Sigma Kappa - University of Florida

3 Beta Tau S igma Kappa at the University of Florida has had a great 2019 so far! Beta Tau was awarded Three Stars of Excellence for the chapter's performance on campus and within Sigma Kappa in 2018. This is one of the greatest honors that our chapter can receive and we will strive toward excellence again this year. On campus, our chapter was named a Chapter of Excellence by the Florida Greek Standards accreditation program, earning 965 out of 1,000 possible points. Sigma Kappa Grant Provides Valuable Chapter Programming Beta Tau was one of four recipients of the 1874 Giving Circle Grant, which allowed us to host an educational programming event on September 26. The event focused on educating attendees about Alzheimer's disease and what the Alzheimer's Association does to support those affected. Additionally, Elizabeth Ulrich '16 and Samantha Fining '16 were awarded scholarships through the Sigma Kappa Foundation. More Than $50,000 Raised for Charity We hosted our annual Sigma K Pasta Buffet in the spring to benefit the Sigma Kappa Foundation and raised more than $41,000 for Children's Miracle Network through Dance Marathon. Our chapter also came together to donate more than $12,000 to the Sigma Kappa Foundation. While so much of Sigma Kappa's success comes from working together, there are some individual accomplishments which also deserve recognition. Lillie Gilmore '16 and Samantha Fining '16 were inducted into Florida Blue Key, and Jessica Lien '16 placed third in the Delta Tau Delta Miss Greek Pageant, which directly benefitted the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Fall Plans We are overjoyed to welcome nearly 80 new members into our sisterhood this fall! With the support of our new and initiated members, our chapter will host its annual Sigma Shootout, a 3-on-3 soccer tournament which raises proceeds for the Alzheimer's Association. Sigma Kappa will also participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's, celebrate our sisterhood with an overnight trip to Charleston, S.C., and welcome alumnae into our home for Founder's Day in November. Our new officers will be elected at the end of the fall term in November, and I am excited to see how the chapter flourishes. As my term is coming to an end, I want to thank our active alumnae, Advisory Board, house corporation, and all our active members for their continued support of and involvement in Beta Tau's growth! Loyally, Samantha Fining '16, Chapter President ufsigmakappapresident@gmail.com Beta Tau Presented with Three Stars of Excellence and Chapter of Excellence Awards Chapter Raises More Than $50,000 for Charity Lillie Gilmore '16 and Samantha Fining '16 were inducted into Florida Blue Key in April. Sisters gathered together before they danced for 26.2 hours to raise funds and awareness for Children's Miracle Network at Dance Marathon this past spring semester. Alumnae Update June Jolley Dyches '56 and her husband, Jim, are retired and live at the Villages of Gainesville. June wrote a book about her life and gave copies to her family members only. Daughter Tracy Turk lives in Orlando, daughter Julie Larocque lives in Tallahassee, and son James Jr. lives in Miami. The have seven grandchildren and one great-grand—plus one on the way! Carol Kendrick Schiller '61 and her husband, Friedrich, retired to 26 wooded acres in Suwannee County, Fla., south of Live Oak. Carol has been active in quilting, quilting guilds, and quilting shows. They also enjoy hiking and canoeing with fellow Florida Trail Association members. They relish visits with their daughter, Hollond, her husband, Stephen, and their two grandchildren, Xander and Desi. Carol and Friedrich are in the process of selling their summer home outside of Boone, N.C. Email: fcschiller@windstream.net Rosemary Otto '62 is a self-employed artist and recently hosted her own art shows. You can view some of her work at https:// mainstreetgallery.net/portfolio-item/ rosemary-otto. Rosemary lives in Lake Worth, Fla. Email: otto.rosemary@yahoo.com Patrina Aitcheson McCarthy '63 retired in 2013 after years of teaching, social work, bereavement counseling, and Anglican priesthood. She now has lots of time for her six grandchildren and long summers in the North Carolina mountains. Trina lives in Tallahassee, Fla. Email: tmccarthy2@embarqmail.com Kathy Fritz Astley '63 retired in 2003 as an elementary school principal in Miami-Dade Public Schools. She lives in Weston, Fla., and is a world traveler, spending her summers in Waynesville, N.C. Email: kastley@earthlink.net (Continued on page 4)

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