Alpha Chi Omega - University of Kansas

N O T E S O F T H E L Y R E | P A G E 2 Q&A with KMBC 9 News Anchor Haley Harrison-Lee '02 Q: Why did you decide to join Alpha Chi Omega? A: I connected with the philanthropy as I have a relative who is a domestic violence survivor. The cause resonated with me, but it was also the women at Phi Chapter. When I came to Alpha Chi during recruitment, the conversations I was having were genuine and meaningful. It was clear this was a chapter full of ambitious, strong, and smart young women. It didn't hurt that they couldn't stop talking about Mark's food and how good it was. Q: What did your undergraduate experience with the Phi Chapter mean to you? A: Alpha Chi came into my life at this really important time when I was figuring out who I was and more importantly, who I was not. Through the sorority, I was forced to meet people and have experiences I would not have otherwise. The chapter forced me to get involved at KU, in and out of the house. I found a sister who became a mentor for me in the journalism school. A real turning point for me was receiving the John Edward Hurley Jr. Scholarship from the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. It was validation that someone believed in me and wanted to support my hard work. It was a shot of confidence that elevated my academics and further drove my work ethic. Q: Were there any alumnae/sisters who made a strong impact on you? A: Absolutely! Johanna Maska '00 and Anna Clovis Ritchie '01 come to mind. They're natural leaders and smart women who followed their dreams and, with hard work, made them reality. Q: What makes ΑΧΩ so special? A: The women, rightly, put importance on education and leadership without taking themselves too seriously. We know how to have fun, too. Q: What are some of your favorite memories? A: One of the best days of my college experience was a snow day my sophomore year. We ran over to the hill and went sledding for what seemed like hours. We laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. When we couldn't stand the cold any longer, we came back to the house where Mark had hot cocoa waiting for us. Then my junior year, we were in Rock Chalk Revue. We made great memories during the rehearsals, the performances, and at the after- show party. An annual tradition I always loved were the serenades. It still makes me laugh thinking about those awkward, freshmen guys in their finest khakis and sport coats, singing outside the front steps. They were so adorable! Q: Have you stayed involved with ΑΧΩ over the years? A: Several times, leading up to recruitment, I've been honored to be asked to come back to the house to speak with members. I'm always sure to stop in and say "hi" to Mom Pat when I'm at the house, too. I want her to know that I turned out to be a functional adult. Q: What did you do after graduation? A: In addition to journalism, I studied political science. The summer after graduation, I did an internship in then- Congressman Dennis Moore's Washington, D.C., office. That fall I started my career in television news. My first gig was at 6News in Lawrence. I've worked as a news anchor and reporter in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and then Kansas City where I now work. I anchor KMBC 9 News at 5 p.m. and the news at 9 p.m. on KCWE-TV, Monday-Friday. Tune in and join us! Q: Tell a bit about your family. A: Deron and I met in a class in the j-school. In fact, he picked me up for our first date in the parking lot of Alpha Chi. I lied and told my roommates I was going to a study group because I didn't think the date would go anywhere. Boy, was I wrong. Fifteen years later, we have two smart and funny girls, Caroline (5) and Margot (10 months). IN MEMORIAM Betty Cave Vanslyck '41 passed away November 30, 2018, at the age of 97. Betty was married to Harold VanSlyck, who preceded her in death. They had three children (Hal, Cindy, and Joyce), six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Betty was proud to receive her 75th Alpha Chi pin a few years ago. Beverly Waters '43 passed away on October 8, 2018, and was laid to rest next to her parents' grave site in Denver. She was always proud of her Phi Chapter affiliation. Janet Murphy '68 passed away on March 12, 2017. ALUMNAE NEWS Marianne Rogers MacCurdy '47 still enjoys receiving the newsletter. She reports she is blessed to be in good health at age 90. Her husband, George, also a KU graduate, died in December 2018. Marianne just moved to a new retirement place, Colonial Village in Overland Park. She has fond memories of living at the old ΑΧΩ house, which is now the KU alumni center. Mary Anne Wolf McClure '49 reports that a group of Alpha Chi alumnae who live in Lawrence get together once a month for lunch on the second Wednesday of the month. If there are any other alumnae who live in Lawrence who want to join them, please call her at (785) 842-3514. Jane Hanna Reeble '50 still drives to Green Valley, Ariz., each year. 2018 marked her 37th year. Many of her friends there are ΑΧΩ alumnae from all over the country. "I am so lucky!" Carol Barker Euritt '56 says she had an opportunity to travel later in life, which was always a passion of hers. Now, she just enjoys her later years at her home in Lee's Summit, Mo. Email: caroleuritt@gmail.com Rosa Lind Fuchs '58 married her husband in Washington, D.C., in 1962 and worked for TV Guide. Her son, Brian, was born in 1964 and they moved to Albany, N.Y., in 1970. She began working as a sub teacher for the Albany Public Schools in 1972 as an Ed Aide and formed the aide union in 1974. She retired from the APS in 1985 and her husband died in 1997. Rosa's son is married and lives in Albany. She has a granddaughter, Shayla, who began at UNM in 2018, and a grandson, Steven who attends community college. Betsy Brown Tacchella '62 published her third book in 2018, Come Walk the Narrow Path With Me. All her books are available on Amazon. Betsy lives in Sturgis, Mich. Email: tacchella@hotmail.com Virginia Bliesner Colburn '64 says that 15 sisters from the years '64-'66 from the Lawrence and Wichita Alumnae Update (Continued on page 4)

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