 on their annual girls' trip. Front row: Renee Garland Permann, Sue Graham Beck, Ranee Dickey Bugh, Ann Bradshaw, Betty McMurtry, Jana Brand Staples, and Becky Steen. Back row: Annamarie Wey Cooper, Jill Cochran Frye, and Leslie Russell Frazier.

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