Alpha Chi Omega - University of Florida

A P u b l i c A t i o n o f t h e G A m m A i o t A c h A P t e r o f A l P h A c h i o m e G A fAll 2018 Chronicle The Carnation INSIDE: Our Red Carnations Rule the Nation 2 Welcome, New Members 3 Alumnae News 3 G reetings from Gainesville! We wrapped up another successful summer and have hit the ground running this fall. A majority of this summer's work revolved around fixing the damage done by a substantial leak that happened in April. This caused flooding in three of the back hall bedrooms and an area in the back hall. Along with this mundane work, three new couches were purchased for the formal living area, and new letters were installed on the back of the house. The biggest changes are happening next door where the Delta Gamma house was torn down this summer and the construction has begun on their new house. We'll be next to a construction zone for the next year! We also welcomed a new house director, Annette Perez. Please stop by to visit the house next time you're in town! Loyally, Elaine Almond '96 | elainealmond@yahoo.com Summer Updates Have the Fall Semester Started Right Chapter Completes House Improvements and Welcomes a New House Director A pril Keller Burger '75 credits an understanding for customer needs to being selected unanimously as the National Passport Acceptance Agent of the Year by her colleagues. A National Awards Committee consisting of senior officials from the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selected April for this prestigious award. The plaque she received states, "The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, proudly presents you with this award in recognition of your superior customer service and continued commitment to serving the American public. Your 29 years of dedication to excellence and willingness to go above and beyond, serve as a shining example for all Passport Acceptance Agents." With around 100 people in attendance at the National Acceptance Facilities Awards Ceremony, held at the Washington, D.C., Passport Agency, April accepted her award while proudly donning an ΑΧΩ pin. With over 45,000 passport agents both in the U.S. and abroad, she was honored to be the first ΑΧΩ sister to receive this award. During peak passport season in late winter and early spring, April serves as many as 30 travelers in a day. Due to her reputation, April has had many repeat customers traveling to the Jefferson City, Mo., Post Office, bypassing several other passport acceptance offices, to renew their passports or bring a family member to apply. "A variety of issues over the years has helped me understand customer needs." April said. "I'm dedicated to helping folks get a passport. They are normally looking forward to something in their lives such as an exciting vacation, a new job, or study abroad. They are also seeking more serious issues such as meeting and bringing back an adopted child, or to attend a funeral and need their passports in an unexpected hurry." April has helped a variety of individuals in her career, working in challenging and often desperate situations. Many years ago, births were not always recorded in a timely manner due to circumstances such as sudden family deaths, people being born at home or overseas, and being born to an unwed non-citizen parent. This can cause a scarcity in documentation for proof of citizenship that is required in order to receive a passport. When these situations arise, April has to use critical thinking and problem solving to find the right solution for each customer. "It's a Gamma Iota Sister Seeks the Heights April Keller Burger '75 Awarded National Passport Acceptance Agent of the Year in 2017 (Continued on page 4)

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