Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

3 Alpha Chi Omega F rom the first recruitment party Nancy Greef Cramer '50 attended at ΑΧΩ, she was drawn to the members. Their friendliness, lack of pretense, emphasis on scholarship and authenticity appealed to her and created an instant bond. As an Alpha Chi, Nancy was exposed to many service opportunities, which became the basis for her adult life. Her role as a natural leader began in high school as editor for the school paper. At MU, she served as recruitment chair her junior and senior years, as well as president of Theta Sigma Phi journalism honorary society. She also received the very first Outstanding Senior trophy at MU. Although Nancy was drawn to journalism during college, after graduating and starting a family with four young children, she realized it was not in the cards. Instead, she focused on obtaining her elementary certification and taught for 18 years. After retirement from teaching in 1983, Nancy became a coordinator for the Learning Exchange and organized and constructed a traveling version of Exchange City. "This was interesting work; teaching the teachers how to teach the city, run the shops, make the goods, write checks and keep the account books," she said. After two years in this role, Nancy began her career as an elementary school counselor. Eight years later, she entered graduate school and received her master's and education specialist degrees from UMKC. After 4,000 hours of supervised counseling, she received her professional counseling license. Although her life has been filled with achievements and success, Nancy has experienced tragedy as well. After the loss of her 17-year-old son in a car-train collision, she sought out volunteer opportunities to keep herself busy. This led to serving as president of her school district's National Education Association unit. "I was seeking opportunities in which I could commit myself and energy to help take my mind off my loss," she said. She also wrote letters to her son that are now the basis for a memoir she is writing about the mourning process. She hopes it will bring encouragement to other parents who lose a child. In yet another turn in life, Nancy lost her second husband to suicide after 20 years of marriage. She was left with a small fire suppression business, which she decided to operate. As a business owner, Nancy was able start her world travels. In 17 years she made 63 trips in all, visiting over 55 different countries, some several times. "China was my favorite and I climbed the Great Wall five times, but the British Isles called me even more times. I made and presented many slide shows for non-credit classes over the years to share those marvelous trips." In 2010, almost 80 years young, Nancy took on a new adventure after receiving an offer to sell her business. This shift spurred her to return to her first passion: writing. Nancy had been published in education magazines, but this writing would be different. World War I had been on her mind from volunteering at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. After interviewing 150 families who had a relative in the war, she wrote two volumes of these interviews, as well as a children's book. Her biggest test as a writer was telling the heroic retreat of the Serbian Army in 1915. She traveled to Serbia three times and completed one trip to Scotland to finish her writing. "The book has been well worth my time!" She received an award from the Serbian bishop of the Eastern American Churches and was recognized by various Serbian groups. Nancy sets aside time to write two or three short stories a week, which she shares with her church and apartment neighbors, and gets printed in a local weekly newspaper. "I am fortunate my life continues in such a fulfilling way." Nancy feels she has achieved a measure of success in the areas of life that matter the most: family, health, activities and service to others. "I am grateful for each new day and its opportunities, which often come as a surprise." For the past nine decades, she has lived by these words: accept, believe and accomplish. "To ΑΧΩ, I must add another word: gratitude." Nancy Greef Cramer '50 Wears Many Hats Nancy Greef Cramer '50, far right, on her first trip to China in 1982 Nancy in Croatia in 2015 "My advice to those starting life beyond college, which may involve a career, is to take your time to make decisions. Study the situation from as many angles as possible, assess different viewpoints and write the results on paper. This way, you may be less inclined to let your emotions take command." Nancy's Advice to Young Women: Nancy's Many Hats: Educator Counselor Mother Wife Organizer Writer Her Leadership Roles: Chamber of Commerce Missouri Fire Equipment Distributors President of National Education Association Salvation Army Board Church Residential Organization

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