Sigma Kappa - Purdue University

F rom the moment Pat Buchanan '59 met the Sigma Kappas during recruitment, she was drawn to their passion for scholastic achievement and campus involvement. Being a part of Beta Sigma even helped Pat graduate from Purdue, as her sisters would stay up late helping her with her studies. Through her membership, she not only gained valuable friends, but she also learned social skills, how to work and communicate with different people, time management, and how to be a team player. Pat has fond memories of her undergraduate days, including the senior skirts the members wore to football games. "I remember making them with my activities painted on the skirt," she recalled. "We also had a tradition where we would hide our skirts so they could not be stolen by the pledges. My mom had them canned as green beans—and no one found them!" Pat also loved participating in recruitment and welcoming her mom and aunt for Mom's Weekend. "I still remember them trying to sleep in a cold dorm in a bunk bed." Following her time at Purdue, Pat earned her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri while working full time. She then worked for the University of Illinois, where she held several administrative positions and enjoyed being a regional director for 16 counties in the middle of Illinois. She retired as assistant dean of the College of Agriculture and Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Throughout her career, Pat served as president of two national extension organizations: National Association of Extension Home Economists and Epsilon Sigma Phi. She was honored to receive the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence. Pat also received the Ruby Award—the highest honor given to an extension employee. "This award required the recipient to give a speech. I prepared the speech—It Takes All of Us—made handouts, read many books and practiced for weeks before the presentation to the 2,000 attendees at the opening banquet, and it turned out to be a defining moment in my career that I have been very grateful to have experienced." For her achievements in education, Pat received the Sigma Kappa Colby Award. She also served Sigma Kappa as Epsilon Mu Corporation Board president at the University of Missouri for 24 years. She helped acquire a chapter house to which they made renovations and improvements, including a complete remodel of the exterior of the house. In her free time, Pat enjoys machine embroidery, which allows her to be creative and provide special gifts to family and friends. She also enjoys attending Mizzou sporting events, reading, and planning special events. Embracing her philanthropic spirit developed in Sigma Kappa, Pat volunteers for several philanthropic organizations that support women. She and her husband, Tom, have been fortunate to fund several scholarships, including one for Indiana 4-H members and one at Purdue University for the College for Health and Human Sciences. "I always wanted to give back to Beta Sigma in appreciation for what I gained from being a member," Pat shared. "A Beta Sigma scholarship has recently been established to encourage another Sigma Kappa in her college journey." 4 Achievements in Education P A T B U C H A N A N ' 5 9 R E C E I V E S M U L T I P L E R E C O G N I T I O N S The following Beta Sigma sisters contributed to the Beta Sigma Scholarship Endowment at the SK Foundation between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024. Thank you for your support! BETA SIGMA SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTORS Jean Darr Chaney '58 Ashley Donley '06 Christie Gillespie '85 Judith Springer Hale '60 Adrienne Kleman Murrill '98 Nancy Yang Sheps '87 Thank You, Loyal Sisters! YOU CAN CONNECT WITH PAT AT SISSY.BUCHANAN@GMAIL.COM.

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