Phi Mu - University of Arkansas

2 Phi Mu Fraternity A Family Affair Big-Little Pair Volunteer for Alpha Beta E ight years ago, Carolyn nalley '79 received a call from her big sister, virginia rainwater Cox '79, asking for her help; Phi Mu needed to be brought back to the University of Arkansas. Since then, the two have volunteered countless hours to Alpha Beta Chapter. "Virginia and I have always been a team. We work well together and love volunteering for the chapter that brought us together," Carolyn said. Carolyn and Virginia's connection can be traced back before college, as they are both from small Arkansas towns whose high school football teams played each other. During recruitment, Carolyn was rushed by Virginia, and ever since, their relationship has continued to deepen and grow. Carolyn has also stayed great friends with Tammy Jo Gibson nolan '79 and lisa nordin Wolfe '79, and has become friends with Chapter Adviser Jacqueline Jones Tiarks '86. "I loved being a part of the charter pledge class and building the chapter into a top-notch sorority," she said. "The friendships formed during my college years have lasted a lifetime." Carolyn helped the chapter with fall recruitment and believes the active members are all great and doing well as a whole. For Preference night, Carolyn was able to hone in on one of her hobbies, creating floral arrangements, by delivering 300 roses and carnations to the chapter. Throughout her years of volunteering, Carolyn has helped the chapter in various aspects, including serving on the Advisery Council and as a co-adviser to Alpha Beta Mother's Club, and believes the only thing holding back the active chapter is not having a chapter house. "I received a lot during my time at Phi Mu and I think it's important to give back now. Whatever the undergraduates need, volunteers help make it happen," she said. "I love being around the active members and seeing the success that they are enjoying on campus." During her undergraduate years, one of Carolyn's favorite memories was winning Sigma Chi Derby Days her sophomore year. Phi Mu had only been on campus for two years, and it was the first big event Alpha Beta won. Carolyn loved how the entire sisterhood worked together and proved to the other sororities that Phi Mu should be taken seriously. She also enjoyed the times spent in the Lion's Den, and remembers how members would schedule classes around General Hospital to watch Luke and Laura's wedding together in the downstairs family room. Carolyn also served as Social Chairman for two terms and enjoyed helping with skits during recruitment. "College makes one independent. You learn how to get things done, especially if you hold an office. You learn responsibility and how to manage time and money," she said. Following graduation, Carolyn worked as a buyer for Dillard's until she opened her by-appointment jewelry company, Something New, in 1987. She and her husband, Doyle, live in Benton, Ark., and have two children, Jerra and Chance. In her free time, Carolyn enjoys decorating, smocking, sewing, and floral gardening. Carolyn can be reached at cswnalley@gmail.com. Giving with Purpose Virginia Rainwater Cox '79 Volunteers to Give Back F or 17 years, virginia rainwater Cox '79 was heartbroken that Phi Mu no longer had an active chapter at the University of Arkansas. For her, Alpha Beta was not a social organization that lasted four years and was then forgotten, but a lifetime commitment. This commitment made Virginia feel as if it was her duty to step up and help bring the chapter back to campus. "It is very humbling to see Alpha Beta return to the University of Arkansas," she said. "Since 2012, we have grown to become one of the largest sororities on campus and it has been a blessing returning to Fayetteville and rekindling old friendships." Virginia serves as co-adviser for Alpha Beta's Mother's Club. She has made a lifetime of volunteering and Phi Mu was instrumental in teaching her the importance of giving back. "The amount of time and effort I have contributed to Phi Mu over the years has been returned to me many-fold," she said. "One very important point to remember is that you must give in order to get." For Virginia, sorority sisterhood is a powerful bond, and truly a lifetime commitment to membership. Since Alpha Beta's return, she is incredibly proud of the on-campus involvement the undergraduates have shown and the success the chapter has had in receiving coveted awards. "Phi Mu is a great organization, with possibilities that will spread over a lifetime, and opportunities waiting in the shadows for young women to take advantage of," she said. "There are so many great things about being a part of something bigger than you, and I'm grateful for all Alpha Beta has given me and will continue to give me throughout my life." Virginia is self-employed in the hotel and farm management business. Being born and raised in a small, northeast Arkansas community known for agriculture, her family has been associated with the lifestyle for four generations. She started in the family business by assisting with the design aspect of the family's hotels, and eventually became a stay-at-home mother and dedicated her time to raising a family and volunteering. Both of Virginia's sons, Stephen Everett II and Samuel Weston, are Arkansas graduates. "Some say that a person's name is all they have. I believe that without a good name there cannot be a great legacy," she said. "I have come to realize this with Phi Mu— we must leave things better than we find them in life, and carry on the legacy of those before us." Virginia spends her free time volunteering, vacationing and spending time with friends and family. She lives in Jonesboro, Ark., with her husband, Stephen Everett Cox, an Arkansas graduate and former NFL player. Virginia can be reached at vraincox@gmail.com. "Phi Mu is a great organiza on, with possibili es that will spread over a life me, and opportuni es wai ng in the shadows for young women to take advantage of." arkansas.phimu.org arkansasphimu Phi Mu alumni - alpha Beta Chapter @arkansasPhiMu phimuarkansas arkansasphimu phi_mu_ab_alum arkansasphimu fInd us onlIne f f l o o FM 8

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