Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Lyre Letter A L P H A B E T A C H A P T E R O F A L P H A C H I O M E G A A T P U R D U E U N I V E R S I T Y FALL 2018 100 YEARS OF ALPHA BETA Alumnae Return to Purdue to Celebrate Centennial T he sisters of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega gathered in late September to celebrate our chapter's founding and our sisterhood. It was a weekend to remember with various events, sharing old memories, making new ones and celebrating the remarkable accomplishment of a strong and vibrant chapter at Purdue University. ALUMNAE RECONNECT AT CHAPTER The celebration began with a brunch at the Purdue Memorial Union followed by a formal chapter meeting. It was fun to watch alumnae participate in a formal chapter as they reminisced about their days as active collegians. During the chapter meeting, we heard an address from the Alpha Beta Chapter president, Ellie Barrett '16, regarding the state of the chapter. Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74, president of Alpha Chi Omega Home, Inc., gave members an update from the local house corporation board and on the various renovations to the chapter house. Katie Lampinen Gaffin, Delta Zeta '89, CEO of Alpha Chi Omega, gave an update on our fraternity's enterprise and the various programming we provide to members along with the challenges we face in Greek life. And Angela Costley Harris '86, our Alpha Beta sister and Alpha Chi Omega National president, gave special remarks and presented the centennial plaque to the chapter. We also conducted various pinning ceremonies to celebrate our sisters who have reached a milestone in their sisterhood journey, and our master of ceremonies, Nicki Reas Meneley '97, read a memorial ceremony to honor our sisters who have passed. There were some tears shed as we recited our Alpha Chi Omega Symphony together and were hand in hand as we left the chapter meeting after reciting the rededication ceremony. KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE Festivities continued at the Alpha Beta Chapter house with the Boilermaker Xtra Special parked on the updated patio that sisters used for a nice photo backdrop. The local Igloo Frozen Custard shop is a favorite among current chapter members so they served treats on the patio. Inside the chapter house, collegians were giving house tours and making sure alumnae saw the newly renovated executive office which was home to the many Alpha Beta archives. We hope to feature many of these prominently in the chapter house and display for special occasions. We still have the shovel that was used to break ground at 851 David Ross Road! Chapter members and alumnae alike enjoyed favorite desserts from various decades, including the famous cheerio treats by former cook Janet Talbert who worked in the kitchen over the weekend to bring love and loyalty to the food served for our centennial. Alumnae were also asked to tell their Alpha Chi Omega story and favorite memories by a video crew to document the weekend. We hope this special archive will be shown at future Alpha Beta celebrations! EVENING OF CELEBRATION The final event of the day was hosted back at the Purdue Memorial Union and began with a cocktail hour followed by a formal dinner. The group Heart & Soul by Purdue Musical Organizations gave a performance during dinner as well—a nod to our fraternity's musical history. The sweethearts of Alpha Chi Omega were pleasantly surprised when we asked them to line up for a special ceremony. The men were inducted into the Royal Order of the Red Carnation and pinned with a carnation boutonniere by their Alpha Chi Sweetheart. A special guest was also inducted and provided some entertainment for the evening, the one and only Purdue Pete! Our centennial campaign chair, Barbara Schultz Lynch '73, delivered remarks regarding the campaign and gave an update on our $1 million goal, which we have not reached. She informed our sisters that we were not finished and would continue to "seek the heights" and ask all of our sisters to contribute or give a little more for the campaign and renovations. The evening ended with lots of dancing and laughter among sisters. Alpha Beta is known for our Sunday brunch so a centennial weekend would not have been complete without one. Thanks to our chefs with Campus Cooks for a delicious brunch and to Janet Lester Talbert '00 for her famous cinnamon rolls! Several sisters visited the chapter house one last time to enjoy our beautifully renovated home and to take photos on our famous swing. If you were unable to attend the Alpha Beta centennial celebration, we missed you. However, you are always welcome to come home and see the chapter, visit with the collegians and make more memories! We hope you will help us achieve our $1 million goal and continue to seek the heights for another 100 years at Alpha Beta. Loyally, Katie Thomas Glick '04 Chapter Advisor Centennial Campaign Board Member katie.mae.thomas@gmail.com Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74, Angela Costley Harris '86, Mary Harrison Ford '57, and Rebecca Casey Schlect '75 with our 2018 centennial plaque. Turn the page to see photos from the centennial celebration!

• Cover