Sigma Kappa - Purdue University

Visions of Violets 2 Beta Sigma Honors Loyal Alumna Elaine Kull Liley '50 (Continued from page 1) persevered all those years with such great success. I have served on many boards over the last 35 years and can tell you this position entails hours of service, great responsibility, and challenges. I cannot imagine leading like Elaine did so well. A true testament of a great leader, Elaine pursued her vision for Beta Sigma, followed her heart, and inspired us all. Valerie Pykosz Horton '76 notes, "If it were not for Mrs. Liley, Mrs. Rew, Mrs. Scaletta, and Mrs. V (Betty Vostinari), our recolonization experience would have had a lousy start. They truly cared about us and got us on our feet. I know I speak for our entire class of 80+ women in saying she was a true gem. Mrs. Liley was 46 and had two young girls (Betsy '83 and Becky '85) when she was busy taking care of us, and she always did it with such energy and style and that smile. She was a woman whom you always looked forward to seeing at Homecoming every year. I admired her spunk and remember Mr. and Mrs. Liley partying at our dances. She will always be loved by all the Sigma Kappa sisters who knew her." Janet C. Kirby '86 posted, "She was the epitome of a strong, intelligent, and dignified woman." The lists of Elaine's accomplishments are amazing. She helped develop and demonstrate the first microwave oven for Westinghouse, was a founding member in the late '50s of Tippecanoe County's Business and Professional Women's Organization, an active member of Purdue's Alumni Panhellenic Council, and a democratic precinct leader at election polls for more than 30 years. A celebration of her devotion and impact upon our chapter is being planned to officially dedicate the library in her honor; information forthcoming. P at Jarboe Buchanan '59 is and always has been a strong supporter of Sigma Kappa. From the moment she met the women of Beta Sigma during recruitment, she knew she had found a home at Purdue. "Being shy, I felt that Sigma Kappa would help me get involved on a large campus, and my sisters could help with classes and make friends for a lifetime. I took great pride in our accomplishments. We worked very hard to make Sigma Kappa a significant sorority on campus, and we succeeded." Pat earned a B.S. from Purdue and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Her experiences as an undergraduate resonated with her and led to her staying involved with Sigma Kappa as an alumna. "I remember the alumnae who helped our chapter and learned from them that it's an honor to be a Sigma Kappa, and when you're an alumna, it's only right to give back to your community, chapter, and sorority as a whole." In maintaining her Sigma Kappa roots, Pat has been a coordinator for the National Housing Corporation and held the position of Epsilon Mu Corporation president for 24 years before stepping down in 2013, yet still remains active with the House Corporation. "I have enjoyed working with the Epsilon Mu Chapter at Mizzou and serving as president. I truly appreciate all of those who gave me the opportunity. I hope my contributions will instill in others the desire to help Sigma Kappa." Epsilon Mu has come a long way since Pat's tenure on the board began in 1989. She is especially impressed with how the active chapter has flourished since rechartering a year and a half ago. "Members of the chapter have done a wonderful job bringing Sigma Kappa back to the University of Missouri. I loved meeting so many great young women, and getting a chapter house that the women could be proud of." As a testament to Pat's leadership legacy, Epsilon Mu's Corporation was recently presented the Barbara Fenter's Outstanding Corporation Board Award at our National Convention in June. She is also a 1992 Colby Award recipient. "It was Beta Sigma that helped me learn the value of getting involved in the community and gave me the necessary skills to help others. I also learned how to work effectively with a variety of people and many organizational and leadership skills from Sigma Kappa. It's an honor to be a part of this organization and continue to be many opportunities to give back as an alumna. I believe it's important to support Sigma Kappa as a recognition for the many ways is supported us as collegians." Looking back on her time as an undergraduate, Pat recalls many great memories, including "the bean" ("Which I believe is still there today— recovered many times") and canning her senior skirt in a green bean can. "We had a tradition that the seniors would hide their skirts throughout the house. If they weren't found, the other members had to take us to dinner, but if they were, we treated them. You guessed it. They didn't find mine! Beta Sigma is an outstanding chapter and the house is even more elegant now than it was when I was there. I hope everyone gains as much from their Sigma Kappa experience as I have." Pat responded to Beta Sigma's spring 2014 artwork contest by donating funds and working with the House Corporation to commission "Dove Love." Thanks to Pat, the chapter has bold new artwork reflecting the contemporary mid-century art style of Jackson Pollack fitting for the chapter house designed in 1951. Pat retired as assistant dean for the University of Missouri and University of Illinois extension operations and lives in Columbia, Missouri, with her puppy, Jasmine. "She has become my constant companion and is always there to greet me when I come home." She volunteers for two second grade teachers and belongs to the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri and Chapter LM P.E.O., both of which are philanthropic and have a variety of ways to give back to the community and assist young women. Pat is also a very enthusiastic and dedicated Missouri fan, attending many football and basketball games throughout the year. Last year she became involved with the Mizzou Spirit Squad and is the "adopted grandma" of Truman the Tiger (the Mizzou mascot). Pat would love to hear from her sisters and can be reached at sissy.buchanan@gmail.com. Pat Jarboe Buchanan '59 Recounts Sigma Kappa Memories Pat (front row, right) and her pledge class sitting on the bean in 1959.

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