Gamma Phi Beta - University of Kansas

SIGMA NEWS 2 "Sigma was one of my first exposures to thinking about others in a philanthropic way. Some of the service work that we did as a chapter meant a lot to me," Carole said. "Also, just making that group of friends was really important. The friendships just seemed to grow stronger with the work that we were doing to try to help our college community and the Lawrence community." A er growing up in Fredonia, Kansas, Carole didn't know anyone at KU when she ventured to Lawrence for her freshman year. Carole quickly developed friendships with her Sigma sisters while enjoying formal dinners with Mom Kennedy, formal events, and mixers. She was also a cheerleader for the year she lived in the chapter house and was showered with support from her sisters. "When I'd be on the football field and see all those smiling faces of the sisters that I lived with, those were probably some of the biggest highlights for me," Carole said. From cheering on the Jayhawks to owning the Angels, Carole's love for Gamma Phi Beta has remained true and constant. You can connect with Carole at carole. moreno.26@gmail.com. Knocking It Out of the Park with Philanthropy Carole Jackson Moreno '75 and her husband, Arte, with the first class of Angels Scholars graduates. (Con nued on page 2) "I was caught completely off guard and very honored. For the Gamma Phi Foundation to reach out to me was really special and very flattering. I feel very fortunate to do what we do in the area of philanthropy. For someone else to recognize that, like Gamma Phi did, meant a lot to me." A lthough she grew up as a K-State fan, Jordan Heath '16 felt at home at KU the first me she visited. "I stepped on campus on the most perfect fall day and didn't want to go anywhere else," she said. There was something about Lawrence as a whole that she loved, and she spent as much me as possible enjoying it, even a er the COVID-19 pandemic changed the ending of her senior year. Her career path also took an unexpected turn. But much like she tried something new by joining Gamma Phi Beta, Jordan accepted a posi on outside the realm of sports management that has afforded her an opportunity to learn the ropes of an alterna ve professional path. "When spring break was extended, I went home to Florida. I felt like I was sulking for a week and then classes went en rely online," she said. "I saw that K-State had canceled gradua on, and that's when it hit me. I thought, So what's going to happen to the rest of my senior year?" Jordan and her roommates decided to go back to Lawrence for their last three months as seniors. They were in disbelief, but hopeful and made the best of that situa on by spending as much me together as they could before their lives took them in different direc ons. "We cherished those last few months. It was a ma er of telling myself that unfortunately I didn't have control over the situa on, but I was going to have to make this a posi ve thing," she shared. "It was hard at first with all the ques on marks and unknowns, but I pushed through it." The biggest unknown for Jordan were her plans a er gradua on. While her college job as the KU men's basketball office assistant coupled with her degree in sports management prepared her for her desired professional path, she had to switch gears due to COVID-19. She moved to Kansas City in June to be a real estate agent's administra ve assistant; she took her exam in August to obtain a license to become a real estate agent when she's ready. "Sports completely shut down, so a lot of places I'd applied to said they were on a hiring freeze. I was ge ng frustrated and impa ent when another opportunity came up, so I thought, Why not? Why not learn something new?" she said. "I'm excited to see what it's like moving forward. My game plan right now is to learn the ropes from the administra ve side and become a full blown agent when the me is right. Although it's a new direc on for me, I'm up for the challenge." Another posi ve note about her new career is that it's brought her closer to her brother, Nick, who joined the 40-man roster for the Kansas City Royals in November and lives 10 minutes away from her now. "I had this grand plan to move out of Kansas and go explore the country, but I ended up in Kansas City at the same me as my brother. We haven't been this close in years," she shared. "I'm sad I can't be in the stands cheering him on, but that means next year will be even be er." Jordan is grateful for her Gamma Phi Beta experience, the confidence it gave her to try new things, and all the wonderful memories she made with her Sigma Chapter sisters. She enjoyed serving as chapter president and has appreciated her sisters sharing their excitement of watching Nick play for the Royals. You can connect with Jordan at heathjordan0@gmail.com. JORDAN HEATH '16 DRAFTED NEW POST-GRADUATION GAME PLAN DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC Jordan Heath '16 (right) with her grandmother, Margaret, brother, Nick, and mom, Kim, at Fan Fest.

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