Gamma Phi Beta - University of Iowa

fall 2013 Rh o Ch apter of Gamma P h i B e ta at th e Un i v e rsi ty of I o wa Renovations Completed on Schedule and within Budget T he Rho House Corporation is excited to share that our successful summer remodeling and repairs were accomplished on time and on budget! The critical need was to replace four floors of corroded plumbing pipes in the original house. Walls and ceilings also needed to be replaced. In all, our contractor removed more than 17 tons of cement, brick, wood, and plaster before rebuilding the rooms. Once the demolition was complete, crews began installing second- and third-floor air conditioning to both sides of the house, new ventilation in the bathrooms, new plumbing, electrical, dry-wall, and tile. The main floor powder room was remodeled to be handicapped accessible by opening up the former closet wall and enlarging the bathroom. We thank our contractor, RoCon Construction in Coralville, and our architects, Accord Architecture in Mason City, for helping us with this tremendous undertaking. This fall, we hope alumni visiting Iowa City will stop in to visit Rho— especially on game days! Our house director's phone is (319) 321-3422. Coffee is always on! We also welcome Erica Kaaldenberg, Omega '02, to our House Corporation. Erica is working on her Ph.D. in special education at the U of I and is our new vice president. Loyally, Rhonda Staley, Gamma Psi '71 Rho House Corporation Property Manager (319) 321-2404 Rho Chapter Sisterhood Never Ends Spotlight on Pam TOWNSEND Postal '67 E ven 47 years after she pledged Rho Chapter Pam Townsend Postal '67 can still remember the words to all of the Gamma Phi songs. Memories of her pledge class of 22 women bonding, delighting in one another, and encouraging each other are still fresh in her mind. "I hope our pledge trainer, Mary Sue McGimpsey '65, knows that she succeeded, as we are still bonded, lifting one another up today in our circumstances as we go through life, prepared, in part, by Gamma Phi Beta," says Pam. Pam Townsend Postal When Pam came to the University of Iowa it was her first time away from home. When '66 as a new member she went through recruitment the Rho Chapter was so warm and friendly everyone wanted in Gamma Phi Beta. to be invited back with a bid. She had always wanted a sister, and in one whirlwind week she had 75. "I remember most vividly how my new big sister, Bev Riehm '66, led me, a clueless first semester freshman, through the nightmare of selecting and registering 15 semester hours of courses," shares Pam. "This was pre-computer, paper and pencil, onsite registration in the Hawkeye Field House, the biggest building I had ever been in. Thankfully, Bev knew what I should take and I ran beside her from table to table, nearly having a meltdown each time a desired class was closed and we had to start the process over.  As with many other experiences, I couldn't have done it without her, or my pledge mom, Pat Campbell '66." While an undergraduate Pam served as standards chairman and activities chairman. "We were known as giving, enthusiastic participants, and leaders on the U of I campus. We saw serving others, being actively involved members of sorority, and campus life as part of a well-rounded education," says Pam. "In fact, Rho Chapter was so actively involved that we won the National Activities Award that year!" Pam graduated in 1971 with a B.A. (Continued on page 3)

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