Alpha Chi Omega - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

page 3 alpha chi omega T he summer and fall seasons have been exciting and hopeful for Alpha Chi Omega Xi Chapter! Summer was a restful and well-needed break for our members who work so hard during the school year, and they came back rested and ready for fall recruitment. Throughout our polish week this year, we were lucky to be sent a chapter consultant, Kamalea Khan, Epsilon Lambda, who was especially knowledgeable in all things recruitment, and her presence truly showed in our success! With the hard work of VP of Recruitment Jesse Brummell '16, both CRIC Stevie Dobson '15 and assistant CRIC Sidney Maddalena '15, all the members of Xi Chapter, and with the guidance of Kamalea, we welcomed 67 new members who quickly became the pledge class of 2018. National Convention this year was held in the charming and unique town of Austin, Texas, and I was honored to represent Xi Chapter. I truly enjoyed the company of Xi alumnae who were there as advisors and HCB representatives—Nichole Lipsys Palmer '94, Kristen Onkka '05, Willie Desch Shafer '53, Stephanie Morrison Kyllo '99 and Leslie Schacht Drey '04. It was during National Convention that I realized that I had never seen how big Alpha Chi Omega was across the nation. Throughout my weekend in Austin, I met many new people from near and far, who were old and young, and who were in good times and hard times, but we all had one tie that brought us together. We were all Alpha Chi Omega. This opened my eyes to Alpha Chi beyond the walls of Xi and how important alumnae and active interaction is for the strength of a chapter. My time at National Convention was so impactful this summer that it served as the main inspiration for this fall semester's new philanthropy, In the Eyes of Alpha Chi. Together with the help of VP Philanthropy Grace Nesseth '15, we put together a classy event on November 9 at the Lincoln Station Great Hall, located in the heart of Haymarket. It included a plated dinner, fundraising to benefit the Friendship Home, followed by desserts and cocktails. It was a great time for all Alpha Chi alumnae to come back home and connect with the active members of Xi Chapter. Xi Chapter's strength is due to the leadership ability of the Executive Board members, who will be ending their terms and transitioning their position to new hands in December. I am proud to be Xi Chapter president and leading the women and new members; they are the future of Alpha Chi Omega. Loyally, Emma Sheridan '15 Chapter President Chapterpresident.xi@gmail.com National Convention Inspires Xi Chapter Philanthropy, In the Eyes of Alpha Chi Left: Bigs and Littles (top, from left) Anna Wickham '16 and Katie Ward '15, (middle) McKensie Saiyavongsa '17 and Emma Smith '17, (bottom) Colby Miller '18 and Julia Kobler '18. Right: Seniors—pledge class of 2015—on Preference Day 2018. Where Are Your Sisters? Alumnae Updates From the 1940s-2000s Eleanor Bancroft Yoakam '48 lives in Parker, Colo., and has two children, Mark and Janine. Her husband, Rod, passed away in January 2016. She is a former certified shorthand reporter for Superior Court, L.A. County. She retired from full-time organ and piano duties at her church and now is back-up for choir accompaniment. Email: elyoakam@gmail.com Charlene Srb '52 was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 12 years ago, and her husband, Joe, is an "excellent" caregiver. They live in Omaha and have three grown children. Charlene retired in 1997 as a speech pathologist for District 66. "Many wonderful memories of past to be so thankful for." Email: joesrb@aol.com Jane Farley Gergorius '64 retired in 2005 as a professor of art at Cabrillo College. She lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and continues to make art (www.janegregoriusartist.com) and travel. She set up a printmaking cooperative and was in Oaxaca, Mexico, in October-November for their Day of the Dead ceremonies. Email: janegreg@ cruzio.com Barbara Robbie Elliott '67 and her husband, Jon, live in Omaha and have three daughters: Jennifer Elliott Osborne '93, Allison Elliott Jambor '99, and Kimberly Elliott Milledge '03. Barb is retired and enjoys going to events for her five grandchildren. Email: ez2own@aol.com Barbara Knudsen Burgess '73 reports that her daughter, Lena, pledged Alpha Chi Omega at Syracuse. Barbara and her husband, Ron, live in Orange, Calif., and she is vice president of finance for MBK Real Estate. Email: barbarakoburgess@gmail.com Peggy Reichardt Hain '81 is director of marketing and communication at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She and her husband, Ken, live in Lincoln and have three children: Mitch, Alex, and Jacey. Peggy has played on the same co-ed softball team for 33 years and plays volleyball and works on the family's (Continued on page 4)

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