Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

2 Lyre Notes 2017: The front patio and landscaping was completely updated with new exterior lighting. Heat sensors were installed to enhance the safety provided by the house- wide sprinkler system. 2018: A new entryway was constructed, opening the front stairwell to the composite room. Additionally, new front-of-house bedroom windows, new windows on the north side of the chapter house and furniture for the new front patio were purchased. Annually: The HCB replaces bedroom furniture and mattresses. As of 2018, all bedrooms have new flooring. For 2019, a priority of the HCB is the continued safety of members. In the fall of 2018, the Columbia Police Department conducted a safety audit of the chapter house. Although they said they were impressed with our current security measures, they recommended an additional dusk-to-dawn light in the southeast corner of the exterior of the house. That light has since been installed. Other security updates include additional locks on the front French doors and a fingerprint lock on the deck French door, which will be installed this spring. We will also be installing a buzzer sensor on the front door that will sound if the door is left open for a certain period of time. Replacing appliances is expensive. In November 2018, we replaced the refrigerator in the kitch- enette used by members and in January 2019 we purchased a commercial dishwasher in the kitch- en. We are continuing the bedroom furniture and mattress replacements. There are also a variety of regular maintenance issues that would not be wise to defer, as well as requests by the chapter for various small upgrades. Projects for summer 2019 include tuck-pointing the east side of the original chapter house and a review of the bed- room heating and cooling systems. As of March, our mortgage was approximately $800,000. Long term, we are exploring major architectural changes for the first floor in order to incorporate a more efficient commercial kitchen, a new 24- hour kitchen for the collegians and other updates. The timeline and financing of such a project are to be determined. With several sororities at Mizzou tearing down their old houses and building new and the declining number of women going through recruitment, the pressure is high for Alpha Chi to provide a first-class facility to attract women who share our values without pricing ourselves out of the market or taking on more debt than we can afford. We are proud of the safe, secure home that is the Alpha Nu chapter house. If you have not visited in recent years, we hope you will do so soon. Loyally, Bev Wood Nichols '75 President Alpha Nu House Corporation Board Making Safety Issues and Maintenance of the Chapter House a Priority (Continued from page 1) F or Linda Hoerig Powers '68, joining ΑΧΩ changed her whole college experience in such a positive way. "I never intended to pledge a sorority, it just happened by chance," she explained. Linda's older sister was an Alpha Chi at Southeast Missouri State University. Coincidentally, Linda's dorm roommate, Carla Henke Mattson '68, also was an Alpha Chi and she introduced her to other members. "I saw what sorority life was like first hand and the friendship the girls felt for one another. I wanted to be part of that," she shared. Linda has had a very exciting and fulfilling life, having married the love of her life in 1969 and becoming the wife of a college football coach. She and her husband, Warren, spent eight years at the University of Nebraska, where he was an assistant coach, then one year at Washington State University, where Warren was the head coach. While they were in Nebraska, she was Miss Linda on Romper Room for seven years until their move to Washington. "Live TV with 4 and 5 year olds was both fun and full of surprises!" she explained. Then miraculously, Warren became the head coach at the University of Missouri, where he coached for the next seven years. "Being back home was a dream come true for me," Linda said. "I stayed very busy as the head coach's wife doing alumni functions and entertaining." During the many long hours when her husband was busy recruiting and coaching, she became passionate about bridge, and has continued playing and teaching the game for the past 20- plus years. Wanting to give back to something that had given her so much during her time at Mizzou, Linda contributed to the capital campaign in 2012. "I feel it is important for alumnae to help keep the house up to date and inviting so we continue to attract bright young women to keep us moving forward as a strong house on campus," Linda said. "We do not always know at the time the impact we have on each other, but as we age and reflect, we often view things differently and with clearer vision." Today, she is very involved with the Alzheimer's Association and an event called the Longest Day. Linda's husband is living with Alzheimer's, which has motivated her to become active in raising money to find a cure for the disease. "We have raised over $200,000 the past five years to go to the care, support, and research for the Alzheimer's Association," Linda revealed. It is a devastating disease that has claimed many, and Linda, like many, is doing all she can to help find a cure. As a member of ΑΧΩ, Linda learned what people can do together and the strength it gives them if they care enough to try. Warren was honored at Mizzou's Homecoming in 2018, where the story of his disease was told. Linda is grateful to the athletic department and the University for helping draw awareness to the disease. "I suppose the three words to summarize my experience with ΑΧΩ and life in general would be, TOGETHER WE CAN!" ΑΧΩ, a Life-Changing Experience How the Power of Sisterhood Impacted Linda Hoerig Powers '68 and Her Family You can connect with Linda at lindapowers1920@gmail.com.

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