Chi Omega - University of Wisconsin

CHI OMEGA 3 Χ Ω WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF NU Meaningful XΩ Experience Inspires Sandy Wilson TenPas '72 to Support Capital Campaign n 2017: Architectural design work for future projects was completed and approved by the city. ere were major repairs for water and roof damage. PROJECT COSTS: $48,996 n 2018: e exterior of the house was tuck-pointed to ensure the 16-inch-thick brick walls are moisture-proof from the Wisconsin weather. e old mortar was removed and replaced with new mortar. New roof flashings, steel window lintels, and a new large capacity water heater were installed. PROJECT COST: $172,027 n 2019: e old bathrooms on the second floor, third floor, and lower level were demolished and rebuilt. is included all new carpentry, plumbing lines and fixtures, HVAC, sprinklers, electrical wiring and outlets, tile showers, storage areas, and shower doors. PROJECT COSTS: $282,425 "O nce upon a time, we were all young women on campus looking for a place outside our studies to belong and to use our gis," Sandy Wilson TenPas '72 said. "I believe Chi Omega added a lot to my life. It certainly helped launch me into the world." In the winter of 1972, Sandy and her twin sister, Sharon Wilson Goggins '72, followed in the footsteps of their older sister who had joined a sorority in college and committed to Chi Omega. ey found Nu Chapter to be a good fit—full of smart, interesting, like-minded young women who wanted to be involved. "At the time, Chi Omega was a smaller sorority, with about 40 members. ere were lots of opportunities to become involved! It was a great place to cultivate leadership skills, volunteer, and organize events while we were developing social and emotional skills," she stated. "But most of all, we were having fun with loyal friends as we worked on a common goal." In 1979, the Equal Rights Amendment was passed, and Sandy knows that Chi Omega helped prepare her and Nu sisters for new roles in the workforce. e skills she learned as an undergraduate kept developing during Sandy's career, in initiating/joining volunteer programs, and as a mom. Contributing to the Nu Chapter capital campaign is a way for Sandy to show her gratitude for her valuable experience and to honor her original commitment to XΩ—the place that helped shape the woman she is today. Chi Omega was also the setting of some of her favorite undergraduate memories: Monday Chapter dinners and meetings (with maybe a chance to go to Langdon Hall aerward); having a pledge daughter, Margaret Martin Demshar '73, and then a pledge granddaughter, Lori Ward Bocher '74; and Nadean Strieff Dyer '72 being a super roommate. "I still remember the semester she was studying anatomy and brought small boxes of formaldehyde-covered 'body parts' back to our study room!" A new memory of Sandy's that is connected to Chi Omega came from the unlikeliest of places. "I recently connected with an elderly gentleman who had been in a fraternity at the University of Wisconsin in the early 1950s. His fraternity brothers kept setting him up with different sorority girls, but he hadn't been happy with their choices. So, as they were driving down Langdon Street one day, he pointed to a young lady walking down the street and said, 'Why don't you set me up with someone like her?' e boys found out who she was and set them up," she said. "She was a Chi Omega. ey fell in love and were married for over 50 years." ese are just a few of the stories written within the walls of the Chapter House—future generations of sisters have so many more stories to add to Chi Omega's colorful history at the University of Wisconsin. It's time to start writing the next chapter of our history and ensure that sisters yet to come will have access to the same formative experiences in a comfortable and advantageous environment. "e Chapter House is charming but needs to be renovated for the 21st century," Sandy stated. Sandy and her husband, Harlan, recently moved to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, aer finishing their careers in Chicago. ey have been happily married for 40 years with two terrific sons. You can connect with Sandy and find out more about why she supports renovating the Chapter House at tenpasfamily@gmail.com.

• Cover