Delta Delta Delta - University of Missouri

DDD Delta Xi Chapter at the University of Missouri Fall 2017 Delta Xi Welcomes New House Director, Christy Garnett Tri Delta Completes Summer Renovation Projects O nce again, summer found 901 Richmond Avenue to be a flurry of activity. Our planned projects included updating the second- floor bedrooms with wood-looking laminate and replacing the original wood bedroom doors on second floor with life-saving, fire-rated doors. These alone were monumental jobs, but add summer house cleaning, carpet cleaning, painting, landscaping, and the replacement of blinds, lights, fans and mattresses, and you have a perpetual revolving door of workmen. Then there were the unplanned projects of humidity issues in bedrooms, flooded bathrooms requiring drywall replacement, electrical issues with freezer and kitchen outlets, and roof leakage. Thanks to the efforts of the wonderful women of the House Corporation and our own amazing Kathy Walther '71, we collectively did everything from planning and supervising projects to cleaning out closets and storage rooms, and had the house ready for move in when the women of Delta Xi returned for recruitment on August 6. We also welcomed a new house director to our Delta Xi family. Christy Garnett is a retired school teacher and brings many talents to the table. Please stop by and welcome her to our family if you find yourself in Columbia. We feel very lucky to have found her! Our chapter continues to grow and thrive and it is an ongoing task to keep the house competitive with other newer houses. With this in mind, our long-range plans include finishing bedroom door replacement on the third floor, new décor on the main floor, new front yard landscaping, and continued upgrades to security and technology. There are always numerous volunteer opportunities at DDD with varying levels of commitment. Please consider giving generously of your time, talents, and/or finances and continue the legacy of Tri Delta. Loyally, Debbie Walz Austin '73 House Corporation President daustin79@mchsi.com Tritia (Tia) Trump Odom '95 Remains Involved with Delta Xi Alumna Balances Family, Mizzou Football, and Giving Back E ven years after graduating, Tritia (Tia) Trump Odom '95 is still proud to represent Delta Delta Delta on campus. From the start of recruitment, she felt a connection with Delta Xi. "The women there struck me as smart, fun, and classy. I could see myself being a part of those women during my time at Mizzou." After earning her degree in education and human environmental sciences from Mizzou, her career became focused around interior design and education. "Being in a sorority in general gave me a sense of confidence and pride in being part of a group yet staying an individual," Tia says. "My career is now rooted in my husband's role as the head football coach at the University of Missouri, but I continue to use my education background in our community work and in our relationships with our football players at Mizzou, developing them into amazing men, husbands, and fathers." Tia and Barry are both alumni of Mizzou and she says it is unique that they get to have a huge role at their alma mater. "I couldn't be more proud to tell others that I'm a Mizzou Tri Delta," she says. "We feel it is extremely important to carry on Mizzou traditions and pride and many of those go hand-in-hand with being in a strong sorority on campus. I'm proud to represent Mizzou's strong Greek system and feel every chapter on campus plays an important role in the campus culture." During football season, the Odom family hardly has a day off, even on a bye week. Tia is constantly hosting players, staff members, and their families at their home for dinners and events, while also running her children to and from football practice. "I'm the same as anyone," she says. "I look back at my week and either wonder how we survived or how I felt so busy and didn't get anything done!" Tia feels great pride being a Mizzou alumna and her role at the university only strengthens those feelings. "It's difficult to describe how proud we are at Mizzou because it is an overwhelming feeling," she says. "I love the traditions of college football at so many schools around the nation, but there are moments on a game day at Mizzou that I am emotional because of our tie to the university." The memories Tia made at the Delta Xi Chapter House stick with her to this day. She says one of her favorite parts of living in was the opportunity she had to change rooms often. "I think about what a gift it was to have a new roommate. This was how a lot of us established connections with sisters outside of our pledge class and social circles." She also cherished recruitment and developed strong relationships and pride in the chapter. Amongst her incredibly busy schedule, she still finds time to give back to Delta Xi. She has spoken at chapter meetings, attended Founders Days, and worked on the capital campaign. "I like to give back because Tri Delta gave me so much during my college years and I feel a responsibility to that. The relationships of Tri Delta friends have had an immeasurable effect on my life." In Tia's free time she enjoys playing tennis and having lunch with friends. She and Barry have three children, J.T. (12), Garyt (11), and Anna Lockwood (2), who they call Lockie. Tia explains why so many people call her Tia, since everyone knew her by Tritia, in college. "My family has affectionately called me Tia my entire life and once I started working and meeting so many new people as an adult, I started introducing myself as Tia because it was easier than explaining my unusual name, Tritia. After all the years, now someone calling me Tritia is special, because I know it is a longtime friend that knew me in college or before." Tia lives in Columbia, Mo., and can be reached at tritiaodom@yahoo.com. Tritia (Tia) Trump Odom '95 and her children, J.T., Lockie, and Garyt.

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