Delta Gamma - Texas Tech University

Gamma Xi Anchor 5 Jane Matthews Lawrence, Nu '49, Brought Delta Gamma to Lubbock O ne could say that without the help of Jane Matthews Lawrence, Nu '49, the Gamma Xi Chapter of Delta Gamma might not exist. She played a large part in establishing Delta Gamma at Texas Tech, and if not for her commitment to the sorority, a significant branch of such a powerful organization may not have flourished into what it has become today. Jane's history with Delta Gamma started at the University of Idaho, Nu Chapter. She made an immediate connection with the young women in the house and, alongside them, created many amazing memories. After graduating with her degree in elementary education, Jane moved to Portland, Oregon, to teach. She returned to the University of Idaho during spring break and visited with the dean of women, with whom she worked closely as a student. Jane's desire to teach had subsided, so she consulted the dean on other options. "She told me that DG was looking for a field consultant and asked if I would be interested. I eventually interviewed with Peggy Hay, vice president of collegiates at the time, in Portland and was hired starting in the fall of 1953. After a year working with Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, I got a call to be in Lubbock to help establish the Gamma Xi colony." Along with Peggy and Roberta Abernathy, DG's executive secretary from the home office in Columbus, Jane made the trek to Texas where the three interviewed young women to be members of the initial Gamma Xi Colony at Texas Tech. Eighteen were pledged and they became the charter members of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Delta Gamma. From October to the following summer, Jane, Peggy, and Roberta helped Gamma Xi become what is now: one of the strongest sororities at Texas Tech. During this time, Jane met her husband, Jim. They went on to live in Lubbock for more than 60 years. Jim had a Ph.D. in engineering and worked in the mechanical engineering department at Tech for 48 years, and became department chairman. Jane remained close with DG during this time, and even today, she participates in chapter events when she is able. "Tech and Gamma Xi have been a part of my life for decades. DG is wonderful as a collegiate and as an alumna, but when you move out into the world, you realize how close those bonds are. You find yourself in a new place thinking something like, 'I need a hairdresser,' and you look to see if there's a local DG in town. 'I bet she could help guide me.' It's just amazing where your life takes you. It goes beyond the collegiate chapter, beyond alumnae; it goes into your life forever. I can attest to that." Jane and Jim have two daughters, Jenny Lawrence Young '77 and Julie Lawrence Richards '78. Jane lives at Raider Ranch, an independent retirement facility in Lubbock. She is an ambassador welcoming new residents and helping make the transition easier. She attends Sunday school and church at the First Methodist Church of Lubbock. She also gets together with four other DGs (two who are members of Gamma Xi, two who are not) once a month for lunch at Sugarbakers. "We used to call ourselves the Anchor Club. Jim would call us the Rusty Anchors, and even had 'Rusty Anchor Club' t-shirts made for us." You can connect with Jane at james.lawrence@ttu.edu. Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of April 25, 2016 $900,000 Goal $743,267 Raised 281 Donors 1998 Participation: 14% Krystal Bell McDaniel Misty Belt Perinne* Emily Bullis Rollins* Jennifer Jay Turner* 2000 Participation: 9% Angie Von Pageler Cunico* Shannon Smith Hanberry Jennifer Sullivan McConnell Stacy Ackmann McQuage* Emily Schlesinger Romph 2002 Participation: 7% Emily Fisher Schultz* Sarah Heath McCullough Jessica Sands Lindsey R. Sirles 2004 Participation: 2% Jalynn Minor McDowell 2005 Participation: 9% Erin Weisheit Cowling Storey Rivas Crabtree Mallory Goetz Macy Branch Holloway 2007 Participation: 9% Ashley Crow* Arica Felty Drabble* Erin Finlayson* Hannah Hailey* Deenie Redding Kristen Williams 2008 Participation: 3% Jessica R. Goss Kimberly N. Pardee* 2009 Participation: 4% Lauren Luke Erica Peters* 2010 Participation: 2% Melissa Brisco 2011 Participation: 7% Lee Paige Affholter Emylee Dillard* Katy Hailey* Christina Belle-Henry* Loren Hughes* 2012 Participation: 3% Lauren Antcliff Alyssa Chavez Kelli D. Pardee* 2013 Participation: 4% Margaret Vonderhaar* Meridith Pettye* Friends of Gamma Xi Patrick Affholter Mary R. Bergman Tammy K. Brisco Sue Sadler Cates Mr. and Mrs. Rene F. Chavez Janice Talbert Childress, Arkansas '66* Delta Gamma Foundation of Dallas* Tracee Dillard* Family of Karen Kerr Bryant* Kerri Bryant Brown Patricia G. Bryant William W. Bryant Friends of Lynda Lanier Falls '67 Leisha Marley Gonzalez, Oklahoma '96* Alethea Harrington, Houston '69 Elizabeth Pettye Hoetger* Jane Matthews Lawrence, Idaho '49* Margaret Lutherer, SMU '69*+ Margaret Sheffield Lutherer Charitable Foundation* Rebecca Mason, Arizona '01* Macy McBeth, Oklahoma '13 Alison Mooney, Oklahoma* Barbara Norton, Oklahoma '74* Deborah Harding Penner, Baylor '77* Samuel M. Ray* Stephanie McDole Roley, Nebraska '75* Bunny Shackelford, Baylor '78 Kathy Rogers Vonderhaar, SMU '80* Diane Jung Whitaker, Kansas '58 *Donor of $2,500 or more +Deceased Jane Matthews Lawrence, Nu '49, with founding members Wilida Wells Leinbach '54, Emelea Hinz Mandeville '54, Carolyn Huggins Hollis '54, and Yolanda Ell is Job '54 attend Homecoming. 14% Participation 45% Participation Goal Add your name to this list by donating today at http://dggammaxi. kintera.org/donate.

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