Kappa Delta - Florida State University

Kappa Alpha Chapter Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of November 22, 2019 Goal: $1,000,000 Total Raised: $695,333 Number of Contributors: 194 Number of Active Alumnae: 1,882 Sally Shoemaker Scott '81 In memory of Frances White Shoemaker '46 Tiffanie Chism Webster, LSU '81 In honor of Hannah Webster '13 Laurye Strickland Messer '82 Nancy Mullikin Waddill '82 Jana Stauffer Pennekamp '83 Elizabeth McClure Benoist '84 In memory of Florina Davis McClure '23 Amie Avitable Amacher '85 In memory of Sandra Cole Avitable '59 Teresa Brockman Colling '86 Harris Family Gift Janice Harris '86 Angela Carnline Durham '88 Susan Swift Faris '88 In memory of Laura Ingram '88 and Sabrina Dreggors Brees '89 Terri McNerney Kinsey '88 Darcy Tippett Leahy '88 In honor of Beth Martin Langford '78 Jill Folino Spector '88 In memory of Laura Ingram '88 and Sabrina Dreggors Brees '89 Lisa Holmes Nichols '90 Colleen O'Sullivan McKay '91 Beth Goode Wimberly '91 In memory of Becky Sperry Wells '78 Yvonne Garcia Newman '92 In honor of Angelique Barrett Manzi '93 Sara Dewberry Bremerman '93 Meredith McLean DaSilva '93 Lesley Peterson Mauldin '93 Arden Fryefield Wimberly '00 Jill Chandler Trudeau '05 Lauren Lee Doster '08 In memory of Becky Sperry Wells '78 3 C onnection. Friendship. Relationships. We are not meant to do life alone. At times it is hard and messy. We have got to find our people. The ones who "get us." Who understand us. Who will walk side by side with us as well as celebrate and have fun with us. We have to "find our Becky." If not in one person then in several. Kappa Delta is a foundation for this and we found it inside the walls of 555 West Jefferson Street. It is on us to connect, or reconnect, and invest in each other. Kappa Delta was just a thing I was going to do. I didn't understand how KΔ would impact my life not only in college but for decades to come! I was not a legacy, nor did I have much connection with Greek life. After graduating from high school in Jacksonville, my parents moved to NJ shortly thereafter, so connection and roots were important to me and I found that in KΔ. Then after I got married (to Mark, who I met during Greek Week) we moved many times and connection continued to be important. I had to be intentional. Kappa Delta was a wonderful way for me to plug in—either through the alumnae associations or serving on CAB. Like-minded people in a new town is so comforting! When we moved to Memphis another connection occurred—Beth Martin Langford '78 introduced me to Leigh Anne Tuohy, University of Mississippi '79 from the movie The Blind Side. She was looking for someone to work for her and Beth suggested I talk to her. I was not ready for a job nor had time, but thought meeting her would be fun. So, we met, we clicked, and now eight years later, I continue to work for her. If not for Kappa Delta, this connection wouldn't have happened. There is something special when your boss says, "Now this is AOT…" Or when describing someone we can say, "She would be like the rush chair, or Chapter president," and immediately we understand the type of personality the other is describing. Kappa Delta provided that foundation. Sabrina Dreggors Brees '89 and Laura Ingram '88 were two beautiful women that we had the privilege of connecting with. When Sabrina passed in July, a few short months ago, it was very surprising since we just saw her joyful self and big personality two years ago. It was very sad yet provided a catalyst to do something. Naming a room in her honor became the mission and many gave generously. More surprising news, just a week later, we learned that Laura passed. She was so fun and always up for adventure. The desire to do more grew and more people gave. And reached out. And connected. As a result, we are able to name not only one but two rooms in their honor in our home away from home at 555 W. Jefferson Street. Their passing reminded so many of us of our connection, bond, time together and how important friendship is. We have a handful of sisters from our class who have daughters that pledged KΔ this fall not only at FSU but other schools as well. It brings such joy knowing these girls have the opportunity to have what we had. "May we each day through love of those within our circle, learn to know and understand better those without our circle." This is my heartbeat. This is what propels me each day. This is why I continue to be involved in KΔ and contribute to the capital campaign. We can all do something. Whether it is $50, $500, $5,000 or more, each dollar will help ensure girls in the future can have what we had. My kids don't go to FSU (Max is in his fourth year at Northeastern in Boston, and Sheridan is a sophomore at Samford in Birmingham), and my daughter is not a KΔ (she's an ADPi), so some might say why contribute to something you will not directly benefit from. The answer is simple… because I already have and continue to do so. Each and every day. And I'm grateful. If not for KΔ! Remembering Kappa Delta Bonds By Tracy Follas Jarrells '88 Leslie Neely Rupp '76, Teresa Zontek Finley '78, Beth Goode Wimberly '91, Sabrina Dreggors Brees '89, Beth Martin Langford '78, Shanna Sharpe Davis '90, Christie Cutajar Stavres '88, and Tracy Follas Jarrells '88. Kappa Alphas at Convention 2015

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