PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
KPI
Gamma Phi Beta
University of Missouri
P.O. Box 442100
Lawrence, KS 66044-2100
Address Service Requested
G A M M A P H I B E T A A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I S S O U R I
Hilites
Alpha Delta
Save the Date
APRIL 23-25, 2021
P
lease join your sisters to celebrate Alpha
Delta turning 100! Alpha Delta's Centennial
Celebration will be April 23-25, 2021. If you are
interested in serving on the committee, please
contact Megan Valli Minnick '05 at
(314) 229-5870 or megminnick14@gmail.com.
For more information, please check the Gamma Phi
Beta - Alpha Delta Alumnae Facebook group. If
you are not a member and would like
to join, please let Megan know.
B
etty Ashmore Akard '69 grew up an only
child, but when her good friend Debbie
Kruse Seelman '69 invited her to join Gamma
Phi, she found the women she met could fill that
sister void. Her heart would be filled with sisters
who cared about her well-being, were crazy fun,
and who shared serenades, candlelight ceremonies,
and hash meetings that she'll never forget.
Once Betty was ready to enter the professional
world in 1973 armed with her degree in
statistics, she and her husband, Kit, a Missouri
Phi Delt, moved to St. Joseph. At the time, a
career in statistics was nearly impossible to
find. So, Betty hit the books once again, earning
an accounting degree. She was employed by
Larson, Morriss and Co., which later merged
into CliftonLarsonAllen in 1976. "I started as a
staff accountant and retired from the same firm
37 years later as the partner in charge." Betty
was named the firm's first female partner in
charge of an office in 1995. Three years later
she was one of the first women elected to the St.
Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors. "I know the confidence GPB instilled
in me, as well as the opportunities that were
afforded when I served as chapter treasurer,
president, and international CLC, gave me a
strong foundation to succeed as a woman in the
business community, which has historically been
monopolized by men."
To repay Gamma Phi for the opportunities
afforded her, as well as the priceless memories
she holds dear, Betty chose to honor her collegiate
home by donating to It's Our House! The
Campaign for 808 Richmond. "I love that house,
along with all my sisters, who gave me a great
foundation for a successful career." Her home at
808 Richmond was always there regardless of
the day she had, the grade she scored on a test, or
boyfriend issues. She encourages all her sisters to
join her in supporting the campaign. "I wanted to
donate to the capital campaign in order to pay it
forward to other women so they could have the
same wonderful experiences I had!"
Betty gives back to the St. Joseph community
by serving on the Board of Directors of
InterServ, Friends of the Animal Shelter of St.
Joseph (FOTAS), and the finance and Shop St.
Joe committees of the St. Joseph Chamber of
Commerce. She also serves as treasurer of FOTAS
and of the Alpha Delta AHC. In her spare time,
she enjoys traveling and gardening. Reconnect
with Betty by email at betty.akard@gmail.com.
Betty Ashmore Akard '69
Gives Back to Her Home
Chapter President Mia Oberg '16,
Gamma Phi Beta International Executive
Director Megan Smiley Wick, Washington State '93,
AHC President Cindy Gates Wood '77,
Audrey Allen Walsworth '54, and Deborah Bartels
Snead '67 participate in the ribbon cutting
ceremony for Alpha Delta's new chapter house.
Visit Us Online
mizzougammaphibeta.com
f
Gamma Phi Beta - Alpha Delta Alumnae
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Gamma Phi Beta - Alpha Delta Chapter
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@mizzougphi
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mizzougphi
President
Abigail Turner '18
president.mizzougphi@gmail.com
Administrative Vice President
Sadie Harmon '18
Education Vice President
Lauryn Greer '18
Financial Vice President
Isabelle Hall '17
Membership Vice President
Lauren Roither '18
mizzougphi@gmail.com
Public Relations Vice President
Sydney Marino '18
Panhellenic Affairs Vice President
Elizabeth Harla '18
EXECUTIVE BOARD
